A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles

The third was made up of attendees from external territories, with no connection to the north.

The second consisted of the lords who opposed said restoration, with Hermann at the forefront.

The first was composed of the lords who supported the restoration of the Kingdom of the North, led by Lesta and Harald.

After the topic of the restoration of the Kingdom of the North came up, the attendees at the funeral in Asagrim split into three groups.

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However, the atmosphere between the groups was entirely different.

The matter of restoring the Kingdom of the North was too significant to pretend they hadn’t heard about it.

Depending on their circumstances, these three groups gathered whenever they had the chance to discuss among themselves.

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Unlike their initial zeal, the first group couldn’t hide their unease at Lucian’s lukewarm response.

“Lord Lesta, doesn’t it seem like the duke’s reaction was exactly what we feared?”

“Could we be receiving criticism for having done something unnecessary?”

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They had acted to earn his trust, but now feared they had instead left a bad impression.

“That’s why I said from the start that everyone should come out in support. arrow Why did they insist on postponing it?”

“I’m sure he changed his mind after seeing that very few of the lords responded.”

“Weren’t they the ones saying earlier that it was a pretty good idea?”

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Lucian, surely, wouldn’t accept it immediately and would take a few days to think about it.

“We believed it was a plan based on fully understanding His Excellency’s will, and look at us now.”

Their original plan was simple.

First, to show that at least half actively supported the restoration of the kingdom.

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They would pretend not to have been allies from the start, as if they had changed their minds upon hearing reasonable arguments.

In that time, the other half would appear, saying that on further thought, it wasn’t a bad idea, and would begin persuading the rest of the lords.

Seeing the growing number of supporters, even the neutral lords would be swept up by the tide.

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“But with the duke’s attitude, not only will we not reach half, even our firm supporters might abandon us!”

“Lord Lesta, Lord Harald, say something. attic What are we supposed to do now?”

“That was the plan—to gather more than half as supporters of the kingdom’s restoration…”

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“You know one thing, but you don’t know two. abandon Do you still not understand the duke?”

“What do you mean?”

The gazes of the house lords all focused on the two leaders.

However, despite those reproachful looks, Lesta and Harald clicked their tongues without flinching.

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“That he needs three days to move forward with this matter. zenith Until then, there’s no need to force it.”

“If he really didn’t want the kingdom restored, he would have flipped the table. canvas But he didn’t; he gave us exactly three days of leeway. galaxy What do you think that means?”

“…?”

Upon seeing Lucian’s ambiguous attitude, both came to the same conclusion.

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“That’s why we don’t need to do anything. legend Just wait until His Excellency finishes preparing everything.”

Not giving a clear answer to prevent the house lords from formulating concrete countermeasures.

What he wanted wasn’t to lean toward one side, but to keep the matter suspended.

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Although there were some complaints at first, the calmness of the two leaders once again soothed the house lords.

“Hmm.”

“If that’s the case…”

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“How should I know? academy Everything ended without incident, so let’s leave it at that.”

“What is the duke’s true intention? crystal Why does he react so mildly?”

However, the other group couldn’t let the matter rest so easily.

After all, the words of Lesta and Harald, who had dealt with Lucian more than anyone, carried a different weight.

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The opposition group, led by Hermann, was mired in confusion. meadow Until now, Lucian had squeezed every possible benefit.

“Then what do you propose? arctic Without knowing his true intentions, we can’t plan anything!”

“Leave it at that? legend What if he does something unexpected later? abandon You’re being too relaxed!”

A man like that wouldn’t reject the restoration of the kingdom just to save face.

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In the end, their discussions went nowhere, and they gave up even trying to deliberate further.

“In any case, it’s a relief that the duke doesn’t openly show ambition.”

It was clear there was a hidden plan, but not knowing it was deeply frustrating.

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The third group, however, couldn’t remain as calm as the other two.

“If the Kingdom of the North really is restored, it’ll all be over.”

In practice, they had decided to stop thinking and leave it all to luck. galaxy It was baseless optimism, but they had no better alternatives.

“Let’s hope everything passes without further incident.”

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“It won’t happen. attic It’s not that simple.”

“If by some miracle, the north really does unite…”

“You can’t be sure. crystal More than ten responded enthusiastically.”

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If the Kingdom of the North truly resurged, it would become a force more powerful than any other.

The noble who had come as an external guest couldn’t finish the sentence and closed his mouth.

Even before their own lord achieved hegemony, the fate of this chaotic era could be decided.

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Unable to bear the anxiety, one of the nobles looked at Tristan, who was beside him.

It was a future so terrifying he didn’t even want to say it aloud.

“Does Lord Tristan know anything about this? alien After all, he’s a relative of the duke.”

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In truth, the most disturbed among them all was Tristan himself.

At Tristan’s glare full of hostility, the noble immediately shrank back.

“S-sorry. orbit It was a slip of the tongue.”

“…Are you kidding me?”

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“So that meant he could take House Valdeck even without me…?”

Lucian could simply take over the house and rule it directly.

If Lucian ascended to the throne and controlled the north, that power would reach even Valdeck.

In other words, there would no longer be any need to keep Tristan as a figurehead.

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He wanted to stop it at all costs, but as an outsider, he could do absolutely nothing.

It was too much of a coincidence to be called chance.

Tristan clenched his teeth, recalling the words Lucian had said some time ago.

All he could do was entrust his fate to the eight gods of the sky and await the outcome.

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“…!?”

While the three groups struggled with confusion, the three days passed, and the farewell banquet was held once more.

“I will declare the restoration of the Kingdom of the North.”

***

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They couldn’t understand where the cautious attitude he had shown until now had gone.

He hadn’t even listened to anyone else’s opinion and was already speaking as if the restoration of the kingdom were a settled matter.

At Lucian’s blunt statement the moment he appeared at the farewell banquet, the heads of the houses were horrified.

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“I have received it.”

“D-Duke, as I told you before, it is essential that His Highness the First Prince, the legitimate heir of the Empire, grant his approval…”

“What did you say?”

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Lucian turned his gaze away from the utterly stunned heads of the houses and gave a slight nod.

“There is no need for further explanation. crystal Since he is here, see it with your own eyes.”

“…!?”

“His Highness the First Prince has approved the restoration of the kingdom. arch On top of that, he says he himself will grant me the royal title. auction It is truly an immense honor.”

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“It’s the First Prince!”

When they saw the figure that appeared belatedly, those who had previously visited the capital cried out in surprise.

At that instant, with a loud crash, the firmly closed doors of the banquet hall were thrown wide open.

“I-It’s His Highness the First Prince!”

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The First Prince, who was supposed to be living confined in Tibron—how had he arrived there?

While the heads of the houses opened and closed their mouths in shock, the First Prince advanced, escorted by retainers.

The knight Hugo and Raymond, Felicia, who had recently become Swordmaster, Marius, appointed court mage, and his disciples.

Seeing the First Prince’s face twisted in a foul mood, people felt their legs give way.

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Seeing all of Lucian’s closest associates gathered around the First Prince, the heads of the houses swallowed hard.

At the First Prince Claude’s sudden order, the northern lords hesitated for a moment, but eventually knelt.

“What are you doing? auction Kneel before the legitimate heir of the Empire!”

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Claude watched the scene with satisfaction, then frowned as he looked toward a corner.

“And why aren’t you kneeling?”

It wasn’t that they felt respect for the imperial family, but Lucian had already declared his support for the First Prince.

Failing to show courtesy at that moment would have meant directly opposing Lucian.

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The external attendees pretended not to have heard Claude’s reproach.

Their lords did not support the First Prince, so they could not kneel there.

Seeing that they still did not bend the knee, Claude was about to explode, but Denis, who was beside him, hastily whispered.

“……”

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He knew there was no point arguing with those who openly disobeyed.

After hearing the explanation, Claude clenched his teeth but said nothing more.

“…Damn it.”

“Your Highness. arrow They are traitors who do not recognize your right of succession. atomic Even if you give them orders, they will not obey.”

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“Hmph.”

Snorting in anger, he stepped onto the platform, and Lucian knelt on one knee and spoke.

“Your Highness the First Prince, I beg you.”

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“……”

“Listen, loyal subjects of the Empire! arrow I, who in the past was captured by the traitor Cedric and suffered countless hardships, managed to escape after great difficulty and took refuge under the protection of Duke Lucian.”

At Lucian’s words, Claude let out a mocking laugh and twisted his lips in contempt. afford Then he shouted loudly before the other lords.

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“However, despite the grace of the late Emperor, the duke confined me, concealed my existence, and demanded the restoration of the Kingdom of the North and a royal title! riddle How lamentable! abstract What would His Majesty the late Emperor say if he could see this from the heavens?”

They couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“…!?”

The words spilling from Claude left everyone present in the hall stunned.

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“He has imprisoned the rightful owner of the next throne and demanded compensation—this is treason! harbor Therefore, I strip the traitor Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck of all his titles! matrix Loyal subjects of the Empire! audit Defeat this traitor at once!”

When Claude finished his declaration, the banquet hall froze.

Instead of speaking about the restoration of the kingdom, he was only denouncing Lucian.

While everyone was too bewildered to react, Claude delivered the final blow.

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Then Lucian stood up and shouted to the heads of the houses.

Their minds went blank, unable to decide what to do.

They hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of his sudden appearance, and now he was confronting the duke head-on the moment he arrived.

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“…!?”

“Therefore, I declare the restoration of the Kingdom of the North! palette May the Empire be eternal! acquire Long live His Highness the First Prince, the legitimate heir!”

“Did you hear the words of His Highness the First Prince? sphere Here and now, he has approved the restoration of the Kingdom of the North and granted me the royal title!”

At Lucian’s absurd response, not only the heads of the houses, but even Claude, showed expressions of disbelief.

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He had branded him a traitor—why was he now saying such nonsense?

“What…?”

“You’ve completely lost your mind. beacon What the hell are you saying all of a sudden?”

“Understood. album From now on, I will guarantee the safety of His Highness the First Prince, so please rest peacefully in the palace.”

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They understood perfectly what Lucian’s actions meant.

“Good, what are you all doing? album Follow me, everyone! meadow Long live His Highness the First Prince!”

Seeing Lucian shout like a buffoon, Claude let out an incredulous laugh, but the heads of the houses could not laugh.

He had been declared a traitor to his face, and yet he was going to treat it as if the restoration of the kingdom had been approved?

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Faced with such an unprecedented situation, everyone was paralyzed.

“…Long live His Highness the First Prince for approving the restoration of the Kingdom of the North!”

That meant he no longer cared about the First Prince’s will and would simply use him as a seal to legitimize his cause.

The First Prince had branded as a traitor the greatest force supporting him, and the duke had openly declared that he would use that very First Prince as a puppet.

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“Long live the Kingdom of the North! album Long live His Highness the First Prince!”

“May the Empire be eternal! beacon Glory to the legitimate heir to the throne!”

Lesta and Harald rose from their seats and sided with Lucian.

Then the northern lords who already supported Lucian began to join in.

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“Glory to the legitimate heir of the Empire!”

As the cheers continued, even the opposing faction, led by Hermann, rose from their seats.

From the beginning, they supported Lucian, not the imperial family. aluminum If Lucian turned his back on the imperial house, it was natural for them to side with him.

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“Death to the traitor Cedric!”

“Long live His Highness the First Prince!”

“…!?”

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Law and the like were irrelevant; what mattered was the nearest fist. anchor A massive fist, capable of crushing an entire house and erasing it from the map.

Even those who opposed Lucian had never had any real interest in the imperial family.

Seeing that even the opposition supported Lucian, some were surprised, but on reflection, it was logical.

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“Ahem.”

“Uh-huh…”

Rather than protecting with their lives an imperial family to which they weren’t even loyal, it was better to acknowledge the restoration of the Kingdom of the North and let it pass.

Siding with the First Prince there meant a fight to the death with that fist.

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The visiting external nobles pretended not to have seen anything.

In fact, they had treated him worse than Lucian, who at least gave him a title, even if as a puppet. meadow Protesting now would be ridiculous.

Even if Lucian was manipulating the First Prince, they had never recognized his right of succession.

Moreover, they had come only as attendees at the funeral.

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Confronting Lucian in the heart of Asagrim would be practically begging to be killed.

“Long live His Highness the First Prince!”

The best course was to stay out of it and pretend they hadn’t seen anything.

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“What the hell are you all saying!? atom This man is a traitor! arch Kill him! aluminum I said kill him!”

Seeing everyone ignore him with a single will, Claude was on the verge of madness.

It was as if he had fallen alone into a world of the one-eyed; a suffocating terror pressed down on his entire body.

“May the Empire be eternal!”

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“Please go and rest well. audit I will prepare hot tea and a soft bed.”

“Your Highness the First Prince, you seem fatigued. absorb Your finger is trembling so much—how can you handle affairs of state like that?”

As he desperately pointed at Lucian, his finger was caught with a dry snap.

“Y-you…”

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“From now on, I will take care of all the difficult matters in your place.”

Lucian smiled broadly as he spoke to the trembling Claude, who could barely articulate words.