Chapter 177
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 177
Ever since the mention of the Northern Kingdom’s revival, the mourners in Asagrim had been divided into three camps.
First were the lords, led by Lesta and Harald, who supported the revival.
Second were the lords, including Herman, who opposed it.
Third were the visitors from external territories who had no direct connection to the North.
Depending on their respective circumstances, these three groups gathered whenever they had a spare moment to whisper and debate. The issue of the Northern Kingdom’s revival was far too weighty to simply ignore or pretend not to hear.
However, the atmosphere within each group was starkly different.
“Lord Lesta, isn’t the Grand Duke’s reaction completely different from what we expected?”
“Are we just going to end up being cursed at for starting something unnecessary?”
Unlike their initial high spirits, the first group could not hide their bewilderment at Lucian’s tepid response. They had started this to gain his favor, but now they feared they might have actually offended him.
“The number of family heads who responded must have been too small, so he changed his mind.”
“That’s why I said we should all step forward from the beginning. Why did you insist on holding half of us back…?”
“Didn’t you say it was a pretty good idea back then?”
“I thought this plan was made after fully grasping His Grace’s intentions, but look at the results!”
Their original plan had been simple.
First, half of them would actively voice their support for the kingdom’s revival. Lucian, surely, would not accept immediately but would ask for a few days to consider. During that time, the other half would step forward, acting as if they had been persuaded that it was a surprisingly good idea.
By pretending they weren't initial conspirators but were instead "convinced" by the logic, they hoped to sweep the neutral lords up in the momentum.
“The plan was to draw in more than half the lords as supporters that way…”
“But with His Grace acting like that, forget half—even the existing supporters are about to turn their backs!”
“Lord Lesta, Lord Harald. Say something. What should we do now?”
The gazes of the family heads fell on the two men simultaneously. However, Lesta and Harald didn't even blink at the reproachful looks; they merely clicked their tongues.
“You see the trees but miss the forest. Do you still not know the Grand Duke?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“If he truly didn’t want the kingdom revived, he would have flipped the table then and there. Instead, he didn’t shut us down and gave us exactly three days. What do you think that means?”
“…?”
“It means he needs three days to process this matter. Until then, there’s no need to force the issue.”
The two men were certain after seeing Lucian’s ambiguous attitude. What Lucian wanted was for the matter to remain suspended without leaning to either side—a move intended to prevent the lords from coming up with any counter-strategies by denying them a clear answer.
“So, we don’t need to do anything. We just have to wait until the Grand Duke has finished all his preparations.”
“Hmm.”
“If you say so…”
Though there was a brief moment of friction, the lords settled down again, calmed by the composed attitude of the two leaders. The words of Lesta and Harald, who met with Lucian more frequently than anyone else, carried a different weight.
However, the other groups could not move past it as quietly as they did.
“What exactly is the Duke’s intention? Why is his reaction so lukewarm?”
“How should I know? Everything ended well, so let’s just let it slide peacefully.”
“Let it slide? How can you say something so carefree when we don’t know what he’ll pull later?!”
“Then what do you want me to do? We have to know his inner thoughts before we can set a plan!”
The opposition, including Herman, was in utter chaos. Lucian was a man who, until now, had scraped up every bit of profit available to him. There was no way such a man would refuse the revival of a kingdom just because he was worried about what others thought.
It was clear he had another scheme, but the inability to figure out what it was left them frustrated. Consequently, their conversation continued to go in circles until they eventually grew exhausted and reached a point of giving up on the meeting altogether.
“At any rate, it’s a relief the Duke isn’t actively showing his greed.”
“Let’s just hope it passes like this.”
In effect, they gave up on thinking and decided to leave it to luck. It was a baseless optimism, but since thinking didn't yield any solutions, it was their only choice.
However, the third group, unlike the other two, could not set their minds at ease.
“If the Northern Kingdom truly is revived, it’s all over.”
“Rest assured, that will never happen. Do you think it’s as easy as it sounds?”
“It’s hard to be certain. There were over a dozen people who responded favorably.”
“If by some chance—some absolute miracle—the North unites as one…”
The noble who had visited as a mourner from the outside could not finish his sentence and fell silent. If the Northern Kingdom were truly reborn, it would become a power greater than any other. The direction of these turbulent times could be decided before their own masters could even seize hegemony.
It was a future so terrifying to imagine that he didn't even want to speak it aloud. Unable to bear the frustration, one noble looked at Tristan, who was standing nearby.
“Does Lord Tristan know anything? You are, after all, a blood relative of the Duke.”
“…Are you mocking me right now?”
“I-I’m sorry. That was a slip of the tongue.”
The noble who spoke immediately shrank back under Tristan’s murderous gaze. In truth, Tristan was the most distraught of them all.
If Lucian ascended the throne and took control of the North, that power would extend even to Valdek. This meant the need to use Tristan as a puppet would vanish. Lucian could simply take over the family and rule it directly.
‘Is this what he meant when he said he could take the Grand Ducal House of Valdek even without me?’
Tristan grit his teeth, recalling Lucian’s previous words. The timing was too coincidental for it all to be a fluke. He wanted to stop it somehow, but as an outsider, there was nothing he could do. He could only leave his fate to the Eight Gods of Heaven and wait for the result.
While the three groups were in such disarray, three days passed, and the farewell banquet was held once more.
“I hereby declare the revival of the Northern Kingdom.”
“…!?”
The family heads were aghast at Lucian’s declaration, which came the moment he appeared at the banquet. Far from listening to others' opinions, he spoke as if the revival had already been decided. They couldn't tell where his previous cautious attitude had gone.
“G-Grand Duke. As I mentioned before, this requires the sanction of the First Prince, the legitimate successor of the Empire…”
“I have received that sanction.”
“Pardon?”
“His Highness the First Prince has sanctioned the revival of the kingdom. He has also informed me that he will personally grant the kingship. It is truly a glorious occasion.”
“…!?”
“There is no need for long explanations. He is here now, so see for yourselves.”
Lucian turned his gaze away from the stunned lords and gave a slight nod. At that moment, the firmly closed doors of the banquet hall burst open with a loud bang.
Upon seeing the figure who made this late entrance, those who had visited the capital let out gasps of shock.
“The—The First Prince!”
“It’s His Highness the First Prince!”
Seeing the First Prince, whose face was contorted in displeasure, the people felt the strength leave their legs. Why was the First Prince, who was supposed to be imprisoned in Tivron, here?
While the lords gaped in shock, the First Prince marched forward, escorted by his retainers. Hugo and Raymond the knights, Felicia who had recently become the Sword Saint, and Marius, who had been appointed as a Court Mage, along with his disciples.
The lords swallowed hard at the sight of Lucian’s closest confidants gathered around the First Prince.
“What are you all doing? Kneel before the rightful heir of the Empire!”
At the sudden declaration from First Prince Claude, the Northern lords hesitated for a moment before dropping to their knees. They held no respect for the Imperial Family, but Lucian himself had declared his support for the First Prince. To not show respect here would be equivalent to openly rebelling against Lucian.
Claude looked at them with satisfaction, then narrowed his eyes at a corner of the room.
“Why are you lot not kneeling?”
“…”
The mourners from outside ignored Claude’s questioning. Their masters did not support the First Prince, so they could not kneel here. Just as Claude was about to explode in anger at their refusal to kneel, Dennis quickly whispered in his ear.
“Your Highness. Those are traitors who do not support your right of succession. They will not listen no matter how much you command them.”
“…Damn it.”
Having heard the explanation, Claude ground his teeth but said nothing more. He knew it was useless to command those who intended to openly ignore him.
As a huffing Claude stepped onto the dais, Lucian knelt on one knee and spoke.
“Your Highness, I ask this of you.”
“Hmph.”
Claude snorted at Lucian’s words, his lips curling into a mocking sneer. He then shouted loudly before the assembled lords.
“Listen, loyal subjects of the Empire! I was once captured and suffered at the hands of the traitor Cedric, but after a desperate struggle, I succeeded in escaping and sought refuge with Duke Lucian!”
“…”
“However, despite the grace shown by the Late Emperor, the Duke imprisoned me and hid my existence while demanding the revival of the Northern Kingdom and a royal title! How lamentable! What would the Late Emperor in heaven say if he saw this?!”
“…!?”
The people gathered in the banquet hall were horrified by the words flowing from Claude’s mouth. They couldn't understand what was happening. Far from talking about the revival of the kingdom, he was doing nothing but denouncing Lucian.
While everyone was reeling from the staggering situation, Claude drove the final nail in.
“To imprison the master of the next Imperial throne and demand a price is nothing short of treason! Therefore, I strip the traitor Lucian Grimaldi Valdek of all his titles! Loyal subjects of the Empire! Subjugate this traitor at once!”
The banquet hall froze as Claude finished his declaration. The shock of the First Prince’s unexpected appearance hadn't even faded, yet he had immediately clashed head-on with the Duke upon arrival. Their minds went blank, and they didn't know what to do.
At that moment, Lucian stood up and shouted to the family heads.
“Did you hear His Highness’s words? He has just sanctioned the revival of the Northern Kingdom and granted me kingship!”
“…!?”
“Therefore, I declare the revival of the Northern Kingdom! Long live the Empire! Long live the First Prince, the legitimate successor!”
At Lucian’s nonsensical response, not only the lords but even Claude looked appalled. He had just branded the man a traitor; why was he suddenly talking about something else?
“You’ve gone completely mad. What kind of nonsense is this?”
“I understand. I shall personally guarantee Your Highness’s safety from now on, so please rest comfortably in the palace.”
“What?”
“Now, what are you all doing? Everyone, follow me! Long live the First Prince!”
Claude laughed as if it were absurd to see Lucian shouting like a clown, but the lords could not laugh. They understood exactly what Lucian’s actions meant.
Even though he had been declared a traitor to his face, he was going to ignore it and push the narrative that the Northern Kingdom had been sanctioned? It meant he no longer cared what the First Prince thought; he was simply going to use him as a rubber stamp to manufacture legitimacy.
The situation was one where the First Prince had branded his largest supporting force as traitors, and the Duke had declared he would use that same Prince as a puppet.
While everyone remained frozen in the face of this unprecedented crisis, a voice rang out.
“…Long live the First Prince, who has sanctioned the revival of the Northern Kingdom!”
“Long live the Empire! Glory to the master of the next throne!”
Lesta and Harald stood up and took Lucian’s side. Following them, the Northern lords who supported Lucian also began to stand and join in.
“Long live the Northern Kingdom! Long live the First Prince!”
“Glory to the legitimate successor of the Empire!”
These were people who had supported Lucian, not the Imperial Family, from the very beginning. If Lucian turned his back on the Imperial Family, it was only natural for them to stand by Lucian.
As the cheers continued, the opposition, including Herman, eventually stood up as well.
“Long live the First Prince!”
“Death to the traitor Cedric!”
“…!?”
Some were surprised to see even the opposition supporting Lucian, but logically, it made sense. Those who opposed Lucian also had no interest in the Imperial Family to begin with. Regardless of the law, what mattered was the fist closest to them—a massive fist capable of crushing their entire families into extinction.
To side with the First Prince here would mean a life-or-death struggle against that fist. Rather than risking their lives to protect an Imperial Family they weren't even loyal to, it was better to just accept the revival of the Northern Kingdom and move on.
“Ahem, cough.”
“Hmph.”
The visiting nobles from outside silently pretended not to see the current situation. Though Lucian was making a fool of the First Prince, they themselves hadn't recognized the Prince’s right of succession in the first place. Since they had treated him far worse than Lucian—who at least left him his succession rights, albeit as a puppet—it would be ridiculous for them to step forward and protest now.
Above all, they had come as mourners with nothing but their own bodies. To antagonize Lucian in the heart of Asagrim? That was practically begging to be killed. The best course of action was to stay quiet and look the other way.
“Long live the First Prince!”
“Long live the Empire!”
“What kind of nonsense are you all spouting?! This man is a traitor! Kill him! I said kill him!”
Claude was driven to the brink of madness as everyone in the banquet hall ignored him with one mind. A terror, as if he had been dropped alone into a world of the blind, gripped his entire body.
Claude’s finger, which was desperately pointing at Lucian, was suddenly caught with a sharp snap.
“Your Highness, you seem tired. Your finger is trembling so violently; how can you possibly attend to state affairs?”
“You—You…!”
“Go inside and get some rest. I shall provide you with warm tea and a soft bed.”
Lucian spoke with a smirk toward Claude, who was trembling and gasping for air.
“From now on, I shall handle all the difficult tasks in your stead.”