Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 104

“My son has been taking care of family business for a while now. Please, talk to him.”

Padric’s words were a welcome escape from the tense silence.

To prove he meant it, Padric stepped back. Now, all eyes were on Logan.

“Wow. To handle such important family matters so young, he must be very capable.”

“It’s always a pleasure to speak with someone so talented. Young Master Logan, it’s a shame we couldn’t meet you alone.”

Maybe they really needed the McLaine family, or maybe they were just being polite in front of the Sword Master. Either way, it was good for Logan to see these powerful men being humble.

“Thank you for your kind words. May I ask why you have come to visit our family?”

“Straight to the point, like a young man should be. I like that.”

“We are all busy. Let’s be direct.”

Again, they stared at each other intensely. It was hard to know if they were talking to Logan or just arguing with each other. Logan sighed to himself.

Just as expected, the two powerful men took turns speaking, each trying to convince Logan while also criticizing the other’s offer.

“Embracing two territories at war at the same time? That’s a foolish proposal that would make even allies betray you.”

“You won’t even have time to extend your hand to the southwest. Who would be foolish enough to fall for an empty proposal full of greed?”

A dangerous look flashed in both men’s eyes at the same time.

A low growling sound filled the room.

Again, the tension between them grew, making the air thick and cold. Strange sounds, like cracking wood, echoed in the room.

Of course, the chilling atmosphere didn’t last long.

“What are you doing!”

“Ahem.”

“Hmph.”

The furious energy that surged forth with the reprimand visibly erased the overflowing murderous intent. The two powerful men, who had been facing off, coughed awkwardly, avoiding the Sword Master’s glare.

“Your childish games never stop, do they? Have you forgotten all manners and started fighting over factions right here? And even trying to involve my student?”

“Your Excellency, it’s not because he is your disciple. It’s an offer to the McLaine family.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. We don’t want to bother you. We are just here to talk about what’s best for the McLaine lands.”

“You agree on this, at least. Are you really saying this has nothing to do with me? Not even a little bit?”

“I can swear to it.”

“Me too.”

“Fine. It better be true. Even if my student chooses to join one of you, I will not get involved in your faction fights to help him. Even if it puts him in danger.”

At the Sword Master’s assertion, the eyes of the two powerful men flashed momentarily.

“…Does that mean?”

“From now on, I will stay out of all faction fights.”

“Huh? Your Excellency, then?”

“I swear it on my honor. So, forget about trying to influence me through Logan or anyone else.”

The Sword Master immediately informed the two powerful men of the conclusion reached in the study. They were indeed the perfect targets for a declaration of neutrality.

Logan smiled to himself. But the two powerful men looked troubled and unsure.

But in the end, they both said the same thing.

“We will convey Your Excellency’s will to the Prince. Then, we only need to speak with the McLaine family.”

“Likewise.”

“Heh heh. It seems your family has become very desirable to them. Congratulations, student. What will you do?”

The Sword Master asked Logan, plainly revealing his uncomfortable feelings.

“Well, it’s all so sudden…”

The arrival of these powerful men was a surprise, but Logan had expected the factions to contact him eventually. However, Logan was frowning as if he were troubled.

“If you’re worried about what that fool said, don’t be. If you join us, the Calia Knights will be sent to your lands right after the funeral. They will easily deal with Bipros.”

“How amusing. Do you think I’ll just stand by? Sword Master’s disciple, you must choose wisely. Wouldn’t it be better for close neighbors to live peacefully?”

Luther Kyle’s last words sounded like a threat, not a friendly suggestion.

‘But it’s also reality.’

The Marquisate of Kyle, centered around the trading city of Kyle, was located directly north of the Bipros territory. As he said, it was a close distance, enough to be called neighboring territory.

Now that McLaine controlled Tomodo Castle, they could easily put pressure on Bipros if they wanted to.

Of course, Logan had no intention of joining a faction anyway. At least, not now.

‘If I join either side now, the chances of a civil war starting around our territory will increase. It’s suicide.’

If the fighting that started before the King’s funeral involved someone from a faction, it would be easy for them to find a reason to attack.

Even if he joined the Second Prince’s faction and forced a reconciliation with Bipros, the Calia Marquisate could then invade, claiming he had ignored them.

‘It’s the perfect excuse to make.’

In other words, the hand extended to McLaine before his eyes was not a hand of reconciliation and peace, but the hand of a grim reaper leading them to hell.

“I apologize, but… I think it would be difficult to make a hasty decision right now. I will keep the kindness you have shown in mind and think carefully.”

So, for now, this was the best he could do.

“Hmm.”

Of course, it was not an answer that would satisfy the two marquises. These powerful men, important Aura Users, had come all the way to meet the lord of a small, unimportant territory. And his answer was just ‘maybe’?

Fortunately, the situation was on Logan’s side.

‘It must be because of this guy.’

Both marquises were looking at each other’s faces and frowning, making it clear that they were thinking the same thing. Plus, they couldn’t ignore the Sword Master’s angry words.

“Yes. It’s best not to get involved in dirty fights. It seems we’re done here. You should both leave.”

A short but long-felt silence followed, and the first to move was Wicken Calia.

“These are uncertain times, so it’s wise to be careful. I hope you make the smart choice. Goodbye for now.”

It was a soulless, perfunctory blessing, but Logan responded with a smile. Only after he had completely disappeared from sight did Luther Kyle rise, laughing savagely.

“In a way, McLaine is lucky. If you had attacked Bipros after this incident occurred, it would have been considered a challenge to His Highness the Second Prince, and you wouldn’t have even been given this opportunity for negotiation. You should think carefully.”

‘Yes. That’s why I attacked before that.’

That was why Logan attacked Tomodo Castle of Bipros, not Pereta Territory, even knowing it was a gamble. Attacking Bipros was a necessary step in Logan’s plan to weaken the Second Prince’s group in the future.

There had been a long-standing conflict between McLaine and Bipros, so a justification could be put forward at any time. But as Luther Kyle said, the only time that was possible was right before the civil war, that is, when the King’s passing occurred.

“I also think it’s fortunate.”

Therefore, Logan brushed off Luther Kyle’s veiled threat with a smile, remaining unshaken.

Logan felt brave, but the others with him did not feel the same way.

“Luther, are you threatening my student right in front of me? Have you forgotten what happened before?”

Thud.

The Sword Master’s face became hard. He stepped forward, and a cold feeling seemed to come from him.

It felt like Luther Kyle, who was very big, was being pushed down and might break in half because of the strong power.

“Ugh!”

Luther Kyle was also strong and pushed back, but the Sword Master’s cold power was stronger and kept pushing him down.

“N-No, no! Of course not, sir! I just meant… we can be friends now, maybe.”

A small bead of sweat formed on the giant’s forehead as he smiled and waved his large hand.

But the one who was having the hardest time was Logan, caught in the middle.

‘Kuh-ugh!’

When his master’s power touched him from behind, it felt like just a cold breeze.

But when that breeze hit the strong, hard power in front of him, it bounced back…

It felt like he was being crushed between a storm and a giant rock.

That’s right. An illusion. It had to be an illusion…

Drip.

Just standing there made sweat run down his face like a waterfall. He felt his strength leaving him.

‘Kuh-eung.’

He couldn’t just fall down like that. It would be shameful.

He tried hard to stand and hold on, but he was so weak he couldn’t even speak.

Fortunately, the confrontation didn’t last long.

“You are even more rude than before! Go away!”

“Sorry, sir. And… Logan, right? I’ll see you later.” (Smiling in a way that is not friendly).

Luther Kyle, who had been watching Logan standing there covered in cold sweat with an intrigued look, lowered his massive frame and exited through the door that seemed small in comparison to his size.

Only then did Logan collapse to the ground, utterly exhausted.

‘Just from their power… it was this strong…’

He thought he was getting strong, especially after beating Arslan, who was a very good knight, even if he won in a surprising way.

He knew he couldn’t beat someone who used aura, but he thought he could at least fight a very strong person for a little while.

But just being between his master and Luther Kyle when they were facing off, he suddenly understood he was very wrong about his own strength.

If he had to fight them now, he would lose for sure. They were like powerful weapons on the battlefield.

Aura Users were on a different level from top-tier knights.

It was a moment when a fact he only knew in his head was deeply felt in his heart.

As he let out a sigh of relief, his master’s voice echoed in his ear.

“Silly boy, why did you try to stand there? It would have been okay if you had moved away.”

Even though his master was scolding him, Logan could hear the worry in his voice, and it made him smile after his sigh of relief.

“I’m fine with this much.”

“First, stop your legs from shaking before you say that, silly boy. Tsk tsk. But really, what are you going to do now?”

“Sorry?”

“Are you thinking about joining one of the groups fighting? Because you didn’t say ‘no’ right away.”

Was the light visible in his master’s blue eyes concern or criticism?

Logan answered honestly, “I don’t want to join any group right now.”

“Not yet?”

“Maybe later, if I have to. I’m sorry, but we are not strong enough yet to be as good and noble as you are, Master.”

“Wanting to do what’s right isn’t about being strong… Haa. No, no. I shouldn’t say things that don’t help. But…”

“No matter what I decide to do, I will try to be at least a little bit good.”

At that sight, the Sword Master could only smile wryly and nod his head.

“…Alright. That’s enough.”

His beliefs were solely his own.

He shouldn’t force them on others.

‘Even if it’s his only disciple.’

If his beliefs were really good and right, then people who wanted to learn from him would also learn those beliefs.

However, there was one thing that bothered him.

“Baron, were you just going to stay quiet? Your son might make a bad decision, you know?”

“My son is better at this than me. Logan is the one who really made McLaine what it is today. Whatever he decides, I will respect it.”

“Logan is still young. Don’t you think you are giving him too much responsibility?”

“I am still working to make that load lighter for him. And I will keep doing that.”

Even though it sounded like a scolding, the Baron’s red eyes, which looked like his son’s eyes (or maybe it was the other way around), stayed steady.

“…Good.”

The father of his student, who he had met because of a good chance meeting, was a very nice man.

The shock caused by the sudden death of his lord was somewhat fading.

For the first time in the past week, the Sword Master wore a faint smile.

– I will not be involved in factional strife.

Not much happened after the Sword Master said he would not join any side.

The two groups fighting were too busy watching each other. For them, the Sword Master staying neutral was just like removing a big thing that was in their way.

Not many people thought it was important that the Sword Master and the Third Prince were not seen as much after that.

But it was normal that the fight between the two groups would become even stronger.

This soon led to large and small incidents and accidents in the capital, filling the surroundings with noisy news every day.

And because everyone was feeling more worried because of this…

The state funeral finally began.

– His Majesty the King enters!

In front of the inner palace of the king. When the Royal Guard shouted loudly, the gates of the inner palace opened. Sixteen people slowly carried a big coffin covered with a beautiful flag that had a phoenix on it.

The coffin, having slowly passed through the swords raised by the Royal Guards lined up in front of the castle gates, was placed on the platform in the plaza in front of the royal palace’s inner castle.

Thud.

– Listen to the bell of the Nine Gods, the great gods who watch over the world. Archbishop Famiel Gernheim is coming!

The outer castle gate of the royal palace opened, and a group of people entered from outside the palace. First, the priests in white robes, divided into two rows, moved quickly and lined up to the coffin, bowing their heads to each other.

Then, walking slowly through the priests, came an old man. He wore a robe with small gold decorations that were not too fancy. He also wore a tall hat, called a mitre, that was much taller than his head.

Even though he didn’t look as grand as his rich clothes, this old man was actually more important than the king in some ways.

This was Famiel Gernheim. He was the Archbishop of Aion, who was the god of water and farming. Aion was one of the Nine Gods, and Famiel was the most important priest for all the Nine Gods in the Grandia Kingdom. In the temples, only the Pope and the Saintess were more important than him.

Only after Archbishop Famiel stood in front of the King’s coffin, and the priests lined up in front of him, did the state funeral truly begin.

But then, the nobles started to move, and what they did surprised even the Archbishop, who had looked very serious.