Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 161

The king’s voice echoed in the grand hall, “The McLaine family will get back half of the land from Callia March and half from Kyle March. Also The McLaine family used to be very important when our kingdom began. Now, they are important again, even more so! They will be Marquises, a very high title!”

“Heo!” A noble gasped.

“That……!” Another exclaimed.

This reward was so surprising that the nobles gasped. From that moment, McLaine was reborn as a great territory with over twenty castles from the west to the south, becoming the kingdom’s only Marquis family, right below the Grand Duke.

But that wasn’t all.

The king then said, “And Logan McLaine himself will also be a Count, a title just for him. He will also get the best house in the capital, near my palace. He is the reason I am king today. Everyone in this land, nobles and common people, should respect him as much as they respect me!”

“Uwaaaah!” The nobles cheered.

The nobles and knights all looked at Logan at once.

The new king had just said to treat Logan as himself.

It was a reward that clearly showed how the king felt about Logan.

Even Logan’s eyes widened slightly, and the Sword Master turned to look at him.

‘I didn’t want this much,’ Logan thought.

Logan shook his head slightly to show that this hadn’t been discussed beforehand, and the Sword Master sighed softly and looked at the new king.

But it wasn’t over yet.

The king continued, “If I had more to give, I would give it to you. But I am sorry, I cannot give even more right now. Logan, is there anything you want from me?”

‘Giving away even more?’ someone thought.

People swallowed hard.

Logan sighed softly and said, “I have a small request.”

“Hmm? Haha. Yes, tell me anything,” the king replied.

Logan spoke carefully. “Giving McLaine so much land, the best land in the west and south, might be too much for just a Marquis title. It might look bad in the future, like we are giving away too much too easily.”

The king smiled again, but he didn’t give up easily.

The king smiled. “But just giving you a title is not enough for what you have done. That would also set a bad example, making it seem like I don’t value great deeds. Please, accept my gift. Don’t refuse me.”

“If that’s the case,” Logan said, “I would like the Taren region, the royal family’s land.”

“The Taren region?” The king asked, surprised.

The Taren region was southeast of the capital, Grang.

Long ago, it was famous for its mines. People said it was the heart of the kingdom’s mining, full of iron, copper, and gold.

Roads were built to carry these riches across the land. It was very important for the king’s money… but that was two hundred years ago.

“You’re asking for that land full of old mines and empty wasteland?” the king asked. “Even though it’s not next to the McLaine territory?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Logan replied. “I know that one family can rule over separate regions.”

There was such a case.

A past king had divided the land to control a vassal.

The king’s face changed slightly.

The Taren region had mountains that stretched from the east.

The Taren region was big, between the capital and Harun Castle. But it was mostly just two things: old mines and empty wasteland.

The abandoned mines went along the mountains, and the wasteland was below them.

The land was large but useless.

It didn’t bring in any taxes, and it cost more to take care of it.

“Are you trying to make me look like a bad king?” the king asked. “What will people say if I give you useless land when you’ve done so much for me?”

“I am just worried that giving me too much will make you look less powerful,” Logan replied.

The land could actually be used, but Logan was trying to please the king by being modest.

The king nodded. “I see what you mean. But I still want to give you more. So, I will also give you the northern part of Callia March. This land connects McLaine to the Taren region.”

Logan also gained more income.

The king looked serious as he gave Logan another gift. Logan bowed his head quickly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Logan said.

No take-backs.

The talk about Logan’s reward ended. It seemed like a nice talk, with the king smiling and Logan bowing. But inside, Logan was secretly pleased, while the king’s smile might not have been so real.

“Ahahahaha!” the king laughed. “Yes, I feel good knowing I have a loyal subject like you. I will end the reward for McLaine here. I will let you decide the rewards for the McLaine family’s members, just like I did with the Esperanza Grand Duchy.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Logan said.

After that, rewards were given to the nobles who had followed McLaine but hadn’t really done anything.

The old Frontier Counts were gone, and new people were needed to take their place. So, rewards were given with good reasons.

The territories of the two dukes and seven Frontier Counts were divided into many pieces.

The nobles who had promised to support the new royal family were happy to get unexpected gifts without doing anything.

‘I should think of this as getting paid in advance for what I will do in the future,’ Logan thought.

Logan looked at each of the rewarded nobles and reminded them of the warnings he had given them before.

But they still smiled.

“With this, I announce the start of the new State Council!” the king declared.

The new ministers were appointed.

Later, an old noble, Count Palman Terry, stepped forward. He used to work for the old king but was pushed out by others. Now he was back. Tears ran down his face. “We have a wise king!” he cried.

“Now!” the king said. “Let’s all raise a glass and celebrate the beginning of the new Grandia!”

The festival began with the king leading the way.

The festival to celebrate the new king was planned to last a week in the capital.

It was also meant to show the people that the war was over, so it was important to do it well.

The royal family spent money to give food to the poor people living outside the city walls. People inside and outside Grang cheered for the new king.

Logan gave the knights and soldiers a vacation since they hadn’t rested for weeks after the war because they had to take the royal palace.

After telling everyone about the rewards, Logan gave gifts. To the knights, he gave jewels that sparkled. To the soldiers, he gave so many gold coins they could barely carry them in both hands!

All the riches came from the mansions of the Frontier Counts and Dukes that had been taken.

Logan knew he was just showing off with stolen riches. But the people loved it.

“Long live the Young Duke!” someone shouted.

“He’s not a Young Duke anymore, you idiot!” another replied. “Long live the Count!”

“Long live the Count!!” the crowd cheered.

McLaine’s forces left only a few people to guard the new mansion and went to enjoy the festival in the capital.

There was a slight problem.

“Duke… Count, aren’t you going to rest, Count?” Aileen asked.

“Just call me Logan, Aileen,” he replied.

“Yes, Logan… Young Master. Aren’t you going to rest?” Aileen corrected herself, still sounding worried.

Logan knew why she was worried, so he smiled softly.

“I have to tell the territory about the results of the ceremony. It would be better to go in person,” Logan explained.

Logan answered Aileen, but then Ronian suddenly spoke up.

“Brother, I’ll come with you!” Ronian offered. Then he saw Victor’s look and Aileen blushing. “Oh! I see!” Ronian laughed. “Brother, sister-in-law! Have fun! Yes, yes, I’m leaving!” Victor pulled Ronian away, chuckling.

Logan sighed softly as he watched his younger brother being dragged away by Victor.

Aileen looked at Logan with a worried expression and asked nothing.

“You’re working too hard, even here in the capital. Shouldn’t you rest, even for a little bit?”

“Huh? Am I working too hard? I feel fine.”

“It’s just… since what happened at the palace, you don’t seem like yourself.”

Aileen’s words made him see it again: the young royal children dying.

He remembered using his sword because some knights were too scared. Logan closed his eyes tight.

‘It had to be done. Yes, it was necessary.’

He acted calm then, but inside he wasn’t. Even when he was a soldier for ten years, and then fighting against the Empire for twenty more years, he never killed children.

When he was a soldier, he was still proud to be a noble. This stopped him from becoming truly cruel.

In the Resistance, he avoided “dirty” jobs. He thought the soldiers he fought were all grown men.

“These kids will become soldiers for the Empire!” a loud voice in his memory shouted. “Are you trying to act like you’re better than us?” This comrade was more extreme than Logan.

‘Yes. I’m dirty now too. And I might have to do even worse things in the future. If it changes the future… then I must do it.’

Maybe it was a weak excuse, but thinking this way made him feel a little calmer.

“Are you really alright?”

“….I’m really fine. Thanks for asking. But shouldn’t you go home too, Aileen? If I don’t let you visit even when things are calm, your father will be angry with me.”

When he said “father-in-law,” Aileen blushed. “W-well, maybe… later, we can go together…”

“Of course, I have to visit as well. After I finish all my work.”

“……Yes.”

After Aileen left, Logan went to talk to his family back home.

“…So, that’s what happened.”

[Heh… Hehehehe. Hahahahaha! A Marquis?! You became a Marquis! Hahaha! Good job! Really well done!]

His father was cheering. Dwayne, his stepmother, and other family members were behind him. The room was usually quiet, but today it was full of people. Everyone was happy, and Logan smiled.

Logan’s smile was bigger than usual. He asked a question he was nervous to ask. “Has Sir Heinkel woken up?”

[Ah… Right, I forgot to tell you. He woke up a few days ago, thankfully. But his body is very hurt. He can’t be a knight anymore. He asked to stop being a knight. Instead, he wants to teach the soldiers.]

“….A teacher?”

[I think he wants to help the family somehow. That Heinkel, really. I want him to rest, so I should give him a noble title.]

Because Logan became a Marquis, he could give out noble titles as rewards. He could make three people Viscounts and nine people Barons. His father said he would use one of these titles for Heinkel.

Since Logan got his old title back and became even higher rank, it was a good reward for Heinkel. “That’s good. It’s good he still wants to work.”

[Yes, it’s a relief. So, I’ll let him be a teacher, like he wants. We also have Kaisylon, so maybe Heinkel can be more of an advisor.]

Logan thought, *No, I was worried about you, Father.* Heinkel was hurt badly, and many good knights died in the battle. Logan was afraid his father would be sad and give up. But it seemed he was wrong.

“Okay… I know you’ll do well,” Logan’s father said. “But remember to reward people properly. Not just Heinkel, but also the families of the knights and soldiers who died. They will be sad, and maybe angry… We can’t stop all anger, but we must give them as much as we can from the money left over.”

[Of course! If we don’t take care of those who sacrificed themselves for our territory, who would be loyal?]

“And that includes the Self-Defense Force,” Logan added. “Treat them like soldiers too.”

[Like soldiers… you mean?] his father asked. *Just as I thought,* Logan thought. His father still thought like a noble, but a little better now. He now cared about soldiers, not just knights. Logan had explained many times that if people are happy, the country is strong. So, he had to explain it again in a simple way.

“Yes. Wars in the future won’t be just knights and magic users fighting. You saw how strong the Self-Defense Force was. You have to treat them well.”

[Ahem. Okay, I will. But future battles? Don’t tell me you’re planning something else…]”No, no! I’m just giving an example! Don’t say things like that, Father. People can hear you!”

[Whew, you scared me. I understand. I’ll treat the Self-Defense Force like you said. It’s almost harvest time, so I can use all the money we have left. Wait, what? Logan, Dwayne wants to talk… Ugh?!]

Dwayne pushed his face close to the screen. [Young Master! If you spend all the money like that, what about the knights who are still alive? How will we reward them? Giving money to the dead soldiers’ families and the Self-Defense Force will use up all our money! You’re not saying we won’t reward the knights who lived, are you?]

“I already gave it all,” Logan said.

[Yes?]

“I got a lot of money in the capital. It’s enough to reward all the knights and soldiers back home. Don’t worry.”

[Wow! Really? Is it really, really true?!]

Logan, seeing Dwayne’s face brighten up, smiled involuntarily and replied.

“Yes. It’s true.”

[Wow, I’m saved! Phew, that’s a relief…]

“What is it? Say it quickly.”

[Well… um… I didn’t fight… but the people who managed the money worked hard too… um…]

Logan laughed. Dwayne was shy and couldn’t ask directly. “Of course, we’ll reward them as much as the knights! Don’t worry, and get back to work!”

[Hwahahaha! I knew you would say that! Long live Young Master! No, you said Count now. Long live Count!]

“Father, when I see you, I’ll tell you about the new land…”

[Take it easy, take it easy. Why hurry?]

“Yes?”

Patrick smiled warmly. [Haven’t you worked hard enough? Just enjoy this moment. You can deal with the rest when you come home.]

“Uh… well…”

[You should rest now. You’ve done so much. Be proud of yourself and enjoy this happiness.]

Logan’s mind went blank at his father’s words. Then, other voices joined in. [Rest, Young Master! I heard there’s a festival in the capital. Go spend time with Princess Aileen!]

[Yes! Rest well and come back slowly!]

[We’ll take care of everything here!]

“Ha… hahaha.”

The happy noise made his tired heart feel warm. The heavy weight in his heart felt lighter. He started to laugh, a real laugh that made him feel much better. “Ahahahahaha!”

*Right. I’ll rest for a bit.* There will be so much work later. Only now did Logan truly relax.