Chapter 117
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 117
Lucian gazed at Rotier in silence.
A knight’s oath of loyalty was something that could not be undone once given. Since the words had left his mouth, they could be taken as his sincere, unvarnished truth.
However, there was one problem with simply accepting the man’s fealty.
“Do you not already have a lord to whom you have sworn your loyalty, Sir Knight?”
Rotier was the captain of the guard protecting a territory under the direct control of the Imperial Family. Naturally, he would have sworn his life to the Emperor long before he ever met Lucian. For him to change the object of his loyalty now was a serious matter.
“How strange. Does a knight have the right to defect at his own whim? It is my understanding that as long as a lord fulfills his duties, a knight must serve him with all his heart.”
At Lucian’s cold voice, Rotier let out a heavy sigh.
“Am I not to your liking, Your Highness?”
“Answer my question first.”
“Your Highness, I am ignorant of the shifting political tides and know almost nothing of statecraft. But even someone like me can realize how things are moving when they reach this point.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Has His Majesty… truly passed away?”
Normally, a knight would never speak of their lord’s death. Even mentioning the possibility was considered an act of disrespect. When that lord was the Emperor of the Empire, such a direct question was practically unthinkable.
He must be truly desperate, Lucian thought.
After a moment of deliberation, Lucian decided to be honest. Since he intended to settle all conflicts here and now, there was no point in hiding it.
“I do not know for certain. As you know, news from the outside travels slowly to the North. However, he did look to be in critical condition when I last saw him.”
“As I thought…”
Rotier’s face darkened. He had expected as much, but hearing Lucian’s testimony seemed to confirm his fears. As if he had made up his mind, Rotier bowed his head even deeper.
“If His Majesty has passed, then I currently have no lord to serve. I have fulfilled my duties as a knight to him, and thus, I seek to serve a new master.”
“Are there not the First and Second Princes?”
“If Their Highnesses intended to use me, they would have sent a messenger long ago. Seeing as there has been no word, it seems they have forgotten my very existence.”
In truth, it wasn't something to be resentful about. There were countless knights serving the Imperial Family in Tivron. If a Prince remembered the name of a mere captain who wasn't even a Knight Commander, it would be considered an honor for generations.
The problem was Rotier’s current situation—completely forgotten in a remote land, with all contact with the Imperial Family severed. With no one to remember them and having failed to even hold their post, who would care about them? By the time the chaos in the capital was settled, their positions would likely have vanished.
“Above all, as a captain, I am in a position where I must take responsibility for the lives of my men. How could I abandon the comrades I have served with all this time just to uphold my own personal honor?”
“One would think we were in the middle of a battlefield hearing you talk.”
“Life is a battlefield, so it is no different. Whether one dies wandering and worrying about every meal or dies pierced by an enemy’s spear on the field, death is the same.”
If the guard unit collapsed and they had no way to make a living, Rotier believed that would be his failure. At the same time, he was subtly asking for a salary so the guards could survive in exchange for their loyalty.
Faced with this brazen yet honest confession, Lucian revealed his own candid thoughts.
“I cannot trust you. The attitude you have shown until now has been incredibly insincere and uncooperative.”
“I have no excuse. It is exactly as you say.”
“And there is no way to know if the two Princes have truly forgotten you. In the worst-case scenario, you could end up serving two masters.”
“That is also true.”
“Then let me ask you this. If one of the Princes holds me accountable—if they rebuke me for being an insolent man who forced your loyalty—what do you intend to do then?”
It was not uncommon for people to force an oath of loyalty from a talented individual who was isolated and had nowhere to go. Of course, Rotier wasn't exactly a peerless talent, but in the world of politics, people could manufacture any plausible excuse they needed. If they used Rotier’s oath as a pretext to check Lucian’s rapidly growing influence, it could become a headache later.
“You would have nothing to lose. You would simply return to your original lord, and your treatment would likely be much better than before. But I would become a shameless man who coerced a knight who already had a master.”
“If such a thing were to ever happen, I will testify to Your Highness’s innocence with my own mouth.”
“Then you would become a shameless man who served two masters, and your family’s honor would be dragged through the mud.”
“If I atone by offering my own head, my family will be preserved. For I am the only one who committed the crime.”
“...!”
Lucian looked at Rotier with slightly surprised eyes. He wondered if the man was just talking big, but seeing his motionless, stoic expression, it seemed he was being entirely sincere.
I have to give him credit for his sense of responsibility.
Rotier wasn't particularly deep or wise, nor did he possess extraordinary abilities. However, he didn't seem like the type of man to go back on his word once he had sworn loyalty. Even if things went wrong later, he would likely take all the blame upon himself and leave.
After a brief moment of thought, Lucian decided to handle the most important matter first.
“First… let us see this defense device you found.”
Rotier obediently led Lucian to the defense device he had discovered. Although Lucian hadn't given a definitive answer, his response was as good as a half-acceptance.
Upon arriving at the device, Lucian furrowed his brows.
“Is this not the barrier device I saw before?”
Located atop the walls of the inner castle to the north, it was a magical artifact composed of several pieces fitted into a spherical shape. At a glance, it looked like a strange decoration, but it was actually the device that operated the barrier of Asagrim.
“Do you remember how to operate it?”
“Of course.”
“Then, would you mind demonstrating it yourself?”
Though puzzled, Lucian stepped toward the artifact as Rotier requested. He pushed up a piece that protruded further than the others, and with a click, the artifact began to vibrate.
Vroooooom—
“It’s a relief that no commoners have moved in yet.”
Lucian clicked his tongue as he watched the artifact vibrate loudly and deploy a film of energy. It was certainly a useful function, but it was so noisy that any enemy would notice it immediately. A brief commotion could be heard from the White Palace, but since they had seen this phenomenon once before, it didn't cause much chaos.
“There, it is done.”
“Well done. Now, allow me.”
Rotier stepped beside Lucian and began to manipulate the artifact. Rather than operating it, his movements were so violent it looked as if he were trying to tear it apart.
“Hey, if you break it…”
“It will be fine.”
Clack, screeeech.
Ignoring Lucian’s concern, Rotier continued to shift the artifact. The pieces began to move forward, backward, left, and right like a puzzle. Simultaneously, an abnormality began to occur in the barrier surrounding Asagrim.
Crackle!
“...!?”
The barrier flashed with a sound like lightning burning through tree branches. Upon closer inspection, purple bolts of lightning were flickering all around Asagrim. As Lucian looked on in surprise at the strange transformation, Rotier explained calmly.
“This artifact does not just create a barrier to block enemies. Its properties change depending on how it is manipulated. Now that I have altered its nature, anyone who touches it will be burned to death instantly.”
“How did you figure this out? It looks like a function you’d only discover by handling it roughly enough to risk breaking it.”
“I threw it on the floor intending to break it, but it didn't break; only the barrier’s properties changed. After slamming it down several more times, I gave up and decided to learn how to operate it properly.”
“...”
Lucian looked at Rotier with an exasperated expression. To think he tried to destroy such a high-functioning magical artifact, not knowing what the repercussions might be for himself if it exploded. He must have been quite shocked by the fact that Asagrim was once a city superior to Tivron.
“Now, my role here is finished.”
Having finished his brief explanation of how to operate the artifact, Rotier turned to Lucian. He was saying that his value had been proven, and now he would leave the decision of whether to expel or employ him to Lucian.
Lucian deactivated the barrier and looked Rotier in the eye.
“Rotier Termann, you are now a knight in my service, and the soldiers you commanded are now my soldiers. As your lord, I promise to treat you with the respect you deserve.”
“Thank you, Your Highness! I shall serve you with all my loyalty!”
Rotier knelt and shouted in a trembling voice. His tone was thick with the relief of someone who had narrowly escaped the edge of a cliff.
Watching him, Lucian fell into thought.
Now, where should I use these men?
Rotier wasn't a grand talent, but he was a seasoned knight with long years of experience. In a time when every extra hand was needed, there was surely a place where he could be put to good use. After all, if they were to receive a salary, they would have to work for it.
Lucian decided to convert the Asagrim Guard into a city watch for the time being. He desperately needed a force to maintain public order for the commoners who would soon arrive, and there were no better candidates for the job.
They know every nook and cranny of Asagrim far better than I do.
They were men who had spent a long time roaming Asagrim to watch for illegal intruders. Rotier, the captain, had even discovered a barrier device that had been hidden like a mere decoration. Whether it was criminals or spies, there was no one they couldn't catch if they set their minds to it.
Once all preparations were complete, Lucian allowed the commoners into Asagrim.
“My goodness, it’s so beautiful! The pilgrims were telling the truth!”
“To think I’d have the chance to see the White Palace this close…”
“Honey, how much did we say we’d sell the house for once we get one here?”
“Shh! Why are you talking nonsense where everyone can hear you!”
“ I was a bit worried, but at this rate, I could open a shop right away.”
Though the city had nothing but its reputation, no one seemed worried. The title of the Holy Land of the North possessed a magical allure that drew people in. However, that magic would soon fade once various inconveniences became a reality.
Before that could happen, Lucian poured in his prepared funds and proceeded with the city’s renovation plans.
“What happened to the merchant group that was supposed to visit?”
“They are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Other groups are said to be arriving sequentially.”
“Good. Ensure that trade continues incessantly until a proper commercial district is established.”
“However, several merchant groups have proposed that we grant them exclusive trading rights…”
“Are they insane? Tell them not to talk nonsense if they don't want to die.”
While Lucian approved the mountain of documents, the selected officials had to move without a moment’s rest. Among them, those in charge of internal affairs, including the tax managers, worked through the night repeatedly, unable to get even a wink of sleep.
“Look here, why are the population count and the collected taxes completely different?”
“It can’t be helped! The number of people who have moved in recently is no small amount!”
“What do you mean it can’t be helped! You should have added them to the report immediately!”
“Don't talk such nonsense! I’m dying from the lack of manpower as it is!”
“...Let’s report to His Highness and hire new officials as soon as possible. Or call a few people from the previous territory.”
The frantic days for both lord and subjects continued for three months. Fortunately, after three months, the workload began to decrease, allowing everyone a moment to breathe.
Since everything was a first, there were many things to attend to, but the work was handled transparently. There might have been mistakes, but there was no embezzlement or corruption, so once the framework was established, things began to flow smoothly.
Still, if it takes this long, it will be difficult to recruit mages within the year.
No matter how important magic research was, it couldn't be more important than the commoners who supported the territory. Naturally, magic research could only begin after the commoners were fully settled, but the process was proving to be quite arduous.
It was just as a weary Lucian leaned back in his chair with a bitter smile.
“Your Highness.”
“Colin? What is it?”
Colin, the Chief Mage, visited Lucian with a tense expression. At first, Lucian thought he had discovered something while researching the books in the treasury. However, the words that came out of Colin’s mouth were entirely different from what Lucian expected.
“A fellow student of mine has come to see Your Highness.”
“What? A fellow student?”
“Yes. Her name is Helen, a member of the Celestial School like myself, and she studies astrology.”
At the mention of astrology, Lucian blinked involuntarily. What he needed right now was magic research, not fortune-telling.