Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 90

“You know this, right? Vifroth is only waiting because of the Master. But soon, even a small reason will be enough for him to attack.”

“And until then, we can build our strength. We are still lacking compared to Vifroth. Wasn’t that what you said?”

“Indeed. But if I were Roger Vifroth, I wouldn’t wait patiently for us to grow stronger. I would create a reason somehow.”

“…Yes. You’re probably right.”

Even without knowing the future of civil war, if one is aware of the conflict with Vifroth, this is a natural expectation.

However, his father nodded, but his expression was somewhat shocked.

‘…It’s not strange, is it?’

People always hope things will go well for them.

It was a matter of perspective, unrelated to intelligence or social standing.

It’s just that Logan, constantly thinking about war, was unusual.

“…You must have a plan in mind to be saying this.”

“Yes.”

Logan began to explain his plan with a confident expression.

And after a while.

“It’s a plausible plan. But what comes after that will be more of a problem. What are you thinking of doing?”

“We just need to endure.”

“What?”

“I am afraid I cannot disclose the details at this moment. But trust me. It is entirely possible.”

Patrick’s face, which had seemed to brighten slightly at Logan’s plausible plan, crumpled again like a piece of paper.

“You haven’t heard the countermeasures for the most dangerous thing? And yet you want to start a war? Just trust you?”

“Yes.”

“…If someone else had said this, I would have thought they were crazy and wouldn’t have associated with them. No, I might have even cut off their head on the spot.”

Even at that chilling tone, Logan looked at his father with an unwavering expression.

Patrick, who had sighed deeply at the sight, nodded with a heavy expression.

“Alright, I must trust you. If I don’t trust you, who else would I trust? Let’s do it. But this plan will only be shared by a few. Until the end.”

“Of course, it must be so.”

It wasn’t because it was a particularly ingenious scheme.

Simply to protect the morale and spirit of their allies, the father and son decided to hide this seemingly reckless tactic until just before the war.

“Then, what about the timing? When are you thinking of doing it?”

“It’s not far off now. The day the next full moon rises, we must start on that day.”

Patrick tilted his head at his son’s words.

His son looked as if he had received the date from someone.

“…So, there are only about 20 days left. But is there a reason it has to be that day?”

“Yes.”

“And it’s related to the plan you mentioned earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Then we must prepare. Even if it’s a bit tight, the troops must all be ready.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“That’s what I should be saying. Thank you for awakening me from my complacent thoughts.”

As the discussion about the dangerous future ended, so did the conversation between the father and son.

“I will convene a vassals’ meeting tomorrow. Be prepared.”

“Yes.”

War was once again approaching.

The next day.

By order of Lord McLaine, all the vassals gathered at the Lord’s Manor.

The newly built Lord’s Manor in town was smaller than the main hall in McLaine Castle, but it was more than enough to accommodate the mere 40 or so people.

Compared to the old-fashioned and antique main hall, it lacked a sense of splendor, but the simple yet neat space, built with ironwood, was a more comfortable atmosphere for conversation.

However, the expressions of the eight administrators and twenty-four guard knights who had been together since the days of old McLaine Castle were not so bright.

“A full summons….”

“It seems something is really going on.”

“I hope it’s nothing serious.”

The unfounded rumors spreading throughout the territory recently were gradually gaining traction in various forms and being talked about by the people.

Something happened to the Lord’s family.

They are starting even more construction in winter than before.

Taxes will rise as much as before.

From the perspective of the territory residents, who were preparing for a warm winter for the first time under McLaine, they couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

However, the rumor that most of the territory residents were most worried about was this:

War will break out soon.

A situation where they had just settled down and were able to make a living.

No one in McLaine wanted the worst-case scenario of war.

However, even if the administrators didn’t know, the knights were already guessing from the increasingly harsh atmosphere of training.

Therefore, they were not so surprised when the Lord, who appeared after a while, brought up the main point.

“This winter, we will start a war with Pereta.”

Of course, the administrators, except for Dwayne, had expressions as if they had been struck by lightning.

“W-War?!”

“That’s absurd! War at this time of year!”

“No, it’s not like someone has declared war on us, but we are starting a war first?!”

Lugel Heiss jumped up with a face that was red up to his bald spot.

“Oh, no wonder weapons kept coming in.”

Ferran Doyle trembled his chubby cheeks and grabbed his head.

The knights, who had at least expected it, calmly raised objections.

“Even if we strike Pereta, Vifroth won’t stand still.”

“That’s right. We must consider Vifroth in the background. Our territory’s strength is not yet enough to handle Vifroth.”

“We also need an allied force or assurance that Vifroth will not move.”

However, Patrick, without any reaction, looked at his son standing next to him.

Then, Logan, reading that look, stepped forward.

Logan stepped forward. His voice was calm but firm, and his eyes held a steely glint that silenced any further complaints. “Father and I have made our decision,” he said. “This isn’t a discussion. We’re telling you what’s going to happen. This meeting is about how we will fight this war, not *if* we will fight. Tell us your ideas to make this war successful. I don’t want to hear any objections.”

His words hung in the air. It was a clear order, not an invitation to talk. For a moment, the room was silent. This was not how family meetings usually went. But no one dared to argue. The McLaine family was known for its strict rules.

*‘Good,’* Logan thought, a small smile playing on his lips. *‘This makes things easier.’* He had planned to use this strong start to make them accept his reasons for war.

But then, something unexpected happened.

“Is this Logan’s idea?” asked one of the older knights.

“Hmm, if it’s Logan…” another vassal murmured.

“He must have a plan,” a third voice added.

“Logan doesn’t do things without a good reason,” said a fourth.

Instead of the room becoming tense, the mood shifted. Many of the older vassals remembered Logan’s cleverness in past situations. They had seen him solve problems before. “He must have a plan,” one murmured, and others nodded in agreement. A wave of trust seemed to fill the room.

*‘What is this…?’* Logan thought, surprised.

Logan was surprised by the sudden change.

His father’s words confirmed everything.

“As you all suspect, this war is Logan’s idea. Naturally, it will be conducted under the Grand Heir’s leadership. Any objections?”

Logan, looking bewildered, glanced back.

“None, sir!” one knight said quickly.

“We shall follow!” another voice called out.

Many voices spoke at once.

The anxious expressions they had worn upon entering the grand hall had almost entirely vanished.

‘So easily?’

Patrick’s quiet voice reached Logan’s ears as he stood there, dumbfounded.

“What do you think, Logan?”

“Sir?”

“This is the result of your efforts. Doesn’t it make you proud?”

At those words, Logan once again scanned the faces of his retainers, one by one.

Even Heinckel, who still looked somewhat worried, nodded firmly when their eyes met.

Dwayne, always cheerful and supportive, winked and gave him a thumbs-up.

Bald Rugel, Ferran, who was a bit fat, and even Lufen, who had lost weight without him noticing.

Even Henderson and the other chief knights.

All of them were looking at him with eyes full of trust.

“I’m not without concerns, but if it’s what you think, my lord…”

“We believe in you, my lord.”

“Show us another miracle.”

Logan couldn’t speak for a moment.

A strange emotion welled up in his chest, making it difficult to speak.

Then, with great effort, he drew forth sincerity from the depths of his heart, spoke with determination, and declared his intentions.

“Of course! I will show you a decisive victory once again!”

“Ooh…!”

“Trust me! This war will make McLaine soar to new heights!”

Logan’s declaration made his retainers’ faces light up.

“Everyone, prepare for war!”

The lord’s confirmation triggered a resounding response.

“We obey!”

The thunderous shout erupted in unison, echoing powerfully as if to collapse the narrow grand hall.

Later that night, Logan was in his room.

The moon hung high in the night sky.

As always, Logan was meditating in his room, but finding it impossible to concentrate, he quietly released his posture and stood up.

He could see the soft moonlight and starlight shining peacefully and serenely over McLaine Town through the window.

And in the distance, he could occasionally hear small sounds of laughter.

Below, McLaine Town was peaceful. He could hear children laughing in the distance and see warm light spilling from the windows of houses.

That infinitely peaceful scene made him feel uneasy for some reason.

‘Wouldn’t it be possible to maintain the family just by growing without taking risks like this?’

Even though he had reviewed and resolved it countless times, his anxiety started again.

This war was that risky.

The family could fall into ruin the moment something went wrong.

So it was only natural that all sorts of worries arose.

Logan once again took out the records he had written immediately after his regression, which he had reviewed countless times.

Things he shouldn’t forget, and the most important day for now.

The record of the day the king died.

He had reviewed it several times and it was an easy day to remember, so even though it had been decades, he didn’t think he could be wrong.

‘The last day of the year.’

The king’s obituary would be delivered that day.

But even so, his anxiety didn’t go away easily.

‘What if the timing is off for reasons I don’t know, like the territory war with Tesron? Or what if I really remembered the date wrong? What if I’m not prepared enough?’

What if he betrayed the absolute trust his retainers had shown him during the day?

With that thought, anxiety grew, going in circles.

But in any case, the conclusion was obvious.

‘I have to do it.’

Crack!

If he couldn’t seize this opportunity to soar, no matter how fast he grew, it would be difficult to have the power of a margrave eight years later when the Imperial War broke out.

In that case, he would have no choice but to die with this country.

Unless he was thinking of giving up the land from his ancestors, giving up the country, and even moving as a group to that enemy empire.

“I have to make it happen, no matter what!”

Logan deliberately declared, trying to get rid of his anxiety.

‘No matter what happens.’

Hoping that the cold moonlight that filled his vision would make him stronger, Logan stood there for a long time, looking at the sky.

Two weeks later.

The end of the year, three days before the end of the year.

“We’re marching out!”

At the same moment Logan spoke, McLaine’s army moved.

152 knights.

A total of 2,532 soldiers. (Including 1,000 crossbow cavalrymen and 1,532 infantrymen, including knights and soldiers who defected from Silvan.)

McLaine’s entire force, except for the minimum number of security personnel, rode west.

Even the infantrymen who didn’t know how to handle horses properly were riding on the backs of their comrades, one or two at a time.

Nevertheless, the army was carrying as much weaponry and equipment as possible, with almost no food supplies.

The same scene as the battle in Silvan Territory, only larger in scale.

It was a race that showed his determination to end the war in the shortest possible time.

And a declaration of war was delivered to Pereta Territory.

– I will ask for the sin of the insult 6 months ago.

It was the moment when turmoil began again in the once peaceful southwestern part of the kingdom.

Fear filled Pereta Castle.

Pereta Territory was very confused by McLaine’s sudden declaration of war.

“Tell Bipros! Those McLaine bastards are crazy!” Max Pereta shouted repeatedly, his face pale.

“Just give Plen Castle and concentrate all the troops at the main castle! Hold out until Bipros arrives!”

Since Silvan had collapsed so easily, Max Pereta had analyzed the battle countless times.

As a result, he realized that it was good luck that McLaine’s first attack had been on Silvan, not him.

And he came to value the envoy, Rihalt, who had stopped him at the time, much more than before.

But now that McLaine was ignoring Bipros’s warning and advancing, Pereta realized that all that good luck was only a matter of time.

Even the moment he heard that McLaine was ignoring Plen Castle, Pereta’s second castle, which was closer, and advancing to the main castle, he became completely panicked.

“Conscript! Round up the conscripts too! Make them use all those devil’s arrows!”

Following the cruel lord’s words, all the villagers near Pereta’s main castle were forcibly conscripted.

Forcing everyone to join the army, regardless of age or gender.

Any man who could lift a weapon was conscripted and dragged into the castle.

Shouts echoed through the stone walls, and the cries of villagers being dragged away could be heard everywhere.

The entire Pereta Castle trembled in fear at the emergency situation caused by McLaine’s advance.

McLaine’s army marched west, ready for war.