After confirming the underground secret chamber, both men expressed exactly the same impression.
“With just time, this alone would be enough to turn the Empire upside down! Not even a typical relic storage compares to this!”
“But you must act cautiously. If you make it public carelessly, not only will you fail to use it properly—they’ll take it from you.”
“Exactly that.”
Lucian nodded at Hugo and Raymond’s words.
If he managed to build a solid foundation and create an environment where he could use this technology freely, becoming the new master of the Empire wouldn’t just be a dream.
The problem was that building such an environment was excessively difficult.
“Even if we somehow manage to find the mages necessary to interpret the technology, the Empire’s watchful eyes are a real headache. We’ll have to wait until they’re no longer interested in us.”
“At the very least, it’ll be impossible for several years. Just the imperial succession problem alone means all eyes will be on you, my lord.”
“Most likely.”
Though he said that, Lucian gave a bitter smile inside.
In truth, he didn’t need to wait that long. In his past life, the Emperor fell ill shortly after razing Krephelt.
The fury over losing the first prince had played a role, no doubt, but his health had already been declining for some time.
‘Seeing how hard he’s pushing to make me his support base, he’ll likely fall ill soon this time too.’
Once the Emperor fell sick, chaos would spread—and then, these legacies would finally come to light.
However, no matter how much he trusted his vassals, he couldn’t reveal that he knew the future, so he had no choice but to vaguely nod and let it pass.
“In any case, to make use of this legacy, I first need to consolidate my base. Debts can be paid later—what matters now is where the money will come from.”
“Even if the Empire generously grants us loans, there’s a limit. If we squeeze Count Calix’s house, we can cover the rest. Though how much depends on their response.”
To be honest, Lucian hoped the house of Count Calix would choose to confront him openly.
Only then could he completely crush them and empty every last grain from their storage.
‘They can’t think they’ll get away with looting someone else’s property while their own stores stay untouched.’
Fortunately, preparations to strip the Calix house were progressing steadily. Support had skyrocketed thanks to the Grimaldi revival and the recovery of Asagrim.
The authority granted as border marquis, combined with Torkel’s “gift.”
Among all that, the greatest reinforcement would be the support troops sent by the Empire.
‘Two thousand elite soldiers and one of the knightly orders directly subordinate to the Empire—the Order of the Blue Rose.’
Even if it was only a temporary loan, it would be military power he could wield freely for now.
Just knowing that the largest contingent he’d ever commanded was on its way made his heart race.
What would it feel like to lead an army of that size alone?
‘I’ll find out soon.’
After one last look at the legacy of his ancestors, Lucian turned and exited the basement.
The moment to become the ruler he had always dreamed of was drawing near.
***
“Sir Glenn. Don’t you think it’s about time you handed over the promised troops?”
The next day, Lucian visited Glenn and got straight to the point. Once the place where the troops would be stationed was ready, nothing else held him back.
“In fact, I reported to the Emperor just yesterday. He said the preparations are already complete and they can be dispatched whenever you wish. However…”
Glenn hesitated for a moment, and Lucian’s gaze sharpened. Surely he wasn’t thinking of going back on his word now?
“Has a problem come up?”
“No, no problem. He just made an additional proposal.”
“An additional proposal?”
“He said that, since you’ll be short on staff, how about they send some experienced servants and attendants as well… ahem, ahem.”
Glenn looked away without finishing the sentence. Seeing how he was trying to hide his embarrassment, Lucian smiled slightly.
‘Planning to sneak spies in among the servants?’
In reality, passing up the chance to insert spies at a time like this would be foolish.
No matter how allied they were, unless it was an heir, no one could fully understand someone’s inner thoughts.
Under the pretext of preparing for any contingency, one or two spies always slipped in.
‘Of course, there’ll be spies among the soldiers too, but a soldier’s access is different from a servant’s.’
Except for elite troops raised by one’s own family, soldiers only moved through public areas.
Servants, however, could check under the bed and even inside the toilet.
Naturally, they learned far more about a lord’s private life.
‘It’s practically like offering your back to be stabbed.’
“My lord, His Majesty only said it out of goodwill. Please don’t take it the wrong way. If it makes you uncomfortable, you may refuse.”
Glenn was sweating buckets as he watched Lucian’s expression. Even he must’ve thought the Emperor’s request was a bit too bold.
But Lucian replied with a relaxed smile.
“I’ll gladly accept His Majesty’s goodwill.”
“Yes, in that case there’s no choice but to… excuse me? What did you just say?”
“I was just worrying about how to find skilled servants and attendants. That His Majesty has solved that problem is a joy.”
“M-my lord…”
“The first thing I’ll ask them to do when they arrive is fix my bed. Sleeping on an unkempt bed lately has left my back stiff.”
At that trivial joke, Glenn’s pupils shook.
Entrusting them with the bed meant trusting them during one’s most defenseless time—sleep.
It was an absolute sign of trust, showing that he held no ill will and that they could rest easy.
Before he realized it, Glenn grasped Lucian’s hand tightly.
“My lord, you truly are a messenger of the Eight Gods. Even if I searched the entire Empire, I wouldn’t find more than ten so loyal.”
“Why say that? Even if you flatter me, nothing will change.”
“I mean it. I swear I’ll faithfully report your loyalty to the Emperor. Please wait for me.”
In the firm grip of his hand was an unshakable resolve, as if vowing never to make such an outrageous request again.
Lucian wore an awkward expression while holding back the laughter bubbling up inside.
In truth, he hadn’t accepted the servants out of trust—but because he knew that soon, spy or not, they would all be useless.
‘It’s true I need a lot of servants right now. If I post an open call, applicants will flood in, but how many Calix spies will slip in among them?’
If he couldn’t sort them out one by one, then in the end, he’d have to choose between Imperial and Calix spies.
In that case, better the ones from the Empire—at least they just gathered information and didn’t go after lives.
Besides, there would only be a few spies; most would be highly trained, skilled personnel.
‘And most important of all—the Emperor doesn’t have long left. From what I can tell, they’re communicating only through magical tools with no intermediaries. Will those spies still be useful after the Emperor dies?’
Magical tools that only the legitimate imperial line could use.
Lucian felt a dark curiosity building within him eager to see how the first prince would handle spies once he stood before the Empire’s most powerful support.
***
Glenn, after finalizing the agreement, left immediately to use the magic artifact.
However, after several attempts, he returned to Lucian with an uncomfortable expression.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but it seems we’ll have to move a bit farther from the White Palace.”
“You can’t use it from inside?”
“That’s right. The other artifacts work fine, so it seems only spatial-opening magic is restricted.”
“I see.”
Lucian’s eyes sparkled at this unexpected information. That meant he didn’t have to worry about internal intrusions through magic artifacts.
“Then we have no choice. We’ll have to ride out beyond the walls.”
“My apologies for the inconvenience.”
With Glenn’s apology, Lucian’s group mounted their horses and rode beyond the wall.
The pilgrims, wondering what was going on, followed them from a distance.
After stopping several times to test the artifact, Glenn confirmed that it only worked once they were far enough away.
“The master of the Blue Path summons you, come. In accordance with the oath, he summons you, come. The blood of the dragon summons you, come.”
The same incantation the Emperor had used earlier now flowed from Glenn’s mouth.
After a brief wait, the result was the same as before.
Huaaaak!
“Hiiik!”
“What is that!?”
The screams of the horrified pilgrims, seeing a circle open in the air, reached Lucian’s group.
A moment later, troops began to emerge from the circle.
Knights bearing the Blue Rose emblem on their left chest led the march, followed by two thousand elite soldiers whose presence demanded respect.
Finally, about a hundred neatly dressed servants and attendants appeared, guiding carts full of supplies.
“M-my god!”
“People are coming out!”
Despite the pilgrims’ uproar, the soldiers didn’t even blink.
As Lucian admired their flawless discipline, a knight dismounted and approached him.
“Gareth Muller, Commander of the Order of the Blue Rose, pays his respects to His Highness, Duke Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck, rightful heir of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim!”
Seeing Gareth kneel after that powerful declaration, Lucian felt a pleasant thrill.
Just as he had said, Lucian was no longer a third son with no title or the representative of anyone.
He was Duke Grimaldi and the Border Marquis of Asagrim—a legitimate feudal lord.
“Rise, Sir Gareth. Thank you for coming. I’ll have to rely on you for a while.”
“By His Majesty’s command, from today we are Your Highness’s sword. Use us without hesitation. If you command it, we’ll face even an army of a million.”
“Just hearing that is reassuring. Then I won’t hold back.”
Saying that, Lucian clapped Gareth’s shoulder in praise.
But upon meeting his burning eyes, he flinched slightly.
‘I thought he was just showing determination, but his motivation is off the charts. Was he sidelined within the imperial orders?’
Those eyes burned as if he truly intended to charge into a million enemies.
Apparently, he had been pushed aside by other imperial orders and treated coldly.
‘Looks like he wants to earn merit under my command and return triumphant.’
For Lucian, that was excellent news.
There was nothing more troublesome than borrowing an army that acted passively in war.
If he burned with ambition, there would be no need to incite him.
‘With this, preparations are complete.’
He now had soldiers, had secured servants for the banquet, and had supplies.
All that remained was to prepare the venue and send the invitations.
‘Let’s see their faces.’
It was time to face the head of Count Calix—the long-fingered thief.
***
— Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck, Duke of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim, invites you to a banquet.
With such a brief invitation, the entire north shook as if an earthquake had struck.
It hadn’t been long since the bratty third son of Valdeck had demanded his maternal grandfather’s legacy.
And now—Duke of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim?
“What kind of nonsense is this? Asagrim is an imperial territory! Border Marquis?”
“And Duke Grimaldi? Even if he’s the grandson, this crosses the line.”
“Is he planning to provoke the Empire too, after Calix? How reckless.”
Unless the Empire had gone mad, there was no way it would simultaneously grant him the headship of Grimaldi and Asagrim.
Most believed it was a baseless claim, the product of youthful arrogance.
But when detailed reports arrived, the lords were left speechless.
“They really gave him Asagrim? And the Grimaldi castle too?”
“Impossible! Were they hallucinating? The Emperor would have to be insane!”
“Isn’t this basically the revival of the royal house? I never thought I’d see this day in my lifetime…”
“What’s going to happen to Calix now? Weren’t they just invoking Grimaldi yesterday?”
“Who cares about a mere count! Asagrim has returned to the north!”
The fact that the Ducal House of Grimaldi had recovered Asagrim caused a colossal impact.
Even if the Empire didn’t officially acknowledge it, it was as if the royal house of the north had been half-revived.
In the midst of this unprecedented situation, the confused lords flocked en masse to Asagrim.
“A banquet held in Asagrim? Of course I’m going!”
“It’s an event announcing the kingdom’s rebirth. I must go. This is history.”
“I want to see that brat’s face. What kind of sorcery did he use?”
“Damn it, I sided with Calix… Will he forgive me if I go now?”
Though their reasons varied, none chose not to attend.
Everyone instinctively felt that the north’s future would be decided at that banquet.
And, of course, Count Calix’s house was among them too.
“This is the last chance. If we don’t eliminate him now, we’re finished.”
Before departing for Asagrim, Norvek gathered his close aides and shouted like a man having a seizure.
They all understood his concerns well, and wore grim faces.
Only one, seated in the back, listened to Norvek’s speech with indifference and muttered.
“The last chance…?”
To capture him and turn him into a benefactor—or let him go and become a messenger of death?
Colin gently stroked the letter written during his own divination.
____
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