Chapter 56
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56
It was hardly a novelty for the candidates for succession to build their own factions within the family.
After all, the list of tasks required to pull ahead in the race was endless.
From gathering intelligence and sabotaging rivals to handling emergencies in one's absence and processing minor petitions—it was virtually impossible to compete alone without a power base.
‘But forming a separate faction within the family also invites the head’s scrutiny. The master of the house is, first and foremost, the Family Head.’
There were two reasons why the Family Head would nonetheless stand by and watch his children’s power struggles.
First, it was an opportunity for the successor to learn how to manage people. Second, the Family Head’s authority was simply untouchable.
No matter how much influence a candidate managed to amass, it would scatter like a sandcastle before a single stern word from the Family Head.
Since they would do it anyway, and it served as an education without posing a real threat, he simply let them be.
However, no matter how unthreatening it was, the Family Head was still human.
‘Anyone would find it an eyesore to see them bickering among themselves while ignoring the master of the house. That’s why they usually don’t encourage it; at most, they just turn a blind eye to the formation of factions...’
Yet, Grand Duke Sigmund was now explicitly telling Lucian to build his own power base.
While Lucian hesitated, unsure of how to respond, the Grand Duke spoke again.
“Do not misunderstand. I have not yet decided to hand the family over to you.”
“....”
“However, you are one of the candidates. If I were to choose you as the next Family Head, what a disgrace it would be if you had it snatched away from right under your nose. At the very least, build enough power to resist if someone tries to take your seat.”
His tone was chilly, but his voice was full of sincerity.
It meant that while nothing was set in stone, he considered Lucian a strong contender.
“I say this just in case, but do not think of relying on me. A power base built on another’s strength is like a castle built on sand. You must find the comrades who will stand by your side through your own strength alone.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Now, leave.”
Lucian bowed deeply and quietly closed the door.
Left alone in his office, the Grand Duke leaned back into his chair, lost in thought.
‘Am I rushing things? The other children haven’t shown their full potential yet.’
The eldest, Tristan, was a staunch traditionalist who gave up too easily, but he possessed a steadfastness that wasn't swayed by emotion and a quickness in judgment.
Conversely, the second son, Jordi, treated his subordinates harshly and often broke his word, yet he always minimized losses in crises through cold, calculated profit-and-loss assessments.
The fourth, Joshua, had yet to show anything exceptional, but he hadn't shown any deficiencies either, so his progress remained to be seen.
‘They are all still immature, which means they still have plenty of room to grow. Normally, I should wait to see their development before making a decision, but...’
The world was moving too fast to leisurely wait for his children to mature.
It would be fine if the storms of the world bypassed Valdek until they were ready, but that was unlikely.
Even if he didn't officially confirm it, he needed at least one candidate he could appoint immediately if the need arose.
‘Lucian.’
Until a few years ago, his third son couldn't even meet his brothers' eyes and was quick to shift blame onto others.
But something had happened a year ago; he had awakened and become a different person.
Though he had a bold and reckless side, every action was grounded in logic, and his vision for the big picture was on a level incomparable to his siblings.
Unlike the others, whose growth he had to wait for, Lucian was already a finished product—a true noble.
“Was it said that extraordinary times require extraordinary choices?”
The Grand Duke muttered with a bitter expression, staring up at the ceiling.
As usual, it seemed the world had no intention of considering human circumstances.
*
Lucian returned to the family estate, but he could hardly find a moment to rest.
The knights, who had previously been wary, were now approaching him openly.
“Third Young Master, if you don't mind, I would like to have a brief word with you.”
“Do you remember me? We crossed paths once before.”
“Please remember my name. I am sure we will meet again soon.”
Their approaches varied.
Some approached with polite etiquette, while others acted as if they were old acquaintances just because their sleeves had brushed once.
The most absurd were those who staged "fated encounters" to make themselves look like extraordinary talents.
‘Do these people from a Great Family have no pride? To use such childish methods.’
Lucian let out a hollow laugh. After dismissing the knights, he gave Hans an order.
“From now on, filter out these riffraff yourself.”
“Eh? Young Master, those people are knights!”
“So what if they’re knights?”
“I’m just a servant. How am I supposed to stop knights if they try to push their way in?”
“If they’re stupid enough to do that, I’ll kick them out myself, so don't worry. Though anyone with a lick of sense wouldn't dream of it.”
In the Empire, status was absolute, but power wasn't always determined by rank.
Hans was Lucian’s personal servant and his most loyal confidant, having stayed by his side even when everyone else looked down on him.
To Lucian, a joke-filled request from Hans was more important than the pleas of a knight whose face he didn't even know.
And if someone treated Hans poorly just because of his low status?
‘It means they lack even the most basic political instincts.’
Talking to someone that incompetent was a waste of time.
Despite his anxiety, Hans followed Lucian’s orders and turned away the knights who came looking for him.
Fortunately, perhaps because they had learned from the aides of the other brothers, no knight dared to ignore Hans.
“It’s good to have a reputation, but at this rate, I’ll spend an eternity just sorting through the trash.”
Lucian sighed as he watched a group of knights walking away through the window.
Suddenly, the conversation he’d had with Grand Duke Sigmund came to mind.
‘A faction. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have one. And right now, I could build one as large as I want. But I have no desire to build a faction out of people like that.’
To be precise, he didn't want a bloated, hollow power base.
He had seen too many factions rot from within, in places where the leader’s eyes couldn't reach.
At the very least, every single member should be someone he wouldn't be ashamed to show to others.
What Lucian wanted was an elite force—one that might be much smaller than his brothers’, but was solid to the core.
‘The problem is the reward for talent. People who know their own worth won't come just for fame or empty promises of the future.’
The knights swarming him now were all small fry trying to get a foot in the door based on future potential.
True talents who knew their value didn't sell themselves cheaply.
They knew that anyone would be willing to pay a fair price to acquire their skills.
But Lucian currently had no rewards on hand to entice such people.
‘I was able to gain the loyalty of Hugo and Felicia because they were in environments where they couldn't use their abilities without me, but I can't keep relying on that method.’
Not every talent was trapped in an unfair situation.
As he pondered, a thought struck Lucian like a bolt of lightning.
A treasure of treasures, one that had once held the Imperial Family in its palm, still lay dormant.
If he could find that treasure first and secure it in secret...
‘There’s very little information, so the chances of finding it are low, but it’s better than not trying at all.’
Having made up his mind, Lucian immediately went to see Grand Duke Sigmund.
*
“You want permission to go to the capital?”
“Yes.”
Grand Duke Sigmund blinked at Lucian’s sudden request.
Why the capital all of a sudden?
And at a time when he should be busy building his faction.
“Let’s hear the reason first. What business do you have in the capital?”
“I want to observe the atmosphere following the defeat and, while I’m at it, look for talent.”
“Talent? Do you know someone in the capital?”
“Not exactly, but I recently heard an interesting story and intend to visit to verify it.”
Lucian avoided giving a detailed answer to the Grand Duke’s question.
He couldn't exactly say he was going to find the creator of an elixir that was about to be developed.
The Grand Duke watched Lucian quietly for a moment before nodding.
“I suppose you have your reasons. Do as you wish. However, avoid revealing your identity officially if possible.”
“Of course. I’m not going there to be treated as a guest, so I’ll travel as quietly as possible.”
“I’ll assign Raymond as your escort. He seems to have taken a liking to you lately; he always volunteers when I’m selecting guards.”
Raymond.
He was a man Lucian had grown fond of in many ways since he first served as his escort.
Come to think of it, Raymond was also a talent. Was there any way to recruit him?
As if reading Lucian’s thoughts, Grand Duke Sigmund let out a casual remark.
“Just so you know, the Black Lions don't serve by force until they die. They can retire when they reach a certain age, or they can transfer if they achieve enough merit. The process is just so discreet that it’s rarely known.”
“...!”
“Raymond is scheduled to leave the Black Lions soon. I don't know where he intends to go, but a man of his skill deserves to be treated accordingly, don't you think?”
Lucian’s mind sharpened at the Grand Duke’s words.
Unlike Felicia or Hugo, who were still developing, Raymond was already a finished product.
Whether or not he could provide such a talent with the treatment he deserved was a test of Lucian’s own capability.
‘I can't stop at just testing the waters. I must find it, even if I have to turn the entire capital upside down.’
With firm resolve, Lucian bowed his head and spoke.
“It is as you say, Father. If one cannot provide treatment befitting a person's skill, it means they are not qualified to possess that talent.”
“Mm, indeed. I’m glad you understand.”
The Grand Duke smiled with satisfaction at the spirited response.
Talent, once lost, was incredibly difficult to regain.
Rather than giving up because one lacked the current capacity, one needed the attitude of pushing oneself to the limit to bring them into the fold.
As the Grand Duke was about to dismiss him, Lucian quickly added one more thing.
“I am truly grateful for your permission to go to the capital, but there is one more favor I would like to ask of you, Father.”
“What is it?”
“Only if you have the time, of course...”
A moment later, the Grand Duke burst into laughter at Lucian’s words.
After laughing for a good while, he readily granted the second request.
*
Hans was shocked to see Lucian preparing to leave again as soon as he returned.
“Young Master, are you going out again?”
“Yeah. This time, I’m going to the capital.”
“The capital? Why so suddenly?”
“I have some business there. Take good care of the house while I’m gone.”
At Lucian’s request, Hans’s expression darkened.
In the past, as his personal servant, he would have always accompanied his master.
But as people gathered under his master and the things to manage increased, the time Hans spent by his side naturally decreased.
While it meant his master’s status had grown, Hans couldn't hide his anxiety.
‘They say out of sight, out of mind.’
Hans thought of Hugo and Felicia, who had recently joined.
Though Hans had spent much more time with his master as his personal servant, those two were already in positions higher than his.
At least Hugo was still a commoner like him, but if he truly became a knight, their positions would flip.
‘What if I’m the only one left behind? If my presence slowly fades until the Young Master forgets me...’
Hans shuddered at the terrible thought.
Lucian, who was busy preparing, chuckled as he saw Hans lost in thought.
“What on earth are you imagining that’s making you shake like that?”
“Eh? Oh, no, I was just thinking about something else for a second.”
“I don't know what you’re thinking, but you won't have time to slack off, so stay sharp. I asked Father to give you some butler training starting tonight.”
“...!?”
Hans’s eyes widened at Lucian’s words.