“Brother, you really aren’t, are you?”
Lena bounced after Lind, repeatedly asking this one question.
After just dealing with a batch of prisoners, Lind could only answer patiently, “Really not. Even if I were, what does it matter? That Empire has been destroyed for how long now?”
“But the Duchess of the Southern Border is indeed a descendant of the Rom Empire; she has black hair and black eyes just like you, and she’s a distant relative of Caroline. Her family has genealogical proof.”
Lena was not giving up and even flipped through the history of the noble family she used to detest most. This subject was as sleep-inducing as when Lena listened to Lind’s reports.
“So, does having black hair and black eyes automatically make one a so-called descendant of the Empire? Where did you hear that from?”
Lind was at a loss for words; was this really such an important matter?
At that moment, Caroline happened to arrive at the camp from Graythorn Territory and explained, “Having black hair and black eyes doesn’t necessarily mean that, but descendants of the Empire are indeed supposed to have black hair and black eyes.”
Due to her special status, although Caroline was a professional, Lind didn’t allow her to take part in the battle; instead, he let her comfortably stay in the rear organizing production. Now that victory was assured, Caroline finally had a chance to get some fresh air.
“As my lady said, my distant cousin, the Duchess of the Southern Border, is indeed a descendant of the Empire, and I also carry the bloodline of the Empire, hence my black hair.”
“So what does this so-called bloodline of the Empire mean?”
Lind asked.
“There’s nothing explicitly beneficial… But, my lord, are you really of the Empire bloodline? If so, we might just be relatives.”
“No, at least since the day I was born, my family never mentioned such a thing.”
“But my lord, everyone outside is talking about this matter, even those noble prisoners… Those noble prisoners are frantically proving that you are indeed a descendant of the Empire. After all, they are nobles from the Northern Border, and their testimonies are quite… convincing.”
Caroline was also somewhat unsure; if these nobles were trying to save face by claiming they lost to the ancient Empire’s bloodline, that could be understood.
But quite a few nobles insisted so resolutely, even claiming to have seen the Ror family’s genealogy—something even Lind’s current body’s former owner had never seen.
Of course, none of this could be considered critical evidence. What puzzled Caroline the most were the potions used in the healing relief missions at the Holy Cathedral.
Because of disguises and prioritizing strict security protocols, Caroline had not come into contact with the Holy Water secret until now, and she even thought it might indeed be something Lind brought over from his old home at the border.
How could a fallen baron unearth a bunch of mysterious potions with healing effects comparable to Holy Water? Caroline had always been skeptical; it was impossible to explain, but since Lind wouldn’t say, she could only accept that this was the case.
But now, everything made sense.
Those potions were indeed dug up by Lind from his old home, and he had even mastered the method of producing such potions. Wasn’t this the technology lost by the ancient Empire?
With the addition of that mysterious sugar and the recovery potion’s recipe, it turned out everything came from the ancient Empire.
This wasn’t surprising; wasn’t Caroline’s distant cousin from the Southern Border’s family supported by the Empire’s legacy, becoming the Duchess of the Southern Border?
The logic flowed smoothly without any discrepancies. Even in Caroline’s mind, she came to believe that Lind was also a descendant of the ancient Empire. So, she hurriedly wrote a letter to her family this morning.
You should know that when her family previously contacted Caroline, all her replies were read but not answered. But this time, Caroline not only replied, but she also responded very formally, sending the letter at the fastest pace toward the Royal Capital.
If this was what Lucanus referred to as a gift to himself, Lind still had some expectations. The so-called bloodline of the Empire didn’t bring any substantial benefits, and proving it would be troublesome. Besides, the Empire had been gone for so many years; could he really claim something without a shred of evidence?
At that moment, Lind was completely unaware that everyone had more or less completed a logic loop similar to Caroline’s.
Especially those defeated nobles, who insisted that Lind was a long-hidden descendant of the Empire, fooling others while they surrendered with newfound composure, even boasting about losing to a descendant of the Empire.
“I’m really not.”
Lind exhaustedly explained.
But Caroline gave a “I understand” look.
Although Augustus III presented a very generous posture, even letting the openly declared descendants of the Empire guard the important Southern Region, it was impossible to have no defenses. Especially with one descendant of the Empire having become a duke, other potential descendants would certainly be under close scrutiny.
After finally sending Caroline off, Lena was still following behind Lind.
“Brother, it’s just us here. Just tell me the truth, I promise I won’t tell anyone! I assure you, no matter whether you’re a descendant of the Empire or not, I support you.”
“I’m really not…”
Lind continued his futile explanation, but to his surprise, Lena believed him very simply this time and seemed to relax.
“Okay, I believe you.”
After leaving this statement, Lena walked away. In that moment, Lind felt somewhat touched; he never expected Lena would genuinely believe him unconditionally.
At this point, the Sister Unit also arrived, bringing good news—they had captured Wisk.
Flora sighed, stating that after abandoning worldly matters to solely serve the Goddess and the Lord, it seemed the Goddess had truly started to favor her again. Just the daily prayers before meals had remarkably come true.
Wisk also knew that even if he weren’t the instigator, he couldn’t absolve himself, and surrender was impossible. However, unlike his previous despondency, he now seemed spirited, even making one doubt who had truly won.
As Wisk was escorted, he glanced at Lind and remarked, “Indeed a descendant of the Empire; I can’t complain about my loss.”
“…”
Lind cursed inwardly at this situation.
Just then, Lauri and Ulanda also arrived. Lauri’s unit wasn’t fully equipped this time, so they only conducted a brief pursuit before starting to clean up the battlefield.
“My lord, these are the two clever little boys I found. Can I include them in my team?”
Lauri brought Sean and Colin and, after the introduction, leaned toward Lind and whispered, “Boss, are you really a descendant of the Empire?”
“No.”
Lind answered sternly.
Seeing Lind’s mood was not very good, Lauri quickly stepped back.
But Sean, looking like a laborer, stepped forward and asked, “My lord, are you a descendant of the Empire?”
