Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 400

The world was shaking. News of the Empire’s defeat spread like wildfire, turning confident smiles into worried frowns.

The mighty Imperial Army, which everyone believed would easily win, had been shockingly beaten.

War had exploded on three battlefields at once.

Before the fighting, everyone had asked one thing: “How long can Maclane last?”

Their army was twice as big and stronger, so victory for the Empire seemed certain.

But when the fighting stopped, everything was different. The Imperial Army had been completely defeated on all fronts.

In just one day, they lost over twenty percent of their soldiers and were forced to run away. Even worse, unbelievable stories were spreading.

People whispered that Sword Soul, even with help, had been killed by Maclane’s Sun.

Just a few months before, Sword Soul had lost to the Divine Sword in Noviens, hurting his pride. But everyone thought he would win if they fought again.

The Empire was wrong.

Death changed everything. There was no coming back from death.

The best swordsman in the land was gone.

Maclane’s Sun was now known as the strongest.

These stories, along with the terrible defeat, made the Empire look weak.

The Imperial Army was still standing outside the enemy’s forts and castles, but no one believed they could win the war anymore.

A thin voice cut through the thick silence in the war room.

“There are three main reasons why we lost.”

Chancellor Locteus Gospel spoke, his voice barely louder than a whisper. The silence had been heavy, pressing down on everyone since the news arrived.

“First,” Locteus continued, “Maclane’s super soldiers are much stronger than we thought. Stronger than anyone in the world believed possible.”

Even though it sounded like an excuse, many heads in the room nodded slowly, almost without thinking. Maclane’s power was truly shocking. It was beyond understanding.

“Based on reports of hidden enemy soldiers, we sent Sword Soul and Gale Wind, along with nineteen super soldiers. This was almost double what we first thought was needed. But they still lost.”

Locteus Gospel looked towards the Emperor at the head of the long table, waiting for a reaction. But the Emperor remained still and silent.

Locteus took a breath and went on. “It’s hard to believe that Logan Maclane could become strong enough to beat Sword Soul. But even more unbelievable is the monster that defeated Commander Maxwell and three other super soldiers at the southern fort.”

He didn’t mention Sword Artificer, who had killed two super soldiers in the north. Sword Artificer’s skill with weapons was less surprising compared to a monster.

“Our generals believe it is a sacred beast, a creature that disappeared a thousand years ago.”

At those words, the Emperor finally spoke, his voice low.

“…Sacred beast?”

His voice, though quiet, filled the room, making everyone tense. Locteus swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.

“…Yes. We believe there is no other explanation.”

“Explain yourself.”

The Emperor’s command was sharp.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We looked through old books and found that any magical creature strong enough to fight three super soldiers would need to eat dozens of people every day just to live.”

Locteus felt a cold dread creep up his neck. His mouth felt like sandpaper, and he could feel his face tightening with fear. He quickly licked his lips and hurried on.

“Even if Maclane had someone who could control monsters, a beast master, it would be impossible to hide such a creature. So, even though it’s very unlikely, a sacred beast is the only thing that makes sense.”

“Sacred beast… Ha. A sacred beast…”

*Tap. Tap.*

The only sound was the Emperor’s fingers tapping on the arm of his throne. The ministers kept their heads bowed, waiting for his judgment.

After a long moment, the Emperor spoke again.

“Only four years ago, when he visited the Empire, he was just a promising young boy. Now he has killed Sword Soul, and a sacred beast, something almost unheard of, obeys him and kills my generals. Ha… Has he become some kind of hero chosen by the gods?”

His laugh was empty and cold. No one dared to answer. The defeat was too real to ignore, and agreeing would mean the Emperor was fighting against someone blessed by the gods.

The silence in the war room became heavy and suffocating. Then, the Emperor’s voice echoed again.

“The second reason?”

“The second reason?” the Emperor asked, his voice sharp.

“Yes! Ah… yes. The second thing is those bombs they call Liberatio. They are using so many of them, and we don’t even know how they make them so cheaply. These bombs have changed the war.”

“…Liberatio? Liberation…” The Emperor repeated the word slowly. “So, they are freeing the enemy’s souls, are they? How unpleasant.” He didn’t sound amused.

Locteus coughed nervously. “Yes, Your Majesty. We had some early reports about these bombs, but we thought they were too unbelievable to bother you with. Those who didn’t report them will be punished.”

Locteus hesitated, but the Emperor cut him off, his voice cold.

“Execution.”

“…Yes?” Locteus stammered, surprised.

“Make a list of everyone who knew about this and didn’t tell us. Kill them all. No matter who they are.”

Locteus’s face went white. The Emperor’s voice was calm, but his anger was clear as ice.

*He’s furious, of course.* Locteus thought, his heart pounding. *But killing people now will only make our soldiers lose hope even faster.*

Locteus bit back the words that almost slipped out. Speaking against the Emperor’s anger now would be a pointless way to die, helping no one.

“…Yes, Your Majesty. I will do it.”

“The third reason?”

“The third reason is the big magic circles they’ve put around every castle and fort. These circles make our knights and soldiers about thirty percent weaker in battle.”

“What did Gale Wind say about this?”

“Gale Wind said Maclane has a genius magic user, the best in a hundred years. Lord Galen saw this mage himself. He’s just a child, still very young. The magic circles are probably his work.”

“A child mage in this time… ha.” The Emperor’s laugh was dry.

Locteus just bowed his head, finishing his report.

He felt torn inside. There was one more thing he needed to say.

*But should I tell him now?* Locteus wondered, biting his lip. *Will this make him even angrier?*

The Empire belonged to the Emperor. Locteus reminded himself that it wasn’t his place to question the Emperor’s decisions.

“And… there might be a fourth reason, but I’m not sure.”

“Not sure?” The Emperor’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“Yes. We don’t have proof, only guesses. That’s why I didn’t put it with the first three reasons.”

“Speak.” The Emperor’s voice was firm.

“…Before I do, could I ask everyone else to leave?” Locteus asked quietly.

A strange glint appeared in the Emperor’s dark eyes. In the tense air of the war room, asking for a private talk was like risking his own life.

The Emperor paused for a moment, then waved his hand. “I will give the rest of you orders later through the Chancellor. Everyone, go wait outside.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The ministers all spoke at once, bowing deeply. They left the war room slowly, like water flowing back out to sea.

*Creak.*

Once Locteus was sure the doors were closed, the Emperor nodded. Locteus quickly continued.

“The three reasons I already gave explain about ninety percent of why we lost so badly at first. Also, the army of normal people they gathered in the middle played a small part…”

“Get to the point, Locteus.” The Emperor’s voice was losing patience.

Locteus had been talking slowly, trying to soften the blow for the Emperor, and maybe for himself too. He paused, took a deep breath, and then spoke.

“First, please remember this is just a guess. It feels like we’re making it up after seeing the results…”

“I will decide that.” The Emperor’s voice was sharp.

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Cold sweat ran down Locteus’s face, even before he started to explain. He didn’t even try to wipe it away.

“The enemy’s super soldiers on the three attack routes were placed too perfectly to fight our super soldiers. We know where their normal soldiers are, but where our super soldiers are stationed, especially the Imperial Guard, is a top secret, even inside the Empire…”

“…There’s a spy in our high command?” The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m just saying it’s possible.” Locteus’s voice was even quieter now. The word “spy” hung heavy in the air. The Emperor’s gaze became hard and dangerous.

“A spy… a spy…”

*Tap. Tap. Tap.*

The Emperor’s fingers drummed on the armrest, the sound echoing in the silent room.

*What if he decides to replace all the leaders right now?* Locteus thought, his body stiff with fear. He stood frozen, barely breathing.

After a long silence, the Emperor spoke, his voice flat.

“I’ve been too focused on the Holy Kingdom. In the end, this is my fault.”

Locteus was shocked by these unexpected words. He quickly bowed low, pressing his forehead to the floor.

“No, Your Majesty! That’s not true! How could it be your fault? It’s the fault of us, your useless servants. Please, don’t say that!”

*Thud. Thud.*

Locteus banged his head on the floor again and again. His forehead quickly turned red, but the Emperor just spoke calmly.

“Who do you think is the spy?”

“I’m sorry to say, but we suspect the Duke of Dong. Princess Louisa is still in Maclane’s castle, they say. And she secretly helped Maclane build forts, pretending it was for their wedding plans.”

“Gerard? His daughter is still with Maclane… That is strange, yes. But if it really is him, he wouldn’t be so clumsy. He’s not that careless.”

“I’m just saying it’s a possibility. He has done things like this before.”

It sounded possible, but the Emperor wasn’t convinced easily.

“More than anything, that man is too scared to betray the Imperial Family. He even killed his own wife to keep his position safe.”

“As I said, just a possibility…”

“No, that’s enough. Yes, we can investigate him.”

The Imperial Special Unit could do more than just kill important people.

With those words, the Emperor put aside the spy idea and suddenly changed the subject.

“Do you know what the temples think about sacred beasts?”

It was a strange question, but Locteus was the Chancellor for a reason. He quickly remembered what he knew.

“Ah… Yes. Old records say the ancient temples didn’t like sacred beasts. Some records even say they hunted them because they thought sacred beasts challenged the gods. But the new temples, made after the last Resolutium, don’t even mention sacred beasts.”

“Yes. Because sacred beasts didn’t exist then.”

“That’s right.”

Why was the Emperor suddenly interested in temples?

Wait… could it be…?

“Send information about the sacred beast in Maclane to the Holy Kingdom. Tell them Maclane has a sacred beast that goes against the gods. Tell them the Empire has proof.”

“Ah!” Locteus understood.

“We also had the problem of the ‘Forsaken Ones’ with Maclane before. If we say he’s a heretic because of these things, the Holy Kingdom will have to act.”

The Holy Kingdom would know the Empire was using them to start a war. But Locteus knew they would still do it.

Fanatics care more about their beliefs than about reason. That’s what makes them fanatics.

*Using an old record to do this…* Locteus was impressed by the Emperor’s plan.

But the Emperor wasn’t finished.

“After that, I will lead the attack on Maclane myself.”

“Your Majesty!?” Locteus’s eyes widened in shock.

“Get the whole Imperial Central Army and the Imperial Guard ready. I will fix this plan that has gone a little wrong.”

Locteus stared, his mind racing.