Chapter 94
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 94
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the first day of the banquet drew to a close, the invited guests retired to their assigned quarters.
These were rooms within the White Palace that had remained unused for nearly a thousand years. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have been strange for the guests to spend their time exploring out of curiosity, yet not a single soul remained quietly in their room.
Baron Elvin, whose territory was relatively close to Asagrim, was no exception.
This is a headache, Elvin thought, pressing his throbbing temples as he sank into contemplation.
In his forty-odd years of life, he had never harbored grand ambitions, nor had he ever been one to throw himself into the fires of blind loyalty. He was perfectly content as long as this precarious peace continued.
But now, they’re forcing me to choose between the Imperial Family and the Calix family.
A sigh escaped his lips. It was essentially a choice with no right answer. No matter which side he picked, it was obvious he would be swept up in the coming war.
"Are you out for a stroll as well?"
A voice from behind broke Elvin’s train of thought. It was Baron Stellan, a neighbor and friend with whom he had shared many years of correspondence.
"I couldn't sleep. It seems you're in the same boat."
"How could anyone sleep after hearing those words?"
Elvin gave a bitter smile at Stellan’s remark. Perhaps because they had known each other for so long, his friend’s words were blunt and devoid of any pretense.
"Careful, my friend. You're speaking quite freely in the Duke's own territory. There are many ears about; you should watch your tongue."
"I don't think that's necessary. It’s not just us—everyone around here is busy whispering."
Following the direction Stellan pointed, Elvin saw shadows huddled together here and there, murmuring in low voices. Some were gathered with close acquaintances, others with members of their own factions, all engaged in hushed, frantic discussions.
Though their words didn't reach his ears, it wasn't hard to guess the topic.
"It seems they share the same concerns we do."
"Naturally. One wrong move and their territories could be engulfed in the flames of war. Have you made a decision?"
"Not yet. To be honest, I don't want to make one at all."
"You know better than anyone that indecision is the most foolish decision of all."
"I have no rebuttal for that."
Elvin let out a deep sigh at the stinging truth. Neutrality, in the end, was just another word for being an opportunist—someone ready to switch sides at any moment. Because neutrals were unpredictable variables by their very nature, they were often viewed as more dangerous than an outright enemy. If one lacked the power to back it up, they were often treated as a common enemy and eliminated first.
"But I'm worried that a hasty decision might backfire. If things go south, I might end up as nothing more than a meat shield for whichever faction I join."
"And in the meantime, you're watching to see what everyone else does? Figuring that if everyone hesitates together, no one person will be singled out for blame?"
"Good grief, couldn't you sugarcoat it a little? You always have a knack for pointing out exactly what people want to hide."
"I only say it because I'm thinking the same thing. It’s pathetic, but I simply cannot bring myself to choose."
The two men fell silent, gazing up at the sky together. No matter how they looked at it, every option demanded sacrifice; there was no path that didn't lead to a loss.
It was then that someone stepped between them.
"That is quite a foolish thing to say. The answer is plain to see, so why all the agonizing?"
The two men, who had been conversing quietly, felt their hearts drop into their stomachs. The person who had cut in was none other than Lucian.
"Y-Your Grace! We greet the Du—!"
"Enough. Continue your conversation."
"...."
Elvin and Stellan clamped their mouths shut simultaneously. How could they possibly discuss which side to join right in front of the man himself?
As the silence stretched on, Lucian let out a short, dry laugh and whispered.
"You seem to be in deep thought. If you wish, I shall give you the answer. Join whichever side wins—me or Calix."
"...Pardon?"
"If it is difficult to decide right now, waiting until everything becomes clear is also a method. Is it not?"
The two barons were bewildered, unsure if he was joking or serious. In a situation where it wouldn't have been strange for him to demand their loyalty on the spot, he was telling them to openly wait and see.
"To be honest, I do not particularly welcome excessive support. If someone takes a risk and supports me early, I have to treat them accordingly later, do I not? It is better to have many people watching and waiting; that way, I can boast to my heart's content later."
"Ha, haha... That is quite a humorous joke, Your Grace."
"I am being serious. After all, His Majesty the Emperor can wipe out the House of Calix the moment he opens the 'Gate.' Why would I go through the trouble of gathering supporters? It is better to leave them be and then treat them like the turncoats they were."
"...!"
The two men froze at the word 'Gate.'
The large-scale transport of troops and supplies using magic had stunned everyone. Since it was such an incredible feat of magic, they assumed it would be difficult to use freely in war.
But if it were used just once, targeting the stronghold of a specific family...
Even a Great Family that has spent years preparing for war could be annihilated in a single day.
The thought sent a chill down their spines. Any faction collapses once its core is gone. If the House of Calix vanished, its allies would surely scatter in disarray. If that happened, Lucian would reign as the sole conqueror of the North, and all other options would vanish.
"If you do not seek a reward, take the safe path. However, regardless of which side you choose, maintaining the status quo will be impossible."
"...."
While the two remained speechless, Lucian turned and walked away. He could feel countless gazes stinging his skin, but this attention was exactly what he wanted. The more eyes were on him, the faster the contents of that conversation would spread.
I never intended to make them my allies with a mere warning like that.
The important thing was to remind them just how terrifying the magic of the Dimensional Gate truly was. Of course, even Lucian didn't know the magic's weaknesses. Neither the Emperor nor Glen had told him.
The only thing he knew for certain was that someone had to be at the destination beforehand to open the gate.
It might be something that can only be used once every few months. Or perhaps it requires extensive preparation on the other side, or costs a fortune every time.
But no matter the weakness, it only needed to be opened one more time. The moment they imagined that gate opening in the middle of their own estates, they would be paralyzed. As long as anyone could be the first target, they would have no choice but to hesitate before becoming an ally of Calix.
Even if they eventually steeled their resolve, they wouldn't dare try anything underhanded while the Hundred-Day Hunt was underway.
"This will be a fair contest."
Lucian wore a satisfied smile as he strolled through the corridors of the White Palace. If he found anyone else having a similar conversation, he intended to repeat the same words.
Two days later, Lucian led the lords up the snowy mountains behind Asagrim. This was 'Bangnil,' a mountain considered sacred because of its proximity to the holy land of Asagrim.
The purpose, of course, was the promised Hundred-Day Hunt. It was an event meant to revive an ancient tradition, but no one present looked particularly happy.
Is this really okay? Is it truly going to end quietly?
I'm worried sick. They aren't going to stab each other in the back, are they?
The participants belonged to two factions that could never coexist. It was nerve-wracking enough to leave them alone anywhere, let alone beyond the snowy peaks where no one else could reach. Furthermore, they were to spend a full fifteen days in the same area. Even if they hadn't planned anything beforehand, that was more than enough time to plot an assassination.
However, the parties involved looked perfectly composed.
"Ahem! Then, we shall begin the Hundred-Day Hunt."
Baron Elvin, who had suddenly been appointed as the referee simply because he’d had a brief conversation with Lucian that night, explained the rules. They were to survive in the snowy mountains for fifteen days by hunting alone, and the side that brought back the most valuable trophy would be declared the winner. However, there was one simple rule: if anyone died during the hunt, it would be considered an automatic failure regardless of the trophy's value.
"Now, I will perform a final check of your belongings. As you know, bringing outside food is strictly prohibited."
"Check all you like."
"I haven't brought so much as a piece of jerky."
Lucian and Godfrey, the eldest son of Norbeck Calix, answered almost simultaneously. As Elvin performed a light inspection of their gear, he noticed something strange.
What is this? A tattoo?
The participants from the House of Calix all had a tattoo shaped like a lightning bolt on their palms. Seeing it glow faintly, it seemed they had used a special pigment.
I don't recall the House of Calix having a tradition of such tattoos.
Elvin felt a prickle of unease, but he quickly decided to ignore it. If he, a mere baron, pointed something out to the House of Calix, he would surely invite their wrath. Besides, other than the unfamiliar tattoos, nothing else seemed out of place.
"Then, please depart, both of you. I shall see you again in fifteen days."
At the signal to begin the hunt, Lucian and Godfrey scattered in different directions. It was a natural move to ensure their hunting grounds didn't overlap.
However, as soon as they were out of the others' sight, Godfrey’s eyes flashed.
"Is anyone watching us?"
"Not within line of sight, at least."
"Good. We track them from now on. And Mage, remember that your role is the most important."
Colin nodded at Godfrey’s sharp gaze.
"Do not worry. The preparations are already complete. However, you must buy me some time, my lord."
"I know. You said your magic takes quite a while to cast."
"Yes. Furthermore, once the coordinates are fixed, they cannot be changed. If the target senses danger and moves beforehand, the lightning will only strike an empty field."
"I don't mind buying time, but are you certain we won't be caught in it?"
Though he had never seen it personally, Godfrey had heard that the magic Colin used summoned actual bolts of lightning. He’d been told it could incinerate an entire small hill, so the range had to be substantial. If they were close enough to speak to the enemy, there was a high chance Godfrey’s group would be caught in the blast.
"Please, do not worry. Did I not give you the marks?"
"You really expect me to believe this tiny tattoo can protect us from a lightning strike?"
"To be precise, it causes the lightning to disperse around you so it cannot come close. It is a technique that could be called the essence of my school's magic."
Colin spoke with a confident smile.
"In the Celestial School, we call this a 'Lightning Rod.'"
"A rod that avoids lightning? Sounds plausible. But isn't it strange to call a tattoo a 'rod'?"
"Because it was originally made as an actual needle. As the magic evolved, we became able to substitute it with a tattoo."
It wasn't a makeshift spell but a secret art passed down through the ages. Hearing that, Godfrey and his men finally felt at ease. If it was a legacy technique, its perfection was guaranteed.
"So, as long as we have this 'Lightning Rod,' we are safe?"
"Yes. Just as the name implies, it will make the lightning avoid you. As long as you are ten paces away, the lightning will never touch you."
"Fine, I'll trust your word. Everyone, make sure these 'Lightning Rods' don't get rubbed off! These are our lifelines!"
"Yes, sir!"
Having received confirmation, Godfrey led his group and began to pursue Lucian—never noticing the face of Colin, who was struggling to suppress a laugh behind them.