Chapter 86
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 86
Unless one is an immortal, eternal transcendent, any legacy must have a place of storage.
Furthermore, if the legacy is vast, the storage facility must be proportionally large.
If such a place is constructed in secret to prevent others from finding it, the possible locations become even more limited.
‘In reality, there’s nowhere else to hide it but the royal palace. The Imperial Family likely guessed as much, which is why they refused to give up Asagrim until now.’
Since they couldn't massacre a royal family that had surrendered peacefully, they likely stripped them of Asagrim, showered them with empty honors, and then kicked them out.
The Grimaldis, too, must have prepared for such treatment while dreaming of the day they would rise again in the distant future.
However, as recorded in his maternal grandfather’s journal, the Empire had endured for a thousand years and ultimately defeated the Grimaldis.
It was the Grimaldi line that had died out first.
‘No wonder they handed it over to me so easily.’
Lucian had never been to the North in his life, nor had he ever met his maternal grandfather in person.
Above all, according to the contents of the Emperor’s letter, the Imperial legacy was supposedly only accessible to the direct line.
They likely assumed that Lucian, being from a branch line, would be unable to obtain the legacy even if it existed.
In reality, it seemed the legacy of the Northern Royal Family could be used by branch members up to the third generation.
‘Jackpot.’
Lucian muttered briefly, stroking his chin to suppress the corners of his mouth from twitching upward.
If he let his guard down now, he felt like he might burst into a fit of laughter.
What had started as a mere treasure hunt had led to a real treasure—and clues to the legacy of the ancient royal family, no less.
“My Lord, I understand you are happy, but this is no time for this.”
Raymond urgently grabbed the shoulder of the quietly chuckling Lucian.
“We must burn all these records immediately. The soldiers on guard duty are one thing, but if Sir Glen sees this...”
Only then did Lucian snap back to his senses.
This was Asagrim, a place the Empire had held onto for a thousand years just to guard against any lingering possibilities.
What would happen if it were revealed that Lucian held the rights to the legacy?
‘Taking Asagrim back would be the best-case scenario. In the worst case, they might use me as a living key and then seize the entire legacy for themselves.’
Even if it was designed to be used only by those of the bloodline, it would likely be possible to transfer or lend it to others.
After all, every member of the Emperor’s direct Red Wing Knights used magical artifacts.
If he wasn't careful, he could end up as a mere puppet who held the title of owner but was forced to lend the legacy to others indefinitely.
“You’re right. I should burn it all right now.”
“But these records are Your Grace’s...”
“It’s fine. There are no useful records left anyway. Even if I burn them all, now that I have the key in my hands, I doubt my ancestors will complain.”
To be honest, despite these being his ancestors' journals, he had no desire to keep them.
The contents were mostly filled with a history of delusions.
With the exception of his maternal grandfather, the entries were nothing but a cycle of despair and lamentation, clinging to a lost glory that would never return.
‘If they had at least written down what was beneath the throne or how to use it, I would have hidden a few volumes and taken them. But since they didn't, there’s no reason to keep them.’
Fwoosh!
Lucian gathered all the journals and set them ablaze with a torch.
The parched paper was few in number and caught fire instantly, turning into ash in moments.
Watching the annihilation of a thousand years of obsession, Lucian’s eyes gleamed.
Now that the inheritance from his maternal grandfather was complete, there was only one thing left to do.
“You intend to invite the Northern lords to Asagrim?”
“Yes.”
Glen, who had just returned from touring the village to gauge the public sentiment of the North, blinked at Lucian’s proposal.
Setting aside the fact that he couldn't fathom the intent, they hadn't even fully settled into Asagrim yet, and he was already talking about invitations?
“Your Highness, this may be an impertinent question, but where do you plan to secure the funds for such an undertaking...?”
“I would like to receive support from His Majesty the Emperor.”
“....”
Glen stared at Lucian with an expression of utter absurdity.
He was inviting people over, but he wanted the Emperor—who wasn't even the host—to foot the bill?
However, Lucian continued without batting an eye.
“If possible, I would also like him to provide elite soldiers and a knight order. I’m not asking for the troops permanently; just lend them to me for a few months. I am a Margrave, after all; I should have an army to display my dignity. I also need time to solidify my foundation after the inauguration ceremony.”
“Your Highness, I believe you are asking for too much. His Majesty has already provided sufficient support...”
“At that gathering, I intend to announce my official support for His Highness the First Prince.”
“...!”
At Lucian’s bold declaration, Glen froze on the spot.
It was true that the Emperor had provided all this support specifically to gain Lucian's backing for the First Prince.
However, Lucian was also in a position where he had to deal with House Crawford, making it difficult for him to take on a massive political burden immediately.
Glen had intended to leave him be until he was firmly established in the North, yet Lucian was proposing a public declaration of support right from the start.
“Do you realize what you are saying right now?”
“Of course.”
Lucian grinned at the visibly bewildered Glen.
“I am mentioning the succession to the throne, which has been something of a taboo. All eyes in the Empire will be on me, and in the worst case, it might even affect the competition for the next head of House Valdek. I might even gain political enemies within the Imperial Palace without even knowing it.”
“You’re saying you’ll do it despite knowing all that? Before your foundation is even stable?”
“Isn't this exactly what the Imperial Family has been hoping for? The heir of Grimaldi and the Lord of Asagrim publicly declaring support for the First Prince. Since the North has been indifferent to the succession race, they will naturally lean toward my opinion.”
“Well, that is...”
Glen trailed off, unable to deny it.
Out of consideration for Lucian, he had said it would be enough if he supported the First Prince later, but in truth, the earlier the better.
Once he made a public declaration, he couldn't take it back, and it would serve to show others that a faction was already forming.
Above all, the leader of the North expressing clear support would make it much easier to draw in those who were still hesitating.
‘It is certainly an attractive proposal. I should accept it immediately and report to His Majesty... but why do I feel so uneasy?’
Lucian was someone who was loyal to the Emperor and had even risked his life to rescue the First Prince.
Glen had a personal liking for him and felt a natural respect for the abilities he showed at such a young age.
But at the same time, Lucian was ambitious and not a blindly loyal subject who would throw his life away for the Emperor.
A proposal like this was surely being made because Lucian saw a benefit for himself.
‘The problem is that it’s impossible for me to see what’s behind it. Why on earth is he making this offer? It seems like nothing but a loss for Lord Lucian, while only the Imperial Family stands to gain.’
As Glen hesitated, Lucian spoke with a smile as if to reassure him.
“Sir Glen, you seem to have a lot on your mind, but for now, please just report it to His Majesty. The final judgment lies with him anyway, does it not? If he does not permit it, I will not press the matter further.”
“Mmm... Understood.”
At Lucian’s words, Glen nodded heavily.
As a knight to the core, Glen lacked the talent to read hidden motives.
Rather than making a wrong guess based on clumsy speculation, it was better to report to the Emperor and leave the judgment to him.
“Please wait one day. I will go and report to His Majesty.”
Returning to his room, Glen placed the Red Stone in the center and set up soundproofing magical tools around it.
Once all preparations were complete, he fiddled with the Red Stone, and with a small vibration, it began to glow.
Dozens of minutes later, a figure materialized in the air along with the light from the Red Stone.
—Sir Glen? What is it?
At the voice flowing from the Red Stone, Glen immediately knelt and took a knightly posture.
“I greet His Most Noble Majesty...”
—Enough. I’ve come out in the middle of a busy schedule, so skip the empty formalities and get to the point. Has something gone wrong in the North?
“No, Sire. Lord Lucian has made a proposal to me. To be precise, it is a proposal for Your Majesty.”
—A proposal? I gave him the Dukedom of Grimaldi, the position of Margrave, and even Asagrim, and yet that is not enough?
Anger began to seep into the calm tone.
The Emperor hadn't expected Lucian to be truly grateful since he had forced these titles upon him, but he had at least expected him to feel a sense of debt!
Before the Emperor’s misunderstanding could deepen, Glen hurriedly added more words.
“It is not that, Sire. Lord Lucian merely wishes for Your Majesty to provide a little assistance in unifying the North.”
—What do you mean?
“He told me...”
Glen relayed the proposal he had heard from Lucian.
The plan to invite the Northern lords for a banquet, the request to borrow troops to display his dignity.
And the plan to use that very occasion to declare his public support for the First Prince.
“...Therefore, I could not make a judgment myself and have contacted you to ask for Your Majesty's wisdom.”
—Hahahaha!
Glen flinched at the laughter that erupted from beyond the Red Stone.
The previous anger was gone, replaced entirely by mirth.
—Excellent! Tell him I accept. Ask him how many troops he needs as well. If he wishes, I will even detach a portion of the Imperial Knight Order and send them.
“M-Majesty? Is that truly alright?”
—Why would it not be? He has personally made the very proposal I was hesitating to offer.
“Pardon?”
The Emperor spoke with a voice full of laughter to the bewildered Glen.
—I may have personally bestowed Asagrim upon him, but the malcontents, including House Crawford, won't just bow down and submit now. Right now, he needs an army to suppress those who would rebel against him.
However, an army does not suddenly spring from the ground or fall from the sky.
Since raising one from scratch takes an immense amount of time, one has no choice but to borrow from someone.
—House Valdek is out of the question, so we shall set them aside. If it’s a matter concerning the third son’s maternal family, it’s no different from the affairs of an outsider who has nothing to do with the main house. Who would readily hand over a precious army for such a thing?
“Then the only remaining options are...”
—He must rely on me or the lords who support him. He could rely on both, but doing so would make the debt he owes far too great. The problem is that the debt he already owes me is quite substantial.
The Emperor had assumed that Lucian would naturally avoid borrowing troops from him.
He had already received a Dukedom, the title of Margrave, and Asagrim; would he really borrow an army too?
It was obvious that the accumulated debt would snowball.
Yet, Lucian had personally requested to borrow troops and even offered to make an immediate public declaration of support.
—To be honest, I was a little uneasy. I wondered if he might treat the land I forced upon him as a white elephant. But since he asked for an army to protect that land, he won't be able to say anything else later.
“I-Is that so?”
—Thanks to him, one of my worries has vanished. Though we are in the middle of suppressing the rebellion in Krepelt, the strength of the Imperial Family is still more than sufficient. There is enough left to support him, so there is no need to worry. Discuss the details with him and contact me again.
The Emperor’s voice reached the still-dazed Glen in a comforting tone.
A moment later, the Red Stone turned off and the figure vanished. Glen, who had been kneeling, stood up.
Even after hearing the full explanation, the frown on his face showed no signs of fading.
Since these were the words of the supremely wise Emperor, there was likely nothing wrong with them.
However, Glen had one lingering anxiety that he couldn't bring himself to voice.
‘Your Majesty, Lord Lucian likely knows that much as well. Perhaps the reason he requested support from Your Majesty was not because of the size of the debt, but to quickly clear out his political enemies and buy time to grow.’
Then the Emperor would have said this:
That no matter how much potential a territory has, it takes an immense amount of time to develop it.
That before his power could grow enough to threaten the Imperial Family, he would first have to step forward to repay his debts.
‘But if Lord Lucian is borrowing troops because he is confident he can grow that much... If he grows to the point where the Imperial Family must make a request rather than a demand when they come to collect the debt...’
Thinking that far, Glen shook his head to clear his mind of stray thoughts.
There would be no end to it if he assumed every possible bad scenario.
His grounds were far too weak to offer a formal counsel to the Emperor based on a mere feeling of unease.
‘Yes, it must be my useless imagination. Unless he had the legacy of a great ancestor like the Imperial Family does, how could he possibly develop a territory that quickly?’
Tucking away the Red Stone and collecting the soundproofing magical tools, Glen headed toward Lucian.
Since the Emperor had accepted the proposal, it was now his job to work out the fine details.