Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 17
Lucian Advein’s voice, which moments before had carried a certain recklessness and levity, now grew heavy with weight.
He turned to regard me as though toying with the notion. There was no helping it.
I smiled faintly and accepted his words.
“Because it serves their interests. Survival and profit hold far greater value than truth, after all.”
Jade Delpoi and Hailey Genevre blinked, overwhelmed, unable to muster even a whisper of rebuttal at his sudden shift in tone.
“Precisely. Rumors about the Third Prince conveniently identify those who might threaten the Crown Prince, diminishing House Genevre simultaneously cripples both the Magic Tower and neutral factions, while House Delpoi becomes useful regardless of whether they’re drawn close or cast aside—there’s no reason not to spread such rumors.”
Lucian Advein set down his teacup with elegant grace and fixed his gaze upon Jade Delpoi.
He could not restrain himself and spoke.
“I am aware of such matters. However, I came seeking counsel on how to request the Lady of Rosena’s assistance—”
“Ah, that power you speak of. In truth, dispelling false rumors is remarkably simple. One need only present a contradicting truth before the rumors take root.”
I could only shake my head. How exasperating.
Yet I could not suppress the slight twist of my lips.
“What do you mean—”
The expressions of Jade Delpoi and Hailey Genevre beside him transformed in an instant into shock.
In that moment, all save those two rose and offered their respects with proper courtesy toward Lucian Advein.
Haeston continued with reverent formality.
“His Highness Lucian Advein, the Third Star of Transcendence, graces us with his presence.”
I need not look to know. His eyes had turned crimson.
I had hinted at extracting oaths of loyalty, but I never anticipated he would employ such methods.
I had thought he would choose a more temperate approach. This time, I had been outmaneuvered.
“We greet Your Highness.”
“Forgive our rudeness.”
“What rudeness have I to forgive? The blasphemy came from my own lips, and the damage to my honor stems only from the rumors that follow in my wake. Do I appear to you as one who would condemn others for such trifles?”
The crimson-eyed prince materialized before me.
There was no one in this Empire who could fail to grasp his meaning.
Nor could anyone misunderstand why he had chosen a noblewoman of Rosena as his partner and her ducal residence as his venue.
“Jade Delpoi, swear to me your loyalty as a knight. Should you become my knight, neither House Faneshula nor House Genevre shall dare cast their eyes upon you again.”
At the sudden proposal, Jade Delpoi’s body trembled.
Hailey Genevre too could not fully conceal her bewilderment, her hands quivering slightly.
“Your Highness.”
Lucian Advein remained standing, observing Jade Delpoi as he prostrated himself.
“Am I a lord who would tarnish House Delpoi’s honor?”
“You are not, Your Highness.”
“Do my eyes diminish the Imperial bloodline’s legitimacy or my claim to the throne?”
“…No, Your Highness.”
“Having shaken hands with me directly, do you still perceive me as a depraved tyrant, a drunkard, and a prince as powerless as they come?”
One swayed by rumors questioned one threatened by them.
He had deliberately displayed his power—allowing me to feel the sword energy born from a spirit of absolute purity.
Jade Delpoi exhaled roughly. The young, newly sworn knight stood at a crossroads of choice.
“No.”
At her firm response, Lucian Advein smiled with satisfaction.
“Then I shall ask you once more. There will be no third offer, so it would be wise to answer carefully.”
“Yes.”
“Jade Delpoi, will you become a knight of mine, Lucian Advein?”
“My sword belongs to Your Highness.”
It was an oath of loyalty heard by only the rarest few.
Hailey Genevre’s gaze turned toward me. As I gave the faintest nod, she continued in a trembling voice.
“House Genevre shall follow Your Highness’s glory.”
The next day, this tale spread throughout the entire Empire.
* * *
Rumors possess a remarkable power.
Once they take root, surprisingly few people concern themselves with whether the content holds any truth.
“So that young knight of House Delpoi swore loyalty to the Third Prince, is that the story?”
“Yes, exactly! It’s practically a foregone conclusion that Sir Jade will inherit House Delpoi….”
An elegant lady laughing behind her fan, and a dignified gentleman shrugging as though he understood nothing.
‘I wish I could have heard the rawer version of the story.’
‘Tiae, if you went to a tavern in the streets to hear such talk, you’d faint on the spot.’
‘But I went with you and Serpina Rosena before.’
‘This will be different. Trust me.’
My plan to witness the spread of rumors firsthand was quickly derailed by Minabell’s insistent objections.
She insisted she would look into it herself if I was truly curious.
I doubted that words difficult for me to hear would be any easier for Minabell.
‘Don’t worry. I come from the service industry.’
‘I see.’
I had decided not to ask what that meant anymore. If I pressed the matter, I would only see Minabell covering her mouth in embarrassment.
In any case, it must mean she had experience hearing harsh language.
“Young Lady, over there….”
“Yes, I was listening to their conversation as well.”
Hailey Genevre, seated beside me, nodded.
Behind her green butterfly mask, her eyes sparkled with concentration. The conversation continued.
“But I wonder what the reason is?”
“What reason do you speak of?”
“Why that young knight made such a decision, of course.”
Days passed, and I eventually found myself here.
A charitable auction of sorts, where the belongings of the late Empress and Imperial Consort were put up for sale, with the proceeds distributed for the welfare of the people.
Concealing one’s face was merely a formality; once the auction concluded, everyone would gather for a banquet.
Because it was an Imperial auction, invitations were distributed primarily to nobles known for their wealth or those active in politics. House Cherita, having little interest in political affairs, apparently did not receive an invitation.
Rosena received invitations every year as a matter of course, and my parents occasionally attended, though this became rare as my health deteriorated.
Still, invitations arrived each year with a certain insistence, and this time, I claimed that seat for myself.
‘Previously, the Crown Prince himself would send us personally handwritten invitations. They contained messages encouraging our participation, stating it was for the sake of harmony among the great houses and the peace of the people’s hearts.’
‘But this time, none arrived.’
‘That’s right. However, House Faneshula and the other families apparently did receive theirs.’
House Faneshula seemed to have launched immediate retaliation following the spread of House Delpoi’s oath.
House Genevre, too, had frequently received invitations to such events thanks to their vast wealth and various forms of influence, yet this time there had been no contact whatsoever.
It appeared that since the Crown Prince held the real power, it would be difficult to receive an invitation without his approval.
The Emperor himself had long since ceased participating in such ‘private’ affairs.
“I wish I could ask him directly why he made such a choice.”
“Do you have no personal acquaintance with Lord Jade Delpoi?”
“We have met and spoken a few times, but at present, contact itself is practically impossible.”
“I suppose so….”
Normally, whispers exchanged at this distance wouldn’t be audible, but once I equipped the magical artifact Minabell had designed, the conversations of others became crystal clear.
It was called the Redthus Earphone, if I recalled correctly. Truly a revolutionary eavesdropping device.
It intelligently detected keywords like House Delpoi, House Genevre, and House Faneshula, relaying only those relevant conversations as whispers to our ears—extraordinarily convenient.
“I heard that Lord Jade Delpoi went straight to the Third Prince’s Palace the moment he completed his oath of loyalty?”
“Yes, for a knight’s virtue lies in standing beside his lord.”
“Still, it does seem rather hasty….”
The rumors were spreading in this manner.
Behind the auctioneer, who was actively describing the items for sale, Lucian Advein sat in his chair with a bored expression, while the expressionless Jade Delpoi stood guard beside him.
Next to them were Vincent and two empty chairs.
One belonged to the Emperor, the other to the Second Prince, who had vanished at some point.
Vincent, now the Crown Prince, maintained his position with a coldly hardened expression, as if he had not a single attendant to his name.
“To think he would bring him out to such a grand event immediately after the oath. As expected….”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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