A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Finding⁠ the room where‍‌ the throne was⁠⁠ located was not‌⁠ difficult.

Perhaps out of consideration⁠ for the bureaucrats,‌⁠‌ a path had‍‍‌ been left openly‌ clear all the⁠‍ way to the‍‍‍ center of the White Palace.

Upon‌ reaching the core,‍‍⁠ Lucian took a brief deep breath⁠⁠‌ and, without hesitation,‍‌⁠ opened the door.‍

Creeeak.‌‌‍

The‍⁠‌ door, which hadn’t‌‌‌ been opened in‍‍ nearly a thousand‌⁠‍ years, opened smoothly,⁠⁠ as if it had been oiled in advance.

As⁠ he cautiously entered‌‌ through the opening,‌‌ his feet stepped⁠⁠ onto a red‌ carpet.

Following‍ the carpet with⁠ his gaze as‌ it stretched forward,⁠ Lucian finally found‍ what he was⁠‌ looking for.

‘It’s here.’

At⁠ the end of‍⁠ the red carpet, in front of‌⁠ a white throne⁠ that looked as⁠‍ if it were‍ made of pure‍‌‌ jade, Lucian advanced‍‍ without hesitation.

The‌‍ moment he climbed‍ the steps and‍ placed his hand⁠ on the throne’s‌ armrest, a strange‌ and indescribable sensation⁠ wrapped around his entire body.

Uuung.‍‍‌

“My‌‌ lord!”

“I’m⁠‌ fine.”

Lucian‍‍ raised a hand⁠‍‍ to stop Felicia,⁠ who was about‍ to run toward⁠ him in a panic.

The‌ throne was simply⁠‍ resonating in response‌‌ to his blood;‌‌ there was nothing⁠‍⁠ unusual.

‘He⁠‌ said it was‌ beneath the throne.’‌‍

Remembering‍‌ his maternal grandfather’s‍ manuscript, Lucian knelt‍ on one knee‍‌ and examined the‍‌ underside of the throne.

However,⁠‍ no matter how⁠‍‍ thoroughly he searched,‌⁠ he couldn’t find⁠⁠ anything that looked‌ like a keyhole.‍‍

With slight doubt, he⁠‌⁠ took the key‌‌ from his clothes‌‌‌ and brought it⁠‍ close to the base of the⁠ throne.

Craaack.⁠‌⁠

“I‍‌ knew it!”

Just⁠ as he had‌ seen in his‍‍ grandfather’s mansion basement,⁠ the throne reacted⁠‍ to the key‍ and began to‍ emit a brilliant‌ light.

From⁠ the way the⁠‌⁠ light traveled up‌‍ his wrist, it⁠ was clear that‌ both the key⁠ and the bearer’s‌⁠‍ blood were required.‌‍

Whoosh.‍‍‌

A moment later, as‍ the throne’s light‍ faded, a small‌⁠ hidden staircase appeared.⁠‍

It⁠⁠‍ opened so silently that, had he‍ not seen it with his own⁠ eyes, it would‌ have been impossible⁠ to realize what⁠ had happened.

‘Both‍ the door and‍⁠ this secret passage…‍ how is it‌⁠‍ that everything opens⁠⁠ so easily?’

After‍⁠⁠ nearly a thousand‍ years without maintenance,‌ everything moved with incredible smoothness, like‍⁠ cloth barely brushing‍‌ against a surface.⁠

Curiosity‍⁠ about ancient technology‍‍ lit up his‌ eyes, but for now, the priority‍ was confirming the⁠‍ legacy.

When Lucian tried to‌ go in first,‌ Felicia stepped forward‌ with a firm‍ expression.

“My‌ lord, I’ll go‍⁠ in first.”

“There‍ shouldn’t be any‍⁠‍ danger at this‍ point, so there’s‌‌ no need—”

“I’ll⁠‍‌ go in.”

Felicia‌ spoke with a determination that allowed⁠‌ no objections.

Faced‌ with such firmness,‌⁠ Lucian nodded without⁠‍ thinking.

‘So‌ overprotective…’

A bitter smile escaped‌ him, though he‍ didn’t feel bad.‍ After all, it‌ only proved the⁠ deep loyalty his‍ vassal held for⁠ him.

Felicia⁠‍ descended the stairs first and took‍‍ oiled paper and⁠‌‌ flint from her‍ clothes.

“It’s‍⁠ dark, we’ll need‍ to light a torch. Please wait⁠⁠⁠ a moment…!?”

Flaaash!‌

Before⁠ she could finish‌⁠‌ speaking, a brilliant‍‍‍ light burst out⁠ from all directions.⁠‍

Both‍ instinctively reached for‌‌ their waists, but‌‍⁠ soon realized it was simply lighting.‍‍

Recognizing‍‌ what it was, Lucian muttered in‍⁠⁠ awe.

“Light⁠‍⁠ spheres?”

Round⁠‌ objects were embedded‍ everywhere, softly illuminating⁠‌ the interior.

Observing‌ the form of‌‌‍ the lighting, Lucian⁠ frowned.

“So‌⁠‍ this is the‌ lighting the house‍‌ of Count Calix‌⁠ unearthed. They weren’t‌ trying to turn off the light⁠ — they were‌ trying to steal‌ the lamps themselves‍‌ because they were valuable objects.”

“What?‌‌ Calix dared to⁠‌ touch the legacy⁠ of the Grimaldi…?”⁠

“If⁠‌ it had been‍⁠‌ treasure exposed to the public, that‌‍‍ would be one⁠ thing, but since‌ it was hidden‌ in a secret‍‍⁠ basement, they probably‍ thought it wouldn’t‌‌ be a problem.”‌‍

They⁠ not only used⁠‌ the name of the Grimaldi as‍ an excuse, but⁠ also secretly diverted‍‍‌ goods.

‘How brazen.’

He‌ had considered simply⁠‌ subduing them without‌⁠ resorting to direct‌‍ conflict, but seeing‍‍‌ what they had done, it now⁠ seemed necessary to‍ crush them completely, without mercy.

As‍‌‌ their eyes adjusted‍‍ to the intense⁠ light, Felicia pointed to the side‌‌ with a horrified‍‍ expression.

“M-my‌‌ lord… over there…!”‌‍

Lucian‍ also opened his⁠ mouth, stunned at‌ the impossible scene‌ before his eyes.

“Medicinal⁠‌⁠ herbs?”

It⁠ was an underground‌ space with no sunlight or fertilizer,⁠ illuminated only by‍ those lamps.

And‍‍ yet, medicinal herbs‍‌ grew everywhere—leaves of⁠⁠ strange colors, flower‍ buds of every‌ shade, and even‍ all kinds of‌‌‌ sprouts.

“How‌ can something grow‌ like this in a place with⁠ no nutrients…?”

Flaaash!‌

As‌ they approached the‌⁠ herbs, the previously‍⁠ unlit lights turned‍ on all at‍ once. It seemed‍‍ to be a system that reacted‌‌‌ to human presence.‌

When‍ the place was‌ fully lit, not‍ only the herbs‌⁠ came into view.‍

There‌‌ were also ingots of various metals,‍ refining tools, jewels,⁠⁠ gold coins, and‌‌ perfectly preserved books.‍‌‍

Everything⁠ was astonishing, but⁠‌ what stood out‌ the most were the weapons.

“My‌ goodness…”

Felicia‍⁠ muttered, holding back⁠⁠⁠ a gasp, in‌⁠ place of Lucian,‌ who had been‍‌ rendered speechless.

In‌⁠ the underground chamber,‌ a thousand pieces⁠⁠ of equipment were‍ lined up — enough to fully‍ arm a thousand‌⁠ knights.

***‍

Lucian⁠⁠ picked up one‌ of the suits‌‍‍ of armor from among the weapons and armor and‍‍ carefully ran his‌ hand over it.

The‍‍ gear, not a speck of dust‌⁠‌ on it, gave⁠ off a subtle glow the moment⁠ his hand touched‌ it.

Looking‍⁠‌ closely, he saw‌ that all kinds⁠‍ of runes were‌‍ engraved in areas‌ not easily visible‌‌ from the outside.‌

‘It’s⁠ the same type⁠ used by the⁠⁠‌ Red Wing Knights,‍⁠‍ without a doubt.‍ Though I don’t⁠ know what kind‍‍‍ of magic it‍ has.’

But‍‌ if they had⁠ produced armor and‍ weapons this identical⁠⁠‌ in such large⁠‌‌ quantities, it was obvious they had‍‍ been created with⁠ war in mind.‌⁠

Most‍ likely, this was‌⁠ the kind of‌‌ equipment whose magic amplified several times‍‍ when many people‍ activated it at once.

‘This‌ is a huge⁠‍ stroke of luck.’⁠⁠

He‌ had thought that‌ just two hundred⁠‍‌ of these weapons‌ would be more‌‌⁠ than enough. But‍‍ it wasn’t two‌ hundred—it was no⁠⁠‌ less than a thousand.

‘What⁠ would happen if⁠ all thousand troops‍‌ activated the magic⁠ engraved in this⁠⁠ equipment at the‍⁠ same time?’

If⁠ he could reproduce,‍ with several times‍ more soldiers, even⁠‍ a fraction of‍ the godlike power‌‌ shown by the⁠‌‌ Red Wing Knights—if⁠⁠ only temporarily—

If⁠⁠ Lucian commanded those‌⁠ thousand men and charged the enemy‌⁠ head-on—

Just‌‍ imagining it sent‍⁠ a pleasant shiver⁠‍‍ down his spine.

At‌ that moment, Felicia‍ approached Lucian with‍‍ several books in‌ her hands.

“My‍⁠ lord, I was‌⁠‍ looking through some⁠⁠ of the books,‌⁠ but…”

“Did⁠ you discover something?”‍⁠

“I’m‌‌ sorry. They’re all written in the⁠ ancient language, so⁠‌‌ I couldn’t understand‌ them.”

“Oh,‌‍ really? Then give‌ them to me—I’ll‌ read them.”

“You⁠ can read the‍ ancient language too?!”‌‌

Felicia‍⁠ exclaimed, startled by‌‍ Lucian’s nonchalant attitude.‍⁠

Although⁠ the ancient language‌ was part of‍‍‍ noble education, it‍‍ was so difficult‌‍ that only a few could use it fluently.

And‍ yet, at sixteen⁠‍‌ years old, Lucian‌‍‌ could read it perfectly.

“Well,‌⁠ due to certain⁠ circumstances, I ended⁠‌ up learning it‌⁠ well.”

“That’s‌ incredible!”

Faced‌ with Felicia’s bright,⁠‍ admiring gaze, Lucian⁠‌ looked away awkwardly.

He⁠ had pretended to‌ be a genius,⁠‌‌ but in reality,‍ he had learned‍‌ the ancient language⁠⁠ in his past⁠‍ life through such grueling effort he‍⁠‌ had almost coughed⁠ up blood.

‘Back in my mercenary‌ days, when negotiations‌‍ went bad, those⁠‌ guys would start‌ muttering to each⁠ other in the⁠‌‌ ancient tongue.’

And‌‌ when, after whispering‍ back and forth,‌‌ they suddenly attacked—it‍ was terrifying.

Since⁠ that kept happening,⁠ even as an‍‌‌ ignorant mercenary, he⁠ had no choice‌ but to learn‍ it by putting his life on⁠⁠‍ the line.

Luckily,‍⁠ the instructor he’d⁠‍‍ hired was skilled‍‌‌ and had a good temperament, so‍ he’d received a solid education.

And‌ now, who would‍‍ have thought he’d⁠‌ use the ancient‍‍ language again here?‍‍

‘Life⁠⁠ really is unpredictable.’‍

With a faint smile,‍ Lucian opened the‍‌ book written in‍ the ancient tongue.‍‌ The moment he read its contents,‌ he froze completely.‍

“Methods‌ for crafting magical‍ artifacts…!”

What⁠‍ was written there‌ was a technique capable of recreating‍ magical artifacts that⁠⁠⁠ had long since⁠ been lost to‍ time.

***⁠

The‍⁠ book’s contents didn’t⁠⁠ stop at magical‌ artifact crafting techniques.⁠‍

It‍ also included the‍‍ creation of magical reagents and forging‍‍ methods for weapons‌ that were now‌⁠ considered lost knowledge.‌⁠

Each⁠ of these pieces⁠ of information could‍ shake the world—but⁠⁠ there was a serious problem.

‘To⁠‌‌ craft any of this, magic is‍‌‌ essential. No, even⁠‍‌ before that—if you’re not a mage,‌ it’s hard to⁠ even interpret this book properly.’

Even‍ if he could‍‌ read the ancient⁠ language, that didn’t mean he knew‍‍⁠ all the terminology‍ related to magic.‌⁠

On‌‌ the other hand,‌‌ the book was filled with words⁠⁠ that only someone⁠ versed in the‍‌‌ magical arts could‌⁠‍ understand.

‘If‍‍ I don’t bring⁠‍‍ mages into my‌ ranks, it’ll be hard to fully⁠ make use of‌ this knowledge.’

Clicking‍ his tongue in frustration, Lucian closed‍ the book.

In⁠ any case, as long as the‌‌ emperor’s eyes remained‌ on him, he‌ had to refrain‍ from growing too⁠ powerful too quickly.‍

Once⁠⁠‌ the era of‍‍ chaos drew near,⁠⁠ imperial surveillance would‌‌ naturally loosen and‍⁠‍ mages would start‍ appearing—so the problem‍ would resolve itself‌ over time.

‘Until‌⁠⁠ then, these thousand‌‌ weapons are more‌ than enough.’

After⁠ a general inspection,⁠‍ Lucian left the‍‍‌ treasure vault with⁠⁠ Felicia. As soon⁠ as the two‌‌‌ stepped out, the⁠ entrance quietly closed,‍‍ just as it‌ had opened.

It⁠‌ was then, when⁠⁠ Lucian and Felicia⁠ walked toward the‍ entrance to check⁠‌ the situation outside, that something happened.‌

“My‌ lord, there’s been‍ a problem.”

“A‌‌⁠ problem?”

Raymond‍ spoke with a troubled look, and‌ Lucian tilted his‍⁠ head. Everything important⁠‌ had been dealt‌‌ with—what kind of‍ issue could there‍ be now?

“Don’t‍ tell me the‍⁠ pilgrims clashed with‍ the garrison?”

“It’s⁠ not that. Some‌ reckless kid is‍‌‍ insisting on seeing⁠ you no matter‌ what, and it’s⁠‌ hard to refuse‌⁠‍ him…”

“And⁠ who exactly is‌ he?”

“He’s‌‍‌ the second son‍ of Baron Harald.”‌‍

“…”‍

The‌‍ appearance of an⁠⁠ unexpected figure left‌ Lucian momentarily speechless.‌

Shouldn’t⁠‍ he be receiving⁠⁠ lessons right now‌‌ as Harald’s heir?‍‌ What was he⁠ doing here?

“…If‌⁠ he’s the baron’s son, we can’t⁠⁠ ignore him. Let’s hear what he⁠‍ wants.”

“But‌⁠‍ a moment ago‍‍ you declared to⁠‌ the pilgrims that‍‍‌ you would walk‍ through the White‍‌ Palace alone. Is it really okay‍‌ to let this⁠‍ person in now?”‌

“There’s⁠ no need to‌⁠‍ take him all⁠ the way to‍ the throne room. Talking right here‍ will do. Also,⁠ I’m a bit concerned about Sir‌ Glenn’s gaze.”

Glenn‍ knew that Harald⁠⁠ and Lucian had‌⁠ a close relationship in the north.‍ Speaking with his second son wouldn’t seem strange at‌ all.

In fact, hiding away to speak in‍‌ secret would only‌ spark unnecessary suspicion.‌

“Bring‍ him in first.‍ What I want‌⁠‍ to know most‌⁠ is why he⁠‍ came here instead‍‌ of going to‍‍ see his father.”⁠‍

“Understood.”‍‍‌

Following the order, Raymond‍‌ went to the‌ castle gate and⁠⁠ returned with someone.

Upon seeing the person’s⁠ face, Lucian’s eyebrows‍ arched.

“So⁠‌ you’re the second⁠ son of Baron‍ Harald?”

“We‍‍ meet again, Your‍ Highness. My name‍‍ is Torkel Osgor.”‍‌

The‌⁠ man grinning broadly⁠⁠ was the same‌‌ young man who⁠‌⁠ had shouted for‌ Lucian to sit⁠‍ on the throne.‍

Letting out an incredulous‌ laugh, Lucian sat‍⁠‍ down on the‍⁠‌ steps and looked⁠ at Torkel.

“I‌‌ have a lot to say to‌ you, but let’s‌⁠ start with what⁠ I’m most curious‌ about. Why did⁠⁠ you come here‌‌ instead of going⁠⁠ to your father?”⁠

“I did go. I just ran away‌‍ again.”

“What?”⁠

“At⁠‌ first, when I heard my older‌ brother had done⁠‍‌ something foolish, I figured it couldn’t‍ be helped and‍⁠‍ went home. But⁠ then my father‍⁠ talked to me⁠‌ about you, Your‌‍‌ Highness.”

The⁠ legitimate heir of‌ Grimaldi and lord‍‍ of Asagrim.

Someone‍ trusted by the⁠‍⁠ empire and, at‌ the same time,‌‍‍ harboring ambitions to⁠ ascend the throne.⁠

A monster who, at‌ just sixteen years‍‍ old, had even⁠ defeated Harald—who used‌‍ relics—in direct combat.‌‌

“I‌ couldn’t believe it.⁠‍ So I wanted‌‌‍ to see for⁠ myself and ran‍‌ off. I figured⁠ since Your Highness would be passing‍ through the old‍ duke’s territory first,⁠‍ heading straight to‌ Asagrim would be‍ fastest.”

Torkel‍ shrugged, saying that‍⁠ in the end,⁠‌ his guess had been right. After‌ hearing his reason,‌‌ Lucian stared at⁠⁠ him in disbelief.

“So⁠‌ you ran off⁠ just to see‌⁠ me a bit‍ earlier?”

“Yes.”‌

“Even‌ though, if you’d⁠‍ stayed with your‌‌ father, you would’ve‌ had plenty of‌‌ chances to see⁠⁠‌ me later?”

At⁠‌ that, Torkel shook‌⁠⁠ his head, as⁠‌⁠ if the situation was completely different.‌⁠

“If‍ I’d stayed with my father, it⁠‌‌ was clear he’d‍‌ assign me to⁠⁠ manage the territory‍ temporarily and then‍‍ send me to‌‍ serve you. I had to escape before that so I could assist you directly.”

“….”‌‌