Ch.7171. Raimund

Since the founding of the first unified empire by the invincible Leonhardt, the continent has been divided into one empire, four kingdoms, and two holy states with recognized autonomy.

The Great War.

During the conflict, many noble houses fell, but some seized the opportunity to rise from humble origins to noble bloodlines. It happened hundreds of years ago, now only passed down through ancient records. Since that war ended, the continent has enjoyed a long period of peace.

That was the problem.

The extended peace brought prosperity to the world, but it had side effects. It allowed blue blood to stagnate in narrow wells. By now, it had not just stagnated but rotted.

The nobility kept increasing, but there wasn’t enough territory for them to rule. While the land area remained unchanged regardless of time’s passage, the number of people could only multiply as long as bloodlines continued.

Noble status was hereditary. Not everyone born of noble blood became a noble. According to imperial law, only the firstborn son could inherit territory, but status was different. Unless one committed serious crimes, a name inscribed in the family tree would not be erased.

There were too many nobles.

More precisely, there were many nobles without territories. It was a truly ambiguous position. Neither commoners, nor possessors of feudal titles. These people maintained a certain pride in their bloodlines and absolutely refused to soil their hands with dirt and water like commoners.

There were mainly two paths for these ambiguous individuals to advance: first was to become a formally appointed knight. This was the most preferred method, being honorable and, with luck, potentially earning a small fief from one’s lord.

Naturally, only a tiny minority ultimately became knights. Entering as a knight’s apprentice was relatively easy. What came after was difficult. Even those with talent as sacred awakeners took an average of 40 years to reach the Brilliance stage.

Countless ordinary people failed to even surpass the Sacred Flame stage, let alone reach Brilliance, so those who knew their limits early abandoned the path of knighthood and turned to other methods.

Vassalage.

Entering the service of a true noble—a lord with territory. These were called vassals. Of course, not just anyone could become a vassal. In the end, advancing to a higher class anywhere in the world required stepping on other competitors. Just as knights needed powerful martial strength, vassals needed outstanding political acumen.

Considering this, the vassals gathered in the audience chamber today could all be said to have established their own solid foundations within Lindveil.

That’s why he was angry.

“I’m disappointed.”

Raimund reprimanded them in a cold voice. The relationship between lord and vassal was closer to horizontal than vertical. It was a relationship bound by mutual contract. The lord protected the vassal, and the vassal offered loyalty to the lord. They were essentially in the same boat. Both lord and vassal had a duty to promote the development of the territory.

What an outdated notion. It sounded nice, but the ways of the world didn’t run so smoothly.

Raimund had spent decades as the head of the Lindenbach baronial family and had experienced all kinds of people. He knew how much greed could corrupt a person.

He had long noticed that the vassals were using the Lindenbach family’s authority for despicable behavior. He knew but left it alone. Even knowing that rotten flesh should be cut away, it’s difficult to actually do it.

Now it could no longer be ignored.

They had crossed the line.

“Blinded by petty interests, Lord Gustav. Did you think I wouldn’t know that you’ve been colluding with the Underhand Clan all this time?”

At these words, the pot-bellied noble who had first jumped out to condemn Rex broke into a cold sweat.

“Y-Your Excellency. This is a misunderstanding. I was merely offering loyal counsel for the peace of the territory…”

“Silence.”

The sight of him sputtering such feeble excuses was detestable. Raimund frowned and rebuked him.

“I singled out Lord Gustav, but… he’s not the only one. Big or small, you all surely have something that pricks your conscience.”

His cold gaze swept over the nobles. Their expressions had hardened like stone, and they flinched whenever Raimund’s eyes fell on them. Their inability to make a sound was itself as good as confirming Raimund’s words. Every one of them had hastily voiced complaints when Rex became Berger’s disciple.

Of course, among them were also vassals who had truly committed no wrongdoing. Only about two or three out of ten, but still. They watched the other nobles with calm faces.

‘Has it rotted this much?’

A sigh escaped him. Raimund muttered in a bitter tone.

“It seems the ones who should be punished were different all along.”

Though he spoke indirectly, his meaning was clear. Purge. The vassals, understanding this implication, instantly turned pale and opened their mouths.

“Your Excellency! You cannot!”

“Cannot? What? It’s fine to dump massive debts on orphanages that take in and care for children with nowhere to go, and to forcibly kidnap girls to take them to brothels for exploitation? It’s acceptable to secretly take bribes all this time to turn a blind eye to such vicious villains, and then to omit your own unfavorable circumstances while framing a boy who carried out justice?”

The vassals could only move their lips without uttering a reply, their faces pale. Raimund glared at them with angry eyes for a long while before spitting out:

“You should be ashamed.”

“…We apologize! We will surely make amends for this mistake, so please show mercy—”

“No. It’s already too late.”

Several nobles who belatedly recognized the gravity of the situation urgently pleaded, but Raimund firmly shook his head.

“This can’t just be covered up. I will conduct a thorough investigation to determine exactly what crimes you have committed. I will inform you of your fate once it’s decided, so until then, remain in your quarters. By the way, all authority I’ve granted you is revoked from this moment, so don’t try anything foolish and wait quietly.”

Despite being dismissed, the vassals hesitated, unable to leave their seats easily. Raimund turned his head to look at the knights.

“It seems their feet are too heavy to move their legs. Could you gentlemen help them a bit?”

The knights, who had been silently observing the situation, nodded with smirks.

“Of course. Come, Lord Gustav. Let’s go. My, your belly is like that of a cow about to give birth. I told you to exercise more often, didn’t I?”

Heintz patted the pot-bellied noble’s stomach with a sly smile. At this clearly mocking gesture, the plump cheeks quivered and his expression crumpled.

“Lord Heintz! No matter what, such an insult…”

His words didn’t continue. Heintz’s mouth was smiling, but his eyes were cold as frost. Looking as if he might be cut by just that gaze, the noble bit his lip and slowly left the audience chamber. The other vassals followed behind him with slumped shoulders.

“Don’t worry too much. We will investigate thoroughly to ensure no injustice occurs.”

Raimund called out to the departing vassals, but no one believed his words at face value. After all the knights and vassals had left, the audience chamber became as quiet as the sky after a storm has passed.

“Foolish fellows.”

Raimund stroked his chin and turned his head.

“There’s a saying that position makes the man. One shouldn’t abandon the duties given to them, one should work with responsibility and diligence—that sort of meaning… Unfortunately, they practiced that saying in a different way. It’s quite amusing how they strut about relying only on their insignificant bloodlines. Don’t you think?”

Raimund threw out the joke in a deliberately cheerful tone, but Rex’s face remained expressionless throughout. He simply bowed his head without speaking. Raimund hadn’t particularly expected an unusual reaction. Rather, he was pleased that Rex maintained his composure to the end, not showing joy despite having overcome the crisis.

“Indeed, you’re worthy of Lord Berger begging and pleading to take you as his disciple.”

Raimund looked Rex over with eyes full of interest.

“I never begged or pleaded. Stop saying things that diminish a master’s dignity.”

Berger grumbled as he removed his helmet. Earlier he had remained silent to create an intimidating atmosphere, but now there was no need to keep his mouth shut. He tucked his helmet under his arm and raised the corner of his mouth.

“His talent is outstanding, but what’s even more frightening is that he endured the Gears that make even knights stick out their tongues for three months. Though he looks gentle on the outside, he’s actually quite tough, so don’t let your guard down.”

“I’ve heard that story. You’ve talked about it so much every time we meet that I’m about to go deaf. He absorbs everything you teach like a sponge, you’re satisfied that he works hard without getting drunk on his talent—if I counted the times you’ve praised him in front of me, it would easily exceed hundreds. How could I forget?”

Rex unconsciously made a sour face as he glanced between Raimund and Berger. Just as their earlier pressure on the vassals seemed like a kind of performance, now they were chatting casually in a leisurely tone. Their manner of treating each other seemed more like old friends than lord and knight.

However, since the subject of their conversation was himself, and the content was praising him, Rex felt awkward. As he stood there uncomfortably, Raimund addressed him.

“Are you surprised?”

“…Yes. A little.”

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t surprised. In fact, he still didn’t understand why Raimund had made such a generous decision.

He knew that Berger was the most skilled merit knight in Lindveil. However, what Rex had done yesterday was too radical an incident to be covered even by a merit knight’s reputation.

No matter how much the Underhand Clan had committed various crimes, punishment should be carried out according to proper procedures. Rex’s actions clearly undermined the lord’s authority. Though the other nobles had spoken to disparage Rex, their arguments were partially valid.

Rex wasn’t foolish enough to raise that question when the situation had been resolved favorably. However, Raimund read the puzzlement in the boy’s eyes. Because he felt goodwill toward this young boy, he kindly explained the reason.

“I merely weighed the gains and losses.”

It was a statement condensed with many meanings. Noting Rex’s expression becoming curious, Raimund continued.

“A lord is always forced to make choices. Should the food stored in warehouses for winter be distributed to the poor, or saved for the cold? Should taxes be raised to pay tribute to the royal family, or should the complaints of vassals and subjects be appeased? Which side is heavier, what should be chosen…”

Raimund had always considered himself fortunate. Being born the eldest son, he not only inherited a prosperous territory but also faced no threatening external enemies in the vicinity. Protecting the blessed land passed down from his ancestors was very easy. He had always thought it was something anyone could do unless they were exceptionally incompetent. Because all he had to do was stay put.

If he had truly just stayed put, the barony would have been torn apart and dismantled long ago. Although Raimund didn’t possess the power of a sacred awakener like knights did, he did have the judgment to discern right from wrong.

“Who in the world would refuse a golden egg that rolled in? Sacred Flame at fifteen. And not stopping there, a genius who will certainly reach the Brilliance stage soon. Unless I were insane, I wouldn’t turn you away.”

Rex looked at Raimund with wide eyes.

“In short, the benefit of gaining your complete trust outweighs listening to the useless clamor of vassals.”

That wasn’t the whole reason. He had been keeping an eye on the vassals’ misdeeds for some time. He thought they had gone too far, but without a proper opportunity, he had just been biding his time. Thanks to Rex causing a commotion, he was able to summon them all at once today and deal with them.

It was natural for Raimund to feel favorably toward Rex. Not only was he talented, but he had also scratched an itch that had been bothering Raimund.

Of course, he wouldn’t just use him and then abandon him. Raimund’s principle was that if you’re going to bestow a favor, do it generously.

“I, Raimund von Lindenbach, head of the Lindenbach baronial family, hereby declare…”

Raimund trailed off and glanced at Berger. This was all part of the plan they had discussed. Berger smiled and nodded, as if understanding what was coming next.

Extending his hand toward Rex, who was looking at him with a bewildered face, Raimund said:

“From today, I appoint you as a knight.”

Rex’s eyes widened in shock.