Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203

The shock left by Tris Hornsby was immense. Despite no physical injuries, it took three days before I was able to move properly. Furthermore, it required an additional week before I could reignite my fighting spirit to continue training and address that unfathomable technique. A superhuman effortlessly employing an unheard-of method – certainly stronger than my master, surpassing him by more than just a margin. The thought was unavoidably grim. If my sensation was accurate, he was a superhuman with a waning lifespan. Still, his displayed power was horrifying, and if his words held true, there were four more of such beings in the Empire, which inflated my fear.

“If you wish to learn, come to the Empire.”

That statement at the end, more potent than any lure offered by the Emperor, greatly pulled at my soul. However…

“I can overcome this. Eventually.”

The astonishing technique shown by the Continental First Sword clearly indicated the direction I needed to grow towards in the future. Thus, I was able to overcome the shock, shed the temptation, the lingering attachments.

“Absolutely!”

With that single thought, Logan continued his training in the secondary palace.

“The proper awakening will come after leaving the capital. For now…”

It was only after the agreed term with the Emperor had concluded that Logan first stepped outside the secondary palace. At the end of the spring festival. To inform the Emperor of my intent to return to the kingdom.

“Please deliver the message.”

Logan looked up with his red eyes at the door etched with a golden dragon. The final hurdle before leaving lay beyond that door.

“Grandian Knight Logan,” a voice ordered.

Creeeeak.

I faced the Emperor once more.

“Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty.”

The pressure emanating from the Emperor in his office, whom I hadn’t seen in three weeks, was as dominating as ever. The strange luster flickering in his black eyes was still unsettling, and his impassive expression only heightened the unease.

“Hmm. It’s been a while, Logan. Did you receive my gift well?”

The gift. Referring to Tris Hornsby’s strike.

A wry smile crept onto Logan’s face, unnoticed.

“Yes. It was a great help, thanks to you.”

At Logan’s response, the Emperor cracked a slight smile.

“Tris said you left quite an impression. So, have your thoughts changed?”

Impressive, indeed. An overstatement.

Remembering the embarrassment from that time, Logan felt a twinge of bitterness, yet his response came without delay.

“Thank you for the generous appraisal, Your Majesty, and I apologize. I still wish to remain a loyal subject of Grandia. The festival period has ended, so I’ve come to say I’ll be returning to the kingdom.”

“Hmm…?”

The Emperor’s smile was ambiguous in response to the firm answer.

Then he uttered the words Logan had feared.

“Did you know? In my entire life, I’ve never given up on anything I desired.”

An implied threat of never letting go.

Logan’s face tensed at the worst possible reaction he had anticipated.

Given there was no way to accede to the Emperor’s coercion, he resolutely responded.

“If that is the case, then it will only result in my death.”

“Huhuhu. Willing to die? Is your king that meaningful to you? You don’t seem like someone who would pledge loyalty blindly.”

The Emperor’s insight was inexplicable, hitting right at the core.

Yet Logan flinched. Seeing this, the Emperor smiled again.

“So, speak your heart. Whatever you desire, I shall grant more. Even what your king, your kingdom could never offer.”

The sovereign before me seemed to possess a strange, magnetic force. So potent that even Logan, resolute in his intent, began to waver, if only for a moment.

But Logan discarded the meaningless reluctance and reaffirmed his stand firmly.

“All I desire is freedom, Your Majesty.”

“Freedom? Not loyalty to the kingdom?”

Only sincere words could persuade this steadfast ruler with piercing eyes.

The aura of avarice in his gaze seemed to penetrate souls and knew no surrender.

Thus, Logan had no choice but to reveal a portion of his true sentiments.

“My king cannot force me. But you, Your Majesty, are different. That’s why I cannot remain in the Empire.”

“What? Hmph…hahahaha! So you’re saying you want to remain in the kingdom because you can manipulate your king as you please? Are you out of your mind?”

“Yes. That is so.”

“Hahahahaha! You’re more amusing than I thought. Haha, such madness…”

The Emperor’s laughter echoed in the office for some time after, perplexing both Logan, who had bowed his head, and the superhuman guards behind the Emperor.

Once the laughter subsided, an utterly unexpected statement spilled from the upturned corners of the Emperor’s mouth.

“Fine, I’ll let you go!”

An unexpectedly easy concession. Logan’s face showed a mix of surprise and relief, but the Emperor quickly added on.

“But, not without any conditions.”

Though unease crept in at the Emperor’s sly smile, Logan had no choice but to nod at the following words.

* * * The Emperor didn’t let Logan go just like that.

“I can’t allow it to be said that I treated my guest poorly. I’ve prepared some modest gifts.”

And those ‘modest’ gifts the Emperor sent were more than all the gifts from the nobles that had accumulated in the secondary palace.

Enough jewels and wealth to overflow five carbuncle-drawn carriages, a sum so vast it could easily dwarf the entire wealth of a mid-sized noble house of the Empire.

In the end, Logan and his party had to mount horses, escorting the five fully-loaded carriages like guards as they departed the capital. freewёbnoνel.com

It was bound to create a stir in the Empire, but what sparked even more debate among the imperial nobility was the artifact personally bestowed upon Logan, ‘the Divine Spaulder.’

His Imperial Majesty had gifted a fortification-type artifact to the envoy from Grandia.

The shoulder armor, adorned with enigmatic golden patterns, became a topic of interest for reasons beyond its value, due to the Emperor’s intention.

It was well known within the Empire that the Emperor only awarded armor to knights he held in high esteem.

The envoy from the kingdom was said to have received great favor from the Emperor.