A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles

Seeing Denis kneeling without moving an inch, Lucian clicked his tongue.

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“His Highness the First Prince has suffered for a long time under the yoke of the rebels. That’s why his nerves are on edge. I beg you to understand.”

After saying that, Denis bowed even lower, prostrating completely with his forehead touching the floor in front of Lucian.

It seemed he didn’t plan to move until Lucian’s mood calmed down.

Lucian watched him for a moment and then spoke in a flat tone.

“The First Prince doesn’t seem to understand how the world works.”

“D-Duke.”

“As you yourself said earlier, I received great grace from the former emperor. Beyond duty as a vassal, as a human being, it’s only natural to repay that grace to his rightful heir. But…”

Lucian sighed deeply, as if to be clearly heard, and continued.

“Even so, everything has a limit.”

“…”

“That he wants my head—I could accept that. But to also label me a traitor? To think of razing Asagrim without leaving a single blade of grass, just because he was treated a little coldly…”

“As I told you earlier—”

“That he was upset and said it in the heat of the moment? For that, the plan is far too detailed, don’t you think?”

At Lucian’s remark, Denis couldn’t say anything.

It would have been better if the First Prince had simply lost his temper and irrationally ordered Lucian’s death on the spot.

Then they could have used the excuse that he was not in his right mind. The problem was that it didn’t stop there—he had actually crafted a detailed plan.

Regardless of its feasibility, the moment he showed sustained resentment and not just fleeting anger, there was no escaping it.

“Denis, tell me. What exactly am I supposed to do?”

Remember the grace of the former emperor, stay firm, and remain a loyal servant.

That’s what Denis wanted to say—but he couldn’t.

The First Prince’s plan was enough to completely erase any debt of gratitude owed to the former emperor.

Seeing Denis unable to speak, only moving his lips, Lucian continued.

“Now you understand why I left the First Prince as he is in the prison, don’t you?”

“…!”

“What do you think will happen if his presence becomes public? The other lords will try to contact him, and of course, his thoughts will come to light. And what comes after doesn’t even need to be said.”

The First Prince didn’t doubt for a second that he was the sole rightful heir and took for granted everyone’s absolute obedience.

If, even in this situation, he showed no change in character, even the little support he had left would vanish completely.

They supported him because it suited them—not because they were willing to sacrifice everything for the imperial family.

‘Sure, out of pride, they won’t betray him openly. But that doesn’t matter—there are plenty of ways to feign loyalty while conspiring in the shadows.’

They could even maintain the title of “loyal to the imperial family” while switching factions.

Loyalists who, despite their devotion, fell into an enemy trap and failed to prevent the First Prince’s death.

Moved by such supposed nobility, ambitious lords would end up recruiting them after persistent urging.

Without knowing there was collusion behind it, such a story would sound fairly convincing. If two factions agree, creating a story like that isn’t difficult at all.

As if he had sensed such a future, Denis—pale as wax—began slamming his forehead against the floor repeatedly.

“I’ve been a fool for not understanding the duke’s great intention!”

“There’s no need for apologies. I too have reached my limit.”

“H-Huh?”

“The First Prince treats me as a mortal enemy. Do you think I can be at peace like this? I’ll open the way—take him with you to whatever loyalist he prefers. Go wherever you want, anywhere is better than here.”

Denis’s face turned completely white.

Among the First Prince’s supporters, the most powerful was precisely Lucian.

No—in truth, outside of Lucian, most of them were little more than nobodies.

And now to be outside of his protection and join another faction?

Even before reclaiming Tibron or ascending the throne, they’d already be fearing for their lives the very next day.

“Duke, please, calm yourself!”

“I am perfectly calm. And I still consider myself loyal to the First Prince. If he needs economic or military support, he only has to ask. I’ll provide it immediately.”

“That’s not what I meant…!”

“Then what is the problem?”

At Lucian’s question, Denis shut his eyes tightly.

The simple fact that Lucian promised support even after hearing such words was already a massive concession.

To ask anything more—even considering the relationship between sovereign and vassal—was excessive.

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to throw him out like he’s a nuisance. After Sir Eisen’s funeral, I’ll treat him accordingly and give him troops and funds.”

“T-Thank you.”

Even as he responded, Denis kept searching for a way out.

If the First Prince lost Lucian’s protection, everything would be lost.

He would have to pretend to accept it for now and find a way to change Lucian’s heart before the funeral ended.

‘If we give him a benefit he can’t refuse, he’ll be forced to keep the prince around. I must convince the First Prince to do something like that. If I must, even on my own…’

Following the will of the emperor was a vassal’s duty.

But if the rightful heir to the imperial family lacked all sense of reality, one had to overstep their authority to preserve the dynasty’s continuity.

That was the loyal servant’s mindset Denis had been raised with all his life.

Lucian watched Denis, whose eyes darted around restlessly, and gave a faint smile.

It seemed the time was nearing when he could “negotiate” without involving the First Prince.

***

Two days after that, Felicia offered the fairy metal sword she had wielded on the dueling field before the tomb of the former Swordmaster, Eisen.

Though a long mourning period had already passed, the ceremony itself was held simply, but its significance was far from small.

After all, it demonstrated that Felicia had received such firm recognition from everyone that no one could object to her being the one to preside over the event.

“With this, we conclude the funeral rites of the former Swordmaster, Sir Eisen. I thank you all for coming to pay him tribute. For the great Swordmaster, Sir Eisen!”

“For Sir Eisen!”

When Lucian raised his cup and gave a brief farewell toast, everyone else raised theirs as well.

Since all the formal proceedings were over, the banquet itself was rather modest.

More than a celebration, it was little more than a gathering to exchange farewells.

Sensing that the banquet was about to end, Lesta and Harald, mixed in among the heads of families, exchanged glances.

‘Now is the time.’

‘Isn’t it too sudden?’

‘There’s no alternative. In practice, this is our last chance.’

‘That’s true—waiting longer would be pointless. All right, you start.’

With Harald’s nod, Lesta stepped forward and raised his voice.

“Duke! I beg your pardon for the presumption, but I have something to say in this place.”

“…?”

At the sudden shout, all eyes turned to Lesta. Even Lucian hadn’t expected the move, so he simply blinked in silence.

Taking that silence as permission, Lesta continued.

“The Empire is facing an unprecedented crisis! Rebels roam freely everywhere, the imperial family has fallen into the hands of someone of questionable origin, and the roads are overrun by bandits! It’s no exaggeration to say that the very foundations of the Empire are shaking!”

“Hmph.”

The aggressive tone made some mourners and heads of families frown, but Lesta didn’t care in the slightest.

In fact, as if he’d been expecting that reaction, he raised his voice even more.

“To quell this chaos, it is imperative to restore the authority of the imperial family and enthrone the rightful heir, His Highness the First Prince. However, we in the north lack the strength necessary to accomplish this.”

“And? What are you getting at?”

At Lucian’s reproach to stop beating around the bush, Lesta smiled and replied.

“For the peace of the Empire, we believe it is necessary to unify the power of the north. We beg you to restore the Kingdom of the North! Ascend the throne, pacify this chaos, and raise the First Prince to the imperial throne!”

“…!”

A silent shock rippled through the center of the hall.

It was true that this was a time when the ambitious were raising forces under various pretexts.

But even so, no one expected to hear talk of restoring the Kingdom of the North.

‘Is this guy aware of what he just said?’

‘Restoring a kingdom without royal blood? Unifying the entire north?’

Cold sweat began to slide down the foreheads of those present.

It was an absurd idea—but if it were to become reality, it would be terrifying.

The entire Empire had turned into a battlefield of the ambitious.

Though there were pros and cons among the great families, no single dominant power existed.

And now a kingdom rising again and taking hold of all the northern strength?

That would be handing over control of the chaos to a single person.

‘Impossible. Who would want to serve a kingdom that fell so long ago, and without even being the imperial family?’

‘We acknowledge the ancient glory of the royal house of the north, but respecting tradition isn’t the same as submitting to it.’

‘Unless they’re on the brink of ruin, everyone still has options. There’s no one here seriously supporting the kingdom’s restoration…’

“It’s a completely fair proposal! I, too, request the restoration of the kingdom! For the sake of the great cause, I beg you to ascend the throne!”

“…!?”

Those who had just calmed down were startled to see Harald step forward.

And he wasn’t alone. Shortly after, several heads of minor families began stepping out among the mourners and raising their voices.

“Restore the Kingdom of the North and ascend the throne!”

“Pacify the chaos of the Empire and enthrone the rightful heir!”

Although voices of support arose here and there, they didn’t fill the hall.

Those shouting numbered perhaps a dozen at most, and mostly belonged to minor families.

Since the majority of heads of family remained silent, the ones causing a stir stood out all the more.

If things continued like this, it would be Lesta, Harald, and the others who ended up embarrassed.

It would seem they had made a one-sided proposal without any real backing.

The problem was that, from the perspective of the northern lords, that outcome was also unacceptable.

‘Dammit, what do we do? Do we pretend to support it at least?’

‘Are you insane? What if the Kingdom of the North really is restored?’

‘If we look away and the duke gets angry, it’ll be even worse! He’s no longer hiding his ambition. You think he’ll leave us alone forever?’

Lucian’s ambition was already well-known throughout the Empire.

In other words, when the time came, it wouldn’t be strange for him to try expanding his power by force into other territories.

Until now, he had focused on strengthening his internal domain, not looking outward, but if this proposal to restore the kingdom was crushed like this, his mood would certainly change.

It would be proof that there was no peaceful path for Lucian to rule the north.

Maybe now he would laugh it off—but when war broke out, no one could expect mercy from him.

As everyone hesitated, unable to choose a side—

“Enough.”

Lucian’s low voice echoed throughout the banquet hall.