A ridiculous threat.
Hermann thought that and tried to let out a loud laugh. Even if it was an obvious bluff, being the first to make a bold move was the basis of any negotiation.
However, the muscles in his face, stiff, didn’t move an inch.
‘Damn it, he came with the worst possible card.’
Divide them in two, forgive one half, and declare the other traitors?
Even without seeing it play out, the outcome was obvious.
The forgiven ones would stay silent and hidden, while those declared traitors would vanish under the armies that would rain down on them from all sides.
“Do you really think such poor words can shake us?”
Hermann managed to catch his breath and feigned bravery, but Lesta curled his lips in mockery.
“Well. From where I’m standing, you already seem pretty shaken.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. There’s no fool here who can’t see that your proposal is just simple division.”
“And even knowing that, division usually works. If falling into it is beneficial, wouldn’t it be even more foolish not to?”
“Bastard!”
Hermann shouted at him, but his voice lacked strength.
Lesta watched him for a moment before casually looking around the room.
“If you don’t like the duke’s proposal, why not raise an army proclaiming Calix’s innocence? If you declare vengeance for a blood ally, who would dare deny it?”
“…”
The lords fell silent.
Truly unite to defend Calix’s innocence?
‘Damn it, if that were possible, we would’ve done it already.’
They weren’t stupid. If they could have united around Calix and driven out Lucian, they would have done so without hesitation.
The problem was that Calix had crossed a line that couldn’t be erased.
An assassination attempt—that could still be dressed up.
But hiring an unauthorized mage?
‘How are we supposed to cover up a real act of treason? Even protection has its limits.’
A sigh rose from deep within.
The moment they got involved, the label of traitor would be permanent.
Knowing that you could be next, the only option was to stay still.
‘And after doing nothing while Calix was annihilated, using that excuse now would make us the laughingstock of the entire continent.’
But without Calix, there was no reason at all to raise troops together.
The only possible excuse would be a direct external threat, and even then—pardon half?
The image of the declared traitors falling one by one while the rest silently watched came clearly to mind.
“…We didn’t know anything about Calix’s assassination attempt.”
With no better argument, Hermann murmured that excuse.
It was a step back from his previous stance, but in Lesta’s eyes, it was laughable.
“And who do you plan to prove that innocence to? The imperial family? Or the other northern lords?”
“…”
Hermann closed his mouth again.
The imperial family was out of the question from the beginning. They had openly supported Lucian.
No matter how much they cried injustice, they would pretend not to hear and tell them to handle it themselves.
The other northern lords wouldn’t help either. Many had suffered serious losses due to Calix’s rebellion.
Innocent or not, just knowing they had cooperated with him was enough to sharpen their knives.
“Come to your senses. This isn’t about justice—it’s about choosing between allies and enemies. You’ve been given the chance to be allies, yet you insist on staying enemies.”
Lesta clicked his tongue and turned to leave.
“I’ll say it one more time. This is the last chance. The duke has clearly stated he will show no more mercy. Keep that in mind.”
With those words, Lesta left the room.
Silence lingered even after the intruder was gone.
Hermann, hesitating, looked at the other lords.
“Everyone…”
He was about to say he didn’t believe they were serious.
But he stopped.
The lords present began to stand up one by one.
“Ahem, let’s end the meeting here for today.”
“Doesn’t seem like discussing further will lead to a solution.”
“If I think of something, I’ll reach out.”
Hearing those excuses, Hermann shut his eyes tightly.
It was clear they were going home to seriously consider Lucian’s proposal.
‘It’s over.’
Feeling even the last trace of resistance fade away, Hermann nodded heavily.
“Since everyone agrees, let’s conclude the meeting.”
He was the first to leave the room.
If no one was going to support him, resisting was pointless.
Then, the best move was to be the first to show “goodwill” and gain forgiveness.
***
“…I’ve never seen such a quick change in attitude.”
Lucian let out a dry laugh at the sight of the mountain of letters piled up.
He expected it to work, but he hadn’t imagined that absolutely everyone would send letters expressing their “goodwill.”
“I thought at least a few would pretend to be loyal and stand firm.”
“It’s not strange at all. You’re offering to erase a charge of treason with a minimal contribution. At this point, anyone who doesn’t understand the situation and resists deserves to die.”
“I suppose so.”
Lucian smiled slightly at Lesta’s words.
To Lucian, it was just a show for appearances, but for them, it was the fate of their houses.
No matter how unfair it seemed, anyone with half a brain had no choice but to bow their head.
“Well done. Now tell me, when do you plan to return? Your territory must be busy.”
Lucian’s gaze turned to Lesta, who was nodding beside him.
He had called him to persuade the lords who had once been allied with Calix, but even after everything was over, he didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.
“No matter how busy my territory may be, how could I ignore a request from Your Highness?”
Lesta replied with a bow, dodging the question.
Seeing him avoid a clear answer, Lucian gave a faint smile and pushed the letters aside.
“Speak frankly. Do you need something from me?”
“How could I…?”
“When the chance comes, say it. I give exactly what I receive. Even if you stay by my side, I won’t give you more than what you’ve given me.”
Like a child whose intentions had been read by an adult, Lesta flinched. He hesitated for a moment and finally revealed his true intention.
“It’s true that my territory is stable. My family members know Your Highness trusts me. The attempt to restore my father’s honor has been completely thwarted as well.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“The other lords nearby. Not knowing Your Highness’s stance, they dream of devouring my territory and then seeking a new backer…”
“I see.”
Although Lesta had aligned with Lucian, he had never made it public.
To be precise, he never had the chance. He hadn’t arrived in time for the banquet, and after his arrival, the assassination attempt by Calix occurred.
When he received and escorted the vassals, the name of the Swordmaster Eisen was so dominant that it completely overshadowed him.
So, the lords who were unaware of the internal situation had no way of knowing the relationship between Lucian and Lesta.
‘Did they think they could use my name freely and didn’t need to worry about my reaction?’
Using the excuse of punishing a traitor, it seemed they wanted to snatch a bit more land before the northern chaos settled.
Now Lucian understood why Lesta hadn’t returned to his territory and had stayed glued to his side.
Was it to show those opportunists that Lucian was backing him?
“It’s not like I dare ask openly, but if Your Highness were to say just a word, they…”
“I’ll send Felicia.”
“…What?”
“She’ll go to your territory and stay there as a guest for a couple of days. That’ll be enough.”
Lesta blinked, stunned.
Felicia was the adopted daughter and direct disciple of Swordmaster Eisen Brightner, and also Lucian’s personal guard, famously known for never leaving his side.
For her to stay in his territory was equivalent to a public declaration of the trust Lucian had in him.
“Th-thank you, Your Highness!”
“Don’t overdo it. Just give her a proper welcome. And don’t treat her lightly just because she’s a woman.”
“If anyone dares disrespect Lady Felicia, I’ll personally cut off their head and pickle it in salt!”
“Perfect then.”
Lucian returned to reviewing the letters, ending the meeting. Lesta left the office with his forehead nearly touching the floor, his face lit with emotion.
Shortly after, having reviewed all the letters, Lucian picked up a few and rose from his seat.
The place he headed to was the underground prison.
Unlike before, when it had holes and security flaws, it was now tightly guarded.
He stopped in front of the cell at the back.
“How are the nights in the sacred land of the North?”
“Damn you…”
From within, Norvek responded in a weak voice, still full of hatred, but tinged with resignation.
“Did you come to mock me?”
“No. I came to bring you news from outside.”
Lucian tossed several letters into the cell.
Norvek picked them up with trembling hands, and as he read them, his body began to shake.
“Those damned bastards! Just yesterday they were benefiting from the name of Calix, and now they dare…!”
“Dare? Were they supposed to sink with Calix? It was an alliance based on benefits. You’re asking too much.”
A crumpled letter flew between the bars.
Lucian caught it easily and put it away.
“Calm down. If you keep that up, you’ll die of rage before your execution day.”
“Shut up! If you came to mock me, get out!”
“I didn’t come to mock you. I came to ask you something.”
“You think I’ll answer so easily?”
Ignoring Norvek’s sarcasm, Lucian spoke calmly.
“Why didn’t you back down before it came to this?”
“What?”
“Literally. You always had the option to surrender. If, when I became lord of Asagrim, you had stepped aside, you could have lived comfortably as the head of a great family. Your son wouldn’t have died.”
But Norvek never surrendered.
Even when the balance was clearly tipped against him, he kept making reckless decisions.
Lucian couldn’t understand it.
In his past life, Norvek had lived quietly until the end. Why was he now so obsessed with holding the title of lord of the North?
“Why create all this chaos in your final years? Were you trying to fulfill a dream you never achieved in your youth?”
At the question, Norvek raised his gaze in fury.
“Why? I should be the one asking that. I have royal blood too. Why should I settle for spending the rest of my life as a mere count?”
Lucian blinked in surprise.
He hadn’t seen that coming.
____
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