Chapter 88

Chapter 88
Chapter 88
It wasn’t just Lucian who felt the shock of the moment.

The entire group stood paralyzed, their vision darting across the high fortifications in disbelief.

Glen, in particular, appeared the most deeply affected by the sight.

“This… it can’t be possible…!”

Words failed him as he physically recoiled, his frame trembling.

The White Walls were a primary reason Tivron was celebrated as the Empire’s crown jewel. They were renowned for an impenetrable defensive strength that seemed capable of withstanding any global conflict, paired with a breathtaking aesthetic that captivated all who saw them. Traditionally, anyone observing the White Walls offered nothing but reverence, deeming them the pinnacle of military architecture.

‘How is there a duplicate of those legendary walls standing right here?’

As the others remained lost in their thoughts, Lucian was the first to regain his focus.

“Raymond.”

“At your service, my lord.”

“I’m curious—was this architectural design common for the White Walls in the ancient era?”

“It is highly improbable. If that were the case, we would have discovered similar structures throughout other historical ruins.”

To date, the only locations known to feature such specific fortifications were Tivron and Asagrim. Essentially, building a wall of this caliber was a monumental task, even during the height of antiquity.

This realization pointed to a singular truth: one structure served as the original, while the other was a replica.

“In what period were the walls of Tivron raised?”

“Their construction began immediately following the successful unification of the continent.”

“What about Asagrim?”

“That would date back to the establishment of the Northern Dynasty, which means chronologically…”

“Ahem! Hrr-hem!”

Glen interrupted Raymond with a loud, pointed clearing of his throat.

The group lapsed into a heavy silence at the obvious deterrent, yet there was no one present who couldn’t infer the implication.

‘The Grimaldis were the original architects of the White Walls. The Imperial family’s version was a copy of the North.’

“Moving on, we must proceed! Our extensive trek is nearly at its conclusion!” Glen barked, desperate to distract them from their realizations.

His volume was startling, especially considering how reserved he had been until that point.

The party gave silent nods and steered their path toward the entrance of Asagrim. It was then that the sounds of a disturbance reached them.

“What is the meaning of this?! There is still plenty of daylight, yet you deny entry to more travelers?!”

“You only permitted ten people inside earlier! This is blatant oppression!”

A massive assembly of Northerners near the entrance cried out in indignation. As the shouting reached a deafening pitch, a thunderous voice boomed from within the gateway.

“Quiet! Oppression, you claim?! Asagrim is a direct territory belonging to His Imperial Majesty! You should be filled with gratitude that His Majesty even allows travel here, yet you have the audacity to speak of tyranny?! Where do you find the arrogance to voice such drivel?!”

“Ugh!”

The roar, which was loud enough to be painful, was infused with a subtle current of mana. The common folk, lacking the ability to brace their bodies, stumbled and collapsed to their knees under the sheer pressure of the sound. Only those trained in the way of the sword, who could bolster themselves with mana, remained on their feet.

Lucian and his companions watched with intense interest, captivated by a skill they had never witnessed.

“Is anyone in our group capable of that?”

“I cannot. It appears he didn’t merely strengthen his voice; he radiated the sound outward like a physical tide…”

“That isn’t a talent one picks up quickly. Based on how effortlessly he executed it, he must have trained relentlessly.”

“I believe I can mimic it. Is it something like this?”

Felicia cleared her throat and let out a soft whistle. As the sound left her, mana rode the vibration, causing the local atmosphere to quiver. Even though she kept the demonstration contained, it was evident that if she shouted, she could achieve the same result.

“Good grief, you learned it just by listening once?”

“My father once showed me a comparable method. It involved the sound of steel sliding against stone rather than a voice, but with some minor adjustments, it wasn’t overly complex.”

“The throat and a sword blade are entirely different tools. This is why prodigies are so frustrating…!”

As Lucian’s circle traded remarks, Glen stared at Felicia, completely stunned. He was aware she was the ward and student of the Sword Saint, so he had expected a high degree of skill. However, the fact that she could replicate a hidden technique known only to a specific tier of the Nightjar Knights after one glance was staggering.

‘Even if she has a few years on Lord Lucian, she is still just a teenager. How is this possible…?’

He had initially viewed her as a mere fledgling, despite her lineage, but he now understood she was already capable of surpassing most seasoned warriors. Given her youth, her potential for growth was immense; she was on the path to becoming a formidable force of nature.

While Glen shuddered at the implications for the future, another command rang out.

“Leave at once! From this point forward, anyone who persists in protesting will be labeled a traitor attempting to invade the Emperor’s sovereign land!”

This was a standard shout without the weight of mana, but the crowd recoiled, still feeling the sting of the previous shock. The knight surveyed the people with a chilling, predatory gaze. Just as he began to turn away—

“…No, I refuse to leave!”

A young man suddenly rose from the throng and shouted back. His attire was ragged, but his posture betrayed the upbringing of a noble son trained in combat. Seeing the youth defy his ultimatum, the knight’s expression twisted into a mask of fury.

“Are you choosing the path of rebellion this day?”

“Rebellion? Nonsense! I have never trespassed in the Imperial Palace, nor have I plotted against the Emperor! I have never even visited the capital of Tivron, so how can this be treason?!”

“Silence your tongue! How dare you speak of His Imperial Majesty with such disrespect…!”

“Asagrim is the sacred heart of the North! A person of the North requires no permission to stand on Northern soil! Isn’t that the truth?!”

When the youth turned to the crowd for validation, the frightened people began to exchange glances. Gradually, one by one, they stood up and began to join the youth in his outcry.

“He speaks the truth! Asagrim is undeniably the land of the North!”

“What right do you have to bar a Northerner from a Northern holy site?!”

“I am exhausted by them labeling everything as treason!”

The tension, which had briefly cooled, flared up with even more volatility than before. As Lucian’s party and Glen became anxious at the escalating momentum, the knight took a step forward.

“Archers, take your positions! If these insurgents move a step closer, release your arrows!”

Creeeeeak.

“…!”

The travelers gasped as a row of bows were aimed at them from the heights of the walls. The guards peered down with eyes filled with lethal intent, poised to strike. The officer in charge at the gate unsheathed his blade without a second thought.

“I swear by the honor of His Imperial Majesty, I will execute anyone who continues to slander the Imperial line.”

“….”

“Depart. This is your final warning.”

The roar of the crowd died down instantly, but the pilgrims did not retreat. Instead, a pressure even more suffocating than the previous noise began to build. It wasn’t a silence caused by cowardice, but one fueled by a sense of deep injustice. It was a precarious moment where any small movement could lead to a bloodbath.

“That is quite enough.”

Lucian was the one who moved forward, slicing through the stillness. The knight guarding the entrance glared at the arrival of an unknown figure.

“Who do you think you are?”

Lucian let out a faint smirk at the knight’s query. Despite his youthful appearance, his clothing made it clear he was of high birth, yet the soldier addressed him with total contempt.

“Open the entrance.”

“Excuse me?”

“Open the gate and allow these people through. I am giving the order.”

“You’re insane… Do you believe the Emperor’s private territory is your personal backyard?!”

“Whether it belongs to me or not… well, it becomes mine starting today.”

“You arrogant brat!”

“Sir Lucian! I beg you, stop!”

As the knight brandished his sword in a fit of temper, Glen scrambled out from the rear. He had wanted to step in earlier, but he had remained back on Lucian’s orders. Now, however, the situation was spiraling out of control.

But Lucian only laughed harder at Glen’s arrival and inclined his head.

“Sir Glen, you’ve arrived at the ideal moment. Let us conduct the official ceremony right here.”

“What? We are standing in front of the gate!”

“Once we’ve reached the site, the specific spot doesn’t truly matter, does it? I find this location suitable, so please proceed.”

“Sigh, if that is your wish….”

“What are you two whispering about? And identify yourself!”

The knight aimed his weapon at them, his face flushed with anger. Glen’s eyes ignited with fury when he saw the sword pointed in his direction.

“How dare you level a blade at me! I am Glen Rehinahr, an Imperial Inspector and a member of the Black Scale Knights!”

“What…?!”

“Give me your name, you who snarls at the Emperor’s representative! Are you Sir Rotier, the Commander of the Asagrim Guard?! Or some other soldier under his wing?!”

The knight, Rotier, turned ghostly pale and lowered his weapon. Looking more closely, he identified the dragon-head emblem of an Imperial Inspector on the man’s chest. Furthermore, since the man was aware of his specific identity and rank, he was clearly a legitimate Imperial Inspector.

“My deepest apologies, Sir Glen! Please overlook my lack of respect!”

“I will handle your discipline at a later time, so step aside! And stand those archers down! Or do you plan to execute me here as well?”

“N-Never! How could I?! Archers, disengage immediately!”

At Rotier’s shout, the bowmen on the battlements quickly withdrew their weapons and retreated inside. Glen cast a sharp look at Rotier, clicked his tongue in annoyance, and got off his horse.

“My lord.”

“I am prepared.”

“Then let the decree be read.”

Under the gaze of the entire crowd, Glen cleared his throat and produced the Emperor’s personal scroll from his coat.

“By the decree of the Emperor, I, Glen Rehinahr, Imperial Inspector, deliver his mandate! Lucian Grimaldi Valdek is hereby named Margrave, and Asagrim is bestowed upon him as his sovereign fief!”

“…?!”

“This is declared in the name of Karl von Bay Astria, Sovereign of the Empire! Anyone who dares to challenge this or refuses recognition shall be branded a traitor! Additionally, he is granted permission to hold this title while retaining his status as a Duke…!”

Glen went on reading the document, but the onlookers were in a state of shock and couldn’t process the subsequent details. A Grimaldi being appointed a Margrave was baffling enough, but the idea of him being given Asagrim was earth-shattering.

As everyone struggled to wrap their minds around the proclamation, Glen reached the end of the text.

“…Consequently, let the White Palace serve as his home! That concludes the decree!”

Lucian took the folded scroll from Glen with care and stood tall. Turning his gaze, he focused on the young man who had first stood up to the guard.

“You there.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Is it your wish to enter Asagrim?”

“Uh… yes, it is.”

The young man gave a tentative nod. He wasn’t entirely sure what was unfolding, but it seemed foolish to back down now. Upon hearing the answer, Lucian turned back to Rotier.

“Open the gate.”

“T-That is… this location is….”

“My property.”

“….”

“His Imperial Majesty has gifted it to me, meaning it is now mine. Am I mistaken?”

“You are… not mistaken, but….”

“Indeed.”

With a knowing smile, Lucian stepped toward Rotier. He moved in until they were inches apart and spoke with cold finality.

“Then open it.”

“….”

Rotier shut his eyes tight. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but he had no grounds for refusal. To deny the request would be an act of outright treason.

“Open… the gate!”

Rotier forced the words out, his face burning with shame. Moments later, the massive doors began to swing open with a heavy, grinding roar.

Rumble!

“….”

The pilgrims watched in stunned silence as the gates, which had been the source of such conflict, opened at a single command from Lucian. The ease of it made the previous struggle feel surreal.

“What are you waiting for? Are you not coming inside?”

Lucian’s voice cut through their daze. He flashed a broad grin at the travelers, who were finally coming back to their senses.

“As the master of this land, I welcome you. Everyone, come inside and see for yourselves.”