At Eisen’s smile, Lucian blinked. What did he mean he already knew, when he hadn’t said anything yet?
“Eisen, it seems there’s a misunderstanding…”
“If it were made public that the method used by the mage who attacked me is similar to the one used to assassinate the duke, it would be relatively easy to bring Jordi down. Isn’t it because you know that, and still don’t say it, that you feel guilty toward me?”
“…”
Lucian, struck right on point, couldn’t answer.
After observing him for a moment, Eisen spoke with a bitter expression.
“Of course, there’s no material evidence to present. But the world tends to be swayed more by a person’s reputation than by evidence. If I said it, that alone would more than suffice to replace it.”
This wasn’t just a passing joke—it was about the duke’s death and the betrayal of his own son. A loyal old knight, no less than a Swordmaster who marked an era, revealing his own house’s shame?
Proof or not, everyone would believe it without hesitation.
“Besides, Jordi’s rebellion is also a fatal blow to the emperor. Even with just my testimony, he’d be willing to pay any price to replace the lord of Valdeck. Wouldn’t he?”
“…So you knew everything.”
“Yes. And I also know why Your Highness doesn’t want that to happen.”
With Eisen’s testimony and the Empire’s support, bringing down Jordi would be easy. Those loyal to him now were unaware of his betrayal as a son; just revealing that fact would make everyone except his closest circle turn their backs on him.
With the added support of the empire, Tristan would soon reclaim the position as head of the family.
‘But that would be a good outcome for Tristan, not for me.’
A Jordi who took power through betrayal and rebellion lacked legitimacy. In other words, Lucian could attack and topple him whenever he wished.
But if Tristan were the one to overthrow him and become head of the family, the situation would change completely.
With imperial recognition and a just cause, he would solidify his position.
‘If on top of that, he’s credited with having restored the family by defeating a traitor, I wouldn’t be able to touch him.’
Attacking Tristan, no matter the justification, would brand him an ambitious schemer. He would lose the people’s support, and even if he won, no one would recognize him as the head of the family. If the goal was Valdeck, it was better for Jordi to hold the position than for Tristan to take it.
‘Yes… that’s true. But even so…’
All of that was Lucian’s situation. It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, but of ambition.
And to ask Eisen, who had let his enemy escape due to his own mistake, to suppress his desire for revenge for the sake of that ambition? No matter how he looked at it, it wasn’t right.
“Sir Eisen.”
“Do it.”
“Huh?”
“Defeat Jordi and become the lord of Valdeck. Don’t yield the position to the firstborn out of consideration for me. Even if revenge is delayed, I don’t mind.”
“…!”
Eisen looked at him firmly and spoke calmly.
“It was Your Highness who revealed my mistake to me and who gave me the chance to correct it. Even the heir the duke had in mind during his lifetime is Your Highness. How could I ruin a great cause for my personal desires?”
So don’t worry about him and continue down the path he had chosen. Just correcting his mistake was enough for him—even if he wouldn’t live to see the outcome.
Lucian gripped both of Eisen’s hands tightly.
“I promise you one thing. You won’t regret that decision.”
Eisen smiled in silence, as if he already knew that without needing to be told.
***
The next day, Lucian gathered Eisen and his vassals in the study and spoke.
“We’ll put the matter of Jordi on hold. I’m concerned about who’s backing him, but even if we find out right now, there’s nothing we can do, so there’s no point in digging further.”
Even attacking Jordi immediately—a patricidal bastard—was impossible under the current circumstances. No matter how much they investigated and uncovered his support, they’d only be adding another name to the enemy list.
It was better to devote those resources to something truly necessary.
“Besides, even if we don’t investigate, his backer will soon reveal themselves. I already have a rough idea of who it is.”
“Huh? Have you found a clue?”
“A clue? Just gathering the information we already have is enough to see the outline.”
Lucian gestured around as he spoke.
“They tried to kill my father on the battlefield, so it’s definitely someone who took part in suppressing the rebellion. A mage alone couldn’t have decided something like that. Their master was in a position to give instant orders.”
“Don’t tell me it’s one of the emperor’s close aides…?”
“I don’t think so. If it were someone directly close to His Majesty, I would’ve found out the moment Asagrim was assigned to me.”
If it had been someone close to the emperor, they would’ve received the order and known immediately.
If it had been a noble with no direct connection, there’d have been no reason to inform them, and they would’ve never found out.
However, the enemy got that information while the suppression was still underway.
“That means they’re in a position quite close to the emperor. Close enough to overhear confidential conversations or matters of state from the sidelines.”
“And where would someone like that exist?”
“They might not be a servant. They could be family.”
“Family? You mean the first prince? But the first prince is too…”
At that moment, Hugo felt a chill run down his spine. Besides the first prince, wasn’t there someone else just as close to the emperor?
Someone not politically aligned, but personally close, removed from direct power, and someone Jordi could bet his future on.
“Could it be…?”
“Shh.”
Lucian brought his index finger to his lips.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. Either way, it’ll be revealed soon enough. Understood?”
The vassals nodded in silence. If the person they had just thought of was truly the mastermind behind it all, it was not a matter to take lightly.
With the topic of Jordi closed, Lucian moved on.
“Right now, revenge isn’t the urgent matter—organizing Asagrim is. This land has tremendous potential, but…”
“The problem is there are no settlers to make it flourish.”
Raymond muttered with a worried expression.
“Without settlers, we can’t collect taxes or form an army. For now, we’re surviving on the supplies and funds sent by the empire, but that won’t last more than half a year.”
“You’re right. If we don’t fill Asagrim with settlers in six months, I’ll go bankrupt. Money will keep going out, but no one will be here to pay taxes.”
“We’ll have to bring them in from outside.”
“As long as someone’s willing to give them up.”
Lucian and Raymond exchanged bitter smiles. Settlers were labor, soldiers, and tax sources for a feudal lord. Announce that you’re taking them en masse?
Even a blood-forged alliance of generations would instantly turn hostile.
“If they won’t hand them over, we’ll have to take them. From someone we don’t need to apologize to.”
“There’s just the right candidate, but he hasn’t shown any signs. He should’ve reached his territory by now, even if he fled from prison.”
Lucian recalled Norvek Calix, who had recently escaped. Blinded by the death of his son, he wasn’t someone who’d kneel before Lucian now.
He should’ve come, ready to risk it all—and yet, there was no news.
“There’s no choice. Let’s start assigning official positions. I wanted to do it once the territory was more settled, but that’ll still take time.”
The vassals looked at him with brightened faces. This wasn’t mere personal loyalty anymore—these were official positions recognized beyond their group.
Lucian announced the appointments he had already planned, one by one.
“First, Hans. You’ll be head page. I wanted to appoint you as chief steward, but with not a single steward yet, it’d be odd to have only a chief.”
“Huh? But I saw so many people yesterday who are way more competent than me…”
“Then ask them to teach you.”
“Can a head page learn from the pages?”
“In my territory, yes. And if any of them get cheeky while teaching you, you can execute them on the spot.”
“Hahaha, executing is a bit much…”
Hans tried to take it as a joke, but he flinched when he saw Lucian’s serious gaze.
“…Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. If it makes you uncomfortable to do it yourself, I’ll assign a soldier as your executioner.”
The pages sent by the empire had shown impeccable skill. In terms of experience, Hans couldn’t compare. But Lucian didn’t choose his vassals based on how well they served.
“Hans, don’t forget. You are my trusted man. If someone questions your ability and humiliates you, it’s the same as insulting me.”
“…”
“Your dignity is my dignity. If someone insults you, don’t hesitate. Cut their throat on the spot, and I will pardon you. Show them their place.”
Hans nodded, eyes burning. His lord’s full trust was heavy, and at the same time, warmer than anything else.
“Ian will be appointed court alchemist. You won’t be able to produce much just yet, but I’ll soon prepare a proper workshop for you.”
“A workshop?!”
Ian blurted out, unable to hold back. This wasn’t some secret hideout—it was a workshop provided by a duke.
Just imagining the level of purity he could achieve with proper facilities made his heart pound.
“Sir Eisen, you…”
“I’ll pass. What could this old body do? I’ll spend the rest of my life teaching Felicia.”
“Then at least accept the position of military advisor. It’s mostly honorary—it won’t be a burden.”
At Lucian’s sincere request, Eisen accepted with a bitter smile.
He could have retired peacefully, but it didn’t feel right to continue rejecting the goodwill of his benefactor.
“I’d like to assign Raymond as the commander of the personal guard. Even though it doesn’t exist yet, for now, it’ll just be a title.”
“That’s more honor than I deserve. A fully armed personal guard will be a spectacle.”
Raymond thought of the over a thousand weapons resting beneath the throne.
“I also wanted to give Felicia a commander’s position, but I can’t create another order just in name. For now, be my personal escort.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted.”
Felicia nodded calmly. As long as she could remain by Lucian’s side as his escort, no other position mattered to her.
“And Hugo.”
“Y-yes!”
Hugo responded loudly, more tense than ever. His usual carefree air had vanished. Lucian smiled at the sight of his stiff expression.
“It’s time to fulfill the promise.”
“…”
“As the legitimate right of the border marquis of Asagrim, I name Hugo a knight. The name of the house will be Maien. From today on, you are a noble and head of House Maien.”
As Lucian finished, Hugo’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the floor.
____
Join the discord!
https://dsc.gg/indra
