Regressor of the Fallen Family Novel - Chapter 283
Chapter 283
“Fiasco!? Fiasco, you claim!? What on earth are you babbling about!?”
A yell erupted from the mouth of the calm second prince. It was a fierce outburst that caused anyone under his authority to involuntarily back away in fear. Despite this, Leos brought even graver news with a solemn expression.
“The royal family of McLaine has mentioned our empire. Consequently, the attention of the eastern continents has been instantly captivated, and His Imperial Majesty has ordered us to cease the ‘operations’ for the succession war for now.”
“Curse it all. We have no other option…”
“And as a consequence of this predicament, your highness’s succession points have been further reduced by 10 points.”
“What!?”
Once again, the second prince’s eyes widened with dismay.
“If it was meant to be the promised 10%, it should only amount to about 5 points at most!”
“One of the leaders of the Ghost Tribe was reported dead in McLaine.”
“What?”
“His Imperial Majesty is incensed by this unforeseen worst-case scenario. It would be unwise to object now, your highness.”
“Ha…!”
The second prince’s face turned a patchy red as he slouched in his seat with a sigh. Then, as if struck by a revelation, he raised his head abruptly.
“10 points ‘more’!? So, on top of the initial promised score… What does this do to the score gap with my brother now?”
“Well…”
Seeing Leos’s expression darken, baros’s face contorted like that of a demon, sensing the dire outcome.
“It’s been overturned with a 1-point difference.”
“Curse it all!!!!”
Crash!
Although the prince preached that a ruler should not display anxiety, he could barely contain his rage now. He overturned the breakfast table before him and rose, pacing restlessly in the room.
“We must bounce back. Recover from this. How do we handle that accursed Logan McLaine…”
In an attempt to take action amidst his visible unease?
Leos observed his master, who held his destiny, with his own expression carefully concealed.
** *
While the entire world was shocked by the announcement from the McLaine royalty, the empire maintained a silent stance and did not react publicly. The rumors about the empire plotting soon faded, and shortly after, ambiguous stories started circulating.
“To think the empire would, why?”
“Exactly. Why would the empire bother with a minor kingdom’s king?”
“That king was once infamous as a despot. His dynasty fell. How many must hold grudges against him?”
Even within McLaine’s kingdom, rumors started to spread that the assault on the king was the work of vengeful spirits from the once-glorious Grandia Kingdom.
“The rumors don’t bode well.”
“As expected, things aren’t progressing smoothly.”
Reportedly ailing, Logan sat comfortably in his office, smirking at Damian’s report.
Such a scenario was anticipated. Yet, the purpose of spreading such rumors post the ambush was to mask Eileen’s awakening and Logan’s own capabilities.
But there was a grander objective beyond that.
“As long as it instills vigilance among the minor kingdom alliance monarchs, that’s all that’s needed.”
“Are you truly contemplating an alliance with them?”
“That’s correct. If we falter, the alliance is feeble. If they become vigilant, they’ll have to react.”
Five legions and hundreds of thousands of militia were still insufficient to ease his mind.
Hence, Logan strove to draw in the minor kingdom alliance to the east of his realm. Though each of the seven kingdoms forming the alliance was individually feeble, collectively, their might rivaled that of the ancient Grandia Kingdom.
However, Damian and the other confidants were skeptical.
“That’s only feasible if they acknowledge the evidence of the empire’s war preparations. As much as we believe in your Majesty, from their perspective, nonetheless…”
Damian’s worry was not unfounded to Logan.
“There’s still time. I hope this incident laid the groundwork. We will continue readying the kingdom and take the time to convince them.”
“If that’s your wish…”
As Damian began to depart, a voice filled with distress echoed from outside the office.
“Your Majesty. A message from the Triah Kingdom has arrived. The king himself…!”
‘I’ve heard the rumors, but are you unharmed?’
A man with a warm countenance and a long, brown beard.
That was Logan’s initial impression of King Ramon I of the Triah Kingdom.
Facing that benevolent face, Logan felt a hint of remorse for having to put on an act from their first encounter.
“Cough. I’m slightly better. Wounds inflicted by aura seem to take longer to heal.”
Though the royal communication setup was deliberately made slightly blurry, Logan even applied makeup to appear paler, just in case.
Fortunately, King Ramon seemed disinterested in Logan’s health, practically disregarding Logan’s clumsy acting as he swiftly dropped a statement that startled him.
“I was quite taken aback by the news. Our kingdom, too, is withering under the empire’s conspiracy, so I thought perhaps we could assist each other.”
The very words Logan did not anticipate were now coming directly from the man himself.
“It’s quite a coincidence.”
“You might have heard from envoy Ragon during the national marriage negotiations…”
“Ah… Ha ha, yes. Certainly, I’ve heard that…”
But I have no recollection of such an individual…
It felt like a slight sweat was starting to form.
He couldn’t possibly recall every diplomat he encountered at the national marriage alliances; the circumstances back then were not leisurely enough to allow for that.
“But this is the first time I’ve heard of an empire conspiracy. What do you mean?”
However, Logan could not have forgotten if the phrase “empire’s plotting” was ever mentioned, so his query held genuine curiosity.
“Ah. Ha ha, my mind seems to have wandered. When Envoy Ragon went for discussions, nothing definitive had been decided yet.”
I’m telling you, I don’t recall such a person…
“But now, I am certain. The Duchy of Tahiti and the three kingdoms around it are under the empire’s influence, and those influenced are provoking the downfall of our kingdom alliance.”
“What could you please elaborate?”
Logan inquired, his expression turning serious as he forgot to maintain his act.
Fortunately, King Ramon was too engrossed in disclosing what he had withheld until now.
Last winter, the seven minor kingdom alliance to the east of McLaine Kingdom underwent a significant political upheaval.
Triah. Liberty. Teroan. Romain, calon. Lomen. Tahiti.
These seven kingdoms, founded by the descendants of ancient heroes, always adhered to an established hierarchy, much like their forebears’ ranking and the current size and population of their lands.
Triah, the largest kingdom, was over a third the size of the present McLaine Kingdom; even the smallest, the Tahiti Duchy, was smaller than McLaine’s grand estates.
However, fitting their name, the alliance always ensured equal voting rights for all members. Nevertheless, a chairman was selected to represent the seven kingdoms to outsiders.
Traditionally, the role belonged to the King of Triah, and though it could change depending on the era, kings from below Liberty or Teroan had never chaired.
At least until last winter.
Amidst turmoil in the Tahiti Duchy, Duke Leon of Tahiti unexpectedly demanded a renegotiation for the chairman’s selection. Romain, calon, and Lomen kingdoms, as though prearranged, swiftly offered their support, and the leadership of the alliance changed hands in an instant.
Since then, these four kingdoms have consistently crafted alliance policies conflicting with the national interests of the other three mighty kingdoms.
“While we remain superior in national power, it’s quite challenging to quell them with force. It’s quite intricate within our alliance, you see…”
King Ramon trailed off, but Logan nodded in comprehension.
After all, there’s nothing east of the minor kingdoms but the ocean – why else would they form an alliance if not to check the western Grandia Kingdom?
Furthermore, the ancestors of these nations were originally discontent with Grandia Kingdom’s dominance and had fought for independence in ancient times. If a kingdom attempted to break the alliance by force, the repercussions would undoubtedly hit that kingdom first.
Hence, King Ramon’s communication was filled with a peculiar paradox.
“You’re suggesting you don’t want to break the alliance tradition yet you’re seeking aid from McLaine of all places?”
“Ha ha. McLaine Kingdom isn’t Grandia Kingdom, is it? The dynasty has changed, so what’s the issue?”
Diplomatic words masking the essence of inter-state relations.
Nonetheless, Ramon I’s demeanor appeared genuinely unashamed as he spoke.
‘This man is slippery.’
Though internally cautious, Logan smiled outwardly.
“Indeed, that’s correct. But what proof do you have to assert this shift in the four kingdoms is due to the empire’s machinations?”
“Ah. Well…”
As the other side hesitated and faltered, Logan dangled a bait too irresistible to ignore.
“Knowing that would certainly benefit our decision-making on this matter.”
“This is embarrassing. I vowed to disclose everything to you before calling, yet now I find myself retreating in shame. Please don’t misunderstand and just listen.”
“What could possibly lead to a misunderstanding? Please, speak freely.”
“Well, within our kingdom, we’ve been encouraging marital alliances within each royal household to fortify friendly relations in the alliance. Naturally, this is true for other kingdoms, resulting in quite a complex network of royal blood relations.”
As King Ramon’s story threatened to prolong, Logan involuntarily grimaced – a reaction that the other party noticed, prompting him to swiftly steer towards the crux of the matter.
“Of course, thanks to my numerous daughters, each family has received two of them in marriage. Consequently, they often bring news from the other royal households when they send their regards.”
At that, Logan had to suppress a scoff.
Having at least twelve daughters was not the issue.
The fact that he dispatched his daughters to all the kingdoms of the alliance, and even two to each, suggested that King Ramon himself had once aimed to exert influence in the alliance.
‘And now that it’s gone sour, he’s seeking help.’
The pleasant aura exuding from King Ramon was increasingly distasteful.
Just as Logan’s trust was about to wane further, Ramon I’s subsequent revelation was both astounding and somewhat impressive.
“Well, actually… the truth is among the places I sent my daughters to marry includes an imperial noble house. One of them is a high-grade noble…”
Wow.
This remarkable man.
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