A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Harald’s‍ expression hardened.

An inspector.

An‍‍⁠ official sent by⁠‌ the imperial family⁠ when there were‌ signs of tax‌ evasion, hints of‌ rebellion, or conflicts‍ between nobles within⁠‍ a territory.

Unless⁠‍ it was a serious case, one⁠⁠‍ was rarely sent,⁠‌ so the position was always temporary—but‍ its authority was‍ immense.

It‌ didn’t matter who‌‌ the inspector was—whatever⁠‌ came out of‌ their mouth was⁠ equivalent to a verdict from the‍‌ Emperor.

‘An imperial inspector in‍‌ the North…?’

It⁠ was a matter‌ capable of causing⁠‌ the North—already uneasy‌ due to distrust‌‌ toward the imperial‍ family—to explode.

However,‍⁠ Lucian smiled and‌‍‍ gave Harald a reassuring pat on‌⁠⁠ the shoulder.

“Don’t⁠ worry. I was‌⁠ the one who requested His Majesty‌ to send him.”⁠

“You‌ were the one⁠ who asked for‌⁠ an inspector? When‍ the hell did⁠ you…?”

“Just‌⁠‍ before leaving my‌‌ home.”

Upon⁠ hearing that, Harald‌ reacted immediately. Come‍‌ to think of‌ it, if the‌⁠⁠ request had been‌‍⁠ made after arriving‌ in the North,‍⁠⁠ there was no way the inspector⁠‍ could have gotten⁠ there so quickly.⁠⁠‌

Appointing‌ the right person,‌ preparing them, and⁠‍ sending them north‌ would take considerable time. It only‍‌ made sense if‌‍ the request had‍‌ been made before⁠ the journey.

“What‌⁠ kind of scheme‌‌‌ were you plotting?”‍‍

“Just‍⁠‌ an insurance, in‌ case things went⁠‌ wrong. Though, well…‍⁠⁠ it’s ended up‍ fitting almost perfectly.”‍

“Insurance?”‌⁠‍

“For⁠‍‌ now, let’s receive‌ the inspector together.‌ We can’t keep‍‍ His Majesty’s representative‍‍ waiting too long.”‌‌‌

“Hmm…”⁠

Though⁠‌ Harald felt uneasy,⁠ he nodded. If‌ they left the‌ inspector waiting, it⁠ could raise unnecessary‍ suspicions.

He‌‌ had questions—many—but he⁠⁠ knew the answers⁠ would come as‌⁠‍ soon as they⁠⁠ heard the contents⁠ of the imperial‍‌ decree.

***⁠

Lucian⁠ went out to⁠ receive the inspector‍ and froze.

A far too familiar⁠⁠⁠ face looked at‌ him with a smile.

“Sir‍ Glenn.”

“It’s⁠ been a while.‍⁠ Though, now that⁠ I think about‌‌‌ it, maybe not⁠⁠ that long.”

He‍ was a knight⁠‌ of the Order⁠ of the Black‌‍ Scale— the same‌‍ man who, when‌ Lucian visited the⁠ capital, had helped‌ him and guided him through a secret passage.

Lucian‍ had expected someone‌‍ favorable, but not‌⁠ to the point⁠⁠ of them sending⁠ Glenn.

‘Don’t‌⁠⁠ they usually send‌ court nobles for‌⁠ things like this?‌‌ Even if he’s⁠⁠ trustworthy, sending a knight…’

Though⁠⁠ the inspector position‌⁠ was temporary and⁠⁠‌ didn’t depend on original rank, it‌ was still an‍ extraordinary appointment.

It⁠⁠ could even be⁠⁠ seen as an‍‍ excessive show of⁠‌ favor toward Lucian.⁠

“I’m‍‌ glad I found‌‌ you so soon.‍ When His Majesty⁠⁠‌ told me he⁠ didn’t know your‍⁠ exact destination and‍‍‍ to head north‌⁠ to look for⁠‍⁠ you, I nearly⁠ panicked.”

It⁠⁠ was the consequence‍‌ of having submitted‍‌ the request before‍⁠ departing—there had been‍‌ no specific destination.‍‌

“Even‌ so, thanks to‍ Your Excellency’s reputation,⁠⁠‍ it wasn’t hard‍‌ to find you.‍ You know, a needle in a sack can’t stay⁠⁠‍ hidden.”

“You‍⁠ flatter me too‌⁠‍ much. But tell‌‍ me, what did‍‌ His Majesty say…?”‌

“Ah,‍ I’ve rambled too⁠‍‌ much out of⁠ excitement. Let me‍‌‍ first deliver His Majesty’s message.”

Glenn‍ took out the‍‍ decree, wiped the‍⁠ smile from his‌ face, and proclaimed‌⁠ solemnly:

“Lucian‍ Valdeck, son of⁠ Sigmund Valdeck, heed the order of‌ His Majesty the‌ Emperor!”

Lucian‌‌ immediately knelt. An‌‍ imperial decree required‍‍ the same protocol‍‍‍ as a direct‍ audience with the‍‌ Emperor.

“The⁠ sovereign of the⁠ Empire, Karl von‌ Bay Astria, recognizes⁠‍ the legitimate rights‌‍ of Lucian Valdeck‌ over the remaining‌‍‍ inheritance of House‌ Grimaldi. As the‌‍⁠ maternal grandson of the former duke,‌‌⁠ your rights shall be guaranteed, and‌ anyone who opposes‌ them shall face the imperial forces.”

The⁠‌‌ corner of Lucian’s‍ lips lifted.

With‍⁠ a decree like‍‍ that, no matter‌ how Calix tried‍‍ to block it,‍‌ they would have‍‍ no choice but‍ to yield the⁠ inheritance.

Good‌⁠ thing I prepared‍ that insurance… though⁠ now I owe⁠‍‍ the Emperor a huge favor.

“Furthermore.”‌

Glenn’s‌ voice pulled him‍⁠ from his thoughts.⁠ It wasn’t over‌⁠‌ yet.

“Lucian⁠ Valdeck is hereby‍ granted the title⁠‍⁠ of Border Marquis‌‍‌ and authorized to‌⁠ restore House Grimaldi,‍ including the use of a double surname. From this⁠‍‍ day forth, you⁠⁠ shall bear the‌‌ names Grimaldi and Valdeck, retaining all‍ legitimate rights from both lineages.”

“…!?”⁠‌

Lucian’s‌‌ eyes widened.

Border⁠⁠‌ Marquis and double‍ surname?

Glenn‍ bowed his head⁠‌ with a smile.‌⁠

“My congratulations, my lord.‌⁠ You are now‍‌ the Border Marquis⁠ Grimaldi. Or should⁠ I say, Duke?”‍‌

Lucian‍‍ couldn’t react.

He‍ had refused the⁠⁠ title of Border⁠‍ Marquis in the past because accepting‍‍ it would have⁠ meant forfeiting his⁠‍⁠ claim to Valdeck’s succession.

And‌ now, not only‍‍⁠ had they granted‍‌ him the title,⁠ but also acknowledged⁠ the double surname‍ and preserved his⁠‍ rights as a Valdeck.

It‌ was such an‍‌ excessive privilege, it‍‌ bordered on absurdity.⁠

‘This‍⁠‌ doesn’t seem like⁠ mere favor it‌ reeks of maneuvering.’‍

Looking‍‍ up, he saw⁠‍ that everyone was‍ equally stunned—his vassals,‍ and even Baron⁠ Harald, with his‌ mouth agape.

Amid‌ the absolute silence,‍‍ Glenn placed a hand on Lucian’s⁠ shoulder.

“My‌‍‍ lord, please compose‍‌‌ yourself. We’ll discuss the details inside.”‍

His⁠‌ expression was entirely‌ serious.

“…Baron‌ Harald, allow us⁠ to use the⁠ drawing room for‍⁠ a moment.”

“Ah…‍ yes… I mean,‌‌ of course.”

Harald‌⁠ hastily corrected his‌ tone.

Lucian‌ now held a position even higher than his own.⁠

Lucian⁠⁠ gave a small apologetic gesture and‌ followed Glenn into‌ the drawing room.‍⁠

When he tried to‌ bring Harald along,⁠⁠‍ Glenn shook his‌‌ head and whispered‍‍ in a firm, cold voice.

“My‌ lord, this is‍ a confidential letter⁠ from His Majesty.⁠‌‌ It cannot be⁠⁠ revealed to anyone⁠ else.”

“…”

A secret letter, on‌⁠ top of everything‌‍ else?

For‍ a moment, Lucian⁠⁠ thought this might‌ have been meant⁠‌⁠ for Duke Sigmund⁠ himself. After offering‍ Harald an apologetic look, he entered⁠ the room with‌ Glenn.

***‌

“What‌ the hell does‌ all this mean?‌‍⁠ Border marquis? I only intended for‍‌ my right to⁠ my grandfather’s inheritance to be recognized.”⁠⁠

“It’s‌ natural for you‍⁠ to be confused. I’ll explain everything⁠‌ right away. But⁠‍‍ first, one moment…”⁠

Glenn‌‌‍ opened the drawing‍ room door, checked the hallway, and‍‌ then began placing‌ strange circular disks⁠‍ in different corners‌ of the room.

Once‍ the four disks‌ were arranged in⁠ a square, a reddish energy spread‍ across the entire⁠‌ room.

“What’s‍ that?”

“A magical artifact that⁠‍‍ prevents sound from‌‍‌ escaping outside.”

At⁠‌ such thorough precautions,⁠‍ Lucian clicked his⁠⁠‍ tongue.

Only once the red‌‌ glow faded did⁠ Glenn finally let‌ out a sigh‍⁠ of relief and‌⁠‍ look at Lucian.‌‍‍

“Alright,⁠ now you may⁠ ask anything you⁠⁠ wish.”

“Let’s‌ start with the⁠‍ basics. What exactly⁠⁠ is my title? I heard I’m⁠ allowed to use a compound surname.”‌

“That’s‌⁠ correct, literally. Your⁠ Highness is both‍ a duke and⁠ a border marquis,⁠⁠ as well as⁠‍⁠ a candidate for‍⁠ head of House‌⁠ Valdeck.”

It‌⁠‌ almost sounded like‍‍ a tongue-twister, but⁠ on closer inspection,‌‌ each title belonged‌‌ to a distinct‍ category.

The title of duke‌ referred to the‍ original Grimaldi duchy—a⁠ high-ranking noble house—but‌‍ practically, it was an honorary title‍ with little more‍‍‍ than a small‌ village as territory.‌‌

“In‍⁠‍ contrast, the border marquisate is something⁠ entirely different.”

Exceptionally‍⁠ low taxes, virtually‍ no restrictions on‌‍ permanent troops, and⁠ immense regional power.⁠

Although⁠⁠ the nominal rank⁠‍ was that of⁠‌ a marquis, the‌ actual authority far‌‍‍ exceeded that of‍⁠⁠ many traditional marquis⁠ houses.

The‌ emperor had decided‍⁠⁠ to maintain the‌‌ Grimaldi rank while also granting Lucian‍‍⁠ a title with⁠ real power.

“His⁠ Majesty asked that‌ you understand. To‍⁠ increase your authority‍ any further would‍⁠ require granting you⁠‍ a title like‍ Grand Duke or‍‍ Elector Prince, which would be excessive. This was the‍ only viable solution.”⁠⁠

“I⁠‍ understand. But if‌‍‍ I’m a border marquis, then my‍‍ territory…”

“Before‌ that, please read‌⁠‌ this.”

Interrupting‌ Lucian, Glenn handed him something.

It‌ wasn’t a luxurious‌⁠ scroll, but a small, black, folded‌‍ piece of paper. At a glance, it seemed insignificant—but‍ that made it‍ all the more‌⁠ unsettling.

When‌‍ he unfolded it,‌⁠ he found a message written with‌ utmost formality.

— I’ll omit unnecessary words. I assume‌ you’re quite confused‌‍ right now. You’ve⁠ received something far greater than what⁠⁠ you asked for.⁠ You might even⁠ suspect I’m laying⁠⁠‌ a trap.

Without‍‍ realizing it, Lucian⁠‌ nodded. Just as the letter said,⁠ the emperor’s offer‌‌ was so generous it felt suspicious.‌‌

— You may find‌ this hard to‌‌ believe, but I have no intention⁠ of harming you.⁠‍⁠ On the contrary,⁠⁠ I urgently need‌ your help. More‌ precisely, my son, Claude, needs allies. I want you to form your‌‍ own faction and‌ support him.

“Hmm.”

That⁠ wretched first prince.‌‍

Why‌‍ was this emperor⁠ so obsessed with‌ him?

After⁠ everything Lucian had‌ proven on the‌ battlefield, the second‌ prince was a hundred times better.‌⁠

Lucian‌‌ held back a sigh, but his‍⁠ eyes widened at‌ the next part.⁠

— You may wonder‌⁠ why I insist so much on‍⁠‌ him. It’s simple.‍‍⁠ The second cannot‌ use the magical⁠⁠‌ artifacts reserved only⁠‍ for those of‌‌ true imperial blood.⁠⁠ I won’t go‍‌ into detail. Now‍ that you know‌ this, I trust‌‌‍ you’ll act wisely.⁠⁠⁠

“…!”‌‌

Damn‍ it. Lucian instinctively⁠‍ crumpled the letter and shot a wary glance at⁠‍⁠ Glenn.

The‌ latter looked away,‌‌ pretending to know‌‍ nothing. Lucian wanted‍ to do the‍‌ same, but it‍ was too late.⁠

— Grow strong. Build‌ a faction. And‍‌ support that child.‌⁠ Do not forget‍ the favors I’ve⁠⁠ granted you. There‍⁠ is no trap—only⁠‌ benevolence. Repay that benevolence to my‍ son. That is⁠ all I have⁠ to say.

Fwoosh.

As‍‍‍ soon as he‌ finished reading, Lucian‌‌ threw the letter‌⁠ into a nearby‌ candle and burned⁠‍ it.

Despite‌‌⁠ the sudden gesture,⁠‌‍ Glenn remained calm.‌

“It‍‍ seems you’ve finished⁠⁠ reading.”

“Do‍ you know the‌‌ contents?”

“No.”‍

His⁠⁠ expression showed no‌ trace of a lie, though it‍ was clear he⁠ wasn’t completely ignorant‍ of the imperial‌⁠ family’s secrets—or what‍ Lucian had just‌‍⁠ learned.

Clicking‍⁠ his tongue, Lucian⁠‍⁠ scattered the ashes‌⁠‌ and fell into‌ deep thought.

‘Is⁠ the emperor running out of time?’⁠‌

In‍⁠ his past life,⁠ he had believed⁠ the emperor fell‍‍⁠ ill after losing‌‌ the first prince.‌⁠ But now he wasn’t so sure.‌

Perhaps‌ the illness had‌⁠ already existed, and‌ his time was‍‌ limited long before.⁠ Otherwise, he wouldn’t‌‍‌ have revealed something⁠ so delicate so‌ directly.

Even‍‌‍ if it meant‍‍ forcing the situation,⁠ the emperor clearly⁠ intended to secure‌‍ a solid support‍ base before his⁠⁠ death.

“Your⁠ Highness, His Majesty⁠‍ requests an answer.”⁠

Under‌⁠ Glenn’s sharp gaze,‍ Lucian gave a bitter smile. If⁠⁠‌ the letter’s contents‌ were true, then‌ the second prince‌ had no rightful‍ claim to succession.‌‍

Supporting⁠‌⁠ him was impossible.⁠

Besides,‌ they had restored‍ the name Grimaldi,‍‌ granted him a border marquisate, and‌‍ preserved his claim‍‍ to House Valdeck.‌

After⁠ receiving so much,‌⁠ he couldn’t afford⁠ to refuse.

“Tell‌ His Majesty that⁠ Lucian Valdeck will‌⁠‍ never forget the‌ grace shown to‌‌‌ him today—and that‌ he will serve⁠ the first prince⁠⁠‍ with loyalty.”

“A⁠‌‍ truly wise decision! As expected of‍ Your Highness…”

“I appreciate the compliment,‌‍ but—”

Lucian‍ cut Glenn off before he could⁠‍‍ continue. He didn’t‍‌⁠ want flattery right‌ now.

“First, tell me what⁠ land His Majesty‌ has granted me.‌ If I’ve been‍ made a border marquis, I assume‍ I’ve been given territory to match,⁠‍‌ right?”