A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Of⁠ course, a noble‌ with a poor‌‌ territory is no‌ better than one⁠‌‍ of lower rank.⁠‌⁠

If‍⁠⁠ the domain doesn’t‌⁠‍ match the title,⁠‌‍ the emperor’s “gift”‍‌ ceases to be⁠ a grace and‍⁠ becomes a mockery.‍‌

At‍ Lucian’s words, Glenn smiled slightly and⁠‌‍ pulled something from‌‍ his clothing.

“Of‍‍ course. Take a look at this.”‍‍‍

He spread a paper‍‍ over the table,‍‌‌ revealing a detailed⁠⁠ map of the north—so precise it‍‍ could be used‍‌ as an operational map in a war without any⁠ issue.

“It goes without saying,⁠ but the lands‍‍ that belonged to‌‍ His Highness Klaus,‌ the former duke,‌ will return to⁠ His Highness.”

“That⁠ was to be‌‍ expected.”

Lucian‌ frowned slightly.

After⁠‌‌ all, House Grimaldi‌ was an ancient‍ royal family stripped‍ of all power, left with nothing⁠ but its honor.⁠⁠

Its⁠‍ territory was no‍ more than a small area comparable⁠‌ to that of‍‍ a rural baron.⁠‍

‘The revenue is pitiful.‌ Upon investigating, it⁠ even cost more‍ to transport the⁠⁠ taxes to Valdeck‍‌ than what they‍ were worth, so‌ the land had‌⁠ been left abandoned.’‌

It⁠ barely covered the⁠‌‍ minimum costs of‍ maintaining dignity.

Its‌⁠ symbolic value was ambiguous too, so⁠ whether he had‍ it or not‍ hardly mattered. What‍ was important wasn’t⁠ that old land,⁠‌ but the new‌‍ territory he’d be‌ granted.

“To‌ that is added the fact that His Majesty has⁠⁠ granted you the‌‌ right to reclaim all lands that⁠ the house of‌ Count Calix occupied‍‍ by force through‍‌ territorial wars, as⁠ well as any⁠‍ external lands taken‌‍ without authorization. If‌ you wish, we‌ can immediately issue‌ an eviction order‌‌ in the name‌‍‌ of the Empire.”‍

Lucian’s‍‌ eyebrows twitched.

Reclaim all the lands‌‌‌ the house of‌ Count Calix and‌ its allies had‍‍ seized by force?‍‌

‘Is⁠‍⁠ he joking?’

If‌‍ he could take‌⁠ them, he’d gain‌ an immense territory.‍‌

The‍ problem was that,‍‌ even if he‌⁠ wanted to, the‌⁠‌ enemy wouldn’t hand⁠‌ them over just‍⁠ like that.

In⁠⁠‍ fact, the Empire‍ itself had been‍ struggling to contain‌ the territorial wars.

‘They’ll⁠ wipe themselves with the eviction order‍ and send in troops to kick me out.’

If⁠⁠ it wasn’t through‌ war, it was⁠ clear they wouldn’t‌ yield.

And⁠‍‍ worse yet, Lucian‍‌‍ didn’t have his⁠⁠⁠ own army, so‍ he’d have to‌‍ rely on allies.⁠⁠

Even‍‍ if he managed‍ to seize the‍ lands, he’d have‍ to share them⁠ as compensation.

“Your‌⁠ Highness, your expression⁠ doesn’t look too‍ good.”

“To‍‌⁠ be honest, I don’t understand what His Majesty is‍‌ aiming for. Does‌ he want me‍‍ to raise an‍‌ army and punish‌⁠ them?”

Lucian⁠‍ said it as‌⁠‍ politely as possible,‌⁠ though inwardly he‍ couldn’t help but‌‍ curse.

‘Does‍‌ he want to‌ spark a civil‌ war in the north to wear‌ it down? It⁠ feels like he’s using me as‍ both a pretext and a disposable‌ pawn.’

That⁠⁠ way, the margrave⁠‌‌ title would just‌‍ be a pretty‌ shell with no‌ substance.

Sensing⁠‌ the real meaning⁠ behind his words,‍ Glenn shook his‍ head, still smiling.‌

“Your Highness, I believe you’re misunderstanding this.”‍‌

“Misunderstanding?⁠‍‌ Then, does this⁠‍ gift have a different meaning?”

“The‍⁠‍ territory of the⁠⁠⁠ Grimaldi duchy has‍ always been the⁠‌ right of Your⁠ Highness, not something‌ His Majesty is‍ giving you. As‌‌ for the lands‌‌ occupied by Calix,⁠⁠‌ that’s more of‌‌ a request for containment, not a gift in itself.”

It‍‌‌ was, in other⁠ words, a promise‌ of separate payment⁠ if he completed⁠‌ that extra task.‍⁠

The real gift was‌ something else. Glenn‍ pointed to the center of the map.

“His⁠‍ Majesty has decided⁠ to grant you⁠⁠ Asagrim.”

“….!?”‍‍

Lucian‍‌‍ jumped to his feet.

“Asagrim?‌ The Asagrim I’m‍ thinking of?”

“The‌‌ very same. Here.”‍‌

Glenn⁠ pointed again to‍⁠ the center of⁠ the map.

The place marked as‍⁠ “Asagrim” was colored‍⁠‍ in yellow—the color‍⁠ that indicated territories‌⁠‌ under the emperor’s direct control.

Seeing⁠ Lucian completely stunned,‍⁠ Glenn continued.

“His‍⁠ Majesty wishes to‌ place the ancient‌ capital of the⁠ old Northern Kingdom‍ in Your Highness’s‍ hands.”

***⁠

After‍ seeing Glenn off,⁠‍ Lucian summoned his vassals and also‍‍ called for Baron‌ Harald.

Once⁠ everyone was gathered,‍ he spread out the map Glenn⁠‍⁠ had left and spoke.

“His Majesty has granted‍ me an excessive⁠ gift.”

“I‍ heard about it.⁠ They say you⁠ received the title⁠‌ of margrave, but⁠‍‌ where exactly is‍⁠ the territory…?”

“Asagrim.”⁠⁠

“…!?”⁠⁠⁠

The⁠‌⁠ vassals opened their‌ eyes wide, and‌‍ Harald lunged at‍ the map like⁠ a spring-loaded arrow.‌‌ He grabbed it‌ clumsily and scanned⁠‍ the paper up‌‍⁠ and down.

“A-Asagrim?‍ You mean Asagrim,⁠⁠‍ the former capital‌ of the Kingdom‌ of the North?”‌‌

“That’s‌ right. His Majesty‌ has given me⁠‍ that place.”

“Oh,⁠ Eight Gods!”

Harald‌⁠ fell to his‌‍‍ knees, still holding⁠⁠ the map.

His reddened eyes looked‍‍‍ as if they⁠ were about to⁠‍⁠ shed tears. Faced with such a strong reaction, Hugo‍ and Felicia wore awkward expressions.

“Excuse‌‌ me, but could⁠⁠ you explain exactly what Asagrim is?⁠ I know it‌ was the capital‌ of the old‌‍ Northern Kingdom and‌ that it’s currently⁠ an imperial territory.”‌‍

“Asagrim⁠‌⁠ is the spiritual‍ center of the⁠ north, an impregnable‌ fortress, and one⁠ of the legacies‍ of antiquity. Its‌ symbolic, strategic, and‌‌ artistic value is⁠ incalculable.”

At⁠ Felicia’s question, Raymond‍⁠ answered with a serious expression. Rather⁠‍ than joy, he‍ seemed more concerned about the Empire’s‌‍ intention in handing⁠⁠ over such a place.

“This⁠‌ is suspicious. Not‌ only have they‌‍ restored the Grimaldi‍ name, but they’ve‌⁠‍ also given away‍‍ Asagrim. Could this‌⁠⁠ be a trap?”‌⁠

Managing⁠⁠ Asagrim as a direct imperial territory‍ had a clear‌ reason—its enormous symbolism‌‍ could someday make⁠ it the heart‌⁠ of a rebellion.‍‍

And‌ now, not only⁠ were they abandoning‍‍‍ it, but handing‌⁠ it over to‍⁠ a descendant of‍ the former royal⁠ family? It was‍‍‍ practically an open‌‍ invitation to restore‍ the Kingdom of⁠ the North.

“Just‍ in case, maybe‍ we should decline…”⁠

“Decline‍⁠ it? Decline it!? We finally have‍ a chance to reclaim Asagrim and⁠‌ you’re talking about‌‌ declining it?”

Before⁠‍ Raymond could finish,‌‍ Harald whipped his⁠‌‍ head around violently.⁠

There‌‌‍ was a ferocity‌ in his eyes⁠‍ that looked ready‍‌ to wield an axe at any‌‍ moment.

“Who cares if it’s‍‍⁠ a trap or‌⁠ not!? At last,‌‍ the glory of⁠‍⁠ the old north‍⁠‍ can be reborn!‌‌ Do you have⁠‌ any idea what⁠‌ the north has⁠ endured!?”

“Baron,⁠ please calm down…”⁠

“Calm‌ down? You think⁠ I can calm down right now!?”

“Baron, settle down.”

“Yes,‍⁠ Your Highness.”

The‌ beast-like Harald quieted‌‍ immediately at just⁠‍ one phrase from Lucian.

Seeing‍⁠‍ the instant change,⁠‌ the vassals clicked‍⁠ their tongues.

“It’s‌ not a trap.‍‌ From what I read in the‌⁠ emperor’s secret letter,⁠‌ it seems he’s‍⁠ being sincere.”

“What⁠ did it say?”⁠‍

“I‌ can’t tell you.‍⁠⁠ It’s something you‍ must not know.”⁠‍

Not‍‍‍ just the vassals,‍ but even Harald⁠ flinched slightly.

If‌‌ Lucian spoke like that, it meant⁠ that simply knowing‌‌ the content already‌⁠ involved an extremely‍‍‍ dangerous secret.

“The⁠ important thing is‍ that, even if⁠ they don’t allow⁠ the reconstruction of‌‌⁠ the Northern Kingdom,⁠⁠‍ they seem willing‌‌ to tolerate at‍⁠‍ least the rise‌ of a great‌‌ lord on the level of a prince-elector.”

“I‌‍ suppose it won’t‌‌⁠ come for free.”‌

“The⁠ emperor wishes, in‍ return, that I support the first‌‌ prince. It seems‍ His Highness’s support⁠‌ base is far weaker than it‍⁠ appears.”

“No…‍‌ why exactly…?”

Raymond⁠ was about to say something about‌ the emperor’s obsession‍‍‌ with the first⁠⁠‍ prince, but shut his mouth in⁠⁠‍ time.

‘Information that must not‍ be known, absurdly‍ forced moves, favors‌ granted to the‌‌⁠ extreme, and the⁠ reason why the‌ second prince is⁠‌⁠ never considered.’

Several⁠ pieces fell into‌‍ place in his‍⁠ mind, forming a disturbing theory.

Before‌‌⁠ it could fully‍‍ take shape, Raymond‌ immediately pushed it‌ aside.

True⁠ or not, it‌ was something that‍‍ couldn’t be said⁠ aloud.

“In‍ any case, if‌ that’s true, it’s‍⁠‌ excellent news. Is‌ there any issue?”⁠

“The‌‌⁠ issue is succession⁠ as head of the family. The‌⁠ gift is extraordinary,⁠⁠ but if I accept it, I’ll‍ have to stay‌⁠ tied to the⁠⁠⁠ north for a while.”

With⁠ Calix lurking, he⁠‍‍ couldn’t even leave⁠⁠‌ a representative and‍‌ be away for⁠ long.

One‍ moment of carelessness‍⁠‍ in front of⁠ the enemy could‌ mean a blow‍‌‍ to the back‍⁠ at any time.‍‌

But‍ staying there meant‍⁠ he’d automatically be out of the‌ race for family‍⁠ headship.

“The‍ emperor said he’d‍ recognize my right‍ of succession in‌ Valdeck too, but⁠ if my father‍ decides to disown⁠ me, all of‌‌‍ that means nothing.⁠ That’s why I called you—to see‍‌ if any of‍ you had another‍‌⁠ idea.”

“M-my lord. Actually, there’s⁠⁠⁠ something I wanted to inform you⁠ of.”

Hugo,‌‍ who had been‍⁠ listening quietly, stepped⁠⁠ forward hesitantly. Seeing‌ Lucian nod, he took a small⁠⁠ slip of paper‍‍ from his clothes.‍‍

“A‍ letter arrived a moment ago. They⁠ say Hans sent⁠ it from the main house.”

“What?⁠ Hans wrote to me?”

“Yes. It was brought⁠ by a former⁠ subordinate of his⁠‌⁠ who now works⁠⁠ under his command.”‌⁠‌

Lucian⁠⁠ snatched the paper‌‌ from Hugo’s hand.‍

Upon‌ unfolding the crumpled sheet, uneven, crooked‍ letters appeared. The‌‌‌ handwriting, learned during⁠‍‍ his butler training,‍ was clumsy but legible.

— Jordi is acting‌ suspiciously. There are‌‍ signs of a conspiracy. He will soon go north‌‌ with Ian. Do‌⁠ not reply to‌ this letter. You⁠ may be discovered.‌‍⁠

“…”

After‍ reading it, Lucian closed his eyes‍‌ in silence. Everything‌‍ pointed to there being only one‍ option left.

***⁠

“Lately‌ Hans has been‌⁠ acting suspiciously.”

“Hans?⁠ Who’s that?”

Jordi,‌ second son of the Grand Duke‌‌ Valdeck, tilted his‍ head at his⁠⁠ confidant’s words.

The‍ name sounded like‌‍ a commoner he’d‌‌‍ heard of before,‌⁠ but he couldn’t‍ recall clearly.

“He’s the personal servant⁠‍ of the third‍‍ young master. Recently, he’s been training‌ as a butler.”

“Ah,⁠⁠ you mean that servant who trembled‍ behind Lucian? What‍‌ about him?”

“He⁠‍ sold everything he‍ could turn into‍ money and bought supplies and travel‌⁠ clothing. Looks like⁠‍ he’s trying to⁠⁠‍ secretly leave the house.”

“Ha.”

Jordi⁠‍⁠ let out a short laugh.

“How‌ ridiculous. While everyone⁠ else lives peacefully‌ without noticing anything,‍⁠ a mere servant’s‍ the one who⁠⁠⁠ sensed something.”

“Should‍‍‌ we take care‌‌‍ of him?”

“No.‍ Leave him be.”

“Are‍ you sure?”

“Killing‌⁠‌ a servant would‌‌ only raise unnecessary‍‍ suspicion. Besides, even‌ if he died, it wouldn’t be⁠‌ a serious blow‍ to the third. He already took‌⁠ all the valuable‌ ones with him.”‌‍

Felicia, a future Swordmaster;‍ Raymond, a former‍ member of the‍‌‍ Black Lion; and‍⁠ Hugo, a former underworld boss.

He‍‍ hadn’t left behind anyone that could⁠ truly be called⁠ talent.

“Killing‍‍‌ a useless servant‍ would just cause‌⁠ a fleeting anger⁠‍ and then be‍‍ replaced. Better to‍‌ let him go.‌ It’s not worth‌⁠ risking the plan⁠‌ just to catch‌ a rat.”

“As you command.”

At the order to‌ withdraw, the confidant⁠⁠ bowed deeply and‍ left.

Jordi⁠ watched his back‍ recede, and after confirming no one⁠ else was nearby,‍ he muttered.

“If‍ you’ve got something⁠ to say, spit‍‌‌ it out. Don’t‍ test my nerves‍‍‍ hiding in the‌‌ shadows.”

— …He noticed?

A chilling voice emerged from the darkness.⁠‌ The tone was‌ eerie, but Jordi‌⁠ sneered.

“Every‌‍‌ time you show‌‍ up, the air‍ turns freezing. With‌ this cold on my neck, how⁠‌‌ could I not⁠‌ notice? And it’s‍ not the first‍‍‌ or second time⁠ we’ve met.”

— Thank you for⁠‌ pointing that out.⁠‌ Normally, no one‌ has a second⁠ meeting—unless it’s with⁠‌ my lord.

“Are⁠‍⁠ you threatening me?”⁠‌‌

— Just stating facts.‌‌ If anything, I should thank you‌⁠‍ for revealing an⁠‌ unexpected weakness.

The‌ monotone voice made‍ Jordi frown. He⁠‌ was always an unpleasant sort, but‍⁠ today he was‌ especially unsettling.

“Enough.‌‌ Get to the‍ point. Why are‌‍ you here today?”‍

— I’ve come to⁠⁠ deliver a letter‌ from my lord.‍

A moment later, a small letter shot‌‍‍ out from the‌ shadows. Jordi caught⁠‌ it, scanned the‍ contents, and nodded.‌

“Good.‌ Then, on the‌⁠ date your lord‌ specified, we’ll act⁠ as planned.”

— We cannot afford‌‌ to fail. Please⁠ ensure everything is⁠⁠ ready.

“If‍ this goes wrong,⁠⁠‍ my head will be the first‌ to roll. Don’t‍‌ worry about useless things—just deliver the‍‍ message properly.”

Jordi‍ watched as the‍ letter he tossed⁠ was swallowed by‍ the shadows, and⁠‌ a smile crept‍‌ onto his lips.⁠‍

“Tell‌ him that, if‌⁠ I fulfill my promise and become⁠‍‌ Grand Duke, I’ll⁠‍ dedicate my life⁠ to serving the‌ second prince.”