Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 96

“Kwaaaang!”

“You…!”

What is he even trying to say? Is he stupid?

Logan watched Aslan fall into the moat with a splash. He clicked his tongue in disappointment.

Logan was angry he missed his chance. He could have killed Aslan when he was climbing up.

Aslan was a strong knight, climbing up alone.

Logan wanted to finish him quickly. He wanted to hit him just once and win. But the knight was strong. He blocked the attack even when he was falling in the air.

Because of that, Aslan had fallen below the wall. But even without the water, falling from that height would not be a problem for a top-tier knight.

As expected, the water in the moat blasted upwards, spraying everywhere. Aslan stood on the ground, soaked.

“Tch!”

And that was not the only problem.

The Vifrost Knights who were still on this side of the wall grouped together. They blocked the Quorrel’s arrows better than before.

Then Logan saw the cavalry and infantry arriving behind them. They spread around the walls and drew their longbows.

He knew right away that his time of pure joy was over.

But the first gains were better than he expected.

‘If only I could deal with those guys.’

Aslan, another top-tier knight named Plantz, and the seven high-tier knights scattered to the north and south.

These were the real problem. They were strong and could defend and attack, even with the crossbows firing quickly.

‘I have to hope the north and south can hold out. I’ll deal with this group first.’

Logan’s red eyes narrowed with anger. He stared at the two knights below the western wall. They were getting ready to jump up, and Logan knew they were dangerous.

The first battle, no, the whole fight for Tomodo, depended on this moment.

Logan felt it and used all his power.

Woooong.

The Force Core in his heart used its power. Most of it went into his sword, Lux.

His target was both top-tier knights.

It was almost impossible, but Logan was on the wall, and the enemies were jumping up from below. They were not steady.

It seemed possible if he did it right.

Logan focused all his senses. He guessed their moves and planned the best way to swing his sword.

‘Die!’

He attacked with all his strength, a Great Earth Cleave.

Golden light burst from the sword. It became a giant blade over 20 meters long. It swept away the enemies who were in the air.

“Gasp!”

“What…!?”

He thought he would win. He saw the surprise on his enemies’ faces. But then…

Swish, swish, swish.

A silver whip lashed out from Plantz’s sword, snaking through the air. It hit the wall. Plantz used this to change direction. He dodged Logan’s attack like a jump and landed on the wall.

Wham!

The attack, filled with all his strength, disappeared. Only a golden afterimage was left.

Plantz smirked as if to say, ‘Did you think I’d fall for that again?’ Logan gritted his teeth. He could not show his anger yet.

“I’ll kill you!”

A man moved like a monkey, disappearing to get closer. He was already pushing a red sword at Logan.

Clang! Clang!

Bang!

“Ugh!”

Aslan’s attacks were strong now that he was on the wall.

Even using Ghostly Shadow and Boots of the Wind, Logan could barely keep up. The red Force Blade was strangely short, but it was stronger than Plantz’s.

“Try to act tough now!”

Logan barely held his ground and looked around quickly.

Claaang!

“Not a chance!”

His father, who had gone to the northern wall, had returned and was blocking Plantz.

Good call. The defenses on the northern wall might get weaker, but this was the best choice for now.

The soldiers who had been defending the walls were dead or had run away.

The flashing Force Blades and fast movements made it hard for anyone nearby to help.

He did not know what was happening on the northern and southern walls. But the silver Force Blade of Plantz was destroying a corner of the western wall right in front of him.

Because of this attack, there were fewer crossbows firing at the enemy outside the castle. The number had dropped by a third.

He could feel the enemy outside the castle changing their movements slightly.

The enemy archers were firing upwards from outside the walls. They started to bother the allied soldiers, but not many of them.

‘As quickly as possible!’

He had to deal with them quickly.

He was still feeling tired after his failed attack. His Force was not even half full. But he could not worry about that now.

Wooong.

Logan used every last bit of Force. He attacked the enemy even as he was being pushed back.

He did not even try to block the red sword that was coming towards his eyes. He pushed his own sword straight at the enemy.

At that moment, Aslan smiled.

The Force Blade on Aslan’s sword suddenly stretched out, aiming for Logan’s heart.

But…

“Kuh?!”

Thwack.

A beam of golden light shot from Logan’s sword, hitting Aslan’s shoulder.

‘I’ll end it in one go!’

Wooong.

The Force Core made him feel a sharp pain.

Logan used his last strength and attacked Aslan like a storm.

Clang clang clang!

Kwaaang!

The golden sword hit the red armor again and again. But the sword could not easily break through.

‘Ugh!’

He did not have any major injuries, but he could taste blood in his mouth. His heart tingled.

Even so, the enemy did not show any weakness.

Aslan was protecting himself from every attack. He moved his hurt shoulder as little as possible.

He knew that Logan’s strength would disappear as soon as the attack stopped.

The enemy’s eyes watched his movements. Aslan’s defense did not give up.

Logan felt despair when he looked into those eyes.

He had not reached a higher level, but he was sure that he had become much stronger. He had trained with his master in the capital and learned Ghostly Shadow.

He thought he could easily beat Plantz, whom he had fought before.

But Aslan, who was also a top-tier knight, was much stronger.

He did not have strange skills like Plantz’s whip-like Force Blade. But he was faster and stronger than Plantz.

‘This won’t do….’

He knew that he would fall from a counterattack as soon as his Force ran out.

That thought made him open to attack.

Flash.

A red lightning bolt shot out from the enemy’s long arm. Logan knew he had made a mistake and swung his sword with all his might.

Kwaaang!

The golden sword touched the enemy’s shoulder. The red lightning bolt tore off a piece of Logan’s side and went through the wall.

Logan looked at the hole at his feet. It was the size of a human head. He felt relieved and confused at the same time.

Logan knew he’d made a mistake, leaving a gap in his defense. But Aslan’s attack was lightning fast, a blur of red.

It was no exaggeration to say that Logan had survived thanks to that attack.

The crimson lightning was a deadly secret attack, meant to wound, not kill. It struck at the opening Logan had foolishly given, a technique of immense power.

“But why?” Logan wondered.

“You rat!” Aslan shouted, his voice rough with anger as he attacked.

Because of his first attack, things had changed.

Aslan’s red sword flashed, pushing Logan back step by step.

However, Logan stubbornly defended, enduring Aslan’s attacks.

As Aslan’s attacks crashed down, relentless. Blocking each blow, Logan’s mind raced. Wait. He suddenly understood. He wasn’t thinking clearly. It’s not just about me.

What’s more urgent right now isn’t me, Logan thought.

Being at a disadvantage in troop numbers, Logan had been pushing himself to maintain the short-term advantage, but there were others who were more desperate than he was.

Namely, Aslan, Franz, and the high-ranking knights who were the strongest of the enemy forces on the walls.

It was true that McLane would be at a disadvantage the more they rampaged, but they were currently in the middle of the enemy army.

As McLane’s knights and soldiers gathered, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t be hit by a stray sword or arrow and be in danger.

Whether the army won or not, they could die before seizing that victory.

He had forgotten that simple situation.

The fear of death. It was the same for a mere soldier or a top-tier knight.

Especially if they were stuck in enemy territory, encountering unexpected obstacles?

Only then could Logan read the impatience that had risen in Aslan’s brown eyes.

And he pondered a way to exploit this impatience, which was slightly different from his own.

Not long after Logan’s red eyes gleamed once more, seeking an opening…

Flash!

A blinding golden ray blasted from the tip of Logan’s sword, which had been pushed back. It cut through the air.

It was a surprise attack, but Aslan, having read the signs in advance, quickly twisted his body to avoid the attack.

And as he tried to exploit Logan’s exposed opening with a triumphant smile…

“Aack!” A scream of a familiar voice erupted from behind him.

The scream made him flinch, causing his sword to slow down ‘just a little bit’.

Giving his opponent, known as the Knight of Swiftness, time to evade.

Skkkk.

A sharp sword wound was left on his forearm, the little magic he had left, trembling legs.

But Logan thought it was a worthwhile exchange.

Logan and Aslan’s gazes simultaneously landed on the same spot.

Three Vifroth knights, who had just managed to cross the walls through the weakened arrow rain caused by Aslan and Franz’s intrusion, were groaning as they were pierced by the golden ray of light.

“You fiend!” Aslan shouted, his eyes blazing with fury, gnashing his teeth, creating a chilling noise as he roared savagely.

But Logan somehow endured his attacks and unleashed another golden ray of light.

“Aaargh!”

This time, three enemy knights who had just climbed onto the walls were swept away by the ray of light and plummeted below.

Logan was keenly aware that he was reaching his limit, but he charged at Aslan even more fiercely.

“Come on, let’s play a little more!”

And then…

– Retreat! Retreat now!

Vifroth’s voice echoed from outside the castle.

Aslan’s face twisted with rage. He thought he couldn’t be angrier, but seeing his knights fall, his fury exploded. He trembled with the force of it.

“You little…”

Clang! Clang!

Wham!

The retreat order had been issued, and Logan was avoiding a head-on confrontation, gradually whittling down Vifroth’s knights, leaving Aslan unable to properly vent his anger.

Aslan, wielding his sword erratically, eventually pulled away.

“Mark my words, kid. Next time…”

“Why are you running? Admit defeat!” Logan taunted.

His eyes were overflowing with murderous intent, but Aslan chose to leap off the castle walls instead of charging at his opponent.

Seeing this, Franz, who had been facing off against Padric, gritted his teeth and left the castle as well.

Logan, who had been feigning a relaxed expression, collapsed as if breaking at that moment.

– We have won!

Along with his father’s voice, pale-faced as he shouted.

The McLane army cheered, their roar engulfing Tomodo Castle like a wave.

The McLane army cheered as if they had won a war, but anyone who wasn’t a fool could guess that this wasn’t the end.

However, the deep anxiety and fear they had felt when the Vifroth army first appeared had been replaced with a degree of confidence.

That alone made the victory in this battle worthwhile.

But the faces of the leadership were not so bright.

“They won’t let their guard down anymore,” Padric said with a grim face. His complexion had not yet returned to normal.

His exhaustion showed the fight had been hard. It was only natural that deep concern arose in his eyes.

“I know.”

“Is the time you mentioned not yet here?”

“…Yes.”

“And you still can’t tell me the reason?”

“…Just a little, please hold on just a little longer.”

Logan’s gaze turned to the moon, which was beginning to rise again.

The first day, the first moon of the new year, when everyone present would normally be celebrating the start of a new year.

But for Logan now, it was a moon that only instilled despair.

‘I should have heard something by now, at the latest,’ Logan thought.

Something might have gone wrong in the history of his previous life.

Logan couldn’t bring himself to tell anyone about that distant and ominous premonition.

But perhaps it showed on his face nonetheless.

“Hmph, well, what can we do now?” His father, with a stern face, patted him on the shoulder.

The knights who were listening also clenched their fists, pounding their chests whenever they met Logan’s eyes.

Watching them, Logan felt a stinging pain near his heart.

It wasn’t because of the injuries he had sustained during the day.

‘Because of me…’ Logan thought.

These people might all end their lives here.

For the sole reason that they had followed his words.

Would it have been right to consolidate the internal affairs of the territory, which had just begun to grow?

The regret he had shaken off long ago clung to the depths of his heart once more.

The fear that everything he had achieved since his regression, riding high on success, could collapse at once.

That burden was gnawing at Logan’s soul.

And then…

– Enemies! The enemies are coming!

The night the first moon of the new year rose, Vifroth’s second attack began.