Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 53

Logan was in his office, papers scattered on the wooden desk in front of him. He slammed his hand on the table. “Why? Why can’t I just buy it?!”

Phillip sighed, looking worried. [Mithril is not like normal metal you can buy with money. It is worth a lot, like you said, but there is almost none to be found.]

“Are you saying it’s impossible to buy because there’s none available?” Logan asked, his voice frustrated.

Still, deep down, he felt that money could solve anything.

[Yes, you could say that. To buy 100kg, you need more than just money. You also need power.]

Logan, who had been a mercenary before and had barely even seen mithril, did not know this. He was surprised by this real problem.

“Huh…? Power?” Logan asked, confused.

He thought for a moment. Then, a solution came to him quickly.

“If it’s the Sword Master, that power should be enough, right?”

[Really?! But do you think he would help you? You are just business partners, aren’t you?] Phillip asked, raising his eyebrows in doubt.

Logan didn’t think that he and the Sword Master were ‘just business partners’.

He couldn’t explain it to Phillip, but he felt the Sword Master was more than just a business contact.

“It’s worth a try. I should talk to him.”

[I’m worried you might lose the trust you’ve built up.] Phillip said, his voice full of concern.

*Trust is important,* Logan thought, *but I need to try.*

“If the trust disappears with one request, it’s not real trust. I should ask anyway.”

Leaving Phillip behind with a worried expression and a shake of his head, Logan went to use the communication device.

He was worried because he had never used the coordinates since he received them, but fortunately, he was connected soon after.

[This is Duke Felix Esperanza’s residence. The connection coordinate is… Maclane? Please wait a moment.] Logan could hear voices and hurried footsteps in the background.

[…Where is this? Anyone I know? Why am I in the countryside…?]

Although he heard some unpleasant words, the coordinates seemed to be correct.

About thirty minutes passed. Then, the communication device crackled to life again.

[T-The Duke already?]

[You rotten… Was there someone important in this backwater?]

[Hey, the communication device is still on…]

[Ah! I’m doomed…]

[S-Sorry! The Duke is coming soon.]

After the noisy commotion coming from beyond the communication device, a familiar face appeared, and soon a familiar voice was heard.

[It’s been a while, Logan.]

“Have you been well, Duke?”

[Yes. Except that the guy I taught a thing or two hasn’t sent a single message,] The Sword Master said, a hint of sadness in his voice, [I’ve been fine.]

Logan’s soft smile didn’t waver. “Hahaha. How could I send a private greeting to the Duke? I know my place.”

[You are still good with words. Well, it’s good that you contacted me. I was just thinking of giving you a thank you.]

“Y-Yes?” Logan said, surprised.

*What thank you? What did I do? Is this a trick?* Many questions rushed through his mind.

The Sword Master’s face was full of joy. He smiled brightly, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. [My wife is expecting! No, it’s already been over 3 months, so it’s as good as my decades-long wish has come true. It’s all thanks to you.]

“Gasp! C-Congratulations! Duke!”

[Yes, thank you. It’s all thanks to you.]

“Why would it be thanks to me? The Duke used his own strength… Ugh!”

Reason barely stopped his uncontrolled tongue. “Ahem. Hah, it’s a blessing from the heavens.”

[Hahaha. Your audacity is still the same. Yes, it’s a blessing from the heavens, and it’s also thanks to my efforts. But before that, it’s thanks to you. Thank you so much.]

“Ah… Haha.”

A natural smile appeared on Logan’s face at the sight of his uncalculated, complete joy and gratitude. The Sword Master was still honest and straightforward, not befitting his status.

“I’m glad I contacted you at a good time.”

[Yes. If you hadn’t, I would have given you a hard time. I need to know if you’ve properly mastered the Gravity Sword before I can pass on the next technique.]

“Haha. I’m grateful just to hear you say that… Cough. What did you just say?”

[Or maybe I shouldn’t teach you the technique then?]

“Ah, no. If that’s the case, I’m grateful!” Logan quickly waved his hand even in his dazed state.

[Yes. You’re not the type to refuse. So, come back to the capital once the child is born. My wife also wants to thank you separately. I’ll throw a big party for you.]

“Haha. What party? That’s really enough just to hear you say it.”

[Should I not teach you the technique then?]

Logan’s thoughts, which had been trying to politely decline, disappeared cleanly with that one word.

“…What kind of party is it? What’s the dress code? I’ll match it as you wish. Just spare me the skirt…”

[Puhahaha. Yes, that’s like you.]

What is that ‘like me’ supposed to be, really?

Hoo.

‘It’s not a bad thing, but it’s inconvenient at this point.’

He was about to waste time on something else after making a call for nothing…

“Uwaah! Duke. I’m sorry, but the party is the party, and before that, can I get some mithril?”

He was almost about to forget the most important thing, swept away by the sudden news from the Sword Master.

[Mithril? A guy with a lot of money, why don’t you just buy it?]

“That’s… I need about 100kg.”

[…100kg? Not 100g?]

“Yes. That’s why I contacted you.”

[Huhu. So you need power.]

Fortunately, the Sword Master understood the situation at once.

[Did you make that much money? Hehe. That medicine was really an amazing thing.]

Although there was a slight misunderstanding, Logan didn’t explain fully, and just laughed.

[Yes. Well, let’s say you have the money, what are you going to use all that for?]

“I’m going to make mithril alloy weapons for the knights who have worked hard.”

[For ordinary knights? Mithril weapons?]

“Yes.”

[…Hehehe. I underestimated your boldness.]

“…Yes?”

[I don’t even invest that much in ordinary knights. You’re a really unique, no, amazing guy.]

Somehow, the misunderstanding seemed to be growing.

[Good. I like that a lot. You are someone I want to support.]

Logan was wondering what he meant by reaping, since he wasn’t a crop.

[I’ll roll up my sleeves and help you. Should I help your subordinate in the capital?]

As the words he had been waiting for fell, Logan’s back automatically bent.

“Thank you, Duke.”

[Hehe. It’s not a difficult task. Instead, be sure to attend the party that will be held when the child is born. And around that time, I’d like you to call me teacher instead of a formal title. Contact me often before that if possible.]

“…Yes?”

[Then, contact me again as soon as the deal is done.]

Bzzzt!

With the Sword Master’s somewhat embarrassed expression, the communication was unilaterally cut off.

Logan, with a blank expression, clenched his fist and turned around after a long time.

And.

“Wooaaah!” He shouted with joy in a space where no one was listening.

‘The Sword Master’s disciple. Good, good.’

He was just trying to make a small request using his past relationship, but he ended up grabbing a golden rope.

Logan couldn’t hide his elation.

‘Once Hamar finishes the crossbow and town-related work, I’ll have to entrust him with the mithril as well.’

He was about to go to Hamar right away with excitement, but he barely managed to stop himself.

‘Let’s protect the vacation.’

Logan still remembered that he was more efficient when he took a break last time.

Not everyone can run like him.

So he was just thinking about the work he would have to do in the future.

Logan smiled slightly. He felt good about how things were going. He felt like he was becoming stronger and more capable.

Kai frowned slightly. “Re-signing… as soldiers? You mean really become soldiers here?” He sounded unsure.

Logan nodded. Their contract to train for the war with Tesron was ending. Now, Logan had a different idea. “Exactly. I want you to be a training instructor. Like a knight. The same pay and respect.” He paused. “And if the others want to stay, I’ll hire them as regular soldiers.”

Kai knew most of the others were not high-level mercenaries. This was a very good offer for them. But… “They might not want to,” Kai said slowly. “The pay will be much less, right? Less than mercenary work?”

“It will be steady pay,” Logan replied. “Always there.”

Kai nodded. “Yes, but… mercenaries like being free. They don’t want to stay in one place.”

Logan looked at Kai directly. “What about you?”

Kai thought for a moment. “For knight-level pay? I would be happy. I think I’m good at teaching. And…” He hesitated. “I want to see what happens with your family. To see how you do.”

Logan smiled, a real smile this time. “And you want to be around when good things happen, don’t you?”

Kai smiled back, a small smile. “Maybe a little.”

“Good.” Logan leaned forward. “If I know you will stay, I can ask the others to sign for two years. A longer contract.”

“And if they say no?” Kai asked.

Logan’s smile became harder. “They won’t say no. They can’t say no. You know why, don’t you?”

Kai’s eyes widened slightly. “Ah. I see. Yes.”

The real reason was the new crossbow. The one that could shoot arrows very fast. Logan knew that soon, everyone would know about it. But not yet.

Even if some mercenaries wanted to leave after a year, Logan would not let them. *The Wolves are already interested,* he thought. *But they are still not sure. One success is not enough to convince them.*

But if the civil war started, and the McLaine family won again, everything would change. People would really want the crossbow. *Someone could try to steal it. A spy could get in. It could be lost in battle. I can’t stop everything,* Logan thought, his brow furrowing.

He knew that in about two years, the secret of the crossbow would be out. Everyone would have it. So, until then, he had to control it tightly. He had to be very strict.

“Some will fight back,” Kai said, his voice low.

“Stop them,” Logan said firmly. “You can do that, can’t you?”

“Yes, but…” Kai hesitated.

“But if they still want to leave after that? I don’t care,” Logan said, his voice hard. “Let them go.”

“Really?” Kai’s green eyes looked closely at Logan, searching his face. Logan met his gaze steadily.

“Yes,” Logan said.

“You are serious,” Kai said slowly.

“Always,” Logan replied.

Kai paused, then asked carefully, “You are not planning to start a war soon, are you? Within two years?”

Logan laughed softly, a low sound in his chest. “No, Kai. I am not someone who loves war.” He paused, his smile fading slightly. “But sometimes, war comes to you, whether you want it or not.”

Kai looked at Logan’s serious face. He nodded slowly. “I will obey,” he said, and bowed his head. He didn’t understand the real meaning of Logan’s smile, the hidden plans behind it.

“Let’s start training soldiers now,” Logan said, changing the subject.

“Yes,” Kai replied.

“We need to recruit about a thousand more new soldiers soon. We will train them all – basic fighting, riding horses, and using crossbows. We will train them with the soldiers we already have.”

“…Yes?” Kai said again, sounding confused.

This first job as training instructor was much stranger than Kai had expected.

*Soldier Recruitment Notice: Young men, ages 16 to 20. Come to McLaine Castle or Tesron Castle for a simple test…*

After what people called the “Miracle of the Wasteland”, people trusted Logan and the McLaine family very much.

But even miracles didn’t solve all problems. People still needed to eat. Many were worried about the future, even though Logan promised food would continue for a year. They didn’t know if they could believe it.

So, if families had sons between 16 and 20, they wanted them to become soldiers. Soldiers would get food and pay. It was a chance for a better life.

And so, people came. Many people.

“This is Rom! Son of Rick from the east village! He’s sixteen!” a father announced loudly.

The recruiter looked at the boy. “Sixteen?!” he exclaimed. “He looks twelve! Maybe thirteen!”

Another parent pushed forward. “This is Raum! Son of Pan from the west village! Sixteen!”

“Hey! He’s fifteen!” the recruiter shouted, getting angry. “Don’t you know we just finished counting everyone for the food? Why are you all doing this?!”

Parents were even lying about their sons’ ages to get them into the army. They were desperate.

“Do we really need so many?” Dwayne complained, shaking his head. “Usually, you only need a few new soldiers for every knight. But this… this is too many.”

“I know what I’m doing, Dwayne,” Logan said firmly. “I told you I would handle it.”

“Yes, sir,” Dwayne mumbled, still worried.

Dwayne kept complaining, but Logan didn’t care. He knew he needed a bigger army. It was very important. Nothing would change his mind, even if there were problems.

Logan even wished he could recruit more people. He thought the age limit was too strict.

*I wish I could recruit girls too,* Logan thought suddenly. *Girls can be soldiers too. They can be knights.* But then he imagined what would happen if he did that now.

Logan shivered. People would be furious. Even if he could calm people down in his own territory, the other nobles in the kingdom would hate him. They would fight him. And he would need to fight them later anyway, to take over the kingdom.

*In the Empire,* he remembered, *there were many female knights. They were strong and brave.*

He felt sad that his kingdom was so old-fashioned. People believed only men could be soldiers. It was wrong.

*Maybe when I rule the whole kingdom, things will be different,* he thought. *But even then… maybe not.*

Logan shook his head, pushing away these thoughts. It was not the right time.

*It’s not just about having lots of soldiers,* Logan thought. *It’s about finding the right ones. The ones who can become strong knights.*

This soldier recruitment was for later, for the future.

Even if he got many soldiers now, they would mostly help the main fighters. They wouldn’t be the main force.

Even with crossbows, he only needed about a thousand really good soldiers.

The civil war would be won by the best fighters, the most skilled warriors.

The civil war was about a year away. Recruiting more soldiers than this right now was just… too much. Even this many recruits were almost too many.

“More than two thousand people are here!” someone exclaimed. “Over a thousand at McLaine Castle alone! We can’t handle all the paperwork! Everything is stopped!”

“The knights want to choose the soldiers themselves,” another person said. “They say it’s their job. They even want to go to Tesron Castle to do it there too.”

Everyone was talking at once. Logan raised his hand, and the room went quiet.

“Tell the knights to keep training,” Logan said, his voice clear and strong. “I will choose the soldiers myself. Starting here at McLaine Castle. Dwayne, Ferran, Rugel – you three will help me.”

“Ugh! Why me?” Dwayne groaned.

“Do you want me to do it alone?” Logan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Choosing soldiers was usually the knights’ job. Many knights were eager to do it. Why were the administrators being chosen? Dwayne, Ferran, and Rugel all looked at Logan, upset and confused. But Logan didn’t change his mind. He stood firm.

*These soldiers will be different,* Logan thought. *We need to train them in a new way, with new rules. The knights have old ideas about soldiers. They won’t understand.*

It was important to set clear rules and ways of doing things right from the start.

“Are all the new soldiers being trained to be knights right now?” Logan asked.

“Yes,” someone replied. “Well, some have quit training already. But yes, that’s the plan.”

“Okay,” Logan said. “Take the soldiers who quit training and put them aside. Then, from the new recruits, find the boys who are talented and work hard. Put them together. I will make a special group – knight trainees.”

“Knight trainees?” Dwayne exclaimed. “Yes? But what about the other soldiers? Are you sending them home?”

Dwayne jumped up, worried. Logan quickly stopped him. “No! We need a real army, a standing army. We can’t keep using just guards and villagers to protect us. And training everyone to be knights, even those who are not good enough… that’s wasting people’s time and effort.”

“But… we picked soldiers who seemed good,” Dwayne argued.

“Yes, but I will change how we choose them,” Logan said. “I will make new rules.”

“New rules?” Dwayne asked, confused.

Logan saw Dwayne was about to ask many more questions. He waved his hand again. “I’ll explain later. Just remember two things: We need a standing army. And I will choose the best ones to be knight trainees, separately.”

“Will the lord agree to this?” someone asked, meaning the real lord of the land.

Logan just smiled. “Who am I?” he asked, letting his question hang in the air. Everyone knew Logan was now the one in charge.

Dwayne sighed again, heavily. “…You will do it anyway,” he said, giving up. “Do what you want.”

Logan smiled, watching Dwayne’s shoulders slump in defeat.