Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 216

Following the knight’s announcement and the subsequent reply, the Swordmaster opened the door and stepped into the office.

As he did, he carefully considered the words he would say.

He had been doing this steadily for the past six months.

‘I must persuade His Majesty to reconcile with Logan.’

He believed this was best for the King and the kingdom, and he gazed intently at the King.

The King seemed unhappy with the Swordmaster’s presence and didn’t look up from the documents on his desk as he replied indifferently.

“You’ve come again, Grand Duke.”

His voice was cold and his face expressionless.

The Swordmaster had expected this reaction and sighed inwardly.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I greet you after a week’s absence.”

“Why do you visit me so often, Grand Duke? I find it burdensome.”

The Swordmaster knew the King was telling him to stop coming so often, but he simply bowed lightly with his usual smile.

“How can a subject not worry about their monarch? Please consider it the anxieties of an old servant and be understanding.”

The King sighed, finally put aside the documents, and turned to face the Swordmaster.

“What do you want to say this time? If you’re going to repeat the same arguments, I suggest you leave now.”

“It is the same argument, Your Majesty.”

“Grand Duke!”

“But this time, I have a good reason.”

“…A reason, you say?”

“Your Majesty’s birthday is coming up. Invite Logan to the palace that day.”

“How is that a good reason? I said I don’t want to!”

“It’s important that you don’t appear to be giving in to Logan.”

“Ha! What nonsense…”

Although he scoffed, the Swordmaster saw the King was hesitating.

After six months of persistent persuasion, he understood what the King truly wanted.

It was something childish: pride.

“By doing this, you and Logan will both appear to be trying to reconcile, and Logan will be seen as celebrating your birthday.”

Seeing the King hesitate even more, the Swordmaster knelt.

The King’s gaze wavered.

“Your Majesty, I beg you. If you reconcile with Logan and trust him, Logan will become your sword and lead this country to prosperity. Please consider this the last request of an old servant.”

The Swordmaster’s voice echoed through the office.

The King thought for a long time, then sighed deeply and said something unexpected.

“Ha, haha. Heh. It seems I am a poor King.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Reconciling with a subject… I made the Grand Duke kneel for something obvious.”

“Ah, no, there’s no need to say that…”

The Swordmaster was startled by the King’s apology and quickly lowered his head.

“Since you speak so sincerely, I’ll do as you ask. But I’m concerned whether Logan feels the same way.”

“Logan is loyal and always worries about the country’s future. If you offer a hand, he’ll gladly take it. If he doesn’t want to, I’ll make him.”

“…Is that so? Then I trust you. Do as you see fit.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will contact Logan immediately.”

The Swordmaster’s face lit up with joy at the King’s rare, gentle smile.

Logan’s mind grew complicated at Damian’s report over the communication device.

“[He was adopted into the Teman County family before entering the royal palace, but his previous whereabouts are not mentioned at all.]”

“Not mentioned? Does that mean he suddenly popped up from nowhere?”

“[Yes. The deceased Baron Teman Lieberman recorded that he brought a bright child from the slums, but there are many testimonies that the Baron was not the kind of person who would visit the slums, even by mistake.]”

“…Is that so?”

“[The problem is that all the people involved are already dead, making it difficult to confirm anything further.]”

“All the people involved are dead?”

“[All the direct relatives of the Lieberman family died, so Cleo inherited the family.]”

“More and more suspicious. Find out more. If we can’t know the past, look for suspicious things he’s doing now, especially with the King.”

“[Yes, I understand.]”

Damian nodded calmly.

Even before getting that information, Logan was summoned to the capital.

“Master?”

“[His Majesty wants to see you on his birthday. He says he wants to apologize for everything.]”

“What? No way.”

“[No. His Majesty seemed sincere. It seems my visits to the palace weren’t useless. So, for my sake, come to the capital.]”

There’s no way that could be true.

‘If good advice could change his mind, he wouldn’t have used tricks in the first place, Master.’

Especially if Cleo was still plotting by the King’s side.

“I’m sorry, Master. I’m a bit busy…”

Logan didn’t hide his reluctance, but his master didn’t give up easily.

“[Logan, this is your master’s request. Please come for my sake. It seems His Majesty has truly changed.]”

If his master wished it so much…

And if the King’s heart had changed, it might be the last chance to improve their relationship.

His mind gradually changed.

“[Logan, His Majesty has had a hard time admitting his mistakes. If you refuse him now, you’ll cause more trouble.]”

Besides, he couldn’t refuse because his master seemed genuinely worried.

“Yes, I understand. I will see you soon.”

“[Good. That’s a good thought. Let’s meet in the capital.]”

‘This is the last time. If it’s another one of the King’s tricks…’

With a slightly different attitude than the Swordmaster expected, Logan decided to go to the capital again.

A week later:

“Is my master inside?”

“Yes. He is waiting for you.”

As soon as Logan arrived in the capital, he went to his master, not his own home or the palace.

They didn’t have a big festival for the King’s birthday.

The Grandia royal family traditionally held a small celebration with the royal family in the palace.

But the current King, whose family had been mostly killed by Logan, had been holding small banquets with trusted people.

And those trusted people were…

‘Just Cleo and the escort knights.’

He was the King’s closest aide, not just the head of the palace staff.

And if that man was involved in the King’s change…

‘I must get rid of him.’

As he thought, Logan arrived at his master’s office.

“Master, it’s Logan.”

“- Come in.”

As he opened the door, his master smiled at him with a brighter expression than before.

But that smile disappeared as Logan spoke with a serious expression.

“Cleo is suspicious.”

“Yes. Even if I investigate his past, I find nothing. And all the people who know that past are dead.”

“Then what are you thinking…”

“I think he’s plotting with His Majesty.”

“Isn’t that too much to assume just because his past is unclear?”

“It would be good if I’m just being careful and it’s nothing. But Master, hasn’t His Majesty changed too much in a short time? I can’t think of any other reason.”

“Why did you pay attention to him?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s because he’s the only person by His Majesty’s side that I haven’t been able to investigate.”

“Huh…”

The Swordmaster was speechless at Logan’s direct words.

But he nodded, as there was some truth to them.

“Alright. It would be good if we investigated and found nothing. I understand. I’ll pay attention and investigate as well.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“No. You granted my request, so this is fine. It’s also for His Majesty’s sake.”

Logan nodded with a bitter smile.

“Then will you go to the palace tomorrow?”

“Yes. Can I spend time with Stella today for the first time in a while?”

“Haha. Yes, Stella’s vocabulary has increased a lot. She sometimes looks for you too.”

“Really?”

“Just kidding.”

“……”

The Swordmaster laughed at Logan’s rare expression.

“Puhahaha. It’s true, you rascal. I told her you’d be coming today, so she’s looking forward to it.”

“Ah, now that you mention it, I forgot something. I heard something strange from the bishop when I was in the Empire.”

“Hmm?”

Compared to the conflict with the King, these were minor matters.

The master and disciple put aside their worries for a while and shared small stories.

“Announcing the arrival of Count Logan McLaine and Grand Duke Felix Esperanza.”

“- Let them enter!”

As the door opened with the King’s bright voice, they saw a banquet set up in front of the King’s seat.

It was a splendid table setting for a royal banquet that could feed thirty people.

The King greeted them with a smile.

“Welcome, Lord Logan. It has been too long.”

The King stood up and approached them.

Logan smiled awkwardly and took the King’s hand.

“Ah, Swordmaster. No need to be so formal. Just sit down. I don’t want excessive courtesy on a good day.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

The gathering began.

In accordance with Grandia’s custom of not placing great importance on birthdays, no gifts were prepared, but the atmosphere was friendly.

“Have a drink, Lord Logan. You have suffered because of me.”

“Ah, no. Your Majesty. How could you say that…”

The liquor filled the glass.

It tasted clean and excellent.

‘Is he really sincere?’

Unlike Logan’s thoughts, the King smiled and held out his glass after drinking the liquor.

“Now, pour me a drink too. I will take three drinks as punishment to apologize.”

“Haha. What are you saying? I’ll offer you a cup.”

Logan blended in with the King’s apology.

“How could someone not good enough like me have become King if it weren’t for you, Lord Logan? I deserve punishment. Come, give me more.”

At the unexpected words, Logan’s smile became a little more sincere.

How long had they been exchanging glasses?

As they exchanged well wishes, the King’s face suddenly changed strangely as he emptied the glass Logan gave him.

“Lord Logan?

What, what is this… ?”

“…Your Majesty?!”

The Swordmaster screamed and stared at the King’s face, and blood began to flow from the King’s nose, which had turned blue.

“Bl, blood?!”

“Wh, what is this? Lo, Lord Logan! Don’t tell me?!”

The King glared at Logan with fearful eyes.

“Ughhh. How could you do such a thing…”

Soon, he pointed at Logan with an angry face and collapsed.

And.

“Your Majesty!”

“His Majesty has collapsed!”

“Call a priest!”

“Lord Logan, you will have to come with us for a while!”

Until the escort knights drew their swords and approached, Logan watched the King collapse with a shocked face.