‘Did he not even have time to wipe off the blood…?’
Lucian already knew the emperor’s condition.
But even if it was something he was aware of, an emperor would never want to show weakness.
Even pretending to be better would have been expected—but instead, he had openly shown just how much his health had declined.
‘He’s at his limit.’
It seemed he was still alive, but without a doubt, he was on the verge of death.
He could probably die at any moment. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense that he hadn’t even had time to clean the blood from the decree.
“Your Highness, this is what His Majesty the Emperor promised.”
With a trembling voice, Glenn handed the imperial edict to Lucian.
According to protocol, he should have unrolled and read it aloud on the emperor’s behalf before handing it over—but it seemed there wasn’t even time for such a basic formality anymore.
“…Tell him I’ve received a debt I’ll have to repay for the rest of my life.”
Lucian knelt down and tried to receive the edict with both hands.
Just as the scroll touched his palms, Glenn’s deep voice came out.
“His Majesty asked me to relay a message.”
“A message?”
“Don’t forget.”
It was short and simple, but it was soaked with a palpable desperation. Still kneeling, Lucian nodded silently.
“I will never forget.”
“Please…”
Glenn, who looked like he wanted to say something more, gave up in the end and handed over the edict. When Lucian broke the seal and unrolled the scroll, his eyes lit up.
— To Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck, Duke of Grimaldi, Lord of Valdeck, and Border Marquis of Asagrim, is granted the authority to absolve and officially recognize unauthorized mages.
The rest included numerous minor details, but no line was more important than the first.
It was a transfer of authority written in the emperor’s own hand, granting him the right to pardon unauthorized mages.
Just making the contents of that edict public would completely change the course of the era.
Lucian carefully tucked the scroll into his clothing and looked at Glenn.
“What will you do now? Will you return to Tibron immediately?”
“I would like to, but before I leave, I must finish what’s pending. I also have to report to the Blue Rose Knights and the garrison.”
“You plan to take Asagrim’s garrison with you as well?”
“…I’m afraid that will be difficult.”
Glenn’s expression darkened. Normally, the troops assigned by the Empire and the Blue Rose Knights would stay put.
They had been loaned from the start only until the war against House Calix ended. However, with the lord of the territory having changed, there was no longer a reason for the former garrison to remain.
“The best option would be for the garrison to return individually by land. They’ll have to arrange their own escort, but the Empire will reimburse the costs based on what’s used.”
Lucian barely managed to suppress a bitter smile. Even if it was just a city garrison, it was still a military force.
Every movement involved costs and drew attention. And yet, no support would be given—they’d have to fund their own way back.
‘In other words, they’re being abandoned.’
Of course, there wasn’t much reason to worry about a simple local garrison that wasn’t even elite—unless you considered how those being discarded would feel.
“Your Highness, I’ll depart tonight. If there’s anything else I can do for you, please let me know now.”
It was a way of saying that since they would soon part ways, any outstanding matters should be settled clearly.
There was no reason to refuse the offer, so Lucian immediately made his request.
“Before I bring the mage out of the underground prison, I will make public the scope of the authority His Majesty granted me. As Imperial Inspector, please vouch for my words.”
***
Lucian immediately informed the feudal lords of the contents of the edict. This was to prevent future objections regarding Colin.
Even with an edict, if Lucian were the only one announcing it, someone would inevitably accuse him of forgery.
‘But if the imperial inspector personally vouches for it, there’ll be no room for whispers.’
As expected, when the contents of the edict were announced, the lords were stunned. Many couldn’t believe it.
“Not only was he granted a pardon, but they even allowed his official appointment? Did His Majesty truly say such a thing?”
“There must be some mistake. It’s not that we doubt Your Highness, but perhaps there was some confusion.”
Even the more favorable ones questioned the content. Glenn stepped forward and shut down all doubts.
“It’s an edict I received personally from His Majesty.”
“…..”
With that single sentence, the lords were left speechless.
After the announcement, Lucian immediately brought Colin out of the prison and transferred him to a guest room.
Colin, still looking dazed, was led away by the servants, unable to fully believe what was happening. Glenn, watching with a displeased expression, spoke in a voice filled with complex emotions.
“It seems I’ve done all I can for you.”
“I’m grateful for everything you’ve done. I won’t forget your efforts, nor the grace His Majesty the Emperor has granted.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Then, I’ll take care of my business.”
As soon as he said it, Glenn went to see Gareth, the commander of the Blue Rose Knights, and Lothier, the former commander of the Asagrim garrison.
Upon informing them that he had to return to Tibron and leave them behind, Gareth accepted without resistance. Aside from still having a good amount of time left serving under Lucian, there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone, as if he had never expected anything different.
“As expected. When should we return?”
“I’m sorry, but that hasn’t been decided yet. It seems they’ll determine it after observing the situation a little longer.”
“I see. Then we’ll remain here, carrying out our duties. Inspector, you may return first.”
“Sir Gareth, this is not a slight against the Blue Rose Knights.”
“Of course not.”
At Gareth’s attitude, Glenn nearly said something, but in the end, he only sighed and left.
It was clear that no matter what he said, it wouldn’t help. At least it was fortunate that Gareth didn’t protest openly about the treatment.
“W-What is the meaning of this? That we should stay here?”
Unlike Gareth, who accepted the decision relatively calmly, Lothier reacted sharply.
And it was understandable—the situations of the knights and the garrison were entirely different.
“The garrison has no more role here. Asagrim now belongs to the duke. What exactly are we supposed to do?”
“There’s nothing you need to do. Simply return.”
“You expect us to go from Asagrim to Tibron with no supplies, just what we’re wearing? The entire garrison?”
“Whether together or individually, the method of return is up to the garrison. All travel expenses will be reimbursed later as operational costs.”
“What is that supposed to mean…?!”
Lothier was dumbfounded. It wasn’t as if he expected to be taken through a dimensional portal, but wasn’t this a bit too much?
At the very least, an edict could’ve been issued requesting cooperation from neighboring lords and guaranteeing their safety on behalf of the Empire.
One simple order would have sufficed—yet they were being abandoned like this.
“We are the garrison that guarded a territory directly under His Majesty the Emperor! We can’t be treated like this!”
“Do you think I don’t recognize your merits? It’s just that the Empire’s current situation doesn’t allow for more.”
What kind of situation was it that didn’t even allow such basic measures?
That was what Lothier’s eyes were asking, but Glenn had no response. In truth, if anyone was frustrated, it was Glenn.
‘With His Majesty bedridden, how could he issue an edict? We already have our hands full cleaning up the Krephelt mess after suppressing the rebellion.’
Though the emperor was still breathing, he was in a state where he could die at any moment.
It was unavoidable to act cautiously with any troop movements without explicit authorization.
On top of that, after Sigmund’s death, soldiers were out of control, unleashing massacres everywhere. With such chaos, how could they also spare the attention for a garrison whose role had already ended?
“Please understand.”
“…”
For Glenn, unable to explain the real circumstances, those two words were all he could say.
As expected, they didn’t convince Lothier at all. Glenn turned his back and left, ignoring the glare fixed on him.
***
As soon as he finished what he had to do, Glenn left without anyone to see him off. When Lucian tried to accompany him, Glenn even politely refused.
“I must leave immediately. I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for farewells.”
Though it might have sounded curt, Lucian understood well how he felt. When the heart is in pieces, not even the kindest parting helps.
And so, Glenn opened a dimensional portal outside of Asagrim and disappeared alone.
With everything finally resolved, Lucian headed to the room where Colin was staying.
“I’m coming in.”
Creak.
“…”
Upon opening the door, Lucian saw Colin’s dazed face. He blinked as if still unable to accept reality.
“Snap out of it. I get how you feel, but don’t freeze up. Do you want me to slap you?”
“…What’s going to happen to me now?”
This is bad. Lucian gave a dry laugh and dragged a chair over to sit beside him.
“What’s going to happen? You’ll take up a post and start working under me officially.”
“What kind of post?”
“I don’t know. Calling you a court mage doesn’t quite fit, and ‘personal mage’ sounds cheap. I’m thinking of something like ‘advisor,’ more or less.”
“…”
“If you can, bring the other mages from your school. If they’re capable, I’ll give them positions. If they’re useless, I’ll throw them out.”
“Heh.”
At Lucian’s casual tone, Colin smiled. Or rather, his lips smiled—but tears streamed nonstop down his face.
Only now did it seem he truly understood what kind of rights he had been granted.
“Did all that suffering really end so easily? Over three hundred years of pain, right here, in this very place? My god, truly…”
While Colin sobbed quietly, Lucian said nothing. He couldn’t fully grasp what Colin felt, but escaping constant fear of death—it was natural to be overwhelmed.
And not just Colin—the entire school had been freed.
Only after a while did Colin wipe his reddened eyes and lift his head.
“It’s the first time in thirty years I’ve looked to a god. I never thought I’d say ‘my god’ again.”
“Sorry to ruin the moment, but I’m not ending this with a ‘and the mages lived happily ever after.’ Just like I did something for you, you’ll have to work hard too.”
“Of course I know that.”
“And if you don’t do your job right, I’ll throw you out again. I didn’t grant you this pardon out of pity—I did it because I need you. Don’t forget that.”
Despite Lucian’s cold tone, Colin’s smile deepened.
“My master used to say this. In the beginning, mages were those who assisted lords with counsel and magic. Back then, even a lord’s rank depended on the mage’s skill.”
“I doubt your master saw that with his own eyes.”
“That was over three hundred years ago, so of course not. What matters is that even in the golden age of mages, there were differences in treatment and competence. And of course, punishment for crimes.”
That the incompetent receive miserable treatment is an unchanging truth. He had no intention of asking for special treatment just for being a mage or for being persecuted.
The simple fact that Lucian had negotiated directly with the emperor and obtained a pardon was already a tremendous grace.
“Use them however you want, Your Highness. If they’re useless, discard them. If they forget their place and rebel, cut off their heads. Just like the old lords did with their mages.”
“You’re okay with that, even if it’s your fellow survivors?”
Colin nodded without hesitation.
“What use are those who wouldn’t be satisfied even with treatment from the golden age? If any of them forget their place and dare to defy you, Your Highness, I’ll strike them down with lightning myself.”
____
Join the discord!
https://dsc.gg/indra
