Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

181 The White Palace Beckons

Destroying the artifact that controls the barrier?

Wouldn't that just disable the barrier?

That's how people break into ancient ruins all the time—what nonsense is he talking about?

William narrowed his eyes.

A knight—especially one in charge of security—should know better than to say something so illogical.

So why was Rottier lying?

And then, a single possibility flickered through William's mind.

"Sir Glenn," he said suddenly. "May I ask you something?"

Glenn, who had been carefully observing the conversation, tilted his head.

"What is it?"

"Does Tibron have a similar artifact? One that generates a barrier around the entire city, like Asagrim's?"

Glenn's expression stiffened.

"That… is difficult to answer," he admitted. "The defense of the capital is a classified matter."

William nodded.

"I see. I apologize for asking."

Glenn had sidestepped the question.

Which meant the answer was no—Tibron had nothing like Asagrim's barrier.

William turned his gaze back to Rottier.

The knight hadn't said a word, yet his face was turning red.

Ah. So that's what it is.

Inferiority.

Imperial knights prided themselves on serving the greatest nation on the continent.

But now, they had stumbled upon a city that—aside from size—surpassed even the Imperial Capital in both construction and magical defenses.

And to make matters worse, there was proof that Tibron's famed White Walls were copies of Asagrim's.

And then they discovered the ancient defensive barrier—something Tibron lacked entirely.

So the capital's status falls, the Imperial Family's prestige weakens… and by extension, he feels his own worth diminishing as well.

It all clicked into place.

The reason for the severe restrictions on pilgrims. The unreasonable surveillance.

They're trying to suppress new discoveries.

If something even more remarkable was unearthed here, Tibron would only look worse in comparison.

William let out a quiet laugh.

How absurd.

Did they really think hiding a few relics would somehow diminish the Empire's power? That William would suddenly surpass the Emperor just because the North had better artifacts?

"Your security measures seem… excessive," William finally said.

"Withdraw your soldiers."

Rottier clenched his jaw.

"Your Highness, we cannot simply allow outsiders to roam freely. If an incident—"

"It's my land," William cut in. "And I will take responsibility for it."

Rottier fell silent.

What else could he say? The landowner had spoken.

The atmosphere in the inner city was completely different from before.

"We're… we're inside the Inner Walls!"

"The White Palace! The lost glory of the North!"

The pilgrims who had followed William wept openly.

Even when security had been lighter, no commoner had ever been permitted this close.

Now, for the first time in hundreds of years, they stood at the very foot of Asagrim's White Palace—the heart of the old Northern Kingdom.

Some even fell to their knees, kissing the sacred ground.

"Your Highness," Glenn called out. "Are you heading inside?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Not a problem, but…" Glenn hesitated. "Even we Imperial officials were restricted from entering the palace itself. I'm afraid I cannot guide you inside."

William waved a hand dismissively.

"That's fine. Just take me to the entrance—I'll find my own way from there."

Glenn nodded, though he didn't look entirely at ease.

"Understood. And… what about them?"

He cast a glance at the crowd of pilgrims still trailing behind them.

Rottier's expression was particularly sour.

"You surely don't mean to let them inside, do you?"

William followed his gaze, then smirked.

"Of course not. The White Palace is not open to the public."

Rottier exhaled in visible relief.

"But," William continued, "I will allow them to see the entrance. Let them admire their heritage from a respectable distance."

"…How merciful of you," Rottier said stiffly, bowing his head.

A few minutes later, William and his entourage stood before the sealed gates of the White Palace.

For centuries, this place had been forbidden—its doors never once opened to outsiders.

And now, history was about to be made.

Everyone knew it.

The anticipation hung thick in the air, so suffocating that no one dared to break the silence.

And then—

"Take the throne!"

The sudden cry shattered the stillness.

Everyone flinched and turned in alarm.

It was him.

The same young man who had first defied the Imperial guards.

He took a bold step forward, eyes blazing.

"Open the gates and claim your rightful place! Take the throne!"

A deep, heavy silence followed.

His words—his challenge—hung over the crowd like a sword poised to fall.

The White Palace had once belonged to the Northern Kings.

William's title was Margrave, not King—but he would be ruling from the White Palace regardless.

The difference was subtle.

But acknowledging the throne as a throne…

That was a completely different matter.

The Empire had conquered many lands. But it had never installed a new King over its subjects.

The very idea was unacceptable to Imperial doctrine.

"Take the throne! Take the throne!"

The words spread like wildfire.

One voice became ten.

Ten became a hundred. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

The entire crowd was now chanting, their fervor reaching a dangerous peak.

To them, William was already their King.

Glenn felt his hands clench into fists.

William's next words would decide everything.

William, please… don't say anything reckless.

Declaring himself King would instantly turn the Imperial Family against him.

But denying them outright might crush the growing support of the North.

Glenn's heart pounded in his chest.

William slowly turned to face the crowd.

His lips parted—

"The ancestors of House Grimaldi longed for the White Palace," he said softly.

The chanting faded into hushed anticipation.

"To them, this place was a dream—one that, for generations, remained just out of reach."

Silence.

"For centuries, that dream was never fulfilled. But now, in my time, it has become a reality."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

"So today—"

William swept his gaze across the crowd.

"—I will honor my ancestors by walking these halls alone, in remembrance of them."

A stunned silence followed.

Then—

"A-Ah…"

It was as if a spell had been broken.

Shame flickered across the pilgrims' faces.

They had been celebrating—but had they spared a thought for those who never lived to see this moment?

Their forebears had died yearning for this day.