Chapter 87
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87
“Haha, to think things would go so smoothly.”
Karl, the Emperor of the Empire, let out a low chuckle inside his tent.
In his palm, he rolled the red stone he had been using to communicate with Glen just moments ago.
“At any rate, I can breathe a sigh of relief now. He was so guarded that I worried about how I would ever put a leash on him.”
The Emperor had taken a liking to Lucian.
He possessed a depth of character and quick wits that belied his young age, not to mention abilities that were more than enough to earn him the title of a future hero.
If nurtured correctly, he could become one of the pillars of the Empire, helping the First Prince pacify these turbulent times.
His only concern was the ambition that matched those abilities.
‘He will remain loyal as long as the Empire exists. But he is not the type to sacrifice himself to revive it once it has fallen.’
He wasn't one to pursue ambition to the point of becoming a traitor, but he was someone who wouldn't hesitate to climb higher once his restraints were gone.
In the Emperor’s eyes, Lucian was exactly that kind of man.
That was precisely why he couldn't leave Lucian as a mere bystander.
With talent of that caliber, there was no telling how far he might ascend once his limitations were removed.
The most problematic issue was his bloodline.
‘Valdek... one of the few families, aside from the Imperial Family, that holds rights to the imperial succession.’
He didn't have a shred of doubt that a loyal subject like Grand Duke Sigmund would ever covet the throne.
But what would happen if a talent like Lucian claimed his right to the throne while the master of the Empire was gone?
Many nobles would protest, but for a time of chaos, the transition of the Imperial Family to another bloodline might happen relatively peacefully.
It was a future that would surely never come to pass, yet the mere thought of it sent a chill down his spine.
“But I suppose I don't have to worry about that anymore.”
Though he had granted him the position of King of the North, that very act had distanced Lucian from the House of Valdek.
While he was busy establishing his foundation in the North, he wouldn't be able to pay attention to Valdek and would naturally be pushed out of the position of successor.
The title of Grand Duke would naturally pass to one of Sigmund’s other children, which was the best possible outcome for the Emperor.
“Cough!”
The Emperor, who had been leaning back contentedly, suddenly covered his mouth as a fit of coughing seized him.
Only after a long moment of muffled hacking did the coughing subside.
When the Emperor pulled his hand away, his palm was smeared with crimson blood.
“This damn illness won't even give me a moment to enjoy myself.”
He felt a bitter taste in his mouth, thinking it was a divine revelation not to ruin things by getting too complacent.
Exhaling a sigh, the Emperor stood up and began to organize his plans once more.
‘The possibility of the North and Valdek forming an alliance has vanished. I’ve turned the North, which was indifferent to the Imperial Family, into an ally, and I’ve placed a massive debt on the man who will become the Conqueror of the North. I’ve tied Bernhardt’s hands and feet, so all that’s left is Sigmund.’
The thought of Sigmund made the Emperor’s head throb.
He was a friend he could trust more than anyone, but because they were close, there were certain shames he wished to hide from him more than from others.
However, if he continued to hide the Imperial Family’s disgrace, Sigmund would never support the First Prince.
“Is the Chief Steward outside?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Summon Grand Duke Sigmund. I have urgent matters to discuss with him.”
Having steeled his resolve, the Emperor gave the order to the Chief Steward waiting outside the tent.
He had no doubt that the rebellion in Krepelt would be suppressed, but a war was still a war.
Just in case, he needed to inform him before the conflict began.
Shhh.
“Hmm?”
After sending the Chief Steward away, the Emperor raised his head at a sound like the rustling of thin paper.
He thought someone might have entered the tent, but there was no one around.
Thinking he was just being oversensitive, the Emperor let out a short laugh and lay down.
He was completely unaware that one of the two pairs of eyes watching from beneath his shadow had vanished.
*
Once the Emperor’s permission was granted, everything proceeded with lightning speed.
Lucian poured out his demands to Glen, who had come to see him, without hesitation.
“I need at least one thousand elite soldiers and the Imperial Knight Order. A period of about two years would be ideal.”
“That’s the minimum? What exactly is the maximum you have in mind?”
“If possible, I would like the support of over five thousand elite soldiers and two knight orders.”
“The monthly wages and supplies required for them would be...”
“Naturally, the Imperial Family must bear that burden. Perhaps later, once taxes are collected, it might be different, but for now, I am penniless.”
Glen was left speechless by Lucian’s sheer audacity.
He couldn't understand how Lucian could be so confident while demanding such a massive force.
“Your Highness, if I may be so bold, may I offer a piece of advice—not as an Imperial Inspector, but as a comrade-in-arms?”
“Advice from a comrade is always welcome. Please, speak.”
With Lucian’s permission, Glen bowed his head slightly and spoke his mind.
“I can certainly relay your requests to His Majesty. But are you truly going to be alright with this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Maintaining an army costs an enormous amount of money. For elite soldiers and elite knights, that amount increases dozens of times over. I’m not an expert with numbers, but for the forces Your Highness is requesting, the cost would be roughly this much.”
Glen picked up a discarded document from the side of the table and scribbled an approximate figure in the corner.
Even though he had only calculated the minimum costs, excluding miscellaneous extras, it was an astronomical sum.
“Of course, the resources of the Imperial Family are vast, and we can fulfill all of Your Highness’s requests. However, that doesn't mean this cost simply disappears. What I’m trying to say is...”
“Are you asking if I have the ability to pay it back? Since I’m borrowing the troops, this will all become a debt I owe to His Majesty.”
“I apologize if I have offended you.”
Despite his words, Glen showed no sign of backing down.
This time, he was determined to see what lay behind the other man’s confidence.
‘His Majesty the Emperor was pleased that he could place a debt on him, but that only matters if Lord Lucian has some capacity to repay it. For the sake of both His Majesty and Lord Lucian, I must prevent him from taking on an excessive debt.’
This wasn't a debt between commoners; it was between the Emperor and a noble who would become a Great Lord.
If the debt grew so large that it was completely beyond his ability to pay, there was no telling how the other party might react.
For the sake of Lucian’s honor, Glen felt the need to suggest a more reasonable limit.
“It is a valid concern. However, I am not doing this without thought.”
Lucian gave a smirk, as if to dismiss Glen’s worries.
“I have no intention of taking His Majesty’s support and then feigning ignorance, nor am I just making wild demands without knowing the costs involved. I have a plan to repay the debt, so I am borrowing within a manageable limit.”
“Is... is that true?”
“Of course. Though, coming from a greenhorn like me, I suppose it’s hard for you to believe, Sir Glen.”
“No, that’s not what I meant...!”
“I’m not angry. I’m simply disappointed in my own lack of ability to inspire trust. I know you were only worrying out of the goodness of your heart, Sir Glen.”
Glen was at a loss for words at Lucian’s bitter smile.
Since he spoke so naturally, Glen began to think there really was something more to it.
‘Indeed, what kind of person is Lord Lucian? Is he not the man who saved the First Prince even while enduring the disgrace of disobeying orders after being slighted by His Highness?’
A hero like that wouldn't recklessly pile up debt without a plan.
Glen felt ashamed of himself for doubting Lucian.
“I spoke out of turn without knowing Your Highness’s true intentions. I am deeply sorry.”
“It’s fine, so please raise your head.”
Lucian smiled warmly and comforted Glen.
There was no lie in what he had just said.
Since the Emperor had done something for him, he intended to pay it back eventually, as long as the Empire didn't vanish.
‘But no matter what the Emperor has given me, if he can’t boldly demand it back later, then a debt or anything else is useless.’
A creditor’s power is only strong when they can use the debt as a weapon.
If the situation becomes so desperate that they urgently need the debtor’s help, they have no choice but to ask for a favor rather than make a demand.
And Lucian was confident that he could make the Emperor ask for favors, regardless of the debt.
‘The age of chaos is approaching. Soon, the Imperial Family will be desperate for every single noble who is truly loyal. In such a situation, would they be able to act tough against a Great Noble who is not only the Conqueror of the North but also armed with the legacy of an ancient royal family?’
He didn't even hope for power on the level of the Imperial Family.
If he had power equivalent to just the Red Wing Knights, the Imperial Family would never be able to treat him lightly.
*
The final support force decided upon by the Emperor consisted of two thousand elite soldiers and the Blue Rose Knight Order.
It was an ambiguous force—not insufficient, but not enough to settle the surrounding areas all at once.
Lucian could roughly guess the Emperor’s intention behind the middling numbers.
‘He’s saying if I want more troops, I have to ask again.’
If he requested more even after being given a significant force, it would mean his situation was that much more desperate.
The Emperor likely intended to test Lucian’s thoughts and make the leash he had placed even more secure.
However, Lucian felt no need for that.
‘The more the better, of course, but it’s not so few that I need to beg for more. It’s enough to buy me time to grow my own army.’
He didn't want to give the Emperor any false impressions either.
If the Emperor felt his superiority was absolute, he might make excessive demands before Lucian was ready.
The request for five thousand had just been a starting bid; he needed to give the impression that this amount was perfectly fine.
“He said the troops would be sent all at once using magical artifacts. However, Your Highness must first prepare a place for the troops to be stationed...”
“So you’re saying I should contact you once I arrive in Asagrim. Understood.”
Lucian readily agreed to the reasonable suggestion and headed toward Asagrim with his party.
He hired others to temporarily manage the Grimaldi estate.
Since the mansion had essentially served its purpose, it was a gesture of consideration for his maternal grandfather.
‘Its symbolism has mostly vanished because of Asagrim, but leaving it abandoned would draw cold stares from the neighbors.’
Lucian glanced back at the mansion as it disappeared over the horizon and asked Glen.
“By the way, how is Asagrim being managed now? I heard that even though it’s a lordless territory, travelers are allowed to enter.”
“I’ve never visited Asagrim myself, so it’s a bit difficult for me to answer...”
“I know a little bit. I’ve been there once.”
As Glen looked troubled, Raymond stepped forward.
Having traveled around the North in the past, it seemed he had visited Asagrim as well.
“Actually, while there’s no resident population, the floating population is enormous. Some travelers even set up tents around Asagrim and stay for nearly several months.”
“In this cold weather? Why on earth?”
“Because Asagrim is considered a Holy Land of the North. Since they surrendered without a fight during the Unification War, everything is perfectly preserved, and the ancient legacies remain intact.”
“It’s quite the passion, even for a land considered a Holy Land.”
“To be honest, I understand the feeling. The White Palace of Asagrim is no less grand than the Imperial Palace; you never tire of looking at it. It might lack in scale or majesty, but its beauty is actually superior...”
“Ahem! Cough, cough!”
Glen let out a loud, forced cough, cutting Raymond off.
Claiming that another noble’s residence was superior to the Imperial Palace could be considered an act of disrespect, even if it were the truth.
Left with no choice, Lucian’s party dropped the subject of Asagrim and continued their journey in silence.
A few days later, as they neared their destination, Asagrim began to shimmer at the edge of their vision.
‘It’s exactly the same as Tivron, the capital of the Empire.’
Lucian’s eyes widened as he saw the walls of Asagrim, which looked identical to the White Walls of Tivron.