Chapter 169
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 169
Lucian stopped smiling and gave a short click of his tongue.
Judging by Tristan’s expression, it seemed he was prepared to walk away right then and there if he didn't hear the main point. For someone with nowhere else to turn, he certainly had a short temper.
"Do you truly wish to hear it now? Since you’ve guessed this much, I thought it would be better for you to wait until you fully grasp the gap between us."
"No matter how much you emphasize that gap, if it’s a demand I cannot accept, it’s better to know in advance."
"If you insist."
Lucian gave a light shrug and got straight to the point, just as Tristan wanted.
"I will take over the Grand Duchy of Valdek for a short while."
"…!"
"Only for a very brief period, of course. I shall return it to you soon, Brother."
Lucian added the condition a beat late, but Tristan’s shock did not subside. He had expected a heavy price, but he hadn't imagined Lucian would aim for the position of family head.
"Do you honestly think I would meekly hand over the position of family head after hearing that?"
"Hear me out. I truly have no great desire for the title of Grand Duke. Sitting in that seat for just a moment is enough for me."
"And just how many years does that 'moment' entail?"
"Ideally, I’d like to be the head for a month, but considering your circumstances, I’ll return it to you after just a week."
"…!?"
At those words, Tristan stared at Lucian with a look of utter bewilderment. To claim the title of Grand Duke for exactly one week and then immediately cede it to Tristan—it made him wonder if there was even any point in becoming the head at all.
"What on earth are you thinking?"
"Succession rights are a truly troublesome matter. They encompass all inherent rights associated with one's bloodline."
"…?"
"Renouncing the right of succession is no different from renouncing all inherent rights, so I cannot simply throw it away. If I wish to maintain my other rights, I must maintain my succession rights as well—regardless of whether I want them or not."
Only then did Tristan begin to grasp Lucian’s intention. Lucian didn't want the position of the head of House Valdek; he needed to maintain the inherent rights granted to those of the Valdek bloodline.
However, the moment he recognized Tristan as the legitimate successor, it would be tantamount to giving up his own succession rights, which he could not allow.
"There are only two ways for me to maintain my inherent rights while making you the master of Valdek. Either I become the head first and then pass the position to you, or I deny your inauguration as the head."
"…Since the latter is effectively impossible if you are supporting me, you’re saying the former is the only option."
"Exactly."
I don't intend to steal the Grand Duchy entirely, so just give it to me for a brief moment.
At first glance, it sounded like there was room for compromise. However, to Tristan, this demand still felt excessive.
"Your Highness, are you aware of the current state of the Grand Duchy?"
"I’ve heard it’s a mess. I heard Jordi hasn't been able to properly seize control of the family, and with his backer, the Second Prince, remaining silent, he’s frantic trying to clean up one mess after another."
"Yes, it is as you say. But I cannot laugh even as I watch that bastard Jordi stumble."
That was because what Jordi was currently eroding was not his own power. It was the power of House Valdek itself—the very house Tristan intended to claim one day. If Jordi’s misrule continued, Tristan, who sought to reclaim the family, would inevitably suffer the loss.
"That degenerate has already dragged the prestige of the Grand Duchy through the mud. It’s only a guess, but even if I reclaim the family, it will take at least thirty years to restore it to its former glory."
"I suppose so. You’ll have to cultivate new talent to replace those who joined him or fell victim to the rebellion, not to mention rebuilding the Black Lions from scratch."
It wasn't just about gathering strength. After making a comeback, there was also the process of projecting that restored power to the surrounding areas to regain recognition. Having shown such instability both internally and externally, the neighboring lords would surely look down on the weakened Grand Duchy. There would be much to do to bring them to their knees and make them wary of Valdek once more.
Tristan had estimated thirty years, but it was possible he might not regain the strength of their prime before the end of his life.
"In such a situation, if I hand the position of head to Your Highness and then take office afterward, people will think I was incompetent and only received the family through begging."
"Is your pride more important than reclaiming your family?"
"Without that pride, I would spend the rest of my life just trying to set the family's pillars straight before I die."
Lucian chuckled as he looked at the unyielding Tristan. Certainly, without that pride, it would take that much longer to rebuild the family. Everyone would attribute everything to Lucian’s power rather than Tristan’s.
"You’re not wrong. But Brother, do you really have the luxury to worry about such things right now?"
"I’d like to ask you the same. Your Highness, do you have any other way to take the Grand Duchy of Valdek if not through me?"
"I do."
"Pardon?"
"I said I do."
Tristan could not hide his bewilderment at Lucian’s assertion. The reason Lucian was supporting Tristan was surely because he didn't have the resources to conquer the Grand Duchy of Valdek directly. Yet, he had answered that he could do so without a moment's hesitation.
"Let’s stop denying reality by calling it a bluff. Why do you think I suggested delaying our deal until after Sir Eisen’s funeral?"
"…."
"It was to show you that I have the power to do so."
That’s impossible.
Those words rose to the back of Tristan’s throat. How could he possibly march all the way from the distant North to the Grand Duchy of Valdek and wage war? Even if, by some miracle, occupation was possible, it was obvious he would soon lose it to the invasion of other factions.
As if reading Tristan’s thoughts, Lucian spoke with a smile.
"You probably don't believe me yet. So, engrave the sight you are about to witness deep into your eyes."
Once he saw what was about to happen, all his doubts would vanish. At those words, which sounded almost like a prophecy, Tristan swallowed hard.
'Damn it, what the hell is going on outside?'
The First Prince, Claude, bit his nails to suppress his irritation. Since the day Cedric left, he could feel a distinct change in the reactions of those around him.
The knights, who had been like stone statues, were whispering under their breath, and the cold-hearted servants were constantly glancing at him. Even the ones who hadn't budged no matter how many times he yelled at them would now flinch, if only for a moment.
Something had clearly happened in the Imperial Palace while Claude was locked away here.
'Is it a good sign? Or a bad one? Surely they aren't planning to execute me, are they?'
A seasoned noble would have realized that such a change was in his favor. However, Claude lacked anything resembling political sense, and naturally, he couldn't carefully read the shift in the atmosphere.
'Is that bastard Cedric really not coming anymore? I need to be able to talk to him to feel him out or something.'
It was just as Claude was ruffling his hair in frustration.
—Save His Highness the First Prince!
—S-Stop them! Stop… Gack!
—Out of the way, you traitors!
—For the rightful heir of the Empire!
Claude’s eyes snapped open at the sounds coming from outside. Had his loyal subjects finally come to rescue him?
The moment Claude stood up, unable to suppress his anticipation, the room where he was confined was half-shattered with a thunderous boom.
"Your Highness! Count Palatine Richard has come to rescue you! Are you unharmed?"
"Y-Yes! I am here! Hurry and release these shackles!"
"Please wait a moment! We will break down the door!"
Bang! Crash!
Swords and maces were swung repeatedly, smashing the door of the confined room. A moment later, Richard and the other knights tore away the remains of the door and knelt before the First Prince.
"Your Highness, I, Richard…!"
"Forget the greetings and just undo the shackles!"
Richard, who was about to introduce himself, flinched at the First Prince’s shout and signaled to the knights. The knights scattered in all directions, interrogating people and searching for the key, but to no avail.
"No one has the key to the shackles. It seems they’ve hidden it elsewhere."
"Then just cut them with a sword!"
"I am sorry. They are made of Adamantium, so it is difficult with our skills. It seems we will have to tear the chains from the wall and take them with us."
What a bunch of useless fools!
Claude wanted to scream and ask if they could do anything right, but he had to hold his tongue at Richard’s following words.
"Forgive us, Your Highness. We must leave this place quickly before the traitor Cedric notices. We will find a way to release the shackles soon, so please, bear with it for a little longer."
"…Fine."
Claude shuddered as he recalled his suffocating life in confinement. He didn't like the idea of dragging chains around, but he had no choice since it was urgent. For now, escaping Cedric’s clutches was the priority.
Soon, with a sickening crunch, the chains fixed to the wall were torn out. Fortunately, the anchors weren't made of Adamantium, so there was no major problem moving while dragging the chains.
Claude ground his teeth at his sudden plight of looking like a common prisoner.
"Cedric, that son of a bitch… I will definitely kill him once I get out of here!"
"Your words are just, but for now, we must focus on the escape."
"Do you have a place in mind?"
"We cannot evade the traitor’s eyes in the capital. For now, you must go to Duke Lucian in the North."
"Lucian? Of all people, that arrogant bastard?"
Seeing Claude scowl, Richard suppressed a sigh that threatened to escape. Did he think there were many people in the current Empire who were staunch supporters of the First Prince and capable of fighting Cedric? In truth, there was virtually no other answer besides Lucian, yet Claude was letting personal feelings cloud his judgment.
"Your Highness, I am truly sorry to say this, but we have no choice. So many factions have sided with the traitor that no one but Duke Lucian would dare to oppose him."
"Are there truly no loyal subjects left in this Empire?"
"Those with loyalty lack power, and those with power lack loyalty. The only one who possesses both is Duke Lucian."
"…I suppose. That fellow did receive quite a lot from the Late Emperor."
Claude nodded as if he had no choice, though he didn't hide his displeasure. Having barely persuaded Claude, Richard spoke urgently.
"We’ve bribed the traitor’s servants, so we should be fine for a while, but they will soon discover your escape. We have no time, so we must move immediately."
"No, let’s go to my room first. It’s not far from here, so we can get there before the traitor arrives."
"Your Highness!"
"Shut up and listen! I have a magical artifact in my room that allows for teleportation! If we find it and activate it, we can move to the North instantly!"
"…!"
At this unexpected stroke of luck, Richard and the knights brightened. If that were true, they wouldn't need to make a perilous escape attempt. Once they had the artifact, they could escape Cedric immediately.
"Just give me a straight answer. Can you get me to my room or not!?"
As Claude shouted once more, Richard bowed his head and cried out.
"We shall open the way, Your Highness!"