Regressor of the Fallen Family Novel - Chapter 295
Chapter 295
“Once again! Another disappointment!?”
Leos narrowed his eyes as he observed the second prince’s dark eyes, now filled with anxiety. Since the incident at McLaine, or more precisely, since the first prince surpassed him in points, Baros von Ares, who had always appeared so composed, started revealing signs of nearing his breaking point.
‘Was his calmness only a mask? Why is he showing a weaker side now compared to his younger self…’
Despite these musings, Leos had no option but to proceed with even the most daring of operations like the current one. He was the chronicler of the succession battle. Prince Baros’s fate was directly linked to his own.
“The Emperor’s directive was to be cautious, yet you went ahead and struck a deal with ‘those people’ — and you failed!?”
Baros’s shaking hand seemed poised to strike Leos at any moment, but thankfully, he did not cross that final line. They were destined to be in the same boat until the very end. For the current second prince, Leos was one of the few individuals he could rely on until the final moment. And reciprocally, Leos trusted him as well.
Despite the bitterness, Leos knew he had to speak the truth.
“According to ‘them,’ superhumans emerged as assassins from the Duchy. They claim there is more than one, and as this violates the agreement, they stated they couldn’t pay the penalty either.”
“What a load of nonsense!!”
Crash!
The decorum befitting royal dignity was nowhere to be found, but it was a relief that all the knights and servants had been dismissed earlier. With these thoughts, Leos waited for the prince’s outburst to calm down.
Once Baros appeared to have quieted, Leos spoke again, maintaining his composure.
“We still have a fallback. We might have lost the Duchy’s advantage, but the Union of Small Kingdoms is in turmoil. The spark of that chaos was undoubtedly something we instigated.”
“So, what?”
Seeing a glimpse of red anger in those dark eyes, Leos swallowed nervously. If he misspoke now, he could easily trigger the prince’s wrath towards himself.
With parched lips, he hurriedly continued.
“By His Majesty’s decree, the succession battle is currently at a standstill. Since the first prince can no longer progress his plans either, this unrest within the Union will contribute to the succession score, opening up a chance for a potential turnaround.”
It was the most hopeful outlook he could provide, and yet there was truth in his words. But…
“That was precisely our intention when we sparked conflict between McLaine and the alliance.”
The prince’s growling voice revealed lingering anger.
“It’s not about McLaine’s significance. The most crucial thing is the throne, Your Highness. Aim higher.”
Only then did the shadow of madness begin to dissipate in those dark eyes. Before long, the prince slumped into his seat, as if all his energy had drained away.
“I apologize for displaying such an unseemly temper.”
With a deep sigh, Baros spoke, and Leos managed to calm his racing heart just a bit.
“I don’t understand why I’ve been behaving like this lately. Whenever I think of Logan McLaine, I lose my composure.”
“Perhaps it’s frustration from a few setbacks.”
“… No. It’s not that.”
“What do you mean?”
“There must be another cause. A reason unknown to me. Something is troubling my mind.”
The prince sounded almost on the brink of madness due to his repeated failures, yet his demeanor was eerily rational, reminiscent of the qualities that once marked him as a potential emperor. Once again, Leos couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope.
“That means…?”
“Summon them. To the palace. When it comes to dealing with people and their minds, those individuals are undoubtedly the best, aren’t they?”
“A single contract is akin to a gamble. If it were to reach His Majesty’s ears by chance…”
“No. We can’t continue like this. It will only deteriorate.”
“It’s a risky venture. For all we know, they might have cast a spell on Your Highness.”
“Our royal family is shielded more in mind than in body, thanks to various magical devices. Have you forgotten?”
That was a tradition born precisely because of those individuals. Leos nearly let these thoughts slip, but the prince, sensing his unspoken words, scoffed.
“No. It all began right after my encounter with Logan McLaine. I keep experiencing strange dreams and an unending rage against him. We must identify the cause before proceeding.”
Despite the vague reasoning, there was a strange conviction in Baros’s voice. Leos, though hesitant, found himself silently concurring.
“Understood. I will make the necessary arrangements.”
“Inform them to come to the palace without delay.”
“They might refuse. The palace is like a death sentence to them.”
“If it’s impossible here, I must visit them.”
“That’s even more hazardous…”
About to protest, Leos froze as he met the prince’s daunting, blood-red gaze. The prince, with a cold and composed stare, was far more terrifying than when his eyes gleamed with madness. Leos had chosen to be his chronicler precisely because of such moments.
“…Understood.”
In the end, Leos decided to delve into forbidden territory once more. As they exchanged these words, a crucial discussion was commencing elsewhere in the core of the imperial palace.
“Baros, the child has reached out to the serpents.”
A middle-aged man’s brow furrowed slightly as he reclined on an imposing throne. It was uncommon for the emperor, the ultimate authority of the empire, to display displeasure.
But when mentioning ‘serpents,’ it was entirely warranted.
– I have verified it myself.
The voice echoed in the space, belonging to a presence unseen even to the emperor, who appeared unperturbed by such insolence.
“How did the child establish connections with them?”
– I couldn’t ascertain that, Your Majesty.
“So, the mad serpents still have ties within the royal family. Disgraceful. Highly disgraceful…”
The emperor drumming his fingers against the armrest indicated his irritation, which persisted even as silence lingered and another voice interjected.
– What is your plan, Your Majesty?
Despite the audacity to rush the emperor, the ruler remained composed.
“Baros. I thought he had potential, but he’s let me down.”
After a pause, the emperor’s voice emerged, chillingly cold.
“We will use Baros as bait. Let him maintain ties with them and use it to locate their headquarters.”
– And the succession?
“Baros is out of the race. But we won’t disclose it. Not until we eradicate those serpents from the empire.”
– As you command.
“I’ll back you with Sword Soul and Slicing Wind. This time, we must eradicate the serpents.”
At the mention of the continent’s most formidable sword(s) and the premier mage in the empire, the voice acknowledged:
– Understood.
That marked the conclusion of the exchange. * * *
Logan had arrived at the border of the Roman Kingdom, one of the four nations of the north, only three days after meeting the king. However, despite sending official orders and communications beforehand, the reception at the border base was far from warm.
“A superhuman fresh from mountain training, you say…?”
Count Karil Zamod’s manner of assessing Logan wasn’t complimentary, regardless of how one tried to interpret it generously.
“You wish to lead the forefront? Even for a superhuman, it would be challenging without the support of knights. I trust you will obey my orders diligently.”
Though not entirely inaccurate, Logan could clearly discern the ambition in Karil’s eyes.
‘He believes he will be the hero of a war he thinks cannot be lost.’
The count’s robust physique and determined, chiseled visage exuded resolve, albeit extending to allies and adversaries alike, which could pose a problem.
Had it not been for the king’s commands and missives, he likely wouldn’t have met with Logan at all. Understanding the man’s mindset, Logan simply nodded without a word.
“Just assign me to the forefront.”
The slight was met with a grimace from Karil, but since Logan was a potential duke within Liberty and his abilities had been validated by the kingdom, the count did not dare provoke him further. Regaining his composure, Karil forced a smile and reluctantly agreed.
“Very well. Rest for now. I will summon you when the battle commences.”
He mentioned coordinating with the knights but provided no formal introduction, his intentions crystal clear. It was so evident that Logan almost chuckled.
‘I might have to step into the fray myself if necessary.’
There was no need for contests of ego. Logan’s aim was to conclude the war swiftly and with minimal damage. To dominate from the outset, there was no merit in petty conflicts with a local commander.
– The war will kick off simultaneously in Triad, Liberty, and Ternan.
Triad, in the heart of the continent, would advance south toward Romero and Tahiti, while Ternan confronted the formidable naval power of Caleron to the east. Wedged between them, Liberty would conquer the Roman Kingdom, sharing ancestral bonds with Romero, then swiftly proceed southward.
A straightforward yet effective strategy pivoting on overwhelming power aimed at engulfing all four nations simultaneously.
‘Capture Roman swiftly and advance south. And then…’
Logan recollected King Ramon I of Triad after concluding a communication with Ronian.
It was truly the third power moving the king’s strings.
– The promise has been honored.
– Ah… Ha ha. As expected, McLaine. I have always placed my trust in you.
– When will the war commence?
– Presently, preparations are in full swing. Ha ha.
The uneasy undertone in the communication suggested those behind the king were even more agitated. If complications arose from Triad’s front, Logan’s expression turned grim.
If Triad stirred trouble…
‘The vanguards of Liberty and Ternan will likely pay a visit to the Triad royal family.’
They would end the war, even if it meant confronting them directly. Or perhaps, that would be preferable. If he and Eileen showcased their might, the kingdoms of the alliance led by Liberty and Ternan would inevitably heed McLaine’s counsel.
As Logan organized his thoughts, he closed his eyes peacefully in his quarters, provided by Count Karil, for meditation.
‘The pieces are in place; now I wonder how the Empire will act.’
Frankly, he was weary of all the scheming. With world-altering power at his fingertips, why persist in plotting?
Yet, he had a sense of their objective.
‘They crave chaos.’
Just as McLaine did, the empire sought to weaken neighboring nations. Perhaps it was a preliminary move in anticipation of invasion. If so, Logan would quash that chaos far sooner than they expected.
‘And even forge the kingdom alliance as our allies.’
Strategies flowed in Logan’s mind and in the minds of the Eyes of Flame and Damian, charged with fervor.
Three days passed in this manner, and then the Liberty kingdom army began to mobilize. But what they encountered defied Logan’s expectations.
“March forward!”
Over two thousand knights, more than fifty thousand soldiers — the entire might of Liberty’s forces crossed the border. The Roman army, reputedly less than half in strength, posed minimal resistance.
As soldiers, knights, and commanders, brimming with visions of triumph, advanced, their victory seemed almost predetermined. In just three days, they overcame the first fortress, which barely mounted a defense.
Enthralled by the joy of triumph, Count Karil Zamod sneered at Logan.
“It appears we won’t even need a superhuman. Just watch from the sidelines.”
Three days later, another fortress fell, and then another. Soon enough, Liberty’s forces stood before the capital of the Roman Kingdom, their morale soaring.
“The enemy has capitulated!”
“Charge!”
While a few commanders and Logan felt apprehensive, a sudden shift unfolded on the battlefield.
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