Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 143

The moon was a silver coin in the dark sky that night, so bright it cast long, sharp shadows across the quiet streets of Gran. It was a strange quiet, not right for a capital city in a country at war.

Inside a classic mansion with tall, dark wooden walls, a middle-aged man stood by the window, looking out at the silent city. A deep frown creased Duke Felix’s forehead. He turned away from the window suddenly.

“Who’s there?” he said, his low voice strong and full of power.

Duke Felix Esperanza, known as the kingdom’s strongest Aura user, let out a burst of fierce energy. It wrapped around the shadow that was quietly coming in through the window, holding it still.

Then, a familiar voice came from the masked figure, who was wearing black clothes from head to toe.

“It’s me, Master.”

“…Logan?”

As the surprised voice spoke, the shadow quickly took off the mask.

Duke Felix Esperanza looked surprised and confused when he saw Logan’s face with his brown hair and eyes.

“What’s with that outfit?”

“It was necessary to avoid people seeing me.”

“Hmph… I didn’t teach you Shadow Step to be used for things like that.”

“It was essential. That’s why I came to you, Master.”

“Tsk. I guess you couldn’t ask this openly, so you’re sneaking in like a thief.”

The Sword Master clicked his tongue and chuckled, scolding his student, but,

“Yes, I’ve come to ask a favor that I can’t ask for openly.”

His student’s words made him become serious.

“…What is this favor?”

“First, I must ask this: please don’t be angry when you hear my request, but think about it carefully.”

“Why are you talking like this? Just tell me what you want.”

“Remember when I suggested defending the Third Prince? Didn’t you say you would grant me a request then?”

“…Yes, I said something like that.”

“You can refuse, but I ask that you think about it deeply, as you said you would.”

“You keep saying that, and I’m getting more and more worried.”

He could tell this was no ordinary request between master and student, judging by how serious Logan was.

He frowned, feeling worried.

“As you know, I’m starting a big fight between the main groups of the First and Second Prince factions, who have only been testing each other. And while they’re busy, I plan to gather the neutral forces and attack the weakened factions from behind.”

He was right to feel worried.

“And I want you, Master, to lead that.”

Hearing his student’s request, he could only sigh deeply.

The situation at home was already getting worse, and this would only make it harder.

The Sword Master was surprised and very disappointed by his student’s request. Logan’s request would only make things more difficult.

“You’re asking me to join this war.”

“…Yes.”

“I already promised publicly not to get involved in the succession war! You even said it would be best! Have you forgotten so soon?”

“At the time, that was the best way to protect the Third Prince. And the request I’m making now is also for the sake of the Third Prince, whom you must protect.”

“What?”

“I plan to make the Third Prince the King, whether you help me or not.”

For a moment, the Sword Master wondered if he had heard wrong, but seeing the sincere look in his student’s eyes, he sighed.

“Hah… Do you really think that’s possible? If things go as you say, Maclane will have to defend against attacks from both factions, right?”

“If you help, Master, it will be easier; if not, it will be more difficult.”

“…What?”

“Even if things go badly, if I use everything I and my family have, I’m sure I can defeat the First and Second Princes, even if I can’t destroy all of their groups.”

The Sword Master’s face changed a lot when he heard Logan’s words, which he couldn’t ignore.

“That’s treason! Logan! Do you even know what you’re saying…”

“Yes, I know very well. That’s why I’m saying this. If you help, Master, the path will be much easier, and less blood will be shed.”

“Hoo…”

“If my plan works, the throne will go to the Third Prince according to the royal law, since the children of the First and Second Princes are still young. And then, you will have to fight the factions to protect him.”

The Sword Master felt a chill, seeing the calm look on his student’s face, as if it would really happen.

“Are you threatening me now?”

“I’m telling you what will happen.”

Hearing his student’s words, he felt frustrated and confused.

But he already knew what his answer would be.

“…Even so, I can’t. I already made a promise, and I don’t plan to break it.”

“I expected you to say that.”

“What?”

“That’s why I’m asking you to think about your promise again, because the country might be completely ruined otherwise.”

“How dare you…?!”

The Sword Master’s face turned red as he raised his voice, but Logan kept talking without changing his expression.

“I don’t know how important your honor is, Master. But it can’t be more important than the fate of this country. Master, please look at the current situation, at this nation.”

“…I’m disappointed, Logan. Leave now.”

“Master!!”

“You’re completely ignoring my life itself.”

“…Pardon?”

The Sword Master looked straight at Logan with deep eyes.

“Why do you think everyone listened and stepped back when I spoke? Are Jordan and Juan fools? Or is the power I’ve built over my lifetime so small that it can be ignored?”

“That’s…”

“Honor isn’t like that, Logan. Honor isn’t just refusing to change a word that can be easily changed! Honor is the life I’ve lived, my life itself.”

“Master…”

The Sword Master paused to catch his breath and continued.

“I’ve lived my whole life following the words I’ve spoken. I’ve always tried to keep even the smallest promises. If it was important, I tried to keep it even if it cost me my life, and I always succeeded.”

“…”

“Having lived that way for seventy years, everyone started to believe in my words. Even if they disagreed, they respected my words, and that became my power, my honor. That’s my life, and my life is honor.”

“But…”

Logan tried to say something, but the Sword Master shook his head, stopping him.

“For me to change the promise I made isn’t just changing a word! It’s denying and breaking the life I’ve lived. Do you understand?”

“Master!”

“Do you think I would be happy to just watch the country fall apart? If I could save the country by destroying my honor, my life, I wouldn’t hesitate. But do you think that’s possible! I don’t see any way it could work, but what do you see that makes you so sure?!”

When he sighed deeply, you could hear all the frustration he had been holding inside.

Logan, feeling that strong emotion, revealed a part of the truth he had kept hidden.

“It’s not that I’m sure, Master. It’s just that I have to do it.”

“Why is that…”

“Because if we don’t end this civil war quickly and get rid of the people who only want power, this country will be taken over by the Empire.”

“……What?”

The master’s face showed he was completely surprised by these words.

“The King’s death. Didn’t you think it was strange?”

Logan knew there was no proof the Empire did it, not now, and not before.

“And then, what happened in Gran Noblesse after the King died? The civil war started so quickly. Didn’t that seem odd to you?”

Logan thought about the things *he* had secretly made happen.

“I went to the Empire in secret not long ago. That’s where I became sure of something.”

“The Empire is getting ready for war.” This was the truth, at least.

Everything Logan had done, all the strange things, it was all for this reason. He wanted to stop one thing, no matter what.

He wanted to stop the worst thing that could happen: most people in the kingdom becoming slaves, or the Empire using their land to test weapons. This is why Logan felt he was doing the right thing, even if his reasons sounded strange.

The Sword Master looked deeply into his student’s eyes for a long time. He seemed to be weighing Logan’s words. Finally, he let out a small sigh.

“……Yes, I agree. Things have been strange. But this is a huge thing to believe just based on your words.”

“You don’t have to believe me yet. Just look around! The country is falling apart. I have a plan to fix things quickly.”

“……Tell me your plan.”

*Good.* Logan thought. He clenched his fist, feeling a surge of hope. He watched his master, who looked more confused than Logan had ever seen him.

Logan started to explain the plan he had made. He told his master everything: his big idea to make the Third Prince king and fix the country. He held nothing back, hoping to convince him.

However, the expression on his master’s face, after listening to his long explanation, remained stiff. And the words that came after a long silence were far from Logan’s expectations.

“……Even so,” the master said, “it sounds like your plan will make the civil war worse. And your proof is weak.”

“Master…….”

“Also,” the master continued, “even if you are right about everything… Just like Jordan and Huan are controlling the First and Second Princes, it sounds like you want to control the Third Prince too. And make me, who broke my promise, feel useless and old.”

“……Huh?”

Logan was surprised. He had thought about controlling the prince, but he didn’t expect his master to see it. He was slow to answer.

“That’s not what I want! I…” Logan bit his lip. He realized he had made a mistake, but his master looked like his mind was already made up. He seemed firm.

“You want to say it’s different. But it’s not.”

“Master!”

“Huan has always been like that, even when he was young. But Jordan was different. Jordan was more like you are now, actually.”

“……What do you mean?”

Logan was confused and didn’t know what to say. He was surprised by his master’s words.

“Jordan was always ambitious. He knew how to make people do what he wanted. And he always talked about how to make the country better. I thought he was honest back then.”

“He changed after he became Duke and his daughter had a prince. It really showed me how power can change people. But you, Logan, how can you be sure you won’t change like that?”

“I will not be like that.”

“Yes. How can you be so sure?”

“Because I’ve seen so many of those scumbags.”

“What?”

This time, Logan’s answer really surprised the Sword Master.

Logan explained, “People who have a lot are afraid of losing it. The better their life is, the more they fear losing it. So, they often do bad things, even crazy things, to keep what they have.”

He continued, “That’s how normal people become villains. It’s corruption. And the more power someone has, the easier it is to hide their bad deeds and become even more corrupt.”

Logan thought, *It’s surprising Duke Jordan became like that too.* Logan had seen many nobles like this before. For normal people, it’s natural to not hurt others for your own gain. But people with power forget this. Logan had spent years as a mercenary and fighting for freedom – he lived in the dark parts of society.

He was someone who had suffered terribly from those people.

Therefore, he could be certain.

“I don’t know the future, so I can’t say for sure I won’t change. But even if I do, I won’t become like *that*, Master. Not like Jordan, becoming corrupt with power.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because no one resembles what they hate.”

The light shining in Logan’s eyes conveyed a clear sincerity.

The Sword Master, staring into those eyes, finally sighed quietly.

“……Jordan also said something similar.”

“……Yes?”

“If you are right, Logan, I hope you don’t change. Actually, you don’t seem like someone who would change easily.”

There was something worrying in his master’s words, but his voice was much gentler now. Logan felt this change and clenched his fist again, this time with more confidence.

But the words that followed were different from his expectations.

“But still, I’m not convinced yet. I’m not sure if what you’re saying is important enough for me to break my promise.”

“Master!”

“Didn’t you say you could do this without me? Then prove it. At least, I won’t stop you.”

“But…….”

“And above all, if you want to make the Third Prince the king, shouldn’t you also ask for his opinion?”

“Ah… Yes. Of course. That’s… obvious.”

Logan looked confused. The conversation had gone in a way he didn’t expect. He nodded quickly.

Before he could come to his senses, his master’s words continued.

“He is currently at my mansion. I will arrange a place for you, away from the eyes of others, so ask him what he thinks.”

“……Thank you.”

“Go now. The Third Prince will be here tomorrow at this time. And remember, I haven’t seen you today. Understand?”

The master turned away, showing he was done talking. Logan had to leave, feeling disappointed.

Long after Logan was gone, the Sword Master spoke quietly to himself. “I don’t know what the right thing to do is… If Logan is right, then I…” He sighed deeply. He felt confused and troubled.