With great effort, Joshua managed to suppress the fury boiling inside him and quickened his pace.
Staying there any longer would only mean enduring more of the other’s taunts.
‘Yeah, enjoy it while you can. Do you think that just because you won something’s going to change? This won’t do anything more than let you show off for a while!’
Even though he had been made a fool of, only four people present knew the truth.
Joshua himself and his servant, of course, wouldn’t say a word, and Swordmaster Eisen wasn’t the type to go around spreading this kind of thing either.
The only exception was the victor himself, Lucian.
Still, Joshua felt no concern about him.
‘Let him talk all he wants. Does he think rumors spread that easily? Managing information is also a noble’s virtue, idiot.’
Spreading malicious rumors about a rival and manipulating public opinion was common among nobles.
In other words, blocking such rumors and quelling the confusion was also part of a noble’s skillset.
Joshua, while no expert, had a decent understanding of this kind of information warfare.
Had his opponent been someone skilled in that field, it would’ve been hard to stop him, but this time the opponent was the insignificant Lucian.
There were countless ways to bury the rumor before it really spread.
“Just in case, keep a close watch on that guy. If he tries to spread what happened today…”
“I’ll stop him without fail. Don’t worry.”
At the servant’s confident reply, Joshua nodded.
Though he was sometimes incompetent, in these kinds of cover-up jobs he was always flawless.
This time too, he thought it would be enough to leave it in his hands.
That was until exactly one day later.
— They say the fourth young master challenged the third to a duel with real swords and was miserably defeated!
— They even say the fourth young master’s legs gave out and he collapsed!
— And that, as spoils of war, the third demanded his sword and took it without resistance!
“Damn it!”
Crash.
Upon hearing the rumors that had spread in just a day, Joshua lost it and wrecked the room.
Cover it up properly, my ass?!
Even the sword he’d given away because he didn’t need it had turned into a story where it was taken from him out of fear!
At his master’s fury, the servant trembled and slammed his forehead to the floor.
“P-please kill me!”
“Stop saying crap you don’t mean! First explain what the hell happened before I really kill you!”
“T-that’s, uh…”
Upon hearing the servant’s explanation, Joshua was stunned.
“So the servants spreading the rumors didn’t listen?”
“More precisely, it was the new ruffians who joined this time. No matter how much we threatened or tried to bribe them, they wouldn’t shut their mouths. They didn’t even flinch when we put a sword to their throats, so there was no way to…”
“Damn it! What the hell did that bastard promise them to make them so loyal?!”
It was already well known that Lucian had brought in servants from the streets.
Lunatics who followed only Lucian’s orders and didn’t even blink when the second young master, Jordi, threatened them.
It was impossible to know what they relied on to show such loyalty to Lucian, who didn’t even have a solid foundation.
Maybe, since their lives were already ruined, they just lived without caring about anything?
“And now you’re saying that because bribes and threats didn’t work, you had no choice? Is that your excuse? You should’ve at least broken their legs if they wouldn’t listen!”
“T-that’s what we tried, but…”
“What now?”
“The ones who went to do it came back with all their bones broken. Their leader, that guy Hugo… he’s not normal…”
At that absurd news, Joshua grabbed the back of his neck.
Not only had bribes and threats failed, but they came back beaten to a pulp.
Not only had he lost the duel, now he was also losing in the quality of his subordinates.
To top it off, the rumor not only wasn’t stopped, it spread even further in favor of his rival.
“Fuuu… fuuu…”
Barely managing to regulate his breathing, Joshua collapsed into a chair.
If he didn’t control his emotions, he felt like he might actually faint.
But as if fate was mocking him, it wasn’t over yet.
“And also…”
“Do you really want to die by my hand?!”
“I-I haven’t said anything yet!”
“I don’t need to hear it! I’m sure it’s just more of Lucian’s tricks again. I’d rather shut your mouth than listen to that garbage again!”
“It’s not that! It’s just an update on the situation! There’s nothing more related to the third young master, so please calm down.”
Gritting his teeth, Joshua glared at the servant, signaling him to speak.
As much as he didn’t want to hear it, he couldn’t afford to ignore the information either.
Even if it was something unbearable, he had to know.
After hesitating for a moment, the servant spoke in a trembling voice.
“The third young master’s servants are using Sir Eisen’s name to back up the rumors. When it became known that the Swordmaster was the one who supervised the duel, several knights started showing interest. Some even went directly to confirm it with him and found out it was true… Young master! Young master!”
“Grrrk…”
Upon hearing the last thing he ever wanted to hear, Joshua finally foamed at the mouth and collapsed.
***
“Young master, they say the fourth young master fainted. Do you have any idea why?”
“He probably just couldn’t accept reality and lost consciousness. Honestly, yesterday and today, he’s just a gutless guy.”
At Hans’s report, Lucian smiled indifferently and took a sip of tea.
The aroma of the high-quality tea, something he hadn’t even tasted in his past life, tickled his nose.
“Why the hell did he bring a real sword? If he had used a wooden one, it would’ve been more advantageous for him.”
“Is there really that much difference between a real sword and a wooden one?”
“A huge difference. If you were in his place, what would scare you more, the opponent wielding a wooden sword or a real one?”
“Well… obviously the real sword.”
“It’s the same for everyone. That guy chose a real sword to try and scare me, but he forgot that he himself also shrinks back in front of a real blade.”
If they had used wooden swords, Joshua would have felt far less psychological pressure.
He probably would have been able to respond more calmly to Lucian’s attacks.
And Lucian, already at a clear disadvantage in physical strength, would’ve had an even harder time.
But because he tried to pull a cheap trick, he ended up falling into his own trap.
“Thanks to that, it was easier for me. At most it was going to be a draw, but thanks to the real sword, I ended up winning perfectly.”
“I see.”
Hans nodded, but then he noticed something odd.
“But young master, wasn’t it your first time wielding a real sword yesterday? And yet you used it very well.”
“Well… it was pure improvisation.”
There had been a time when Lucian had even felt a blade graze his brow.
How could he fear a sword that was more than a handspan away?
Especially when it was wielded by someone who had never risked their life in real combat.
But since he couldn’t say that, Lucian just gave a vague answer.
“In any case, things will be quiet for a while. Both the older and younger brothers will be too busy to pay me any attention.”
Jordi had lost nearly all of his funds because of the incident with the wet nurses.
No matter how wealthy his maternal family was, money would inevitably take time to come.
Just in case, he wouldn’t make a move until his purse was full again.
Joshua wasn’t in a better situation than Jordi.
Although Lucian was the candidate with the weakest base, Joshua’s foundation wasn’t solid either.
And now, after suffering such humiliation at Lucian’s hands, he would be too busy stabilizing his internal faction for a while.
‘Well, there’s still one left… though judging by how that guy is…’
Bang!
“Young master!”
Lucian’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Hugo burst in, slamming the door open.
He seemed to have been running, as his forehead was drenched in sweat.
“What’s wrong all of a sudden? Did Joshua have another episode?”
“News just came in from the men. They say the family of Marquis Roglan will be visiting us in a week.”
“…!”
“They say they want to meet in the territory of Bestra, where the factory was built. What should we do?”
“For now…”
Lucian put down his teacup and leapt from his chair.
“I must inform my father.”
***
“What brazen people.”
Upon hearing Lucian’s report, Grand Duke Sigmund gave a bitter smile.
Bestra was the closest territory by distance, but due to inconvenient transportation, it had lost even its role as a hub city to other places.
Despite being next to the major city of Kelhaim, it barely remained classified as a city by pure miracle.
And still, it was the closest place. Yet they wanted to meet right there.
“At this point, I don’t know if they’re bold or just mocking Valdeck. It’s not exactly the lion’s mouth, but it’s certainly right under its fangs.”
“They likely think your attention won’t be focused on that area. After all, it’s a city that offers no benefits.”
“…The truth is, I hadn’t paid attention to it either until you reported it. Looking at it that way, it could be called a blind spot.”
Sigmund reviewed the map with a bitter smile, then looked up at Lucian with a serious expression.
“So, why are you reporting this to me? I told you I was leaving it all in your hands.”
“I need power.”
“Power?”
“Just because a beast is trapped doesn’t mean I have the tools to hunt it.”
“So you come to me because I do have those tools.”
The grand duke lowered his gaze, disappointed by Lucian’s answer.
“A rational judgment, no doubt. If you borrow my power, catching a beast already in a trap would be easy.”
“Then…”
“But do you think people will say that beast was your prey? I don’t think so.”
At those words, Lucian fell silent.
Receiving no reply, the grand duke’s sharp criticism continued.
“One is recognized as a great hunter only when they capture prey with their own strength. No matter how brilliant your plan, if you can’t hunt by yourself, you’re just another apprentice who can’t fend for himself.”
“….”
“I gave you an opportunity. I even granted you the right to hunt on your own. And now you’re going to throw that away just because you lack strength? You’d give up the chance and settle for safety by handing the credit to others?”
“Yes. I’ll do so without hesitation.”
“What…?”
At such a firm response, this time the grand duke opened his eyes in astonishment.
Facing the now speechless duke, Lucian, who had remained quiet until then, offered his reply.
“In a hunt, the most important thing is success. If the people tremble under a beast’s shadow, what bravery is there in charging in alone just to stab it yourself for personal satisfaction? Even if you succeed by chance, it would be the recklessness of a fool—a stupid act that only erodes the people’s trust.”
“…!”
“And even if my name is hidden, what does it matter? Others may not know, but the hunter always recognizes the merit of his apprentice. One apprentice charges in naked for fame, while the other shares the credit but ensures a perfect hunt. When the hunter can no longer draw his bow, which of the two do you think he’ll entrust it to?”
Lucian took another breath and bowed deeply.
“Even if my dedication isn’t recognized by the master, it doesn’t matter. By then, this apprentice will already be a hunter walking the mountains with a spear and bow he carved himself. Rather than rushing to capture a beast barehanded, even if I must give up the credit to the master, I will first learn to carve my spear, then go out to hunt. That’s how I’ll become a true hunter.”
“….”
As his words ended, a heavy silence fell over the grand duke’s office.
The servants in particular stood wide-eyed, not daring to move a finger.
Even if he was the son, he had just dared to refute the Lord of Valdeck face-to-face!
In that second that felt like a full minute, everyone nervously swallowed hard.
“Pwahahaha!”
The grand duke’s thunderous laughter shook the office.
____
Join the discord!
https://dsc.gg/indra
