Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Advance!

Boom, boom, boom.

The castle gates lowered onto the moat, and nearly two thousand troops began marching over it.

Ninety-eight knights, seven hundred and thirty crossbow cavalrymen, and nine hundred and twenty infantrymen.

While the force was not to be taken lightly, it was clearly smaller than the army that attacked Tomodo Castle just two months earlier.

Attacking Bifrosts main castle with such a force would have been akin to suicide under any other circumstances.

Yes. If it were any other time.

In the midst of the nervous leadership, Logan alone was smiling.

Are you really not worried at all?

How many troops could possibly be left in Bifrost castle now? With Duke Yordan issuing a total mobilization order, theyd be too scared to defy it.

And yet, here we are, blatantly ignoring the warning of that fearsome man.

Padric spoke with a stiff face, but Logans confidence was unabating.

Ah, but our situation is different. Didnt I tell you? Even father agreed.

Father. Please be optimistic. For the first time in two hundred years, theres a chance to reclaim our ancestors land. And a superhuman facing a major battle for power wouldnt move easily, at least not for a mere land skirmish in the frontier. And if he moves

Then it would be after the fall of Waltermaim, so no need to worry.

Yes, thats right.

Padric nodded slightly, though worry still clouded his face.

What if the Second Princes faction wins the civil war?

Well need to support the First Prince then.

And if the opposite turns out, theyll reach out to us instead?

Exactly. Regardless, the civil war will conclude, and no matter the outcome, Duke Yordan will not be able to act on his warning. If we can take Bifrost castle and become a key card for either faction. You understood and agreed, didnt you?

Logan shrugged nonchalantly, but Padrics voice was more solemn than ever as he continued to speak.

You do realize the flaw in your plan?

Yes?

Were assuming the civil war wont end while we grow in power by taking Bifrost. Youre so sure this civil war will last a considerably long time, arent you?

At that, Logans face tensed.

History showed that civil wars within a country rarely lasted year after year.

The three-year-long Grandia Civil War was an exceedingly rare case.

Padrics doubt was inevitable, yet it was something Logan had overlooked.

Ah Well Even the current state of war doesnt look like its going to resolve easily, right?

It doesnt seem like youre suggesting that based solely on the state of war.

Im still sensing it, but isnt it a definite possibility? One worth betting our fates on.

Is it really just a hunch?

What do you mean?

No, never mind. Sigh Weve made the decision, lets see it through.

Padric looked up to the clear sky.

The cold air seeped into his lungs, bringing the deepening winter to his core.

With his eyes closed, the sharp chill reached deep into his mind, and the image of his son seen not long ago in the royal palace emerged.

The image of his son smiling coldly upon witnessing the death of Larry Kretch.

Surely not right?

Actually, it wouldnt matter if it were true.

Whether or not his son accelerated the civil war was irrelevant.

One way or another, the boy acted for the family.

Although Logan had often felt that his son was hiding something, he believed in that above all else.

So instead of stirring up potential discord, it was better to support him.

Now there was only one thing to think about.

The ancestral land.

The lost splendor.

The chance to retrieve it all was drawing near.

And when the time came

Ha Whether Im the mad one, or you are, or if its the world, I dont know. But now that its come to this, lets give it our all.

While Padric might not have known what was truly on his fathers mind, the absence of anxiety in his watching eyes was evident.

And so with a light heart, Logan could respond.

Yes!

* * *

Surrender and open your gates peacefully. We shall spare your lives.

Damn it! What on earth are they so confident about?!

Lentor, the current captain of Bifrost and senior knight, spat out curses as he viewed the approaching enemy from atop the castle walls.

The defenders of Bifrost were left with only twenty-two knights and around five hundred soldiers.

Facing the nearly two thousand enemy troops, their chance of defense was virtually nil.

Had the enemy declared war, they might have mustered a minimum force from other castles.

At least conscripted people to be fodder.

But whats the point now?

Retreat was not an option either.

[The Perec government shall arrive. Hold the fort until then at all costs!]

Notably, his lords communication didnt mention that the main force was returning.

Yet they were told to hold the fort no matter what.

Was it a genuine expression of faith, or had he been abandoned? He could barely discern his lords true intention.

However.

Hold on! Reinforcements will come! Defend this place at all cost!

Lentor urged the soldiers, opting to concentrate all the knights at the southern wall instead of dispersing them to counter invaders from other directions.

We would be easily taken down if the knights were scattered. We must hold here!

It would take a significant amount of time for the invaders to deal with soldiers stationed on the east and west walls.

If the knightly force remained intact, they could launch a counterattack once reinforcements arrived.

It was a shameless strategy, if it could even be called that.

To make things worse.

Whinnying.

The northern gate swung open and a grand six-horse carriage rushed out.

In the midst of it all, six knights guarding the carriage galloped off, a sight engrained in the eyes of the soldiers, sapping their morale.

Facing the demoralizing scene, Lentor shouted even louder.

Look! The lords and young masters have escaped safely! We have nothing to worry about now! Lets face the enemy and fight to the end!

What are you worried about? Our lives?

Blissfully unaware of the absurd glances around him, Lentor continued to passionately preach morale-sapping exhortations.