Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 135

In this kingdom, power was ranked by titles. Barons were the lowest nobles, then counts, then viscounts, and dukes were very powerful, second only to princes.

“Failed…?” Juan Douglas asked. “Even if Greina Morgan is a bit lacking for her title, the two of them combined should be worth at least a viscount-level force, shouldn’t they?”

“They were destroyed completely, I’m told,” came the reply. “So, I don’t know the exact details… It seems the McLaine group had some strength left. I’m sorry.”

“This is driving me mad,” Juan Douglas muttered. “Not only do they have the strength to crush the Frontier Count’s army twice, but the forces remaining in their territory are also stronger than a viscount’s… A small barony tricked a larger county and took it over, and then its power explodes like this in half a year? Even with the new weapon, it didn’t make sense. It was unbelievable.”

Juan Douglas let out a heavy sigh, the sound escaping his lips like a frustrated growl. He muttered to himself, his words barely audible, as if speaking to the shadows in the room.

Then, he came to a conclusion.

“They’ve been preparing for this for a long time,” he said. “They were vipers, not bats.”

Even a mage wouldn’t have thought of giving common territory residents weapons capable of capturing knights and training them.

That was what he thought, and what most nobles on the continent believed.

However, he didn’t neglect his efforts to overcome the situation.

“Hurry up the production of repeating crossbows!” he ordered. “Don’t forget to increase the range, and deploy them to the walls as soon as they’re produced!”

“Yes!” the subordinate responded.

“And what’s the analysis result of that damned disposable weapon?” Juan Douglas asked.

“Well, they say they’ve found some of the components… but they need more time to figure out how they were mixed,” the subordinate replied.

“Time, my foot…” Juan Douglas snapped. “That means they can’t do it. We need to secure a large number of samples or find the manufacturer somehow. What about the spies we’re going to infiltrate into their ranks?”

“There’s some new news about that as well. There was a commotion in the center of their territory before our battle…”

“What?” Juan Douglas asked.

Juan Douglas’s expression grew increasingly distorted as he heard about the incident at McLaine from his subordinate.

“…That’s what happened. As a result, security has become even tighter, making it difficult to even approach the vicinity,” the subordinate finished.

“Who the hell?!” Juan Douglas roared. “Who did this without reporting to me! What kind of idiot!!”

“Well, there’s a slightly strange message that came in regarding that. From the Second Prince’s faction…” the subordinate added.

The Duke’s expression, which had been heated, quickly cooled at the aide’s following words.

“…Heh, to think something like this would happen,” Juan Douglas said. “Interesting. Very interesting. Good, tell them to try carrying out the plan.”

Harun Castle, where the First Prince’s faction was gathered, was slowly changing.

Dragging things out like this won’t make things any better.

It was time to bring about a change in the stagnant front lines.

Based on the grand plan he had been drawing up for a long time, Logan was organizing his thoughts to make a new proposal.

Just as he was watching for the right moment to create a new flow, an absurd claim popped up at the leadership meeting.

“I’ve already done all the experiments,” Roger Bipros shouted, his face turning a furious red. Veins stood out on his neck like thick cords as he shouted, his voice cracking with anger. “That bomb can never be made with the manufacturing method McLaine handed over. I hope that McLaine will tell us the correct manufacturing method from a grand perspective and that the faction will produce weapons!”

Logan felt a jolt of surprise, his mind momentarily blank. He had given them fake instructions for Liberatio, that was true. He couldn’t just stand there silently now.

“You’ve done experiments?” Logan asked. “In this situation? And where did you get the Tamil powder and Temes grass, which aren’t even in season right now?”

It was a fake manufacturing method that he had conveyed with that in mind from the start.

“Fortunately, I had materials that I had personally prepared for experimentation,” Roger Bipros replied. “And I failed ‘miserably’.”

“Isn’t it possible that you made a mistake, Count?” Logan asked.

“Logan McLaine, watch your mouth!” Roger Bipros retorted. “I’m a 5th Circle mage…”

Bang. Bang.

“Count,” the Duke said. “Please show at least minimal courtesy in a public setting.”

“…I apologize,” Roger Bipros mumbled, his face flushed red, as he sat down with an expression that clearly showed his displeasure.

But his accusation was still important.

“And Logan,” the Duke continued. “Count Bipros’s words were a bit excessive, but he’s not the kind of friend to make up stories. Can you prove that manufacturing method?”

“Excuse me?” Logan asked.

“Seeing as you’re supplying finished products, that means you have the materials, so I think you could show us how to make them right in front of our eyes,” the Duke explained. “A few should be fine, right?”

His status may not be what it used to be due to McLaine, but it seemed that Roger Bipros’s words, who could still be called a confidant, had moved the Duke’s heart.

And Roger Bipros responded greatly to those words.

“That’s right!” Roger Bipros exclaimed. “If you can’t prove it, then you’ve deceived His Excellency and the faction, so McLaine should be held responsible…”

“Roger!” the Duke interrupted. “That’s too much. I told you to be respectful, didn’t I?”

Roger Bipros’s complexion turned even redder at the Duke’s words.

But even in that situation, the way he glared at him with wide eyes made Logan wonder.

‘Why is he so confident?’ Logan wondered.

If his words turned out to be wrong in this situation, Roger Bipros would not be able to handle the aftermath.

His already diminished standing would plummet further, and he would only be able to read the faction’s mood…

‘That means he’s that confident,’ Logan thought. ‘But there’s no way there would be experimental equipment here, and there’s no separate space to experiment. There’s no way he actually experimented. Then how…?’

Suddenly, a part of a conversation he had with his brother through the communication device came to mind.

– And brother. I’m not sure, but according to the knight…

In Logan’s mind, two uncertain circumstantial evidences were combined into one conviction.

‘It was you,’ Logan realized.

It wasn’t the First Prince’s faction, but Bipros.

If he had compared the materials the kidnapped dwarves were talking about with the manufacturing method he had given, he could have come up with that reaction.

Even if he hadn’t experimented.

A new wave of anger surged, but getting angry here would only be a foolish thing to do.

And seeing as he was being so blatant as to take a risk that could end everything if he was caught, it was safe to say that Roger Bipros’s psychology was already cornered.

If an unreasonable move succeeded once, it was natural for it to lead to a second and third time.

Because human greed sometimes completely blinds reason.

In that case…

‘…I can use it,’ Logan thought.

Logan soon came up with an idea to repay everything several times over, and soon smiled and nodded to the Duke.

“It’s not a difficult task,” Logan said. “I will make a place in the near future and prove it to you.”

A simple lie.

With just that, the suspicion that had lingered in the Duke’s eyes quickly faded, and Roger Bipros’s face twisted at a rate proportional to it.

“But rather than suspecting the manufacturing method of the weapon that I gave you out of moral consideration, wouldn’t it be better to overcome this frustrating situation first?” Logan suggested. “We still don’t know what the enemies inside are preparing. As you know, our territory was recently attacked by the First Prince’s faction’s local forces.”

As he said that, he looked around, but none of the Frontier Count, Duke, or Marquis were surprised.

‘As expected, they all knew,’ Logan thought, gritting his teeth inwardly.

At least Count Esren of the Second Prince’s faction, who was confronting the forces that attacked McLaine, must have contacted them first.

But they didn’t tell him.

‘What kind of alliance is this?’ Logan wondered.

They want to defeat the enemy, but minimize their own damage.

Instead, they hope that other allies will suffer as much damage as possible.

A leaky alliance that clearly showed such selfish hearts.

He felt like he knew another reason why this shoddy alliance had failed, but of course, he didn’t clumsily reveal that feeling.

“Fortunately, we managed to fend them off, but it’s possible that they’re plotting something else inside that castle,” Logan continued. “There’s no guarantee that this will only happen to our territory, so shouldn’t we hurry up the conquest?”

Logan laughed inwardly as he spoke.

The territory was attacked because of McLaine’s status in the current civil war and the special nature of its new weapons, and there was no reason for other factions’ territories to be attacked right now.

Even if they occupied the Frontier Count’s territories, which were completely on the opposite side of the faction’s main camp, the only immediate impact would be on supplies.

Although the civil war had been going on for half a year, no one thought that this war would last for several years beyond this year, so unless it was a special case like McLaine, territories would not be attacked.

Then, the Duke cleared his throat and quietly changed the subject.

“Hmm,” the Duke said. “I’m glad you fended them off well. Thank you for worrying about other territories as well. But even if we just maintain the current situation, we have nothing to lose. The moment the food inside the castle runs out, they will have to choose between making a final stand or retreating the front lines further back. And at that time, we will be even more advantageous than we are now. There’s no need to take unnecessary sacrifices now.”

Logan knew the Duke would say yes. So, Logan made the offer he had planned.

“So, I have a proposition to make.”

“Hmm?”

“We will take that pointless sacrifice.”

“…What?”

The Duke’s voice boomed with surprise, “…What?” In the dimly lit war room, all heads turned towards Logan. Flickering torches cast long shadows on the tapestries hanging on the cold stone walls.

*They must be wondering why I’m doing this,* Logan thought, a faint smile playing on his lips that no one could see. Let them be confused. Confusion was a weapon too.

He knew they were thinking it. With McLaine now fighting for the Second Prince, their side was stronger. Why would Logan risk everything?

*In my past life,* Logan remembered, *the real horror started after winter.* Things were a little different this time, but he knew one thing for sure. If everyone agreed this war would drag on, everything would get much worse.

The war would change. It would no longer be just about killing leaders and powerful people. It would become a war where everyone fought. Even though neither side could win easily, they would try to destroy each other completely. They would use all their soldiers and hire more fighters.

Naturally, the next year’s harvest would be ruined, leading to forced requisition of supplies, which in turn would create refugees, and those refugees would become shifting cultivators or bandits, causing nationwide problems.

The entire kingdom would become a stage for war, filled with all sorts of horrors.

*So, I need to end the civil war before that happens.*

The reason Logan was stepping forward now was to lay the groundwork for that operation.

“We, McLaine, will take the lead in attacking Harun Castle from the most dangerous position.”

At that bold declaration, the Duke’s eyes changed.

“…Explain in detail.”

“We, McLaine, will bypass the southern mountains, avoiding their line of sight, and return to the eastern walls. It may take a few days, but if you provide good camouflage, we can strike at the First Prince’s army’s blind spot. If our main force launches a full-scale attack in conjunction with our assault on the east gate, it will create pressure while blocking their retreat.”

“Huh…?”

Logan’s words were the simplest but clearest solution.

The war was stuck because no one wanted to risk their soldiers. But if someone offered to take a big risk, things could change quickly.

“…It’s not that I underestimate McLaine’s strength, but wouldn’t that put your side in danger? If the cornered enemies were to force an escape, they would likely head east.”

If everything went according to plan, McLaine would have to bear the brunt of the First Prince’s army’s last stand.

If that last stand was concentrated in one direction, even a Duchy or Marquisate, not just a Frontier Count, might have to prepare for ruin.

It was an operation with a level of risk that everyone could foresee, but at the same time, no one could anticipate.

“We are willing to take all those risks.”

“Hoo?”

For Jordan Valterheim, it was a welcome development.

If McLaine, who had shown as much achievement as the combined forces of two Frontier Counts thanks to the new weapons, was willing to go that far, there was no reason to engage in a siege.

However, that also made him suspicious.

“Why?”

Why? You? Sacrifice?

With the achievements you’ve already made, you’re guaranteed to be the top contributor, aren’t you?

Jordan’s short question contained many meanings.

And Logan knew the magic words that could dispel all those doubts.

“In return, if this operation ends the war successfully, I would like to receive additional compensation on top of what you promised before.”

Compensation.

A word that dispels the suspicion of a greedy person.

At that, Jordan’s eyes changed once more.

“Compensation? What do you want?”

“I want the title of Marquis for McLaine and all of the Calia Marquisate.”

“…Crazy.”

“Crazy,” Roger Bipros muttered, more to himself than anyone else. A few heads nodded around the table. The idea of a Marquis title for McLaine? It was outrageous.

But Logan didn’t stop there.

“If Your Excellency and His Highness the Prince confirm that in writing, I will throw everything I and my family have into making it happen.”

The Duke’s expression hardened the moment an additional condition was attached.

“Hoo… Haha. Excessive. Too excessive. A written document? Do you not trust my word?”

“Of course not. However, I also need to have a basis to show others to justify forcing sacrifices on my family members. I would appreciate your understanding.”

Excessive compensation and unreasonable demands.

Logan believed that he could quell the Duke’s suspicion with that, but the Duke’s greed and suspicion were greater than he thought.

“…Fine. However, leave those three wagonloads of magic bombs here before the operation. I’m concerned that the firepower of the siege will be somewhat diminished in the main camp if your family is absent.”

Those were the words that came from the Duke, who had been pondering for a long time.

Logan’s eyes trembled slightly upon hearing those words.

If he refused here, the day he could implement the plan he had come up with would be pushed further away.

*He still has Bipros’s words in mind? Hmph. It doesn’t matter…*

After all, no matter how many originals there were, they wouldn’t be able to deduce the manufacturing method.

Just like the Empire in his past life.

And McLaine would already be gone from this place by then.

So, Logan could easily nod his head.

“…I understand.”

Only then did the Duke smile and nod.

“Good. A very commendable decision. On the day the great work is accomplished, everything you have said will become a reality. I will gladly leave a document.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Logan also smiled and bowed his head again, when an unexpected proposal followed.

“We, Bipros, will also attack the south gate of Harun Castle independently.”

Roger Bipros, with a hardened expression, suddenly interjected.

*What?*

Logan looked at him with a bewildered expression, and the other gazes in the room also held similar feelings.

Everyone didn’t say it out loud, but the current McLaine family was treated as a force combining two or three Frontier Counts or a force at the level of a Marquisate.

The gap with Bipros, who had also lost their base, was only widening day by day.

In other words, it was absurd to say that Bipros could do what McLaine could do.

Roger Bipros’s proposal seemed almost like committing suicide.

“Roger, aren’t you overdoing it?”

“Absolutely not. Please entrust it to me! I don’t want excessive compensation either. I will simply sacrifice myself for the great work with all my loyalty.”

Hoo. You?

There’s no way.

*If he’s not crazy, he must have other intentions.*

No, he definitely does.

Just as a meaningful smile appeared on Logan’s face.

Duke Jordan smiled and nodded.

“Hoo, haha. Well, if that’s what you’re going to do, then good. Let’s create a plan based on your proposals. So that we can end this civil war here.”

“Very well!”

No more objections were raised, and the meeting concluded with other Frontier Counts praising McLaine and Bipros’s voluntary sacrifices.

And the meeting was just breaking up.

“Do your best. Well, the result will be obvious anyway. I look forward to seeing what our relationship will be like after the war, Count.”

Logan whispered, along with a smirk.

He even provoked him on purpose with the intention of begging him to play tricks.

“Of course. Friendly competition is good in the midst of working together on a great undertaking.”

Roger Bipros responded with a forced, composed smile, unable to hide his hardened expression.

But with that, Logan could be certain.

That he would definitely do something.