The servants—and even Lucian himself—were left staring blankly.
The ever-dignified Duke Sigmund laughing so openly, casting aside all decorum, was something none of them had ever imagined.
After laughing for a long while, the duke wiped the faint tears from the corners of his eyes and spoke.
"I can't even remember the last time someone openly contradicted me to my face! Ever since I inherited the position of head from my father, not once—yet to think I'd hear such words from you!"
"If I caused you discomfort, I can only apologize."
"Do I look displeased right now? I haven't laughed this heartily in ages! Puhah!"
Only after laughing a few more times did the duke finally manage to rein himself in.
As everyone stood at a loss for words, Duke Sigmund opened his mouth with a smile still lingering on his face.
"A fine answer. A man must have conviction in the path he walks. If you're swayed this way and that by a single remark, you can hardly be called a man."
At those words, Lucian's eyes widened.
"Was it a test?"
"Yes, a test. I wanted to see whether you'd be shaken by nothing more than a few words."
Of course.
Sigmund would never be unaware that Lucian alone could not handle this matter.
Even if he was the fourth son, his opponent was the legitimate child of the Marquis of Logran.
To guard against any unforeseen danger, he would at least have been given a small but elite escort.
By contrast, Lucian had not a single knight under his command.
If he grew greedy and rushed in with half-baked preparations, it was obvious he wouldn't even break even.
Sigmund was not someone ignorant of such circumstances, so Lucian had wondered why his expectations seemed strangely excessive—only to learn it had all been a test.
"You're right. Being blinded by credit and meddling in something beyond your means is nothing but stupidity. Anyone who isn't a fool knows that. What matters is whether you can deny it when those words come from my mouth."
"If you haven't found the answer yourself and merely wander, that's one thing. But if you change your answer back and forth depending on the mood of those above you, then you're lacking not only the caliber of a family head, but even that of a man. If you can't even stand by your own words, who would trust and follow you?"
At those words, Lucian nodded unconsciously.
A person swayed by others' opinions was even less trustworthy than someone who lied deliberately.
At least the latter spoke sincerely at times—but the former would overturn his words at any moment, sincerity or not.
"I had similar exchanges with your brothers. The first went forward on his path without hesitation. The second weighed various factors and chose a compromise. But you're the first to openly refute me head-on."
With a cheerful expression, the duke leaned back in his chair.
"Either way, it was an excellent answer. I'll provide as much support as you want. How much support do you desire?"
Lucian thought for a moment before replying.
"If the force is too large, it will draw suspicion, so we must move with a small elite unit while avoiding attention. The problem is that the enemy's escort is also likely to be a small elite force."
"So you're saying we could end up being countered instead."
"Yes. In the worst case, it would be worse than having no reinforcements at all—setting a trap and launching an ambush, only to be defeated by the marquis's elite."
In other words, he was asking for the very best troops to prevent that outcome.
Realizing the intent behind Lucian's words, the duke narrowed his eyes.
"What an audacious brat. Are you telling me to personally choose and hand over my best card?"
"Of course not. I merely wish to act for the honor of Valdeck…"
"I'll send five Black Lions."
"…!"
At the mention of the Black Lions, Lucian's eyes flew wide open.
Valdeck's shadows—said to be commanded only by the head of the family.
Rumor had it that a single Black Lion could butcher three knights head-on.
Back when he'd been a guard, his peers often brought up legends of the Black Lions as drinking snacks.
But since no one had ever actually seen them, he'd dismissed it as nothing more than idle campfire tales.
They really existed?
"What—are five not enough for you?"
"N-no, not at all."
Lucian shook his head vigorously at the duke's words.
Not enough, indeed.
If even half the rumors about the Black Lions were true, it was more than sufficient force.
Coming to his senses a beat later, Lucian bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your generosity. I will return with results worthy of your satisfaction."
"I'll be looking forward to it. And you, too, would do well to watch closely."
As Lucian turned to withdraw, the duke spoke with a deep smile.
"So that you may see for yourself what kind of power is granted to the master of Valdeck."
***
One week later, Lucian set out for Bestra, leading his subordinates with him.
Since it was the closest territory, it didn't take long to arrive.
"What a mess of a city."
Lucian clicked his tongue as he looked over Bestra.
A rapidly expanded city being poorly organized wasn't all that rare—but Bestra's level of disarray was particularly severe.
"Why are there so many half-built structures? Some of them are outright abandoned."
"That's because there are a lot of people who get tricked into coming here."
It was Hans who answered Lucian's question.
"As you know, despite being close to Kelheim, this place gets none of the spillover benefits. Outsiders don't know that, though. People who only look at maps assume that being near a major city means it'll prosper as a transit hub."
"…Don't tell me those houses all belonged to people who were scammed?"
"Exactly."
Lucian pressed his fingers to his temple.
No wonder it had felt strange that the population was so small compared to the number of buildings.
They must have been swindled into coming here under the pretense of a prime location, only to learn the truth later and return home.
Now it was clear why there were so many unfinished buildings.
Once they realized they'd been deceived before construction was complete, they probably no longer had the will to keep building.
"In a place like this, a building or two appearing or disappearing wouldn't even be noticed."
"That's exactly why I chose this area to build the workshop. Though the young master did notice in the end."
Hugo, who had been backing up Lucian from behind, let out a wry smile.
He'd never imagined that the Deer Young Master—who hadn't even paid attention to a plan that escaped the duke's notice—would be the one to uncover it.
"By the way, are you really not going to tell us how you figured it out? It seems even Senior Hans doesn't know."
"I'll tell you later. For now, let's focus on catching the beast that's already in the trap. How are the preparations?"
"Perfect. All that's left is the support force, but…"
A faint shadow crossed Hugo's face.
Guessing roughly what he was thinking, Lucian let out a small chuckle.
"Are you that unhappy about receiving help from my father?"
"No. It's true that my own strength is far from sufficient. It's just… frustrating, knowing that I lack power. If only I were strong enough, this entire affair could have been credited solely to you, my lord."
"No need to rush. I'm only sixteen, and you're barely over thirty at most, aren't you? There will be plenty of chances to become a knight in the future, so let's climb step by step."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hugo looked at Lucian with a complicated expression.
It seemed to contain a faint mix of resentment, lamentation, and grievance.
Why that look? Did I say something wrong?
As Lucian tilted his head in confusion, Hans nudged his shoulder from the side.
"Um, my lord."
"Hm?"
"I hear Hugo is twenty-three this year. He's still a long way from turning thirty."
Lucian looked back at Hugo.
The twitching scars, the thick beard, the rough skin.
A face no one would ever mistake for being under thirty.
And yet—twenty-three?
"Hugo."
"Yes, my lord."
"No need to rush. I'm only sixteen, and you're barely in your early twenties at most, so—"
"Please don't correct yourself. That just makes it more miserable."
"Ahem! Anyway, the Black Lions are late. They should be arriving about now."
"Third Young Master."
At the sudden voice from behind, all three flinched at once.
Hugo in particular jolted in shock and reflexively grabbed his sword hilt.
But before he could even draw it, another voice followed.
"Don't draw."
Thud.
Feeling a heavy pressure pinning down the back of his hand, Hugo's eyes widened.
Not one, but two people had come this close without him sensing a thing.
Yet when Hugo turned his head, what entered his sight was not merely two figures.
There were five.
Five shadows that had approached without the slightest presence.
They were already well within a distance where they could have swung their blades and cut them down long ago.
As everyone stood stunned, Lucian was the first to regain his composure and speak.
"The Black Lions?"
"Yes. By order of His Grace the Duke, we have come to support the Third Young Master."
"Much appreciated. But if you don't mind, could you remove your hand from my servant? If you keep pressing like that, he won't be able to let go of his sword even if he wants to."
"As you wish."
At Lucian's words, the hand pinning Hugo down withdrew.
As Hugo staggered aside with a dazed, almost possessed expression, the full group of Black Lions finally came into view.
Their armament consisted of nothing more than a single sword each, and their protection was limited to thin leather armor.
At a glance, their appearance was plain enough to be mistaken for any common mercenary found in a large city.
But their eyes were different.
So cold that they could never be mistaken for those of mercenaries.
Suddenly, Lucian was reminded of someone buried deep within his memories.
These guys… they have a similar aura to the one who cut off my head.
That sword strike he hadn't even properly seen until the very moment his neck was severed.
Could it be that every single one of them had reached a level comparable to that knight?
Lucian unconsciously rubbed the back of his neck.
If they were all truly on par with that man…
"His Grace the Duke has ordered us to follow the Third Young Master's commands once we arrive in Bestra. Please issue your orders."
This operation was, at that point, impossible to fail.
A deep smile formed on Lucian's lips as he looked at the Black Lions.
***
The orders Lucian gave to the Black Lions were simple.
"Hide yourselves at the designated location until the prey appears. When I give the signal, attack all at once."
"May we kill them?"
"The more mouths we have, the better, so capture them alive if possible. Especially the marquis's son—subdue him with as little injury as you can."
If they were mobilized for work this dirty, they were surely men with tight lips.
Still, there were exceptions to everything.
If fortune smiled on him, one of the survivors might spill everything he knew about the marquis.
Of course, that was only if luck held—nothing to count on.
As long as he achieved his original goal of capturing the marquis's fourth son, anything else would be a bonus.
"Of course, if circumstances don't allow it, killing them is acceptable. Use your judgment based on the situation."
"Yes."
Even at the Black Lions' calm reply, Lucian could somehow tell.
Not a single one of them believed they might end up in an unfavorable situation.
It was confidence bordering on arrogance—but he didn't bother pointing that out.
Whether it was true arrogance or confidence backed by skill would soon become clear.
—Is this really the place? It looks downright shabby from the outside. You're not siphoning funds off somewhere else, are you?
—If we're trying to avoid attention, of course the exterior has to look run-down. The inside is solid, so why don't you check it yourself?
Hearing the conversation between Hugo and someone drawing closer, Lucian also hid himself in a suitable spot.
A moment later, the sound of a door opening rang out, followed by several people stepping into the workshop.
It had to be the Marquis of Logran's fourth son—the bait they'd arranged—and his escorts.
Lucian slightly craned his head to confirm the prey, then his eyes flew wide open at an unexpected sight.
Sword Demon Felix!?
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