Chapter 176
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 176
“Enough.”
As Lucian’s voice drifted quietly through the banquet hall, every guest swallowed hard and turned their gaze toward him.
Everything depended on how Lucian responded here.
Would he reveal his hidden ambitions, or would he take a step back and continue to observe?
Under the weight of everyone’s scrutiny, Lucian spoke.
“Since the Founding Emperor Wilhelm established this Empire, there has never been a precedent for the Imperial Family granting a kingship. All annexed royal families were demoted to the rank of Duke, and only the vassal states that maintained their form as kingdoms survived.”
The Unification War a thousand years ago had been a massive burden, even for the Empire.
While it had continuously annexed surrounding kingdoms to grow in size, that also meant there were more matters to attend to.
From administrative and judicial issues in occupied territories to managing the increased population and the treatment of surrendered nobles—internal troubles grew in proportion to the Empire’s expanding power. Even the Founding Emperor could not help but feel the exhaustion.
The vassal states that survived the Unification War were those that had quickly surrendered in exchange for autonomy.
In other words, all existing royal families were those who had survived that era; they were not newly granted the title of King by the Empire.
“The Empire has never forbidden the title of King. However, since there is no precedent for granting a kingship, how could I presume to call myself King? At the very least, it would require the sanction of His Highness the First Prince, the legitimate successor to the Late Emperor.”
The family heads furrowed their brows at Lucian’s ambiguous answer.
So, what did he mean to do?
Did he want to be King, or did he intend to remain a Duke?
If he had stated his position clearly, they could have at least jumped on the bandwagon, but his answer made even that difficult.
It was while the family heads were wavering, unable to grasp Lucian’s true intentions, that someone spoke up.
“Your Grace’s words are absolutely correct! There has never been a precedent for the Imperial Family granting a kingship, so how could we recklessly discuss ascending to a throne or not!”
“…!”
“Unless the First Prince proposes it first, one must not speak of a King so carelessly! Please, ignore the suggestions of these foolish men and move past this!”
The faces of the family heads turned pale.
The speaker sounded like he was supporting Lucian, but in reality, he was vehemently opposing the restoration of the kingdom.
Wondering who had such audacity, the family heads turned their heads and saw a familiar face.
‘Herman Glauber!’
The head of the House of Glauber, who had been an ally of Calix when Lucian was in conflict with the Crawford family.
Although he had severed ties immediately after the assassination incident, he could not escape the original sin of having been an enemy, even if only for a short time.
He was a man who had even been forced to show his ‘sincerity’ to Lucian in the form of a donation, yet here he was, stepping forward again.
‘He must have been blacklisted by the Duke after the previous incident, yet he opposes him so blatantly?’
‘He’s lost his mind. Has he decided to just go all out now?’
The family heads clicked their tongues in disbelief, but Herman had his own reasons.
A reason why he had to stop the reconstruction of the Northern Kingdom, even at the risk of Lucian’s wrath.
‘I’m already being dragged around because of that original sin, but if he’s given the status of a King, it’s over. No matter what he demands, I’ll have no way to resist.’
Lucian might be wielding absolute power as the Conqueror of the North, but that was ultimately pressure backed by military force.
It wasn't power stemming from official authority; it was merely a suppression using the difference in their weight classes.
He could subtly pressure them, but it was impossible for him to issue direct commands to their faces.
However, if the Northern Kingdom was revived and Lucian ascended the throne, the story would change.
Even without flaunting military force, authority would be inherent in his commands.
Even without the threat of violence, one would be fundamentally required to follow his orders, and failure to do so would provide a justification for subjugation.
‘The moment that man ascends the throne, defying his orders will immediately make one an enemy of the North. It’s on a completely different level than being disliked by a single family head. I must stop it here.’
Of course, this statement would make him even more loathsome to Lucian, but Herman thought that was preferable.
Unlike a King against whom he would have no recourse, if Lucian attacked him as a Duke, he could at least offer a minimum level of resistance.
It was at the moment Herman, having made his resolve, squeezed his eyes shut and waited for Lucian’s anger.
“Calling them foolish is a bit harsh. They are simply concerned for the future of the Empire in their own way. Do not think too poorly of them.”
“…?”
“Still, you have made an excellent point. The kingship is a position one must not covet unless the First Prince suggests it first. I, too, am of that mind.”
The family heads could not hide their bewilderment at Lucian’s nonchalant voice.
Far from anger, they couldn't even sense a hint of annoyance, making it impossible to guess his true thoughts.
Lucian scanned the confused family heads, stood up, and spoke.
“The farewell banquet has been ruined. We can’t part on a good note like this. I will hold the farewell banquet again in three days, so let us meet then.”
“I have no idea what His Grace the Duke is thinking.”
“I feel the same. He hasn't said anything clearly.”
As soon as Lucian left the banquet hall, family heads began to gather here and there to whisper.
Though they belonged to different factions, the content of their conversations was the same: ‘What is Lucian’s true intention?’
“Do you think he truly finds the revival of the Northern Kingdom undesirable?”
“If that were the case, would he have spoken in such a lukewarm, roundabout way? He surely has the desire for it.”
“But isn't his reaction too ambiguous for someone who wants it?”
“He doesn't say he likes it, nor does he say he dislikes it. It’s truly frustrating.”
The family heads were anxious.
Even if they wanted to give Lucian the answer he desired, they had no way of knowing what that answer was.
Ironically, the one who accurately grasped Lucian’s intent was not the family heads, but a single servant.
‘Those weren't words for the family heads; they were words for me.’
Dennis, who had been lingering around the banquet hall to gauge the situation in Asagrim, broke into a cold sweat.
It was because he perfectly understood the message Lucian had sent him.
‘Duke Lucian wants the revival of the Northern Kingdom. And not by his own claim, but a revival under perfect legitimacy through the sanction of His Highness the First Prince.’
Just now, Lucian had deliberately mentioned ‘the sanction of His Highness the First Prince.’
And sure enough, Herman, from the opposition, had immediately latched onto that part.
It was clearly a situation staged for Dennis to see.
I have no intention of reviving the Northern Kingdom while carrying such a weakness.
So, go to the First Prince immediately and obtain proper permission.
Dennis let out a deep sigh at the incredibly difficult demand.
‘…For now, I have no choice but to speak with His Highness.’
Having finished gathering information, Dennis headed straight for the prison where the First Prince was held.
Since Lucian had already spoken to the jailers and guards, no one blocked his path.
Claude, who had been gnashing his teeth in the cell, brightened and shouted when Dennis, who had been out, arrived.
“Oh, you’ve come! Well? How is the plan proceeding?”
Dennis’s eyebrows twitched at the mention of a ‘plan.’
He had told him so many times that it was impossible; did he still have lingering hopes?
“Your Highness, as I have told you before, that plan has no feasibility. Please, calm your anger and reconsider.”
“…So, you’re saying you haven't even considered the plan or anything? You weren't proceeding with it on your own?”
“Your Highness.”
“There truly isn't a single person I can trust.”
Claude leaned his back against the wall with a hollow laugh.
Dennis’s eyes gleamed at the sight of him appearing to have given up.
While it would normally be a cause for sorrow if the lord he served lost his will, given Claude’s personality, as long as his will remained, he would continue to antagonize Lucian.
Rather, now might be the last chance to accept Lucian’s proposal.
“Forgive me, but I have something to tell Your Highness.”
“What is it this time?”
“It is a proposal from the Duke.”
Claude frowned at Dennis’s words, but he didn't have a fit or cause a scene like before.
Feeling hope at that attitude, Dennis quickly explained the main points.
When the story was finished, Claude stared at Dennis with an expressionless face.
“So, I am to authorize the revival of the Northern Kingdom and grant Duke Lucian the title of King?”
“Yes.”
“If I do that, what does he say he will give me in return?”
“…!”
Dennis almost fell backward in shock.
To think he would calmly ask for the price instead of shouting about how he dared to threaten him!
Moved by Claude’s growth, Dennis bowed his head and spoke quickly.
“He did not state it explicitly, but simply by Your Highness appearing in a public setting, you will receive treatment befitting your status.”
“Once my existence is known, they will have to treat me properly, if only because they’re worried about public scrutiny?”
“Of course, the debt incurred by granting the kingship must be calculated separately. How you use that debt is entirely up to Your Highness.”
“Fine. Tell the Duke. I will sanction the revival of the Northern Kingdom and bestow the kingship, so tell him to get me out of this wretched prison.”
“Yes!”
Dennis’s voice rose naturally with joy.
He had been inwardly disappointed by the behavior Claude had shown, but looking at him now, did he not have the qualities of an Emperor?
To show such quick decisiveness as soon as he grasped the reality.
‘If His Highness the First Prince continues to grow like this, he will surely be able to reclaim the initiative even against Duke Lucian.’
The Empire was not over yet.
With that conviction, Dennis headed toward Lucian with a light step.
He failed to notice Claude’s smoldering gaze boring into his back.
“The First Prince has promised to authorize the revival of the Northern Kingdom and even bestow the kingship?”
“Yes.”
“…Good. Then we shall have His Highness the First Prince attend the banquet that will be held again in three days. Tell him to understand that it will be difficult to move his residence immediately.”
“I shall do so.”
Lucian watched Dennis as he left after finishing his report.
A smile never left the servant's face, as if he thought everything had worked out perfectly.
A moment later, as the door closed with a click, a hollow laugh escaped Lucian’s lips.
‘That First Prince said he would grant what I want, so long as I pay the proper price?’
What a joke.
He was a man who couldn't even come to his senses when his life was at risk from the Second Prince.
There was no way such a man would willingly accept a deal with a subordinate he believed should naturally obey him, especially when that subordinate wasn't even his brother.
‘I have a rough idea of what he’s thinking.’
He recalled the ‘Plan to Execute Lucian’ that Vincent had reported to him not long ago.
It was a stupid plan, but the First Prince was exactly the kind of man who would attempt such a thing.
Though Dennis seemed unable to imagine that even the First Prince would do something so reckless.
“Actually, this works out well.”
He had never intended to keep the First Prince hidden forever.
To properly use that lump of legitimacy, his existence had to be revealed first.
It would be good to use this opportunity to announce that the First Prince was under Lucian’s protection.
And while he was at it, he would show the First Prince.
What it meant to have no power in a time of chaos.
Lucian gave a cold smile and commanded the servant standing beside him.
“Summon all the retainers.”
It was the first coming-of-age ceremony for the legitimate successor of this Empire.
It was only right that they all celebrated it grandly.
So grandly that he would never be able to forget it.