Chapter 23
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23
The Grand Duke shifted his gaze from Lucian to Philip.
Philip trembled under that icy stare.
“Y-Your Grace. Please, listen to me. This is all a... what happened was...”
“I have no need for excuses, so hold your tongue. No matter what you say, you will receive no respect from me.”
“This is a misunderstanding! Are you truly going to refuse me even a single chance to explain?! Do you really intend to make an enemy of the House of Roglan?”
“Make an enemy?”
The Grand Duke snorted at Philip’s words, as if they were beneath contempt.
“You still haven’t grasped the situation. I made an enemy of that fellow Bernhardt long ago. All that remained was a pretext to strike at one another. Since you have provided that pretext, all that is left is to drive him into a corner.”
“...!”
“Pray that Bernhardt does not discard you. If he cuts you loose, you will have to worry about your life long before you worry about your standing within your family.”
“Your Grace! Your Grace...!”
At a slight nod from the Grand Duke, the knights standing behind him seized Philip by the shoulders and dragged him away.
Philip screamed as he was hauled off by their rough hands, but no one paid him any mind.
The other knights were led away in the same direction. Perhaps because they had already been thoroughly humiliated, they offered no resistance, unlike before.
“Well done. Let us head inside.”
Once the matter was settled, the Grand Duke patted Lucian on the shoulder and mounted his horse.
Just before heading back to the lord’s manor, a sudden question occurred to the Grand Duke, and he looked back at Lucian once more.
“Come to think of it, why did you set that one maid aside? Surely you don’t...”
“I will explain that once we return.”
“Ahem, I see. Well, you are a man, after all.”
Lucian gave a bitter smile at the Grand Duke’s attitude, which seemed like a father trying not to pry into his son’s secrets.
It seemed he would have to clear up some strange misunderstandings as soon as they got back.
*
Lucian immediately headed to the office with the Grand Duke.
It was to discuss the ‘reward’ the Grand Duke had mentioned earlier.
“I received a brief overview from the Black Lions. You handled the matter cleanly.”
“You flatter me. It was only possible because of the support you provided, Father.”
“No need for modesty. Is there anything you desire as a reward? If it is not excessive, I shall grant it.”
“Hmm.”
At the mention of a reward, Lucian fell into thought for a moment.
He didn’t need anything for himself right now, but he had a subordinate to take care of.
“I would like Hugo to be made a knight...”
“That is not possible.”
The Grand Duke cut him off instantly, before he could even finish his sentence.
His tone was utterly firm, a sharp contrast to his earlier demeanor.
It was an expected answer, but Lucian couldn’t just back down quietly.
As a master, he had to do his best to fulfill his promise.
“Hugo has rendered great service.”
“But he is also the one who conspired with the Marquis to sell the drugs in the first place. Had you not caught him, he would have continued to the end.”
“That is a hypothetical. Furthermore, it was Hugo who lured Philip out and provided the location for this operation.”
“Even so, it is not enough for him to become a knight. At the very least, he should have raised his own honor and performed a feat that no one could deny. Can you proudly announce the service he rendered this time in front of others?”
Lucian fell silent.
It was true that the service Hugo had rendered was difficult to reveal publicly.
It was a feat achieved through the power and connections he had cultivated while living in the underworld.
“If he wants gold coins, I can give him chests of them. If he wishes, I can even prepare a clean new identity for him. But he cannot become a knight. It is not because of his status, but because the reward is excessive compared to his merit.”
Lucian nodded; every word was logically sound.
Still, he felt he had done his duty as a master by trying.
“Your words are correct, Father. I made an excessive request.”
“If you understand, then tell me something else you want. Something that isn't excessive this time.”
“Please allow the maid I captured to receive lessons from the Sword Saint.”
“...What?”
The Grand Duke wore a blank expression at the completely unexpected request.
*
As soon as Lucian left the Grand Duke’s office, he went to see Felicia.
She had been temporarily confined at Hugo’s place of business, but she had been moved to the underground prison when Philip’s group was taken into custody.
However, even though it was an underground prison, it was a facility meant for noble prisoners, so it was quite well-equipped.
But the moment Felicia saw Lucian, she pressed a sharp piece of metal to her own throat and shouted.
“If you lay a hand on me, I will end my life right here.”
“....”
At the sudden outburst, Lucian looked at Hans, who was standing nearby.
Though there was already a jailer, Lucian had tasked Hans with watching over her during her imprisonment to prevent any unforeseen incidents.
“What on earth is she talking about?”
“What else? She thinks the Young Master is going to do something unspeakable to her, so she’s declaring she won’t go down without a fight.”
“No, who told her that?”
“How can I fix what she’s already convinced herself of? And to be honest, the reason you gave me, Young Master, was also a bit...”
Hans trailed off, but his meaning was clear: he didn't believe Lucian's reasoning either.
Then again, it was a story even Lucian himself found hard to believe.
Lucian sighed and looked at Felix—no, Felicia.
“I don’t know what kind of misunderstanding you’ve fallen into, but I have no intention of laying a hand on you.”
“....”
“You don’t believe me at all, do you?”
“Of course not. You took a single, worthless maid and locked her away separately. If your goal isn't my body, then what is it?”
“Swordsmanship.”
“Pardon?”
“My goal is your swordsmanship. Do you have any desire to swing a sword by my side and let that talent of yours truly bloom?”
Felicia’s expression turned bizarre.
Rather than believing him, she looked as though she suspected he was using a clever ploy to entice her and keep her close.
Lucian pulled out the trump card he had received from the Grand Duke.
“I will recommend you as a disciple to Sir Eisen, the Sword Saint.”
“...!?”
“I have received my father’s permission. I have already sent a messenger to Sir Eisen as well. If you wish, we can go see the Sword Saint right now. What will you do?”
She wouldn't believe it.
To give such an opportunity to a mere maid, not even a noble.
But it was a bait far too delicious to ignore.
Even if she thought it was a trap, she wouldn't be able to refuse.
Anyone who was self-taught in the sword always thirsted for a master.
And if that master was the Sword Saint, the pinnacle of the sword, it would be even more irresistible.
After agonizing for a long time, Felicia finally met Lucian’s eyes and spoke.
“Are you speaking the truth?”
“Do I look like I’m lying?”
“At the very least, the possibility of it being a lie is higher than it being the truth. Perhaps you are making an attractive offer just to stop me from harming myself.”
“By mentioning Sir Eisen to a mere maid? Why would I? If that were the case, a simple promise to let you go from here would have been more than enough.”
Felicia bit her lip at the undeniable logic.
She would rather die than be defiled, but that didn't mean she had no lingering attachment to life.
Even without mentioning the Sword Saint, if he had bargained by saying he would let her go unharmed, she certainly would have wavered.
It was frustrating, but the fact that he mentioned the Sword Saint before her life itself showed his sincerity...
“...Wait a moment. Did I ever say I wanted to learn the sword?”
As she pondered, Felicia felt something was off.
Come to think of it, she had never said such a thing.
Yet the entire conversation was flowing as a bargain centered around swordsmanship.
Normally, when bargaining with a maid—no matter how well she used a sword—one would mention money first.
“You never did, but I can tell without you saying it. It’s only natural for a swordsman.”
“A swordsman? You’re calling me a swordsman?”
“Are you not?”
Felicia was at a loss for words at his counter-question.
At the same time, she felt a surge of emotion.
To be treated not as a half-baked girl who dared to swing a sword despite being a maid, but as a fellow swordsman.
“Will you... really introduce me to the Sword Saint?”
At her trembling voice, Lucian spoke with a serious face.
“I swear it on the name of Lucian Valdek.”
For a noble to give both their name and their family name meant they were staking not just their own honor, but the honor of their entire house.
Finally, Felicia squeezed her eyes shut and stood up.
Even if it was an unbelievable offer, she wanted to believe the words of such a man, just this once.
*
Lucian immediately sent word to Eisen with a request.
He asked the Sword Saint to meet him, as he had found the talented individual he had mentioned before.
Fortunately, Eisen readily accepted Lucian’s proposal.
—The Third Young Master is not one to speak falsehoods. I shall meet them.
Upon hearing that Eisen was heading straight to the training grounds, Lucian summoned Hugo and Hans and headed there as well.
Hugo, who had been called away suddenly, looked bewildered.
He had been busy wrapping up the drug business, which had served its purpose as a trap.
“Is there really a need for me to be here for this? It’s not like anything changes just because I’m here.”
“What does it matter? Take this chance to get acquainted with Sir Eisen.”
“No, that’s exactly why I don’t want to go. How would the Sword Saint look upon a former thug like me?”
“You’ve turned over a new leaf, so he’ll look upon you kindly. He isn't the type to dwell on the past when judging a person, so relax.”
Despite Lucian’s words, Hugo still looked uncomfortable, but he had no choice.
Recommending Felicia as the Sword Saint’s disciple meant that a complete outsider was benefiting instead of Hugo, who had actually rendered service.
If Felicia’s talent wasn't properly demonstrated here, resentment would build up, even if Hugo didn't show it.
To truly convince Hugo, Lucian had to show him that heaven-sent talent firsthand.
It was just as Lucian arrived at the entrance of the training grounds with his group.
“...Father?”
“You rascal. To arrive exactly on time for Sir Eisen. You should show at least enough sincerity to arrive a little early.”
Lucian blinked at the Grand Duke’s light reprimand.
Why was the Grand Duke at the place he had arranged to meet Sir Eisen?
“What brings you here?”
“What do you mean? This is about recommending a disciple to the Sword Saint. Did you think I wouldn't be present for such an important matter?”
That was true.
Sword Saint Eisen was a man of immense standing, not just in the Empire, but within the House of Valdek.
As the head of the family, the Grand Duke naturally had to care about his successor.
Still, Lucian hadn't expected him to come in person just to watch a test, before anyone had even been officially selected as a disciple.
While Lucian was surprised, the Grand Duke’s gaze shifted to Hugo.
“So you are Hugo. I heard you rendered quite a bit of service in this matter.”
“I... I greet His Grace the Grand Duke.”
“However, your past transgressions are just as significant as your pure merits.”
“I am sorry. But now...!”
“Lucian recommended you for knighthood despite knowing that. He said he didn't need a reward for himself, and asked that it be given to you instead.”
Hugo’s eyes widened as he stared at Lucian.
Even though Lucian gestured for him to turn his head away because it was disrespectful, Hugo remained frozen like a statue.
The Grand Duke continued, ignoring Hugo’s reaction.
“It may be disappointing to you, but I refused that request. Not because of your past, but simply because your merit was insufficient. Other rewards aside, it was far from enough to make a commoner a knight.”
“Y-Your words are absolutely correct.”
“To demand an excessive reward is a dangerous thing that can even lower one’s own evaluation. Your master knew that, yet he still requested an excessive reward for you. I hope you understand what that means.”
Hugo bowed his head deeply, his body trembling slightly.
It was a gesture of someone suppressing a surge of emotion.
A moment later, Hugo raised his head again and shouted with unwavering eyes.
“What could I possibly do for him? I will simply serve him with everything I have for as long as I draw breath.”
“Hmph.”
A faint smile played at the corners of the Grand Duke’s mouth as he snorted.
He pretended to be displeased, but Hugo’s answer seemed quite satisfactory to him.
However, that satisfied gaze turned icy cold the moment it landed elsewhere.
“Is it this woman? The maid you are recommending as Sir Eisen’s disciple?”
“Yes.”
“I... I greet His Grace the Grand Du—”
“Pathetic.”
Everyone, including Felicia, froze at the Grand Duke’s blunt reprimand.
Grand Duke Sigmund then turned his gaze back to Lucian.
“Even if you were rejected once, you still had the chance to receive a reward. The right to demand anything, as long as it wasn't excessive. And yet, the thing you wanted so much that you gave up that reward was the right to show this woman to Sir Eisen?”
“...!”
“If you are under the delusion that rewards can be received again at any time, you are truly arrogant! You have wasted a rare opportunity on something useless, and a day will surely come when you regret it!”
Felicia’s eyes wavered violently.
Though she wasn't the one involved, she was someone who had witnessed the succession struggle of a Marquis’s house.
She knew better than anyone how hard children struggled to be recognized by their fathers.
And yet, in the middle of a succession competition, he had kicked away the chance to receive a reward from the Grand Duke just to recommend her.
Lucian, however, didn't even flinch at his father’s rebuke.
“I am sorry, but that will not happen.”
“What?”
“Even if today were my last chance to ever ask a reward of you, Father, I would not regret it. Because I have used it for the most righteous cause.”
“Do you truly believe this woman has that much value?”
“Yes.”
The answer came from Lucian without a moment’s hesitation.
It wasn't a voice making excuses just to rebel against his father’s words; it was a voice filled with sincerity.
“I do not know what you see, Father, but to me, I see only a swordsman blessed by the gods. A peerless genius who has the potential to cut the heavens and split the seas, yet cannot even breathe freely because she is trapped in the shackles of status and gender.”
“....”
“Right now, there will be many who, like you, do not understand me. They might mock me behind my back for doing something foolish. But that mockery will one day turn into praise. They will say that Lucian Valdek was the one who discovered the next Sword Saint, who was nearly buried in the shadows of history.”
The moment Lucian finished speaking, a single teardrop rolled down Felicia’s cheek.