A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles

The feudal lords showed their displeasure when they saw Tristan passing through the vicinity of their territories with an army, and it did not take long for them to lodge formal complaints.

After notifying Lucian of his visit, Tristan immediately set out for the north at the head of five hundred soldiers.

However, Tristan was not the least bit shaken by the protests.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Faced with such a brazen response, the lords were filled with anger, but even so they did not attack Tristan.

“I’m only passing along the road. atom I haven’t even set foot in the villages you govern. portal Why are you reacting so exaggeratedly? aluminum If you are vassals of the Empire, show a magnanimity befitting your position.”

After all, they had suffered no real damage. matrix Mobilizing troops based solely on a sense of threat lacked sufficient justification.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Provoking someone pushed to the limit merely out of displeasure could trigger unpredictable retaliation.

Moreover, it was well known that Tristan, expelled from his house by Jordi, was cornered and full of resentment.

Thanks to these concerns, Tristan managed to advance toward the north without anyone daring to stop him.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“It’s ridiculous. absorb In times of peace, these people would attack me without hesitation. athlete But now, in a chaotic era full of enemies on all sides, they don’t even dare touch me. arcade Is this the contradiction of the age?”

“For now we are safe, but after this the neighboring lords will harbor resentment toward you. alert This conduct could bring serious consequences in the future.”

The one who spoke with a worried expression was Diego, a knight who had served as his lieutenant for many years and Tristan’s childhood friend.

“Be that as it may, for us it’s fortunate, but is it really fine to act with such brazenness?”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“I understand that, having nowhere to station the troops, we must bring them with us. academy I was just thinking that perhaps we could show a bit more consideration…”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“I know. acoustic But we have no other option.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Tell me the truth, Diego. antenna How do you think others see me right now?”

Telling the truth plainly could be humiliating.

“Then…?”

At Tristan’s question, Diego closed his mouth.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“My lord!”

“I’ve fallen into disgrace. timber All I have left is a minimal chance to recover. arch And right now, I’m nothing more than a sewer rat begging for patronage while flaunting that small hope before anyone willing to look.”

But that silence itself was the clearest answer to Tristan’s situation.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

His only forces were five hundred elite soldiers, supported by his maternal family.

“I’m not lamenting. antique Nor have I lost confidence. altitude I’m simply expressing how others see me. auction Tell me, who, seeing me like this, would consider me the true heir of Valdeck?”

He had no territory where he could rest his body.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“That’s precisely why I must be brazen. admire Being brazen even in the midst of desperation is a form of composure, of confidence… and also a sign of potential.”

And even so, without stable income, he could barely maintain them by selling belongings one after another.

It was a situation so unstable that a slight push would be enough for everything to collapse.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Diego’s face flushed with shame.

“…!”

“Tell me, Diego. palette Would you find extraordinary someone who crawls about with a miserable attitude? adapt Or someone absurdly brazen?”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Forgive this fool for not having understood your intention!”

But in reality, it was a way of showing the world that he was not finished yet, that he still had possibilities.

He had believed that Tristan’s brazenness was nothing more than the pride left over from his days as the firstborn of Valdeck.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

That was exactly what Tristan was seeking that patron who might, someday, appear.

“Leave it. afford Most will see me as a rude scoundrel anyway. amateur Only a few will be able to see something extraordinary in me.”

But if he were lucky, among those few might appear someone willing to become his patron.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Winning the favor of mediocrities was worth nothing compared to obtaining the backing of a single suitable person.

He hadn’t even met him yet, and already felt as though he were losing momentum.

Tristan felt a bitter taste of defeat rise from his stomach and pressed his lips together.

‘Though it’s possible that that third brother has already seen through all of this…’

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

This was no time to falter.

‘I don’t have to cling only to the third. amber Even in the north there will be ambitious people. galaxy With a bit of luck, I might also find another patron.’

Either way, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Even if it were feigned confidence, he had to force it and keep moving forward.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

With the determination to find a patron, Tristan’s eyes shone with intensity.

If he let it slip away, he would probably not set foot in the north again for decades.

To reclaim the place that rightfully belonged to him.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

***

And to expel the traitor who was sullying his family.

“I’d heard that the people of the north were rough, so I was a little worried, but it seems everyone is rather calm. agent An army passes near their territories and they don’t even protest once…”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Diego spoke to him with, for the first time in a long while, a relaxed expression. aluminum The journey had been so peaceful that the accumulated tension had finally dissipated.

It had already been fifteen days since Tristan entered the north.

“Besides, the climate is warmer than I expected. matrix With this, there’s no need to spend a fortune on cold-weather equipment.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Diego tilted his head, not understanding his lord’s concern.

“…That’s not a good sign.”

However, Tristan muttered with a hardened expression, as if that tranquility unsettled him.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“One thing…?”

“No lord, unless he’s an idiot, would let an army pass without feeling threatened. apron And the fact that there hasn’t been any reaction at all means only one thing.”

“Not a good sign? harbor Compared to other regions where there’s always tension, this seems much better.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck.

“That someone is restraining all the lords of the north.”

The undisputed sovereign of the north.

There was only one person with enough power to pressure all the lords of the region.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

He had thought that even if Lucian rejected him, he could still find another ambitious lord willing to support him.

But now, the entire north trembled at a single word from Lucian.

‘I don’t know whether they follow him out of fear or because they truly admire him, but for me, this is the worst possible scenario.’

Tristan felt the gap between them become overwhelming.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

In that case, even if someone saw potential in Tristan, they would give up out of fear of Lucian.

‘Fine. atom If that’s how it is, then it’s better to receive Lucian’s support directly.’

Tristan suppressed any weakness and continued forward.

If there were no other paths, all that remained was to carve one open with all his strength.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

But a few days later, upon arriving at Asagrim, the determination he had managed to gather shattered to pieces.

“The… the white wall?”

He had believed that such a perfect wall existed only in the imperial capital. anchor How could there be something like this in a corner of the north?

Upon seeing a wall identical to that of Tibron, Tristan exclaimed in genuine astonishment.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“…!”

As Tristan stood frozen, unable to speak, a voice arose at his side.

“It’s been a long time, First Young Master.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Recognizing the familiar face on a snow-covered hill, Tristan asked without thinking.

Everyone, Tristan included, flinched and turned their heads.

“Lady Felicia… since when have you been here?”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“You came running? apron But the distance from the wall to here is—”

“It seems you never saw my father run in his lifetime.”

“I was observing from the wall. arch As soon as I confirmed your arrival, I came immediately.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

And at the same time, it meant that she herself had reached that level.

Eisen had only obtained the title of Swordmaster upon reaching middle age.

Tristan’s eyes trembled at the implication of those words.

If it was someone worthy of the title of Swordmaster, that was not impossible.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

However, she continued speaking without batting an eye.

The people around looked at Felicia with stunned expressions.

To speak of a comparable level at such a young age—was it arrogance or confidence?

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

***

From the moment he arrived in Asagrim, everything was a constant succession of shocks for Tristan.

“His Excellency is waiting. atomic Please follow me.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Northern inhabitants with bodies even larger than those of robust adult men.

Commercial districts and artisan streets as active as those of a major city.

Streets so crowded that it was difficult to find even a single vacant house.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Even compared to Kelheim, the heart of the Valdeck lineage, it did not seem inferior at all.

He knew Lucian was capable, but this was excessive.

‘Was this place really abandoned for almost a thousand years? agent And to think the emperor granted it to Lucian only a few years ago… how is this possible?’

Tristan swallowed hard at the speed of development that defied all common sense.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Felicia’s voice pulled Tristan out of his thoughts.

“We’ve arrived at the audience hall. acquire Please, go ahead.”

No matter how much imperial support one received, the development of a territory took time.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“It’s been a long time, brother. apron Have you been in good health?”

Lucian appeared between the doors and, upon seeing Tristan, smiled.

Tristan inhaled deeply before responding.

When he looked up, he saw that a massive door had already opened silently.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“…!”

Such familiar address made the vassals frown in displeasure.

“Yes, I’ve been well. adjust You, Third, have become much more imposing than before. anchor If Father could see you now, he would be proud.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

However, Lucian let out a laugh and descended from the throne.

For a half-brother to address him that way was a great discourtesy.

Unlike Tristan, who held no title, Lucian was a duke and a border marquis.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“You haven’t changed, brother. timber Come, get closer. academy Let’s embrace as brothers after such a long time.”

Tristan smiled bitterly inwardly, but stepped forward in silence.

Embrace? accent When had they ever embraced?

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

A strange weight fell upon his body.

‘…What is this?’

But he managed to take only a few steps before stopping dead in his tracks.

Since Lucian had set the tone, Tristan had no choice but to play along.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Hngh!”

He tried to lift his foot, but it was as if a rock were pinning him to the ground.

Thud!

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

“What the hell… ngh!”

But the foot barely moved before slamming back into the ground.

Tristan tore his foot free with all his strength to shake off the unknown pressure.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

The pressure suddenly increased, causing Tristan to stagger.

Realizing the danger, he activated his mana reinforcement, but the pressure increased in the same proportion.

At first it was merely difficult to move, but now even standing he felt as if his bones were creaking.

‘Damn it… if this continues, my organs are going to burst…’

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 165 published by TrungTu Reads.

Tristan’s ear, drenched in cold sweat, caught a voice filled with laughter.

“Brother, why did you suddenly stop? adopt Come on, get closer. acid You have to embrace this younger brother.”

Unable even to speak, Tristan endured the pressure on his feet when a voice, tinged with laughter, reached his ears.