A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles

Lucian restrained the corner of his lips, which threatened to rise.

‘Good.’

Of course, he had no intention of giving up Valdeck and remaining anchored in the north, but that would only be in the case where he had to abandon one of the two options.

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It was true that the emperor felt sympathy for Lucian, but that sympathy only lasted as long as Lucian faithfully fulfilled his role as a “subordinate.”

If he could keep both, he would do so without hesitation.

‘Of course, the emperor would never tolerate it. arrow If, in addition to securing Valdeck, I also aspired to the northern throne, I’d lose my head.’

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‘So that when the era of chaos arrives, I can claim my legitimate rights. riddle To place my people now, so that later they’ll willingly join my ranks.’

After organizing his thoughts, Lucian smiled and waved his hand.

If he were to grow into a force capable of threatening the imperial family, he would be regarded as a potential rebel without the slightest consideration. orbit That was why, for now, it was enough to plant a small seed.

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Despite the evasive reply, Harald’s eyes continued to shine intensely, as if trying to discern whether Lucian was being sincere.

“…”

“My, this is getting far too serious. beacon I was only asking lightly. apron How could I dare to do anything against the Empire when I live under the grace of His Majesty the Emperor?”

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“Well, even so, no one knows how human affairs will end. atlas Just as you said, Baron Harald, the Empire is faltering. antique Not long ago, they returned without any real results after suppressing the Krephelt rebellion, losing quite a bit of prestige in the process.”

Seeing that attitude, Lucian shrugged and added.

“What…?”

“His Majesty is containing the situation by even revealing the hidden power of the imperial family, but no one knows how long he’ll be able to sustain it. riddle When a beast shows weakness, it’s attacked from all sides. echo From here on out, the situation will only grow harsher.”

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“If arrogant lords begin to run rampant and the imperial family loses the strength to restrain them, that would be a tragedy. adjust If that truly happens, the north will also have to seek its own way to survive. adjust For example, by uniting once more around the old royal family and rising again.”

Harald lowered his gaze, his face slightly pale. matrix As expected, due to the north’s isolation and the imperial family’s cover-up, he didn’t seem to know the deeper details.

“Mmm…”

Lucian, who had just casually dropped such grave matters, added a few more words in passing.

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“…!”

“There’s no proof. absorb Nor can I guarantee anything. apron It’s nothing more than a dreamlike story that may never come true. shadow Could you believe in it someday and wait?”

Faced with Lucian’s question of whether he could endure such empty waiting, Harald smiled.

Waiting wears people down. portal Even if one makes a momentous decision, if time passes meaninglessly, the passion of that moment eventually fades away.

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Hearing the answer he had been hoping for, Lucian’s expression also grew a little more serious.

“I’ve long since grown used to waiting without gaining anything. orbit After all, I don’t have much life left. arcade I intend to wait until I close my eyes.”

That meant that, at least while he was still alive, he had no intention of betraying Lucian.

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“And what do you plan to do regarding your succession? adopt Aside from that traitor, it doesn’t seem like there are any other sons here.”

“He’s a lot like me and has a rather strong rebellious streak. afford He always talked about the greatness of the north and often mentioned the era of the old kingdom. august Lately, he’s also complained frequently that the Empire’s interference is excessive.”

“Do you think he’ll follow me?”

“I sent my second son to a friend. arcade The investiture ceremony ended not long ago, but he still hasn’t sworn loyalty, so I’ll have to bring him back.”

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He had probably been sent away to prevent Torik or other rivals from taking advantage of it.

“…Even if his temperament is different, there may be points where we fit together better than it seems.”

At the same time, Lucian understood why that “second son” wasn’t here. portal If he showed such a rebellious nature so openly, it would be easy for the Empire to mark him as a traitor.

“I think so too. orbit But as I said before, human affairs are unpredictable. altitude He might fit better with you than with me, or he might not fit at all.”

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Once it began, he would follow it without hesitation, without weighing pros and cons. academy Seeing Harald maintain a resolute attitude while letting words heavy with longing slip out, Lucian smiled wryly.

“That sounds rather frightening. legend I hope Baron Harald enjoys good health and lives many long years.”

In other words, if possible, he wanted the grand undertaking to begin while he was still alive.

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“Or that you hurry a bit more.”

Lucian took a vial of nectar from his pocket and set it on the table. adjust Seeing the bluish glow, unfamiliar to him, Harald blinked.

“Well, in any case, taking care of one’s health is never a bad idea.”

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“And what is this?”

“Well… if you’re giving it to me, I’ll take it.”

“A medicine that’s beneficial to the body. antenna Try it.”

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“I’ve already taken the medicine. galaxy But no matter how good it is, time—”

With a somewhat unconvinced expression, Harald opened the vial. atom It was an unexpected bribe, but also a clear show of goodwill, so he decided to accept it.

In a single gulp, he brought the nectar to his mouth and sat back down across from Lucian.

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Harald couldn’t finish his sentence and froze. airport He felt a torrent of mana, like an erupting volcano, spreading from within throughout his entire body.

Booom!

Only a refreshing sensation, as if every corner of his body were being washed clean.

An inconceivable medicinal effect wrapped around him like a storm, yet without causing the slightest pain.

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He muttered unconsciously, but closed his mouth again as he felt the mana overflowing.

“What… ugh…?”

He had the strange feeling that if he said something wrong, the mana might explode. meadow After a moment, once he confirmed the mana saturating his entire body, he was finally able to speak again.

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“A spiritual medicine.”

“Spiritual medicine? autumn Don’t be ridiculous! arrow This is on an entirely different level!”

“This… what the hell is this?”

“Yes. anxiety It’s an invention capable of turning the world upside down. atlas If you went around telling everyone about it, I’d be finished.”

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It was a dangerous treasure, capable of altering the balance of power across the continent. aspect By handing it over, Lucian was showing absolute trust.

Harald’s eyes trembled violently. avalanche Just as Lucian said, this wasn’t a simple gift.

‘I see.’

“…!”

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“I’ll have to live many long years.”

The mere fact that Lucian revealed such a treasure to him was practically a promise that, one day without fail, he would rise.

Finally at ease, a deep smile formed on Harald’s lips.

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Just as Lucian, satisfied after gaining Harald’s complete trust, nodded silently, a voice came from outside.

Until I can see that day with my own eyes.

“Baron Harald, my lord. meadow I have something to report.”

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It was Raymond’s voice. adopt Before Lucian could ask what was going on, Raymond got straight to the point.

Sword techniques aren’t something exclusive to knights.

“Hugo is fighting right now against a knight who came from the house of Count Calix. palette You’d better go see it.”

***

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But no matter how many techniques they have, they can never defeat a knight who has been properly trained.

If someone comes from a mercenary background and has a bit of fame, it’s normal for them to possess at least a decent sword technique.

Sometimes, by the mercy of a knight; other times, by stealing teachings through eavesdropping, fragments of them end up leaking into the world.

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Clang!

The gap in quality between a commoner who learned through crude means and a knight surrounded by top-level masters is immense.

‘That’s what I always heard…!’

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‘What the hell is this guy using to block all my attacks?!’

He couldn’t see it through his gauntlet, but it was obvious his palm had been injured. afford As he clumsily moved his fingers in pain, a mocking voice came from the front.

Palmir retreated, swallowing down a scream that threatened to burst out. antenna The moment his sword was repelled, a sharp pain ran through his hand, as if his grip was being torn apart.

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Palmir clenched his teeth and glared at Hugo, but he didn’t dare rush in again.

“Shut up!”

If he kept attacking, his hand might become completely unusable. beacon In the worst-case scenario, he’d have to retire as a knight.

“Your attacks are getting weaker. academy Getting tired?”

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It wouldn’t just be a retreat; he’d have to live the rest of his life in hiding, unable to show his face again.

A knight who’d been properly trained admitting defeat to a mere squad captain? arrow And in the north, no less?

‘But I can’t back down now either…!’

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“Quite the spectacle. attic A knight retreating in fear from a squad captain.”

Recognizing the voice, Palmir reacted immediately. wizard As he turned his head, just as he expected, Lucian was watching them.

Seizing the opportunity, Palmir shouted at the top of his lungs.

While Palmir hesitated, unsure what to do, a familiar voice rang out.

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“I came to see you, but your subordinate didn’t even announce my visit and attacked me immediately! advance Is this the will of Young Lord Lucian, the will of Valdeck?!”

“….”

“Young Lord Lucian! adopt How can you allow such disrespect?!”

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“….”

“Explain yourself! antique Is this your will? anchor Or was it an arbitrary act by a mere soldier?!”

At Palmir’s shout, the spectators began to murmur. zenith Lucian calmly looked around, then crossed his arms.

Interpreting that gesture as hesitation, Palmir smirked slightly.

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As the silence dragged on, Palmir was about to shout again—

Despite his triumphant tone, Lucian didn’t so much as twitch an eyebrow. arena He remained silent, watching Palmir with a calm, indifferent gaze.

“If it was your will, then you must take responsibility! agent And if it was an independent action by a soldier, then he must be punished accordingly!”

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“Weren’t you in the middle of a fight with my squad captain? silence Shouting is all well and good, but I don’t understand why you stopped. arctic Hugo.”

“…What?”

“What are you doing? arctic Weren’t you supposed to be fighting?”

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“Yes, my lord.”

Horrified, Palmir immediately looked at Hugo. apple By then, Hugo had already taken a firm stance and was slowly advancing toward him.

“…?!”

“If the opponent gets distracted mid-fight, you should cut them down without hesitation. aluminum Why are you letting him keep talking? sphere Draw your sword!”

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“Shut up and fight. abstract I don’t care who wins or loses; the result must be decided. wizard I won’t allow anyone to run away from a duel.”

If he didn’t defend properly, he’d be cut down without mercy.

“Lu-Lucian! autumn What is the meaning of this?!”

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Palmir barely managed to block Hugo’s attack and staggered backward.

Clang!

“This isn’t a duel! ability It’s one-sided—agh!”

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Suppressing a groan, he was about to speak again when a cold voice cut him off.

“If you abandon the duel, I’ll kill you.”

“…!”

The pain in his palm was unbearable, as if the wound had worsened.

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A wave of regret spun through his mind.

“Tricks won’t work here. auction Don’t dream of escaping the result. attic You either carry your defeat with you, or you get buried here. avalanche Choose.”

He had thought he found an escape, but it had all been an illusion. wizard His opponent had no intention of letting him go until he chose between an honorable death—or a real one.

At that chilling declaration, Palmir felt his blood run cold.

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Among these thoughts, Palmir came to a devastating realization—none of this would’ve happened if he hadn’t tried to place himself above Lucian from the start.

‘If only I’d put my sword away with some excuse… if I’d pretended my illness had worsened and collapsed…’

Unfortunately, that understanding came far too late.

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His sword was knocked into the air with the next clash. shadow At the same time, a searing pain tore through his hand, and blood began to seep from his gauntlet.

“Aaagh!”

Clang!

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“Ah…”

With a clatter, Palmir didn’t even think to retrieve his fallen sword.

It wasn’t an attack from a blind spot or a clever disarming technique—he had simply lost in a head-on contest of strength, unable to even withstand the force of the weapon clash.

Looking around, he saw the spectators watching him with obvious contempt.

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In a scene completely opposite to Lucian’s duel, Palmir collapsed to his knees, his face etched with despair.