Chapter 104

Chapter 104
## Chapter 104

Following the dispatch of Hugo to the region where rumors of Eisen had surfaced, Lucian maintained a poised composure while awaiting a report.

With his pressing responsibilities already settled, he judged it wiser to monitor the unfolding events until concrete information arrived rather than taking impulsive action.

‘This applies to the fugitive mages and Norbeck, who recently broke out of confinement, as well. They are the ones feeling the pressure, not I.’

By maintaining control of the situation, Lucian could simply observe their maneuvers and act when it suited him. He knew that desperation often led humans to commit critical errors.

Still, there remained a specific piece of unfinished business that required his attention in the interim.

“Sir Rotier, what is your plan moving forward?”

“….”

The former Commander of the Asagrim Guard, Rotier, found himself speechless at Lucian’s inquiry. His silence was understandable, as he was genuinely lost regarding his next steps.

Lucian let out a sigh that carried a hint of performative weight.

“I will be blunt: your official ranks have been stripped. You no longer serve under my authority, nor do you carry out missions for the Imperial Throne. At this particular moment, you are merely a collection of armed individuals lacking a legal mandate.”

“…I am fully aware of that.”

“Then the choice is straightforward. We must reach a resolution. Will you lay down your steel and stay within Asagrim as civilians? Or do you intend to retain your weapons and migrate to a different province?”

Rotier clenched his jaw tightly.

The idea of surrendering their arms was unthinkable. The Guard occupied a fragile position, having been abandoned by the Imperial Family and left to fend for themselves. Relinquishing their gear now would leave them defenseless against any threat.

‘Curse it all. If only I had bothered to foster some goodwill with the locals. My own arrogance has left me isolated and surrounded by those who loathe me.’

He felt a sharp pang of remorse for his past behavior, having never shied away from conflict with the people of the North. He had personally mistreated so many pilgrims that they could likely populate multiple hamlets. Now that their Imperial protection had vanished, even a minor attempt at retaliation from those victims would lead to a bloodbath.

‘Even if we depart the North without incident, we face a crisis. How can we possibly make the trek to Tivron without any provisions?’

As Lucian pointed out, the Guard was now just an independent militia with high-quality gear. Lacking a patron, no provincial ruler would welcome a massive troop of soldiers trespassing on their lands. To find food or shelter elsewhere, they would be forced to split up and vanish into the crowds.

The true concern was that the safety of his men could not be promised during such a retreat.

‘I can’t count on the local lords to help us. If only the Imperial Family would show some spark of indignation if one of us were harmed…’

Yet, considering the current state of the capital, that hope was fleeting. They couldn’t even manage the simple logistics for the Guard’s return. Why would they exert themselves for something far more demanding?

“Have you still not come to a decision?”

Faced with Lucian’s repeated demand, Rotier squeezed his eyes shut. After a heavy pause, having finally chosen a path, he met Lucian’s level stare.

“Your Grace, I have a single plea. I ask that you permit me and my men to remain here indefinitely until the chaos surrounding the Imperial Family is settled.”

“I decline. Do you truly believe such a request is reasonable?”

“In exchange for your mercy, I will reveal the hidden truths of Asagrim to Your Grace.”

“The secrets of Asagrim?”

Lucian felt a flicker of surprise at the sudden proposition. Was it possible this man possessed knowledge regarding the Royal Family’s Legacy?

“You surely noticed the protective array I recently unearthed. The truth is, there are several other defensive systems still functional within Asagrim beyond that single one.”

“…Ho.”

Lucian exhaled a quiet breath of relief, though a keen light entered his eyes. These weren’t components of the Royal Family’s Legacy, then, but rather architectural features that had slipped into obscurity over the years.

“I stumbled upon them by accident. Because I only verified their locations and kept the knowledge to myself, the other members of the Guard are ignorant of them.”

“I have no use for them.”

“I expected as much. However, if you wish for me to speak… I beg your pardon?”

“I said I do not need them. That concludes our business; you are dismissed.”

Rotier stared in stunned silence, his jaw dropping at the dismissal. Seeing the man’s shock, Lucian gave a brief, dry chuckle.

“Did you assume I would plead for your information? I apologize for the disappointment, but I have no such desire. I won’t resort to pain to make you talk, nor will I preach to you about honor. Simply keep your secrets to yourself and depart. That is my only requirement.”

“Yo-Your Grace! Please, reconsider! This information is far too valuable to be ignored!”

“I am the judge of what holds value here. You are not.”

“Your Grace!”

“If you cannot provide a definitive answer, I am leaving. I will grant you a short while longer, and I expect a sensible resolution when we next speak.”

Lucian turned his back on the desperate Rotier. As he walked into the corridor of the White Palace, a frosty grin touched his features.

‘Absurd. He thinks he can negotiate with me? I have nothing to lose here.’

There were no hostile forces nearby capable of a siege, and the White Palace was under no immediate threat. Norbeck, the primary antagonist, was spiraling toward his own ruin. Even without Rotier’s guidance, Lucian could simply hunt for those hidden systems at his own pace.

It might have been a hurdle if he lacked magical expertise, but he had Colin, and he intended to recruit more spellcasters regardless.

‘Knowing that additional defenses simply exist within these walls is enough for me.’

Rotier believed he was dangling an irresistible lure, but to Lucian, it was a clumsy play. Why struggle with the bait when you can just grab the prize from the water yourself?

Most importantly, it was Rotier, not Lucian, who was drowning. Since time would only improve Lucian’s leverage, he saw no benefit in agreeing to a deal now.

‘I wonder how many days it will take for his bargaining to turn into genuine begging.’

The transition would be quick once the knight realized that his leverage was rotting away. However, knowing the man’s stubborn nature, Lucian didn’t anticipate a return visit for at least a few days.

—

The Sword Saint’s arrival in the North.

The entire region was swept up in a wave of positive excitement over this historic occurrence. This was a land that still cherished the path of the blade and revered the mighty. This wasn’t just a celebrated warrior; it was the Sword Saint himself, the pinnacle of the age.

“The Sword Saint is visiting Asagrim? Whatever for?”

“I’ve been told the woman knight serving the Duke is actually the Sword Saint’s foster daughter.”

“What? She wasn’t just a decoration, she’s a high-level master?”

“It goes beyond that; word is she’s a prodigy destined to become the next Sword Saint.”

“If we depart immediately and manage to make an impression…!”

“A visit now is out of the question. Can you really leave your lands unattended any longer?”

“I suppose not. Curse it, the timing is terrible.”

The lords of the North were forced to depart the White Palace, despite their lingering curiosity. As the leaders of their respective houses, they could not justify a longer absence from their duties.

Once the nobility had cleared out and Asagrim became tranquil, Hugo’s correspondence finally reached Lucian.

—Hans, Ian, and several of my former subordinates are traveling with the Sword Saint. We also converged with the two individuals you sent to meet us. We are moving at pace and will arrive shortly.

“…!”

Lucian let out a long-held breath at the welcome update. His primary hope had been for the survival of Hans and Ian. With his greatest anxiety resolved, Lucian set about making arrangements to receive the Sword Saint’s group.

“The Sword Saint is known to despise overblown and gaudy displays, so we shall conduct a modest reception featuring only the Blue Rose Knight Order. Will you assist me?”

“Without question! I have longed for a chance to meet him, so I’m grateful for the invitation!”

Gareth, the leader of the Blue Rose Knight Order, struck his chest with a beaming face. He was clearly thrilled at the chance to encounter the Sword Saint as a fellow man of the sword.

As the reception plans moved forward, Lucian summoned Colin, who had recently taken on the role of Chief Mage.

“Since the situation has developed this way, I want you to join us for an introduction.”

“M-Me, My Lord?”

“You are now the Chief Mage of Asagrim. It is only fitting that I present you.”

“That may be so, but….”

Lucian tilted his head as he watched Colin fidget with a look of apprehension. Based on his demeanor, it seemed the mage was less concerned with the event itself and more uneasy about Sir Eisen.

In that moment, Raymond leaned in and spoke quietly to Lucian.

“During his earlier years, Sir Eisen participated in several of the Imperial Family’s witch hunts.”

“…I had never heard that before.”

“It’s not exactly a point of pride. You are aware of how brutal and infamous those purges were.”

Lucian gave a small nod. He had heard the grim tales of entire regions being scorched just to root out a single practitioner of magic. Given Sir Eisen’s devotion to chivalry, it was likely a topic he preferred to leave buried.

‘I can’t know his current thoughts without hearing them from him.’

Nevertheless, because Colin was now a key member of Lucian’s inner circle, an encounter was inevitable. Regardless of past history, Lucian had no interest in seeing them avoid one another. If Sir Eisen proved unable to tolerate Colin, Lucian would manage the fallout at that time.

Standing before the great white fortifications, Lucian waited for the Sword Saint’s arrival after concluding the final checks.

“Your Grace!”

Following Felicia’s exclamation, Lucian glanced toward the horizon. Pumping mana into his vision, he spotted a small group of travelers nearing the gates.

Leading the party were Lesta and Thorkel, whom Lucian had previously sent out. Trailing them were Sword Saint Eisen, Hans, Ian, and the rest of the crew.

Catching Lucian’s eye, Eisen offered a wide grin and spoke silently, his lips forming the words.

—It has been quite a while, Third Young Master. You have grown into a man of great presence.

Lucian smiled, seeing that Eisen’s warm demeanor remained unchanged since his departure from the family estate.

—

The welcoming rites were brief.

While the event was meant to be low-key, there were far too many urgent matters to discuss to linger on empty social graces. Once they were settled inside the White Palace, Lucian dismissed the attendants and spoke.

“My thanks for making this journey, Sir Eisen! And I am deeply indebted to you for rescuing my people!”

“Haha, I am merely pleased that these old bones could be of service to the Third Young Master. Though, I suppose I should say Your Grace the Duke now.”

Eisen observed Lucian with a look of fondness and memory. It wasn’t long ago that he was just the son of a noble house, yet here he stood as a Duke and Margrave, carrying the title of Your Grace.

“You are truly extraordinary. Your Grace consistently surpasses every expectation I held for you.”

“You are too kind. I didn’t reach this position through my own strength alone; I owe much to the Emperor’s benevolence.”

“Even the finest cut of meat is useless if the throat is too narrow to swallow it. His Majesty granted you this because you proved you have the strength to hold it. I am certain the Grand Duke would also….”

Eisen’s face fell, and his voice died away. The Grand Duke, the man who had once been their common center, was gone.

Amidst the heavy quiet, Lucian turned his attention to Hans.

“Hans.”

“Yes, Young Mas… Your Grace.”

“What truly transpired? Did Jordi actually ignite a coup?”

Hans responded with a slow, somber nod.

“In all honesty, I had my doubts, but he followed through with it. However, I am not privy to the specific details of how it all began.”

“What do you mean? Were you not present at the manor when the uprising took place?”

“To be exact, I fled the family lands before it started. He allowed me to leave with surprising ease, which I took as a blessing, but then he suddenly pursued and seized me again. I was kept in a cell from that point on until Sir Eisen secured my freedom.”

Lucian’s brow furrowed as he processed the account.

He permitted him to leave, only to hunt him down and imprison him shortly after?

While it might have seemed nonsensical to Hans and the others, Lucian could see the logic behind the cruelty.

‘That snake… he only planned to use Hans as leverage after I had successfully taken control of Asagrim.’