Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 163

The happy days of the festival ended quickly. The very next day, Logan announced he would leave the capital. He planned to take the entire McLaine army with him.

“Are you taking *all* of them?” the Sword Master asked. His voice sounded a little sad. “The King trusts you so much. He would be very happy if you left some McLaine knights here. Just as a guard of honor, you know, for important events.”

The Sword Master looked like he wished Logan would stay. It was clear the King liked the McLaine Knights, and the Esperanza Knights too, more than his own Royal Knights, for protection. But Logan easily agreed to let the Esperanza Knights be the King’s personal guard.

“Don’t push me, Master,” Logan said, a small smile playing on his lips. “You might make me change my mind.”

“So, you *were* thinking about it?” the Sword Master asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Logan admitted. “Until I arrived in the capital.” He paused, then continued, “Actually, it makes sense in a way.”

Logan chuckled softly. “This whole situation started because I made the King distrust the Royal Knights, remember? But don’t worry, Master. I’ve decided against it. Instead, I need you to keep the promise we talked about.”

“The Empire?” the Sword Master asked, his voice lower now. “You mean about them?”

“Yes. I trust you will get ready for the Empire’s attack. And work with us on everything related to it.”

“Of course, I will protect our country from invaders,” the Sword Master said firmly. “I would do that even if you didn’t ask.”

“I mean you need to start getting ready *now*,” Logan insisted.

Logan’s eyes were serious and his voice was firm. The Sword Master’s face also became serious. “You really think the Empire will attack?”

“Yes,” Logan said simply.

“Hmm,” the Sword Master thought aloud. “Actually, after you mentioned it before, I looked into it myself. But the Empire’s fight for the throne isn’t finished yet. People who study these things say it will take at least five more years. It’s not a war like we had, just their way of choosing a new ruler. The Empire has never attacked another country during these times.”

“But they have attacked many times right after,” Logan pointed out.

“You’re saying they are preparing for war *before* it’s even over… no, never mind. Anyway, don’t worry about that. I am responsible for half of the western border. I will not ignore it.”

*You said that in my past life too, Master. But you died,* Logan thought sadly. *Things are different now, though.*

*If Master keeps his word,* Logan thought, *then I don’t need to fight him or be selfish. If we want the same thing, then his strength helps me too.* *But if things go wrong…* Logan smiled, hiding a thought that would shock his master if he knew it.

“Yes, I trust you,” Logan said aloud. “And because of that, I will sell you McLaine weapons for a very low price. You need to make your soldiers stronger.”

“…” The Sword Master looked surprised. “Are you saying you want to do business with me?”

“Of course!” Logan laughed. “Do you think crossbows and magic bombs just grow in the ground? We need to make money too!”

The master and student, who had been smiling at each other, suddenly started laughing loudly together. After a long time of laughing, they said their real goodbyes, their faces now sad.

“Visit the capital often,” the Sword Master said. “Even if you are advising the King, I don’t want to have to chase after all those ministers myself to keep them honest. Come and keep those greedy people in line sometimes.”

“…Weren’t you hoping I would stay away from the royal family?” Logan asked, surprised.

“I just hope you stay the same,” the Sword Master replied. “If you are like you are now, you can be a good example for the King.”

“We are not that different in age,” Logan pointed out.

“Exactly! That’s even better,” the Sword Master said with a smile. But today, his smile felt heavy to Logan. Logan knew it was because his master was so loyal to the royal family and had so much hope for the Third Prince, now King Rogers. It was making him a little less clear-headed.

*How many kings in history have liked people who were better than them?* Logan wondered. *Actually, my only real skill is fighting. But other people won’t see it that way.* He just hoped that King Rogers, who everyone said was a wise ruler, would truly become one. Logan smiled back at his master, thinking these thoughts.

The McLaine family was leaving the capital – and they were leaving *completely*. This news caused a big reaction in the capital city. Some people thought it was their chance to gain power. Others thought they had lost a chance to become important. Most smart people were surprised. *Why give up power you worked so hard for? Why leave the King’s side?* they wondered. Even though Logan’s father-in-law was the Prime Minister and his master was a Grand Duke, being close to the King was still very important. Logan could have easily put a trusted friend near the King, and no one would have questioned it. But it seemed like he was giving up on everything. Many people who thought about it deeply came to one idea: *The King and Logan McLaine are closer than we thought.*

Because of this idea about their close bond, Logan and the McLaine army were flooded with invitations as they traveled back home. Invitations arrived constantly, every few hours. Even lords from lands far away from their path sent messages. They all sent many knights and gifts, trying to be polite and welcoming.

“Imagine so many people willing to bring a thousand soldiers right into their homes,” Logan muttered to himself, a little annoyed. He refused every invitation, saying he was too tired, and decided to camp outside instead. Camping was okay at first. But after a while, he became very tired of it and wondered if he should have accepted at least one invitation. Especially now, under the bright stars of the night sky, with the fire crackling beside him, making him feel heavy and sleepy.

*No, I can’t get lazy now. Focus,* Logan told himself. He lightly patted his cheeks with his hands, remembering his training with his master. Looking back, it had been a good time. He had learned a lot. Training without stopping was definitely the right way.

A voice he knew spoke beside him, interrupting his thoughts. “What are you thinking about so seriously?”

“Ah… It’s nothing,” Logan replied quickly.

“Your face has looked sad since we left the capital,” Aileen said. “If you are worried about something, wouldn’t it help to talk to people around you?” Her eyes were green like emeralds, shining like the stars above, maybe even brighter. She looked at him with kindness, not at all like the cold person she had been just days before.

*I still don’t know why she changed,* Logan thought, relieved. *Could it be that my father’s advice actually worked?* He pushed away the thought, knowing Aileen would think it was silly if she knew. He cleared his throat. “It’s not important. You don’t need to share every little thought.”

It would just make people worry for no reason.

But when he said that, Aileen’s face became a little sad again. *Did I say something wrong again?* Logan wondered, feeling a little confused.

“…Okay,” Aileen said quietly. “You don’t have to.” She sighed softly and stood up. Logan stood up too, feeling like he needed to stop her, even though he didn’t know why.

“You don’t have to tell me what’s wrong,” Aileen said. “But when the leader of the army looks so unhappy, the soldiers who should be proud and strong also become unsure.”

Logan made a sound of understanding, “Ah!”

“I don’t know what you are planning for the future,” Aileen continued. “But maybe you should pay attention to what’s happening around you right now, to the people with you. Well, goodbye then.”

Aileen turned to leave. Without thinking, Logan reached out and grabbed her arm. At the same moment, words he hadn’t planned to say just came out of his mouth. “I think… I have some regrets.”

“…Yes?” Aileen asked, surprised. Her cold expression was gone, replaced by confusion. Logan looked at her and sighed quietly.

Like I said, it’s just trivial.

“I guess I should have tried harder to see the festival or the city. Just little things I wish I did.”

A faint smile appeared on Aileen’s face when she heard that.

Maybe seeing her smile made him feel better.

“If possible, with you.”

Gasp!

Startled by her own words, she let go of his arm and took a step back.

“Ha ha! What was *that*?”

Aileen laughed loudly, as if something was incredibly funny.

People in the camp looked over for a second. Aileen quickly wiped a tear from her eye and smiled brightly at Logan.

“You could have just said it. Silly…”

Were her words really that funny?

He didn’t understand.

But he didn’t think about it for long.

“When we return, we’ll do plenty. Together. Whatever it is.”

That one sentence brought a smile to his face as if by magic.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Aileen smiled brightly again at his words.

For a moment, he stared blankly at her, feeling as if the surroundings had brightened.

“Well, I’m still… okay… for now.”

Her voice was noticeably softer than before.

Despite the quietness of her voice, Aileen had drawn close and was staring intently at him with her large eyes.

Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

Without him realizing it, his heart began to race madly, and his body moved on its own, pulling her into a tight embrace.

The mood was romantic. They leaned in, faces getting closer.

Clang!

Their armors, which they had grown so accustomed to that they had forgotten about them, suddenly collided, making their presence known.

“……”

“……”

“Oh. Um… the armor is very… impressive.”

What silly words are you saying, you idiot!

Logan wanted to slap his own lips for uttering such drivel.

But he couldn’t bring himself to do it, nor could he look Aileen in the face.

He looked down, annoyed at her armor.

Kiss.

“Good night.”

Surprised by the soft touch on his cheek, he looked up to see Aileen hurrying away.

Her ears were red, so noticeably red even in the dim light.

The warmth, amplified by the pounding of his heart, brought a smile to his face without him even realizing it.

“They’re coming!”

“Raise it up!”

“Beat the drums!”

Drums beat loudly – thud, thud, thud. Logan saw the town in the distance, and suddenly, lots of sounds burst out.

“What is that?”

“Looks like a huge banner… with writing on it?”

“‘Welcome the return of Logan McLaine, the hero who ended the war, and the warriors of the McLaine family’? Hahaha! What is that?!”

The banner was huge, you could see it from far away! It made the McLaine soldiers laugh as they came home to cheers.

Logan, at the head of the column, suppressed a smile and approached, seeing his father, stepmother, Dwayne, and the lined-up territory residents behind them.

“Welcome back!”

“The hero of our nation! We welcome the return of the Eldest Young Master!”

“Thank you for ending the war!”

The closer they got, the louder the cheers. But Logan’s big smile slowly disappeared as he saw the faces of the people.

They were genuinely happy, but he couldn’t help but notice those with bandages, limping legs, and missing arms.

The results of the war.

Or, really… ‘Things *I* caused…’

His happy feeling suddenly turned cold.

The only saving grace was that even those people had smiles on their faces.

“Wow! Thank you, Eldest Young Master!”

Do I deserve to receive thanks from these people?

Just as his mood was about to sink again.

“Wave a little, brother.”

“Hm? Ah, right.”

“Don’t they look happy, those territory residents? It’s all a result of what you’ve accomplished.”

“……It wasn’t just me, it was everyone working together.”

“Yes. Under your leadership.”

“You little……”

“Brother, wave!”

“Alright, alright!”

Turning his head at his younger brother’s grinning face, he saw the proud faces of the soldiers and the smiles of the healthy territory residents, who far outnumbered the injured.

‘Right. That’s all that matters. From now on……’

He made his heart strong again and decided firmly.

And with a bright smile, he waved his hand grandly.

“Alright! We’re finally back! Everyone, let out a cheer!!”

“Woooaaah!!”

The saviors of the nation.

Until that strange title really means something.

So that those many people do not fall into the hands of the Empire as slaves, commoners, or test subjects.

And……

“Welcome back, son!”

“Good work, Logan. Ronian?! Why aren’t you next to your brother?! What are you doing over there!”

“Ah, I’m going, I’m going! Father, Mother! I’m back!”

“Don’t cling to me, you rascal. You’re too big for that now, it’s disgusting……!”

“Haha!”

So that my precious family can continue to cherish these smiles.

I will protect them.

‘I must!’

With the resolve held in his clenched fist etched into his heart.

Logan smiled brightly.

It would be the greatest honor of my life if you could briefly stop by our territory on your way.