‘Frontier marquis, and not just any other title?’
Among border lords, it was the most important of all.
The ruler of a key territory, difficult to control from the center.
Because of the importance of his jurisdiction, the taxes he paid to the imperial family were reduced, and the restrictions on maintaining permanent troops were virtually nonexistent.
Although formally still ranked as a count, the real military power he could possess made it no exaggeration to say it surpassed even that of a marquis.
Precisely because of that power and how difficult it was to interfere in his position, it was a title the imperial family never granted to a lineage they didn’t fully trust.
‘And why me?’
Even if he had saved the son he cherished most, wasn’t it too much?
Even combining Lucian’s potential and the trust placed in the ducal house of Valdeck, it still seemed an insufficient reason to offer him the title of frontier marquis.
“You look like you don’t understand why I’m making this proposal.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
At the emperor’s words, tinged with a slightly playful tone, Lucian flinched and immediately bowed his head.
The emperor let out a light chuckle at his reaction.
“No need to be so tense. It’s not that I don’t have ulterior motives, but it’s not a trap either. As I said before, I’m one of those who believes that between ruler and vassal, nothing is ever truly obvious.”
The emperor stopped smiling and spoke with a serious expression.
“Unconditional loyalty exists, but most of the time only in fairy tales. If the ruler doesn’t reward his vassal’s achievements, he loses their loyalty; and if the vassal doesn’t handle his ruler’s affairs, he loses their trust.”
In other words, if either fails to fulfill their duty, they have no right to complain even if they’re abandoned.
It meant that even the bare minimum conditions for a ruler-vassal relationship weren’t being met.
“The same goes for intrigues. When a ruler entrusts something to his vassal, he must do so officially and provide a reward corresponding to the result. Forcing someone into a corner is a betrayal of trust between sovereign and subject. Don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely.”
Lucian nodded without realizing it.
Among all the schemes typical of chaotic times, the most despicable was pretending to be generous.
Pretending to grant land only to throw someone into the frontline, or awarding a treasure intended to provoke hatred from another house.
Many rulers disguised their ill will with noble words to glorify themselves while pushing others into difficult situations.
‘Using that against a rival ruler is a perfect strategy—double the gain. The problem is, not a few did the same even to their own vassals or allies.’
Reasons ranged from a calculated plan to eliminate someone to the petty desire to remove a nuisance without taking losses.
Whatever the motive, the result was always the same—chaos worsened.
Betrayals and rebellions grew at a pace unlike anything seen in the past.
At that point, Lucian began to understand what the emperor meant.
“Then, by granting me the post of frontier marquis, there’s something you expect from me.”
“Actually, two things.”
“If it’s not too bold, may I ask what they are?”
“Lately, the north hasn’t been doing well.”
At the word “north,” Lucian’s eyes widened.
Not for nothing—his maternal family was the ducal house of Grimaldi.
The emperor nodded, as if confirming he understood, and continued.
“The north has always been a region where imperial authority barely reaches. It’s far, harsh, and has a strong martial tradition. Even so, until now, it maintained a decent relationship with the imperial family. The empire hardly interfered, and the north integrated without much trouble.”
Lucian knew the uncomfortable truth hidden behind those words, but chose not to mention it.
Bringing it up wouldn’t benefit either the empire or the north.
Seeing Lucian silently nodding, the emperor continued.
“But recently, the situation has changed. As forces threatening the empire rise in various places, the north has also been swept up in that influence.”
“The north is trying to break free of imperial control?”
“Not exactly. More precisely, taking advantage of the empire’s attention being elsewhere, they’re waging territorial wars among themselves. Devouring each other to expand their power.”
Territorial wars between lords were what the imperial family despised most.
Whoever won absorbed the loser and became more powerful.
That’s why, when the empire was in full strength, it never allowed such conflicts.
After all, why permit territorial wars that could produce a powerful lord capable of threatening the empire itself?
“The problem is, the imperial family doesn’t currently have the bandwidth to personally intervene and stop these northern wars. If we intervene poorly, it could backfire, so it’s even harder to step in.”
“Don’t tell me… you want me, not the imperial family, to control the north.”
“Exactly.”
The emperor smiled and held Lucian’s gaze.
“I’ve heard your maternal family was the ducal house Grimaldi. At one time, they were practically kings of the north, and a lineage with an even longer history than the imperial family, weren’t they?”
“At present, they are an extinct house, which vanished along with my maternal grandfather, the last family head.”
“But you, as his grandson, have the right to restore it. No northerner would be able to deny your authority or that of House Grimaldi.”
Lucian began to understand the emperor’s intentions.
If Duke Sigmund’s son, Lucian, took control of the north, the imperial family could breathe easier.
He would be far closer to the empire than any northern lord, and if he received decisive support to restore his house, his dependence would grow even greater.
Even so, despite all that, the title of frontier marquis still seemed excessive.
There had to be another, more important reason.
“I understand Your Majesty’s intentions. Then, what is the other reason?”
“…”
At Lucian’s question, the emperor didn’t answer with the same ease as before and hesitated for a long while.
Lucian waited in silence, until the emperor finally spoke in a grave voice.
“Once you become a frontier marquis… would you publicly declare your support for my son… for Claude?”
***
‘As expected.’
A bitter smile appeared on its own.
The stabilization of the north was just a bonus; the true reason was to create a personal guard faction.
After seeing Lucian’s performance in this war, it seemed the emperor wanted him at his son’s side.
“I admit that Claude is not entirely dependable. But understand that people are beings who grow.”
“Of course I know. There’s an old northern proverb that says even the smallest grass snake, given time, can become a giant dragon.”
“It’s a good proverb. Exactly right, as you say.”
The emperor smiled with satisfaction at Lucian’s words.
In truth, that proverb meant that if you leave an enemy alone when they’re still weak, you might regret it later—but there was no need to clarify that.
“However, Your Majesty, though I am deeply honored, I have no choice but to refuse that proposal.”
“What?”
At Lucian’s refusal, the emperor widened his eyes.
Rather than being offended, he seemed unable to believe someone would turn down the title of frontier marquis.
For the first time, the emperor lost his composure and spoke urgently.
“Do you truly understand what I’ve proposed? What I offer you is nothing less than the frontier marquisate.”
“Of course I know how immense the authority of a frontier marquis is. But I have not yet renounced my right as heir to my father. I haven’t even shown all of my capabilities yet—how could I run away just because the competition feels heavy?”
Lucian tried to persuade the emperor with words that were half lie and half truth.
In reality, he had no desire to prove himself—but the right of succession to House Valdeck was more important to him than anything else.
As long as he didn’t give up that right, he could use it as a universal excuse applicable to any situation during chaotic times.
As tempting as the title of frontier marquis was, giving up that “justification machine” was too costly.
“Moreover, no matter how much authority the name of House Grimaldi may carry, the entire north will not accept me so easily. A certain degree of military strength will be necessary, and I don’t have it.”
“Wouldn’t it be enough if I provided you with support?”
“As Your Majesty said, the north is a region with a very strong martial spirit. While it’s not necessary to rule by one’s own strength alone, if I openly show that I depend on imperial support, no one will recognize me.”
“Hmm.”
At that rebuttal, the emperor fell silent.
Considering the nature of the north, that made sense.
“Finally, if the crown prince doesn’t see me favorably, then even if I swear loyalty first, it will be meaningless. It might be disrespectful to say so, but I wish to serve someone who truly desires me.”
“Hehe.”
At that spot-on comment, the emperor let out a bitter laugh and then sighed deeply.
“Yes, that’s right. There’s no point in giving a precious sword to someone who only stores it away. I’m sorry. I believe I said something thoughtless.”
Beyond his desire to strengthen his son, the emperor also seemed to understand Claude’s shortcomings well.
Even so, unable to let go of a sliver of hope, he looked at Lucian with a face full of yearning.
“But even the smallest grass snake, given time, can become a giant dragon. Isn’t that right?”
“As Your Majesty says.”
“This has been a truly worthwhile conversation. I hope we can talk again someday. If I approach you again in the future, don’t hold it against me.”
The emperor smiled, joking in the liveliest way possible.
Sensing that it was a deliberate gesture to dispel unease, Lucian returned the smile and bowed his head.
The only thing he could do for an imperial family already leaning into decline was to hide its bleak future.
***
After confirming that the allied army had moved far enough from the border and reached a safe zone, the emperor gathered the lords again and spoke.
“It seems we’re safe now, so I will return to the imperial palace first along with my sons. Normally, you would visit the capital to receive rewards for merit and then disband, but I don’t believe that’s necessary this time.”
At the emperor’s words, the other lords nodded.
The battle had been too brief, and most carried only the burden of defeat.
The only one who had achieved a clear merit was Lucian, who had saved the crown prince—but even that couldn’t be made public without limits.
If too many details were revealed, Claude’s foolishness would also come to light, damaging the imperial reputation.
It couldn’t be hidden entirely, but there was no need to gather just to expose embarrassment, so disbanding here was best.
“I regret not being able to properly reward you despite your merit. A reward should be given, but under the circumstances, I will compensate you separately in the future, without fail.”
“Just hearing those words is more than enough.”
Lucian responded sincerely to the emperor’s apology.
The fact that the emperor acknowledged his merits and personally made them known was already enough to consider the goal of this campaign fulfilled.
Even so, the emperor did not leave until promising several more times that he would reward him.
Then he gathered the crown prince, the second prince, the imperial soldiers, and the Red Wing Knights, and shouted.
“The master of the Blue Path calls you, come. In accordance with the oath, he calls you, come. The blood of the dragon calls you, come.”
“…?”
The lords looked at each other with uncomfortable expressions at that strange scene. What on earth was he doing now?
Whoosh!
“Ungh!”
“A circle… in the air…!”
The lords watched in horror as a massive circle appeared, connecting this place to somewhere else.
Even Lucian was greatly surprised to witness such large-scale magic for the first time—but the crown prince and second prince seemed even more shocked.
‘Even the princes didn’t know?’
“Hurry! The path won’t stay open for long!”
While Lucian was still stunned, the emperor shouted at the stunned soldiers.
Led by the knight order, the imperial soldiers rushed to cross to the other side of the circle.
Fortunately, the open space was large enough, so the transfer didn’t take long.
When the last soldier dove into the circle, it shrank in an instant.
With a sound like a bursting water balloon, the space closed—and yet the lords took quite a while to react.
Some even approached the spot where the circle had opened and felt the air with their own hands.
Marquis Bernhardt muttered to himself while staring at the spot where the emperor had departed.
“No wonder His Majesty arrived so quickly. So he had a method like that.”
“Hmph.”
A grunt escaped from the lips of the noble faction, led by the marquis.
It seemed the fact that the imperial family had kept such power hidden had shaken them deeply.
While all remained silent, Lucian stepped forward and spoke to the lords.
“Then, as His Majesty instructed, let us disperse here. I will return to Kelheim. I wish you all a safe journey back.”
With a brief farewell, Lucian led the troops of House Valdeck and separated from the allied army.
Due to the breach of the Great Agreement and the defeat, the general mood was poor—but Lucian was the exception.
In fact, it could be said that the only true victor of this war was him.
‘Excellent. I’ve gained far more than I expected.’
In this war, Lucian had demonstrated foresight by predicting the breach of the Great Agreement, crushed the marquis—his political enemy—and saved the crown prince’s life.
Even if only half of this story spread, there would be no one on the continent who didn’t know Lucian’s name.
On top of that, he had forged a personal bond with the emperor—an unbeatable reward.
‘Best of all, I showed a confrontational stance toward the crown prince, yet still took all the benefits. I wonder what expressions my brothers and their wives will make.’
In this war, Lucian was never seen as part of Claude’s faction.
On the contrary, he opposed him by pointing out his foolishness and earned his dislike.
He saved the crown prince and gained fame, but left no room for it to be misunderstood as loyalty.
What would those brothers who didn’t want to get involved with the crown prince say when they heard this?
Lucian held back the corners of his lips that kept rising and made his way toward Kelheim.
____
Join the discord!
https://dsc.gg/indra
