Chapter 68
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 68
“On what grounds, exactly?”
“It’s not as if they have no claim at all. The House of Calix produced several generations of the Royal Guard back when the Northern Kingdom still existed. Furthermore, they’ve intermarried with the House of Grimaldi since the kingdom fell.”
In short, the blood of the House of Grimaldi did flow through the veins of the House of Calix. At the very least, they weren't invoking the Duke’s name out of thin air.
The real issue was who held the closer claim when compared to Lucian.
“When was the last time the House of Grimaldi and the House of Calix were joined by marriage?”
“A hundred years ago. A daughter of the ducal house wed into the House of Calix.”
“Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped Lucian’s lips.
Not only was it a connection through the maternal line, but it was from a century ago. Had Lucian died and the immediate bloodline been severed, it might be a different story, but in the current situation, they had no right to invoke the Grimaldi name.
It was like a distant cousin crawling out of the woodwork to claim an inheritance while a perfectly healthy grandson was still standing right there.
“This is absurd. They should have at least sought my understanding first.”
“They likely used the excuse that you aren't a ‘Northerner.’ Such wordplay is hardly rare in the political arena—though that doesn't make it any less shameless.”
A hint of displeasure seeped into the Grand Duke’s usually calm voice. Only then did Lucian realize that this situation was a serious matter not just for the Grand Duke, but for the Imperial Family as well.
“What does His Majesty the Emperor say?”
“He is, of course, deeply offended. He said this must be stopped before it escalates further. The problem is that the Imperial Family currently lacks the luxury to intervene.”
“Is it because of the suppression of the Krepelt rebellion?”
“Indeed. Though they managed to end the previous attempt with minimal casualties, the fact remains that the suppression failed. For the sake of the Empire’s prestige, they must re-form the Allied Forces as quickly as possible and make those rebels pay for their defiance.”
The Imperial Family’s goal was to gather as much strength as possible to overwhelmingly crush Krepelt, making up for their previous failure. Naturally, they couldn't afford to divert the power necessary for that campaign toward an external issue. If they did, the already diminished prestige of the Imperial Family might crumble further.
“The biggest problem is the House of Calix. They’ve been shouting about ‘Northern Glory’ and the like, but they’ve been thoroughly submissive toward the Imperial Family, insisting this isn't a rebellion. They claim it’s merely a pretext to end the North’s frequent civil wars.”
“I don't believe that for a second.”
“Neither do I. His Majesty shares our skepticism. It’s likely just a story they’re spinning so they won't be disturbed while they unify the North under their rule. But the trouble is, their timing is impeccable.”
Because of the Krepelt rebellion, the Imperial Family couldn't afford to turn its gaze toward the North. On top of that, the House of Calix was maintaining a low profile while securing a plausible justification. If the Empire pressured them further by showing open suspicion, it risked provoking not just the Count’s house, but the entire North.
“So, you need me. As the closest living relative to the House of Grimaldi, I can shatter the House of Calix’s justification.”
“Exactly. However...”
Grand Duke Sigmund hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lucian with a grim expression.
“The North has long been a place of strong martial spirit and deep-seated xenophobia. No matter how close your blood claim is, you will never be fully accepted by them since you weren't born and raised there.”
“....”
“The House of Calix, and even those who once revered the House of Grimaldi, will seek to test you. And no matter what the test is, passing it will not be easy.”
At the Grand Duke’s words, Lucian recalled his past life.
The few Northerners he’d encountered among the mercenaries rarely spoke to outsiders. No matter what task they were given, they performed it silently and took only their reward. Some mercenaries had praised that stoic attitude, calling them "silent men of the North."
‘What a ridiculous misunderstanding that was.’
As he found out later, Northerners weren't actually that taciturn. They simply didn't open their hearts to anyone they hadn't acknowledged. Once they accepted someone, the reaction to having been silent for so long in a foreign land often made them incredibly talkative.
‘Those people praising them for being "silent Northern men" were essentially announcing to the world that they hadn't been acknowledged, and they didn't even know it.’
As Lucian hid a bitter smile, the Grand Duke’s voice reached his ears again.
“I will be honest with you. His Majesty the Emperor wishes for you to go to the North and neutralize the House of Calix’s claim. He believes that you are the one who can bring peace to the Empire.”
“That is a more generous evaluation than I deserve.”
“But I want to leave the choice to you. Regardless of His Majesty’s wishes, I do not want to force this upon you.”
A shadow of worry that he couldn't hide flickered across Grand Duke Sigmund’s face. He was worrying for Lucian not as the Grand Duke of the Empire, but as a father.
“The House of Calix has undoubtedly stolen an inheritance that belongs to you. However, that legacy is ambiguous, and you might go your entire life without ever needing it. In contrast, the North is a harsh, bitter place with a temperament that is not easily swayed. And above all...”
“The name of the Grand Ducal House of Valdek will carry no weight in the North.”
Lucian finished the sentence, anticipating what would come next. He had a good idea of what his father was worried about.
“They are people who have lived among themselves in the North for a long time. Since their connection to the Imperial Family is faint, they won't readily acknowledge anyone other than the Emperor himself.”
As the Grand Duke had said, even Lucian wouldn't be able to avoid the North’s trials. In fact, upon hearing he carried the blood of the House of Grimaldi, they might test him even more severely. Because he carried such noble blood, they would want to see if he truly possessed the merit to match it.
‘And even if I pass the test, that’s just the starting line. I’ll immediately have to engage in a massive battle of legitimacy against the House of Calix and its supporters.’
In other words, he would have to fight in the enemy’s backyard without being able to rely on his family’s power at all. Even if they were only a Count’s house, if they had been established since the days of the Northern Kingdom, their influence would rival that of a Margrave. Lucian would be fighting an uphill battle with nothing but his own strength.
“Even so, I wish to go to the North.”
“...Why? Knowing how difficult it will be, why choose this?”
“Because they touched an inheritance that belongs to me.”
Lucian spoke while looking directly into the Grand Duke’s eyes. He cast aside all the empty formalities of loyalty and spoke with pure sincerity.
“It was mine. Even if it was destined to do nothing but gather dust in a storehouse for the rest of my life, it was mine and mine alone. Yet, without my permission—without even glancing my way—they have dragged it out as they pleased and are now boasting as if it were theirs all along.”
“....”
“I wish to ask you, Father. Even if it is meat he does not intend to eat, can a lion who says nothing when his kill is stolen truly be called a lion?”
The name of the House of Grimaldi was indeed an ambiguous legacy. It could be incredibly useful, or he could live his whole life forgetting he even had it. But regardless of which path he chose, the rightful authority to use the name Grimaldi belonged to Lucian. The House of Calix had ignored Lucian and used it as they pleased, knowing full well who he was.
“I do not possess a temperament merciful enough to smile and overlook those who treat my property as their own.”
“Hahaha!”
The Grand Duke burst into laughter at Lucian’s blunt answer. After laughing for a good while, Sigmund Valdek stroked his beard with a satisfied smile.
“Indeed, one cannot simply leave a thief to walk with his head held high after stealing what belongs to another. Do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
“When do you plan to depart for the North? Surely not immediately?”
“I intend to leave in a week. I need time to prepare as well.”
“Understood. However, before you depart, attend one family meeting.”
Lucian’s eyes widened at the mention of a family meeting. Such meetings were rarely held unless the matter was of grave importance. What could have happened?
As if reading Lucian’s question, the Grand Duke answered immediately.
“His Majesty the Emperor intends to re-form the Allied Forces.”
“...!”
“....”
“....”
The atmosphere of the family meeting was incredibly heavy. In the past, there had been at least a silent war of nerves, but this time, everyone was too stressed to even manage that.
Amidst the tension, the Grand Duke spoke.
“His Majesty the Emperor has ordered the re-formation of the Allied Forces.”
“...!”
“It seems he intends to decisively suppress the Krepelt rebellion this time. Naturally, I shall be marching to war as well.”
With the Grand Accord broken, there was no telling what moves the enemy might make. It was not a situation that could be left to a mere proxy, so it was only natural for the Grand Duke to take the field himself.
The important matter was what would happen after the Grand Duke departed.
“Then, while you are away at war, whom do you intend to appoint as the Acting Family Head?”
Veronica, Tristan’s mother, asked while covering her flushed face with a fan. It was a difficult thing to voice, but on a battlefield where the Grand Accord was no longer observed, there was no guarantee the Grand Duke would return safely. There was a chance that the person chosen as the Acting Family Head here could very well become the next Grand Duke.
“Before I decide on an Acting Family Head, there is one thing I must say. I intend to take one of my sons with me as an aide.”
“...!?”
“This time, it is my wish, not the Emperor’s. Are there any among you who wish to volunteer?”
The unexpected proposal left everyone looking bewildered. If the Grand Accord had been discarded, the danger of the battlefield would be incomparable to before, yet he was asking them to accompany him.
While everyone was busy gauging each other’s reactions, Julia, Jordi’s mother, spoke up cautiously.
“If the third son goes, as he did before...”
“The third son has business in the North. He will not be able to accompany me.”
“The... the North?”
“It concerns the House of Grimaldi. Recently, the House of Calix has been acting as if they are the heirs to the House of Grimaldi, completely ignoring Lucian.”
As Grand Duke Sigmund explained the circumstances in detail, everyone’s faces hardened.
A time when Lucian had to be away, a battlefield where the Grand Accord was no longer honored, and an invitation to accompany him whose intent was unclear.
‘Is he trying to clear away the other children for the sake of the third? Since his foundation is weak, it would be a headache if the other children didn't acknowledge his succession.’
‘That can't be... Father isn't the type to hatch such schemes. But if he truly has designated the third son as the next head of the family...’
While suspicions were swelling, it was Veronica who finally snapped.
“My Lord, this is truly too much!”
Veronica slammed her fan down and stood up abruptly. The Grand Duke didn't even blink, staring at the agitated Veronica with perfect composure.
“What is too much?”
“Your favoritism toward the third son! Why is he the only one being excluded? Are you going to claim it’s unfair to make him participate again since he already went once?”
“Heh.”
The Grand Duke gave a cold laugh at Veronica’s words.
“When an enemy of the Empire appears, it is the primary duty of every lord to lead his troops and gather under the Imperial banner. Along with taxes, this is the one thing that must never be forsaken. Yet you speak as if it were a punishment.”
“You are the lord! Not our children!”
“And one of my children will become the lord of the next generation. If they hide because they are afraid to step onto the battlefield, would they truly be fit to succeed me?”
“...!”
Veronica’s face turned pale, and her mouth hung open. The Grand Duke then turned a sharp gaze toward the speechless woman and spoke sternly.
“Bear this in mind. Whether the Grand Accord is observed or not, duty must be fulfilled. I have no intention of making anyone who cannot fulfill their basic duties my successor.”
Lucian nodded silently at the Grand Duke’s firm declaration. In the first place, titled nobles were absolutely required to fulfill two things: taxes and military mobilization. Using the breaking of the Grand Accord as an excuse to avoid the battlefield was nothing more than a child’s tantrum.
As the defeated Veronica slumped back into her seat, the Grand Duke looked around the room.
“I shall ask one last time. Are there none among you who will go to the battlefield with your father?”