Chapter 20
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20
The servants, and even Lucian himself, were left wearing blank expressions.
To see the ever-solemn Grand Duke Sigmund laughing like that, casting aside all dignity...
After laughing for a good while, the Grand Duke wiped away the faint tears at the corners of his eyes and spoke.
"I don't know how long it’s been since someone contradicted me so boldly to my face! It hasn't happened once since I inherited the position of Family Head from my father. To think I’d hear such words from you!"
"I can only apologize if I have caused you discomfort."
"Do I look like I’m in a bad mood? It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a refreshing laugh! Puh-hah!"
Only after laughing a few more times did the Grand Duke finally manage to calm himself.
While everyone else remained speechless, Grand Duke Sigmund spoke with a smile.
"That is a fine answer. A man must have conviction in the path he walks. One cannot be called a man if he is swayed this way and that by a mere few words."
Lucian’s eyes widened at those words.
"Was this a test?"
"Indeed, it was. I wanted to see whether or not you would falter at a simple remark."
I knew it.
There was no way Sigmund didn't know it would be impossible for Lucian to handle this matter alone.
Even if he was only the fourth son, the target was the biological child of Marquis Roglan. To prepare for any potential danger, the Marquis would have surely provided at least a small group of elite guards.
In contrast, Lucian currently had not a single knight under his command. If he were to strike with clumsy preparations out of mere greed, it was obvious he wouldn't even break even.
Sigmund wasn't the type of person to be ignorant of such circumstances, so Lucian had found his excessive expectations strange—but it turned out to be a test.
"It is as you say. It is nothing but foolishness to lay hands on a task beyond one's capabilities, blinded by the prospect of merit. Anyone who isn't an idiot knows that. The important thing is whether or not you can stand your ground when those words come from my mouth."
"...."
"It would be one thing if you were wandering because you couldn't find the answer yourself, but if you change your answer based on the whims of your superiors, you are unfit to be called a man, let alone a candidate for Family Head. If you cannot even keep your own word, who would ever trust and follow you?"
Lucian nodded instinctively.
A person swayed by the opinions of others is even less trustworthy than a person who lies intentionally. The latter might speak the truth occasionally, but the former will flip their words at any moment, regardless of sincerity.
"I had similar exchanges with your older brothers. The first went his way without hesitation. The second weighed the pros and cons before choosing a compromise. But you are the first to contradict me head-on."
The Grand Duke leaned back in his chair with a pleasant expression.
"Regardless, it was an excellent answer. I shall provide as much support as you desire. How much do you want?"
Lucian thought for a moment before speaking.
"If there are too many troops, it will arouse suspicion. We must move as a small, elite force to avoid drawing attention. The problem is that the opponent's security is also likely to be a small, elite system."
"Meaning you could end up being the one suppressed if you aren't careful."
"Yes. In the worst-case scenario, it would be worse than having no reinforcements at all. It would look as if we were defeated by the Marquis's elites despite setting a trap and launching a surprise attack."
In other words, he was asking for the absolute best troops to ensure such a thing didn't happen.
The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes, catching Lucian's drift.
"What a cheeky fellow. Are you telling me to bring out my best cards on my own?"
"Of course not. I am merely doing this for the honor of Valdek..."
"I will send five Black Lions."
"...!?"
Lucian’s eyes snapped wide at the mention of the Black Lions.
The shadows of Valdek, whom only the Family Head could command. It was said that a single Black Lion was skilled enough to slaughter three knights in a head-on confrontation.
Back in his days as a guard, his colleagues would often bring up the legend of the Black Lions over drinks. However, since no one had ever actually seen them, he had assumed it was just a baseless ghost story.
They actually exist?
"Why? Are five not enough?"
"N-no, that's not it."
Lucian shook his head vigorously at the Grand Duke's question.
Not enough? Far from it. Even if the rumors about the Black Lions were only half true, it was more than enough power.
Coming to his senses a beat late, Lucian bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your favor. I will surely return with satisfactory results."
"I shall look forward to it. And you should keep your eyes wide open as well."
As Lucian turned to leave, the Grand Duke spoke with a deep smile.
"To see what kind of power is granted to the master of Valdek."
A week later, Lucian led his subordinates toward Bestra.
Since it was the closest territory, it didn't take long to arrive.
"What a mess of a city."
Lucian clicked his tongue as he scanned Bestra.
It wasn't uncommon for a rapidly expanding city to be disorganized, but the level of chaos in Bestra was exceptionally severe.
"Why are there so many half-finished buildings? Some of them are outright abandoned houses."
"It's because many people come here after being deceived."
It was Hans who answered Lucian's question.
"As you know, even though this place is close to Kelheim, there are no crumbs to be had. But outsiders don't know that. People who only look at maps mistakenly think it will flourish as a transit city because of its proximity to the metropolis."
"...Don't tell me all those houses belong to people who were scammed?"
"Exactly."
Lucian pressed a hand to his forehead.
He had wondered why the population seemed strangely low compared to the number of buildings. People had been scammed into thinking they were buying prime real estate, only to return home once they realized the truth.
Now he understood why there were so many unfinished structures. If they found out they’d been scammed before the buildings were complete, they wouldn't have had the energy to keep building.
"In a place like this, no one would notice if a building or two appeared or disappeared."
"That was why I chose this place for the workshop. Though I ended up getting caught by you, Young Master."
Hugo, who had been following behind Lucian, gave a bitter smile. At the time, he never imagined he would be caught by the "Deer Young Master," who hadn't even been on the Grand Duke's radar.
"By the way, are you really not going to tell us how you found out? Even Senior Hans doesn't seem to know."
"I'll tell you later. For now, let's focus on catching the beast in the trap. How are the preparations?"
"Perfect. All that's left are the reinforcements, but..."
A slight shadow fell over Hugo's face. Lucian, guessing what he was thinking, let out a short laugh.
"Are you that unhappy about receiving help from my father?"
"No. It's a fact that my own strength is far from enough. It's just... I regret my lack of power. If I were strong enough, I could have made this entire achievement yours alone, Young Master."
"There's no need to be in such a rush. I'm only sixteen, and you're barely over thirty yourself. There will be plenty of opportunities to become a knight in the future, so let's climb the ladder one step at a time."
When he finished speaking, Hugo looked at Lucian with a complicated expression. It was a face mixed with a tiny bit of resentment, lamentation, and a sense of injustice.
Why is he looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?
While Lucian tilted his head in confusion, Hans tapped him on the shoulder.
"Um, Young Master."
"Yeah?"
"Hugo says he's twenty-three this year. He's still a long way from thirty."
"...."
Lucian looked at Hugo again.
The twitching scar, the bushy beard, the rough skin. No matter who looked at him, they wouldn't take him for a day under thirty. And yet, with that face, he was twenty-three.
"Hugo."
"Yes, Young Master."
"There's no need to be in such a rush. I'm only sixteen, and you're barely over twenty yourself..."
"Please don't correct yourself. It makes it feel more miserable."
"Ahem! Anyway, the Black Lions are late. They should have been here by now."
"Third Young Master."
The three of them flinched simultaneously at the voice that suddenly came from behind. Hugo, in particular, was startled and instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword.
But before he could even draw it, another voice spoke.
"Do not draw it."
Thud.
Hugo’s eyes widened at the heavy sensation pressing down on the back of his hand. To think he hadn't sensed their presence until two people were this close.
But when Hugo turned his head, it wasn't just two people.
There were five shadows that had approached without a sound. They were already within a distance where they could have swung their swords and cut them down long ago.
While everyone else was dazed, Lucian was the first to regain his composure and speak.
"The Black Lions?"
"Yes. We have come to support the Third Young Master by order of His Grace the Grand Duke."
"I appreciate that. But if you don't mind, could you take your hand off my servant? If you keep pressing down like that, he won't be able to let go of his sword even if he wanted to."
"As you wish."
At Lucian's words, the hand pressing down on Hugo was removed. As Hugo stepped aside with a look of being possessed by a ghost, the full group of Black Lions finally came into view.
Their only armament was a single sword, and their armor consisted of nothing more than thin leather. At a glance, their attire could easily be mistaken for that of common mercenaries found in any large city.
However, their eyes were cold—far too cold to be those of a mere mercenary.
Suddenly, Lucian recalled someone buried deep in his memories.
These guys... they have a similar atmosphere to the one who cut my throat.
A sword strike he hadn't even been able to see properly until the moment his head was severed. Could it be that all of them were at a similar level to that man?
Lucian instinctively stroked his own nape.
If all of them were truly equal in skill to that knight...
"His Grace the Grand Duke commanded us to follow the Third Young Master's orders upon arriving in Bestra. Please give us your command."
Then this mission was impossible to fail.
A deep smile formed on Lucian's lips as he looked at the Black Lions.
The command Lucian gave the Black Lions was simple.
"Stay hidden in the designated location until the prey appears, then attack all at once when I give the signal."
"Shall we kill them?"
"The more mouths we have, the better, so it's better to capture them alive if possible. Especially the Marquis's son—subdue him with as few injuries as possible."
If they were mobilized for such dirty work, they would surely be tight-lipped. But there were always exceptions. If they were lucky, one of the survivors might spill everything about the Marquis.
Of course, that was a best-case scenario, so he shouldn't expect too much. As long as he achieved his original goal of capturing Marquis Roglan's fourth son, the rest was a bonus.
"Of course, if the situation is unfavorable, you may kill them. Use your discretion based on the circumstances."
"Understood."
Despite the Black Lions' calm response, Lucian could somehow tell. Not a single one of them believed they would ever find themselves in an "unfavorable situation."
It was a confidence bordering on arrogance, but he didn't bother to point it out. Whether it was true arrogance or confidence befitting their skill would soon be revealed.
—Is this the right place? It looks shabby from the outside. You didn't embezzle the funds elsewhere, did you?
—We have to deceive others, so of course the exterior must be shabby. The interior is substantial, so see for yourself.
At the sound of Hugo's conversation with someone approaching, Lucian hid himself in a suitable spot.
A moment later, with the sound of a door opening, several people stepped into the workshop. It would be the fourth son of Marquis Roglan, whom they had lured, and his guards.
Lucian peeked out slightly to identify the prey, only for his eyes to bulge at the unexpected sight.
Felix the Sword Demon!?