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Chapter 47
Among the portraits, one man bore an appearance shockingly similar to the Grand Duke they had met today.
His sharp, violet eyes seemed to pierce straight through whoever looked into them.
A tightly closed mouth, a firmly set jaw, and an aura of controlled power exuded heavy authority.
There was dignity, restraint—and beneath it all, an undeniable wildness.
It was the former Grand Duke, Raspel Luciano.
‘Ah, the one who perished in that tragic accident…’
Before arriving here, Emil had memorized the history of House Luciano thoroughly, word for word.
It had been to avoid saying anything offensive, no matter how small.
But now, standing face to face with the very victims of that tragedy—even if only as portraits—he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow deep in his chest.
“Who could have known? That such a great fire would break out.”
And who could have known that the almighty force of magic had such vulnerabilities?
It was said the accident occurred late at night.
On their young son’s birthday, the Luciano couple had set out for their summer villa.
Dozens of attendants had accompanied them for the long journey.
But at dawn, flames suddenly swept through the villa.
Exhausted from travel and sunk in deep sleep, none of them had the chance to respond.
They all suffocated in the smoke before they could even wake.
“For magic to work, the caster’s will must be present.”
Without the will—and without the ability to act—it was powerless.
The Imperial Palace dispatched investigators soon after.
Yet, the body of the young child who had gone with them was never found.
About a month later…
It was Denok, the current Grand Duke, who was discovered by the lakeside.
The investigators surmised that someone must have rescued only the boy, leading him to wander the woods until he reached the lake.
That rescuer, they believed, had likely fallen prey to the monsters that roamed the land.
“…At such a young age, how terrified he must have been.”
Emil’s heart ached as he gazed at the portrait of the boy.
Just then—
“Emil, sir?”
The creak of the portrait room’s door opening was followed by a familiar voice calling his name.
Emil stiffened, then quickly turned around. His eyes widened at the sight of the man entering.
“Ah! Lord Lucian… is that you?”
“Lord? Nonsense. Just call me Lucian. Haha.”
“Ah, no, I couldn’t possibly…” Emil laughed awkwardly and lowered his head.
Lucian approached with a warm smile and came to stand beside him.
“Admiring the portraits?”
“Ah, yes. To see the great figures I only knew from textbooks, so close like this—it feels almost unreal. And at the end… I was just looking at the former Grand Duke.”
Emil turned back toward the last portrait. Naturally, Lucian’s eyes followed.
“A truly tragic loss.”
Lucian’s voice carried a sigh of regret as he slowly swept his gaze over the other paintings.
“Because of that incident… such a great house as the Lucianos…”
His words trailed off strangely, tinged with something odd. Emil even thought he heard the faint click of a tongue.
He tried to pretend he hadn’t noticed, turning his head away.
But Lucian’s hand came to rest lightly on his shoulder before he could.
“Emil.”
“……! Y-yes?”
“What you said at the banquet earlier—it left quite the impression. Your devotion to the Empire moved me deeply.”
The banquet…
As Emil searched his hazy memory, his face flushed crimson.
Of all times, why did my drunken rambling have to come out there?
It was mortifying enough to make him want to dig a hole and hide.
“Ah, I’m embarrassed… but thank you for saying that.”
“So humble. Actually…”
Lucian tapped his shoulder twice, then leaned close to his ear.
“The truth is, I came here to tell you something in private. Soon, I’ve heard, the Imperial administration will be opening recruitment.”
“Wh-what?!”
Emil’s eyes went wide.
“By the time this trial at the Grand Duke’s estate concludes, they’ll begin searching in earnest.”
“Ah…” Emil’s voice was filled with conflicted emotion.
Lucian noticed, and the corners of his mouth lifted.
Of course. How could he not feel torn? Compared to this ducal house, the Imperial Palace is the far greater prize.
Everything was falling into place. Perfectly according to plan.
“Emil.”
“Yes?”
“A man like you deserves to be recommended for such a post. I’d gladly use my personal connections to put your name forward.”
“W-what?!” Emil nearly shrieked.
Lucian briefly frowned at the overreaction, but his expression quickly softened again into a gentle smile.
“If you wish it, I’ll recommend you personally to the Imperial administration.”
Of course, it was a complete lie.
If such a chance really existed, he would have clung to it first.
But with such a naïve man… surely he’ll believe me.
Indeed, Emil simply stared, mouth agape, utterly stunned.
Lucian suppressed a laugh, lowering his voice in solemn promise.
“In return… I ought to gain something as well. Perhaps… that magic stone you hold. Would you consider entrusting it to me?”
“……Ah.”
Emil’s eyes wavered, reflecting Lucian’s dark, smiling face.
And finally—the day of the trial arrived.
Lucian, Emil, and Kyle.
The three of them stood in the wide conference hall, their backs to the windows.
The air was thick with sharp tension.
At the desk sat Denok, looking up at them.
He studied their unreadable faces, then pulled something from a drawer.
It was small sheets of white paper, bound together. Not a notebook—
but blank checks.
The very kind said to be used only by the highest of nobles.
All three men’s eyes widened.
With a quill pen in hand, Denok murmured softly:
“I look forward to seeing what each of you will show me.”
The room fell silent. No one dared speak first.
At last, Lucian confidently stepped forward.
“Allow me to begin, Your Grace.”
With no hesitation, Lucian greeted him politely and took a seat across the desk.
From his coat, he produced a glowing blue magic stone and laid it carefully before Denok.
“Lucian, how much will you offer me?” Denok asked.
Lucian’s lips curved smoothly upward.
“With respect, Your Grace… there was an important condition in this trial, was there not?”
Denok’s gaze urged him to continue.
“The theme was—who could purchase for the highest price.”
“That is correct.”
“But I considered this more carefully. This is not merely a matter of numbers.”
His tone grew heavier, more serious.
“Yes, today it may be a contest over magic stones. But one day, it may be a vast business, with entire houses competing against one another. Which means… this is truly a battle of political power.”
Denok gave no reply, but Lucian nodded as though convincing himself.
“Therefore… yesterday, I struck a deal with the other two.”
“A deal?”
“Yes. A win-win deal.”
He pointed toward Kyle, his expression meaningful.
“To Kyle, I offered to heal the aftereffects of his old injury.”
Then, to Emil, who was gazing out the window, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.
“And to Emil, I promised to open the way to the Imperial administration he so desired.”
Even now, he carefully avoided absolute statements, choosing the word opportunity.
But both men had seemed favorable to the idea yesterday.
“Thus, both agreed to give me their magic stones. If I am the only one who can sell them, then naturally I will offer the highest—and only—price.”
His eyes gleamed with triumph. Turning, he strode confidently toward the two men.
Holding out his hand, he demanded their stones.
But then…
“……Hmph.”
“Mm…”
Their responses were… strangely ambiguous.
