Chapter 56

Chapter 56
## Chapter 56

In the cutthroat environment of the family, it was a common practice for potential heirs to establish their own private circles of influence.

The requirements for securing the position of successor were staggering. One had to juggle gathering secret intelligence, undermining the efforts of siblings, managing crises in their absence, and overseeing various internal petitions. It was a logistical nightmare for anyone attempting to navigate the race without a dedicated support system.

‘However, building a private faction within the house inevitably draws the patriarch’s attention. After all, the ruler of this domain remains the Family Head.’

There were two specific reasons why the current leader permitted his offspring to engage in these power plays.

Firstly, it functioned as a practical laboratory for a future leader to master the art of command and personnel management. Secondly, the Family Head’s own status was so absolute that it was beyond challenge. No matter how much political capital a candidate accumulated, their entire foundation could be dismantled by a single decree from the sovereign. Since the activity provided an education without presenting a genuine threat to his rule, he allowed it to persist.

Yet, despite his supreme authority, the Family Head was still susceptible to human irritation.

‘No leader enjoys watching their subordinates—especially their children—form cliques and squabble as if the master of the house doesn’t exist. Usually, they simply tolerate it rather than actively promoting it…’

Which made it all the more startling that Grand Duke Sigmund was now explicitly commanding Lucian to assemble his own power base.

Noticing Lucian’s stunned silence, the Grand Duke clarified his position.

“Do not jump to conclusions. I have by no means confirmed you as my heir.”

“….”

“But you are officially in the running. Should I eventually decide to name you the next Family Head, it would be a humiliation if your rivals could simply cast you out. You must possess enough strength to defend your position if someone attempts to seize it.”

His words were sharp, yet they carried an undeniable weight of earnestness. It was a clear signal that while the race was ongoing, he viewed Lucian as a serious contender for the mantle.

“One more thing: do not expect to lean on my authority. A faction built on borrowed power is as fragile as a house of cards. You must earn the loyalty of your own followers through your own merits.”

“I will remember your words, Father.”

“You are dismissed.”

Lucian offered a respectful bow and exited the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Once he was alone, the Grand Duke sank into his seat, his mind churning with strategic assessments.

‘Am I moving too quickly? The others still have cards to play.’

His firstborn, Tristan, was a rigid follower of protocol who lacked persistence, yet he possessed a steady temperament and a sharp, decisive mind.

Jordi, the second son, was notorious for his harsh treatment of underlings and a flexible relationship with the truth, but his cold, transactional logic was effective at mitigating damage during a crisis.

Then there was Joshua, the fourth son, who had yet to distinguish himself but also hadn’t stumbled significantly; his ultimate ceiling remained a mystery.

‘They are all still unpolished, meaning their potential hasn’t been fully realized. Under normal circumstances, I would wait for them to mature before choosing, but…’

The geopolitical climate was shifting too rapidly for the luxury of time. While he hoped the coming chaos would spare Valdek until his children were ready, he couldn’t gamble on that hope. He needed a viable successor ready to step up at a moment’s notice, even without an official public declaration.

‘Lucian.’

Only a few years prior, his third son had been a timid boy who avoided his brothers’ gazes and shirked responsibility. But a transformation had occurred a year ago; he had undergone an awakening that turned him into a different man entirely. Though he could be bold to the point of audacity, his moves were always calculated and logical. His grasp of the “big picture” far exceeded that of his siblings. Unlike the others, who were still works in progress, Lucian behaved like a finished statesman—a true paragon of nobility.

“They say that era-defining challenges require unconventional solutions, do they not?”

The Grand Duke whispered to the empty room, a trace of weariness on his face. As was often the case, the tide of history showed no concern for the convenience of men.

—

Upon returning to the family’s main residence, Lucian found no respite. The knights, who had once kept a cautious distance, were now swarming him with transparent intent.

“Third Young Master, might I request a moment of your time?”

“We’ve met before, if you recall. It’s an honor to see you again.”

“I am at your service, Master. Please keep my name in mind for future endeavors.”

The approaches were varied and often desperate. Some maintained a facade of high etiquette, while others tried to forge a connection based on the briefest of past interactions. The most grating were those who tried to manufacture “accidental” meetings designed to showcase their supposed brilliance.

‘Is there no shame left in this Great Family? These tactics are beneath a child.’

Lucian could only offer a dry, internal laugh. After clearing a path through the sycophants, he turned to Hans with a directive.

“From this point forward, you are to vet these people. Do not let the mediocrity through.”

“Me? But Young Master, those are knights of the realm!”

“Their title is irrelevant.”

“I’m just a servant, sir. How am I supposed to bar the way of an armed knight?”

“If any of them are foolish enough to bully a member of my household, I’ll deal with them personally. But anyone with half a brain will know better than to cause a scene.”

In the Empire, social standing was rigid, but true influence didn’t always align with a title. Hans was Lucian’s most trusted associate, the one man who had remained steadfast when Lucian was a social pariah. To Lucian, Hans’s comfort was worth more than the flattery of a thousand nameless soldiers. If a knight treated Hans with contempt because of his birth, it was a disqualifying trait.

‘It proves they lack the political acumen to recognize who actually holds the ear of the person they are trying to impress.’

Interacting with such people was a poor use of his limited time.

Despite his lingering nerves, Hans carried out the order. Surprisingly, the knights—likely taking cues from the sophisticated aides of the other candidates—didn’t dare mistreat him.

“Fame is a double-edged sword. At this rate, I’ll burn all my energy just filtering out the noise,” Lucian remarked, watching a group of rejected suitors depart through the window.

He reflected on his father’s advice about building a faction.

‘A private power base is a necessity. And with my current momentum, I could recruit hundreds. But I have no interest in an army of opportunists.’

He didn’t want a bloated, inefficient organization. He had seen enough history to know that massive factions often rotted from the inside where the leader’s gaze couldn’t reach. He wanted a group where every member was a person of unimpeachable quality. He was aiming for an elite vanguard—smaller than his brothers’ forces, perhaps, but unbreakable.

‘The hurdle is the price of high-tier talent. People who truly understand their value don’t trade their loyalty for vague promises of future glory.’

The knights currently pestering him were mid-tier at best, looking for an early investment in a rising star. True masters didn’t sell themselves for pennies; they knew that someone, somewhere, would eventually pay their full market value. Currently, Lucian lacked the tangible assets to buy that kind of loyalty.

‘I secured Hugo and Felicia because I rescued them from dead-end situations where their talents were being wasted. I can’t rely on finding people in distress forever.’

Not every genius was a diamond in the rough waiting to be saved.

As he weighed his options, a memory surfaced—a spark of realization. A legendary prize, a secret that had once given its possessor leverage over the Imperial Family itself, was currently sitting unclaimed. If he could reach it first and keep its discovery a secret…

‘The clues are sparse, and the odds are against me, but the reward is too great to ignore.’

With a plan forming, Lucian went back to see Grand Duke Sigmund.

—

“You are requesting leave to visit the capital?”

“That is correct.”

The Grand Duke looked at his son with genuine curiosity. Why head to the capital now, of all times? This was the crucial window for building his local influence.

“Explain your reasoning. What draws you to the capital?”

“I wish to gauge the political climate following our recent military setbacks and, more importantly, to scout for specific talents.”

“Scouting? Do you have someone in mind?”

“Not a specific individual I can name yet, but I’ve come across a lead that I need to investigate personally.”

Lucian remained vague. He couldn’t very well explain that he was hunting for the future creator of a revolutionary elixir that hadn’t even been announced yet.

The Grand Duke studied Lucian’s face before finally giving a slow nod.

“You usually have a method to your madness. Very well. Go, but maintain a low profile. Do not make this an official state visit.”

“I intended as much. I’m going there to work, not to attend galas. I’ll travel incognito.”

“I’ll have Raymon accompany you as your primary guard. He seems quite invested in your safety lately; he’s been the first to volunteer whenever I need someone to watch over you.”

Raymon.

Lucian had developed a growing respect for the man. He was a powerhouse in his own right. Come to think of it, Raymon was exactly the kind of high-level talent Lucian needed. But how could he pry him away from the Grand Duke?

As if sensing the gears turning in Lucian’s head, the Grand Duke added a casual detail.

“Just for your information, the Black Lions aren’t a lifelong prison. Members can retire after a set term or transfer out if they’ve earned enough distinction. We just don’t publicize those transitions.”

“…!”

“Raymon’s tenure with the Black Lions is nearing its end. I’m not sure where he plans to take his talents next, but a warrior of his caliber should be compensated appropriately, wouldn’t you agree?”

Lucian’s focus sharpened. Unlike Felicia or Hugo, who were still in their growth phases, Raymon was a master at his peak. Whether or not Lucian could provide the incentives to keep such a man was a direct test of his potential as a leader.

‘I can’t just ‘try’ to find that treasure. I have to secure it, even if it means scouring every inch of the capital.’

Resolved, Lucian bowed and met his father’s gaze.

“You are right, Father. If a leader cannot offer a reward that matches a subordinate’s skill, then that leader has no right to claim their loyalty.”

“Hmph, well said. I’m pleased you see it that way.”

The Grand Duke offered a satisfied smirk. High-level talent, once ignored, rarely gave you a second chance. A true ruler didn’t shy away from greatness just because they couldn’t afford it yet; they expanded their own capacity until they could.

As Lucian turned to leave, he stopped and added one more request.

“I am grateful for the permission to travel, but I have one more favor to ask, if your schedule allows it.”

“Speak.”

“It’s regarding a certain arrangement…”

A moment later, the Grand Duke’s laughter echoed through the hallway. After a long moment of amusement, he gave his consent to the second proposal.

—

Hans was nearly in a state of panic when he saw Lucian packing his bags again so soon.

“Young Master! You’re leaving again already?”

“Yes. I’m heading to the capital this time.”

“The capital? So suddenly? What for?”

“Business. I need you to keep things running smoothly here while I’m away.”

Hans’s face fell at the instruction. In the old days, as the sole personal servant, he was his master’s shadow. But as Lucian’s circle grew and his responsibilities shifted, Hans was finding himself left behind at the estate more often. It was a sign of Lucian’s rising status, but it filled Hans with a quiet dread.

‘They say absence makes the heart grow cold.’

He thought of the new arrivals, Hugo and Felicia. Even though Hans had years of history with Lucian, those two were already functioning at a higher level of authority. Hugo was a commoner now, but if he earned his knighthood, the social gap between them would become an abyss.

‘What if I’m just the relic of his past? What if I’m phased out until he doesn’t even remember why I was there?’

Hans trembled at the thought of his own obsolescence.

Lucian, noticing his servant’s internal crisis, let out a soft chuckle.

“What kind of disaster are you imagining now? You’re shaking like a leaf.”

“Oh! It’s nothing, sir. Just a wandering thought.”

“Well, whatever it is, get it out of your head. You won’t have a second to breathe while I’m gone. I’ve arranged for Father to put you through intensive butler certification training starting this evening.”

“…!?”

Hans’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide with shock.