Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 477

The battle in Ruspelheim, the one in Chapter 477, against the Apostle, ended quickly and quietly.

Some priests of Adga saw what happened and fainted from shock. Surprisingly, people didn’t talk about it much afterwards.

The official story was that Logan beat a demon. The Apostle turning into a monster with black scales and horns helped people believe this.

“As expected of His Majesty Logan!”

“I saw the spectacle myself!”

“Me too, me too!”

“What was it like?”

The hero, His Majesty Logan, had defeated the demon.

As exaggerated rumors spread, Logan’s status began to soar once more.

But even amidst all this, Logan’s face remained dark. It was because the worst news had been delivered from Ilia.

[One month, it will be difficult to last any longer than that.]

“…I see. I am grateful for even that much.”

People expected the Holy State to leave within a month. However, it would take more than a month for an army to get from Noviens to Ruspelheim.

‘If it’s true that the deputy commanders are dead, then there are no more superhumans in the Holy State. But their military strength and public opinion are hard to ignore.’

Ilia said she would try to control the rumors somehow, but there were over a thousand priests who had directly heard the Apostle’s voice. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before the rumors spread.

Furthermore, even if the rumors didn’t spread, it wouldn’t solve the problem.

‘The moment they officially declare a holy war, I will become a public enemy of the continent.’

In such a situation, would McLaine’s forces follow his orders completely?

More than anything, would he really… be able to avoid using ‘that power’?

“…The power to turn people into puppets.”

The battle with the Apostle had greatly increased the utilization of the power of will.

In ancient times, when the dimensional walls were thin and mana was much more abundant, he could imagine how the ascended Nine Gods had spread their faith.

He immediately felt that he had grown stronger from that one battle.

So, he didn’t have much time to worry.

Crack!

His tightly clenched fist represented Logan’s determination.

“I’ll have to use it in the worst-case scenario. Even to protect my people.”

Now that things were so serious, he was glad he hadn’t set any limits for himself lately.

And there was a way to escape the moral responsibility.

“If I find and eliminate all the Apostles within a month…”

Because of what happened with Adga, it seemed like if they defeated all the Apostles, the gods couldn’t bother the world for hundreds of years. Moreover, now that they had suffered some damage from the forced descent, it might take several times that amount of time.

The problem was that he didn’t know where the Apostles were currently located on the continent, but since he knew the purpose for which they had descended, he could infer their approximate locations.

But then he wondered, ‘Will the Apostles attack the Cassel Magic Tower first? Or will they try to attack me from behind the Holy State?’

Logan bit his lip, as everything was still vague, when Damian’s voice came from behind.

“Your Majesty, what about the schedule for the withdrawal of troops…”

“The withdrawal is postponed.”

“Yes?”

“We will stay for two more months for the safety of the occupied territories.”

“Two months? Why so long… Ah, no. I understand. I will convey the message.”

“Okay.”

Logan sighed and lowered his head. He had used ‘that power’ again, without even thinking about it.

The adversary of the gods.

He couldn’t easily talk about it to anyone. Belief in the Nine Gods was a basic truth for everyone on the continent.

‘Damn it.’

As he tried to soothe his complicated mind, the only thing that came to mind was training.

Whoosh!

The brilliant golden aura that flooded the entire training ground now moved flexibly according to his will.

Even without a sword, or moving his arm, the aura moved exactly as he pictured it in his mind.

It was one of the skills Logan had gained as the power of will grew stronger.

But even with such amazing achievements, Logan’s face didn’t brighten easily.

‘My secrets related to the Nine Gods and Jibric Cassel…’

Would his wife understand if he told her?

Would his teacher understand if he told him?

Or his younger sibling?

Who could listen to this story and still smile?

No matter how hard he swung the sword of his mind, he couldn’t find an answer.

His endless worries suddenly led to one thought.

‘…I really am a guy with a lot of secrets.’

Even if it wasn’t about the gods.

The fundamental reason that made all of this possible, the fact that he had regressed, he couldn’t tell anyone.

How many times had he led the family with almost forceful insistence that they just follow his words, only to face a crisis?

He should tell them someday. He should reveal the truth someday.

He had vowed to do so hundreds of times alone, but in the end, he couldn’t reveal the secret.

But now…

He smirked.

“…Why did I do that?”

The monologue, spoken calmly as the golden aura that had been swimming around subsided, resonated in his heart.

He had done everything to protect his people, his family.

He had finally done it. But there was still one last problem.

All of that was thanks to the people around him who had followed him.

Often, or really, every time he had been unfair.

Those people…

‘…Always believed in me.’

If he confessed the hidden truth to them now, what kind of reaction would they show?

‘You oppose the gods? You heretic!’

Would there be anyone who said this?

No matter how much he thought about it, there didn’t seem to be anyone who would say that.

– We believe in you, Your Majesty.

– We must believe in our brother.

– Of course, he’s my son.

– I will pledge my life to your loyalty.

Showing excessive trust, offering excessive loyalty.

And people who made his heart feel strong just by thinking about them.

He even had the conviction that the scope of their belief would be enough to cover even faith.

But I…

“Why was I so worried?”

The answer to that monologue came to mind immediately.

He was ashamed.

It was too difficult to reveal his past mistakes, to confess his errors.

He wanted to forget his past life and pretend it never happened.

“…Foolishly.”

As he faced the fact that he had only been hiding his past mistakes, he became even more ashamed.

He knew now.

That he had been able to do what he had done so far because of that regret from his past life.

That was why he was who he was now.

“I was scared. Pathetically.”

Just when he thought he had achieved everything, a disaster appeared that could destroy everything.

Logan felt a cold fear grip him as he looked out at his kingdom, at the faces of the people he had promised to protect. Could he lose everything he had built?

But then, he thought, had he ever walked this path alone? Had he ever fought a war by himself? Was there any reason to be alone with his worries now?

“No.”

Shing. The sound of his sword sliding into its sheath was final. The metal was still and quiet now, just like his mind.

Logan left the training grounds, his feet feeling lighter than they had in days.

And he immediately summoned all the ‘family’ he could.

“What is the matter, Your Majesty?”

Around him stood his family. His father, tall and serious. His brother, Lonian, looking eager and ready. His wife, Lia, her eyes full of concern. His teacher, the Sword Master, his face thoughtful. And the Viktor siblings, Victoria and Viktor, standing close together. Tyr, his dog, was always near Lia. Damian looked tired and thin; the sudden new orders had clearly been hard on him. Luther and Wiken seemed confused by being called here, and even Burdel was present.

“Your Majesty, why did you summon even me?”

Even Heinkel, whom he had not seen in a while, tilted his head in confusion as he entered the office.

Logan looked at each of their faces, seeing their concern and curiosity. He took a deep breath, the air filling his lungs before he spoke.

“This is a very old story,” he began, his voice low. “It’s a story about a mistake, a regret that haunted a foolish man… a regret that started everything.”

He paused, and then began to tell them the long and unbelievable tale.

“That is the current situation.”

When the story finally came to an end.

Everyone gathered in the office was silent for a while.

‘Yes, it’s not an easy story to accept.’

Logan’s expression darkened slightly, but then the Sword Master opened his mouth with a sad laugh.

“It’s an unbelievable story.”

Receiving everyone’s attention, he gave a bitter smile and continued.

“But it’s also a story that cannot be disbelieved. Because it explains so much.”

“!”

The moment Logan, surprised by those words, looked at the Sword Master.

“Certainly, you did change quite suddenly one day.”

“Yes, now that I think about it, the Grand Duke’s change was indeed sudden.”

His father and Heinkel also looked thoughtful. They seemed surprised, but they nodded, as if pieces were falling into place.

“Wow, so you’re saying I would have died in the civil war if it weren’t for you? I’m newly convinced I chose my husband well.”

“A noble slaughterer. This is much better than such a terrible name. There’s Lia, too.”

“Brother, should I thank His Majesty again?”

Just as his wife and the Viktor siblings were adding their support.

Damian shook his head with a heavy expression.

“I don’t believe it.”

The surprised gazes of everyone focused on him.

Damian grinned. “Look at me! Do I look like some kind of ‘Evil Brain’? Who else is as kind as me? And an ‘independence army’? I’m not even that interested in politics!”

His bold jokes made everyone laugh, easing the tension in the room.

Luther and Wiken spoke up, their voices cheerful and strong.

“God? Apostle? I don’t even go to temples! If anyone tries to hurt McLaine, I’ll smash their heads with my hammer, no matter who they are!” Luther declared, brandishing his fist.

Wiken nodded firmly. “A knight’s loyalty is to his lord first. Anything else comes second.”

“Hey, you! If you say something so cool, what am I supposed to…”

“Thank you for saving me from becoming a traitor who ruined the country, Your Majesty.”

“You’re taking all the cool stuff for yourself… ahem. I feel the same way, Your Majesty.”

As always, the two bickering men knelt down on one knee and paid their respects.

Burdel watched the others with a curious smile. “Am I the only one who doesn’t feel much different?” he asked, chuckling. “Being a general for the Empire or for McLaine, it’s all the same to me, really. Haha. But don’t worry, Your Majesty, I’ll keep our agreement. You have my word.”

He grinned, a flash of white teeth in his tanned face.

And then, a large young man, looking at Logan with determined eyes, stepped forward.

“You made a difficult decision, Brother. And you’ve really suffered a lot. I don’t even want to think about a past life I don’t even know about. I’ll only look at you now, Brother.”

Lonian blushed as he continued.

“Whether it’s an apostle or a black snake, shouldn’t we just cut down whoever comes at us? I believe in you, Brother! Let’s fight together again!”

– Woof woof!

The moment Tyr barked loudly beside him, Logan felt a surge of emotion that made his nose tingle.

‘Apostle or whatever, I’ll overcome everything that happens. I can do it.’

A genuine smile spread across Logan’s face, the first truly happy smile he’d felt in a long time.

Logan walked back to the training grounds, a feeling of deep relief washing over him. The air felt crisp and clean.

‘Good,’ he thought, drawing his sword. His body moved with a new freedom, as if weights had been lifted from his shoulders. He swung his sword, and the movement was fluid and powerful, a rush of pure energy.

He felt a deep gratitude for his family, for how much they believed in him, even more than he had expected. For a moment, all his worries vanished, replaced by pure joy.

He swung his sword again, and this time, the blade seemed to dance in the air. A light began to glow from the metal, brighter than gold, a light that pulsed with warmth and power.

Then, something shifted. The training ground seemed to fade around him, replaced by a sense of vastness, of endless space.

‘Ah!’ Logan gasped. It was like seeing more than just what was in front of him. He felt like he could see the threads of fate, the way things were meant to happen. And he felt, with a thrill, that he could change those threads, change what was going to happen, just by wanting it to be different. This power, which he had felt dimly before, was now becoming clear, like a picture coming into focus.

‘So this is the power of my own will,’ Logan thought, awestruck. Just as he was beginning to truly understand this incredible power, a voice cut through the strange realm.

“I declare, you who are destined to be the incarnation of Jibric Cassel!” a voice boomed.

Suddenly, an old priest appeared in front of Logan, as if stepping out of thin air. The priest’s sudden arrival broke Logan’s focus, pulling him back from the strange realm.

“W, what!?”

But regardless of Logan’s furious appearance, the old priest continued in an emotionless voice.

“Clean up the remnants of Jibric Cassel. Then our swords will not be directed at you. You will live as a true sacred hero, respected by everyone. I will send you the location of those villains.”

A low rumble started in the priest’s chest, growing into a violent tremor. Then, with a sickening crack, his body burst apart. For a moment, Logan was stunned. Then, he saw it. The dust and fragments falling from the exploded priest were forming a shape on the ground – a map, impossible to miss, showing a place Logan knew well.

“Tch, these bastards…”

Are the gods so mean?

To the point where they can’t even come before him and are hiding behind the scenes to plot.

‘Wait,’ Logan thought, frowning. ‘Why are they doing this?’ He thought for a moment, and then he realized. He had already defeated one of them. They were afraid to face him directly again, afraid of losing again. Even though, if all six of the other gods worked together, they could probably beat him.

“How small. They were really small-minded bastards.”

It was a tempting offer, but Logan had already heard something from Ilia.

How they treat the abandoned ones, that is, the children born in the history he changed.

And yet, they’re pulling such a foolish trick?

‘They’re going to stab me in the back, is that it.’

I wondered if their intelligence had dropped to the bottom after playing among themselves in the place where gods live for thousands of years. Or perhaps it was overconfidence, thinking that just a human wouldn’t dare refuse a god’s offer.

‘Then I should use this against them,’ Logan decided. He remembered a small piece of an old story, a legend about the gods. It showed the gods were not perfect, that they had a dark side. Knowing this weakness of the nine gods made Logan feel stronger, more confident.