Chapter 91
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91
Lucian couldn't find the words to refute him.
After all, he was the one who had originally asked Harald if he wanted to follow him.
At the time, Harald had only declined because of the immediate issues in his territory, but he had seemed ready to follow the moment things stabilized. If his second son, Thorkel, had become the successor and shown even a modicum of competence, Harald would have likely left the territory and joined Lucian immediately.
And I would have preferred Harald over this fellow, whom I’ve never even met before.
Thorkel had simply chosen the best path to achieve his own goals.
The fact that he had secured the exact outcome he desired proved he had the ability to read the situation and move quickly. However, one crucial element was missing from Thorkel’s narrative.
"The thing is, I have no intention of keeping you by my side."
"Pardon?"
"Why so surprised? Did you think I’d congratulate you on a job well done just because you’re Viscount Harald’s son?"
"It’s not that... Are you perhaps intending to test my abilities?"
"No, I’ve seen enough of your abilities. It’s your character I don’t like."
Thorkel felt his head spin at the unexpected remark.
His character? Had he ever committed an evil act in front of Lucian?
When Thorkel failed to find an answer even after a long silence, Lucian spoke again.
"'Ascend the throne.' What a ridiculous thing to say."
"...!"
"You fox. You’re the complete opposite of your sturdy father. You dared to blurt that out in front of the Imperial knights?"
"That was merely...!"
"A young man intoxicated by the North’s former glory, unable to contain his passion. That’s exactly how it looked. The timing was perfect, too."
It was the moment the White Palace, closed for nearly a thousand years, had finally opened. It wouldn't have been strange for a hot-blooded youth to be overcome with emotion and cry out for ancient glory. Especially since the other pilgrims, caught up in the atmosphere, had readily chimed in.
"Were you worried that the gift I received from the Imperial family was too great? Afraid I might remain a loyal subject instead of reclaiming the North’s glory?"
"...."
"Your skill at testing the waters is top-notch. Or perhaps I should say you lack patience. It seems you can’t rest until you hear a definitive answer."
With every word Lucian spoke, Thorkel’s face grew paler. Despite the freezing weather, everyone could see his back becoming drenched in a cold sweat.
"You probably wanted me to gleefully jump on your declaration. Not only would it sour the relationship between the Imperial family and me, but it would also allow you to confirm my ambitions firsthand."
"Y-Your Highness."
"Even if I had hesitated and failed to give a proper answer, it wouldn't have been bad for you. If a satisfactory response didn't come from my mouth, the Imperial family would have looked at me with suspicion."
"Your Highness!"
Swoosh!
As Thorkel hurriedly raised his head, a bluish energy flashed before his eyes. Feeling a searing heat at the tip of his nose, Thorkel realized the energy was materialized mana.
"Silence. Your Lord is speaking."
The female knight’s voice followed a beat later, making him swallow hard. He felt a coldness that suggested his head would be severed the moment he uttered another word.
Lucian smirked as he looked down at Thorkel, who had slammed his head back onto the ground.
"You really do have a brilliant head on your shoulders. The complete opposite of your honest father."
Lucian spoke with a mix of sincerity and sarcasm.
Thinking back, Thorkel stood to gain something regardless of how Lucian reacted. If Lucian affirmed his ambition, he would naturally drift away from the Imperial family; if he wavered, it would simply widen the rift of conflict.
Even if Lucian had vehemently denied the throne and declared himself a loyal subject of the Empire, Thorkel would have been disappointed, but it would have been a choice of the lesser of two evils.
At least a lapdog of the Imperial family wouldn't be ruling the North.
The smirk vanished from Lucian’s lips.
"Arrogant bastard."
"...."
"Since you didn't know your monarch’s disposition, you thought you’d mold it to your liking? I’ve never seen a fellow like you. Did you want to play the mastermind with a puppet out in front?"
"Absolutely not!"
Slash.
Felicia’s sword swung toward Thorkel as he bolted upright. Blood trickled down as the blade grazed his ear, but Thorkel ignored the pain and continued.
"How could I dream of such a thing! I would rather be a crippled warrior or an unworthy pretender than ever dream of being a schemer behind the scenes!"
"You say that after concocting such a pathetic scheme?"
"It is not just my fate! The entire fate of the North rests upon Your Highness! How could I not harbor the desire to see your true caliber!"
"Congratulations. As a result of confirming my caliber, you’ve lost my trust. I have no intention of keeping you near me, so get out."
"Then please, use me and throw me away!"
"What?"
Lucian stared at Thorkel with an incredulous expression.
In his past life, he had seen plenty of eccentricities from knights who were refused commission. Some would kneel and wait for days, some would struggle to prove their utility, and others would leave, promising to return one day.
But he had never met someone who asked to be used as a disposable pawn if they couldn't stay by his side.
"Your Highness found an answer I never even considered. I realized then that you are someone I cannot dare to measure. You are truly the one I have been searching for."
A true king who would restore the North’s former glory.
Lineage, ability, and timing—he lacked nothing. If such a man was not kingly material, then who was?
"I have no interest in personal gain. I care nothing for leaving my name in history or reviving my family. My only interest is in the North reclaiming its former glory."
It didn't matter if he wasn't favored by Lucian. What mattered was how useful he could be to Lucian’s Great Cause. Even if he was to be discarded, shouldn't he be squeezed for everything he was worth first?
"So please, use me and throw me away. Squeeze everything out of me until I am of no more use to the Great Cause. Once everything has been drained, I will gladly offer my head if Your Highness desires it!"
"...."
Lucian looked silently into Thorkel’s eyes. Those burning eyes were filled with a desperate heat.
He had seen eyes like these a few times in his past life.
The eyes of a man who has entrusted his dream to another.
The eyes of those who are frustrated because they have a dream they want to achieve but know they can never accomplish it themselves. That is why they wander the world searching for their own savior—a savior who can fulfill that impossible dream in their stead.
Most of them end in tragedy, though.
A dream that must be achieved through someone else’s power is inherently difficult to realize. It wouldn't easily come to fruition just because one provided support with heart and soul. Furthermore, it was common for the person they entrusted their dream to be hiding their true nature or to meet an untimely death.
Usually, they would end up perishing with nothing but tears of blood, having sacrificed their lives for the lord they chose.
However, without exception, every single one of them shared one common trait.
They never, ever betrayed.
Lucian didn't quite know why. Perhaps they didn't want to admit their choice was foolish, or perhaps they couldn't bear the ugliness of changing masters at their own whim. Even while venting all sorts of lamentations and regrets, they would kick away the chance to defect and choose death instead.
Right now, Thorkel was looking at Lucian with those exact same eyes.
"Certainly."
Lucian spoke, stroking his chin as if contemplating.
"It would be a waste to dispose of someone who still has something left to be squeezed out too early."
"Your Highness!"
Lucian waved his hand at Thorkel, who brightened as if he had found a ray of hope.
"But if I go through the trouble of squeezing you only to find nothing but filth comes out, the disappointment would be immense. I wonder if it’s even worth my effort."
"I have many friends among the second and third sons of the families allied with the House of Calix. They are all dissatisfied with their family heads' decision to side with the Calix family."
"...!"
Lucian was startled by the unexpected information. If true, it would mean he wouldn't necessarily have to fight a full-scale war against the House of Calix’s allies. If they could just shake the families from within, it would be a significant blow to the enemy.
In response to Lucian’s questioning gaze, Thorkel pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his tunic.
"I require no reward. Just use me effectively."
Written on the paper was the list of 'friends' Thorkel had mentioned. The families they belonged to, their individual grievances, and even their usual ideologies. If the contents were true, this could be incredibly useful.
"Provided this is all true, of course."
"I can stake my life on it."
"Your life has nothing to do with the success of the task."
"What must I do for you to believe me?"
Thorkel had a desperate expression, as if trying to regain lost trust. Lucian fluttered the paper he had received and asked.
"Is there anyone among those listed here who could start a rebellion from within right now and succeed? Without my help, using only their own strength."
Thorkel’s expression stiffened. A rebellion, regardless of its scale, was a life-risking endeavor. Even if the success rate was high, it wasn't something one could speak of lightly.
"...There is one friend who has been preparing sufficiently for some time. Even so, the success rate is only about fifty percent."
"Which family?"
"The third son of the House of Beor."
It wasn't some random minor house, but a family that held the lowest rank among Calix’s major allies. Still, it was a family with a decent amount of influence among the Northern lords. If the family head could be replaced, dealing with Calix would become much easier.
"I intend to hold a banquet soon and send invitations to the Northern lords. By then, I would like the head of the House of Beor to be someone favorable toward me."
He was telling him to go right now and make the rebellion succeed. It was a demand that went beyond a difficult task to the level of being unreasonable, but Thorkel nodded with a firm expression.
"Understood. I shall see you again at the banquet. At that time, I will come to greet you with my friend."
With those words, Thorkel turned and left. Blood was still flowing from his ear, but rather than tending to his own wound, he merely held his hand carefully to catch the blood so it wouldn't leave a trail on the ground.
After Thorkel disappeared, the retainers approached Lucian.
"My Lord, is it alright to let him go like that? He is the successor to Viscount Harald; if he were to die caught up in a rebellion..."
"Even if it’s a rebellion, as an outsider, he’ll be in the rear where he can escape at any time. He won't die."
It would be shameful even for the side that succeeded in the rebellion if the involvement of an outsider were revealed. Unless they were a fool who couldn't tell heaven from earth like Harald’s eldest son, they would keep Thorkel at a distance while they overthrew the family.
Though first, he would have to succeed in persuading them to start the rebellion immediately.
"He handed over that data with such confidence and didn't say a single word about not being able to do it. Let’s just wait and see."
If he failed, he would simply end up as a presumptuous brat who dared to test his lord despite his own lack of ability. If he succeeded, it would be proof, as Lucian had said, that there was still something left to be squeezed out. Lucian only had to wait leisurely for the result.
"Anyway, I have something to show you all, so come inside the White Palace after sunset. This is more urgent than that fellow right now."
"Did you find it!?"
"Come inside later and see for yourselves."
Lucian left Hugo and Raymond, whose eyes were sparkling, with those cryptic words and headed back inside.
That night, screams erupted from the two men as they saw the secret space beneath the throne.