Chapter 97

Chapter 97
## Chapter 97

“Ha… haha.”

Norbeck gazed down at the still form resting on the stones with vacant, glassed-over eyes.

It was nearly impossible to identify the person, as the skin and clothing had been scorched into a blackened crust.

The surrounding aristocrats began to murmur, their expressions twisting in disgust and horror at the sight of the mangled remains.

“Is that truly Lord Godfrey?”

“He appears smaller than the man I knew.”

“The heat likely caused the muscles to contract. That is typical for those who perish in a blaze…”

Thump!

Norbeck struck his wooden staff against the masonry with a violence that demanded immediate silence.

The gathered nobles went quiet instantly when they noticed Norbeck’s palm, which had split and started to drip blood from the sheer impact of the strike.

After a tense silence, Norbeck managed to pull himself together enough for a shaky, strained whisper to leave his throat.

“I… I have to verify this for myself.”

“By all means, proceed.”

Lucian offered a nonchalant shrug, waving his hand to signal the sentries encircling the remains to move.

As the guards stepped aside, Norbeck dropped to his knees and pried the mouth of the charred figure open.

Even though the exterior was ruined by the fire, the internal structure of the jaw remained intact enough to reveal the dental alignment.

“…!”

The moment he inspected the teeth, Norbeck crumbled in total despair.

The specific chip in the canine and the shape of the incisors belonged to his son beyond any shadow of a doubt.

Lucian looked down at the broken man on the floor and remarked flatly, “Are you satisfied with your investigation?”

In a heartbeat, Norbeck’s skin turned a violent, dark red.

A surge of malice, powerful enough to drown out his grief, took hold of his entire psyche.

“You filthy—! Gah!”

Whack!

Norbeck attempted to charge at Lucian, but he was grounded before he could cover a single yard.

Felicia, who had been watching him like a hawk, had slammed the blunt edge of her scabbard into his temple.

“My Lord!”

“What is the meaning of this brutality?!”

“Are the rest of you participating in this murder plot as well?”

The warriors representing House Calix stopped dead in their tracks at the sound of Lucian’s frigid tone.

Even if their master was labeled a rebel, they were bound by their knightly vows to defend him, even if it meant their demise.

However, the dynamics of their loyalty shifted drastically if the crime involved the use of a sorcerer.

‘If this goes poorly, the consequences won’t stop with me. My parents, my children—everyone under my roof will be hauled away.’

‘A quick execution would be a blessing. But if we are dragged to the capital and kept alive through endless cycles of agony…’

The knights shuddered as the image of that grim fate filled their minds.

The weight of the situation was too immense to be solved by their individual deaths alone.

As if hammering the final spike into their resolve, Lucian addressed the wavering men.

“Those who have no hand in the sorcerer’s presence, stand down. A servant cannot be expected to know every secret of his master. I am aware of your predicament.”

“….”

Presented with a choice that served as both a threat and a lifeline, the knights let go of their hilts with shattered spirits.

For a knight, failing to stand by their lord is the ultimate stain on their honor.

However, if they refused this olive branch, the cost would be far more than just their reputation.

Once he saw the knights retreat, Lucian issued an order to his own troops.

“Secure the rebel.”

The attempted hit by House Calix, its total collapse, and the recruitment of an unregistered sorcerer—an act strictly outlawed by the Crown.

Since these were not matters that could be brushed aside, the festivities were naturally brought to a halt.

Yet, the end of the party did not result in the departure of the visiting lords.

‘The era of Calix is over. That young Duke is set to become the undisputed master of the North.’

‘How will the spoils be divided? What happens to the Calix lands and those who were loyal to them?’

‘The winds are changing here in Asagrim. I need to stay as close as possible until I’m forced out.’

The downfall of Calix wasn’t merely the disappearance of one house.

The ripple effects would touch every other noble, and the hierarchy of power was being completely rebuilt.

Furthermore, with a mage in the picture, the final judgment from the Imperial Throne was still up in the air.

There was no logic in leaving Asagrim, the very place where the political landscape was shifting by the hour.

“It is a tragedy that our gathering had to end so abruptly due to these unfortunate events. For those who wish to enjoy the hospitality of the White Palace further, I have prepared quarters. Please remain as our guests for as long as you wish.”

Lucian had no desire to see the lords leave.

In fact, he provided them with a perfect excuse to linger.

‘It would be a headache if they realized the power shift too late and started a fuss later. If they have complaints, I’d prefer they air them while I can see them.’

When a hierarchy shifts, there are always those who gain and those who lose.

The crucial factor was whether they would fall in line or attempt to revolt.

The former were no threat, but the latter needed to be kept close so they could be dealt with early.

This way, they wouldn’t become unpredictable problems later, and he could prepare his responses in advance.

“We are under obligation to transport that sorcerer to the capital immediately.”

As soon as the chaos died down, Glen approached Lucian with a stern demand.

Departing from his usual cool logic, his demeanor was incredibly unyielding.

“Your Grace, surely you understand the gravity? Harbored sorcerers are a capital offense without exception.”

“I am well aware. However…”

“There are no exceptions. Rules concerning mages are absolute, so I ask for your cooperation.”

“Even if that cooperation costs the lives of the Blue Rose Knights and the Emperor’s personal guard?”

When Lucian retorted, discarding his formal politeness, Glen hesitated.

For the first time, Lucian’s voice carried a sharp edge of anger toward Glen.

“That man is the sole link to the conspiracies Calix has been sewing. And yet, you want to spirit him away before we can even use his words to secure a conviction?”

“As I have stated, the protocols regarding mages allow for no deviation.”

“Then how do you expect me to prove the charges without a witness? If Calix fabricates a convincing story, how am I to tear down his facade?”

“….”

“In the worst-case scenario, I could be viewed as a villain who framed a competitor to consolidate power. You are smart enough to see that, Sir Glen.”

Any other transgression might be negotiable, but this was a crime that meant the total erasure of a noble lineage.

Norbeck was not going to simply roll over and confess to his sins.

Furthermore, Lucian was the man who had ended the life of Norbeck’s successor.

Out of pure spite, Norbeck would likely abandon all honor to strike back with everything he had left.

“I have secured the moral high ground for now, but what happens if I am left speechless because I cannot refute his desperate lies? Those who have scattered will rally again, and they might even spark a civil war under the banner of being wronged.”

“….”

“With the sorcerer’s confession, the Calix influence will evaporate instantly. And yet, you insist on taking him now? Are you truly prepared to trade the lives of your knights and the elite guard for a war?”

Pinned by such a logical assault, Glen was left without an answer.

As Lucian argued, this was a moment that demanded pragmatism over tradition.

Too much was riding on the sorcerer’s testimony to follow the rulebook blindly.

“Send a message to His Imperial Majesty. Since he is the source of the law, shouldn’t he be the one to decide? If he hears the full story and still demands we follow the letter of the law, I will turn the prisoner over at once.”

“That is…”

Glen started to speak but then went silent.

Curiously, his face became even more strained than before.

Lucian couldn’t quite put his finger on what the issue was.

‘Did the communication tool fail? If that’s it, he could just say so…’

Suddenly, a thought struck Lucian.

There was only one reason it would be difficult to reach the Emperor if the magical tools were working.

“Has something happened to His Majesty’s health?”

“No!”

Glen denied the suggestion with a flash of panic, but his defensive reaction revealed the truth.

Something was definitely wrong with the Emperor.

‘He likely hasn’t passed away or collapsed entirely. If he had, the world would be in an uproar. He must still be appearing in public, but his condition is failing.’

The reluctance to contact him was probably to maintain his peace or to avoid interrupting a delicate treatment.

The more stress and reports he had to manage, the faster his body would break down.

Of course, they couldn’t openly admit the Emperor was dying, so they would never confirm it.

“Very well. I will send a report to the palace in two days. However, if the Emperor dictates that the sorcerer must be moved immediately…”

“Then I will hand him over without a second thought. You have my word.”

“I will hold Your Grace to that promise.”

Glen regained his professional mask and walked out of the room.

Left in the quiet, Lucian leaned back in his chair with a cynical grin.

‘I’ve managed to keep that man’s death sentence on hold for the time being.’

He had worried the Emperor might demand the prisoner right away without listening to reason, but fortunately, the situation played out in his favor.

He had even bought himself forty-eight hours thanks to the Emperor’s unexpected illness.

‘Now everything rests on how well the other person performs.’

Lucian thought of the individual he had dispatched before Glen arrived.

Since the trap was set perfectly, surely they wouldn’t stumble.

Inside the dark stone walls of the dungeon, Norbeck stared into the shadows with blood-rimmed eyes.

Though the room was empty, Lucian’s image was burned into his mind as if he were standing right there.

“I will end you… I will find a way to kill you!”

The monster who had appeared in the North, usurped the Grimaldi name, ruined his legacy, and murdered his child.

As long as that man drew breath, Norbeck couldn’t allow himself the luxury of death.

He felt that peace would only come if he could pull Lucian into the abyss with him.

‘I don’t care about the throne or the territory anymore. If I can just drag that bastard to the grave…!’

He had no resources and no strategy.

All he possessed was a bottomless well of hatred simmering in his gut.

In a sense, he had retreated into his rage because he couldn’t handle the reality of his failure.

It was during this period of useless fury that a sound echoed in the cell.

“Norbeck Calix. You are a truly pathetic sight. I thought you had a master plan, but to think you would fail so completely.”

A mocking tone drifted through the bars.

Norbeck assumed it was a jailer coming to taunt him, but he quickly saw it was a stranger.

The man wore a heavy black cloak and a mask, making it obvious he was an intruder who had slipped past the guards.

“Who are you? How did you bypass the watch?”

“Let’s just say I am a man who shares your distaste for Valdek. And as for how I got in, that’s hardly your biggest concern right now, is it?”

Clink.

“…!”

The hooded figure produced a ring of iron keys from his cloak.

Norbeck’s eyes widened as he recognized the ring; it was identical to the one the head gaoler carried.

“That’s…!”

“Quiet. Not a word.”

Clack, clack.

The stranger began testing the keys against the lock.

The first several didn’t turn, but the sixth one slid home.

Click.

“There!”

The man gave a quiet celebratory hiss, then moved toward Norbeck to unlock the chains on his wrists and ankles.

After a few more tries, the shackles fell away.

Norbeck rubbed his freed limbs with a bewildered look on his face.

“Can you walk? If you’re too weak, I’m leaving you behind.”

“…Arrogant child. I am old, but I haven’t been broken yet. Of course I can walk.”

“Then keep close to me. The patrol will return shortly, so move quickly.”

Norbeck scowled at the disrespectful command.

To think a mere boy was ordering him around like a servant.

Norbeck caught himself feeling insulted and let out a dry, short laugh.

‘How absurd. Do I still have vanity left?’

He wasn’t in a position to worry about his ego.

It had only been minutes since he had decided he would trade his soul for a chance to kill Lucian.

‘Fine. If I have to trade my pride instead of my soul, I’ll give up as much as it takes.’

Vengeance was the only thing that mattered now.

If he tried to act like a lord now, he would lose this miracle of an escape.

Norbeck buried his questions and followed the masked stranger out.

He didn’t doubt for a moment that this was anything other than a gift from the heavens and a stroke of incredible fortune.