Chapter 22

Chapter 22
## Chapter 22

Those who attempt to master the blade without the guidance of a mentor are frequently plagued by persistent technical flaws.

In the case of Felix, he possessed a reflexive tendency to duck beneath a diagonal strike whenever he faced an opponent of greater stature. He favored this maneuver because slipping low allowed him to bypass an enemy’s reach and execute a rapid internal strike.

The danger of such a repetitive tactic, however, is that observers eventually decode the pattern.

Lucian, having partnered with Felix on a previous assignment, had shared this very observation after watching him in action.

—I am truly in your debt. Without that insight, I might have faced a lethal oversight down the road.

Rather than taking offense at Lucian’s critique of a move that had served him well in countless skirmishes, Felix had responded with genuine appreciation. He immediately began developing alternative counters, refining his style so he could vary his reactions based on the flow of combat.

At the time, Lucian had been stunned into silence by the display.

He had met many mercenaries who were aware of their shortcomings but lacked the discipline or skill to fix them; Felix, however, had completely erased his vulnerability in a matter of days. It was then that Lucian understood the true definition of a prodigy.

—If you don’t mind… perhaps I could help refine your own form in return?

Such an offer could easily have been interpreted as a slight, as suggesting a correction implies a superior level of mastery.

Yet, Lucian had accepted the proposal without hesitation. He knew his self-taught movements were riddled with errors, and the person offering a hand was the greatest talent of the age. He was more than happy to display his clumsy skills if it meant receiving even a shred of guidance.

—Your aggressive momentum is impressive, but your balance collapses too easily. Instead of committing your entire weight to a single blow, try prioritizing the parry and the subsequent riposte.

Felix identified numerous flaws, but because they mirrored the exact frustrations Lucian had felt, it was as if someone were finally resolving a deep-seated irritation. Following that exchange, Lucian’s chaotic swinging finally evolved into something that could be classified as a legitimate martial style.

Their collaboration had been brief, lasting only a few jobs, but Lucian knew that without those lessons, he would have perished on a distant battlefield years ago.

‘I promised to pay him back once I achieved success, but Felix’s star rose so quickly that the opportunity just slipped away.’

The rumors said that a few years after they went their separate ways, a Margrave noticed Felix’s prowess and granted him a knighthood. Lucian hadn’t been surprised by the news, though he felt a pang of self-pity. Even years later, Lucian’s own life had remained stagnant.

Looking back with his current perspective, however, the situation seemed absurd.

‘It wasn’t a natural progression at all. “Recognizing talent”? What a joke. That Margrave was either a fool or a thief.’

To offer a warrior of Felix’s caliber nothing more than a simple knighthood was an insult. He deserved the rank of Baronet and a seat among the Royal Guards at the very least, yet the Margrave had secured his service for a pittance. A man of that standing certainly knew the value of what he was getting.

The reason for such a low valuation was painfully obvious.

‘It was because of her gender, wasn’t it?’

A cynical twist formed on Lucian’s lips.

In this world, a female knight was a myth reserved for storybooks, unless it was a purely ceremonial title. While a high-born lady might occasionally pull it off, it was unthinkable for a woman of common birth. Felix—or rather, Felicia—must have felt she had no choice but to hide her identity and accept the meager offer. At least it gave her a chance to prove herself in blood and iron rather than being kept as a mere curiosity.

She had been just as trapped by her circumstances as Lucian had been. Her divine talent had been sold for pennies because of the world she was born into.

‘But that ends now.’

In this new life, Felicia would not have to devalue herself. Lucian was determined to help her overcome every obstacle she faced in the past. Of course, that came with the requirement that she wield her blade in his service.

“Hugo, take her into custody.”

“….”

“Hugo? Did you hear me?”

“Ah, my apologies. How should she be processed?”

“Restrain her to ensure she doesn’t attempt anything reckless, and keep a constant eye on her. However, see that she is treated with respect.”

“Understood.”

Hugo signaled the other men to move Felicia. The only ones left in the clearing were the injured knights, a terrified maid, and Philip, the heir of the Marquis.

Finding every exit sealed, Philip shook with fury and directed his vitriol at Hugo.

“You gutter rat! You dare betray me?! Do you honestly think the House of Roglan will let this treason go unpunished?!”

“Young Master, please!”

The knights, faces drained of color, tried to silence him, but the damage was done. Lucian let out a short laugh as he turned his gaze toward Philip.

“The House of Roglan. I was curious which shadow was trying to poison Valdek’s territory with drugs, and you just handed me the answer. You’ve saved us both a very long interrogation.”

“…!”

“I, Lucian Valdek, third son of Sigmund Valdek, am placing you all under arrest by legal decree. I suggest you come quietly if you wish to avoid further injury.”

The reality of his blunder finally hit Philip, and his skin turned a sickly gray. He had just handed a confession to the son of Grand Duke Valdek, implicating a Marquis’s house in a criminal narcotics ring. No amount of backtracking could fix this.

“Wait. Let’s be reasonable. There’s clearly a misunderstanding here….”

“Save it for my father. Move them out.”

“By your command, Third Young Master.”

The Black Lions closed in on Philip as he stammered for excuses. Seeing no path for flight, Philip ground his teeth and shouted.

“Stop! I will walk on my own!”

“Is that so?”

“Regardless of the charges, I am the fourth son of the House of Roglan! I insist on being handled with the dignity my rank demands!”

So, now that he was cornered, he wanted to hide behind his lineage? Lucian found the cowardice pathetic. “If you don’t want to use your feet, we can certainly drag you. Or, if you prefer, I can break your legs and make the choice for you.”

“….”

Silenced by Lucian’s icy tone, Philip slumped in defeat.

—

With Philip and his cohorts in custody, Lucian began the trek toward Kelheim. Simultaneously, he dispatched a rider to Grand Duke Sigmund with a detailed report and specific instructions for their arrival.

—Please ensure the citizenry is gathered to witness the criminals being brought in. Since the lead conspirator has already confessed his lineage, we should make it publicly known that the House of Roglan is responsible.

“Marvelous! Bernhardt is going to be scrambling to save face after this!”

Upon reading the missive, Grand Duke Sigmund let out a boisterous laugh and immediately gave orders to assemble the public.

As the party neared the gates of Kelheim, Philip’s group grew increasingly agitated at the sight of the massive crowds. Their public shaming was about to be absolute.

“Young Master Lucian! Do you truly mean to parade us like animals?!”

“This is a violation of protocol! Grant us at least a shred of honor!”

“I’d rather you execute us here! Anything is better than this humiliation!”

The knights, more so than Philip, were in a state of panic. They weren’t being paraded for a noble defeat in battle, but for the sordid crime of drug trafficking. It was a stain on their reputations that could never be washed away, and they were desperate to protect what remained of their family names.

Lucian, however, found their pleas entirely hollow.

“You forfeited your honor the moment you chose to peddle poison as knights. You cannot lose what you no longer possess, so keep moving. You’re already covered in filth; don’t act as though a little public scrutiny is going to make you any dirtier.”

“You insolent…!”

“Young Master Lucian, how can you say that?!”

Two of the knights turned crimson with a mix of rage and genuine shame. It appeared that a couple of them still possessed enough of a moral compass to feel the weight of their actions. The others simply continued to roar about the insult to their status.

‘If they actually cared about their status, they never would have taken this contract.’

Exhaling a weary breath, Lucian addressed the reinforcements the Grand Duke had sent to meet them.

“Bind them securely. If any of them struggle during the procession, you have my permission to use force.”

“Are… are you sure, sir? These men are knights.”

“Do knights sell drugs? These are criminals. Treat them accordingly and don’t hold back.”

Individual vendettas aside, these were merely low-level assets sent on a suicide mission. Unlike the Marquis’s son, these men were expendable. There would be no political blowback for treating them as the common thugs they were.

“Get off me! Unhand me at once!”

“You peasants! You dare lay a hand on a knight of the realm?!”

The knights put up a frantic struggle, but it was futile. They were already weakened by the wounds dealt by the Black Lions. Dragged by the firm grip of the soldiers, the procession of Philip’s group began in earnest.

“Look at that! Why are those knights in chains?”

“I heard they were caught running a drug den. Can you believe it?”

“A knight? Involved in something so disgusting? Why would they do it?”

“The word is that Marquis Roglan wanted to undermine the Grand Duke so badly he resorted to this.”

“And that boy being led like a dog—is that his son?”

“Heaven help us. A Marquis using his own child to sell drugs? The Roglan family is finished.”

As the murmurs rippled through the crowd, Philip shivered with embarrassment. Interestingly, despite the insults, he stopped resisting. He had clearly calculated that a silent, shameful walk was preferable to a public beating.

“I heard it was the Third Young Master who sniffed them out and caught the lot of them.”

“Who? The Deer Prince? No way.”

“Look for yourself. He’s the one leading the guard at the front.”

“They say he’s been a different person ever since he nearly died.”

“Well, the blood of a lion is in his veins. He is the Grand Duke’s son, after all.”

As the stories began to circulate, Lucian fought back a smirk, pulling his shoulders back and maintaining a regal posture for the benefit of the onlookers. Part of the reason for this theater was to systematically dismantle his old reputation.

Public opinion was a powerful tool that grew from the streets upward. If he didn’t act now to fix his image, the shadow of the ‘Deer Prince’ would haunt him forever.

“His Grace! The Grand Duke is here!”

“Make way for His Grace!”

The crowd bowed as one as they approached the inner fortress. Standing there to meet them was Grand Duke Sigmund himself.

Lucian hopped off his horse, dropped to one knee before his father, and projected his voice.

“Lucian Valdek, acting on your orders, has returned with Philip Roglan and his accomplices! They have been apprehended for the manufacture and distribution of illegal substances! I ask that you pass judgment upon them!”

His powerful voice echoed, leaving the commoners in awe. Was this commanding figure truly the same frail prince they had heard stories about?

Witnessing the change in the atmosphere, the Grand Duke narrowed his eyes slightly.

‘You’re a cunning one. So this was your plan all along?’

‘It’s a bit of theater and justice combined. Surely you won’t begrudge me this small victory?’

When Lucian offered a subtle wink, a gruff chuckle escaped the Grand Duke. He quickly composed himself and addressed the crowd with a booming roar.

“You have done me proud, my son! Your success is absolute! I shall see you properly rewarded, but for now, go and recover from your journey!”

“I am honored, Father!”

To hear the stern Grand Duke offer such public and enthusiastic praise left the citizens speechless. It was the ultimate confirmation: the Deer Prince had truly transformed and earned his place at his father’s side.

Once the speech was over, the Grand Duke clapped Lucian on the shoulder in a show of affection and leaned in close.

“Are you satisfied with the show?”

Lucian smiled broadly at his father.

“Beyond measure.”