Chapter 217: The Power of the Empire (2)

Lucas Florian.

Although he had become a Master, he had yet to receive a title because he was the heir to the Florian Duchy. If he hadnt been the heir, then he would have been able to receive a title as a self-made man, but he was someone who would take over the Duchy once his father retired. That was why he still didnt have a title.

Usually, if a son had reached the level of a Master, then the father would slowly pass on his title, but the case was different for Lucas Florian. His father, Duke Dominic Florian, was also a Master. On top of that, Dominic Florian was the second strongest man in the Empire after Christian Schweiker. Not only did he have the political capital, but the number of people under his command was greater than Duke Schweickers. The Florian Duchy was a family that provided more than 30 percent of the Empires troops. That was who Duke Florian was.

So who would look down upon Lucas when he was the heir of Duke Florian and a Master in his own right? He was someone who was called the Young Tiger of the Empire and someone that all the women had picked to be the man they wanted as their husband.

However, since he had been so cherished and treasured since young, it was unavoidable that he was arrogant.

And he began speaking to Antras.

If you just want us to command a side army, then I can do it alone. Why are you tying down two Masters for this?

Antras chuckled at that.

Hm Are you saying that Marquis Gotham wouldnt be helpful?

That is definitely not what Im saying.

Lucas objected to Antras question, then he looked at Marquis Gotham.

Please dont misunderstand me, Marquis Gotham.

Dont worry, Sir Lucas, I didnt understand it that way.

The person replying was a middle-aged man with his arms crossed.

Marquis Baker Gotham. He was someone who was called the Master of the Spiritual Eye. Shockingly, he had been born blind but had still managed to become a Master. Looking at how his actions were no different from everyone else, it might be difficult to believe that he was blind, but he was most definitely blind. Due to his humble and dignified personality, he was someone who was respected by both the military officials and the civil servants. Even the Empires Young Tiger, Lucas, respected his temperament and skills and couldnt be rude to Marquis Gotham.

But while Lucas may respect Marquis Gotham, he hadnt acknowledged Antras yet. That was why Lucas was looking at Antras and pressing him for an answer.

It is my judgment that putting you two together will only strengthen you.

Im good enough on my own.

Itll be easier if theres two. There is a saying in the Southern continent: even if its just a sheet of paper, two people lifting it will be better.[1]

Well then wouldnt it be better to have my father and me together?

Lucas thought that if he teamed up with his father, Duke Dominic Florian, then he would have a better chance of making a bigger contribution. But if he was being truly honest, he didnt want to team up with Marquis Gotham because he wouldnt be able to operate the troops independently then.

However, Lucass thoughts were obvious to Antras.

Its normal for a young general to be thirsty for merit.

During his days in the Jae Nation, Antras had often seen those with both the skill and youth doing reckless things. In some cases, it led to great results, but it also led to significant damage if things went wrong. That was why Antras intended to have Marquis Gotham rein Lucas in.

Antras also knew how to coax this youngster as well.

Oh dear, oh dear

Antras pretended like he was in a dilemma and fanned himself a few times before continuing.

I didnt know. Sorry I wasnt considerate. I didnt know Heir Lucas still needed his fathers help.

Before Antras even finished talking, Lucas jumped out of his seat, shouting.

Are you insulting me right now?

Lucass face turned red with anger. Even though he didnt have a title, most people called him Sir Lucas[2]. But Antras had purposefully called him Heir Lucas and provoked him. Even though Heir Lucas wasnt wrong, he felt that Antras was treating him like a child by calling him that.

Lucass father, Duke Florian, didnt look happy either. His expression hardened as he crossed his arms and was showing signs of outright displeasure. How could he be happy when someone was treating his precious son, someone he wanted to brag about to the entire world, like a child?

But Antras complexion didnt change even in the face of two Masters hostility. Instead, he looked sternly at Lucas as he continued to rebuke him.

In that case, why are you insisting on being with your father on the battlefield? Any man with your level of skill will be able to make accomplishments with his own skills, on his own, no matter what environment he is in. Isnt that right?

After bruising Lucass ego and causing him to erupt, Antras scolded him. But, if you listened closely to the scolding, Antras was actually complimenting Lucas - you can do it with your level of skill, cant you?

Lucas was at a loss for words. It became a situation where his opponent was the one who was acknowledging him and he was the one who couldnt trust in himself. It had become a situation in which he couldnt continue to be angry.

Antras now changed the mood and spoke gently.

Sir Lucas, I have faith in you. Youre different from Marquis Burkel or Marquis Maroon who failed. Arent I right?

...Of course.

Marquis Matthias Burkel and Marquis Hailey Maroon. Both of them were in Lucass generation and rivals who were highly regarded in the Empire. The two of them had died first in the previous war, which naturally left Lucas as the only one of his generation alive. However, just because they were dead didnt mean his competitive spirit had also died.

Citing the two of them as examples, Antras continued to talk to Lucas.

They were blinded by potential merit that they unreasonably pushed their men too far, which led to great damage to the Empire and to their deaths. But youre different. Youre a man who wont be swayed by the potential merit right before your eyes and fulfill your duties perfectly as a faithful sword of the Empire. Am I right?

When Antras came out like this, Lucas couldnt continue to be stubborn about it.

All right. Ill give it my all to fulfill my duties.

In the end, Lucas could only say he would do as he was instructed.

Watching Lucas giving in, his father, Duke Florian, couldnt help but be shocked.[3]

My son is ridiculously stubborn Its been a long time since Ive seen someone besides me being able to persuade him.

According to Duke Florians memory, the last time Lucas had been convinced by someone other than himself was his nanny when he was a child.

[Heir, if you dont wash your face clean, youll lose popularity with the young ladies.]

That had been the last time Lucas had been convinced by someone else.

Then, Ill begin explaining the operation to everyone. I hope youll all listen carefully and follow it to the letter.

And so, Antras began to tell the four Masters detailed operational instructions.

***

Impressive. Teach me how to do it as well.

Once the meeting was over, Duke Sebastian spoke to Antras as if he was envious.

What do you mean?

Lucass stubbornness is well known throughout the Empire. Hes famous for not even following the emperors order, but youve managed to coax him like a child.

If you think about the age difference between him and us, he really is a child.

Duke Sebastian sighed at those words.

If I had been able to do in the previous war what you just did right now, I wouldnt have lost three of our countrys strength

Duke Sebastian was still regretting his defeat during the Second Ideological Conflict. He was particularly regretting his decision to divide the army into three to settle the argument between Marquis Hailey Maroon and Marquis Matthais Burkel.

When I think about it now, there couldnt have been a more stupid decision than that.

He had made that kind of decision because he thought they could easily, no, that they would most definitely win the war, but that couldnt be an excuse. In what world was there a commander-in-chief who fought a war thinking he could win?

Even I think it was only obvious that I would lose.

Duke Sebastian had been drowning in his feelings of shame when he felt someone patting him on the back.

Dont worry about it too much. Its in the past, whatre you going to do about it?

His friend Antras was comforting him.

Youre right, nothing can be changed.

Antras changed the subject when his friend still didnt have any energy.

But arent you leaving behind a great legacy?

Legacy?

Wouldnt a man be considered successful if he left behind a disciple who was able to surpass him?

Duke Sebastian laughed when he heard Antras.

Thats right. Hes my student, but hes certainly like a monster.

I agree. He really is a monster.

Duke ChristianSchweiker. He hadnt participated in the meeting that took place a while ago because he was supposed to remain in the capital headquarters. There were a total of five Masters who were mobilized for this war and the reason they were able to concentrate four of them on attacking was because of DukeSchweiker.

When Antras had evaluated Duke Schweikers skills, he had been surprised. Antras had seen numerous people in the course of calming the tumultuous Southern continent. From what he could see, Duke Schweikers power was different from the other Masters.

Hes transcended all other Masters. I never thought I