‘Damn it, what was I thinking? I should’ve let it go—why did I have to step into a hornet’s nest?’
With an intense urge to punch his self from thirty seconds ago, Colin squeezed his eyes shut.
But since he couldn’t turn back time, he had no choice but to fix what he’d just said.
“Your Highness, as you know, magic is—”
“Spare me the excuses. It’s not your fault, and it doesn’t seem like it was a mage you knew.”
“That’s true, but…”
“It’d be just as ridiculous as a knight cursing all the knights in the world because one killed a family member.”
At Lucian’s words, Colin nodded with an awkward expression. Although he was absolutely right, most people weren’t that rational.
It was normal that, after falling into the hands of a deranged black mage, even court mages would be treated as enemies.
“If I can’t feel happy right now, it’s because I’m still in mourning, not because I don’t want to see you. So don’t get nervous over nothing.”
“T-thank you, Your Highness.”
“Thank me for what? This has nothing to do with you. Anyway, I’ll have you out of here soon, so wait patiently.”
“When will I be able to leave?”
“I don’t know the exact timing, but it’ll be resolved within a week.”
The image of the emperor coughing up blood during their conversation resurfaced in his mind. His health was deteriorating rapidly, so he wouldn’t have time to waste.
As soon as he regained a bit of clarity, even at the cost of shortening his life, he would deal with Lucian’s situation.
After all, if he didn’t offer proper compensation, Lucian had no reason to give up the position of head of House Valdeck.
“I’ll come back later. By then, you’ll need proper clothes. You’ll be taking on a position and working at my side.”
“Yes…”
Colin still wore an unconvinced expression. Regardless of whether Lucian’s words were true or not, he simply couldn’t process it.
Centuries of witch hunts resolved with a single negotiation. Until he stepped out of prison and exercised those rights with his own eyes, he would keep doubting it.
‘Well, once he experiences it himself, he’ll be so happy he might lose his mind.’
Lucian gave a faint smile and exited the underground prison. Still feeling uneasy, he decided to take a morning walk.
‘Now that Father is dead, Valdeck must be in chaos too. Even if the emperor supports Tristan, there are bound to be brothers who won’t accept it…’
Lucian froze. At that moment, he recalled a recent piece of news—Hans’s letter warning of suspicious movements from Jordi.
When Raymond read it, he dismissed it outright as nonsense, saying that as long as the head of the house was alive, there could be no rebellion.
It only took Duke Sigmund returning and saying one word to crush everything.
‘But that’s no longer the case. The situation has changed.’
Duke Sigmund had died without officially naming an heir. Even if the emperor announced his “will,” no one would truly believe it.
If there had been a legitimate heir, why wouldn’t he tell someone close instead of the emperor?
No one would openly object, but deep down, everyone would suspect it was fake.
‘Sudden death of the house’s head, the heir position left in limbo, and an external testimony that’s impossible to believe.’
He had seen this many times in his past life. In chaotic times, it wasn’t rare for a head of house to die suddenly.
And almost always, what followed was the same—the first to act took everything, launching a military campaign.
“Damn bastard…”
Lucian’s face twisted in anger. In truth, if Jordi seized power by force, it wouldn’t be bad for Lucian.
If Tristan was pushed aside, Lucian would have the perfect excuse to devour Valdeck without restraint. But if this wasn’t a coincidence—if it was all planned…
‘If Jordi really committed such an atrocity just for the ambition of becoming the head of the house…’
Then Lucian wouldn’t let him die easily.
Lucian glanced southward, where Valdeck was, then turned away.
He had too much to do to keep mourning his father.
***
Lucian returned to his office, and the first thing he did was summon Torkel.
Judging by his appearance, the side effects of the potion hadn’t been as severe as expected.
“I was told you called for me.”
“There’s something you need to do. No—rather, something you and your friend need to do.”
“My friend…?”
“The third son of House Beor. I get the feeling that as soon as I see him, I’ll have to give him a job. Do you think he’ll accept it?”
Nobles were, above all, bundles of pride and appearances. Even if they were entrusted with something important, if it was forced on them without proper respect, they could harbor resentment.
For Lucian, who needed to assign a mission where trust was everything, the other’s personality was a potential risk.
At Lucian’s words, Torkel smiled as if there was nothing to worry about.
“If it’s him, he’ll probably be happy. He’ll see it as a chance to get even closer to you, Your Highness.”
“Good. Then let’s see him first. Can he come right now?”
“Of course.”
Saying that his friend had been ready for a while and was just waiting for the call, Torkel left the office.
Not long after, he returned with a visibly tense young head of household.
“Lesta Beor greets the Duke. It is an incomparable honor to present myself before you.”
“So you’re Baron Lesta. I’ve heard quite a bit about you. They say you’re a promising talent.”
“It embarrasses me to say, but that is what people around me say.”
Seeing that Lesta didn’t deny the compliment out of courtesy, Lucian blinked. Rather than narcissism, it seemed he was deliberately showing confidence to win favor.
Lucian liked that uncommon approach.
‘Not bad.’
Having ambition and wanting to prove oneself meant he would also approach missions with initiative.
It was far better than those who just tiptoed with half-baked schemes or backed out when things became dangerous.
“I want to entrust you with a task. It will require mobilizing troops. Can you handle that?”
“…”
Lesta’s face tensed. Missions involving troops usually carried significant weight.
However, after a brief moment, he bowed his head with a resolute expression.
“Please give the order, whatever it may be!”
Lucian’s smile deepened at the prompt reply. With that composure, he seemed trustworthy.
“The task itself is simple. Some of my vassals who were in my lands will soon arrive in the north. I want you to wait nearby and escort them here when they arrive.”
“…That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
Lesta inadvertently showed slight disappointment.
He had expected something grand and instead received a dispensable escort mission. But Lucian added a few more words, as if he wasn’t done yet.
“No matter what happens, you must bring them back safely. Even if it means fighting off pursuers.”
“Pursuers? Are you saying someone might be after them?”
“Maybe yes, maybe no. But if someone is pursuing them, it won’t be a trivial matter.”
Lesta’s eyes widened. If there were truly dangerous pursuers, this wasn’t just an escort—it was a crucial mission with lives at stake.
If he succeeded, he would surely earn Lucian’s trust.
“I will not let a single hair on their heads be harmed, no matter who comes for them!”
“Good. I’m counting on you. And since time is pressing, can you get ready immediately?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Lesta sprang to his feet and left the office. Watching him rush off to prepare for the journey to his territory, Torkel smiled.
“Your talent for using people is remarkable. Adding an element of risk to a seemingly trivial mission to test his character and at the same time build trust…”
“It’s not a lie.”
“Pardon?”
“I didn’t exaggerate the danger to test him. The possibility is real. I just can’t be sure.”
“Then…”
“If things get really dangerous, he may have to risk his life. Though most likely, it’ll end without major incidents.”
When Lucian first heard the news about Jordi, nothing had happened yet.
Lucian had arrived practically empty-handed, focused only on reclaiming the Grimaldi name, so he had no reason to worry about Jordi.
Once expelled, even if Jordi kept the house, why would he care about men serving under Lucian?
‘But now it’s different.’
Lucian was no longer just the third son with nothing but his own strength—he was Duke Grimaldi and border marquis of Asagrim. If that information spread, Jordi would certainly change his attitude and try to retain Lucian’s vassals somehow.
Taking hostages from the most powerful lord in the north wouldn’t be a bad move for him.
‘I’d like to send Hugo, Raymond, or Felicia, but that would draw too much attention from the north.’
If someone hostile to Lucian realized Hans and Ian’s value, chaos would erupt.
That’s why he chose Lesta, who had some military power but drew less attention. With him in charge, it would be harder to connect the escort directly to Lucian.
“And you’ll need to move too, Torkel. Among the northern lords from the beginning, your father is the most reliable.”
“…You’re not saying I have to go see my father again, are you?”
“Why not? While you’re at it, stop by to see Baron Harald and ask him to lend you some troops. It’ll make it easier to drive off any pursuers.”
Though his face turned pale, Torkel slowly nodded. Given the importance of the matter, he seemed unable to refuse.
Just as Lucian was about to dismiss him, he remembered something.
“Oh, before you go, take this.”
Lucian pulled the nectar from his garments, and Torkel’s eyes widened.
“Heavens, what is this? I’ve never seen a liquid that glows on its own.”
“Nectar.”
“Nectar? As in the divine drink from legend?”
“I just borrowed the name. It’s a potion.”
“Whoever made it must be pretty arrogant, naming a potion after the drink of the gods.”
Lucian gave a bitter smile. In his past life, others had said exactly the same—before experiencing its effects.
“Then, why are you giving it to me?”
“If the people you escort doubt your identity, show them this potion. That’ll stop their suspicion and they’ll follow you.”
“Seems important.”
It is. Very important.
Lucian kept the rest of the words to himself and sent Torkel off. If all went well, they’d soon experience the nectar’s effects for themselves.
***
After assigning the escort mission to Torkel and Lesta, Lucian decided to wait for the imperial edict.
Since the conversation with the emperor, Glenn had left Asagrim repeatedly.
Because dimensional portals couldn’t be opened within Asagrim, he seemed to be trying from outside. However, unlike before, the portal wouldn’t open easily.
After days of going out and returning empty-handed, Lucian couldn’t help but ask:
“Sir Glenn, has something happened?”
“No, the time just hasn’t come. I’ll meet His Majesty soon, so please don’t worry unnecessarily.”
His expression was surprisingly calm, as if he had some idea of what was going on.
Glenn wasn’t good at hiding his emotions, so Lucian chose to trust him and wait.
And after a week had passed, a dimensional portal finally opened outside Asagrim.
After receiving something from the other side of the portal—which opened only for a moment—Glenn returned, pale-faced, and presented himself before Lucian.
“Your Highness…”
“Sir Glenn? What is it?”
With a face as if his soul had left him, Glenn handed something over.
Lucian took the imperial edict, clearly stained with blood, and his body trembled slightly.
____
Join the discord!
https://dsc.gg/indra
