Chapter 39
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 39
A noble’s greatest power stems from their blood itself.
The nobler the lineage, the more rights one can claim. This was especially true for the House of Valdek, whose blood was intertwined with the Imperial family.
‘For starters, I even have a claim to the throne. Though my turn would never come unless the entire Imperial line was wiped out.’
To put it another way, it meant he could assert his right to the throne if the situation called for it. In peaceful times, such a claim would be dismissed as a baseless absurdity, but in times of chaos, it was a different story.
The rights granted by the Valdek bloodline were that overflowing. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the greatest asset Lucian possessed was the birthright bestowed by his Valdek blood.
On top of that, even if they lacked actual power, his mother’s side carried the lineage of the Northern Royal Family.
‘As long as I have my own strength and a plausible justification, I can reign as a legitimate monarch at any time.’
Lucian chuckled, recalling his earlier conversation with Jordi.
Don’t take anything? If I can’t become the family head, let’s go down together?
It was laughable.
“I can’t do that, brother. Why should I refuse to walk a clear path of silk when it’s laid out right in front of me?”
He understood Jordi’s anxiety. Unlike Lucian, Jordi’s maternal side was a family of merchant origins, only three generations deep. If he failed in the competition for the succession, he would never be able to stand on the same stage again.
Jordi must have been shaken to see Lucian—whom he thought was in the same boat—suddenly demonstrating the capability to stand on his own.
However, Lucian had no reason to play by Jordi’s rules.
“I use what I have, and you use what you have. Isn’t that how the world works? It’s madly unfair and irrational.”
In his past life, Lucian had been crushed to death under that very irrationality. Conversely, Jordi had reigned atop that irrationality, competing with his brothers. Even if their positions had now shifted, Lucian felt no pity for him.
For two months, Lucian focused entirely on training his body. Since he was heading to a battlefield, no amount of training was ever enough.
Fortunately, because he had decided to focus on destructive power rather than finesse, the training itself was straightforward, and the results were satisfying.
Crack!
“Phew!”
Lucian smiled with satisfaction at the sound of the air bursting. It was still far inferior to what Eisen had shown him, but the destructive power was exceptional. It was enough that he felt confident he could defeat his past self in a single exchange.
‘Unless it’s a renowned knight, the fight will be over the moment our blades clash. Provided my sword can withstand the impact, that is.’
Lucian gave a bitter smile, remembering the sword that had shattered not long ago. It had been a fairly good blade, so the loss still stung. Since he had obtained it under the pretext of needing supplies for his mission, he wondered if he would receive something of similar quality if he requested a replacement.
‘Wait a minute. Come to think of it, I’m going to war, aren’t I?’
If he played his cards right, couldn't he use that as a justification to ask for a new sword? Since the matter was far more significant than before, he might even receive something better.
‘There’s no harm in asking, so I might as well try.’
“Young Master! His Grace the Grand Duke has arrived!”
“What? Father?”
Startled by Hans’s shout, Lucian turned his head. He tried to quickly fix his clothes, but Grand Duke Sigmund entered before he could.
“Father, I apologize for my appearance…”
“There is no need to fuss over etiquette in a private setting. It is good to see you training so diligently.”
The Grand Duke looked at the sweat-drenched Lucian with a pleased expression and then clapped his hands twice.
At the sound, servants entered a moment later, carrying something.
“Actually, a gift for you has arrived, and I came to deliver it personally.”
“A gift… Is it armor and a sword?”
“Do you like it?”
Lucian nodded reflexively. It was obvious at a glance that the sword was a masterpiece. Smiling at the sight of the mesmerized Lucian, the Grand Duke handed the sword to him.
“Draw it.”
“Is that alright?”
“A man must personally verify the sharpness of the blade he intends to use.”
Bowing his head slightly at the Grand Duke’s words, Lucian drew the sword. The blade slid out so smoothly it made almost no sound. Lucian marveled at the perfect weight and the keenness of the edge.
“It is a magnificent sword. It seems it wasn't made from ordinary steel.”
“It has been tempered with a suitable amount of Adamantium. It’s not a large amount, but it won’t break easily, no matter how roughly you handle it.”
Lucian’s eyes widened at the mention of Adamantium. It was the king of metals, said to be the hardest substance in the world. He had heard that even a tiny amount mixed into equipment would put its durability in a different league. Because of its astronomical price, he had only ever been able to catch a glimpse of such gear in his past life.
“My, look at you. Your eyes are like a startled rabbit’s.”
“Anyone would be surprised to hear that it contains Adamantium. Am I truly allowed to accept this sword?”
“Of course. It would be a disgrace if you, representing me on the battlefield, were put in danger because of shoddy weaponry. And…”
The Grand Duke paused and gestured. The servants set down a set of armor and its stand. It was a beautiful suit of armor, an exquisite blend of white and blue.
“On the battlefield, protection is more important than weaponry. I give this to you along with the sword.”
“It looks like a truly magnificent suit of armor, but there are no pieces other than the breastplate.”
Lucian, admiring the surface that radiated master craftsmanship, voiced his confusion. The Grand Duke smiled silently and helped Lucian don the armor. Only after Lucian was standing there, looking somewhat dazed in the breastplate, did the Grand Duke finally speak.
“Now, try to circulate your mana.”
“Right here?”
“There is no need for a full circulation. Simply sending mana to the center of your chest will suffice.”
To be told to circulate mana right after putting on a single breastplate—Lucian tilted his head in confusion but obediently channeled his mana.
Sh-sh-sh-shing!
“…!?”
The moment a certain amount of mana gathered in his chest, the breastplate expanded, covering his entire body. From his arms and legs to the gaps between his fingers and even his head. Miraculously, the armor didn't snag on his skin or hair as it deployed.
In less than ten seconds, the breastplate had transformed into a suit of full-body armor.
“Magic Armor…!”
Lucian was stunned as he realized the true nature of the breastplate. It was the pinnacle of technology, something that could only be created with the Emperor’s permission and the cooperation of the Court Mages. In his past life, he had only seen it once, worn by the Guard Captain when he visited the capital.
To think he would actually wear Magic Armor himself.
“This armor was bestowed upon the second Family Head by the Late Emperor of that era. It is undoubtedly a precious item, but as it was made in the early days, its performance is the lowest among its kind. As the generations passed and more gifted armors accumulated, we lacked a proper use for it. It is only right that you take it.”
“No, but still, this is Magic Armor, isn't it? Even if its performance is considered low, it must still rank among the best in the world.”
Lucian was floored by the Grand Duke’s nonchalant attitude. Surely, a house like Valdek would receive such gifts from the Imperial family, but it was usually reserved for major occasions like the inauguration of a Family Head. No matter how many they had accumulated, it was never something to be given away so easily.
It was clear the Grand Duke was intentionally downplaying its value to lessen Lucian’s burden.
“You look quite dazed. Why? Are you not happy?”
“I am happy. But isn't this too much? It’s just a rebellion suppression, yet you give me Adamantium weaponry and Magic Armor.”
“Yes, quite so. To be honest, I feel the same way.”
The smile vanished from the Grand Duke’s face as he readily agreed with Lucian. In its place, an inexplicable sense of unease and discomfort flickered.
“Even if Krepelt is the strongest among the vassal states, it is nothing compared to the Empire. A rebellion there should be nothing more than a minor twitch. And yet, for some reason, this feeling of unease won’t leave me.”
“Do you have any suspicions?”
“None. It is a mere gut feeling. Some might laugh and call it baseless nonsense, but I always had this feeling before something major happened. Furthermore…”
The Grand Duke paused and turned his gaze toward Lucian.
“Your attitude in demanding full authority also bothered me. It didn't seem like you were simply seeking fame; it looked as though you had already prepared yourself to dive into danger and were merely seeking permission.”
“…I can’t see the future, so how could that be?”
Lucian feigned ignorance, though he felt a pang of guilt inwardly. He knew Grand Duke Sigmund was an extraordinary man, but did he possess some kind of hidden precognition?
Fortunately, the Grand Duke only stared at Lucian for a moment before nodding with an accepting expression.
“That is true. However, there is no harm in being thoroughly prepared when going to war. Take them and use them well. I say this again: I am not lending them to you, but gifting them. You do not need to return them.”
“Thank you. I will never forget your grace, Father.”
“What talk of grace is there between father and son? It is enough if you return safely. And do not do anything too dangerous. Even if you win great fame, it is meaningless if there is no one left to enjoy it.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Having finished his piece, Grand Duke Sigmund left the training grounds with his servants. Even as he walked away, he frequently glanced back at Lucian as if something was still weighing on his mind.
Hans, who had been watching from the sidelines, approached with sparkling eyes only after the Grand Duke had disappeared.
“My goodness! Young Master, when did you earn such favor from His Grace? An Adamantium sword and Magic Armor! Even Master Tristan hasn't received such things!”
“I wonder. Should I call it favor, or just a very sharp intuition?”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“I mean there are many incredible people in this world. My father is one of them.”
“…?”
Leaving the puzzled Hans behind, Lucian concentrated his mana on his chest once more. The Magic Armor reacted again, retracting into its original breastplate form.
Running his fingers over the breastplate and the sword, Lucian gave a bitter smile.
‘I’m sorry. You went through the trouble of giving me such treasures, but I’m afraid I’ll have to do something a bit dangerous.’
However, there was one thing he could promise.
He would return safely.
As the Grand Duke said, even if he achieved great fame, it would be useless if he wasn't there to enjoy it.
As he calmly inspected his gear, a sudden worry crossed Lucian’s mind.
‘…By the way, won’t my brothers have something to say about me receiving these gifts?’
As Lucian expected, the side effects of the excessive gifts appeared immediately.
As soon as the news broke that he had received an Adamantium sword and Magic Armor, the three brothers rushed to see the Grand Duke in unison.
“Father, this is far too much. I can understand the Adamantium sword, but Magic Armor?”
“It’s even the armor bestowed upon the second Family Head by the Late Emperor! It’s not just a piece of defensive gear; it’s a treasure of immeasurable value!”
“Does he really need such equipment just to suppress a rebellion in a vassal state? It would be better to give Brother Tristan more troops instead!”
Amidst the pouring protests, the Grand Duke looked at his children and spoke calmly.
“If you are dissatisfied, one of you may go in the third son’s stead to suppress the rebellion. If you do, I will take back what I gave him and distribute it among you.”
“…”
“…”
At Grand Duke Sigmund’s single sentence, the three brothers fell silent simultaneously.