A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles

“But you must act cautiously. harbor If you make it public carelessly, not only will you fail to use it properly—they’ll take it from you.”

“Exactly that.”

“With just time, this alone would be enough to turn the Empire upside down! atom Not even a typical relic storage compares to this!”

After confirming the underground secret chamber, both men expressed exactly the same impression.

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Lucian nodded at Hugo and Raymond’s words.

The problem was that building such an environment was excessively difficult.

“Even if we somehow manage to find the mages necessary to interpret the technology, the Empire’s watchful eyes are a real headache. aluminum We’ll have to wait until they’re no longer interested in us.”

If he managed to build a solid foundation and create an environment where he could use this technology freely, becoming the new master of the Empire wouldn’t just be a dream.

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Though he said that, Lucian gave a bitter smile inside.

“Most likely.”

In truth, he didn’t need to wait that long. amber In his past life, the Emperor fell ill shortly after razing Krephelt.

“At the very least, it’ll be impossible for several years. adopt Just the imperial succession problem alone means all eyes will be on you, my lord.”

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Once the Emperor fell sick, chaos would spread—and then, these legacies would finally come to light.

However, no matter how much he trusted his vassals, he couldn’t reveal that he knew the future, so he had no choice but to vaguely nod and let it pass.

The fury over losing the first prince had played a role, no doubt, but his health had already been declining for some time.

‘Seeing how hard he’s pushing to make me his support base, he’ll likely fall ill soon this time too.’

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“Even if the Empire generously grants us loans, there’s a limit. galaxy If we squeeze Count Calix’s house, we can cover the rest. zenith Though how much depends on their response.”

To be honest, Lucian hoped the house of Count Calix would choose to confront him openly.

“In any case, to make use of this legacy, I first need to consolidate my base. arena Debts can be paid later—what matters now is where the money will come from.”

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‘They can’t think they’ll get away with looting someone else’s property while their own stores stay untouched.’

Only then could he completely crush them and empty every last grain from their storage.

Fortunately, preparations to strip the Calix house were progressing steadily. atlas Support had skyrocketed thanks to the Grimaldi revival and the recovery of Asagrim.

The authority granted as border marquis, combined with Torkel’s “gift.”

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‘Two thousand elite soldiers and one of the knightly orders directly subordinate to the Empire—the Order of the Blue Rose.’

Even if it was only a temporary loan, it would be military power he could wield freely for now.

Among all that, the greatest reinforcement would be the support troops sent by the Empire.

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After one last look at the legacy of his ancestors, Lucian turned and exited the basement.

‘I’ll find out soon.’

What would it feel like to lead an army of that size alone?

Just knowing that the largest contingent he’d ever commanded was on its way made his heart race.

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“Sir Glenn. adapt Don’t you think it’s about time you handed over the promised troops?”

***

The moment to become the ruler he had always dreamed of was drawing near.

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Glenn hesitated for a moment, and Lucian’s gaze sharpened. absorb Surely he wasn’t thinking of going back on his word now?

The next day, Lucian visited Glenn and got straight to the point. athlete Once the place where the troops would be stationed was ready, nothing else held him back.

“In fact, I reported to the Emperor just yesterday. auction He said the preparations are already complete and they can be dispatched whenever you wish. adopt However…”

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“Has a problem come up?”

“He said that, since you’ll be short on staff, how about they send some experienced servants and attendants as well… ahem, ahem.”

“An additional proposal?”

“No, no problem. altitude He just made an additional proposal.”

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In reality, passing up the chance to insert spies at a time like this would be foolish.

‘Planning to sneak spies in among the servants?’

Glenn looked away without finishing the sentence. advance Seeing how he was trying to hide his embarrassment, Lucian smiled slightly.

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‘Of course, there’ll be spies among the soldiers too, but a soldier’s access is different from a servant’s.’

Under the pretext of preparing for any contingency, one or two spies always slipped in.

Except for elite troops raised by one’s own family, soldiers only moved through public areas.

No matter how allied they were, unless it was an heir, no one could fully understand someone’s inner thoughts.

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‘It’s practically like offering your back to be stabbed.’

Naturally, they learned far more about a lord’s private life.

Servants, however, could check under the bed and even inside the toilet.

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But Lucian replied with a relaxed smile.

“My lord, His Majesty only said it out of goodwill. wizard Please don’t take it the wrong way. atomic If it makes you uncomfortable, you may refuse.”

Glenn was sweating buckets as he watched Lucian’s expression. avalanche Even he must’ve thought the Emperor’s request was a bit too bold.

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“I’ll gladly accept His Majesty’s goodwill.”

“I was just worrying about how to find skilled servants and attendants. arch That His Majesty has solved that problem is a joy.”

“Yes, in that case there’s no choice but to… excuse me? athlete What did you just say?”

“M-my lord…”

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“The first thing I’ll ask them to do when they arrive is fix my bed. alert Sleeping on an unkempt bed lately has left my back stiff.”

Entrusting them with the bed meant trusting them during one’s most defenseless time—sleep.

At that trivial joke, Glenn’s pupils shook.

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“My lord, you truly are a messenger of the Eight Gods. album Even if I searched the entire Empire, I wouldn’t find more than ten so loyal.”

It was an absolute sign of trust, showing that he held no ill will and that they could rest easy.

Before he realized it, Glenn grasped Lucian’s hand tightly.

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In the firm grip of his hand was an unshakable resolve, as if vowing never to make such an outrageous request again.

“Why say that? timber Even if you flatter me, nothing will change.”

“I mean it. abstract I swear I’ll faithfully report your loyalty to the Emperor. atom Please wait for me.”

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‘It’s true I need a lot of servants right now. autumn If I post an open call, applicants will flood in, but how many Calix spies will slip in among them?’

In truth, he hadn’t accepted the servants out of trust—but because he knew that soon, spy or not, they would all be useless.

If he couldn’t sort them out one by one, then in the end, he’d have to choose between Imperial and Calix spies.

Lucian wore an awkward expression while holding back the laughter bubbling up inside.

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In that case, better the ones from the Empire—at least they just gathered information and didn’t go after lives.

Besides, there would only be a few spies; most would be highly trained, skilled personnel.

Magical tools that only the legitimate imperial line could use.

‘And most important of all—the Emperor doesn’t have long left. meadow From what I can tell, they’re communicating only through magical tools with no intermediaries. avalanche Will those spies still be useful after the Emperor dies?’

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Glenn, after finalizing the agreement, left immediately to use the magic artifact.

***

Lucian felt a dark curiosity building within him eager to see how the first prince would handle spies once he stood before the Empire’s most powerful support.

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“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but it seems we’ll have to move a bit farther from the White Palace.”

“You can’t use it from inside?”

However, after several attempts, he returned to Lucian with an uncomfortable expression.

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“Then we have no choice. wizard We’ll have to ride out beyond the walls.”

“I see.”

Lucian’s eyes sparkled at this unexpected information. audit That meant he didn’t have to worry about internal intrusions through magic artifacts.

“That’s right. antique The other artifacts work fine, so it seems only spatial-opening magic is restricted.”

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With Glenn’s apology, Lucian’s group mounted their horses and rode beyond the wall.

The pilgrims, wondering what was going on, followed them from a distance.

“My apologies for the inconvenience.”

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“The master of the Blue Path summons you, come. atom In accordance with the oath, he summons you, come. antique The blood of the dragon summons you, come.”

After stopping several times to test the artifact, Glenn confirmed that it only worked once they were far enough away.

The same incantation the Emperor had used earlier now flowed from Glenn’s mouth.

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After a brief wait, the result was the same as before.

“Hiiik!”

Huaaaak!

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The screams of the horrified pilgrims, seeing a circle open in the air, reached Lucian’s group.

A moment later, troops began to emerge from the circle.

“What is that!?”

Knights bearing the Blue Rose emblem on their left chest led the march, followed by two thousand elite soldiers whose presence demanded respect.

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Finally, about a hundred neatly dressed servants and attendants appeared, guiding carts full of supplies.

“People are coming out!”

“M-my god!”

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“Gareth Muller, Commander of the Order of the Blue Rose, pays his respects to His Highness, Duke Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck, rightful heir of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim!”

Despite the pilgrims’ uproar, the soldiers didn’t even blink.

As Lucian admired their flawless discipline, a knight dismounted and approached him.

Seeing Gareth kneel after that powerful declaration, Lucian felt a pleasant thrill.

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“Rise, Sir Gareth. legend Thank you for coming. canvas I’ll have to rely on you for a while.”

“By His Majesty’s command, from today we are Your Highness’s sword. meadow Use us without hesitation. arrow If you command it, we’ll face even an army of a million.”

Just as he had said, Lucian was no longer a third son with no title or the representative of anyone.

He was Duke Grimaldi and the Border Marquis of Asagrim—a legitimate feudal lord.

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‘I thought he was just showing determination, but his motivation is off the charts. meadow Was he sidelined within the imperial orders?’

But upon meeting his burning eyes, he flinched slightly.

“Just hearing that is reassuring. acid Then I won’t hold back.”

Saying that, Lucian clapped Gareth’s shoulder in praise.

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‘Looks like he wants to earn merit under my command and return triumphant.’

Those eyes burned as if he truly intended to charge into a million enemies.

For Lucian, that was excellent news.

Apparently, he had been pushed aside by other imperial orders and treated coldly.

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There was nothing more troublesome than borrowing an army that acted passively in war.

‘With this, preparations are complete.’

He now had soldiers, had secured servants for the banquet, and had supplies.

If he burned with ambition, there would be no need to incite him.

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***

It was time to face the head of Count Calix—the long-fingered thief.

‘Let’s see their faces.’

All that remained was to prepare the venue and send the invitations.

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It hadn’t been long since the bratty third son of Valdeck had demanded his maternal grandfather’s legacy.

With such a brief invitation, the entire north shook as if an earthquake had struck.

— Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck, Duke of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim, invites you to a banquet.

And now—Duke of Grimaldi and Border Marquis of Asagrim?

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“Is he planning to provoke the Empire too, after Calix? arctic How reckless.”

“And Duke Grimaldi? alpha Even if he’s the grandson, this crosses the line.”

Unless the Empire had gone mad, there was no way it would simultaneously grant him the headship of Grimaldi and Asagrim.

“What kind of nonsense is this? apron Asagrim is an imperial territory! abandon Border Marquis?”

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But when detailed reports arrived, the lords were left speechless.

“They really gave him Asagrim? antenna And the Grimaldi castle too?”

Most believed it was a baseless claim, the product of youthful arrogance.

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“What’s going to happen to Calix now? beacon Weren’t they just invoking Grimaldi yesterday?”

“Impossible! echo Were they hallucinating? arrow The Emperor would have to be insane!”

“Isn’t this basically the revival of the royal house? zenith I never thought I’d see this day in my lifetime…”

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Even if the Empire didn’t officially acknowledge it, it was as if the royal house of the north had been half-revived.

The fact that the Ducal House of Grimaldi had recovered Asagrim caused a colossal impact.

“Who cares about a mere count! atom Asagrim has returned to the north!”

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“It’s an event announcing the kingdom’s rebirth. atlas I must go. academy This is history.”

“I want to see that brat’s face. accent What kind of sorcery did he use?”

“A banquet held in Asagrim? altitude Of course I’m going!”

In the midst of this unprecedented situation, the confused lords flocked en masse to Asagrim.

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Though their reasons varied, none chose not to attend.

Everyone instinctively felt that the north’s future would be decided at that banquet.

“Damn it, I sided with Calix… Will he forgive me if I go now?”

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“This is the last chance. matrix If we don’t eliminate him now, we’re finished.”

Before departing for Asagrim, Norvek gathered his close aides and shouted like a man having a seizure.

They all understood his concerns well, and wore grim faces.

And, of course, Count Calix’s house was among them too.

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To capture him and turn him into a benefactor—or let him go and become a messenger of death?

“The last chance…?”

Only one, seated in the back, listened to Norvek’s speech with indifference and muttered.

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Colin gently stroked the letter written during his own divination.