Regressor of the Fallen Family Novel - Chapter 135 (New)

“A setback…? While Greina and Morgan might not perfectly embody their lofty reputations, their combined forces should surely equal the military might of a well-established baronetcy, right?”

“Reports indicate they were completely wiped out. Because of that, the specific details remain elusive… It appears the Maclaine thugs possessed more hidden strength than we realized. Please accept my apologies.”

“Hmph. This is infuriating. Not only did they dismantle the Border Count’s legions twice, but they also maintain a garrison within their own borders that outclasses a viscount’s army… How does a mere baronetcy, which stole a count’s territory through deceit, amplify its power so significantly in just six months? Even if we credit that new projectile weapon, does any of this follow logic?”

Juan Douglas let out a heavy, weary breath, whispering as if lost in thought. He eventually reached a private verdict.

“They must have been plotting this for years. Ha… It wasn’t a harmless bat after all, but a hidden viper.”

Even with his expertise as a wizard, the concept of turning common laborers into a force capable of neutralizing knights—and providing the training to do so—was outside his realm of comprehension. Such was the mental wall faced not just by him, but by the majority of the continent’s nobility.

However, he was not a man to stay idle while facing a problem.

“Ramp up the manufacturing of the repeating crossbows immediately. Ensure their effective distance is increased, and send them to the front-line defenses as soon as they come off the line!”

“Understood!”

“And what about the breakdown of those cursed single-use artifacts?”

“We’ve isolated a handful of the components, but… we require more time to determine the precise chemical balance.”

“Don’t tell me about ‘time’… You’re essentially telling me you’re failing. We need more physical units to study or we need to find the person making them. What is the status of the operatives we planted among them?”

“There is fresh data. A significant conflict occurred in the heart of Maclaine shortly before our own engagement….”

“What was that?”

Juan Douglas’s face twisted with fresh irritation as his subordinate detailed the internal events of Maclaine.

“… It seems that event took place. Consequently, their internal security has become airtight, making it nearly impossible to get near their restricted zones.”

“What kind of idiots are they?! Who authorized a move without notifying me! Which brainless fool did this!!”

“Actually, regarding that specific point, we received a strange message. It came from the camp of the Second Prince….”

The Duke’s burning anger suddenly turned into a cold chill as he listened to the rest of the report.

“… Ha, I never saw that coming. How fascinating. Truly fascinating. Very well, let us stick to the original plan.”

Within the fortifications of Haroon Castle, the stronghold of the First Prince’s supporters, subtle shifts were beginning to take place.

Protracted waiting will yield no benefits. The moment has arrived to break the stagnant rhythm of this war.

Working from the broad strategy he had been meditating on, Logan was refining the details of a new proposal. Just as he was preparing for the right window to introduce his shift in tactics, a bizarre claim was shouted during the high command briefing.

“I have finished every possible test. There is absolutely no way that explosive can be manufactured using the instructions Maclaine provided! I demand that Maclaine hand over the authentic blueprints so the faction can begin mass production!”

Roger Bifrost’s face was crimson with rage as he yelled, the cords in his neck standing out. Logan found the outburst ridiculous, but since he had indeed intentionally provided a sabotaged formula for the Liberatio, he had to mount a defense.

“You performed tests? Under these conditions? Furthermore, Tamil powder and Temes’ glue are seasonal materials that aren’t even harvestable right now; where did you source them?”

He referred to the ingredients included in the fraudulent recipe.

“I was prudent enough to have stocks of the materials set aside for research purposes. And the results were an absolute ‘disaster’.”

“Are you implying that you simply made a mistake in the lab, my lord?”

“Logan Maclaine, watch your mouth! I am a wizard of the fifth circle….”

Bang. Bang.

“Count. We are in a formal assembly; please show a baseline level of respect.”

“… I am sorry.”

The fifth-circle mage, his face still flushed, sat back down with a look of pure resentment. Nevertheless, the figurative bomb he had thrown remained active.

“Logan. While Count Bifrost’s delivery was somewhat aggressive, he is not a man known for making up fantasies. Can you validate your method?”

“… I beg your pardon?”

“Since you are providing the finished explosives, you clearly have the supplies. It seems reasonable that you should be able to show us the assembly process firsthand. Surely a few demonstrations wouldn’t be an issue?”

The Count still carried weight despite Maclaine’s rising influence, and his argument seemed to pique the Duke’s interest. Roger Bifrost quickly seized the opening.

“Exactly! If he cannot validate it, then he is lying to His Highness and the entire alliance; Maclaine must be held to account….”

“Roger! That’s too much. I told you to mind your manners, didn’t I?”

The Duke’s sharp rebuke made Roger’s face darken even further. Yet, even as he was scolded, the look he gave Logan—who was staring back in shock—made Logan pause.

‘Where is this confidence coming from?’

If Roger’s claim was proven false after such a scene, the fallout would be catastrophic for him. Given his already precarious standing, a failure here would finish his reputation within the faction.

‘He’s too certain. But there isn’t a lab here, nor is there a dedicated space for such dangerous work. He couldn’t have actually tested it. So, what’s his angle?’

Suddenly, Logan recalled a conversation he’d had via communication crystal with his brother regarding a rumor involving a knight.

– And brother, it’s not confirmed, but based on what the knight said…

Two separate, blurry pieces of evidence clicked together into a clear picture in Logan’s mind.

‘It was you.’

It wasn’t the First Prince’s men who had kidnapped the dwarves; it was Bifrost. If he had compared the notes from the captured dwarves under Coogan with the fake recipe Logan had supplied, it would explain this reaction perfectly. He didn’t need a lab test; he had the testimony.

A fresh wave of fury surged through Logan, but he knew better than to reveal it in such a fragile partnership.

‘This is the reality of this “alliance.”’

Defeat the enemy, yes—but ensure the allies take the brunt of the casualties while you stay safe. They practically prayed for their partners to suffer more. The selfish nature of this coalition was becoming painful to watch. It was a stark reminder of why this partnership was destined to fail, but Logan kept his composure perfectly.

“We managed to hold them off, fortunately, but the forces inside that castle are undoubtedly hatching new plans. As you are aware, our own territory has already faced raids from the First Prince’s local loyalists.”

As he spoke, Logan scanned the room. Neither the Border Count, the dukes, nor the marquesses looked even slightly surprised.

‘They knew.’

Logan had first heard about the raids from Marquess Esren of the Second Prince’s faction. Yet, despite being “allies,” no one had bothered to warn him.

‘Some alliance this is.’

The members of this group secretly wanted to see each other weakened, even as they fought a common foe. It was a shallow, self-serving bond.

As the Duke tried to steer the topic elsewhere, Logan moved to present his intended offer.

“In light of that, I have a suggestion to put forward.”

“Oh?”

“Maclaine is prepared to take on that necessary burden.”

“… What?”

The room went silent, every eye turning toward Logan.

‘They must be wondering why I’m volunteering for the meat grinder.’

Maclaine currently held a very strong position within the Second Prince’s camp thanks to their military contributions.

‘In my previous life, the true descent into madness didn’t start until after this winter.’

While things were different this time, there is always a point where both sides realize the war won’t end quickly, and the conflict turns into something far darker. Assassinations and internal purges become common, and the war shifts into a total scorched-earth policy, draining every resource and using mercenaries to level entire regions. Agriculture is halted, conscription becomes a death sentence, and refugees turn into desperate pioneers or bloodthirsty bandits.

‘I have to end this civil war before the kingdom burns to the ground.’

This was the core of Logan’s gamble.

“Maclaine will volunteer for the vanguard in the most hazardous sector: we will storm Haroon Castle.”

The sheer boldness of the statement changed the Duke’s expression.

“… Give me the specifics.”

“We will move through the southern mountain ranges to stay out of the enemy’s sight and approach the eastern ramparts. It will take a few days of travel, but if the primary host carries out a well-timed diversion, we can launch a surprise strike on the eastern gate. If our assault aligns with a full-scale push from the main army, we can pin the enemy inside with no hope of escape.”

“Wait…?”

The plan was simple but undeniably effective. Everyone was paralyzed by the fear of loss, creating a deadlock. If one piece moved selfsacrificingly, the board would open up.

“… That is certainly brave, but wouldn’t your forces be in extreme peril? If the enemy tries to break out, they will almost certainly funnel their entire weight through the eastern side.”

It meant Maclaine would be the anvil receiving the final, desperate blow of the First Prince’s army. If that entire force focused on one point, an entire house—even a powerful one—could be wiped out.

“We are prepared to accept those consequences.”

“Really?”

This was exactly what Yordan Valtermien wanted to hear. If Maclaine was willing to play the martyr, he saw no reason to keep up the boring siege. But it made him suspicious.

“Why?”

Why volunteer for a possible death sentence when you’re already the top candidate for rewards? Yordan’s short question carried a world of doubt.

Logan, however, had the one answer that a greedy man would always believe.

“In exchange, if this move brings an end to the war, I am asking for an additional prize beyond what was previously agreed upon.”

A prize. The perfect bait for the suspicious. Yordan’s eyes narrowed with renewed interest.

“A prize? What is it you want?”

“I want Maclaine to be elevated to the rank of Marquis, and I want the entirety of the Caelia Marquisate’s lands.”

“…That’s insane.”

Roger Bifrost’s muttered insult captured the general feeling of the room. But Logan wasn’t finished.

“If you and the Prince give me a signed, written guarantee, I will commit my entire house to this operation.”

The demand for a paper trail made the Duke’s expression harden.

“Hmph… That’s a tall order. A written promise? Do you doubt my integrity?”

“It is not about doubt, your grace. I need a concrete reason to justify this level of sacrifice to my people. I hope you can see the logic in that.”

A massive, greedy demand for compensation. Logan hoped this would satisfy the Duke’s suspicion that there was a hidden motive. However, the Duke’s own greed was a complicated beast.

“… Very well. But before you depart for the mountains, you will leave three wagonloads of those magic explosives here. I cannot have our siege capabilities crippled while your house is away.”

The Duke spoke after a long pause. Logan’s eyes flickered. Refusing now would ruin the plan.

‘He still hasn’t let go of what Bifrost said. He wants to study them. Fine….’

No matter how many units they had, they would never reverse-engineer the manufacturing process. The Empire of his past life had proven that. And besides, Maclaine wouldn’t be around to answer questions by the time they realized it.

Logan gave a sharp nod.

“…Understood.”

The Duke finally broke into a satisfied smile.

“Excellent. A truly noble choice. When the castle falls, everything you’ve requested will be yours. I will provide the document.”

“I am grateful, your grace.”

Logan bowed, thinking it was settled, but someone else spoke up.

“The Bifrost house will also lead a separate assault on the southern gate of Haroon Castle.”

Roger Bifrost stood tall, his expression set in stone.

‘What?’

Logan stared at him in genuine shock, a feeling shared by everyone in the room. Maclaine was currently being treated as a power equivalent to two or three border counts or a full marquis. Bifrost, by comparison, was currently a house with no foundation, falling further behind every day. The idea that Bifrost could mirror Maclaine’s feat was laughable. It sounded like a suicide pact.

“Roger, are you sure you aren’t overreaching?”

“Not at all. I beg you to let me do this! I do not ask for any special rewards. I simply wish to prove my loyalty to the cause through blood and sacrifice.”

Oh. You?

Logan knew that was a lie.

‘If he’s not losing his mind, he has a hidden agenda.’

There was no doubt about it. As Logan’s mouth quirked into a knowing grin, Duke Yordan laughed and nodded.

“Haha! Well, if you are that determined….”