Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 160

“It’s too much, isn’t it?”

“Tradition, they call it.”

“Still, it’s certainly impressive.”

Excited whispers filled the hall.

The royal palace hall was usually very serious. But today, it was full of talking nobles.

The walls had decorations and paintings with bright jewels. A giant chandelier hung from the high ceiling, ready for this special day. Its light shone like gold, making the jewels sparkle even more.

Also, fancy tables and seats were set up all over the hall, around the big, fancy throne in the north. Usually, no one was allowed to sit there.

Even with all the fancy stuff, everyone looked at the two chairs placed a little lower than the throne.

These two chairs were less fancy and a bit smaller than the throne.

And one of the two people seated there was finding the situation exceedingly uncomfortable.

“Did it really have to come to this, Logan?”

“Yes, of course. If you don’t like it, you can go back. But then you’ll have to watch from far away as your student takes power and becomes corrupt.”

“Ugh. I told you not to change…”

Logan smiled slightly at the Sword Master’s reaction.

“Isn’t it better to have you here, so you can guide me?”

“So, you’re saying you’ll listen to me from now on?”

“It seems it will begin soon, Master.”

“You wretched boy. Always changing the subject.”

The Sword Master sighed softly and looked up.

“Now, we will start the coronation of the 42nd King of the Thousand-Year Kingdom of Grandia! All nobles, please stand up!”

The voice of Crimson Matthew, the Archbishop from the temple, echoed through the hall.

Logan noticed the Sword Master’s sour face when he saw the Archbishop. He asked why, and the Sword Master told him how that man had bothered him many times.

He even asked the Sword Master to offer his precious granddaughter, who came into his life when he was older, as a priestess. She would have to live alone for the rest of her life.

It seemed to be because of what happened during the naming ceremony, which made it even more annoying.

‘Well, Master would never allow it, and even the temple can’t force a Duke of a nation, especially now.’

He was just being a nuisance.

If that was all, there was no need to argue with the Archbishop.

Logan tried to calm down as he stood up.

As the Sword Master and Logan stood, all the nobles stood up too.

“Presenting Rogers von Grandia, the third son of the late King Samuel von Grandia!”

“Woooaaah!”

With loud cheers and applause, the carefully planned, long ceremony began.

Five hours later.

‘Haa, I must have been crazy. Why did I agree to sit here?’

The endless traditions were still going on, and Logan regretted arranging this seat a few days ago.

He was sitting here to make sure the new king saw him. But King Rogers didn’t seem to notice anything else.

That was because something had caught his eye.

“Ooh!”

The Crown of Ruler.

A special item only for the King of Grandia.

The crown was made by Archmage Premlyn Douglas, one of the founding heroes. It shone so brightly that everyone stared at it.

But the light only lasted until the crown was placed on the prince’s head.

Logan could see the light disappear from the crown and turn into unseen magic, surrounding the third prince.

He didn’t know exactly what the magic did, but he could guess its effect.

He hadn’t felt this when he met the late king.

That meant he had become stronger, but it also made him worried.

‘It would be hard to assassinate a king wearing that without anyone knowing.’

When the late king died, Logan wondered if there was another reason besides what happened in his past life.

He had blamed the Empire to trick his master, but he wasn’t sure about that.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter anymore.’

He had to focus on the future.

He had changed the kingdom’s future, but the Empire was different.

He didn’t know how the changes in the kingdom would affect the Empire, or how the future would change because of it.

But he knew one thing.

‘The Empire will start its war right after the succession battle ends.’

Unless the changes he made changed the minds of the current Emperor and the next Emperor.

‘But they are the kind of people who want to change the world, not the kind who change their minds when the world changes.’

So, the war was going to happen no matter what.

He could try to deal with the Emperor and the next Emperor, but that might start the war sooner.

Even if another person became Emperor, the Empire’s plans wouldn’t change much.

‘So, that’s not an option.’

The only way was to make the kingdom strong enough to stop the Empire.

While Logan was thinking about all this.

“In the name of the Nine Gods, I acknowledge Rogers I as the new King of Grandia, and bless him.”

The coronation finally ended with Crimson Matthew’s blessing.

King Rogers, wearing the shining crown, looked around at everyone and said.

“I, Rogers von Grandia, promise to do my duty as the King of Grandia.”

The most basic thing that had to be done today was over.

And now, the event that everyone was waiting for began.

“The followers of Valterheim and Douglas, who divided the country and turned it into a battlefield, have been dealt with thanks to Duke Logan McLaine and Duke Felix Esperanza. They deceived the royal family and disturbed the country…”

The new king’s speech continued with passion.

Most people knew that the blame would be put on the already defeated Margrave and the two Marquis families.

“Since they couldn’t refuse the orders of the local Lords, I will forgive them by fining them 1 million gold each, limiting their control over the territory’s forces for 20 years, and inspecting their territory regularly.”

“Hmm.”

“As expected…”

Forgiving the territory nobles with only a small fine and limited control was nicer than expected.

The territory nobles who had been in the royal prison were released.

But what no one expected was what came next.

“Marquis Luther Kyle and Marquis Wicken Kalia are also recognized as having been forced by their fathers-in-law, who were traitors, so they are spared from the death penalty…”

“What?!”

A cry of surprise came from the nobles.

It was loud enough to interrupt the king, but the nobles just stared at him with confused eyes.

‘He’s forgiving the two Dukes who were at the center of the group?’

The nobles couldn’t understand it.

The King looked down at Sword Master Logan, who sat below him. Logan looked back.

Seeing Logan nod, the King continued, “…His title will be reduced to Count, and half of his land will be returned to the nation. Also, both sides will be made to join the Esperanza Knights for ten years, serving under Duke Felix Esperanza.”

“Humph. Even so…”

“Is this really alright?”

“If they are under the Sword Master’s control, then…”

A murmur went through the room.

Watching the whispering nobles, Logan glanced at his master.

Logan was not hopeful. He didn’t think they could win a war with weaker soldiers and capture the enemy’s best fighters.

But somehow, his master had done just that by the end of the war.

– The number of powerful warriors is also a symbol of the nation’s strength. These two were just swayed by the greed of Jordan or that Juan fellow; they are not inherently greedy. I will keep them in check.

There was some truth in his master’s words, so he nodded.

Besides, in his past life, the powerful warriors who survived the civil war were Juan Douglas and Wiken Kalia.

With the Sword Master having pledged allegiance at the cost of the Third Prince’s life, there were three powerful warriors remaining.

In this life as well, he hoped that matching that number would reduce any unexpected problems.

And now, this was happening in the King’s speech.

“Now that we have cleared away all remnants of the past, I will give rewards to those who helped start this new time, for the glory of Grandia, which we will begin anew.”

At the King’s words, the eyes of all the nobles in the great hall turned to the Sword Master and Logan.

The nobles present had also joined the Third Prince’s group late, but in reality, it was the Esperanza Duchy and the McLaine family who had ended the war.

Therefore, everyone was curious about what rewards these two families, especially the McLaines, would receive.

“First, to recognize Duke Felix Esperanza’s achievement in beheading the traitor Juan Douglas at the McLaine Battle and leading the war to victory, I give him the title of Grand Duke and add the Talos County and Cherno County, previously ruled by the Frontier Counts, to the Esperanza Duchy.”

“Ooh!”

The nobles listening were all impressed.

However, the Sword Master, who had been granted the vast territories of the kingdom’s western and northwestern frontier counts, along with the title of Grand Duke, did not look happy.

And Logan, sensing his master’s discomfort, could only offer a wry smile.

– How bothersome. It wasn’t as if I was trying to gain anything. I already have the title of Duke.

– You have eliminated all the Frontier Counts. As I said, if the Empire thinks about war, we must ensure a solid defense from the western border. I beg you, Master.

– Why must I do that…

– Then who else would you trust it to?

– …Haa. Bloody hell.

Logan did not fully understand his master’s reluctance towards the enlarged territory and title, but he was also somewhat in awe.

“…Individual rewards for the deserving people of the Esperanza family will be entrusted to the decision of the Esperanza Grand Duke.”

“You are very kind, Your Majesty.”

Below the King, who had finished reading the detailed contents of the rewards, the Sword Master quietly knelt and bowed his head.

Others could not see his expression, but Logan, being close by, could not help but notice his master’s bowed face.

Rather than rejoicing at the great reward, he seemed burdened by it.

Watching his master’s reaction, Logan reaffirmed his resolve.

‘I cannot promise that I will live as unselfishly as my master. But even if I change, even if I become greedy, I promise that it will all be for the sake of protecting the family and the nation. I swear it.’

As he was steeling his resolve.

An additional reward (?) that he had not dared to mention to his master came from the King’s mouth.

“Also, to help me, I appoint Felix Grand Duke as a Royal Tutor to advise the royal family. I hope the Grand Duke will continue to help me greatly in the future.”

The Sword Master, who had been bowing with a stiff expression, suddenly raised his head.

His gaze, which seemed to be directed at the King without respect, turned to the side, and soon a sharp look was directed at Logan.

The meaning was felt with just a look.

– Is this also your doing?

Logan awkwardly avoided the gaze that seemed to carry even murderous intent.

‘Then who else would I trust?’

The task of keeping watch over the King, who might go astray, right next to him.

Who else would the King trust and follow, and who also has the reputation to do so?

He certainly had excuses he wanted to make, but he could not deny that he felt sorry, so he simply avoided his master’s eyes.

‘I would like to plant my subordinate next to the King, but.’

– If you lose sight of the line you must protect, you will become a monster.

Recalling his master’s words, he suppressed even that desire.

“Grand Duke Felix?”

“Ah… Ahem. Your kindness is boundless.”

Trembling hands, a slightly shaking voice.

At first glance, he seemed moved, and the King wore a warm smile.

‘I should avoid seeing him for a while.’

Logan secretly shook off the encroaching murderous intent and sweated coldly.

Only middle-aged in appearance, he was actually just over seventy years old.

The Sword Master, who would have retired from office long ago if he were not a powerful warrior, accepted the highest office because he had to.

Soon, the King’s gaze turned to Logan.

“Now, I will begin giving rewards to Logan McLaine and his family, the deserving people who have helped the most to start the new Grandia.”

Words that made everyone in the great hall listen intently.

At that, Logan slowly rose and knelt before the King.

And the praise that followed was a little, no, very different from that of his master.

“As everyone in this country knows, Lord Logan McLaine here is a young hero who has killed the traitor Jordan Valtermaim and is an important person who will lead the kingdom after Duke Felix.”

Most of the nobles in the hall nodded.

“But I value his outstanding intelligence even more than his skill in battle.”

Cough.

Um… Ahem…

His conscience stung a little at the excessive praise.

To be praised for his outstanding strategy when he had almost ruined his family several times despite knowing the future and preparing for it.

“He foresaw the misfortune of this country several years ago and promised me that he would punish the traitors and offer me the throne.”

I didn’t say it that way…

“Ooh!”

As the nobles’ exclamations pierced his back, Logan’s gaze lowered a little further.

“And only a few years after telling me that, he, feeling sorry for the chaotic state of the country, started acting and made the traitors fight each other, greatly reducing their power…”

I almost got backstabbed and died. I tried to prepare as much as I could.

“Finally, he tricked them into a prepared battlefield and played an important part in killing the traitors before the war destroyed the country.”

I didn’t trick them, they attacked after discovering I was trying to backstab them…

“It is a great blessing for me and the kingdom that such a young hero with such great intelligence exists in our kingdom.”

Ah, I think I’m going to get indigestion.

Just praise my skill in battle.

‘Who was a famous strategist…? Was there even one?’

A world where powerful warriors, knights, and mages clash.

Logan, who had unconsciously thought tactics and strategy were not as important, was now newly aware of its necessity.

“So, I will now give rewards to Lord Logan McLaine and the McLaine family, who helped start this new Grandia more than anyone.”

The King’s voice reached its climax.