The grand duke looked down at the arena with solemn dignity. All eyes were fixed upon him.

"It is truly regrettable that such an incident has occurred at a tournament hosted by Krupp. However, since her child has died, I am sure everyone here can understand the lady's behavior—But, sir Konrad."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"No matter that we co-hosted this tournament; for the Watch to intervene in family matters and injure the Emperor's knights is not something I can easily overlook."

"I understand."

Konrad's lips twitched. Yet he had anticipated this much; the moment they opposed the Imperial Knights, someone would have to take responsibility for the consequences.

No matter that the Watch co-hosted the event or that an unexpected incident occurred there, the Imperial Knights—who symbolized the Emperor's power—were an untouchable domain.

And in that untouchable domain, the Watch, too, could not evade responsibility. The grand duke furrowed his brow as he looked at the Imperial Knights rising painfully to their feet and continued,

"But this is not for me to decide. Everything shall be judged by His Majesty the Emperor."

"Your Highness, may I speak?"

"Speak."

Erich, looking up at the grand duke from the arena, spoke as he gestured to Ludwig, who was slumped and hanging limp against the wall.

"My elder brother, Ludwig von Krupp, is not dead. I only avoided his vital points and stopped his movements. But it seems Her Grace the Grand Duchess has greatly misunderstood."

"... Steward Steinburg."

At the grand duke's signal, the steward's aides hurriedly descended from the platform to check Ludwig's condition.

"He's— he's alive!"

"Hurry, move the young lord!"

As Ludwig was carried off, Erich, now getting the attention of not just the grand duke but seemingly addressing the entire audience, continued,

"Your Highness, even though the Watch injured the Emperor's knights, thanks to it we avoided a much greater disaster. If I had died due to a misunderstanding, imagine how troubling it would have been for Her Highness the Grand Duchess."

The audience murmured. The mood was shifting in a subtle way. Hearing Erich's words, the crowd nodded and looked at the grand duke.

The grand duchess's eyes narrowed. Konrad's earlier reaction—he did not flinch even at the grand duke's reproach. Did this mean all of today was already anticipated? The grand duke spoke again.

"It seems there was a misunderstanding. That is well. Madam, what do you say? If Ludwig is unharmed, wouldn't it be best to overlook the Watch's mistake? Should His Imperial Highness express his opinion so, his Majesty the Emperor will surely be magnanimous."

At this, the grand duchess's face twisted. The audience, swayed by the sly exchange between the grand duke and Erich, now waited expectantly for her response. She rapidly rolled her eyes, quickly calculating something.

There was nothing to gain by resisting further. Only her own image would be tarnished. Ever since she sent the knights into the arena, the crowd's gaze had been cold.

There was only one reason that could get all those onlookers to accept her actions: Ludwig would have had to die. But as he hadn't, she reluctantly nodded.

"Very well. As the first Lord, Reinhardt von Krupp, promised, whoever wins in the Iceborn may name their desire. Erich von Krupp, the victor—state what you wish for."

"I would like to receive the family's fief. May I state which territory I desire in particular?"

The grand duchess's gaze sharpened. What on earth does that wretched boy plan to demand? Clearly, he'd ask for some particularly valuable land.

Specifically, a territory that could interfere with her own children's succession—a place where Erich could consolidate his position.

But then she smiled faintly. No matter which fief he chose, she had already laced any land the grand duke could actually give with all sorts of tricks and traps.

The core agents of those major fiefs were predominantly her own people, and even those managing the assets were all under her power.

So, even if Erich were to obtain such land, she would know his every move, and he would hardly be able to make full use of it.

Thus, even if she lost in the short term, there was no scenario where she would suffer in the long run.

No matter if he had reached the level of Swordmaster, Erich could not possibly defeat the colossal power of the grand duchess's faction in the south.

Erich briefly glanced at the grand duchess, then bowed his head to the grand duke.

"I would like the County of Heinkel, Your Highness."

"What—what did you say?!"

It was the grand duchess who cried out, her voice tearing the air. The grand duke glanced sidelong at his wife, the corners of his mouth rising.

This was the moment when all of Erich's arrangements fell into place.

No matter what territory Erich requested or what he demanded in Iceborn, the grand duchess was prepared to harass him endlessly. Her enormous influence in the south was due to her hold over the County of Heinkel.

But by taking away her strength in this way, Erich also soothed the grand duke's worries about the grand duchess's growing power.

It was a situation in which everyone was happy—except for the grand duchess, who alone was unhappy.

"You dare! Who gave you the right to claim Heinkel for yourself? Even the grand duke lacks such authority!"

"Kathrin. Be silent."

The grand duke spoke coldly. The audience stirred. Even if he was the victor in Iceborn, how could someone ask for another's land? The true master of Heinkel was the grand duchess, not the grand duke.

And the grand duke knew this as well.

"Erich, even if you won in Iceborn, Heinkel is not my land to give. Why then do you believe you can have it?"

"Your Highness, there is a rule in Iceborn: the territory to be granted is that of 'Krupp'. Does Her Highness the Grand Duchess not also bear the name of Krupp?"

Erich and the grand duke shared subtle smiles. The grand duchess burst out,

"Who, who permits such a thing?!"

"And there's another rule. The final choice is left to the 'grand duke'."

"What?!"

The grand duchess's eyes wavered. She turned toward the grand duke—her complexion pale as she saw him smiling.

What the victor of Krupp could receive was land belonging to 'Krupp'. And the selection belonged to the grand duke.

When she became part of the Krupp family, the grand duchess was both an imperial descendant and one who bore the name 'Krupp'.

Strictly speaking, her fief, legally, could be viewed as a territory belonging to Krupp.

Legally speaking.

The grand duke slowly scanned the worn paper setting out the rules of Iceborn.

"I shall allow it."

Finally, he uttered a word of permission.

"... Heidrich!"

The grand duchess's shrill outcry rang out. But she soon furrowed her brow and looked around. All eyes in the crowd were focused on her.

The rules of Iceborn were absolute. No matter how ancient a tradition, nobility could not capriciously change it. Not even royalty.

Suppressing her anger, she closed her eyes. This had been a lost cause from the start. All of it, a scheme hatched by that accursed bastard.

Then, conscious of the audience's attention, she shot Erich a venomous glare.

"..."

Yet, even the grand duchess, whose authority once pierced the heavens, was now helpless. She was no fool to overturn the nearly finished game.

Even if she refused the outcome, her lost authority wouldn't return. Considering her already shrinking political base, to persist would be even more disastrous.

The grand duke brushed past the lip-biting grand duchess and turned his eyes again to Erich.

"Erich von Krupp, Victor of Iceborn, and Count of Heinkel. May Innocence's blessing be upon you."

The grand duke smiled slowly. At his declaration of victory, the crowd erupted in cheers.

It was a thunderous, ear-splitting roar such as had never been heard at Iceborn before.

Their cheers were not simply for a victory. The crowd, having come to witness a bloody battle at Iceborn, had witnessed more than just blood and death.

They were swept up in the very narrative unfolding before their eyes.

A neglected illegitimate son of a family—one who had never drawn attention anywhere—had stepped into the Iceborn. Known by all Southern folk, yet dismissed by everyone— the family's prodigal.

He had toppled the South's most renowned knights, defeated hardened veterans, and bested Krupp's own champions.

No one here watching Erich was a fool.

They thrilled at Erich's journey yet believed it impossible for him to win. No one was ignorant of the relationship between his stepmother, the imperial consort, and the illegitimate son of unknown origin.

Their tale was told again and again across fields, taverns, and bustling streets.

But in this single moment—

The whole audience saw Erich overcome his brother and, at the end, defeat even the grand duchess's henchmen as they moved to overturn the board.

Their cheers were not simply for the winner. The one they celebrated was not victory itself, but Erich von Krupp.

Erich raised his hand to answer their acclamation.

This was the first step—and his declaration of intent—of the returned Erich.

***

"... You truly are leaving,"

Finn watched with downcast eyes as the servants packed Erich's belongings.

"Well, I've obtained Father's permission and got what I wanted. There's no reason for me to stay. Besides, it's better to leave with Sir Konrad as he returns."

"Then I won't press the matter further."

"... That's surprising."

Erich glanced at Finn.

"It's just... isn't there always some reason for everything you do, young master? You don't need my advice anymore."

"If you insist, you're welcome to join the Watch."

"... Where would this old man go, really?"

Avoiding Erich's gaze, Finn gave a faint smile. For all his loyalty, it seemed following Erich to the Watch was too much.

But Erich smiled as well. The Watch was no place for a civil servant like Finn, and Finn surely knew this.

"So what will you do now?"

"Work here, as always. I can hardly start a business now. Earthworms live by eating grass, after all, young master."

"Don't you resent me? You might have become a steward like Steinburg."

A smile curled Finn's lips. He silently offered Erich his cloak.

"Steward Steinburg is an extraordinary man. He manages the vast southern administration almost alone. And Milon, who you made viscount of Heinkel, is the same—a splendid knight and famed noble. But I'm not like them. I've only been able to serve in the Krupp mansion because the late grand duke indulged me. So even if you stand above the grand duke, that place would never be mine."

Finn's gentle smile was tinged with warmth. Indeed, Finn was a loyal retainer, but not necessarily a capable one. Quite ironically, had he been more skilled, he would never have become the attendant of an illegitimate son like Erich.

Nevertheless, he had survived for many years amid the schemes and intrigue in the house of Krupp—perhaps simply because he understood his own limitations so well. At least, that was how Erich perceived it.

'I never managed to repay Finn before my return.'

Back then, Erich had all but fled the residence for the Watch. What had Finn thought when the young master, whom he'd served since before he could walk, vanished overnight?

So Erich felt a subtle sense of debt toward Finn, one he hadn't forgotten even after he returned.

"Finn, kneel."

"Excuse me?"

"Kneel, if I tell you."

Finn narrowed his eyes. The servants, in the middle of moving luggage, paused to watch.

—clink.

Erich drew his sword and placed it on Finn's shoulder, who had knelt before him.

"As Count of Heinkel, I, Erich von Krupp, hereby appoint Finn Ingelmann as Steward of Heinkel. Baron Finn Ingelmann, rise to your feet."

Finn's eyes opened wide. Of course, the title Erich bestowed was different from that of Steinburg; as steward to the grand duke, Steinburg held the title of count, while the steward of Erich, who was count, would be but a baron.

Yet, to Finn, this meant something very different. As a lower noble, he had never possessed a title or land of his own.

Left as things were, Finn's lineage would soon lose all noble status. But now, having received a barony, his family would be established as a landed house. Finn's eyes widened further.

"But, young master, Heinkel already has a steward—won't this cause trouble...?"

"I know. That's why I asked Milon to take care of it as well. Heinkel is still deeply rooted in the grand duchess's faction. Someone needs to deal with that. But Milon can't do it alone."

Erich smiled quietly at Finn. Finn's eyes began to glisten with moisture. But this was not the end—only the beginning.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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