Lucian, who had been about to smack Colin on the back of the neck, stopped and let out a sigh as he muttered.
“I guess recreating it is impossible.”
“Huh? What do you mean…? Ah.”
Only then did Colin remember a fact he had overlooked. Dragons had already been extinct on the continent for a very long time.
There are numerous records in historical documents, and some weapons made from their bones and scales are still preserved.
However, the last sighting of a living dragon had occurred a thousand years ago, so they could be considered long gone.
‘And the other materials are even worse. What did you say—giants and mermaids?’
Giants were creatures that existed even before the era of dragons. In fact, even in times when dragons ruled the world, the phrase “giants already extinct” appeared. So even when this book was written, seeing one must have been nearly impossible.
Mermaids were even more far-fetched. Unlike dragons and giants, who at least appeared in history books, mermaids only existed in stories and legends.
In a way, this fabrication manual served as proof that mermaids had really existed.
‘The only somewhat possible one would be fairies… but we don’t even know how to find them.’
A sigh escaped from Lucian’s lips. He had thought he’d found a technique for creating artifacts, but not a single one of the required materials could realistically be obtained.
“I… I’m so sorry. I got excited without checking the details properly…”
“Forget it. We’re talking about an artifact—it’s normal to react like that. Rather, tell me—what about the other books? Don’t tell me they’re all artifact manuals.”
Even if they were all called artifacts, it didn’t mean they had the same effects, and therefore the materials would vary.
However, considering the power of artifacts, it was expected that they would all be similarly difficult to create. If all the books were only about that, there wouldn’t be anything usable.
Luckily, Colin gave the answer Lucian had been hoping for.
“I haven’t gone through the contents thoroughly, but judging by the covers, they look like manuals for making common magical tools. There’s a bit of everything—from weapons to everyday utensils.”
“That’s a relief—though I guess we’ll know if it really is once we check the required materials.”
After such a disappointment with the artifacts, Lucian now even doubted the common magical tool manuals.
And what if they also required materials that only existed a thousand years ago?
Noticing Lucian’s expression, Colin quickly bowed and said,
“Although artifact creation is absurdly difficult, most magical tools are not. Also, the required materials can usually be substituted relatively easily, so don’t worry.”
“Is it really that simple?”
“If the function you want is well understood, it’s not complicated. The books are much more detailed than they seem, so there won’t be a need for too many blind attempts.”
At Colin’s confident response, Lucian nodded. If an expert spoke with such confidence, he had to have reasons.
While waiting for Colin to go through the books, a sudden doubt crossed Lucian’s mind.
‘Now that I think about it… what kind of function did that artifact have to require such absurd materials?’
Lucian had only heard it was an artifact, but not what type of artifact it was.
Colin, who apparently had gotten carried away by the word “artifact” without reading carefully, hurriedly flipped to the final pages after hearing the question.
“This artifact is a climate manipulation device.”
“Climate manipulation?”
“Yes. According to this, it can alter the weather in a fairly wide area. However, its function is limited to lowering the temperature, causing blizzards, snowstorms, and turning the affected zone into an uninhabitable place for humans…”
Colin stopped mid-explanation.
With a pale face, he looked up at Lucian.
Lucian, who had reached the same conclusion, simply nodded in silence.
‘Unnaturally low temperatures, permanent winter all year round, constant snowfall and blizzards.’
According to what Lucian knew, there was only one place like that in the entire Empire.
‘The North.’
A cold so unnatural people called it a curse.
For the first time, the suspicion arose that perhaps that cold wasn’t a natural phenomenon, but something artificially created.
***
The vassals who emerged after inspecting the treasure chamber were wrapped in deep excitement.
Those who already knew of its existence, because at last that chamber would be opened.
Those who didn’t, because they realized that with such a treasure, nothing was impossible.
However, the only one who remained calm was the Swordmaster Eisen.
“First, we must gather the right people.”
With a face weathered by the years, Eisen addressed Lucian. He was referring to deciding beforehand who would be assigned to research that legacy, and only then making it public.
“Unless you want to attract someone specific, there’s no need to reveal the legacy right away. If you do it too early, you’ll only attract flies.”
Lucian nodded at Eisen’s advice.
Whether in business or research, those who offer help tend to demand their share.
If Lucian revealed the legacy just like that, feudal lords would swarm in to stick their spoons into the pot.
On the other hand, if the shares were distributed beforehand, no one could interfere later.
It wasn’t bad advice—but Lucian had a reason he couldn’t follow it.
“It’s a good suggestion, but right now I need that bait.”
“Do you have someone specific in mind?”
“Not exactly. But mages only gather when there’s bait in front of their eyes.”
The vassals’ eyes turned to Colin.
They had hired Colin for magical research, and yet Lucian spoke of attracting more mages. Under their gazes, Colin let out a sigh.
“I’m ashamed to admit it, but even if I jump in headfirst, this isn’t a field where I can get results alone. Even with several mages working together, this would take years…”
“Isn’t it enough to bring people from your own school? Doesn’t seem necessary to share the dish with others.”
At Hugo’s blunt and cutting question, Colin gave a bitter smile.
“It’s not about sharing. The Celestial School simply doesn’t have enough people.”
“That’s all? For a school, that’s way too little, isn’t it?”
“Actually, it’s quite a lot. Most schools that still exist today barely have two or three members.”
As Colin explained, increasing disciples carelessly only raised the risk of being caught in a witch hunt.
Eisen frowned, finally grasping the situation.
“I see—so there’s no choice but to announce the legacy’s existence first.”
“Exactly. And besides the mages, we also can’t completely do without the support of other lords. The supplies loaned by the Empire won’t last forever.”
Until recently, Asagrim had been an uninhabitable imperial territory. There were no trade routes or infrastructure at all.
Although the population would grow with time, they would need to wait for rumors to spread and merchants to come.
To speed up the formation of a market and trade, relying on other lords at the start was unavoidable.
“Before depending on others forever, we must establish a minimum level of self-sufficiency with as little debt as possible. Once trade picks up, Asagrim will become the commercial center of the north.”
“Do you already have partners in mind?”
Eisen’s voice was full of concern. The world was full of fools who thought themselves powerful with just a tiny debt; choosing the wrong ally could bring endless problems.
But Lucian smiled with complete confidence.
“Of course. Friends who’ll be delighted to lend a hand.”
***
The dispute over the name Grimaldi had come to an end.
Lucian was the absolute victor, and Calix’s fall inevitably led to its extermination.
The people of the north sided with Lucian as the tide turned, but there were those who couldn’t, even if they wanted to—the allied lords who had supported Calix with resources and political backing.
“So what do we do now?”
Hermann, head of House Glauber, asked the other lords gathered in the hall. The situation was a dead end, and he hoped a solution might come from putting heads together.
But no one answered.
After a long silence, Hermann slammed the table.
“Stop sitting there like mutes and say something! We have to find a way to survive!”
Still, no one opened their mouth.
Just as Hermann began to consider ending the meeting—
“Half useless fools who don’t know what to do, half conformists who think sitting still is enough. Truly impressive.”
The mocking tone from the entrance made everyone look up in anger.
“Who dares…?”
Hermann stood up abruptly—and froze.
The speaker hadn’t been invited.
“A pleasure. I see familiar faces and new ones. I don’t know if you recognize me.”
“Of course. Aren’t you the bastard who overthrew his own father and killed his brother to steal the position of family head?”
“Bastard…?”
Baron Beor’s head, Lesta, let out a short laugh.
“Aren’t you the real bastards? You destroyed in an instant the glory your ancestors built over generations.”
“…!”
“Truly admirable. How can you walk with your heads held so high? If it were me, I’d be too busy thinking of what excuse to give my ancestors in the afterlife.”
“Damn you…!”
When Hermann lunged, furious, to grab him by the collar—
Lesta’s expression turned serious, and from his mouth came an unexpected proposal.
“Duke Lucian wishes to test your sincerity.”
“Sincerity?”
“He says he needs donations to restore Asagrim’s former glory. Labor or material goods will do—as long as the sincerity is sufficient…”
“What kind of nonsense is this?!”
Hermann roared.
“We cut ties with Calix long ago after the assassination attempt! What right does he have to demand sincerity?”
“You know full well. The crime of having supported a traitor with resources and backing.”
“Ridiculous! You’d accuse us of treason just over old ties? Fine! Let him try! Let’s see how grand that young duke really is!”
The other lords nodded with confident expressions.
The reason they had remained passive until now was simple—if they all rose together, they would become a force impossible to ignore.
If Lucian didn’t want another war, he’d have to turn a blind eye.
Sensing that confidence, Lesta sneered.
“How can you be this slow? Do you really think the duke needs to come personally? He only has to point out who the traitors are.”
“What?”
“If you refuse, he’ll split this group in two. One half will be fully pardoned. The other will be declared traitors and have their lands handed over to whoever exterminates them.”
“And then—what do you think will happen?”
____
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