“This isn’t your place to step up. Have some self-restraint, you wretch.”

The one who snapped irritably was none other than Ludwig, the second son of Grand Duke Krupp. However, before he could say more, the grand duke quietly raised his hand.

And as everyone shut their eyes tightly, expecting scolding to rain down on Erich—

“You’d do well to restrain yourself instead. Ludwig.”

Contrary to expectations, the grand duke rebuked Ludwig. Yet, everything was going just as Erich had anticipated. That was because Erich knew very well about the ‘Iceborn’.

‘The only gladiatorial tournament held by the Watch—Iceborn.’

Iceborn.

This sole gladiatorial tournament hosted by the Watch was held once every ten years, and only in the South.

Gladiatorial tournaments held significant meaning in the Empire. People, by instinct, are drawn to violence.

The intense and honorable duels between knights, seen there, served to inspire commoners’ desire to participate.

Most of these tournaments were hosted by powerful nobles.

It was a way to show off their might to the commoners, encourage enlistment as soldiers, and send the message that anyone could aspire to knighthood.

The hosts also earned popularity and public attention through these tournaments.

However, the Watch specifically held a tournament in the South because the South was notoriously uncooperative with the Watch.

Unlike in the North or the Center, where the Watch’s reputation was widely established, in the South their image was, quite literally, that of a rat hole.

Thus, by holding a gladiatorial tournament in the South, they sought to win local popularity and, through that, encourage enlistment into the Watch.

But there were a few unwritten rules to Iceborn.

The most important: anyone could apply for Iceborn—and no one could bar another from applying.

‘It all goes back to the decree of the Empire’s first emperor, at the time of the Watch’s founding at the Great Wall.’

No matter how powerful one was, not even the mighty could defy the authority of the first Emperor.

For that reason, not even the grand duke of the famed Krupp family could bar Erich from entering Iceborn.

At least, not in any official capacity.

But in truth, if things had stayed as they were, no true nobles were participating in this tournament, despite it being one backed directly by the Emperor…

“Erich. Are you sure you understand what kind of tournament Iceborn is?”

“Yes. I do. It’s a no-holds-barred match—until one concedes defeat or dies.”

Surrender was just a word. When swords were flying, there was no time for admitting defeat. Open your mouth, and a blade would find your neck.

In reality, Iceborn was almost always a tournament stained with blood and death.

It was natural, then, that sons of noble families, who valued their lives, would not volunteer for such a place. Yet here was the son of the grand duke volunteering to enter.

“It appears His Highness’s son understands perfectly well.”

Konrad’s mouth split in a grin. The moment Erich’s entry became official, Konrad’s objective had been met.

Moreover, within the Watch, his positions were Chief Watchman and Quartermaster. It was a matter important enough to draw down one of the only five top members in the entire Watch.

And now—a scion of House Krupp would enter?

‘Originally, this was supposed to be the very last tournament.’

It had been centuries since the inaugural grand duke of Krupp formed an agreement with the Watch. In the meantime, Iceborn had become almost meaningless, its fate tied to the success or failure of this one final tournament.

At this moment, word that the scion of the premier grand ducal house of the South would participate was about to draw overwhelming support from southern nobles.

For Konrad, a successful event would justify preserving Iceborn.

Conversely, for the grand duke, all grounds to oppose the tournament had disappeared.

“… Fine, so be it.”

Yet, the grand duke could not oppose Erich’s participation. Once Erich had officially declared his intention to enter Iceborn, not even the grand duke, nor the emperor himself, could stop it.

Even if he was nothing more than a mere half-blood and, at best, an embarrassment to the family.

As such, with a strained first meeting now over, people began trickling out from the grand duke’s office. Among them was Finn, pale as a ghost.

Finn, itching to speak, silently trailed behind Erich all the way to his room.

― Bang!

And the moment Erich’s door closed—

“Young master!!! What on earth are you doing?”

“What?”

“Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to get involved with the Watch?”

Finn, unable to suppress his rage any longer, began lecturing Erich about just how dangerous the Watch truly was.

The Watch.

Publicly known as the honorable organization that guarded the Great Wall—a gate between the Empire and barbarian lands, stretching up to the sky. I

n truth, it was a place in such dire straits that it accepted mostly criminals and vagrants to sustain itself, given the poor conditions and difficulty recruiting volunteers.

Finn forcefully argued just how dangerous and low-class a group they really were.

If he’d known the day’s guest was to be the Watch, he wouldn’t have made such a fuss from the beginning.

But Erich’s quietly smiling eyes were already fixed on something distant.

‘So, how will Father respond?’

Erich’s move was something of a gamble. As Finn explained, the Watch was an organization that most nobles actively avoided.

‘It’s a trash heap for all kinds of scum and thieves—up to death row criminals.’

For the son of a grand duke to associate with them? That was unthinkable unless one had been thoroughly cast out from the family. Outwardly, it might be dressed up as ‘honorable’, but gossip was inevitable.

And yet, despite all that, in Erich’s previous life, he had entered the Watch.

‘That’s how I nearly died every day.’

His method at the time: running away from home with no plan. Once sworn into the Watch, even the grand duke would have no grounds to hold him. But what young Erich hadn’t known back then was—

That the grand duke would not simply leave a stain on the family’s honor unpunished, and that there were plenty of forces within the ducal house ready to do the dirty work.

Still, Erich was grateful for that experience.

Thanks to it, he had been able to set clear goals after returning to the past.

“Finn, I never mentioned it before, but—I always intended to enter Iceborn.”

“Why go looking for trouble? You could easily find a post in the capital or at worst be knighted in some other noble house, so why, young master?”

“You’re more naïve than I thought, Finn. Do you really think this family will ever let me do anything in the Empire going forward?”

Finn calmed his breathing after hearing Erich’s words. Clearly, the words struck a chord with him.

He knew exactly who in this mansion saw Erich as a thorn in their side. The sort of person who would spare no effort to thwart him at every turn.

“But even so… I just don’t understand why you’d pick such a dangerous option as Iceborn. Sure, winning brings honor, but…”

“People don’t know this, but the winner of Iceborn is granted an interesting request.”

“… And what’s that?”

“That’s a secret.”

With that, Erich turned his head toward the window. Perhaps it was the aftereffect of the move he made; dozens of servants and knights were moving about busily. Slowly, others were beginning to react to Erich’s opening move.

‘Now, let’s see how everyone responds.’

Erich wore a gentle smile.

***

Two weeks passed after Erich’s declaration to join Iceborn.

During that time, Watch members had been moving busily, preparing for the tournament’s opening.

On the last day of preparations, they were lined up for inspection before Konrad.

“We’re just about ready now. The participant roster is complete, senior Konrad.”

A burly member of the Watch handed a thick sheaf of documents to Konrad, who flipped through them before grinning in satisfaction.

“Things are going far better than I expected. Perhaps I should thank the young lord of the grand ducal house.”

“They say it’s been a hundred years since so many prominent nobles signed up. The commander was pleased as well.”

“Right, another child of Krupp wants to participate, correct?”

“Yes. Though, I doubt it’s his own will…”

The member clicked his tongue, thinking of that other child—a familiar sort of noble’s arrogance, but that never made it easy to tolerate.

“Looks like there’s some factional rivalry even within the grand ducal house. Then again, there’s plenty in the Watch, so why not the nobles? That other contestant from the grand duke—is it Ludwig?”

“Yes. The one who’s sneered at us since he first arrived. But… after digging around, I heard quite an intriguing rumor.”

“What’s that, Joseph?”

Joseph’s lips twitched, as if savoring the gossip.

“You know the one? The grand duke’s third, Erich Krupp. When he volunteered for Iceborn, I figured there was something behind it. Word is, he’s thoroughly earned the duchess’s hatred. Some even say Ludwig’s joining out of pressure from his mother, the duchess, to trample Erich.”

“Mothers hating bastards is hardly a new story in any era. But, Joseph, what do you think?”

“Think about what?”

“Who do you think will win?”

“Well… Previously, I’d have scoffed at the rookie nobles. But now…”

“But?”

Joseph thought a moment, face somber, and gripped his wrist.

“If I had to bet, I’d put it on that bastard, Erich.”

“Oh? Why him?”

“… When he came out to greet us at Krupp house—I thought it was just the surprise at the time, but his grip is unreal.”

“When he grabbed your wrist?”

“Yes. It was like being seized by a barbarian. I couldn’t move an inch.”

Konrad stroked his chin in silence—a habit whenever he became lost in deep thought.

‘Joseph must have suspected something already.’

The rudeness Joseph showed upon entering the mansion—he’d done so under Konrad’s instructions.

Custom held that, when visiting an esteemed family, the family head would greet them personally. If not, it was a breach of etiquette—a tacit protest, so to speak.

But contrary to Konrad’s expectations, Joseph had been subdued easily and by a bastard, not even by the heir Friedrich or Ludwig, nor even a knight.

“The grand duke was equally surprised by that bastard’s strength, wasn’t he?”

“That’s right. Apparently, the whole family thought he was incompetent.”

“So when the bastard announced he’d join Iceborn, they sent Ludwig to stomp him. This is getting interesting.”

“A bastard hiding ambition… Is that it?”

At Joseph’s words, Konrad smiled. What he thought would be a mere power struggle with the grand duke was turning in another direction.

Iceborn, once a tournament for half-hearted nobles and freelancers, had become the Empire’s hottest topic. Sons of the most esteemed noble houses were now flocking to participate.

‘What does that bastard really want? To risk dying in Iceborn…’

Konrad smirked, deciding to save that question for his own amusement. In any case, until the end, no one could say who would win Iceborn.

“Uh, senior Konrad?”

“Hm?”

One member hesitantly spoke up. He seemed to have something to say.

“The duchess asked me to deliver a message—something urgent.”

The member produced a letter, sealed in red wax. Konrad checked its content, then clicked his tongue.

“Well, this isn’t something I can refuse.”

“What does it say?”

“It’s… let’s call it a sort of win-win deal.”

“Yes?”

With that, Konrad turned to Joseph.

“Joseph, you’re managing the tournament bracket, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“There’s a change to be made.”

“Sir?”

Konrad tucked away the letter and pointed at the stack of documents.

“Find the names I read out, and match them up with Erich Krupp in the bracket.”

“… Sir? Is that even allowed?”

“Shall I repeat myself?”

“… Understood.”

Joseph picked up the documents again with a sour face, and Konrad’s mouth curved upward.

“Let’s see if our grand ducal bastard can overcome a few small setbacks.”

Konrad stood from his seat. With a gesture, all the members left the room. He approached the window, gazing out at the bustling workers below.

A vast audience seating area, and an iron cage at its center.

‘Iceborn’ was nearly ready.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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