Regressor of the Fallen Family
Chapter 267

“Hahaha!”

The banquet hall in the royal palace was filled with laughter. Naturally, the area around the protagonists Logan and Eileen was bustling with people, but the next busiest place was where the second prince of the empire had taken his seat.

“It’s an immense honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

Baros just nodded with a smile as he watched an unnamed noble bowing before him. To be honest, he wasn’t the slightest bit interested in this noble or any of the others he had exchanged greetings with earlier.

‘What a nuisance.’

At times like this, he wondered if it was better to give off a difficult-to-approach aura like his half-brother, rather than being surrounded by these people.

Of course, that thought was fleeting as always. If he hadn’t cultivated a ‘kind and good’ image since he was very young, he, being born as the sixth prince, would likely never have reached the position of the second prince.

“I’ll remember your kindness, Baron.”

“Th—Thank you, Your Highness!”

The fat noble, whose first name, let alone last name, Baros couldn’t recall, was overjoyed and hurriedly withdrew after that brief exchange. In the imperial capital, it would have been better to remember their names and titles, but he didn’t feel like going through that mental labor in this kingdom.

And at that moment, a one-eyed knight approached, moving past the other nobles who seemed to have been waiting for their turn to greet the prince. The second prince’s black eyes sparkled subtly as they met the one-eye of the knight.

“Excuse me. It seems my companions have something to discuss with me.”

“A-ah, I understand, Your Highness.”

The approaching noble could not hide his disappointment when Baros spoke, especially when he saw Jerome coming up from behind. During the one-month stay of the imperial delegation, the story about the young superhuman from the empire who bested the half-giant Luther Kyle and the Stormsword Wicken Kallia in a duel was a hot issue in the kingdom.

Many had looked forward to a sparring session with the king or the Swordmaster, but the Swordmaster had declined on the basis that Jerome wasn’t a worthy opponent. As Jerome could not challenge the king to a duel himself, no further superhuman battles were to be seen.

‘Well, that’s enough.’

It was sufficient to showcase the empire’s might.

As Baros was thus thinking, Jerome, who had safely completed his first mission, already approached.

“What’s the matter, Jerome?”

“Well… There’s been a problem, Your Highness.”

At Baros’ nod, his knights pushed the surrounding crowd further away. Once it quieted down, Jerome whispered something into the prince’s ear.

“…They all died?”

A very soft voice carried heavy shock and rage.

“It was fine until the investigation, but as soon as we went deeper into the royal palace today, the incident happened.”

“Even though there was a pretext of helping with the royal marriage preparations?”

“The excuse that we took the wrong path was utterly dismissed. They executed them right away as soon as they left the banquet…”

“Those, those madmen!!”

Baros couldn’t help but burst out in anger, and as the surrounding gazes gathered on him, he struggled to control his expression. However, his voice that followed was seething with a killing intent.

“Make an official complaint to the McLean Kingdom. They’ll pay for repaying kindness with malice. This will not be overlooked.”

“But… I already protested.”

“You did?”

The prince’s gaze turned towards the king who was receiving salutes from the nobles at the high seat, and as if waiting for this moment, Logan raised his glass to him. The prince slightly frowned as he saw the subtle smile on the king’s face, but Jerome continued speaking with a sigh.

“They wouldn’t budge, claiming royal decree had been passed. They said what crime is worthy of an exception when these scoundrels have the nerve to throw heads in front of the king…”

“Ahh… madness…”

This turn of events was unexpected. It was an extreme move that could cause significant diplomatic problems.

The implications were clear.

‘They don’t care about diplomatic friction?’

Enraged by the king’s provocation, the prince gritted his teeth. The problem was that no matter how diplomatically they pressed for a price from the kingdom, it would ultimately be a greater loss for him. It would undoubtedly affect the imperial succession battle.

‘Surely they can’t know that much…’

The prince forced himself to maintain his composure. He didn’t want to show any more weaknesses to the king of this small country who looked at him with such ease.

With a leisurely expression set in place, some good news finally reached him.

“But the sacrificial pawns were just intelligence agents, the ‘ghosts’ escaped safely. Moreover, they’ve already found a suitable candidate and acquired a ‘face’. The assassination mission is still entirely feasible.”

“…No, just focus on gathering information for now. Tell them not to even approach the aura users yet.”

“Yes, I understand. We’ve also collected some useful information in the meantime.”

“Hm?”

“There was friction with the priests when dealing with the plague, and it wasn’t just trivial conflict. It seems even the royal court is trying to hush it up.”

“Give me more details.”

“Yes, the thing is…”

The repercussions of Logan’s actions. Every intricate detail fell into the ears of the prince.

As Jerome spoke, the smile on the second prince’s face deepened.

“Interesting. He violated the temple’s taboo…”

“It has enough potential to cause dissent.”

“No, it’s still weak. The bishop was convinced, after all. But, it may still be useful.”

“Yes?”

“I remember a report from last year when he visited the empire. The central temple has been paying attention to this kingdom. And it wasn’t in a good mood. At the time, I didn’t pay it much mind, but now it seems necessary to look into it more closely.”

The sheer memory recall of Baros surprised Jerome, who couldn’t help but feel admiration.

Noting Jerome’s look, Baros lifted his glass, which was half-filled, and savored the wine’s fragrance, raising his glass toward the back of the king who had now turned his gaze away from him.

“It’s about time to pay a visit to the Central Temple. It looks like I might be able to give this king a spectacular gift.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Jerome, I’ll have to borrow your name.”

“Mine?”

“If the name of the empire’s holiness is added to mine, it might shorten the time needed to meet the Pope.”

Jerome’s expression stiffened a bit at that.

It wasn’t the weight of the Pope’s name that bothered him. It was the use of his own name that did.

“…Your Highness. I still have no intention of interfering in the imperial succession battle.”

He had only offered to accompany the prince to understand the prowess of the enemy who had taken his eye, not to join Baros’ faction.

“Don’t tell me that after leading our operation here, you plan to step away? Jerome Decade.”

“It was only following Your Highness’ orders.”

“Um. Are you suggesting that I’m still not worthy enough to serve as your lord?”

“No, that’s not the case.”

Even without working in the royal palace, the leadership, charisma, and ability to care for his subordinates displayed on the way here had shown he was more than capable as a ruler.

“Just, my master’s position…”

“Sir Trist would not force his neutrality upon his disciple, would he?”

“…”

Seeing the awkwardness in Jerome, Baros pressed his point.

“I take care of my people. I will generously support everything you desire.”

There was sincerity in the prince’s tone. To him, the report of Cleo’s decapitation done merely to test Logan had long since vanished without a trace.

And those words swayed Jerome.

His mentality had changed since his arrival in the kingdom.

“…Even if I wanted the king’s head?”

Jerome caressed his eye patch with a chilling query. The teachings of his master hadn’t completely erased the anger of his defeat.

‘I’ve only been pretending to be generous and forgiving.’

He realized this as soon as he saw Logan McLean’s face a month ago. And the short time spent here had been enough to forget his master’s teachings and dwell upon that anger.

Reading his rage, the prince responded with a subtle smile and a nod.

“Of course. One day, I will definitely arrange that for you. Even if His Majesty objects.”

That promise made Jerome’s single eye sparkle.

“I’ll trust your words.”

“Good. The name of the next great swordsman of the empire will grow even further by my side.”

Baros patted Jerome on the shoulder and smiled. One of the crucial goals of coming here was seemingly achieved more easily than expected.

Now, there was only one thing left…

‘To meet the Pope. If things go my way…’

An unavoidable turmoil was about to descend upon this rising kingdom. Once that happened, the eastern part of the continent would be entirely at his behest.

‘Our empire just needs to step in and take advantage.’

And with that, his position in the race for the imperial throne would be more secure.

‘Logan McLean. This time, you won’t escape so easily.’

– Long live Logan McLean!

– Long live the McLean Kingdom!

Amidst the cheers for the bright future of the kingdom, the second prince also raised his glass toward the king.

For the first time in a long time, it was a genuine smile.

* * *

Two months had passed.

Chirp chirp.

As the warm sunlight indicating the arrival of full-fledged spring showered on his face, Logan woke up with a pleasant smile, having been revelling in drowsiness.

Gone were the days of meditating in place of sleep. No matter how important training was, he couldn’t leave his partner to be alone since their honeymoon.

“Uhm…”

Looking over at his partner’s beautiful shoulder peeking out from the blanket—whose prowess as a top poser user belied her current state of still not having regained her senses after a vigorous last night—Logan smiled.

Eileen, realizing that the bed next to her was empty, turned over and opened her eyes groggily.

“Are you awake?”

A peck on the forehead caused her to blush adorably.

“I should go now. See you in the evening.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I should leave as well.”

“You’re not tired? You can rest a little more…”

“No, I’m fine. The harder we work, the sooner the day comes when we can relax and have our child.”

That comment made Logan’s face harden slightly as he remembered the conversation they had after the wedding. A sigh slipped out involuntarily.

“I’m sorry. I…”

“No, it’s okay. If the invasion from the empire is true, being pregnant now would only be a bother.”

Eileen promptly dressed and tied up her hair. It happened so fast that Logan wondered when she had gotten up from the bed.

“Lucky, isn’t it? To have a talented knight as a spouse who can even control her biological rhythms.”

With a slightly shy smile, Eileen joked, making Logan feel helplessly in love and grateful.

With all that gratitude, Logan had only one thing to say.

“Let’s stay strong today.”

“Are you declaring the legion system today?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, we can only deploy women in the central legion for now. We have to consider both absolute numbers and the infrastructure.”

“I’ve heard it enough times, Your Majesty. Go and attend to your duties without worry.”

Cheered on by her spirited response, Logan strode with pride out of the bedroom.

“Your Majesty!”

“Greetings to Your Majesty.”

As soon as he stepped out of the chamber, those he crossed path with all bowed their heads. He returned the gestures casually and quickened his pace, with Viktor and other knights accompanying him as he entered the main palace.

“Your Majesty, did you cough?”

“Sneeze!”

“Let’s go.”

Entering the grand chamber, Dwayne was already waiting for him.

“Your Majesty, the nobles are all gathered.”

“Good. Let’s go in.”

“Very well.”

With a gesture from Dwayne, the chambers’ doors opened with the announcement:

“His Majesty the King is entering!”

Thud thud thud.

As the grand doors opened, unfolding the lush red carpet, nobles on either side rose in unison.

Step by step, Logan walked towards the throne with the nobles bowing one after another, reaffirming his belief that there would no longer be any discord within the kingdom.

Sitting on the throne, Logan got straight to the point, as usual.

“From today, the kingdom’s entire military system will be comprehensively reformed.”

“What?”

“That means…”

A murmur spread through the grand chamber.

As he looked at each noble, Logan announced the changes that would shape the new kingdom.