Chapter 94

The sun set, and when the first day of the banquet ended, the guests headed to the rooms they had been assigned.

Rooms in the White Palace that hadn’t been used in nearly a thousand years.

It wouldn’t have been strange if, out of curiosity, they had begun inspecting them from top to bottom—but not a single one remained quietly inside their room.

Baron Elvin, whose territory was relatively close to Asagrim, was one of them.

‘What a headache.’

Elvin pressed his throbbing temples hard as he sank into thought.

He was already over forty and had never dreamed of great ambitions, nor had he devoted his life to absolute loyalty.

If this ambiguous peace could be maintained, that was good enough for him.

‘And now they expect me to choose between the imperial family and Calix.’

A sigh escaped him involuntarily. In practice, it was a choice without a right answer. No matter what he chose, it was clear he would end up entangled in a war.

“Out for a walk too?”

At that moment, a voice from behind interrupted his thoughts. It was Baron Stellan, lord of a neighboring territory and a longtime friend.

“I can’t sleep. Looks like it’s the same for you.”

“After hearing all that, how am I supposed to sleep?”

At Stellan’s words, Elvin gave a bitter smile.

Perhaps because they had known each other for so long, his words were honest, without a trace of pretense.

“Friend, you can’t say just anything in the duke’s territory. There are many ears listening—you should be careful.”

“I doubt it matters. Not just us—look around, everyone’s busy whispering.”

When Elvin looked in the direction Stellan pointed, he saw shadows here and there, murmuring in small groups. Some were gathered with close acquaintances, others with members of their own faction—all deep in conversation.

He couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying, but he didn’t need to. It was obvious what they were discussing.

“Looks like they’re just as worried as we are.”

“Of course. One wrong move, and their territories could get dragged into war. Have you decided yet?”

“Not yet. To be honest, I don’t want to decide.”

“You know better than anyone that’s the dumbest decision.”

“I have no argument against that.”

Hearing that blunt truth, Elvin let out a long sigh.

Neutrality, in the end, was just a gray stance—someone ready to switch sides at any time.

That’s why neutrals were often seen as unpredictable, sometimes even more dangerous than declared enemies.

And if they had no real power, they could be treated like common enemies and eliminated first.

“Even so, I’m afraid of deciding too soon and it all going wrong. I could end up as a human shield for whichever faction I joined.”

“And watching what others do while you wait, right? If everyone hesitates together, no one gets blamed.”

“You always have a way of saying exactly what people don’t want to hear.”

“I say it because I feel the same way. It’s pathetic, but I can’t make up my mind either.”

Both fell silent at the same time and looked up at the sky. No matter how they looked at it, every option required sacrifice.

Whatever they chose, they would lose something.

Just then, someone stepped between them.

“What nonsense are you talking about? The answer’s obvious, and you’re still hesitating?”

The two, who had been speaking softly, felt their hearts drop to the floor.

The one who had interrupted them was none other than Lucian.

“D-duke, it’s an honor to gree—”

“Enough. Continue your conversation.”

“……”

Elvin and Stellan both closed their mouths at once.

How could they talk about which side to choose in front of the very person involved?

As the silence dragged on, Lucian gave a faint smile and whispered.

“Your dilemma seems deep. If you wish, I can give you the answer. Side with whoever wins between Calix and me.”

“…?”

“If it’s hard to decide now, waiting until it’s clear is also an option, don’t you think?”

They didn’t know if he was joking or serious, and confusion overtook them both.

It wouldn’t have been strange if he had pressured them to support him immediately, but instead he was openly telling them to watch and wait.

“To be honest, excessive support doesn’t appeal to me either. If someone takes the risk and supports me early, I’ll have to reward them accordingly. But the more who just sit and observe, the more I get to boast later.”

“H-ha… What a curious joke.”

“It’s not a joke. After all, if the emperor opens just one gate, the Calix family can be swept away in an instant. Why would I bother gathering support? It’s better to leave you alone and treat you like opportunistic bats later.”

“…”

At the word “gate,” both froze.

It was impossible not to remember that spell that had left everyone stunned—the mass transfer of troops and supplies through magic.

Such an extraordinary spell surely couldn’t be used freely in war.

But if it were used just once, targeting the heart of a specific family—

‘Even a great house prepared thoroughly for war could be wiped out in a single day.’

That thought sent chills down their spines.

Any faction crumbles when it loses its core.

If House Calix disappeared, its allies would fragment and scatter helplessly.

Lucian would then become the sole victor of the North, and there would be no choices left to make.

“If you’re not expecting rewards, choose the safe path. But whatever you decide, maintaining the status quo won’t be possible.”

“…”

While the two remained silent, Lucian turned and walked away.

He could feel countless eyes on his back—so many that his skin burned—but that attention was exactly what he wanted.

The more eyes on him, the further that conversation would spread.

‘I never expected them to become my allies from just a warning like that.’

The important thing was to make them remember once again how terrifying the dimensional portal magic could be.

Of course, not even Lucian himself knew its exact limitations. Neither the emperor nor Glenn had revealed them to him.

The only thing certain was that someone had to be prepared in advance on the other side of the portal.

‘Maybe it can only be used once every few months. Or perhaps it requires prep work on the other side—or enormous costs each time.’

But no matter what its weaknesses were, using it just once more would be enough.

The moment anyone imagined that their own territory could be the next target, they would be paralyzed.

As long as anyone could be the first target, no one would dare support Calix decisively.

Even if they later mustered the courage, they wouldn’t dare attempt anything during the Hundred-Day Hunt.

“It will be a fair competition.”

With a satisfied smile, Lucian walked through the corridors of the White Palace.

If he found others having similar conversations, he would have to tell them the same thing.

***

Two days later, Lucian led the lords to the snowy mountain range behind Asagrim.

Since Asagrim was considered sacred ground, that mountain was also revered as a holy mountain, called “Bangnil.” The goal, of course, was to carry out the promised Hundred-Day Hunt.

Although it was an event that revived an old tradition, no one was truly pleased about it.

‘Is this really okay? Is it seriously going to end without incident?’

‘I’m so nervous I could go insane. They’re not going to stab us in the back, right?’

The participants belonged to two factions that could never coexist. It was unsettling enough to leave them alone anywhere—and now they were going into a snowy mountain range that no one else could access.

To make things worse, they would be spending no less than fifteen days in the same place.

Even if someone had accepted without thinking, it was more than enough time to plan a side assassination.

However, those involved seemed completely calm.

“Ahem. Then, we shall begin the Hundred-Day Hunt.”

Baron Elvin, who had ended up becoming the judge just because of a brief conversation the previous night, explained the rules.

For fifteen days, they had to survive in the snowy mountains by hunting alone, and the winner would be declared based on who brought back the most valuable game.

However, if anyone died during the process, regardless of their haul’s worth, it would be considered an automatic failure. Simple rules.

“Lastly, we’ll inspect your belongings. Carrying food is absolutely forbidden.”

“Check everything you want.”

“I didn’t even bring a single piece of dried meat.”

Lucian and Godfrey, Norvek’s eldest son, answered almost at the same time.

As Elvin conducted a light inspection, he noticed something odd.

‘What’s this? A tattoo?’

All the participants from Count Calix’s house had a lightning-shaped tattoo engraved on the palms of their hands.

It glowed faintly, suggesting it had been done with a special kind of ink.

‘I don’t recall Calix having a tradition of tattoos like this.’

Elvin felt slightly uneasy, but decided to let it go. After all, as just a baron, pointing something like that out to Calix would only earn him their wrath.

Besides those unfamiliar tattoos, there was nothing particularly suspicious.

“All right. Then, both of you may go. We’ll meet again in fifteen days.”

With the signal marking the start of the Hundred-Day Hunt, Lucian and Godfrey dispersed in opposite directions.

It was only natural—to avoid overlapping hunting areas.

But as soon as eyes turned away from them, Godfrey’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“No one’s watching?”

“At least not where they can see.”

“Good. From now on, we’ll pursue him. And mage—don’t forget, your role is the most important.”

At Godfrey’s sharp gaze, Colin nodded.

“Don’t worry. Preparations are already complete. I’ll just need you to buy me a little time.”

“I know. You said your magic takes quite a while to activate.”

“That’s right. Also, once the target’s position is fixed, it can’t be changed. If he suspects and moves beforehand, the lightning will strike an empty spot.”

“Buying time isn’t a problem, but are you sure we won’t get caught in it too?”

Godfrey had never seen it with his own eyes, but he’d heard that Colin’s magic summoned real lightning.

If it could completely burn down a small hill, the range had to be considerable.

If they were close enough to speak with the target, there was a high chance their own group could be hit as well.

“Don’t worry. Didn’t I give you all a mark?”

“You really think this little tattoo will let us dodge a lightning strike?”

“More precisely, the lightning disperses around it and doesn’t come close. It’s a technique that could be called the essence of my magic.”

Colin spoke with a smile full of confidence.

“At the School of Celestial Astrology, we call it a lightning rod.”

“A needle that avoids lightning? Sounds convincing. Though calling it a needle when it’s a tattoo is a bit odd, isn’t it?”

“It’s because originally it was crafted as an actual needle. With the development of magic, it could be replaced by tattoos.”

It wasn’t some improvised trick, but a secret passed down through generations.

Hearing that, Godfrey and the others finally relaxed. If it was a hereditary secret art, its level of refinement had to be high.

“Then, as long as we have this lightning rod, we’re safe, right?”

“Yes. As its name implies, it’ll protect you from lightning. If you maintain a distance of ten steps, lightning will never hit you.”

“Great, I’ll trust your words. Everyone, make sure this lightning rod doesn’t wear off! It’s our lifeline!”

“Yes!”

With that confirmation, Godfrey led his group and began to pursue Lucian—unaware of Colin’s face behind them, barely suppressing a grin.