Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 258

Chapter 258

**Chapter 258:**

“Ugh… eurachacha. Kkuung. Ah, my back hurts.”

In the midst of the harvest, farmer Eric straightened his bent back with a groan of discomfort.

Contrary to his complaint, however, his face was radiant with an unyielding smile.

Even as sweat beaded and trickled down his sun-burnt skin,

Even as his back screamed in pain from swinging the scythe since dawn,

The dense, yellow waves of wheat spread out before him—something he hadn’t seen in his forty years of farming—translated all his hardships into a rewarding experience.

The fact that there was as much work left to do as the waves of wheat filling his field was, strangely enough, a source of happiness.

“Eric! Don’t rest by yourself, let’s take a break together! It’s time to work quickly! You’re not planning to rest only after doing your own field, are you?”

“Stop nagging about a small break! I’m working! Working!”

Leon, his colleague who was shouting nearby, seemed to share the same sentiment; his face was full of smiles too.

This atmosphere was not only spreading across the newly cultivated western wasteland, but laughter was overflowing throughout the entire royal territory, including the far reaches beyond the wasteland.

“It’s a bountiful harvest! A great harvest indeed!”

“Wow, look at these grains of wheat. I’ve farmed all my life, but I’ve never seen grains this plump.”

“And the rice, too!”

“This year we won’t have to worry about food!”

All this was the result of the magical fertilizer farming method, which had been implemented only within the Maclaine territory last year.

This year, not only the newly cultivated western wasteland but the entire royal jurisdiction and even the Esperanza territory were experiencing an unprecedented bumper harvest.

Moreover, with the taxes that had skyrocketed last year now reduced by 30%, the faces of the farmers, sweating beads as they welcomed the harvest season, were filled with nothing but joy.

The kingdom’s overall crop yield was no different from average years, but only the Maclaine and Esperanza territories, along with the royal lands, were enjoying this bumper harvest.

This situation, combined with the timing of the king’s purging of the nobles and enforcing new tax policies, sparked strange rumors.

“The lands blessed by His Majesty the King yield a rich harvest.”

While those with a bit of intellect might scoff at such nonsense, the number of common folk believing the rumor was steadily growing.

“The Maclaine territory had a good harvest last year too!”

“What about this newly cultivated wasteland having such a bountiful harvest?”

“Drought-stricken wasteland turned into fertile land, and now this unprecedented harvest…!”

Regardless of the logic or evidence, the change was too vivid in their eyes.

‘Our’ King is a divine being graced by the gods.

Amidst such rumors that had shifted 180 degrees from before concerning Logan and the royalty, there were still those who sighed in this changed world.

* * *

“My lord, it seems it’s going to be difficult.”

“…Is that so?”

Baron Trevold Dalton couldn’t help but sigh dejectedly upon hearing his retainer, Leto’s report.

“How much are we short?”

“After taking out 60% of the collected taxes for the royal tribute, it won’t even make up a third of last year’s budget for the territory.”

“Be more specific.”

“If the harvest is as expected, just the salary for thirty knights would exceed the budget.”

“Hmm…”

Baron Dalton’s face darkened further.

‘A lord unable to maintain his own order of knights. Is the King really intent on killing us nobles?’

Truth be told, the Dalton territory had always been on the poorer side.

Even when collecting 60% taxes and sending a third to the royal treasury, sometimes they would incur deficits—this mountainous territory had no choice but to remain a low-level rural nobility, unable to afford a residence in the capital.

Thus, when the tax system was forcibly shifted from 40% to 60%, financial ruin was an inevitable outcome.

“…I’ll have to appeal to His Majesty.”

It seemed better to at least plead their case than to die without voice.

But Leto did not seem to share his thoughts.

“My lord, you could bring disaster upon us. His Majesty already annihilated the opposing nobles in one fell swoop!”

Leto’s pale face clearly signified how dangerous the baron’s intentions were.

“I won’t do it alone. Other territories should be suffering as well, not just ours.”

“…You mean to appeal together with other nobles?”

“Yes, it’s the only way.”

“But, my lord. If we do so, we might end up like Count Jacques Huon….”

“Leto!!”

“My, my apologies.”

Leto bowed down, and Baron Dalton’s face hardened.

The story of ‘The Day of the Cleansing,’ when the King wiped out a revolt in one fell swoop, was a taboo among the noble families—especially in the Dalton house, which had considered joining Jacques Huon, albeit belatedly.

However, the shouting baron was no less worried himself.

‘The current King tolerates no opposition. If I submit this appeal, really… No, no. He wouldn’t cut off heads just for an appeal.’

The current difficult situation and the fear of the King were causing both turmoil and conflict in the baron’s mind.

Right at that moment…

Bang!

“My lord!!”

One of the knights burst into the office as if breaking down the door and shouted.

“A message from the royal palace!!”

Before he even took action, the previous conversation made the baron’s heart sink.

His anxiety only intensified as he entered the communications room with heavy steps.

“Are you Baron Trevold Dalton? I see you for the first time.”

A red-haired, red-eyed youth in the communication sphere.

Though the baron had never seen him in person, he could not possibly not know who it was.

“Y-Your Majesty. How can you personally…”

[Why? Did I do something I shouldn’t?]

With a gasp, the cold reply made the baron instinctively cower.

“No, of course not, Your Majesty. It is my honor just to be graced with your presence.”

[Is that so? Good.]

His calm tone gave the baron some relief.

But the moment of comfort was fleeting.

[But I heard rumors that you were thinking to side with Jacques Huon?]

“Such preposterous rumors!”

Struck by this thunderbolt, the baron sprang up still in a prostrate position.

“I absolutely did not, Your Majesty! Please believe my loyalty!”

The baron shouted with a face full of desperate resolve to cover his truth.

Sensing the sincerity, Logan chuckled and changed the subject.

[Very well. It’s just a rumor after all. I’m not contacting the baron directly just to talk about such rumors.]

“Say anything, Your Majesty! I will dutifully carry it out!”

[Is that so? Hmm. That’s good to hear. But this isn’t an order, merely a suggestion. Take your time to think it over and then answer.]

A suggestion?

From the King? To me?

…Why?

The sudden statement only added to the baron’s confusion, but an even more baffling proposition followed from the other side of the communication sphere.