Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Chapter 126
Chapter 126
“I trust you, my Duke,” the deputy chancellor said with a grim expression on his face.
“Ah… Thanks?” The statement was so out of the blue, but it seemed he spoke with good intent. So, Luisen replied with his thanks. Given the hasty and abrupt interruption without knocking, the young lord’s tone sounded a bit bland.
However, Carlton thought differently, “To have the deputy chancellor speak out of nowhere… Someone must have said that they don’t trust my Duke.”
Luisen opened his eyes wide and looked between the mercenary and his retainer. The deputy chancellor responded with an embarrassed expression, affirming Carlton’s words. No name was given–just that expression of trust no matter the detractor.
‘It’s understandable.’
Most of the vassals gathered at the capital mansion were held captive during the war as a consequence of Luisen’s orders before returning to the duke. It was natural for them to be filled with distrust towards the young lord as they had suffered from his misjudgments. The fact that they didn’t abandon the duchy when Luisen started talking about demon worshippers was a testament of their loyalty.
‘I had expected it, but to hear it secondhand… It feels worse than I had imagined.’
Well, he can’t even complain because he reaped what he sowed. Luisen groaned quietly.
When Luisen couldn’t bring himself to speak, Carlton piped up, “Can you say what exactly has been said? Did they refuse to obey the Duke?”
“It’s nothing like that. Everyone acknowledges the gravity of the situation, and they’re all my Duke’s vassals, so they’ll obey his orders. But…”
“They may be acknowledging the Duke’s instructions, but they’re uneasy about just relying on them and want to consider alternative approaches.”
“Exactly.”
Luisen listened quietly to their conversation.
As his expression grew more and more dark, the deputy chancellor hastily added, “There’s nothing to worry about. Even the vassals who don’t trust you right now will change their minds when they see you in action.”
“Would a person’s heart change so easily?”
“It’ll change. It happened to me,” The deputy chancellor affirmed.
When Luisen returned to his capital mansion, the deputy chancellor had no faith in Luisen–more than anyone else. The rumors of Luisen’s travels…the general’s claims that Luisen had changed. He couldn’t imagine how that lout could have changed at all.
But, watching all the events that transpired from the side had gradually changed his mind. Luisen was no longer weak or incompetent. He was no longer trash. The young lord stayed strong in the face of a life-threatening crisis, and, moreover, he was able to turn the crisis around and transform it into an opportunity.
Even when everyone was desperate under the Royal Knights’ siege, Luisen was not stymied. He used the authority of the duchy to pressure the head of the Royal Knights, creating a gap in the Knights’ hold, and, with the help of the Church, he ousted the Royal Knights. His boldness and determination impressed the deputy chancellor.
The deputy chancellor recalled Luisen’s back, heading into the castle with the other Great Lords. The Great Lords, who were much older and more experienced than Luisen, followed Luisen’s words, brief though it may be. They moved their heavy bottoms according to the young lord’s suggestions.
At that moment, the deputy chancellor was convinced. Luisen wasn’t an incompetent lout–he just hadn’t been immersed in an environment that would allow him to cultivate his talent. Unexpected adventure and adversity had matured him so much.
When he had thought that, he suddenly felt sorry for Luisen. The young lord had the intrinsic ability, but perhaps he and the other vassals had deprived him of the opportunity to grow in the name of protecting him.
‘This time, I will support my Duke so that he can showcase his full ability.’
When he saw that there were still vassals who believed Luisen to be a troublemaker, his pledge became more determined. He rushed to the young lord’s office because he thought he should make his belief and support clear so that Luisen wouldn’t be cowed by the vassal’s apathy. However, because he had learned about Carlton and Luisen’s relationship at that moment, his embarrassment made his words come out strangely.
Still, who was Carlton–wasn’t he the first prince’s sword that the prince had discovered and nurtured? The man had such outstanding talent, but even the first prince could not temper his hatred and arrogance towards nobles. But Luisen tamed the man and made the mercenary follow him faithfully; Luisen did what the prince could not!
When he saw Carlton, the deputy chancellor couldn’t help but think, “With the Duke? How dare you!” while simultaneously being proud of Luisen.
“So, please don’t worry about anything, my Duke, and go forth with your plan. I’ll do my best to assist you.”
“Deputy chancellor…”
“I believe my Duke will carry the honor and glory of our ducal house on his journey,” the deputy chancellor declared without any hesitation. As someone who had been the closest witness to Luisen’s mangled life, this acknowledgment meant a lot. Luisen’s nose crinkled–it felt different, more touching, than when he was recognized by the general.
“I didn’t expect you to say something like that.” Luisen rose from his seat and grabbed the deputy chancellor’s hand. The young lord looked his vassal in the eye and, from the bottom of his heart, said, “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
“That sentiment is enough for me,” the deputy chancellor also gripped Luisen’s hand. Luisen was deeply moved by this shared moment. Carlton, who had been standing silently, intervened when he thought they were holding hands for too long.
“Doesn’t the deputy chancellor have many things to do?”
“…I should leave, yes.”
The deputy chancellor bade his farewells and exited the office. He tried to close the door casually, but then paused. Then, after looking blatantly at the couple, he threw open the door he was about to close. Once again, actions spoke louder than words.
“Wow, a-ah… you didn’t need to…” Luisen’s face turned red as if he were about to burst. Carlton, on the other hand, found the situation amusing, and he playfully fanned the flames. It took a while for Luisen to regain his composure.
***
The Anies capital mansion, which had been chaotic all morning, had begun to noticeably settle by the afternoon. Everyone had come to terms with the reality and resolved to deal with the challenges before them. The main difference from the past was that Luisen, who had often taken charge of drinking and partying, took the lead in directing and giving instructions.
The duchy’s vassals felt very awkward, but Luisen meddled as he wished–just as the deputy chancellor had told him to do. Meanwhile, Carlton shadowed the young lord and used his extraordinary senses to help the young lord. The deputy chancellor’s support and Carlton’s tactful assistance played a major role in the duchy’s vassals’ inability to complain.
As the whirlwind day settled into a peaceful evening, an unexpected guest arrived at the mansion. It was the Eastern Great Lord.
‘I can’t believe he came without an appointment.’
They didn’t have the leisure to entertain guests, but the man couldn’t be sent back because he had helped to save Carlton. Luisen left what he had been doing and headed to the drawing room where the Eastern Great Lord awaited.
“Oh, Duke Anies. And Sir Carlton. I’m relieved to see the two of you together. Please, sit down, both of you.” The Eastern Great Lord was unexpectedly welcoming.
Bewildered, Luisen stared at Carlton. ‘Sir Carlton?’ Wasn’t he someone that would snub mercenaries?
Carlton shrugged lightly.
“Yesterday was certainly of grave importance. I’m glad it worked out as planned.” The Eastern Great Lord said.
“Thank you for your help–in various ways. I don’t know how I can pay this debt.”
“No, no. This was nothing too difficult.” The Eastern Great Lord flapped his hand. Luisen wondered why this calculating aristocrat was being so generous. What was his angle? Suspicion lingered in the young lord’s gaze as he looked at the Eastern Great Lord, and in turn, the Eastern Great Lord burst into laughter, “You’ve become a proper lord now that you’re suspicious of good news and niceties.”
“…Your grace isn’t one to help others without expecting anything in return.”
“That’s true.” The Eastern Great Lord sipped his tea. “I am but a humble creature of God before I am a great lord. How can I put a worldly price on the punishment of these filthy heretics who dare to insult him? Rather, it would be an honor to help the Church.” Then, the man drew the holy sign with a serious expression and held his hands together, as if he were praying.
At that sight, Carlton whispered in Luisen’s ear, “They said that the Eastern Great Lord is devout–I suppose that must be true.”
“That’s a bit…I suppose that’s unusual but common for him.”
Come to think of it, this nobleman was famous for never missing religious events and for making huge donations to the Church every year.
“Don’t change your tune later,” Luisen quipped.
“I don’t take my faith lightly.”
“Yes, yes.”
“I even brought a present–you’re too much.” The Eastern Great Lord pointed to a long, wooden box on the table. That box had stood out to them ever since Luisen and Carlton entered the drawing room.
“Sir Carlton, I give this to you,” The Eastern Great Lord proclaimed.
Carlton opened the lid of the box, surprised. Inside, there was a sword. Everything from the handle to the scabbard was black, and the blade gleamed a shiny, dark-navy. “You’re giving this to me?”
“Then, should I give this sword to Duke Anies who has no arm control?”
“…I know how to swing my arm now, at the very least,” Luisen mumbled.
“Is that something a grown man should brag about? Anyway, this is a divine sword. I’ve kept it aside to give to a hero who will one day fight in a sacred battle and crush the heretics.”
Carlton looked at this sword as if he were entranced; next to him, Luisen also examined the blade. The sword looked unusual, but it was also strangely familiar.
“Why don’t you swing it once or twice?” The Eastern Great Lord proposed. Carlton was happy to do so–his hands itched to hold the hilt. Usually he would hold the sword in both hands, but he held the hilt with only his right hand because he had injured his left. Nevertheless, the blade was light and sleek, so it didn’t overly burden his arm. Carlton flourished the blade.
Crash–!
The decorative armor in the drawing room was smashed.
“With this sword, I think I can cleave through their malicious fog.” Carlton whistled as he admired the blade.
As he stared, Luisen felt a faint shock. “…Revered saint?”
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