Chapter 102
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102
‘He didn’t even have time to wipe away the blood.’
Lucian already knew the state of the Emperor’s health.
However, even if it was a known fact to Lucian, an Emperor would naturally be loath to show such weakness. To openly reveal that his condition had worsened, rather than pretending to be recovering, meant only one thing.
‘He’s teetering on the edge.’
The Emperor was still breathing, but he was clearly standing at death’s door. It wouldn't be strange if he passed away this very moment. If that weren't the case, he would have had the time to wipe a single bloodstain from the imperial decree.
“Your Grace, this is the item His Majesty promised you.”
Glen’s voice trembled as he held out the decree to Lucian.
According to etiquette, he should have unrolled and read it aloud on the Emperor’s behalf before handing it over. But now, it seemed there wasn't even enough composure for such simple formalities.
“...Tell His Majesty that I have incurred a debt of gratitude I must repay for the rest of my life.”
Lucian knelt and prepared to receive the decree with both hands.
The moment the scroll touched his palms, a heavy voice escaped Glen’s lips.
“His Majesty asked me to deliver a message.”
“A message?”
“‘Do not forget.’”
It was short and simple, yet the words were steeped in desperation.
Still kneeling, Lucian nodded quietly.
“I shall never forget.”
“Please...”
Glen started to say something more but soon gave up with a resigned expression and handed over the decree.
Lucian broke the seal and unfurled the scroll, his eyes sparkling.
—To Lucian Grimaldi Valdek, Duke of Valdek and Grimaldi, and Margrave of Asagrim: I hereby grant the authority to pardon the crimes of unauthorized mages and to officially commission them.
Various minor details followed, but nothing was as significant as that first sentence.
A transfer of the pardon right for unauthorized mages, written in the Emperor’s own hand.
Announcing the contents of this decree alone could change the entire course of the era.
Lucian carefully tucked the scroll into his robes and looked at Glen.
“What do you plan to do now? Will you return to Tivron immediately?”
“I would like to, but I must finish what needs to be done before I leave. I have to speak with the Blue Rose Knight Order and the garrison as well.”
“Do you intend to take the former Asagrim garrison with you?”
“...That seems unlikely.”
Glen’s expression darkened.
It was normal for the soldiers provided by the Imperial Family and the Blue Rose Knight Order to remain here. They had been lent to Lucian until the war with the House of Calix was over.
However, for the former Asagrim garrison, there was no longer any reason to stay the moment the master of Asagrim changed.
“It would be best for the garrison members to return individually by land. They will have to cover their own expenses for now, but the Imperial Family will reimburse them for what they spend.”
Lucian barely suppressed a bitter smile.
Even if they were just a city garrison, they were still a military force. Moving them required costs and naturally drew attention. And yet, with no support provided, they were told to find their own way back?
‘He’s saying he’ll discard them because he can’t afford to take them.’
Then again, there was no reason to meticulously care for a mere territorial garrison that wasn't even an elite unit—provided one didn't care how the discarded parties felt about it.
“Your Grace, I leave tonight. If there is one last thing I can help you with, please tell me now.”
It was a request to settle the accounts before their paths diverged.
Since there was no reason to refuse, Lucian immediately asked for what he needed.
“Before I release the mage in the dungeon, I intend to announce the authority His Majesty has granted me. As an Imperial Inspector, please vouch for my words.”
*
Lucian immediately informed the lords of the decree’s contents.
This was to ensure no one could raise objections regarding Colin later. No matter how official the decree was, if Lucian announced it alone, someone might claim it was a forgery.
‘But if an Imperial Inspector steps forward to personally guarantee it, there’s no room for rumors.’
Sure enough, the lords were struck with shock when the contents were announced. Many among them found it hard to believe.
“Not only a pardon, but he allowed them to be commissioned? Did His Majesty truly say such a thing?”
“Is there not some mistake? I do not doubt Your Grace, but perhaps there was a misunderstanding along the way.”
Those hostile to Lucian were one thing, but even those favorable to him were skeptical.
Glen stepped forward and dismissed the pouring doubts.
“This is a decree I received directly from His Majesty and delivered myself.”
“....”
At those words, the lords were silenced.
After the announcement, Lucian immediately had Colin moved from the dungeon to a guest room. Colin was led away by servants with a dazed expression, as if he still couldn't believe it.
Watching Colin’s receding figure with a look of displeasure, Glen spoke in a heavy voice.
“It seems I have done everything I can for you.”
“I thank you for everything you’ve done. I will not forget your hard work, Sir Glen. And of course, I will not forget the grace His Majesty has bestowed upon me.”
“I am glad to hear that. Then, I shall see to my final business.”
Immediately after speaking, Glen sought out Gareth, the commander of the Blue Rose Knight Order, and Rotier, the former Guard Captain of Asagrim.
When he informed them that he had to return to Tivron alone, Gareth accepted it readily. While they were originally meant to serve under Lucian for a much longer period, his response was laced with a bit of sarcasm, as if he hadn't expected anything else.
“As expected. When would be a good time for us to return?”
“I apologize, but that has not been decided yet. It will likely be determined after we observe the situation a bit longer.”
“I see. Then I shall stay here and do my duty in silence, so please, Inspector, head back first.”
“Sir Gareth, this is not a slight against the Blue Rose Knight Order.”
“I’m sure it isn't.”
Glen started to say something in response to Gareth’s attitude but only let out a sigh and walked away. It was obvious Gareth wouldn't listen to anything he said. He could only consider it a relief that Gareth didn't make a fuss about his own treatment.
“W-What do you mean by that? You’re telling us to stay here?”
Unlike Gareth, who accepted Glen’s words relatively calmly, Rotier reacted violently. It was only natural, as the circumstances for the knights and the garrison were entirely different.
“The garrison has no more work to do here. Asagrim has become the Duke’s territory, so what are we supposed to do?”
“There is no need to do anything. You may return as you are.”
“You expect the entire garrison to travel from Asagrim to Tivron on foot, without a single supply? Just like this?”
“Whether you gather together or scatter, the method of return is at the garrison’s discretion. All expenses incurred during the return can be processed as official costs later.”
“What kind of...!”
Rotier was flabbergasted.
He hadn't even hoped to be taken back through a dimensional gate, but wasn't this too much? At the very least, they should have requested cooperation from the surrounding lords via an edict and guaranteed their safety during the return in the name of the Imperial Family.
To be cast aside like this when a single word would have sufficed.
“We are the garrison that protected His Majesty’s direct domain! You cannot treat us this way!”
“Do you think I don't know of your hard work? It is simply that the Imperial Family’s circumstances are... difficult.”
What kind of grand circumstances could possibly prevent such a simple measure? Rotier’s eyes screamed the question, but Glen could say nothing.
In truth, if anyone was frustrated, it was Glen.
‘His Majesty has collapsed; how could I possibly issue an edict? We’re already overwhelmed just cleaning up the aftermath of the rebellion in Krepelt.’
Though the Emperor was in a state where he could die at any moment, he was still technically alive. Naturally, everyone was hesitant to move troops without the Emperor’s explicit permission.
Furthermore, with Sigmund’s death, the soldiers were running wild and committing massacres. The situation was far too chaotic to look after a garrison whose role had ended.
“Please understand.”
“....”
It was the best Glen could say, unable to reveal the underlying situation.
Naturally, those words did nothing to convince Rotier.
Glen turned his back on Rotier’s relentless glare and departed.
*
As soon as his work was finished, Glen left without being seen off by anyone. When Lucian offered to escort him, he politely declined.
“This is an urgent departure. I apologize, but I do not have the luxury of time for a leisurely farewell.”
It was a statement that could have been seen as rude, but Lucian understood Glen’s feelings. When one’s heart is in turmoil, no amount of pleasant atmosphere can settle the stomach.
And so, Glen opened a dimensional gate alone outside Asagrim and vanished.
Once everything had settled, Lucian visited the guest room he had assigned to Colin.
“I’m coming in.”
Creeeak.
“....”
When Lucian opened the door, he saw Colin’s dazed face. The way he blinked made it seem like he still hadn't grasped reality.
“Snap out of it. I understand how you feel, but don't lose your mind completely. Do I need to slap some sense into you?”
“...What is to become of me now?”
This was a serious case.
Lucian let out a hollow laugh and pulled up a chair to sit.
“What do you mean, what becomes of you? You’ll be commissioned and work officially under me.”
“In what position?”
“I wonder. Calling you a Court Mage feels a bit off, and calling you a private mage sounds cheap. I’m thinking of just lumping you in as an advisor.”
“....”
“If possible, bring in the mages from your school too. If they’re capable, I’ll give them each a position. If they’re useless, I’ll just kick them out.”
“Heh.”
Colin laughed at Lucian’s incredibly casual words. No, his mouth was smiling, but tears were streaming from his eyes. It seemed he was finally realizing exactly what rights he had gained.
“You’re saying all those years of suffering have ended so simply? The pain that lasted over three hundred years ends right here? My God, truly...!”
While Colin sobbed quietly, Lucian watched him in silence. He couldn't fully understand the depth of that emotion, but having escaped the endless fear of death, it was understandable that Colin would be overwhelmed. It was even more so because it wasn't just him, but his entire school that had been liberated.
Only after a long time did Colin wipe his red, swollen eyes and look up.
“It’s been thirty years since I last looked for God. Heavens, I never thought the words ‘My God’ would ever cross my lips again.”
“I hate to rain on your parade while you’re celebrating, but I have no intention of ending this with ‘and the mages lived happily ever after.’ As much as I’ve done for you, you’ll have to work just as hard for me.”
“I am well aware.”
“And if you can't do the job properly, I’ll cast you out again. I didn't get this pardon because I felt sorry for you. I got it because I need you. Don't forget that.”
Despite Lucian’s cold words, Colin’s smile only deepened.
“My master used to say that mages were originally those who assisted lords with advice and magic. In those days, the rank of the lord a mage served depended on the mage’s own ability.”
“I doubt that master of yours actually saw those days himself.”
“It was over three hundred years ago, so I suppose not. The point is that even in the golden age of mages, there was differential treatment and competition. And, of course, punishment for crimes.”
It was an eternal truth that the incompetent received poor treatment. He had no intention of being brazen enough to ask for special treatment just because they were mages or persecuted kin. By negotiating with the Emperor to bring back a pardon, Lucian had already bestowed an immense grace upon them.
“Use us as you wish, Your Grace. If we are incompetent, discard us. If we forget our place and resist, cut off our heads. Just as the lords of old treated their mages.”
“Are you really okay with that? Even though they are your kin who were saved along with you?”
Without blinking an eye, Colin nodded and spoke.
“What use are those who cannot be satisfied even with the same treatment as the golden age? If there is anyone who doesn't know their place and dares to defy Your Grace, I will be the first to strike them down with lightning.”