Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 184

Logan hurried to his mentor’s house with just a few guards. He didn’t even stop at the grand mansion waiting for him in the capital city. He needed to see his mentor first.

At his mentor’s house, Logan heard shocking news.

“An assassination attempt?” Logan exclaimed, his voice full of surprise.

“Yes, indeed,” his mentor replied, his voice grim.

His mentor’s white hair looked even thicker than before. Logan remembered it had become much whiter after the old king died and before the civil war. It seemed to have grown even more while Logan was away.

His mentor’s expression was also grim.

“For now, we’ve asked those who know what happened to keep the rumors quiet, as if nothing has happened. But it seems whispers are spreading secretly.”

“How did this happen? An assassination attempt? And why now?”

“That’s what I’d like to know. And there are one or two odd things about it.”

“Yes?”

His mentor slowly began to explain.

“This is what happened. But the bigger problem is that there are no traces. No evidence, no witnesses. We asked the head of the Royal Guard, but he knew nothing.”

After the long explanation, Logan calmed down and began to think about the situation.

The more Logan thought, the more worried he became.

“This is strange.”

“Indeed. It is strange.”

“How many people would dare to do this? Mentor, you don’t really think it’s the First Prince’s group, do you?”

“Of course not. Even if they killed the King, they couldn’t take the throne.”

Logan nodded.

He didn’t say it out loud, but Logan, who had killed the old king and made the new one king, had no plans to do it again.

He didn’t want to risk his own life.

‘I’d rather find a distant relative whose connection to the royal family is very weak.’

Anyone with a little sense would know that.

“So, when you mentioned them, it was because…”

“I had to suggest an enemy so the King would be angry at them. It was just for that reason.”

“It’s all so confusing.”

“Indeed. It is. Also, Louis’s story is a bit odd.”

“Sir Louis, you mean?”

“Yes. To put it simply, the attack inside the palace was messy, but the way they escaped was very well planned. Doesn’t that seem suspicious to you?”

“Yes. It stinks. What were they trying to do?”

Logan’s face looked as serious as his mentor’s. The mentor sighed and added,

“We don’t know who they are or what they wanted. But this has caused a problem. And it affects you in a very bad way.”

“Me?”

“The King suspects you.”

“What?!”

Logan jumped to his feet.

“I’m the one who made him king! Why would I try to kill him?!”

“Yes, that’s how it should be. But people don’t always think clearly…”

“Sir Louis said it was strange, right? Maybe it wasn’t a real attempt on his life!”

“Yes, I think so too. But Louis’s story is just his opinion, not proof. We trust Louis, but…”

“The King doesn’t think so, I see. Haa…”

Logan slumped back into his seat, confused.

He realized that the urgent matter was not the attack itself, but the situation it had caused.

“As you said, everyone thinks someone else is behind it. But only you or I could gather so many strong force users and change the Royal Guard’s schedule.”

“So, the King suspects me?”

“Yes. He didn’t say it clearly, but he told me to bring you here to talk.”

“Huh? What is going on?”

This was all very confusing.

Personally, this was more worrying than the attack itself.

‘Why would the King suspect me?’

He felt stressed, but there was only one way to solve this.

“I must see the King.”

“Have you thought about what to say?”

“I need to know why he suspects me before I can plan anything. I’ll ask for a meeting right away.”

“Very well, I understand. I’ll prepare right away too.”

“Yes? Why you, Mentor…?”

“He said he won’t allow a private meeting unless I am there, since I can control you.”

Logan was speechless.

The King seemed more worried than he thought.

“It has been a while, Your Majesty.”

“Indeed, it has been, Lord Logan.”

They exchanged polite, formal greetings.

But the King’s face was stiff as he glared at Logan.

“I have heard about the recent problem. Are you okay?”

He tried to be polite, but—

“You’ve already heard the story and seen me, so why say such meaningless words?”

The King’s reaction was not good.

‘Why is he acting like this?’

Frustrated, Logan glanced at his mentor, who shook his head.

Taking it as a sign not to say anything extra, Logan changed the subject.

“I’m glad you seem unharmed.”

“Is that what you really feel?”

“Yes?”

“Are you perhaps unhappy that I survived?”

The King glared at Logan with his piercing blue eyes.

“Of course not. I only care about Your Majesty.”

“Then why don’t I feel that at all?”

Even as he faced a hostile king, Logan calmly replied,

“Do you think I planned this attack? May I ask why you think that?”

I’m the one who made you king.

Why would I do this?

He asked politely, but indirectly, but—

The King brought up something unexpected.

“I have heard that McLaine has been getting more troops since you returned to your land. They even say you are training women as soldiers. You, who are already the most powerful in the kingdom, why are you doing this? Could it be that you want to take my throne?”

“Yes?”

Logan was dumbfounded.

‘Ah…?’

It could… look that way, I guess.

Logan suddenly understood something worrying.

But having nothing to hide, he answered without hesitation.

“The truth is, I fear the Empire might invade our kingdom within the next few years,” Logan said. “I’ve mentioned this to my mentor beforehand, and I’m increasing our military strength to prepare for that possibility.”

“The Empire invading?”

The King looked surprised and turned to the Sword Master.

“It’s true, Your Majesty,” the Sword Master replied. “I, too, am keeping a close watch on the west and increasing the forces in my territory. Logan is also giving out Maclane’s crossbows, which worked so well in the civil war, across the kingdom at a good price. Please understand, all of this is for the good of the kingdom.”

Even with the Sword Master’s support, the King still looked at Logan with hard eyes.

“Do you have proof that the Empire is preparing to invade?” the King asked.

“…It is only a suspicion right now, Your Majesty,” Logan admitted. “But historically, the Empire has invaded countries near us more than 70% of the time after a succession war ends and they have a new leader.”

Logan had planned to use these reasons to convince the King. Now, it felt like he was just making excuses.

But the King’s attitude didn’t change.

“70%, you say. That is a very high chance. High enough that a king can do nothing while his people gather troops,” the King said sarcastically.

“Your Majesty!”

The Sword Master’s face became stern at the King’s sharp words, and he stepped forward.

“Expanding the military is something the border lords can decide, as the kingdom’s law says. Maclane is just doing his duty as a family that protects the southwestern border.”

The King was quiet for a moment after hearing this. Then he sighed and gave in a little.

“Very well. My words were too strong. I’m sorry. I guess I’ve been worried because of that incident.”

The Sword Master also sighed softly.

“Maybe you should drink less, Your Majesty,” he suggested. “Now is the time when you need to take extra care of your health.”

Drinking?

Logan looked confused, but the King waved his hand.

“I will take care of that myself, Grand Duke. But I think we were talking about other things, weren’t we?”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

As his mentor stepped back, Logan stepped forward again.

“I am sorry for not thinking about Your Majesty’s feelings,” Logan said. “But I hope you believe that I only want what is best for you and the kingdom.”

“Yes, I guess so. Haa… I seem to have been too sensitive. If I don’t trust you, who should I trust? Who do I owe my crown to, after all?”

Even though he said these words, the King’s hard expression didn’t soften.

‘He still doubts me,’ Logan thought.

Logan had thought that because he helped him become king, the King would always support him.

‘Was the Third Prince just an ordinary man after all?’

Logan’s chest felt tight, like a heavy stone was placed there, as he saw this unexpected change in Rogers, a man he had believed would be a wise ruler.

If he wanted the simplest and quickest solution, there was only one thing to do.

“I will find the ones who caused that incident and bring them to Your Majesty,” Logan declared.

“Very well. I will trust you,” the King said, but his face showed no trust at all.

Logan had no choice but to turn and leave the King.

The Sword Master’s face was very dark after watching the King and Logan talk.

“Your Majesty, Grand Duke Esperanza has asked to see you privately.”

“The Grand Duke? Alone? Hmm… Very well,” the King said with a complicated look. He put down his wine glass and nodded.

Cleo left quickly, and the Sword Master came in through the door.

“Why are you here so late, Grand Duke?” the King asked. “Ah, don’t be angry. This is just a small pleasure after a long day.”

The King smiled and pointed to the wine glass.

The Sword Master looked serious as he spoke, “As the King’s mentor, a role I value greatly, I am here because I want to know what you really think.”

“…My true feelings? What do you mean?”

“About what happened earlier, do you really believe Logan was behind it?”

The King paused.

Wine was being poured into the King’s glass. It overflowed and ran down his hand.

The King chuckled and wiped his hand before drinking the whole glass of wine in one gulp.

“Hmm, good. Would you like a glass, Grand Duke?”

“I am fine, Your Majesty,” the Sword Master said politely, watching the King avoid the question and raise his glass.

“Haha. You are a very serious man, Grand Duke.”

“You are too kind.”

“It’s not a compliment, haha. But you asked if I really suspect Logan?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How could I? If Logan really wanted to hurt me, I would already be dead.”

The Sword Master’s eyes flickered at the quick and direct answer.

“Then why did you say those things earlier today?”

He had answered the first question easily, but his eyes hardened at this question, and he hesitated.

The Sword Master waited without pushing him.

The King looked at him, poured wine into his glass, and drank three glasses in a row.

“Your Majesty. Drinking so much without eating anything is not good for you…”

The Sword Master, who had been waiting patiently, reluctantly tried to stop him.

The King suddenly asked, “Grand Duke, who is the real king of this country?”

“…Pardon?”

The Sword Master was confused by the strange question.

“Is it me? Is it Logan? The courtiers ask Logan for permission before they say anything, and you listen to Logan more than me.”

“Your Majesty, how can you say such terrible things…”

“No, if I say this, will it also reach Logan’s ears? Then what will Logan say? Hmm? I wonder,” the King asked with a flushed face and a sly smile, cutting off the Sword Master’s words.

“How… how can you say such things?”

The King scoffed.

“Whether I suspect Logan or not, frankly, does it even matter? Just think of it as the complaints of a puppet king. You can ignore my thoughts as much as you want, can’t you?”

“…That is not true, Your Majesty. You are the true ruler of this country.”

The King laughed loudly at the Sword Master’s answer, who bowed deeply with a pale face.

“Pwahahaha. Do you really think so? Then, if I order you to keep Logan away from government matters, will you do it?”

“Your Majesty, Logan is only working for you and this country!”

“…What does that matter?”

“Pardon?”

“I am not talking about whether Logan is doing a good job or not. I am simply asking if you will stop Logan if I order you to. Am I not the king, at least in name?”

The Sword Master froze, unable to say anything.

The King let out a hollow laugh and waved his hand.

“Leave. I need another drink.”

As the Sword Master, his face hardened, turned and left, the King smiled sadly and drank more wine.

But tonight, the wine, which usually made him feel warm and helped him forget his worries, felt heavy and unpleasant.

Crash!

The wine bottle, thrown down in anger, shattered against the wall, and the moon outside the window disappeared behind the clouds.