Regressor of the Fallen Family Novel - Chapter 311
Chapter 311: The Inescapable Complexities of the Globe
It’s a fact that pleasant moments are temporary in this realm.
Nonetheless, Logan couldn’t suppress a scowl upon receiving the report at an inconvenient juncture.
“A messenger from the Office of the Eastern Duke of the Imperial Region? Not an emissary from the Empire itself?”
“Yes. They mention it’s regarding negotiations for the expanding commerce with the realm.”
“Is Philip excelling too much that it’s becoming an issue?”
“It goes beyond that…”
“Regardless, decline. The royal family doesn’t directly involve themselves in trade affairs.”
It may sound absurd, denying the presence of the Maclaine Corporation, but there were countless justifications to be provided if necessary.
However.
“It appears we can’t reject this one.”
“Why?”
“The visitor is reportedly a princess.”
“A princess?”
What is the meaning of this now?
“…She is rumored to have brought up an engagement with Count Ronian as another motive for her visit.”
“Engagement? But leaving that aside, she’s arriving in person?”
“I have never encountered such a scenario before.”
The expression on Dwain, the bearer of the report, mirrored equal bewilderment.
‘So that’s why Dwain came in with him.’
Logan’s attention naturally shifted to Damian, who stood alongside Dwain.
“Indeed, there is a Princess Luisa von Aserian, 29 years old. It’s uncommon for imperial nobility to remain unwed at that age, and she curiously lacks any public activities records.”
“…So they might present an entire stranger as a princess.”
“Yes.”
“Sire, wouldn’t that be going too far…? What if the engagement does materialize…”
Dwain interjected in horror, yet Logan and Damian’s expressions remained unaltered.
“It won’t happen.”
“Yes, it won’t.”
Assured by their resolute responses, Dwain’s countenance fell, but Logan had no time to spare for his vassal’s sentiments.
‘I assumed they would employ some deception.’
A princess? An engagement?
It was an entirely unforeseen approach.
While Logan was left dumbfounded, Damian’s voice interrupted his train of thought.
“We can’t simply reject an envoy.”
Naturally.
To rebuff an envoy, especially one from the imperial nobility proposing an engagement?
That would be inviting conflict.
The relationship with the Empire was already beyond repair. Logan understood the Empire would wage war, and the Empire knew Logan stood in opposition.
Yet, international affairs couldn’t solely function based on emotions.
‘It’s not the right time. Not with the magical formations either.’
Their side, already lacking in military strength, had no intention of providing the Empire with any pretext for war.
“We have no option but to accept.”
“Yes.”
“Inform Ronian to enter the palace, and delegate the ‘protection’ duty of the envoy to him. We can’t afford any mishaps, understood?”
“…Yes, I understand.”
They would also need to reassess their strategies given this unexpected turn of events.
“The concern we harbored, it’s not necessary for it to originate from the envoy, right? Even if they resort to other schemes.”
On their exit from the office, Logan mumbled to himself, his unease palpable. Damian promptly concurred.
“Of course.”
“But why would she come?”
“…”
Damian hesitated to respond immediately, but eventually, he tentatively spoke.
“Unless she’s not a princess but a spy.”
“Capable of executing something within the royal palace?”
“Yes. There are speculations about the knights, and from the Empire’s standpoint, they would naturally be inquisitive.”
“Indeed, that makes sense.”
At Damian’s remark, Logan nodded with a composed expression.
While they had been cautious about maintaining secrecy, it was unrealistic to expect stringent security from all 30,000 knights equipped with artifacts.
Naturally, rumors regarding the artifacts held by Maclaine knights had circulated, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Empire caught wind of it.
“Besides, there was the recent explosion incident at the mage tower.”
“Cough. Hm. I wonder if those matters are interconnected.”
Having been the instigator of that incident, Logan couldn’t help but feel ashamed.
“Of course, the supply of artifacts is overseen by Taren, so there’ll be no revelations at the palace, but let’s prepare with that in mind.”
Ah.
That reminded him of another concern.
Research on the grand magic formation.
‘It’s still incomplete.’
The thought that such an oversight might link them to the Empire caused Logan to bite his lip.
“…Absolutely forbid access to the mage tower. Even if not for that, we still have things to conceal.”
“Yes, I will do so.”
“Also, remind Ronian that I’ve cautioned him.”
“Yes.”
While the Maclaine leadership, including Logan, remained on edge,
just a week later, the messenger from the Eastern Duke’s Office entered the Maclaine royal palace.
* * *
– The emissary and Princess of the Imperial East Duke’s Office, Her Highness Luisa von Aserian, has arrived.
“Allow her entry.”
The doors to the grand hall swung open, and the entourage entered gradually.
The first to capture attention was, undoubtedly, the woman at the forefront, garbed in a pink attire.
It was a customary outing garb that noblewomen of the period would don—scarcely suitable for imperial nobility.
Nevertheless, despite her modest attire, the woman’s countenance radiated beauty.
Glistening blue eyes, skin so fair it appeared translucent, exquisite features, and particularly crimson lips. Her lengthy, jet-black hair cascading down to her waist accentuated her beauty more than any jewelry could.
“Ah…”
“Indeed, befitting of a princess…”
“Stunning…”
Exclamations erupted from the lips of the nobles, and even Logan, observing from his seat, was unsettled.
‘Is she genuinely a princess?’
He had been convinced she was a sham, yet the unexpected beauty had thrown him off.
In this epoch, regardless of one’s innate attractiveness, without proper care, they could deteriorate swiftly. Commoners, merchants, or even offspring of knights or mages, if their skin was smooth and their teeth even, were typically deemed attractive.
Especially flawless and fair skin was indicative of being reared in a noble household from a young age unless magic was at play.
Logan scrutinized the woman, who appeared to be a legitimate princess, with a conflicted gaze until the woman, escorted only by two knights and four attendants, advanced ten paces and knelt before him.
“Princess Luisa von Aserian shows reverence to the Sun of Maclaine.”
By then, Logan’s moniker had solidified like a nickname.
Her tone and demeanor hinted at having received a thorough education.
‘Either a meticulously trained spy or a true princess.’
The priority was to search for magic if she was entangled in imperial machinations.
“The journey must have been arduous, princess. Pardon us for the lack of preparation owing to this unforeseen visit.”
Though the mage battalions would have vetted in advance, they wouldn’t have scrutinized the princess thoroughly. Logan responded courteously, cautiously utilizing his Force to concentrate his senses.
In that instant, his heightened extrasensory perception meticulously combed through the princess who was in proximity.
Soon after, Logan’s countenance, which had worn a formal smile, hardened.
Unaware of his altered expression, the princess replied with a genial smile to Logan’s greeting.
“No, I am fully aware it was a sudden request. I am content that you do not blame me for the intrusion, ‘Sire.’”
The nobles’ expressions tensed slightly at the weight of that one term.
The royalty of the Empire addressing a foreign king as Sire instead of Your Majesty?
Surprised glances were exchanged, and only then did Logan, recollecting himself, return the smile and regard the princess.
“Commerce matters will be managed by the staff, but the proposition of marriage was genuinely unexpected. Not to mention your personal arrival. May I ask if there is a specific reason?”
“Do you anticipate a particular reason? Just regard it as a maiden, who forfeited her prime marriage years due to ill health, hastening herself to extend a personal visit.”
Taken aback by the princess’s jest, those nearby chuckled lightly, and Logan forced a smile, shaking his head.
“I have summoned my brother to the palace, but it seems your arrival is more imminent than anticipated. Please stay in the palace and wait a bit longer. We also have a reception planned, so kindly relish your time here.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s gracious hospitality.”
Finally realizing the usage of ‘Your Majesty,’ Logan stiffened momentarily.
* * *
“Is she truly the princess? What are your thoughts?”
Following the meeting in the grand hall, Damian swiftly approached with a subdued voice.
Logan dropped the facade and responded with a steely expression.
“She’s a sorceress.”
“…Pardon me?”
“And she wields the same mana as those of the Black Serpents. It doesn’t matter whether she is a genuine princess or not anymore.”
Damian’s countenance turned grave.
A sorceress? One of the superhumans?
That young woman?
“But the mage battalions already inspected her…”
“Their magic system is distinct. If I hadn’t encountered those individuals before, I would have been deceived by her act.”
Logan recollected the recent scenario.
Even at the pinnacle of heightened senses, he hadn’t detected anything amiss. It wasn’t until he activated his specialty and focused all his strength on detection that he could finally discern it.
The discreetly concealed six circles.
The notion of an imperial princess not yet in her thirties being a sorceress was shocking enough, to start with, let alone linking her to the Black Serpents…
“…How could this occur? Then what precisely was Aserian’s intent?”
“I’ll heighten the guard to maximum capacity. Even if it causes some discomfort.”
“No, maintain the current system. We can’t afford to arouse unnecessary suspicion.”
“But if she’s a sorceress…”
“Let it be. I’ll assign Victor and Burdel to the task.”
“Ah, in that case…”
Burdel would be kept at a distance, merely observing, and Victor would be instructed to escort her while concealing his aura.
Logan envisioned Princess Luisa’s smiling visage, his gaze growing unyielding.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the palace, the princess and her close aides engaged in a similar discussion.
“Did you verify?”
“…”
“Princess?”
“No, I can’t grasp it. If it eluded me, then it’s beyond mid-level as the Second Prince stated.”
With a troubled furrow, Luisa shook her head, her expression laden with challenges.
“Could he be utilizing some special artifact, like one of Grandia’s treasures, the Crown of Sovereignty?”
“But even that’s a Class 5 artifact. Do you believe I couldn’t see through something like that?”
Confronted with her icy gaze, the knight, or rather the mage disguised as a knight, promptly lowered his head.
“My apologies.”
Fools.
‘As always, those who’ve been brainwashed possess diminished intellect.’
Shaking her head, Luisa quietly issued new directives.
“We must witness the king wield his power. We can’t rely solely on the rumors of his golden Force. I must confirm for myself whether it’s ‘that power’ or simply some unique yellow Force.”
Logan Maclaine.
Could he truly be the one the Grandmaster was seeking?
If he is…
Luisa’s tongue, crimson like blood, sinuously glided over her even redder lips.
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