Chapter 104
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104
After sending Hugo to the location where rumors of Eisen had surfaced, Lucian waited calmly for a reply.
Since he had already completed his immediate tasks, it was time to observe the situation until clear results emerged rather than moving prematurely.
‘The same goes for the hidden mages and Norbeck, who escaped prison recently. I’m not the one in a hurry; they are.’
As long as Lucian held the initiative, it would be enough to watch their reactions and respond at his leisure. Humans were prone to making mistakes when they were desperate.
However, there was still one issue that needed to be addressed in the meantime.
“Sir Rotier, what do you intend to do now?”
“....”
Rotier, the former Captain of the Asagrim Guard, could not find an answer to Lucian’s question. It was only natural, as he himself had no idea what to do from here on out.
Lucian let out a deliberately exaggerated sigh.
“I’ll tell you now, your positions have already been revoked. You are no longer under my command, nor are you performing duties for the Imperial Family. As of this moment, you are simply an armed group with no purpose.”
“...I am aware.”
“Then this should be simple. It’s time to reach a conclusion. Will you disarm and remain in Asagrim? Or will you keep your weapons and move to another territory?”
Rotier gritted his teeth.
Disarming was absolutely out of the question. The Guard was already in a precarious position, having lost the Imperial Family’s support and being left to their own devices. If they laid down their arms now, they wouldn't even be able to protect themselves.
‘Damn it. If only I had built some rapport with the people. My pride has left me surrounded by enemies on all sides.’
He deeply regretted his past actions, where he had never avoided friction with the Northerners. The number of pilgrims who had been mistreated by Rotier alone would likely fill several villages. Now that their connection to the Imperial Family was severed, if even a fraction of them decided to seek revenge, the consequences would be horrific.
‘Even if we manage to leave the North safely, it’s still a problem. How are we supposed to reach Tivron without any supplies?’
As Lucian said, the Guard was currently nothing more than an unaffiliated armed group with good equipment. Without a backer, no lord would welcome a large group of soldiers wandering into their territory. To secure food and lodging elsewhere, they would have no choice but to disband and scatter.
The problem was that the safety of the guards could not be guaranteed during their return.
‘I don’t even expect cooperation from the neighboring lords. If only the Imperial Family would show enough anger when one of the guards gets into an accident...’
But looking at the current state of the Imperial Family, that seemed unlikely. They couldn't even provide the basic support needed for their return. Would they really step up for something that required even more effort?
“Have you still not reached a conclusion?”
At Lucian’s renewed prompting, Rotier squeezed his eyes shut. After a moment, having made up his mind, Rotier met Lucian’s gaze.
“Your Grace, I have one request. Please allow me and the other guards to stay here indefinitely until the Imperial Family’s situation is normalized.”
“I refuse. Do you honestly think that makes sense?”
“In exchange, I will tell Your Grace the secrets of Asagrim.”
“The secrets of Asagrim?”
Lucian flinched at the unexpected offer. Could this man actually know something about the Royal Family’s Legacy?
“You must have seen the barrier device I discovered recently. In truth, there are several other defense mechanisms remaining in Asagrim besides that one.”
“...Ho.”
Lucian let out a silent sigh of relief, though his eyes sparkled. So they weren't part of the Royal Family’s Legacy, but rather functions that had been forgotten over time.
“I discovered them by chance. Since I only confirmed their existence and kept them hidden, the other guards know nothing about them.”
“I don’t need them.”
“I suppose so. But if you want me to speak... Pardon?”
“I said I don’t need them. That’s enough, you may leave.”
Rotier blinked blankly, his mouth agape at the unexpected response. Seeing his reaction, Lucian let out a short laugh.
“Did you think I would beg you to tell me? I’m sorry, but I have no intention of doing so. I won’t torture you, nor will I lecture you on morality. Just keep your mouth shut and leave with your secrets. That is all I want from you.”
“Yo-Your Grace! Please, just listen for a moment! This is not something that can be dismissed so lightly!”
“I am the one who decides the weight of a matter. Not you.”
“Your Grace!”
“If you can’t give me an answer, I shall take my leave. I’ll give you a little more time, so I hope you have a proper answer for me then.”
Lucian coldly brushed off the clinging Rotier. As he stepped out into the hallway of the White Palace, a cold smile played on his lips.
‘Ridiculous. You want to strike a deal with me? What do I have to lose?’
There were no enemies nearby capable of launching a siege, nor was the White Palace in any immediate danger. Norbeck, the only one hostile toward Lucian, was on the verge of self-destruction. Even if Rotier didn't talk, Lucian could simply search for the mechanisms at his leisure later.
It might have been a headache if he knew nothing about magic, but he had Colin, and he planned to hire more mages anyway.
‘For me, just knowing that more defense mechanisms exist in this castle is enough.’
Rotier seemed to think he was offering an attractive bait, but from Lucian’s perspective, it was a foolish move. Why bite the bait when you can just pick it off the hook with your hands?
Above all, it was Rotier, not Lucian, who was in a desperate position. Since the situation would naturally turn in his favor just by doing nothing, Lucian had no reason to accept a deal right away.
‘I wonder how long it will take for his attitude to change from bargaining to begging.’
It wouldn't take long if he realized that the terms would only get harsher as time passed. However, given the knight’s personality, Lucian didn't expect him to return within the next few days.
The Sword Saint’s visit to the North.
The North was turned upside down in a positive sense by this unprecedented event. It was a region that still held a martial spirit, worshipping the strong. And this wasn't just any famous knight; it was the Sword Saint, the strongest of the era.
“The Sword Saint is coming to Asagrim? For what reason?”
“I heard that the female knight by the Duke’s side was the Sword Saint’s adopted daughter.”
“What? She wasn't just there for show, she was actually a powerhouse?”
“More than that, they say she’s a genius who might even inherit the title of the next Sword Saint.”
“Then if we go now and build a connection...!”
“It’s too late for a visit. Can you really afford to leave your territory vacant any longer?”
“Of course not. Damn it, nothing ever goes right.”
The Northern lords had no choice but to leave the White Palace, despite their lingering regrets. As the heads of their families and masters of their lands, staying away any longer was a burden.
Once the lords had departed and Asagrim grew quiet, Hugo’s letter finally arrived.
—Hans, Ian, and several of the men who worked under me are with the Sword Saint. We also met up with the two people my Lord sent along the way. We are hurrying, so we will arrive soon.
“...!”
Lucian breathed a sigh of relief at the long-awaited good news. Above all else, he had hoped for the safety of Hans and Ian. With his greatest worry dispelled, Lucian immediately began preparing to welcome the Sword Saint’s party.
“The Sword Saint is someone who dislikes grand and flashy displays, so we will hold a simple ceremony with only the Blue Rose Knight Order. Will you cooperate?”
“Of course! I’ve wanted to meet him anyway, so I’m grateful you mentioned it first!”
Gareth, the commander of the Blue Rose Knight Order, thumped his chest with a flushed face. He seemed excited at the prospect of meeting the Sword Saint in person as a fellow knight.
While the preparations for the ceremony continued, Lucian also called for Colin, who had recently become the Chief Mage.
“Since things turned out this way, you should come along and introduce yourself.”
“M-Me, sir?”
“You’re the Chief Mage of Asagrim now. Of course I have to introduce you.”
“That is true, but....”
Lucian tilted his head at the sight of Colin hesitating with an uneasy look. Judging by his attitude, it seemed he was more uncomfortable with Sir Eisen himself than the ceremony.
Just then, Raymond approached Lucian and whispered in his ear.
“In his younger days, Sir Eisen cooperated with the Imperial Family’s witch hunts several times.”
“...That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
“Well, it’s not exactly something to brag about. You know how infamous those witch hunts were.”
Lucian nodded instinctively. Indeed, he had heard stories of entire territories being devastated just to catch a single mage. Given Sir Eisen’s personality, which valued honor, he probably wouldn't want to mention it.
‘Well, I don’t know his true feelings since I’ve never heard the story from him directly.’
Regardless, since Colin was now working by Lucian’s side, they had to meet eventually. No matter what happened in the past, Lucian didn't want to waste time with them avoiding each other. If Sir Eisen couldn't accept Colin, he would deal with it appropriately then.
Lucian was waiting for the Sword Saint’s arrival in front of the white walls after completing the preparations.
“Your Grace!”
At Felicia’s shout, Lucian looked up. Focusing mana into his eyes, he saw several figures approaching in the distance.
Leading the way were Lesta and Thorkel, whom Lucian had sent ahead. Following them were Sword Saint Eisen, Hans, Ian, and the others.
As if noticing Lucian’s gaze, Eisen smiled broadly and moved only his lips to speak.
—It has been a long time, Third Young Master. You have become even more dignified.
Lucian smiled at Eisen’s attitude, which was no different from when he had left the family.
The ceremony ended quickly.
Though it had been prepared simply from the start, there were too many stories to share to waste time on empty formalities. As soon as they entered the White Palace, Lucian dismissed the others and spoke up.
“Thank you for coming all this way, Sir Eisen! And thank you so much for saving my retainers!”
“Haha, I am just glad this old body could be of some help to the Third Young Master. Ah, I suppose it’s not Third Young Master anymore, but Your Grace the Duke.”
Eisen looked at Lucian with a nostalgic gaze. Not long ago, he had been merely a son of a noble house, but now he had become a Duke and a Margrave, addressed as Your Grace.
“You are truly remarkable. Your Grace always far exceeds my imagination.”
“You flatter me. I didn't achieve this through my own ability alone; it was thanks to His Majesty the Emperor’s mercy.”
“No matter how large a piece of meat is, if the throat is small, one will choke to death trying to swallow it. His Majesty must have given it willingly because you have the capacity to handle it. I’m sure the Grand Duke would also....”
Eisen’s expression darkened as he trailed off. The Grand Duke, who had once bound them together, was no longer anywhere to be found.
In the heavy silence, Lucian looked at Hans.
“Hans.”
“Yes, Young Mas... Your Grace.”
“What exactly happened? Did Jordi really start a rebellion?”
At Lucian’s words, Hans nodded with a grim expression.
“To be honest, I was half-doubting it, but he actually went through with it. However, I don’t know the full details of how things unfolded.”
“What do you mean? Were you not at the estate when the rebellion occurred?”
“To be precise, I escaped the family before that. He let me go surprisingly easily, so I thought it was fine, but then he suddenly chased me down and captured me again. I was imprisoned ever after that until I finally escaped thanks to Sir Eisen.”
Lucian frowned as he listened to the story.
He let him go easily, then suddenly chased him down and captured him?
It might have been baffling to Hans and the other retainers, but Lucian had a rough idea of what had happened.
‘That bastard... he only intended to use Hans as a hostage after I received Asagrim.’