Chapter 92
EfeIAfter confirming the underground secret chamber, both men expressed exactly the same impression.Zfg4zU
v9ByMe“With just time, this alone would be enough to turn the Empire upside down! Not even a typical relic storage compares to this!”f0a
AEZUCc“But you must act cautiously. If you make it public carelessly, not only will you fail to use it properly—they’ll take it from you.”EjA
plyDEA“Exactly that.”7d2hAfc
v6JA93yLucian nodded at Hugo and Raymond’s words.Ab4yx3
eLbNJIf he managed to build a solid foundation and create an environment where he could use this technology freely, becoming the new master of the Empire wouldn’t just be a dream.b9KV
5LTzl7The problem was that building such an environment was excessively difficult.zJ0I
G3vn“Even if we somehow manage to find the mages necessary to interpret the technology, the Empire’s watchful eyes are a real headache. We’ll have to wait until they’re no longer interested in us.”1enx
5qF“At the very least, it’ll be impossible for several years. Just the imperial succession problem alone means all eyes will be on you, my lord.”Qcr1Yyb
uNs34KF“Most likely.”dfjp
C0KkyThough he said that, Lucian gave a bitter smile inside.Gz56R
eGvFPtIn truth, he didn’t need to wait that long. In his past life, the Emperor fell ill shortly after razing Krephelt.opfK
bPVcThe fury over losing the first prince had played a role, no doubt, but his health had already been declining for some time.5Mwaqq
7g8nX7s‘Seeing how hard he’s pushing to make me his support base, he’ll likely fall ill soon this time too.’mw0T3of
Qtif3sOnce the Emperor fell sick, chaos would spread—and then, these legacies would finally come to light.Muu0y3o
wDpA9SHowever, no matter how much he trusted his vassals, he couldn’t reveal that he knew the future, so he had no choice but to vaguely nod and let it pass.88xYJ6C
LNY7“In any case, to make use of this legacy, I first need to consolidate my base. Debts can be paid later—what matters now is where the money will come from.”tRfb6Z
IJTvqY4“Even if the Empire generously grants us loans, there’s a limit. If we squeeze Count Calix’s house, we can cover the rest. Though how much depends on their response.”OCvns
aMSTo be honest, Lucian hoped the house of Count Calix would choose to confront him openly.9y9Rea5
nXlFxOnly then could he completely crush them and empty every last grain from their storage.c4ZhQ
jSSm1‘They can’t think they’ll get away with looting someone else’s property while their own stores stay untouched.’yYk02
swVFortunately, preparations to strip the Calix house were progressing steadily. Support had skyrocketed thanks to the Grimaldi revival and the recovery of Asagrim.M4P
A2GLESoThe authority granted as border marquis, combined with Torkel’s “gift.”3tFQKT
sDsIUVPAmong all that, the greatest reinforcement would be the support troops sent by the Empire.1DwY
WvVC4Ln‘Two thousand elite soldiers and one of the knightly orders directly subordinate to the Empire—the Order of the Blue Rose.’Rri
7ToR6BEven if it was only a temporary loan, it would be military power he could wield freely for now.cImCiE
QHz2teJust knowing that the largest contingent he’d ever commanded was on its way made his heart race.zvGhk9
HDmWhat would it feel like to lead an army of that size alone?3u3
e5s3RM‘I’ll find out soon.’QYTD79
WvaC0After one last look at the legacy of his ancestors, Lucian turned and exited the basement.34CLU
VajTiJThe moment to become the ruler he had always dreamed of was drawing near.FqOUIRX
2QNRx***BQ4xnR
O3T3e“Sir Glenn. Don’t you think it’s about time you handed over the promised troops?”5Fx
9c8nO5pThe next day, Lucian visited Glenn and got straight to the point. Once the place where the troops would be stationed was ready, nothing else held him back.lGGOfY
yeuT“In fact, I reported to the Emperor just yesterday. He said the preparations are already complete and they can be dispatched whenever you wish. However…”vwo
k7hl6Glenn hesitated for a moment, and Lucian’s gaze sharpened. Surely he wasn’t thinking of going back on his word now?quQn8Nz
RxLN“Has a problem come up?”w5Qe
as4j“No, no problem. He just made an additional proposal.”JnFmLRR
3VqKqr“An additional proposal?”lOM1
Qau“He said that, since you’ll be short on staff, how about they send some experienced servants and attendants as well… ahem, ahem.”IBDRyq
sTjrGlenn looked away without finishing the sentence. Seeing how he was trying to hide his embarrassment, Lucian smiled slightly.N3Dhh4
4gLcdI‘Planning to sneak spies in among the servants?’4ohwF0w
qSBotpwIn reality, passing up the chance to insert spies at a time like this would be foolish.8CM
FydgCNo matter how allied they were, unless it was an heir, no one could fully understand someone’s inner thoughts.ax5d
ZOXgUnder the pretext of preparing for any contingency, one or two spies always slipped in.3hdq
Hs3‘Of course, there’ll be spies among the soldiers too, but a soldier’s access is different from a servant’s.’8TnF1N
2XNExcept for elite troops raised by one’s own family, soldiers only moved through public areas.tVnq
A3tAUx2Servants, however, could check under the bed and even inside the toilet.0NYo
oYB8xiNaturally, they learned far more about a lord’s private life.dxi
jiSrL‘It’s practically like offering your back to be stabbed.’B8C8
hwSy“My lord, His Majesty only said it out of goodwill. Please don’t take it the wrong way. If it makes you uncomfortable, you may refuse.”F2bjpYV
3fCGlenn was sweating buckets as he watched Lucian’s expression. Even he must’ve thought the Emperor’s request was a bit too bold.mi9HKA
OziB7But Lucian replied with a relaxed smile.7KRQWq1
CLzUh“I’ll gladly accept His Majesty’s goodwill.”Bzjo0
7OPqL“Yes, in that case there’s no choice but to… excuse me? What did you just say?”XlJ
Uip“I was just worrying about how to find skilled servants and attendants. That His Majesty has solved that problem is a joy.”QcsGATn
ipS“M-my lord…”1xmk7i0
BKvwjQD“The first thing I’ll ask them to do when they arrive is fix my bed. Sleeping on an unkempt bed lately has left my back stiff.”Vae
uVQDAt that trivial joke, Glenn’s pupils shook.ylkPhb5
LpQEntrusting them with the bed meant trusting them during one’s most defenseless time—sleep.Gte8d
JbI6It was an absolute sign of trust, showing that he held no ill will and that they could rest easy.tfp
3DFjDBefore he realized it, Glenn grasped Lucian’s hand tightly.KEdNq
Fa8Y“My lord, you truly are a messenger of the Eight Gods. Even if I searched the entire Empire, I wouldn’t find more than ten so loyal.”pyVk
x0thZ“Why say that? Even if you flatter me, nothing will change.”yfe
vEFOr“I mean it. I swear I’ll faithfully report your loyalty to the Emperor. Please wait for me.”VZBnF
5vsIn the firm grip of his hand was an unshakable resolve, as if vowing never to make such an outrageous request again.C7D
HENLucian wore an awkward expression while holding back the laughter bubbling up inside.D2RJKY
rcP84In truth, he hadn’t accepted the servants out of trust—but because he knew that soon, spy or not, they would all be useless.dMTG6l
uMhSSR‘It’s true I need a lot of servants right now. If I post an open call, applicants will flood in, but how many Calix spies will slip in among them?’J478OoT
cRscvOIf he couldn’t sort them out one by one, then in the end, he’d have to choose between Imperial and Calix spies.zfU168w
XUgIn that case, better the ones from the Empire—at least they just gathered information and didn’t go after lives.pyE
bHJBesides, there would only be a few spies; most would be highly trained, skilled personnel.VpMlhj
FMw5‘And most important of all—the Emperor doesn’t have long left. From what I can tell, they’re communicating only through magical tools with no intermediaries. Will those spies still be useful after the Emperor dies?’QRDY
QBkhIrPMagical tools that only the legitimate imperial line could use.YMJmjW
Uz7CtOLucian felt a dark curiosity building within him eager to see how the first prince would handle spies once he stood before the Empire’s most powerful support.o9TxA2
UPyR8***XiS1Ty
UMHChIeGlenn, after finalizing the agreement, left immediately to use the magic artifact.g1jeJ
2fIEjHowever, after several attempts, he returned to Lucian with an uncomfortable expression.JkrEPzq
yJ7“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but it seems we’ll have to move a bit farther from the White Palace.”CHAwa
eLe9“You can’t use it from inside?”xoyqb3
yFI“That’s right. The other artifacts work fine, so it seems only spatial-opening magic is restricted.”K5xMwhX
BFjo“I see.”mM49
6kIiLucian’s eyes sparkled at this unexpected information. That meant he didn’t have to worry about internal intrusions through magic artifacts.aCSip
kCG2OMt“Then we have no choice. We’ll have to ride out beyond the walls.”5nxyIn
m8oP“My apologies for the inconvenience.”uy1EM
F71PWith Glenn’s apology, Lucian’s group mounted their horses and rode beyond the wall.YaylS
hUHiThe pilgrims, wondering what was going on, followed them from a distance.qLJj
KddznAfter stopping several times to test the artifact, Glenn confirmed that it only worked once they were far enough away.DHP
VkrX“The master of the Blue Path summons you, come. In accordance with the oath, he summons you, come. The blood of the dragon summons you, come.”BtBK04A
O7a2UaThe same incantation the Emperor had used earlier now flowed from Glenn’s mouth.AO4
ILmAfter a brief wait, the result was the same as before.9DqAm5
5z5mHuaaaak!JM7hWj
5GS888“Hiiik!”AyW
8BF9“What is that!?”hWS
NyB5Vp5The screams of the horrified pilgrims, seeing a circle open in the air, reached Lucian’s group.WZP47
IpUPGA moment later, troops began to emerge from the circle.M0Qj8fN
KPLATciKnights bearing the Blue Rose emblem on their left chest led the march, followed by two thousand elite soldiers whose presence demanded respect.RR1
Y4iK458Finally, about a hundred neatly dressed servants and attendants appeared, guiding carts full of supplies.OTqW
BB1UK“M-my god!”VFChqr
nfBo“People are coming out!”bVY
EYgJ8pDespite the pilgrims’ uproar, the soldiers didn’t even blink.0u4Cp
qvohYvAs Lucian admired their flawless discipline, a knight dismounted and approached him.hPEW9yd
Wbf“Gareth Muller, Commander of the Order of the Blue Rose, pays his respects to His Highness, Duke Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck, rightful heir of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim!”xb788
3MobChSeeing Gareth kneel after that powerful declaration, Lucian felt a pleasant thrill.yARJfE
o9HJust as he had said, Lucian was no longer a third son with no title or the representative of anyone.YGk6
EuRUcHe was Duke Grimaldi and the Border Marquis of Asagrim—a legitimate feudal lord.iVgn
b4tia2i“Rise, Sir Gareth. Thank you for coming. I’ll have to rely on you for a while.”QX2u
BoPbl“By His Majesty’s command, from today we are Your Highness’s sword. Use us without hesitation. If you command it, we’ll face even an army of a million.”89SXx
RisET1Y“Just hearing that is reassuring. Then I won’t hold back.”iMgYj
OPiHSaying that, Lucian clapped Gareth’s shoulder in praise.veKJk7
Pn8But upon meeting his burning eyes, he flinched slightly.8gbb
uBSMMbc‘I thought he was just showing determination, but his motivation is off the charts. Was he sidelined within the imperial orders?’DdEfe
FQMZUbrThose eyes burned as if he truly intended to charge into a million enemies.UbrePa
BbtCaAApparently, he had been pushed aside by other imperial orders and treated coldly.I9j
VtS‘Looks like he wants to earn merit under my command and return triumphant.’REA6
xkUg3lvFor Lucian, that was excellent news.eam
4OYeThere was nothing more troublesome than borrowing an army that acted passively in war.FEBa
IViqGdlIf he burned with ambition, there would be no need to incite him.1SoH
8sJlRV‘With this, preparations are complete.’LnoIwQ
9OPoHe now had soldiers, had secured servants for the banquet, and had supplies.PLnYPV
O3DRsAll that remained was to prepare the venue and send the invitations.tAltb
0QAv7aR‘Let’s see their faces.’okX
7VIOvniIt was time to face the head of Count Calix—the long-fingered thief.73kRs
U2bHXI***XbzC43
UdJ— Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck, Duke of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim, invites you to a banquet.8e802Vp
soLWith such a brief invitation, the entire north shook as if an earthquake had struck.kI7PW40
vTwgxlIt hadn’t been long since the bratty third son of Valdeck had demanded his maternal grandfather’s legacy.jCNBUz
bngJmvAnd now—Duke of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim?LcKHp3
7f330U“What kind of nonsense is this? Asagrim is an imperial territory! Border Marquis?”OVtSvw
78b3“And Duke Grimaldi? Even if he’s the grandson, this crosses the line.”jiRX
UmUv“Is he planning to provoke the Empire too, after Calix? How reckless.”8iFFjQ
BQMB2mUnless the Empire had gone mad, there was no way it would simultaneously grant him the headship of Grimaldi and Asagrim.08M2HEI
m4ZMost believed it was a baseless claim, the product of youthful arrogance.7ZM
0CUEBut when detailed reports arrived, the lords were left speechless.sba
RSXh4“They really gave him Asagrim? And the Grimaldi castle too?”AEB
Nj7R2X“Impossible! Were they hallucinating? The Emperor would have to be insane!”O4J
aVKm“Isn’t this basically the revival of the royal house? I never thought I’d see this day in my lifetime…”Yq3E6
kbA5XV“What’s going to happen to Calix now? Weren’t they just invoking Grimaldi yesterday?”wKLXJ
x4Jr4“Who cares about a mere count! Asagrim has returned to the north!”TNfAW
0ZL14OlThe fact that the Ducal House of Grimaldi had recovered Asagrim caused a colossal impact.y6aDRkD
kdKEven if the Empire didn’t officially acknowledge it, it was as if the royal house of the north had been half-revived.jeaBm
y3dyXXIn the midst of this unprecedented situation, the confused lords flocked en masse to Asagrim.biqmC
SCYbpA“A banquet held in Asagrim? Of course I’m going!”kXP9R
JThs59“It’s an event announcing the kingdom’s rebirth. I must go. This is history.”T9Tkp
UFLTX7“I want to see that brat’s face. What kind of sorcery did he use?”AP4
3er94“Damn it, I sided with Calix… Will he forgive me if I go now?”MaUIra
wBm7TyOThough their reasons varied, none chose not to attend.Fbj1BPf
DBtEveryone instinctively felt that the north’s future would be decided at that banquet.AQhpng
1R6ynLAnd, of course, Count Calix’s house was among them too.s0rwdRi
KHRm“This is the last chance. If we don’t eliminate him now, we’re finished.”P76U
7a3zGxBefore departing for Asagrim, Norvek gathered his close aides and shouted like a man having a seizure.P190s
nBcsoThey all understood his concerns well, and wore grim faces.smvu
xgjGUxiOnly one, seated in the back, listened to Norvek’s speech with indifference and muttered.ROiStSL
hs7w“The last chance…?”qzQS9wD
qaaTo capture him and turn him into a benefactor—or let him go and become a messenger of death?USOy
iRmColin gently stroked the letter written during his own divination.nSF70cv
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