Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 106

“Finally,” someone whispered. A sigh of relief, or maybe impatience, rippled through the crowd.

“Years, it feels like,” another voice replied, low and tense.

“Will anything actually change?” a third voice muttered, full of doubt.

A low hum of voices filled the hall, like bees buzzing before a storm. Everyone was waiting, wondering what would happen next.

Inside Gran Nait Castle, one of the grand palaces had been turned into a conference hall. It was a place meant for important meetings.

This hall had seen centuries of Grandia Kingdom history. Today, it was packed. Nobles filled every space, their rich clothes and worried faces a sea of color.

This meeting was called the Gran Noblesse. Usually, only very important nobles, like Counts or higher, could come. For hundreds of years, it had been that way. But today was different. Because of the King’s sudden death and state funeral, *all* nobles were invited.

So many nobles had come that just getting everyone inside and seated was a mess. Servants rushed around, shouting names and trying to find places. Nobles grumbled and pushed, impatient to start.

Two hours after the meeting should have begun, the Prime Minister finally stood up. He was the chairman. He lifted a heavy wooden hammer – a gavel – and banged it hard.

Thud. Thud. Thud!

“The Gran Noblesse is now starting,” the Prime Minister announced, his voice echoing in the suddenly quiet hall. “Lords and ladies, please be seated.”

The seats in the hall were arranged in a wide curve, like a giant fan opening up. It was like a stadium, with all eyes focused on the raised platform at the front.

Most nobles had taken seats on either the left or right side of the hall. It was clear they were divided. At the front, just below the Prime Minister, sat the reason for this split: two men who looked very much alike. These were the princes, Rohiter and Romain. Nobles had grouped themselves based on which prince they supported.

No one was yelling or fighting yet, but the air felt thick with anger. People glared at each other across the room. Whispers hissed like snakes. You could feel the tension in every breath.

“As you all know,” the Prime Minister began, his voice heavy, “our King, Samuel von Grandia the First, is gone. He died without choosing who would rule after him. So, we are here today to decide. We must choose the next King, the future of Grandia. Everyone is allowed to speak their mind.”

As soon as Prime Minister Pluto Levine finished speaking, the hall exploded with noise. It was louder than the busiest market day, a roar of voices all talking at once.

“Rohiter!” someone yelled from the left side. “It has to be Prince Rohiter!”

“No! Romain is the only choice!” someone shouted back from the right. “Prince Romain is the rightful heir!”

“Nonsense!” a third voice boomed. “Neither of them!”

Shouts bounced around the hall. People stood up, pointing and yelling. The meeting was falling apart before it had even truly begun.

Logan’s father, Padric McLane, was among the few nobles who hadn’t picked a side yet. He and a handful of other neutral nobles watched the arguing groups with worried, serious eyes. They saw the danger in this division.

Logan felt his own muscles tighten. He watched the nobles, his eyes darting from face to face. He saw anger, ambition, and fear. This was even worse than he had imagined.

‘I knew it would be bad,’ Logan thought, ‘but this is a disaster. It’s even worse than I remember. It seems like nothing can stop what’s coming.’

Anyone in the hall could see this meeting would take a long time. It wouldn’t be decided in a single day. Or even two.

Logan knew from his past… from what he remembered… that this meeting would get much worse. On the third day, a real fight would explode.

It would start with something small, something stupid. Baron Hyle Terrat, who supported the First Prince, would make a rude gesture – a clenched fist, perhaps, or a pointed insult – towards Jordan Valtermaim.

This small act would spark a huge fight. Soon, nobles were throwing punches. Even the strongest warriors, the ‘superhumans’ as some called them, were drawn into the chaos. This brawl would be the spark that lit the fire of civil war.

People would later call it “the gesture that broke the kingdom.”

Hyle Terrat, the one who started it all, would become a hated name. Grandia people who lost their homes because of the war would curse him for years and years. But…

‘In this atmosphere, anyone would have done it.’

Even if they somehow avoided a fight today, Logan knew it wouldn’t matter. No matter who they picked as the next King, the other side would never agree. The kingdom was split in two.

Looking around the hall, Logan felt a cold certainty in his gut. Civil war was coming. It was just a matter of time.

‘It will happen even if I don’t get involved. But……’

He remembered that the first real battle of the civil war – the war that started with that stupid fight in this very hall – wouldn’t happen for another month or two. Both sides needed time to gather their armies and plan their attacks.

If things went as he remembered, if nothing changed…

‘Bifrost,’ he thought, a chill running down his spine. Bifrost was the kingdom next door, always hungry for land. ‘They could attack while we’re busy fighting each other. They could destroy us all before the civil war even really starts.’

He had to make the civil war break out more urgently, without even having time to prepare.

Logan looked past the two princes. They were sitting stiffly, not speaking, but their eyes locked in a silent battle. Then, Logan’s attention shifted. A noble had stepped forward to speak.

‘Count Larry Clete……’

“Why are we even talking about birth order?” Count Larry Clete declared, his voice ringing out. “It’s old-fashioned! The princes are almost the same age. What really matters is who is *better* at ruling! Prince Romain has already shown he can solve problems, like the trade issues with the Empire. He should be King!”

“Yes!” shouted Romain’s supporters.

“Booo!” yelled Rohiter’s side.

Every word Larry Clete spoke made the divide in the hall deeper. Cheers and jeers clashed like swords.

Larry Clete’s face stayed calm, but a sly smile touched his lips. He looked only at the nobles who supported Prince Romain, basking in their approval.

Larry Clete himself wasn’t very important right now. He had been fired from his job as Minister of Finance. But his family was powerful. For four generations, they had been ministers in the kingdom’s top offices. They were a family used to power.

Even now, without Larry in a high position, the Clete family was still a force to be reckoned with in the capital.

And Larry Clete knew, if Prince Romain became King, his family’s power would grow even stronger. They could rule for another generation, and more.

‘Anything would be better than that fool Fallon Davis,’ Larry thought with a sneer.

Larry Clete finished his speech, his voice full of passion, clearly supporting Prince Romain.

The cheers for Romain exploded, shaking the hall. The jeers from Rohiter’s side were even angrier now. But Larry Clete ignored them all. He just kept smiling, his eyes fixed on Prince Romain, waiting for approval.

Watching him from afar, Logan could only let out a hollow laugh.

‘He’ll betray Romain later,’ Logan thought, shaking his head. ‘He’ll switch to Rohiter’s side. And somehow, he’ll even survive when the Empire takes over.’

Logan didn’t understand how Larry’s empty words could be so effective. But the man was a survivor. He had lived through the civil war and even the war with the Empire, always landing on his feet.

In Logan’s past… in what he remembered… Larry Clete had been a wanted man. The Grandia Liberation Front, a group fighting for freedom, had put him on their list of people to kill. His code name was ‘Parasite’.

‘We’ll meet again soon, Parasite,’ Logan thought, a grim smile forming on his face.

Logan knew Larry Clete well. Because in his past, it had been Logan himself who had finally ended Larry’s life.

The first day of the meeting dragged on, but nothing was decided. The two sides just kept arguing, voices getting louder and angrier, but no closer to a solution.

Prime Minister Pluto, who said he was neutral, finally banged his gavel again. “This meeting is over for today!” he announced, as if the noise was simply too much for him. Everyone knew the meeting would just continue tomorrow. And the next day.

And the next day.

Logan ‘accidentally’ bumped into Larry Clete as he was entering the conference hall.

“Oof!” Larry Clete grunted.

He stumbled and fell to the ground with a thump.

“Oh, excuse me!” Logan said quickly, pretending to be surprised. “Are you hurt?”

“You clumsy fool!” Larry snapped, glaring up at Logan. “Watch where you’re going!”

“My deepest apologies,” Logan said, bowing slightly.

Logan helped Larry to his feet, his face showing fake concern. He bowed again, hiding a small smile.

As he helped Larry up, Logan’s ring brushed against Larry’s shoulder, leaving a tiny, almost invisible mark on his expensive clothes. No one noticed.

The meeting started again. Hours crawled by. Nobles argued and repeated the same points over and over. It was like watching two armies shout at each other from opposite sides of a field, neither side moving an inch.

“His Highness Romain has shown interest and achievement in various aspects of state affairs. He should……”

Larry Clete was speaking again, his voice full of fake sincerity, praising Prince Romain as if he were a god.

Then, in the middle of a sentence, he stopped.

“He should…” Larry’s voice trailed off. He touched his nose, his eyes widening in confusion. “Blood? What’s happening…?”

He swayed, his eyes rolling back in his head. Then, he collapsed, falling backwards off the platform with a heavy thump.

“Count?!”

“Count Clete!”

“What is this?! Call a priest!”

Suddenly, loud shouts filled the huge conference hall. Chairs scraped on the stone floor, and papers rustled as nobles jumped to their feet. The air, thick with the smell of old wood and perfume, buzzed with angry voices.

At the back of the hall, Logan watched the chaos unfold. His face was calm, like a mask, showing no emotion. But his eyes were sharp and watchful, taking in every detail of the scene.

‘The effect is perfect….’

Lethe’s Weed.

This herb is usually used to stop hair loss. But when you add Force to it and let it dry for three days, it becomes very strong.

It becomes so strong that if someone without Force or mana uses it, it will poison them and break the blood vessels in their brain.

But this secret wouldn’t be discovered until fifteen years later.

A rebel group called the Grandia Liberation Front would find out by accident when they were trying to find ways to kill important people in the empire.

The poison didn’t work on knights or mages, and it cost too much to make. So, there weren’t many chances to use it, but it always worked.

‘Farewell, Parasite Count.’

Logan quietly said this, not really meaning it, as he watched the man die the same way he had in his past life. Logan used the name ‘Parasite Count’ because the man always tried to get favors from important people.

“It’s already too late. The brain damage is severe. I don’t know what kind of poison this is, but this is…”

The priest said this in a worried voice after being called to help. His words made the noisy hall even more chaotic.

“Rohiter! How dare you poison my subordinate?!”

The Second Prince, Romain von Grandia, shouted loudly at his brother.

The First Prince, Rohiter von Grandia, became red in the face and shouted back.

“You think anyone would believe this silly act?! What would I gain from killing someone who is not important?!”

“What did you say? Someone who is not important?!”

It wasn’t just the princes who were angry. The nobles who supported each prince showed their anger, and soon they started fighting.

Wham!

“Let’s finish this today, Roxina!”

“I couldn’t agree more, Chloe!”

The northern families, who were even bigger enemies than Biprose and McLaine, were the first to start fighting.

The fight created an opportunity for everyone nearby to use their Force and mana.

Even though one-third of the nobles were civil officials, most of the nobles from different regions, martial families, or mage families could use Force or mana. Force and mana were energies that some people could use for special abilities.

The conference hall was quickly filled with a dark feeling, and a big fight was about to begin.

“Everyone, stop!!”

A voice that was very loud echoed through the conference hall, and everyone looked to see who was speaking.

“Both princes, please calm down. We need to investigate this carefully to find out what happened. We can’t let our emotions control us.”

The Sword Duke, Felix Esperanza, spoke at the right moment, which helped to calm the angry mood in the hall.

But even then, the two princes disagreed, and they started shouting again.

“The situation is clear, Duke! Why are you talking about investigating?”

“He’s just trying to get rid of someone unimportant and make a big deal out of it since he has no reason to do this. I agree with the Duke!”

“Ridiculous! You used a terrible trick, and now you’re trying to make it seem like a show?!”

“You must feel guilty if you don’t agree to an investigation.”

The two handsome young men looked alike with platinum blonde hair and emerald eyes, but their faces were now twisted in anger.

“What? Ha! Investigate? Fine, let’s do that! But if it turns out you did this, I will take the throne. You agree to that, right?”

“You must be planning to cheat during the investigation. This is ridiculous, even for you.”

“Hmph! You used a terrible trick, and now you’re trying to deny it?”

As they continued to argue, their voices became louder, and they couldn’t agree on anything.

“Your Highnesses, please calm down and listen to me…”

The Sword Duke, who had stepped in to help, moved forward with a serious face.

But then, the gray-haired giant and the blue-haired mage stepped forward from behind the princes at the same time.

Oooooong.

Bzzzzzt!

The dukes, who were only three in the kingdom, faced each other, and their power seemed to change the space around the princes. Everyone watched closely.

Drrrrr.

“Do not interfere, Sword Duke.”

“Even for you, fighting both of us would be difficult.”

“…Do you know what you are doing right now?”

The Sword Duke looked down with a cold expression as he spoke to the dukes standing behind the two princes.

“You also know that this meeting is pointless anyway, right?” The duke behind the Second Prince said this because the meeting was supposed to be about finding ways to keep the peace, but it was clear that the princes wanted to fight for the throne.

“It might be good to end things like this instead.”

“Heh, these madmen….”

They had already decided what to do and were just waiting for a good reason. They were heading towards the worst possible outcome, which the Sword Duke was trying to stop.

“We don’t want to cause more trouble in the royal palace, Sword Duke.”

“We don’t want to turn the capital into a battlefield either. So, please don’t interfere, Duke Felix Esperanza.”

The Sword Duke couldn’t stop them because they were very powerful and united against him. They were the second and third strongest people in the kingdom’s military.

At that moment, the Second Prince felt it was the right time and pointed at the First Prince, saying angrily.

“You are no longer my brother, Rohiter. I will use my strength to prove who deserves to be the king!”

“I will do the same!”

In the end, the two sides were openly declaring war on each other.

The Sword Duke looked up at the sky with a sad expression.

The two dukes glared at each other and then turned in opposite directions at the same time.

As they turned, the princes also turned and left the conference hall. The nobles who were watching split into two groups and followed them.

West and East.

They left through exits that were in opposite directions, just like how the groups were divided. The people who looked worried as they watched them leave were a small number.

“Master, this couldn’t be avoided. Please calm down.”

Logan was sincere when he said this.

The truth was that even though he had made things worse, it was going to happen anyway.

The two dukes had been planning this for many years, and his master couldn’t stop them alone.

“What should I do about this? How can I face the late King….”

The Sword Duke could only look up at the sky with a sad expression.

Behind them, Padric had not said anything during the two-day conference. He was looking at his son with a strange, serious expression. Padric was looking at Logan like this because he suspected that Logan had something to do with what happened.