Chapter 100

Chapter 100
Chapter 100
“….”

When the Emperor concluded his account, Lucian softly shut his eyes.

A storm of unidentifiable feelings rose up within his soul.

If his father had perished in the mayhem of a chaotic skirmish or been felled by a random projectile, Lucian might not have felt this unsettled. Even if such a finish was empty, it could at least be viewed as a warrior’s passing on the field of battle.

But to perish not in a display of bravery, but through the manipulations of some unknown sorcerer?

Death was frequently abrupt, but this felt wrong. Grand Duke Sigmund earned the right to meet his end as a leader and a knight, at the very minimum. He should never have been discarded as a mere instrument on a stranger’s game board.

“What is… my brother doing at this moment?”

Lucian diverted the topic, as if turning his sight away from the Grand Duke’s passing. Tristan, as well, would be in profound distress over the loss of the father he so deeply admired.

The Emperor paused for a moment before replying to Lucian’s inquiry.

He is still brandishing his blade.
“Does that signify the conflict is ongoing?”

No, the struggle has concluded. There are no combatants remaining.
“You cannot possibly mean….”

He is currently gripped by a senseless rage. I was unable to halt him, nor did I have the desire to. Does that satisfy your curiosity?
The Emperor moved his head side to side as if he wished to speak of it no further.

It was an indistinct, mysterious retort. Yet, even that lack of clarity was sufficient to inform Lucian exactly what condition Tristan was in.

He’s performing a slaughter in the city.

If the uprising had been crushed, all that stayed were defenseless civilians and a furious Imperial legion. The troops were already pushed to their limit due to Krepelt’s various treacherous maneuvers. Furthermore, the greatly admired Grand Duke Sigmund had been murdered.

The consequence was as obvious as day the instant Tristan provided them a destination for their fury.

“Whew!”

Lucian exhaled a long breath, attempting to settle his frantic reflections.

The conclusion of the war, the passing of the Grand Duke, Tristan, the carnage, Valdek, and the Emperor. Each was a significant occurrence capable of sparking massive fallout—so much so that he lacked the time to even dwell in grief over Sigmund’s passing.

“Your Majesty, I have one more inquiry.”

Ask.
“What precisely were those dark appendages that trapped my father? Did Krepelt truly arrange an ambush?”

…Most likely. What other explanation could there be?
The Emperor gave a nod a moment late.

To Lucian’s perception, however, the Emperor’s statement was a falsehood that even he didn’t appear to trust. Why would a faction that had already failed and was considering how to give up strike down a Grand Duke—not even the Emperor—simply to drag someone with them to the afterlife? Even before being a monarch governing a realm, no rational person would act in such a way.

Another party interfered. Someone who is neither Krepelt nor the Emperor.

The difficulty was that he had no clue who that someone could be.

When Lucian stayed quiet, trapped in his thoughts, the Emperor misread his silence and spoke in a grieving manner.

I was unaware they possessed sorcery capable of ignoring the Rune of Protection. I even provided him the most potent plate among the Imperial treasures, just to be safe….
Lucian stifled a cynical grin at the Emperor’s words. Was he claiming he gave his all, so Lucian shouldn’t blame him?

How absurd. You are accountable for half the reason my father is gone.

To be exact, the Imperial Family itself was the source of this disaster. As a consequence of the Imperial Family’s reckless witch hunts, it had become challenging to find anyone who genuinely grasped magic. While the Imperial Family held more lore of magic than others, even that was only a small piece. They had likely long since forgotten what sort of magic was employed by those they banished three centuries ago.

Because they are ignorant, it’s impossible for them to block strikes or even identify the perpetrator.

In a sense, Valdek had been swept up in the Imperial Family’s retribution. But Lucian was not such an impulsive youth as to express those private thoughts.

“It could not be avoided. Even if a man exhausts every effort, it is the heavens who determine his destiny.”

I am glad you say so. My spirit feels slightly unburdened. However….
The Emperor paused for a significant time, wetting his lips. Lucian cocked his head at the sight of the Emperor appearing anxious for the first time. What in the world was he preparing to utter?

…I believe I must communicate some distressing tidings to you.
“Distressing tidings?”

Sigmund visited me recently. He stated… he had settled on Tristan as the succeeding Grand Duke.
Lucian turned rigid on the spot, his features empty with bewilderment.

“….”

“….”

A thick quietude arrived following the Emperor’s revelation. Lucian stood motionless, unable to utter a syllable, while the Emperor’s gaze shifted around uneasily. Caught between the two, Glen could only wait for the next statement, icy perspiration streaming down his skin.

“Your Majesty.”

It was Lucian who shattered the heavy stillness. His tone had turned chilly, incomparable to how it sounded moments before.

“Did my father genuinely state that?”

Dammit.
“Your Majesty.”

Please, can you not simply overlook this? You must understand the circumstances as well.
“Your Majesty.”

I have accorded you everything I could until this moment! The rank of Duke, the role of Margrave, Asagrim, elite battalions, the Royal Guard Knights, and all varieties of resources!
“Yes, I shall not neglect that favor even in my passing. But Your Majesty understands as well.”

Understands what?
“Granting and stripping away are two separate things. They do not nullify each other.”

“How dare you…!”

Glen bellowed at Lucian in alarm. But Lucian didn’t even flinch, simply watching the Emperor.

The Emperor dampened his lips with his tongue for a long duration before talking as if he had surrendered.

Then what would you have me perform? Should I summon you back from Asagrim and deliver you Valdek as well? When the North hasn’t even been made stable yet?
“….”

I require partners. I do not desire to see a steadfast partner like Valdek ripped apart by a feud for power. Is Tristan not a suitable enough alternative for you as well?
Lucian still uttered nothing. As the suffocating quietude threatened to linger, the Emperor released a heavy sigh.

That sorcerer… do as you wish with him.
“…!”

I am not instructing you to employ him in secret so you won’t be discovered. I will formally permit it. I will grant you the very power to validate unregistered mages.
Lucian watched the Emperor with a stunned look at the suggestion that went beyond the norm. The Emperor’s eyes were burning as if sparks might erupt at any second. Lucian could sense his fixation with finalizing everything before he passed away.

Have you not witnessed the Imperial Family’s strength for yourself? And you must be troubled by Sigmund’s passing. Were you not just reflecting that you require magic?
“….”

You need not dread becoming a traitor. I shall allow it. I am instructing you to pursue your investigations publicly.
In return, surrender Valdek.

Discard any thought of intimidating the Imperial Family with disproportionate territory.

Lucian shut his eyes at the silent coercion accompanying the remarkable proposition.

He must have made this proposal after weighing everything. Once the era of turmoil starts, mages will appear everywhere, and the Imperial Family won’t be able to halt them even if they attempt to.

The Emperor was merely trying to seize a benefit by giving up early what he would eventually be forced to give up regardless.

But even weighing all that, the Emperor’s proposal was enticing. If it was a privilege formally validated by the Emperor, it meant Lucian could show it to the world while others were searching in the dark. Naturally, mages would seek out Lucian instead of other noblemen.

“…I will not give up my succession rights. However, I shall not dispute my brother’s legacy.”

Excellent! That alone is sufficient! Finally… Cough!
“Your—Your Majesty!”

Glen wailed as a spray of crimson burst from the Emperor’s mouth. The Emperor, who hacked repeatedly, spoke with his frame bent as if his health showed no signs of mending.

The papers… will be delivered shortly… Sir Glen… you should depart as well….
Flash!

As soon as the Emperor finished his sentence, the enchanted device ceased working. It appeared to have been abruptly deactivated from the other side.

Glen glared at Lucian, who was buried in reflection, with doubt. Normally, he would have brought up the Emperor’s sickness and pleaded to Lucian’s sense of duty, but Lucian had just endured a catastrophe of his own.

“Your Grace, the Grand Duke was a distinguished individual. He was truly the backbone of the Empire itself.”

“Thank you.”

“….”

“….”

“Well….”

“I desire to be by myself.”

“Ah, yes.”

At Lucian’s order to leave, Glen’s skin turned crimson as he exited the study. Left solitary, Lucian slumped back in his seat and thought of Sigmund.

Father.

He was neither the man who conceived him nor the man who raised him. Lucian had simply stepped into the role of his son by accident. Yet, in less than a year, the Grand Duke had been a more dependable father to Lucian than anyone else.

“Father.”

As he uttered the word aloud, his tone seemed to quiver slightly. Lucian tried to speak a few more phrases but soon shut his mouth and softly closed his eyes.

The moisture sliding down his face somehow felt remarkably burning.

At first light the following day, Lucian, who had remained awake all night, proceeded to the subterranean dungeon. It was a different chamber from the one where Norbeck had been confined.

The sentry, who had been nodding off, bolted up in fright upon hearing Lucian’s approach.

“Your—Your Grace!”

“I’ve arrived to see the captive. Step aside.”

“Yes, yes!”

The sentry, his features turning white, quickly moved back. Since it hadn’t been long since Norbeck’s flight, he seemed anxious about being punished for sleeping. Lucian, however, gave the sentry no thought and moved inside.

“Colin.”

“Your Grace!”

Colin, who had been half-asleep, jumped up like a lightning strike and gripped the iron grating. Lucian’s brows twitched at the rapid reaction.

“I assumed you were resting, but you’re already alert?”

“I was resting. I’m alert to the presence of others, so I just awoke.”

Ah, I see. Is it impossible for him to get a decent night’s sleep because of the witch hunts? There must be a steady dread that he might be found and slaughtered the moment he drops his guard.

“Seeing you here, it appears a decision has been reached.”

“Yes. I obtained a definitive reply last night.”

“The Emperor… what did the Emperor state?”

Colin questioned Lucian, his hands slick with cold sweat gripped tightly. Lucian gave a small nod and spoke.

“It went favorably. He stated he would not only spare your life but also behave as if you’ve done no wrong.”

“Pardon?”

“In short, he won’t utter a word even if I publicly take you into my service.”

“…!?”

Colin wondered if he had heard incorrectly. The strategy Lucian had initially suggested was so daring and full of gaps that it was preposterous: highlight Colin’s usefulness and necessity to the Emperor, then seek an opening to break away from the capital while gaining time. Conversely, it was a risk that was extremely biased against Colin, as he would be the one to suffer and be put to death the moment the Emperor brushed off Lucian’s requests.

Yet, he had embraced it because he basically had no other option from the moment he was seized by Lucian’s group.

“…He didn’t just provide us time, but formally validated my presence?”

“To be exact, he provided me the power to do so.”

“But why?”

“A few things occurred.”

Lucian swept his hair back as if exhausted and provided no further detail. Colin’s eyes narrowed at Lucian’s look, which didn’t appear joyful at all. It was highly questionable that he showed no sign of pleasure while providing such incredible news.

“For things having proceeded so well, you don’t appear to be in a very fine mood.”

“Well, that’s accurate.”

“Why? Everything went precisely as Your Grace desired, didn’t it?”

“I also received word that my father has passed away.”

“….”

“A sorcerer was the reason. I was informed they dishonorably interfered in a duel and triggered a hidden strike.”

Colin felt cold perspiration soaking his back.