Chapter 69
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 69
“I will go.”
Unlike before, a voice rang out without a hint of hesitation.
A moment later, after confirming who had spoken, Veronica cried out as if screaming.
“Tristan!”
“It is as Father said. Taxes and military service—these are the basic duties every lord must uphold. If one cannot fulfill even such simple obligations, they are not fit to be a baron, let alone a Grand Duke.”
Faced with her son’s resolute attitude, Veronica could only wave her hands wordlessly, unable to find a retort.
Tristan stared briefly at his pale-faced mother before turning his gaze back to the Grand Duke.
“And if no one had stepped forward here, Father, you would have chosen the third son as the next head of the family. Is that not so?”
“...!?”
Not only Veronica, but the other wives and siblings were struck with shock at Tristan’s words.
Immediately, every eye in the room turned toward the Grand Duke, but he merely nodded calmly.
“Yes, that was my intention.”
“D-Dear!”
“Turbulent times are approaching. The Empire is weaker than ever, and malcontents everywhere are watching for an opportunity. Even though His Majesty has revealed the Empire’s hidden strength, their momentum shows no sign of waning.”
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.”
Tristan recited the old proverb in response to his father’s words. It was a maxim suggesting that in times of crisis, one must make bold decisions, even if it means ignoring procedure or tradition.
“You desire a successor suited for the coming age of strife, Father.”
“Had this been a time of peace, I would have observed your abilities more leisurely. But turbulent times are different. A single moment of hesitation can cause one to be swept away and vanish in the tides of the era.”
No matter how much potential one has to be a wise ruler, it is useless if they fall before that potential can bloom. In an age of chaos, the ability to read the grand flow of the world and respond boldly is far more important than how well one governs a territory.
“The third son has already proven he possesses that ability. It was the rest of you who remained to be tested.”
“Surely, the reason you asked us to follow you to the battlefield was...”
“If you cannot bring yourself to step forward even while fearing the loss of your position as successor, is there any further need for testing?”
“...!”
“Fortunately, it seems it is not yet time to make a hasty decision regarding the succession.”
Grand Duke Sigmund gazed at Tristan with a faint smile.
The eldest son’s face was gaunt, having been in seclusion ever since he failed to recruit Felicia. However, his eyes were burning with a fierce light, as if refusing to ever be broken again.
“Let us see your skills after all this time. Do you remember my teachings?”
“Remember them? I shall demonstrate them to you personally on the battlefield.”
“Hmph, a fine answer.”
The Grand Duke’s expression of satisfaction brought mixed emotions to the family members. His statement was practically a declaration that the competition for the next family head would be decided between Lucian and Tristan.
‘Something is strange.’
After the family meeting ended, Lucian frowned and stroked his chin.
He had become one of only two candidates, but his bewilderment outweighed his joy. It wasn’t that he was dissatisfied with his father’s decision, but rather because of his brothers’ reactions.
‘Joshua looked half out of his mind, but that’s a natural reaction. He was eliminated before he could even try anything. The truly strange one is Jordi.’
The Jordi Lucian knew was someone who would never accept anyone else becoming the family head. He should have been the one reacting most violently the moment the Grand Duke made his declaration.
Yet, Jordi had been remarkably composed during today’s meeting. He hadn’t even spared a glare as he exited after the session ended.
‘What is he plotting? Did his mother’s side prepare another position for him? Even if that were the case, he’s not the type to give up the seat of the successor so quietly.’
Lucian pondered for a moment but soon set the thought aside. There was too little information to make a hasty judgment. Above all, Lucian had too many immediate concerns to deal with.
‘Let’s solve the problem in the North first. Come to think of it, it’s about time for Raymond to be officially assigned under me...’
“Y-Young Master! Young Master!”
Lucian turned his head at someone’s urgent shout. It was one of Hugo’s subordinates, currently working as Lucian’s servant.
“What is it?”
“It’s finally finished!”
“Finished? What is?”
“The medicine for that kid you entrusted to us...!”
Before the servant could finish, Lucian lunged forward and covered his mouth. As the terrified servant looked on, Lucian’s cold voice whispered in his ear.
“When was it finished?”
“T-Today, this morning. If you wish, I can bring it to you immediately...”
“No, I’ll go myself. You go fetch Hugo.”
Calming his wildly racing heart, Lucian left the lord’s manor at a brisk pace.
His destination was the area near the Underworld, located to the west outside the Inner Castle. Navigating the maze-like alleys without hesitation, Lucian reached his destination and knocked on the door. A small peephole slid open.
Click.
“Password.”
“Just look at my face.”
“I said give me the password, what kind of bullshit—Gasp!”
The thug, who had been peering sharply through the hole, recoiled in terror. Because Lucian was standing so close, he hadn’t recognized him immediately.
Thud, creeeeeak.
“Y-Young Master. I am sorry. Please, forgive me...!”
“Enough. Where is Ian?”
“The third floor! He’s on the third floor!”
Before the words were even out, Lucian was already sprinting up the stairs. He burst through the door without even thinking to knock. Inside, Ian looked up with a startled expression.
But it was only for a moment. Ian shouted with a grin, shaking a vial in his hand.
“Ta-da! It’s finished, my Lord!”
Lucian’s eyes trembled violently as he saw the glowing bluish liquid. He rushed over and snatched the vial; he could feel a faint ripple of mana emanating from it. It was much weaker than before, but he could tell the essence was the same.
‘This isn’t even comparable to the inferior version I made. Only the intensity has been lowered; the purity is at the same level as the one I drank before.’
Lucian inspected the Nectar he received from Ian. At the very least, it didn’t seem like the mana would explode the moment he downed it, unlike the previous batch.
“How much of a difference is there in potency compared to the first one? What are the effects when consumed?”
“I haven’t performed clinical trials on a knight, so I’m not entirely sure. But I’m certain it’s at a level where even an ordinary person could drink it without preparation and be fine.”
“Who did you perform the clinical trials on?”
“Me.”
“....”
Unconsciously, Lucian directed a chilling gaze toward Ian. He had performed a clinical trial on his own body after what happened last time?
“I mean, I had no choice! Who else could I test a medicine like this on? If the trial was a success, the effects of the medicine would be revealed to everyone!”
“Is it not just that you can’t feel satisfied unless you test it on yourself?”
“...Well, I won’t say that’s not part of it. Regardless, I checked it by drinking it drop by drop at the weakest possible concentration, so there’s no problem!”
“Good grief.”
Lucian sighed as he watched Ian try to change the subject. Scholars were truly a breed of their own.
Lucian shook his head and fell into thought while holding the Nectar.
‘If possible, I’d like to run out right now and give one to everyone.’
But the timing was awkward. In a few days, he had to head North to punish the House of Calix. Since he was entering someone else’s backyard, he needed to make allies on the ground. This Nectar would make that process much smoother.
“How much have you produced so far?”
“Five bottles.”
“Can you make a few more within a week?”
“It’s impossible. To raise the purity, you need that much time. A week is too short.”
Five bottles.
It was an achievement that went beyond sufficient—it was extraordinary. However, it was also a number far too small to distribute among all his subordinates. It would be difficult to do so right now, perhaps after the business in the North was concluded.
But even considering all that, there was one person who deserved to drink this medicine before anyone else.
‘Hugo.’
The first retainer who had pledged his loyalty to Lucian based on nothing but a hollow promise of being appointed a knight. While it would still take some time to fulfill that promise, Lucian could provide him with a fitting gift in the meantime.
“Pardon? The North?”
Hugo couldn’t hide his bewilderment at Lucian’s sudden words. They had only just returned from the capital, and now they were heading North.
“What is it this time? Are you looking for more talent?”
“It’s not that. Something quite troublesome has happened.”
Lucian calmly addressed Hugo’s questions. He explained how someone had dared to use the name of the House of Grimaldi and that Lucian intended to punish them. He also mentioned that Hugo and his ten-man squad would accompany him on this journey North.
“Considering the distance, the cost, and the living space, it’s best to go with a minimal escort. I’ll need you to step up this time.”
“Just leave it to me. As for the others who will be joining us...”
“Raymond and Felicia will be coming along. Hans and Ian will, of course, remain in Kelheim.”
“Understood. I shall inform my men immediately.”
Hugo bowed his head, but he felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Despite being the most senior among the retainers, excluding Hans, there wasn't a single person he could feel comfortable around.
‘I heard Sir Raymond has become the Young Master’s new retainer? My rank will be pushed back again.’
Not to mention Felicia, the future Sword Saint, even Raymond, the Black Lion, was someone far beyond the reach of a mere former underworld boss like Hugo. Hans was Lucian’s closest confidant—someone who lacked martial power but was a trusted subordinate of subordinates who could be entrusted with the most private matters. Even the newly joined Ian, though lower in rank for now, was far superior to Hugo as a talent.
‘I heard he has the skill to churn out precious elixirs. If that’s true, he’s a much more valuable person than someone like me.’
He didn’t know the exact potency of the elixirs, but even a low-grade elixir was of immeasurable value. To be able to manufacture elixirs independently and give them to knights without the help of the Imperial Family... considering how many knights thirsted for elixirs, it was a truly terrifying power.
‘I’m thinking useless thoughts again. I mustn’t be impatient. Regardless, the Young Master promised to let me establish a family.’
Swallowing his bitterness, Hugo reaffirmed his loyalty in his heart. Although his rank continued to slip, Lucian had not forgotten him and continued to employ him in important roles. How many lords were there in the world who would cast aside their old subordinates the moment more useful talent appeared?
‘Even so, I am blessed. Despite the increasing number of talented people, he still keeps me by his side.’
Hugo, having finished his self-consolation and regained his composure, was about to withdraw when it happened.
“Here, take this.”
Lucian suddenly approached and handed Hugo a bottle containing a bluish liquid. Hugo took the unfamiliar vial and asked hesitantly.
“What is this? A liquid that glows blue... I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It’s the elixir Ian succeeded in manufacturing today.”
“...!”
“Drink it. You are the first.”
At the word ‘first,’ Hugo’s body trembled. Did he mean that he was giving the elixir to him before anyone else?
Hugo lifted the elixir Lucian had given him with trembling eyes.
‘This is a real elixir.’
A secret of alchemy that even most knights could not obtain despite their desperate longing. A treasure among treasures that could not be manufactured without the permission of the Imperial Family, even for the lowest grade. He couldn’t believe that such a precious item had come to him first, bypassing all the other retainers.
“May I... really drink it?”
“Of course. I told you to.”
Lucian replied with a smile to Hugo’s trembling question. After a moment’s hesitation, Hugo opened the cap and downed the elixir in one gulp. Just as he pulled the vial away from his lips, surprised by the cool sensation sliding down his throat—
“Gasp...!?”
Hugo’s eyes flew wide at the torrent of mana surging through his body.