Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 365

The Kassel Magic Tower is leaving the Holy Kingdom.

“Withdraw? What does that mean?”

“You understand what I mean, Your Majesty.”

Viktor, standing behind Logan, reacted first to Louisa’s words.

“Then the Saintess…!”

“Of course, she’ll be safe. But it seems you’re quite close to the Saintess, Sir Viktor?”

Viktor blushed, noticing Louisa’s smirk and the gazes of everyone around him, and stepped back.

“…The Saintess is from the McLane parish, so everyone here knows her.”

Everyone in the room nodded as Logan spoke calmly. But Louisa thought he was hiding the truth.

‘A superhuman unknown to the outside world is close to the Saintess. And that superhuman disappeared for a while, only to reappear recently. What happened during that time? Something related to the Saintess… Ah, the Empire’s Light Sword died in the Holy City. …Was he that strong? And so young?’

Her mind raced with intriguing deductions, which soon turned into a near-certain feeling.

Of course, she didn’t show it. Now was the time to show that she, from the Kassel Magic Tower, was their ally.

It was a perfect chance, supposed to be a party to celebrate ‘good days.’

The Queen, rarely seen at official events, had even brought her dog, making it a nice and relaxed party.

“So, I have brought good news, yes?”

Louisa glanced at the Queen, who returned a gentle smile. Louisa then reached out a hand towards the small, silver dog sitting calmly beside the Queen’s feet.

But before her fingers could touch its soft fur, the dog let out a short “Hmph!” sound, like a tiny, furry person being rude. It quickly ducked its head and hid behind the Queen’s long skirts, avoiding Louisa’s offered hand completely.

Louisa’s hand paused in mid-air. A slightly embarrassed smile touched her face, but she quickly recovered. The Queen, seeing this, stepped forward slightly, her voice kind as she spoke to Louisa.

“Well, it is good news. It seems Your Majesty has one less thing to worry about.”

‘I heard she was a knight, but now she’s just like a noble lady.’

Louisa smiled in thanks for the consideration and turned back to Logan.

“Well, we won’t just leave. We need to keep the Imperial Family’s attention, so we’ll create a conflict between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire before pulling out.”

The faces of everyone in the room became serious at those words.

“Conflict? Does that mean…?”

As Logan looked to the side, Damian, who was standing nearby, nodded with a grave expression.

“There was information that Sword Soul and the Mage of the Freezing Winds had left Asrian with their private soldiers. So that’s…?”

“…McLane has fast intelligence. Yes, they are the sword the Emperor has drawn against the Holy Kingdom. And the Holy Kingdom will not avoid that sword but will fight back. ‘We’ will make sure of it.”

“Hmm.”

The mood in the room changed with Logan’s hum.

Louisa, sensing it, gave a relaxed smile.

“That’s why I wanted to meet you all and tell you directly. I wanted to gain a little trust. And also appeal to Count Ronian, who is now officially my fiancé.”

Shiny black hair, eyes as blue as the sea, and a dress that showed off her figure, even though it was a simple one for the engagement ceremony.

The red-haired young man, receiving the gaze of the incredibly beautiful woman, chuckled dryly and looked away. He was shocked by the current situation, where a party that started as an engagement reception had turned into a meeting room for all the important people in the kingdom.

Louisa chuckled at the sight, but the Sword Master, who had been silently stepping back as if wary of her, stepped forward and spoke.

“…I feel sorry for Bishop Ilia, but this is the best thing that could have happened to us, Your Majesty.”

The information Louisa had given was so shocking that even the cautious Sword Master said such a thing.

Logan was just as surprised.

‘It’s the best-case situation among the things I had considered…’

Although it was called the Holy Kingdom, its center, Novien, was located almost in the heart of the Empire’s territory. So, a conflict was erupting within the Empire, which couldn’t be bad for McLane.

However…

“…It would be fortunate if it ended as a conflict, but what if the Empire takes over the Holy Kingdom?”

“That would be met with a strong reaction from everyone on the continent. The strength of the Holy Kingdom isn’t just in Novien.”

The Paladins were famous, but most of their forces were spread out in temples throughout the continent. In other words, the Holy Kingdom’s forces in Novien were only a small part of the whole. The Holy Kingdom’s real power was the hearts of the continent’s people, and its true military strength was the paladins and temple soldiers spread throughout the continent.

But Logan shook his head at those words.

“I said the Holy Kingdom, not Novien, Princess. The Emperor isn’t someone who would do something so reckless without any reason.”

‘This guy’s talking about the Emperor again.’

‘How much has he even seen the Emperor?’

Louisa held back the anger she wasn’t even sure was directed at anyone and calmly continued.

“Are you saying the Emperor has a reason to swallow the Holy Kingdom?”

Most of the people there nodded without thinking, suggesting it was unlikely.

Logan wasn’t sure either.

‘Logically, there shouldn’t be one.’

If it were that easy, the Empire would have already taken over the Holy Kingdom long ago.

But they had to think about the worst-case situation.

“If they enter Novien pretending to deal with you?”

Louisa’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the word ‘you.’

But the answer came right away.

“They would have to return immediately after dealing with us. They might be able to take over the Holy City for a while, but it wouldn’t be a reason to swallow the Holy Kingdom.”

“They could make the excuse of protecting the Pope who was caught up in a conspiracy. And then pressure and use the Pope. Just like you did.”

“Or they could use the excuse of the Light Sword who died in the Holy City. Although they don’t know it was done in McLane.”

Everyone’s expression subtly hardened at Louisa’s sharp reply.

No one made the mistake of obviously looking at Viktor, but Logan clearly felt Louisa looking at him. And also the expression of the guy who was already nervous.

But Logan calmly replied.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hmm, was I wrong? Well, let’s say so. Anyway, the priests of the temple aren’t all fools. Even if you brainwash them, there’s no way the Pope in his right mind would agree.”

“The Pope was originally said to be a very upright person. He would never take a path that wasn’t right, even if it meant giving up his life….”

“Hmm?”

It was Viktor who responded to Louisa’s crooked smile.

He probably wanted to change the subject from earlier, but…

‘If you do that, it just makes it seem like you’re admitting it even more!’

Logan glared at him, and only then did Viktor realize something and lower his head with a pale face.

“…The Saintess said so.”

Logan sighed and changed the subject.

“Yes, I’ve also heard rumors about Cardinal Austin.”

It was a very subjective statement, but it was worth considering.

If so…

“There seems to be another reason.”

“Why do you think so? I think the Empire will wrap things up with the Holy Kingdom by giving up a significant portion.”

“Hmm.”

“I wonder if they’re trying to stabilize things before starting a war of conquest. It would be troublesome if the Holy Kingdom interfered in a war of conquest.”

“…That makes sense, Your Majesty.”

Not only did the Sword Master, who had been unfriendly to Louisa, say that, but most of the people there nodded again without thinking. Her words were certainly persuasive.

But Logan still felt uneasy.

‘That Emperor, moving even Sword Soul and the Mage of the Freezing Winds, is just doing work to stabilize things?’

It was a baseless, and therefore excessive, sense of unease, but it kept bothering him.

Perhaps sensing that expression, Louisa smiled and continued.

“If the Kassel Magic Tower continued to work with the Empire and continue the ‘work,’ then maybe, but something has happened that cannot be changed back. You don’t have to worry unnecessarily.”

Something that cannot be changed back. What that meant was clear.

It meant that what she had done had produced the best possible result.

‘Is it really an unnecessary worry?’

Since he didn’t have a convincing excuse himself, Logan just gave a bitter smile, nodded, and raised his glass.

“Alright. It seems I’ve made the atmosphere heavy on this good day, so let’s enjoy it for a while, at least.”

Only then did everyone remember that this gathering was actually a party after the engagement ceremony.

“Ah… the engagement ceremony. That’s right, I forgot.”

Pfft.

When Ronian, the person in question, made a silly noise, small laughs came from around him.

A party where only family-like people gathered without inviting any other nobles. But that was why everyone gathered here was inevitably an important person in the kingdom.

And among the conversations that continued on somewhat lighter topics, as was right for the original purpose.

‘Still a collaborator.’

Logan watched the blue-eyed princess naturally talking with the people around her and tried to ignore his uneasy feelings.

‘I’ll have to stay up all night training tonight.’

That was the best way to shake off complicated feelings.

Clang!

Wham!

The slender figure, pushed back by the powerful hit, kicked off the floor again and charged forward.

She was wearing simple training clothes without armor, but the red aura around her entire body protected her from outside dangers more strongly than any armor in the world.

Aileen gasped for air. “Ugh!” she groaned as she stumbled back.

Bang! Logan’s training sword hit hers again.

She knew she would get hurt. Logan was a much stronger fighter.

“Eek! Again!”

Aileen, knocked back, quickly got to her feet.

Outside the training grounds, the darkness was deepening, but the fire blazed fiercely in the red-haired woman’s eyes.

Logan, who was sparring with her, was the one getting tired.

“Ha. Let’s stop for today, my dear,” he said.

He had intended to train all night, but not like this.

Logan tried to stop his wife with an awkward smile.

“Why? I’m still full of energy.”

“Come on, are you going to keep doing this? I said I was wrong.”

“No. I need to prove to my husband that I am useful as a knight.”

Logan looked troubled at Aileen’s words.

“Well, that’s not what I meant.”

These days, he had been going on special training with Ronian and Viktor, and Aileen had found out about it, making her furious.

“I have talent too! Are only Ronian and Sir Viktor secret weapons?”

“I’m telling you, that’s really not what I intended.”

“Then what is it?”

“Well…” He couldn’t tell the truth, so he was at a loss for words.

‘I think I unconsciously excluded you because I didn’t want you to go to war. It’s my mistake.’

He knew if he confessed that, she would get even angrier.

His wife was a knight who had reached a very high level in her mid-twenties and had even proven her talent. He had even created a women’s army and entrusted its training to her.

He understood better than anyone else her desire to live as a knight before being someone’s wife.

…Or so he thought.

‘I guess it’s just the way men are in my kingdom,’ he sighed.

He himself was most surprised that he had unconsciously excluded Aileen from going to war, so he had to bear the consequences himself.

Logan thought hard, trying to find an excuse.

“Um… to train alone like this?” He added a smile, trying to be charming.

It was his own clever excuse, but his wife’s expression soured.

“…Don’t talk nonsense.”

Then she raised her sword again and aimed it at him.

“Don’t ever leave me out again! I’m a knight in my own right, and I can use Aura, which makes me a strong asset to you and the country!”

…So she had guessed.

Then what was the point of making more excuses?

“I’m sorry.”

It was an awkward apology from an awkward expression, but he had no choice but to apologize as sincerely as possible.

“And… thank you.”

Perhaps those words relieved her, Aileen chuckled and withdrew the murderous aura that had been overflowing in the training grounds.

“So, from now on, I’ll participate in that special training too?”

“Of course.”

“Yay!” He couldn’t help but laugh at his wife’s adorable appearance as she clenched her fist and shouted.

The uneasy feeling he had had all morning seemed to disappear for a moment.

But then his wife said something unexpected.

“Alright! Now that my problem is solved, tell me about your worries too. What’s the matter?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been lost in thought since the engagement ceremony.”

“Ah…” Was it that obvious?

Logan was slightly embarrassed, but Aileen smiled and continued.

“How could I not know? We’ve been together for years.”

“…It’s nothing.”

He was grateful, but it was a problem with no real answer, so Logan could only give a bitter smile.

“It’s nothing, so tell me about it.”

As her blue eyes, filled with laughter, gently gazed into his, Logan unconsciously blurted out the feelings he had been trying to keep to himself.

“I’m just… uneasy about the Holy Kingdom’s affairs.”

“Wasn’t that already decided?”

“Yes. It already is. I think it’s just a feeling… No, maybe it is.”

A small stone that he kicked up rolled weakly along the ground.

Like the stone that stopped before it could roll far, Logan felt as if something was weighing on his heart.

“Uneasy… huh.”

But as he saw his wife approaching him, wearing a serious expression, he couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t as if his heart would be lighter just because someone else was worrying about it, but for some reason, he felt relieved.

“…It’s okay.”

“Huh?”

“Thanks to you, the uneasiness has disappeared, so let’s go inside.”

“…I didn’t do anything?”

“You did. Enough.”

“Eh?” Her expression of not knowing what was going on made her look even more lovely, so Logan simply took his wife’s hand and pulled her along.

His heart warmed just by the body heat he felt.

But Aileen didn’t seem to have stopped worrying.

“Why is the Second Prince, Baros, in the Holy Kingdom right now?”

Logan tilted his head at the sudden question before they reached the bedroom.

“Huh? What suddenly…?”

“You said you were uneasy about the Holy Kingdom’s affairs.”

“Ah…” It seemed his wife had misunderstood his uneasiness.

He was uneasy about the Emperor’s intentions…

Still, he smiled and answered, grateful that she was trying so hard to worry about him.

“Well, he was trying to make a place for himself in the Holy Kingdom, but things went wrong and he was left hanging.”

“But why isn’t he going back to the Empire and staying in the Holy Kingdom?”

“Um. Because he’d be in trouble if he just went back?”

“Then he wouldn’t be in trouble if he stayed there?”

The conversation between the king and queen of a country used very simple words, but at that moment, Logan felt his complicated mind clearing up a little.

“That’s… not true.”

It felt like something that hadn’t been connected was now connected.

“Could it be that the Emperor has some secret reason for leaving the Prince there?”

“A secret reason…”

“For example, that the Prince being there would create some justification.”

“Hey, what justification would that create? Unless Baros dies there.”

It was a joke, but the moment he said those words, Logan felt a ray of light pass through his mind.

‘Wait… this?’

There was a possibility?

If Prince Baros, a candidate for the throne, died there? And if a reasonable cause was not revealed?

‘It would be a justification for the Empire to occupy the Holy Kingdom.’

His wife’s face was also stiff as she met his eyes, as if she had the same thought.

“…Hey, no way, even if it’s his own son.”

“T, that’s right? Even so…” Even as they tilted their heads with similarly awkward faces, the ominous premonition did not easily disappear.

In the end, Logan had no choice but to turn away with a stiff expression.

“Is it possible to contact the Saintess now?”

“…Try it.”

“Damn it…” Logan began to run madly to the communication room in the middle of the night.