Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 220

Chapter 220

“Has there been no more trouble since then?”

“That’s right. Since the news of your escape, ahem, breakout, there have been no more assaults on the dwarf artisans or raids on the warehouses. Of course, we’ve multiplied our patrols just in case.”

“As expected…”

“What?”

“Nothing, it’s nothing.”

There was still a need for some more reflection, but the answer to all the worries that had plagued me on the way back to my domain seemed almost in sight.

All the accidents and terrorism that had occurred in Maclaine stopped right after my escape?

‘There must be people plotting behind the scenes.’

The face that came naturally to mind was one.

The middle-aged administrator who had encouraged my escape, claiming he admired heroes.

‘Cleoh. That guy must have manipulated the king, or there’s someone behind him.’

I had no choice but to come to that conclusion.

To think otherwise would be to ignore the king’s extreme behavior.

He had made too many reckless decisions, any one of which could have caused him to lose everything, and he had pressured both me and Maclaine far too much.

It was not a matter of whether he was a sage king or a tyrant, but actions taken without considering the consequences.

‘It means he can’t make rational decisions.’

With that thought, I realized anew that it was a stroke of luck that I had escaped.

The king would have proceeded with his plan even against his mentor’s advice.

Had I delayed a bit longer, a bloodbath and a chase could have unfolded starting from the royal palace itself.

And with that thought, fury rose within me again.

‘Dammit. How did it come to this…’

The grand plan I had drawn up to prepare for the empire’s invasion was crumbling from its very foundation.

My boiling emotions naturally directed my gaze towards the perpetrator.

‘Cleoh. I’ll smash you and your backer to pieces.’

Logan gritted his teeth with all the murderous intent he could muster.

“No more can we tolerate the king’s tyranny. The king I raised to the throne must now be deposed by my own hands.”

“Right. It’s about time.”

At that moment, as murderous intent surfaced in the reddened eyes of father and son, ‘that news’ reached Maclaine.

– The Sword Master has personally declared the subjugation of Maclaine.

For everyone in the household other than Logan, who was mentally prepared, it was truly shocking news.

* * *

“I’ve kept trying to connect, but there’s still no response.”

“Of course, that’s to be expected.”

– If you leave like this, Logan, you’ll truly become a traitor.

Remembering his mentor’s warning, Logan gave a bitter smile.

‘Now that things have come to this, I need not hesitate any longer.’

With a renewed resolve.

The thoughts of those around him were quite different.

“Logan. As much as I consider it, having an open conflict with His Excellency the Sword Master is too risky. If he could be persuaded, we should try to talk to him.”

His father, his face set rigidly, and…

“Lord Logan. Are you confident you can contend with His Excellency the Sword Master? If not, try to resolve it through dialogue first. The cost seems too high…”

The worried expression of Eileen.

“You’re right. All-out war with the grand duchy is going to be quite burdensome. There will be large sacrifices. I also believe dialogue should be prioritized.”

Heinkel joined in with the rest to chorus the sentiment.

However, Logan firmly shook his head in the face of all their concerns.

“Once he has made a decision, he does not go back on it. The battle is unavoidable.”

With his assertion, everyone around him heaved a collective sigh.

But then.

“If we can just block the Sword Master, we can minimize the damage. If you’re not confident, the knight’s order will find a strategy.”

His father spoke stiffly about a blockade plan for the Sword Master, and…

“As for the Esperanza Grand Duchy… Well, it’s a heavy burden, but surely we’re not unable to fight. The soldiers’ morale is high. Some are even eager for war, having seen their seniors awaken as Force-Users in succession.”

The former head of the knight’s order clenched his fists, recalls the soldiers’ morale.

“The female troops feel the same. All twelve hundred of them are itching for a chance to prove their worth.”

Even Eileen, who’d been looking concerned all this while, now sparkled with a fighting spirit.

Despite the threatening words of the kingdom’s strongest—the Esperanza Knight Order—and other nobles joining the attack, no one flinched.

‘And why should they?’

Maclaine’s strength had reached powerful heights, deserving of their confidence.

Despite some recent problems, production of Liberatio had already hit saturation, and there were well over a thousand knights.

More than a third of that knight’s order was equipped with artifacts developed by Clayton.

The only possible concern was that the three superhuman powers—myself, Luther, and Clayton—might seem a bit lacking compared to the Sword Master and Wiken Kallia.

“Contrary to external expectations, we have an advantage in superhuman power. Please also keep that in mind.”

“Is that really so?”

“Yes, I am confident.”

“…Alright, I’ll trust you then. That surely increases our chances.”

Luther Kail had been breaking through walls that had stood still for decades by repeating duels with me.

Clayton had progressed to the point where he could easily contend with a figure like the past Juan Douglas.

And I was a special case among those considered superhumans.

‘Maybe I could even handle the mentor on my own.’

With that, confidence overflowed in Logan’s voice.

There were no worries about power.

Only the mental burden of facing his mentor remained.

And.

‘How many talented individuals will die in this clash?’

How significant could the unexpected consequences of the conflict be?

Weighed down by these thoughts, yet when I recalled the looming shadow of the giant in the far west, that weight seemed to vanish without a trace.

The Emperor.

The thought of him made me reluctant to overthink this and stretch out the situation.

‘Even if dialogue is possible, now is not the time.’

If we back down once seeking common ground, we’ll just keep retreating.

There was no time to waste.

So.

“If we must do it, let’s do it decisively. Let’s show the world just how strong Maclaine is!”

“Yes!”

With those declared words, everyone’s fighting spirit surged endlessly.

As the entire Maclaine became consumed with preparing for battle, Logan received an unexpected message.