Chapter 79
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 79
Lucian lunged forward, grabbing the knight’s arm just as he prepared to sever it with his own blade.
It wasn't a mere bluff; the edge had already bitten into the skin, drawing blood. Had Lucian been even a second slower, the knight’s reinforced strength would have driven the steel straight through the bone.
Is he insane? Just how much does he loathe the Calix family?
A sword was the symbol of a knight. The moment a knight’s body was ruined to the point they could no longer wield a blade, their life as a warrior was effectively over. Yet, this man was willing to throw away an arm just to see the Calix family crushed.
“Calm yourself and explain. What exactly did the Calix family do to drive you to this?”
“Their crimes are too numerous to list! They dared to impersonate the Grimaldi name and sowed discord among the Northern lords! Such sins are—!”
“Let’s skip the talk about the ‘greater cause.’ I may be young, but I’m not naive enough to fall for that.”
At the sound of Lucian’s cold, level voice, the knight, who had been mid-tirade, flinched. It was painfully obvious he was using the "greater cause" as a shield to hide his true motives.
After a long hesitation, the knight let out a heavy sigh.
“It is a matter of a personal grudge.”
“I do not know the nature of that grudge. Is it yours personally? Or is it the grudge of the lord you serve?”
“It is both. Those Calix bastards… they targeted my lord’s… ugh.”
The knight hesitated repeatedly, glancing at Lucian as if the words were stuck in his throat. However, he knew that staying silent now would only breed deeper suspicion rather than trust. Finally, with an air of desperate resignation, the knight spoke.
“They instigated a rebellion in our territory. We managed to suppress it, but many were killed or wounded in the process.”
“A rebellion? Are you saying someone without succession rights tried to seize power? That is tantamount to treason against the Empire.”
“No. It was my lord’s second son… or rather, the man who was the second son, who led the revolt.”
“I see.”
Lucian nodded as the knight’s voice trailed off into a whisper. Though instigated from the outside, the rebellion had been led by a member of the lord’s own family. It was a shameful domestic scandal, the kind of disgrace one would be loath to reveal to outsiders. The fact that a kinsman’s rebellion had caused significant damage was a direct indictment of the lord’s competence as both a father and a ruler.
So, they didn't just target Viscount Harald. It seems they’ve been poking at every territory held by the extremist opposition lords where there was a crack to exploit.
This was a felony that went beyond being a public enemy of the North; it was a crime for which the Imperial Family could authorize an official subjugation order. They hadn't just crossed the line; they had left it miles behind.
The knight, who had been hanging his head at Lucian’s reaction, suddenly looked up, his face flushed with renewed fury.
“Their sins have reached the heavens! Even the Eight Gods will no longer show them mercy! Only punishment remains! We will provide whatever support you desire, so please, in the name of justice, condemn the Calix family!”
Aha.
Lucian smiled inwardly at the knight’s desperate, almost frantic plea. He finally understood why these people were clinging to him so fervently.
They want to use me as a pretext for their revenge.
No matter how much the Calix family had incited rebellion, it was impossible to raise a massive army against them without proof. The Imperial Family might overlook a minor territorial skirmish, but they wouldn't ignore a full-scale war involving multiple factions. On the other hand, if they fought a standard one-on-one territorial war, they would likely be crushed by the Calix family’s military might.
They plan to set me up as the figurehead to unite an allied force and wipe out the Calix family. Well, there certainly isn't a more perfect rallying point than me.
He was the third son of the Grand Ducal House of Valdek—someone even the Calix family would find incredibly troublesome to kill. He was the rightful adversary whose claim to the Grimaldi name far surpassed theirs. And he had the connections to explain the internal situation to an Imperial Family that might otherwise worry about a Northern uprising.
For these lords, clinging to Lucian was the only way to ensure their revenge was fulfilled.
“I understand your feelings, Sir Knight. The Calix family has committed too many atrocities to be forgiven. The time has come for them to pay the price.”
“Does that mean…!”
“But not just yet. I have not yet reclaimed the Grimaldi name. Only when I punish them as the rightful heir of Grimaldi can it be said that justice has truly been restored, wouldn't you agree?”
“Of course! If you require any support, you need only say the word!”
The knight hurriedly promised his support, terrified that Lucian might change his mind. He didn't just offer a verbal pledge; he produced a confidential letter from his lord. It stated that they would lead their troops to support him the moment the Imperial Family gave their consent.
As Lucian tucked the letter away, he swallowed a laugh.
That secures the military force.
He had said as much, but he had no intention of engaging in a head-on war with the Calix County just yet. While he had gained reliable allies, the enemy’s strength was still formidable. Charging in with half-baked power, even with Imperial permission, could lead to disaster.
The important thing is that I now have people who find my existence essential—people willing to raise their swords at a moment’s notice.
Lucian had the strength to protect himself. He trusted the skills of Felicia, Raymond, and Hugo. But even the strongest warrior struggles to block ten hands with only two. He had been in need of "other hands," whether weak or strong, and now they were rushing to offer themselves.
Given their circumstances, they’ll protect me at all costs, if only to ensure their enemy is destroyed.
For the Calix family, who might have considered kidnapping or forced repatriation as a last resort, this was a highly burdensome development. Now, their only option was to face Lucian head-on in a fair fight.
And if it came to a fair fight, Lucian was confident he wouldn't lose to anyone.
A few days later, the Calix family dispatched another envoy.
“I greet the honorable Lucian. I am Marcel Herscher, servant of the House of Calix.”
The knight, with his lean, wiry muscles and somber gaze, gave off an impression entirely opposite to the overconfident Palmyr. As soon as he finished his introduction, Marcel got straight to the point.
“I shall be blunt. His Lordship the Count wishes to engage in a formal competition with you for the name of Grimaldi.”
“A formal competition, you say?”
Lucian tilted his head with a smirk.
“How amusing. A competition is something required between those with equal rights. Does it not seem absurd to suggest a competition with me, the grandson of the late Duke?”
“But you are not a Northerner, Lord Lucian. No matter how many times you say it, we will continue to repeat this point. You understand the situation, do you not?”
At those brazen words, Lucian’s retainers, including Harald, scowled in unison. It was a clear declaration that since they couldn't give up the Grimaldi name, they would cling to any excuse, regardless of legal rights. Though contemptuous glares pierced him from all sides, Marcel remained unmoved, his face like a mask of iron.
“As you are well aware, much has already happened in the North. Some have gained, while others have lost. If you were to nullify everything now, no one would simply accept it and step down, regardless of what justification you bring.”
“And yet, if I win this competition, you’ll accept it? In a mere contest that lacks any official authority or legal standing? That sounds nonsensical.”
“This competition will take place before the eyes of all the North. If we were to show the disgrace of going back on our word after proposing it ourselves, who would ever follow the Calix family again?”
He was claiming that because the public would be watching, they would be forced to abide by the result, like it or not. Since the logic wasn't entirely flawed, Lucian gestured for him to continue.
“Above all, we intend for this competition to follow the ancient traditions of the North. If you truly carry the blood of the North, surely you won't refuse.”
“Ancient traditions of the North?”
“The Hundred-Day Hunt.”
Slam!
“You insane bastard!”
Harald, his eyes bulging with rage, slammed his fist onto the table. As wood splinters flew in every direction, Marcel calmly bowed his head.
“Calm yourself, My Lord. I am merely delivering the terms of the competition.”
“Shut your mouth! You snakes are openly playing tricks now! If you want to die that badly, I’ll take your head right here—!”
“Lord Harald.”
Harald, who looked ready to grab his axe at any moment, froze at Lucian’s voice. His hands trembling, he finally pulled back from his weapon and spat out his words through gritted teeth.
“If you weren't Lord Lucian’s guest, your head would be rolling on the floor by now.”
“I shall take your mercy to heart, My Lord.”
Marcel’s voice held no hint of gratitude, which made Harald flare up again, but he forced himself to sit back down, mindful of Lucian’s gaze. Once the volatile situation settled, Lucian looked at Marcel and asked.
“What exactly is this 'Hundred-Day Hunt'?”
In response to Lucian’s question, Marcel let out a chilling smile.
“As I said, it is an old Northern tradition.”
“Survive in the Northern snowy mountains for fifteen days and return with the most valuable trophy to be declared the winner. No more than five companions allowed, and bringing food is strictly prohibited.”
After sending Marcel outside to deliberate, Lucian mulled over the details he had just heard. Apparently, it was originally 100 days, as the name suggested, but it had been shortened to fifteen days because of the excessive time and danger involved.
“A fascinating tradition. Testing one’s pure, individual ability while stripping away all background. I’m starting to like the North even more.”
“This is no time to be so carefree! Do you really think they intend to hold a fair competition!?”
“Of course not.”
Lucian shrugged and looked at the map. The area Marcel had designated for the competition was highlighted in red.
“The snowy mountains they proposed are close to the Calix territory and surrounded by their allied lords. Even if my supporters keep watch, it’s their backyard. They have every opportunity to set traps in secret.”
“Which is why you must refuse.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not!”
“They invoked tradition. If I back away now, the fantasy I’ve built in the people’s minds will shatter.”
Harald fell silent, his point countered. As Lucian said, if he refused the proposal now, it would look as though he were shrinking away from an ancient Northern custom. Even the people who had cheered for him as a hero carrying the royal blood would feel some level of disappointment.
“In the worst-case scenario, all the effort I’ve put into being recognized might go to waste. They’ll surely go around whispering that a Southerner is just a Southerner after all.”
“Then you mean to accept the proposal even though you know it’s a trap?”
“Yes, that is my intention.”
“What in the…!”
Harald let out a hollow laugh at the statement, which was so full of confidence it bordered on arrogance. Lucian added a few more words to calm him down.
“I’m not accepting it blindly. They won't want to cause me direct harm and incur the wrath of the Valdeks. They’ll be forced to harass me indirectly.”
“Just because your life is safe doesn't mean victory is guaranteed. If you lose the competition, you’re just doing them a favor.”
“No, as long as I accept the competition, the result doesn't actually matter. What’s important to me is the recognition of the North, not the recognition of those bastards.”
“...?”
Lucian grinned at Harald, who tilted his head in confusion.
“What does it matter whether they recognize me or not? Under Imperial law, the rights to the Grimaldi legacy belong to me anyway. It would be one thing if the entire North refused to acknowledge that fact, but right now, it’s just those few throwing a fit, isn't it?”
Harald blinked blankly at the unexpected answer.
Can it really be interpreted that way?
Come to think of it, it wasn't entirely wrong. Although the North was distant from the Imperial Family, it was undeniably part of the Empire. Setting aside how individuals used it as a pretext, according to Imperial law, the rights to the property and land left by the late Duke belonged to Lucian. If he claimed the legacy while the majority of the North already accepted him, the Calix family would only become a laughingstock for continuing to invoke the Grimaldi name.
“...No, but they won't just submissively acknowledge your rights and hand them over, will they? Even if they 'accept' it, they’ll surely make every excuse to avoid giving anything up.”
“Then I’ll just seek the help of public authority.”
“Public authority?”
“My Lord.”
Just as Lucian was about to answer, Felicia’s voice came from outside.
“The Inspector has arrived with His Majesty the Emperor’s decree.”