Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 332

“We are not happy with what you are doing in McLine. This could hurt our friendship.”

The underlying meaning of the lengthy message sent by the Imperial Family was simple.

– Are you trying to pick a fight with us? Do you really want a war? If that’s not the case, stop building that fortress immediately.

The McLine Royal Family also sent a swift reply.

– What? We’re just doing some internal housekeeping. It’ll be helpful to your side too. So mind your own business.

Both leaders knew they were enemies, but they acted like they didn’t.

Of course, the Empire did not like McLine’s reply. They sent back an even stronger letter. This time, there was no mistaking their meaning. It was like a threat shouted in a loud voice.

But they didn’t stop there. The Empire also made a public announcement in the eastern part of their land. It was clear to everyone now: the Empire was showing its anger, like a wild animal showing its teeth.

Consequently, the McLine Royal Castle was flooded with petitions from nobles.

– Please halt the construction of the fortress. To avoid conflict with the Empire…….

– The current Empire boasts the greatest prosperity in its history…….

– A small nation should naturally follow the will of a great nation…….

“Small nation? Great nation? Who wrote this nonsense?” Logan laughed, holding up a piece of paper. “Are they crazy? Or maybe working for the Empire?”

But no one else was laughing. The faces of the men in the room were serious. Damian, the Intelligence Officer, stood tall and watchful. Dwayne, the Finance Minister, frowned, his beard looking even bushier than usual. Prime Minister Earl Roberts looked pale and worried.

Suddenly, the door burst open and the Sword Master strode in, his face set like stone. Behind him were Luther and Wicken, young warriors who trained with the Sword Master, their eyes bright with concern. Viktor and Burdel, Logan’s personal guards – strong, silent men who were always nearby – completed the group.

This was a meeting of McLine’s most important people, except for those busy with the fortress. The Sword Master, speaking for everyone, broke the silence.

“The Empire’s Eastern 3rd and 4th Corps are scheduled to conduct training near the northern border soon. If things go wrong, it could really lead to war.”

But even at that worrying statement, Logan’s attitude was firm.

“Our 2nd Corps will also conduct training in the north. It seems like it would be fun to train face-to-face with the Imperial Army.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Ah, just kidding. Just kidding.”

“Is this a joking matter right now!?”

The Sword Master raised his voice, a rare occurrence.

“Yes,” Logan said, still smiling, but his eyes were sharp. “It’s still okay, right Damian?” He looked at his Intelligence Officer.

Damian nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. Phillip’s reports say the same. The amount of food, weapons, and iron ore moving around the Empire hasn’t changed much.”

The Sword Master frowned. “Does that really mean…?”

“It means,” Damian explained, “that even though they are sending angry letters, the Empire is not really planning for war right now.”

Hmm,” the Sword Master said, still unsure. “Can we be sure just from that?”

Damian smiled slightly. “For a huge empire like theirs? Yes, I think so. And McLine is not so weak anymore that they can just push us around with a few soldiers.”

Logan nodded, agreeing with Damian. Damian then turned to the Sword Master, a small smile playing on his lips. “Sir Phillip has a saying: ‘Words and letters can lie, but money never does.'”

“Ahem.”

When the Sword Master spoke, Damian and Dwayne looked at him quickly. Everyone in McLine’s government now believed Logan’s idea: the Empire would attack. They planned everything based on this. No one dared to question Logan, except maybe the Sword Master. So, all eyes turned back to Logan, waiting for his answer.

“Why would the Empire be angrier?” Logan asked, tilting his head slightly. “We are not attacking them. Are we building the fortress to attack?”

“No,” the Sword Master admitted. “It’s to protect us.”

“Exactly,” Logan said. “A fortress in the mountains is for defense. If we wanted to attack, it would just get in our way.”

The Sword Master nodded slowly, still looking thoughtful. “That’s true, but…” He still seemed unsure.

Logan smiled, but it wasn’t a happy smile. “Maybe,” he said, “the Empire has problems of its own right now. They are still deciding who will be the next Crown Prince, remember?”

“But Your Majesty,” the Sword Master said, “their reaction still seems weak.”

“Or,” Logan continued, “maybe the Emperor just doesn’t think we are important. He probably looks at McLine and thinks, ‘They can build all the fortresses they want, train all the soldiers they want. We can still beat them easily. They are just a small problem.'”

Logan’s voice was very sure. He remembered how the Empire acted before, and he remembered the Emperor’s face. He knew what the Emperor was thinking.

‘No matter what we do to prepare, he will just see us as a small annoyance.’ Logan thought to himself.

Anyone looking from the outside would think the Emperor was right. The Empire was huge and powerful, McLine was small. It seemed like an easy fight for the Empire.

But Logan knew something they didn’t. McLine had secrets. Secrets the Empire didn’t know about, or maybe they were just ignoring them. Things like their new army, trained in a different way. Powerful objects hidden away. And whispers of people with strange abilities, and a great magic circle being built in secret.

With the fortress and these hidden strengths, Logan believed McLine could surprise the Empire. They were not as weak as they seemed.

‘Of course, the Empire also has secrets, powerful soldiers we don’t know about. But we can’t worry about everything,’ Logan thought.

He knew it was dangerous to think the enemy was weak, but it was also bad to be too afraid. You had to find the right balance.

“So,” Logan said aloud, “we just need to keep preparing. If we get ready for war, and then war *doesn’t* happen… well, that would be good, wouldn’t it?”

The Sword Master was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then he nodded slowly. “Yes,” he said. “You are right. We must be ready. Isn’t that right, everyone?” He looked around at the others.

The giant knight, who had been quiet until now, chuckled. His voice was deep and loud. “I always believe in Your Majesty.”

“Me too,” said Luther, smiling. “You worry too much, Sword Master.” Wicken nodded in agreement.

Seeing them all agree, Logan understood. The Sword Master hadn’t been sure at first, but he wanted to make sure everyone else was confident and united. Logan smiled at his master, grateful for his support.

“But even if there’s no war now,” Logan said, “the Empire will still try to hurt us. Our traders in the Empire will have problems. Businesses will suffer.”

“That’s a big problem,” the Sword Master said, his face becoming serious again.

“But,” Logan said, a hint of a smile in his voice, “I think we have a way to deal with that.”

“Already?” the Sword Master asked, surprised.

“Yes,” Logan said. “We got help from a surprising place.” He looked to the side of the room. “Dwayne, how are things going?”

Dwayne, the Finance Minister, grinned, his beard bouncing slightly. “The Dongwang Mansion is helping us a lot. This could cause big trouble *inside* the Empire, you know?”

The Sword Master and the others who didn’t know about this secret plan stared, their eyes wide with surprise.

***[You want me to stay at the castle?]*** Louisa’s voice came through the device.

“Yes,” Gerard said, smiling. “We can say it’s for the wedding plans.” He smiled warmly, like a loving father, but his words were sharp.

***[But that’s going against the Empire’s rules. I’m already worried about what they will do.]***

“Going against rules? No, no,” Gerard chuckled. “Our merchants are not McLine merchants, are they?”

Louisa frowned. ***[The Empire is not stupid. They will see through this trick. It won’t work for long.]***

“I know,” Gerard said. “That’s why we need to use the wedding as a reason to prepare. It’s just to protect our traders for a while. And it’s for my daughter! Who can complain about that? At worst, they will just warn us.”

***[Ha! You really use everything!]***

“Hey, don’t say ‘use’,” Gerard said, pretending to be hurt. “You need time, don’t you?”

***[What do you mean?]***

“The Tower Lord told you to stay there, right? An unfair order. So you have to stay because of that.”

***[How did you find out? Father, do you have spies even in the Tower?]***

“Don’t worry,” Gerard said. “I know my limits.” He stayed close to the edge, but never crossed it.

Gerard laughed quietly to himself, hiding his real plans. But he knew Louisa was smart and probably understood anyway.

Louisa’s face was serious. Her voice was calm. ***[Be careful, Father. Don’t mess things up by getting involved too much.]***

“Of course, I’m always careful,” Gerard said. “Nothing to worry about.”

***[The Grand Master is scary. Maybe even scarier than the Emperor. Don’t make him angry.]***

Gerard shook his head. “Scarier than the Emperor? No way.”

***[Even knowing that, you still have spies in the Tower…]***

“If he was scarier than the Emperor,” Gerard said seriously, “I would never work with him.”

***[…]*** Louisa was silent, surprised. She rarely saw her father so serious. She had never met the Emperor, so even talking about him like this was shocking.

***[Do you think the Emperor is that important?]***

“Important?” Gerard said. “Maybe the opposite. He’s the worst person I know. Just thinking about him makes me angry.”

***[…]***

“So, you be extra careful too,” Gerard said. “Don’t trust anyone from the Imperial Family. That’s how I’ve survived. And that’s why I’m trying so hard to get away from them.”

***[…I will remember that.]***

Gerard smiled again, happy to hear his daughter agree with him for once. “Good. Oh, and I heard you had some trouble lately?”

***[…Is my daughter being haunted by ghosts just ‘some trouble’?]***

Gerard just smiled at her annoyed tone. “You won’t get hurt. It’s not a big deal.”

***[And who is the worst one, really…]*** Louisa muttered.

Gerard kept smiling, ignoring her coldness. “I’m thinking of sending you a gift.”

***[I don’t want it.]***

“Oh, come on! Don’t you even want to know what it is?”

***[You always do what you want. You don’t care about my feelings. You did the same to Mom.]***

Gerard’s smile faded for a moment, but then he chuckled again. “Fine. I’ll send you a gift anyway. You’ll like this one.”

***[What…?]***

“You were angry about Baros, right? So his older brother, Cleed, is sending you a gift to make you feel better.”

Louisa couldn’t tell if Gerard’s cold smile was meant for her or someone else.

We are not happy with what you are doing in McLine. This could hurt our friendship.

I express my ‘strong’ regret regarding the act of defining our country as a potential enemy. If it is not stopped, we may resort to the use of force, and we clearly state that your country will be responsible for the consequences.