Chapter 143
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 143
The Blue Rose Knight Order could not understand Lucian’s words, but they moved to carry out his orders regardless.
Discerning the hidden intent behind a command was the virtue of a strategist, not a knight. As knights, their duty was simply to follow orders faithfully, whatever the underlying motive might be.
“Understood. We shall deliver the message to the Acting Family Head exactly as instructed.”
“I appreciate it.”
“However, I will remain here. You may not strictly require my guidance, but since I have brought a horse, I may be of use in an emergency.”
“That is true.”
Lucian nodded at the suggestion from the knight who introduced himself as Moritz.
Bringing a horse meant that any further messages could be delivered swiftly if the need arose. While Lucian didn’t necessarily need a knight’s strength, it was wise to keep a liaison on hand just in case.
Once the other members of the Blue Rose Knight Order departed, Moritz, left alone, watched the tribe preparing for migration with awe.
“By the way, I took a look around on my way here, and every one of them is a man of incredible stature. Are these the ancient kin from beyond the snowfields that Your Highness mentioned?”
“Indeed. They are those who split from the progenitor of the Northern Royal Family over a thousand years ago.”
“They all seem to be preparing to move. It appears you have already brought them all under your banner.”
“I had a great deal of luck in many ways. Thanks to that, we can return earlier than expected, which is a relief.”
Lucian spoke as if it were nothing, but as the conversation continued, Moritz’s gaze grew somber.
Even at a glance, it was clear that these men would possess strength surpassing that of most elite soldiers the moment they were handed weapons. Individually, they might not match a knight, but if the entire tribe were armed, they would be as formidable as any knight order.
We are no longer indispensable to His Highness.
The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
The Blue Rose Knight Order was directly subordinate to the Imperial Family. As long as the Emperor was the object of their loyalty, they would eventually have to return to the Imperial Palace once their mission was over.
Yet, at the same time, a part of him secretly wished to take root here.
This is much better than the days when we were just cleaning up the messes of other Imperial Knight Orders. Not only do we have His Highness’s trust, but we’ve even received such treasures.
Moritz’s hand instinctively went to the armor on his chest.
The armor provided by the Imperial Palace was high-quality, but it couldn't compare to the treasures of the ancient Northern Royal Family. Combined with the treatment of being a close aide to the Conqueror of the North, no knight could remain unmoved.
I thought that if things went well, we might actually be able to settle down here.
Betraying a lord to whom one had sworn loyalty was a great dishonor for a knight, but in the current chaotic political climate, it wasn't entirely impossible.
Their lord, the Emperor, was missing, and his successor had not been clearly established. Coupled with the Imperial Family's apparent indifference toward the Blue Rose Knight Order, switching allegiances seemed like a viable option.
He had thought that if Lucian gave them a heartfelt plea to stay, they could give in as if they had no choice without being criticized.
But at this rate, forget a plea...
“You’ve suddenly gone quiet. What are you thinking about?”
Startled by Lucian’s voice breaking his reverie, Moritz quickly bowed his head.
“Ah, it is nothing. I was merely struck once again by Your Highness’s capability in subjugating them.”
“Such high praise is embarrassing. At any rate, the migration begins in five days, so feel free to look around until then. This land is a place we won't return to once we leave, so it will be a rare experience.”
Having finished his piece, Lucian left Moritz behind to check on the progress of the migration.
Moritz watched his retreating back with a complicated expression.
I’ll have to tell the others when I get back.
If they wanted to take root here, they couldn't afford to wait for Lucian’s plea. Rather, it might be the Blue Rose Knight Order that would have to beg for the chance to serve him.
Large-scale migrations rarely concluded cleanly.
Depending on the distance and the demographics of the population, property damage and loss of life were almost inevitable during the journey. Even though it was essentially just a massive move, the reason for such casualties was simple.
Not all migrants are healthy adult males.
Any group that has been settled in one place for a long time will naturally have a diverse makeup. There were many who lacked the physical strength to endure the journey, such as the elderly, the weak, the disabled, and the sick.
When such people have to travel for weeks or even months, deaths are bound to occur.
However, the tribes of the snowfields were free from such concerns.
“In this temperature, we could travel for years, let alone weeks, without issue. A mere dozen or so days is like taking a nap,” Gunstein remarked.
“Still, there must be those with weak constitutions.”
“It’s not that no one is ever born sickly, but there are none left among us now. They all died long ago.”
The snowfields were such a hellish environment that the weak could not survive for long. Even with a family to care for them, how could they live long if their bodies could not withstand the cold? The fact that one’s lungs froze and one’s lifespan withered with every breath was not a problem that could be solved by devotion alone.
“Those migrating now are only those born with iron frames. You needn't worry about them dying from lack of stamina—only if they kill each other in a fight.”
“If that’s the case, then it’s a relief, but—”
—Krrraaaaakh!
While talking to Gunstein, Lucian’s eyes widened at the roar of a beast echoing from the distance.
Wondering what was happening, he sent someone to investigate. A short while later, one of the tribesmen from the rear came forward to explain.
“A snow leopard appeared. It seems it tried to pounce on the children who had strayed from the procession.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
“Pardon? The children caught it on the spot.”
“...”
Lucian was at a loss for words at the tribesman’s look, which seemed to ask why he was even worried. To these people, a predator like a snow leopard seemed to be nothing more than a slightly aggressive weasel.
From then on, just as Gunstein had promised, the migration proceeded with surprising smoothness.
Even though the cold had subsided, the path was still piled high with snow. Yet, not a single person caught a cold while camping out. The Lucian party was left speechless by the incredible stamina shown by even the ordinary tribespeople who weren't warriors.
“These people... in terms of pure stamina, aren't they superior to most knights?”
“Perhaps so.”
With this kind of vitality, even if a plague broke out, wouldn't these people be the only ones to survive while every other territory perished?
By the time that half-jesting thought was turning into a conviction that it might actually happen...
“Your Highness, I can see Raugrad.”
“...!”
At Raymond’s whisper, Lucian lifted his head.
The entrance to the snowfields and the edge of the North finally came into view after a long time. Lucian smiled as he crossed from the lands of the snowfields back into the territory of the Empire.
“I’ve finally returned.”
The titles he had set aside until now—Margrave of Asagrim and Duke Grimaldi—descended upon him once more like a halo.
Though they had returned to Imperial territory, they couldn't head straight for Asagrim with the tribespeople in tow.
The time it would take was one thing, but after all their hardships, they needed a proper rest, however brief.
“Regardless of their physical hardiness, they must have accumulated quite a bit of mental fatigue. We need to let them unwind.”
“You are right. The problem is which territory to visit. No lord will be happy if we suddenly show up with all these people.”
“True. Just feeding and housing them will cost a fortune.”
There was a reason why armies were called money-eating hippos. It was because they consumed without producing anything.
And now, a population larger than most armies had dropped out of nowhere, demanding food and shelter? It wouldn't be strange if a lord, suddenly faced with such massive expenditures, clutched their neck and collapsed.
“So, we must go to someone who can either afford it willingly, or someone I don't particularly care about even if they resent me.”
“The former will be difficult. Is there a lord in this area who falls into the latter category?”
“There certainly is.”
Lucian grinned and pulled out a list he had prepared before leaving the snowfields.
Because he had written it from memory, the list wasn't long, but one thing was certain: everyone on it had once been very close to the House of Calix.
After double-checking the list, Lucian decided to visit the territories of those nearby in order on their way to Asagrim.
“Y-Your Highness! What on earth is the meaning of this?!”
When Lucian arrived with the tribespeople, the local lords came rushing out in a panic.
Even if they were a rabble, seeing such a massive number of people—who looked like they could topple a castle the moment they were handed weapons—it was impossible not to be alarmed.
Lucian smiled brightly at the lords demanding an explanation.
“Do not be frightened. They are kin who split from the Northern Royal Family a thousand years ago. I assume you’ve heard the news of why I departed for the lands beyond the snowfields.”
“Then these people are the ones Your Highness spoke of...?”
“Indeed. They have followed me to serve, along with the Dragon’s Heart. They are the ones who will become my commoners and my army.”
The lords’ expressions turned grim.
The elites of the White Palace, including the Blue Rose Knight Order, were all forces borrowed from the Emperor. Their movements could be restricted by political circumstances, and they could be recalled at any time by the Emperor’s command.
But if Lucian conscripted his own people and established a standing army, the story changed completely. He could turn his blade in any direction he wished, at any time, without external risk factors.
For those who had once been close to the House of Calix, a chill ran down their spines.
Dammit. I thought he’d lost his mind playing hero, but to think such monsters actually existed beyond the snowfields.
Every single one of them is a head taller than a grown man. Where were these giants hiding?
“What are you all thinking about so intently?”
Startled by Lucian’s whisper, the lords quickly bowed their heads.
“W-we were so overwhelmed by Your Highness’s great feat that we were lost for words! Please forgive us!”
“Haha, there’s no need for such flattery. It would have been impossible if luck hadn't been on my side.”
“Flattery? Not at all! This is praise from the bottom of our hearts! The feat Your Highness has achieved will surely be passed down through the Empire forever!”
“Is that so? Then I shall allow you all to play a part in this great feat.”
“P-pardon?”
As the lords stared in bewilderment, Lucian smiled sharply and got to the point.
“As you can see, I’ve brought many people, but we are short on food and lodging. We find ourselves in need of a little assistance.”
“...!”
“We aren't settling in; we’ll only stay for a very short while. I shall look forward to your hospitality during that brief time.”
The lords’ faces turned pale as they realized Lucian’s meaning.
He wanted them to feed and house this entire crowd for several days? Even if it was temporary, it was clear that an astronomical amount of money would be spent.
As the lords stood there, mouths agape, Lucian drove the point home.
“I trust you won't refuse. You may encounter these people again once they become my army; wouldn't it be better to remain in their memories as a grateful benefactor if possible?”