Chapter 127
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 127
At Lucian’s words, Marius blinked blankly.
His expression was one of utter disbelief, as if he had never imagined hearing such a thing.
“Playing mastermind? You call this a game?”
“If it isn’t a game, then what is it?”
Lucian looked at Marius with a pathetic gaze and continued.
“If you scour the world, I’m sure you’ll find someone worthy of being called a true mastermind. But at the very least, it isn’t you.”
To Lucian, who had weathered all sorts of storms in his life, everything about Marius seemed amateurish.
Why would a chieftain like Ivar have rejected Marius’s proposal?
It was because Marius had shown his entire hand from the start and only presented situations that he personally considered ideal. He hadn’t given a single thought to what the other party desired or how to manipulate those desires.
“Even the plan that brought me all the way here is riddled with makeshift fixes. You’re relying entirely on astrology without even trying to figure out what kind of person I am. What on earth are you doing?”
“That is because, unlike you, I—”
“Even if you believe in astrology, a plan requires at least a minimum amount of information gathering. Yet, you simply assume that the surrounding circumstances will always turn in your favor.”
Scheming meant creating a situation the opponent couldn't refuse and then preparing the next step.
In contrast, Marius left all of his opponent's options wide open while assuming they would move exactly as he intended.
At this point, forget being a mastermind—he lacked the basic competence of a simple bureaucrat.
“The fact that everything has gone according to your plan so far is pure coincidence. It’s troublesome if you mistake luck for talent and act all triumphant.”
“I have never acted triumphant. I only revealed everything because I was worried I would be blamed when the truth eventually came out.”
Marius interrupted Lucian, his face stiffening slightly.
“I only told you because you wanted to hear it in the first place. So, do not misunderstand.”
“Well, thanks to that story, I think I have a general idea of your obsession, old man. I also understand why you called me here.”
“Then I shall offer it once more. Rebuild the Magic Tower for me. In exchange, I will give you an army, the Dragon’s Heart, and the power to rule the continent.”
The power to rule the continent.
It was a grand claim, but not necessarily a false one.
The unnatural cold of the North was likely the power of that artifact. An artifact that could freely control the climate of an entire region.
‘If precise manipulation is possible, then I really wouldn't need a pretext or anything else.’
However, Lucian felt no temptation from the offer.
From the moment he arrived here, there was absolutely no need to accept Marius’s proposal. The fact that Marius didn't realize this proved he was truly terrible at politics.
“For now...”
“For now?”
Lucian finished his thought and spoke to Marius, who was looking at him with expectant eyes.
“Let’s talk again after I’ve had some rest. It was a long journey, and I’m exhausted.”
“....”
“It’s a nice house.”
After deferring his decision and leaving, Lucian’s group headed to Gunstein’s home.
Perhaps because he was the Chieftain’s son, the house was quite large compared to others, even if it didn't match the residence of Marius, the Guide.
“It’s a bit cramped for everyone to stay, but it’ll do. We’ll be staying here for a while.”
“...Thank you.”
Gunstein bowed his head with a slightly gloomy expression.
Watching him, Lucian let out a short laugh.
“Are you taking what the Guide said to heart?”
“That is...”
“Gunstein.”
Lucian looked at Gunstein with an incredibly serious face.
Startled by a gaze he had never seen before, Gunstein instinctively dropped to one knee.
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Was the strength I used to defeat you a lie? Did I win because someone rigged the situation?”
“No, sir.”
“Then, was your challenge to me the result of someone’s scheme? Did you have no desire of your own?”
“N-no, that is not it either.”
“What about the fact that serving me is more worthwhile than serving your brothers? Was that all made up?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Then what is the problem?”
“....”
Gunstein thought for a moment and tilted his head.
Come to think of it, there wasn't really a problem.
If Lucian hadn't come here, he would have had to serve one of his unremarkable brothers as Chieftain. If he was destined to serve someone instead of becoming Chieftain himself, then the current situation was the best possible outcome.
“Don’t be played by the wordplay of a prophecy. Anyone can claim everything went according to their will after the fact. Especially if the result is good for you, there’s even less reason to care.”
“I... I am sorry.”
Gunstein bowed his head at Lucian’s words.
It was a simple remark, but it felt as though all the weight in his chest had vanished.
Turning his gaze from Gunstein, Lucian looked at Colin and Helen.
“Colin didn't know anything, so I'll leave him be... Helen.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“How much did you know about your Master’s plan?”
“As I told you before, only up to the army and the Dragon’s Heart. I had never even heard of an artifact, let alone the Magic Tower.”
Helen explained with a pale face.
She seemed terrified of losing Lucian’s trust, yet also at a loss because her Master had escalated things so far.
On the other hand, Colin, who had now learned the full story, appeared relatively calm.
“Colin. What do you think? Now that you know the whole story, you must have your own thoughts.”
“There is nothing deep to think about. Master is overreaching.”
“If things go well, I’ll have absolute power in my hands, and mages will be able to reclaim their former glory immediately, won't they?”
“There was no need for such a gamble. We could have steadily proven the utility of magic. But Master is...”
Colin bit his lip, unable to bring himself to insult his Master.
Lucian finished the sentence for him.
“He’s rushing things because he wants to see results before he dies. He’s giving no consideration to the next generation.”
Marius was the exact opposite of Eisen.
While Eisen wanted a successor to carry on his legacy because he had already achieved everything, Marius sought to achieve something himself, even if it meant harming the students he had raised.
It was likely because of the resentment he had harbored over the long years of the Imperial witch hunts.
When Lucian didn't say anything else, Raymond, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
“What do you intend to do, Your Highness?”
“What do you mean?”
“The mage’s proposal. Will you accept it?”
“Oh, that?”
Lucian chuckled as if he had just remembered.
“Just leave it be.”
“Pardon?”
“Proposal or not, it was all over the moment I arrived here. It seems the old man hasn't realized that yet.”
“...?”
“Rather than that, let’s think about how to get an army here. Now that the stage is set, the other side is bound to react....”
“Brother! Brotheeer!”
It was at that moment.
One of Gunstein’s subordinates rushed inside, his voice filled with panic.
Gunstein frowned at the man’s behavior.
“You fool, do you still think I live here alone? Our Lord is present!”
“I-I’m sorry! I was in such a hurry...!”
“What’s the fuss? Out with it.”
“The Chieftain has announced he will hold a banquet tonight. He ordered every warrior with succession rights to attend without exception!”
“...!”
The eyes of everyone gathered there turned toward Lucian.
Originally, the succession rights to the Chieftain’s position belonged to Gunstein, but they had now transferred to Lucian.
Amidst the tense gazes, Lucian replied with a relaxed smile.
“That’s perfect. Let’s go see what this Chieftain looks like.”
In the Empire, a banquet usually brought to mind a lavish affair held in a castle or a lord’s manor.
However, in this land, banquets were typically held inside thick tents pitched outdoors.
Since they lacked the resources to build massive structures, it seemed common to create temporary banquet halls in this manner.
“I thought we’d be doing this entirely outside.”
“Is this really a banquet?”
A hollow laugh escaped Hugo’s lips as he entered.
No matter how scarce resources were in the snowfields, this was excessively meager for a banquet.
“Meat, meat, meat... there’s nothing but meat.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Everything placed on the long tables was meat.
It might have been different if the cooking methods were diverse, but for the most part, it was just whole-roasted or sliced-and-grilled meat laid out in rows.
Even a festival in a backwater village in the Empire would likely have more variety.
Offended by the others' reactions, Gunstein glared at Hugo.
“There is alcohol too. What more do you need at a banquet besides meat and drink?”
“True, but what kind of alcohol is that?”
“What do you mean, what kind? It’s alcohol.”
Hugo shook his head at Gunstein’s answer.
If he didn't even understand the question of how good the alcohol was, it meant there was only one kind.
From the lowest soldier to the Chieftain ruling the tribe, everyone drank the same thing, so there was no need for specific names.
“Damn, do we have to eat like this the whole time we’re here? Are there no vegetables?”
“Your body is fine, so why are you looking for vegetables? If you get sick, go see the apothecary.”
“This is driving me crazy. I’ve been eating nothing but meat since we got here, and I’m already sick of it.”
“That’s enough, sit down. It looks like the others are starting to arrive.”
Flap.
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of men entered the tent.
Judging by the scent of blood and the scars covering their bodies, they appeared to be veteran warriors.
Among them, Lucian’s gaze fixed on the warrior in the lead.
‘A brother.’
From their facial features to their brown beards, the two were so similar that it was immediately obvious they were related.
The differences were a scar running across his right eye and a physique that was a full head taller than the other warriors.
The warrior scanned the banquet hall as he entered, his eyes soon meeting Lucian’s.
“Oho.”
The warrior muttered an exclamation, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“I heard my brother was defeated by a great warrior, and it seems the rumors were true. I can feel a warrior’s bravery just by looking at your face. No wonder my little brother lost.”
“Brunda...!”
Gunstein gritted his teeth at the words of his older brother, Brunda.
To anyone’s eyes, Lucian’s appearance was not suited for a warrior of the snowfields.
He was small, had no beard, and wasn't particularly muscular.
Yet, to bring up his face and call him a warrior?
It wasn't a compliment; it was a blatant mockery.
However, Lucian didn't even bat an eye as he looked at Brunda and spoke.
“On the other hand, you look rather flimsy. Your muscles look hollow; you should work on your core. I feel like you’d snap if I just gave you a poke.”
Brunda, who had been smirking, froze on the spot at Lucian’s retort.