TGSA 43

Chapter 43

The Duke of Lichtenauer (1)

“Ernas, who do you think will win?”

The first semifinal match between Serine and Rufus was about to begin.

I was planning to watch from the waiting seats with Schmitz.

“Serine will win.”

“I thought you’d say that.”

“If Rufus had graduated around the same time as Serine, it would’ve been a good fight.”

Rufus, like Serine, fought using the orthodox Eastern sword style.

If they were of similar level as graduates, it would have been quite a match.

“Then the finals will be—”

Schmitz’s words cut off.

Because a group of people suddenly stepped into the waiting seats.

“……”

They were dressed in dignified formal suits.

The VIPs who had been huddled in the corner of the stands earlier.

I already knew who they were.

“Sir Ernas Landsstein, may we have a moment of your time?”

A middle-aged man with a mustache bowed to me.

“Before the match begins, we would like just a little of your time.”

“……”

The Imperial Household Department.

A bureau that supported the Imperial Family—had come to me even before the semifinals.

“Forgive us for troubling you when you should be preparing for your match. We’ll make this as brief as possible.”

Caldeas, a first-class secretary of the Household Department, bowed his head.

Now I was in a private room, facing the people of the Household Department.

“In truth, we would have liked to meet you at a more convenient time. But our work…”

“You don’t have the leisure. I understand.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Even now, we must leave immediately for another matter.”

Caldeas gave a bitter smile.

“So, what is this about?”

“First, we wish to ask this.”

Lowering his voice, Caldeas asked me:

“Is it true you broke off your engagement with Lady Serine Bastian?”

“That seems to be a very popular question lately.”

I was starting to get tired of it.

“Yes, the engagement was formally dissolved. The documents are signed.”

“I see…”

“I have no intention of restoring it either. Serine Bastian is nothing more than a fellow student to me now.”

“Understood.”

Nodding, Caldeas exchanged looks with his colleagues.

Then, staring at me, he spoke again.

“Sir Ernas, I’ll be direct.”

“Go ahead.”

“This dissolution of the engagement… was it politically motivated?”

At that, I let out a wry smile.

“You said you’d be direct, but that didn’t sound very direct.”

“Apologies. Our department avoids blunt words whenever possible.”

“It was a private matter. No political considerations.”

“…I see.”

Caldeas nodded again.

“In any case, it seems certain you have no marriage plans at present.”

“Yes. The Household Department need not concern itself with that.”

“……”

Hearing me, Caldeas smiled faintly.

“The way you put it, it sounds like you already know everything.”

“Before I entered the Academy, I often had to handle affairs in my father’s stead.”

“I see.”

“There are probably other heirs of the sword families who also know.”

I had spoken of this earlier with Heinrich—though not directly.

“That His Majesty’s life is nearing its end, and that they intend to appoint a ‘Duke of Lichtenauer’ to support the princess.”

Caldeas’s expression stiffened at my words.

So did the faces of the others.

“You speak far too plainly, Sir Ernas.”

“My apologies. I am not of the Household Department.”

I replied with a calm face.

“Let’s speak openly, Lord Caldeas.”

“Sir Ernas…”

“There’s no need for us who all know the situation to circle around in riddles. You have little time, do you not?”

“…You are indeed bold, Sir Ernas.”

Caldeas sighed.

Then leaning forward, he spoke in a low voice.

“You’re correct. The Imperial Family is considering reviving the title of Duke of Lichtenauer.”

The Duke of Lichtenauer.

It was once a title given to the “husband of a reigning Empress.” Similar to how Prince Philip received a title as the husband of Queen Elizabeth in Britain.

Because it was a “duke,” its ceremonial rank was higher than that of the heads of the six great sword houses—but due to its many drawbacks, it had been abolished centuries ago.

“His Majesty has not regained his health. If this continues…”

“Then the twelve-year-old princess will have to succeed.”

“…You speak without hesitation, Sir Ernas.”

Indeed, this was the Empire’s greatest secret.

Currently, only the Household Department and the six great sword houses knew.

If it became public, the Empire would fall into chaos.

“Lord Caldeas, this is a nation that venerates swordsmanship. All past Emperors were graduates who dominated their era.”

“Yes…”

“But if a twelve-year-old princess, who has never held a real sword, ascends suddenly… the imperial authority will be shaken.”

The legitimacy of the thousand-year empire founded upon swordsmanship would falter.

A grave matter indeed.

“So, the Imperial Family noted that the heirs of the six great sword houses would all be entering the Academy this year.”

“……”

That was why this year’s class was different from any before.

“The one who reaches the pinnacle of the Academy will be granted the title of Duke of Lichtenauer, to become the princess’s sword… That is the Imperial solution.”

Naturally, the one at the top would also become the princess’s fiancé.

For Verisrige, the female heir, another position would be arranged.

“This way, even if the young princess ascends, stability can be maintained.”

Even if the princess herself lacked strength, her husband-to-be would have it.

“Having proven themselves at the top of the Academy, none can object. This is that kind of country.”

“Indeed, Sir Ernas.”

If the Household simply chose one house to back the princess, the others would rebel.

But if the one at the top of the Academy became the Duke, no one could object.

It fit perfectly with tradition.

‘That’s why the house heads are so nervous.’

That was why Kaleon Ignas was stirring up trouble outside the Academy, targeting the Lancasters.

The Lancaster house, already losing ground, even tried to ruin the game entirely with assassins.

“So, Sir Ernas, what we wish to ask is…”

Caldeas bowed.

“Please, keep your conduct impeccable.”

“……”

“Even if you earn the right to be Duke of Lichtenauer, if your conduct during your studies is questionable, you’ll be unsuitable as the princess’s partner.”

The meaning was obvious.

They wanted me to avoid trouble with women.

‘Because before entering the Academy, Ernas had a reputation as a debauchee.’

It was almost laughable.

How little faith must they have, to come personally like this.

“Please don’t take this lightly, Sir Ernas. The only reason we speak to you so earnestly is that the Landsstein family is…”

“…unable to lecture me about my conduct at present. So you came instead.”

“…Yes.”

Still, it wasn’t a bad sign.

In the novel, the Household never cared about Ernas’s private life.

‘Their concern now means they think I have a high chance of becoming Duke.’

After all, I had just crushed Heinrich, the prodigy of Agrippa House.

To the Household, the closest candidate to Duke of Lichtenauer was Ernas Landsstein.

“Don’t worry.”

I looked at them all as I spoke.

“My only focus at the Academy is advancing my swordsmanship. I’ve no attention to spare for anything else.”

“Is that truly so?”

“Yes. Breaking off my engagement to Serine was part of that.”

“…If that’s the case…”

“You may rest easy. But…”

I paused, then spoke in a cool voice.

“Do not try to exert influence over me like this again.”

“…!”

“I’ll handle my own affairs. Understood?”

They were of the Household Department, advisors to the throne.

By rights, my words bordered on arrogance.

But as the leading candidate for Duke, I had the right.

“…We understand, Sir Ernas.”

Caldeas bowed deeply.

“I apologize for our rudeness. We’ll ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

“Thank you for understanding, Lord Caldeas.”

With that, I rose to my feet.

“The first semifinal should be ending now. Since you have places to be as well, let’s end our meeting here.”

“Yes, Sir Ernas.”

I extended my hand.

Caldeas hesitated briefly, then smiled and shook it.

“We wish you success.”

“Thank you.”

As we shook hands, I thought the matter ended smoothly.

In the novel, it was the protagonist Arkandel, not Ernas, who defeated Heinrich—so the Household had tried to investigate him.

‘Arkandel was of uncertain origin. If someone like that reached the top, how could they give him the Duke’s title? Caldeas agonized endlessly.’

But now, with Ernas Landsstein—an heir of a great sword family—rising as the strongest candidate, there was no such worry.

And unlike before, this Ernas was no longer a rake. No grounds for disqualification as a fiancé.

‘You should be grateful, Caldeas.’

I thought, squeezing his hand firmly.

“Winner of the first semifinal: Serine Bastian!”

By the time I returned to the stands, Serine had just defeated Rufus.

Schmitz, who had been watching, turned as he noticed me.

“Ah, Sir Ernas, you’re back. It was quite the match.”

“Too bad I missed it.”

“What was that about, anyway?”

“Just politics.”

“Hmm…”

Schmitz frowned in thought.

“Actually, Professor Valentiano came looking for you earlier.”

“Professor Valentiano?”

Valentiano was a peak-level graduate, the Academy’s foremost.

He led the largest faction, the Valentiano Class, and was a master of Eastern swordsmanship.

“He asked why the Household people had taken you away, and when you’d be back.”

“What did you say?”

“I just said I didn’t know. He clicked his tongue in disappointment and left.”

“……”

If I guessed right, Valentiano had come to scout me.

He’d want me to join his class after the second exam.

And he would’ve grilled me about the techniques I showed in my match.

‘So Valentiano approaches me… It seems the promotion exams are near.’

My days in Black Class Six were almost over.

Once I passed the second exam, I’d move to a higher class and receive true graduate-level training.

Until now, I’d only faced those at the lower graduate level. But that would change.

‘So I’d better prepare.’

I was already preparing.

“Schmitz, did you know?”

As I got ready to head out for my match, I spoke to him.

“That Caldeas who just took me away—he’s an Academy graduate.”

“Really? I thought he was just a bureaucrat.”

“No.”

I shook my head with a smile.

“He’s an excellent swordsman—upper graduate level.”

Inside the carriage leaving the Academy, the Household staff spoke.

“Ernas Landsstein really is impressive.”

“His swordsmanship is one thing, but his way of speaking too.”

“I even thought him a bit arrogant… but perhaps that boldness is fitting for a Duke of Lichtenauer.”

Of course, much could still change.

The leading Ernas might fall, and another heir might seize the top.

But for now, they all thought the same: Ernas will be Duke.

“Then why the troubled face, Lord Caldeas?”

“Is something bothering you…?”

Addressed, Caldeas sighed.

“It’s just… something nags at me.”

“What is it?”

“I believe Ernas won’t cause any more scandals with women.”

“Yes, that’s a relief.”

“But…”

Caldeas’s expression turned complex.

“When we shook hands… he wouldn’t let go for the longest time. It was such an overly passionate handshake, it felt strange.”

“……”

“And I couldn’t help but wonder… Did he end his engagement with Serine Bastian because he discovered a different taste…?”

At Caldeas’s suspicion, silence fell.