Regressor of the Fallen Family Novel - Chapter 178 (New)

Chapter 178: An Unexpected Meeting of the Kin

As the declaration from Ronian reached the ears of his parents, the two responded in vastly different ways.

“An elite knight possesses more than enough skill to navigate the world safely. I fully support this,” the father remarked, a grin of satisfaction spreading across his face.

“Absolutely not! Why on earth would you go looking for trouble? For what reason?!” the stepmother cried out, her countenance shifting into a mask of distress.

Logan could sympathize with her anxiety, but having given his word to his sibling, he felt obligated to attempt to win her over.

“Ronian has reached the point where he needs to understand the wider world, Mother.”

“No! That is ridiculous! Do you have any idea how many tears I shed every time you departed for the front lines? Peace has finally settled upon us, and now you expect me to live in fear once more?!”

“But didn’t you always tell me to be courageous and strong…?”

“There is no comparison between your situation and this child’s!”

“…..”

The head of the house, who had returned from the civil conflict with life-threatening injuries, slumped down with a pained look, while Merian remained steadfast in her refusal.

“In any case, the answer is a firm no!”

“Mother…..”

It seemed Merian was intentionally ignoring Ronian’s desperate gaze, perhaps fearing that looking at him would break her resolve. She stood up from the table, not offering her son so much as a parting glance.

“This conversation is over! I am completely against it. There is nothing left to discuss!”

Her unwillingness to even debate the matter was crystal clear.

Ronian, finding himself without any further points to argue, turned his eyes toward Logan in a silent plea.

‘Big brother. I can’t reach her. Please help me!’

Recognizing the desperation in his brother’s eyes, Logan let out a weary breath and spoke to his stepmother as she began to walk away.

“Mother, Ronian is on the verge of manhood. We cannot shelter him like a toddler indefinitely. Please, think of what is best for Ronian’s growth.”

“You hit the nail on the head. He is almost a man, but he isn’t one yet! Are we truly going to cast a boy like that out into the wilderness entirely on his own?”

Logan thought about mentioning that he wouldn’t exactly be solo, but he realized that wouldn’t address the core issue.

“Mother. While Ronian is indeed young, he is also a veteran who has turned the tide of battle on multiple occasions. He has more than earned the right to determine his own destiny.”

These were standard arguments for such a debate, but they held no weight with Merian, whose vision was clouded by maternal instinct.

“Is this your doing? Did you plant this idea in his head to go out and endure hardship?”

Logan’s sigh grew heavier as he saw a familiar spark of defiance in her eyes, a look she often wore when she disagreed with him.

“I was actually opposed to the idea initially.”

“Then why are you suddenly advocating for it?”

“Ronian’s own conviction persuaded me.”

“What?”

“He has a burning desire to see the world and eventually eclipse my own strength. Because of that, I gave him my blessing.”

Logan’s brief summary failed to bridge the gap.

“Ronian possesses rare gifts. Mother, do you truly want him to settle for being just the younger son of the Maclain household? He has the capacity to be recognized as the premier knight of the entire realm. It is only fair that we let him chase that destiny.”

Logan spoke with a calm focus on the long-term horizon. A son’s protection versus his ultimate triumph. Merian’s resolve flickered for a second, but her heart quickly retreated to the harbor of safety.

“The world remains far too perilous…”

“If a high-ranking knight like Ronian were to fall into true danger, it would mean the rest of the world has already descended into chaos. You know your fears are reaching toward the extreme.”

“…..”

Logan knew Ronian might intentionally seek out hazards to test his limits, but he strategically omitted that detail to facilitate the persuasion.

However, Merian wouldn’t budge.

“If any harm comes to Ronian, that would be chaos enough for me! Is it a crime for him to just be my son? He hasn’t even reached adulthood! This knight’s journey doesn’t have to happen this second. Just wait a little longer, just a few more years….”

She remained an immovable wall of resistance.

Ronian, who had been quietly watching his stepmother’s face, finally moved to the center of the room.

“Mother. I realize you are worried because you think I am not ready.”

“That isn’t it. You are my powerful, talented son…”

“If it were my elder brother announcing his departure, would you fight him this fiercely?”

“That isn’t what I meant. I only…”

“Mother. I give you my word that I will come back unharmed. I will sharpen my skills, become even more resilient than my brother, and return as a son you can be proud of. I am asking you to trust me.”

“Ronian….”

Ronian reached out and took his mother’s hands. His eyes were as steady as they had been at the start, and under that unwavering gaze, her own eyes finally stopped searching for an escape.

In that moment, Logan realized that the boy’s heartfelt appeal had finally breached her defenses.

‘The little rascal, playing the part of the helpless child when he’s actually quite the negotiator.’

And just as he suspected.

“….When did you become so grown up?”

Merian’s voice held a note of surrender, much like Logan’s had a few hours prior, followed by a soft, defeated sigh. As she reached up to brush her son’s hair, her eyes brimming with moisture, she finally took note of the fact that he was now taller than she was.

The entire family, including the young man at the center of the storm, waited in a heavy silence until a more composed Merian spoke again.

“Is this truly something you must do?”

“Yes. I am certain this is the path I need to take.”

“You will promise not to take unnecessary risks, won’t you?”

“….Yes. Naturally.”

Ronian stumbled over his words for a split second, caught off guard, but he regained his footing after receiving a subtle signal from his brother. A small deception to bring peace to his mother’s mind was a small price to pay. With that, Merian eventually gave a nod of consent.

“Very well. Go, but return to us safely. And ensure you send word to us frequently.”

“I will, Mother.”

“My goodness. When did my boy get so…”

The two shared a warm, lingering embrace. With that final hurdle cleared, Ronian’s solitary quest was officially sanctioned.

“Are you certain you want to head out with so little preparation?”

Logan looked around at the stark, empty landscape. The second son of the house was embarking on a trek of unknown duration, yet only he and the parents had come to say their goodbyes. Logan felt a bit troubled by the lack of ceremony, but Ronian had been the one to insist on a quiet departure, and his tone remained light and adventurous.

“Why make such a scene? Think of it as nothing more than a long walk.”

His younger sibling was treating a journey that might span years as if it were a simple errand. This gave Logan a sense of relief, especially compared to how he felt when the topic was first raised.

“Fine then. If things become too difficult or you feel you’ve achieved what you set out to do, come home at once.”

“I will return the moment my objectives are met.”

Logan embraced his brother, who met him with a smile, preparing for the final farewell. As they pulled apart, Logan’s sharp ears caught the sound of quiet sobbing from nearby.

‘Mother is taking it hard…’

While Logan was confident in his brother’s martial prowess, he knew that a lack of worldly experience could lead to disaster. He felt compelled to offer a final bit of guidance.

“So. We’ve covered this, but tell me again: what is the single most vital rule to remember when traveling alone as a sellsword or a wandering knight?”

“Never give your trust away cheaply.”

“Correct. And why is that?”

“Because people will hide their true motives. They will gravitate toward anyone with talent or coin, looking for a way to exploit them.”

Logan nodded, satisfied with the answer.

“Exactly. You can parry a blade that comes at you from the front, but a dagger in the back is often fatal before you even feel the steel. Be ever vigilant of those around you.”

“I understand, brother.”

“And one more thing…”

“…?”

“Be particularly careful when it comes to women. With your abilities and your appearance, you will inevitably draw their attention, and in those moments…”

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“You have told me this several times now.”

“I know, but listen once more. In those situations…”

Ronian let out a small laugh at his brother’s doggedness, but Logan’s expression remained dead serious.

‘This is the kind of wisdom that keeps a man alive, kid.’

He was trying to condense decades of hard-earned experience from his previous life into a few final lessons for his brother’s benefit. However, as the minutes ticked by, Ronian’s face became increasingly blank.

“Brother, I think that’s plenty…”

“What? No, I’m just getting to the critical part. If you ever find your unit pinned down at the front, then you must…”

“Brother! You’ve repeated that three times already…”

“I have?”

Logan realized his brother looked genuinely exhausted, and the shifting shadows on the ground told him a significant amount of time had passed. Furthermore…

“…otherwise I’m leaving first thing tomorrow.”

“I’m perfectly happy staying right here.”

“Oh, stop it. Either way…”

“It was only a figure of speech.”

The muffled bickering of their parents reached Logan’s ears, making him feel a sudden flash of embarrassment.

“Alright, alright. Have a safe journey. Don’t neglect your letters and reports. If you’re late in checking in, I’ll come and find you myself.”

“I hear you! I’ll make sure to keep you posted!”

Ronian’s face lit up so suddenly that he looked like a convict who had just been handed a pardon, though Logan told himself it was just a trick of the light.

“Goodbye!”

“Write to us!”

As their parents shouted their final farewells, Ronian turned and began his trek. Logan watched him go, feeling as though the threads of the future had shifted.

“I’m starting to cry again. Hah, but I’m right here. If Ronian looks back, he’ll see us standing here. How can he just walk away and leave us worrying? Children… honestly.”

Patrick chuckled softly as he pulled his weeping wife into a comforting hold.

“Sniff. Be quiet. Sigh. I’d be much more relieved if he just stayed home, you know.”

“We have to let our children live their own lives once they’re grown. It’s their turn to worry about us now.”

“But I can’t help it.”

“Didn’t you use up all your worry on me when I was away at war?”

“What are you talking about? It wasn’t like that at all.”

Merian looked at Patrick with a confused expression.

“Why were you only worried about Ronian…?”

“I said what I said. Of course I was concerned. For you, for Logan.”

“Ah… Haha. I knew it, see?”

“What is this? Are you actually jealous of your own son?”

“It isn’t… jealousy….”

Patrick gave her a sheepish grin.

“Don’t you worry. I’m done with all that.”

Merian wiped her eyes, her expression turning quite firm.

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Instead of wasting energy on worry, I will focus on preparation. I’ll make sure that whenever Ronian decides to return, he has a warm and comfortable home waiting for him.”

“…Well, if that’s the plan, I’m all for it.”

Patrick finally relaxed, offering a broad smile.

“You should probably step back from the estate’s daily business and let Logan take the lead on more of it.”

“He’s doing a fantastic job, so what’s the issue? As you suggested, let’s focus on being a place of rest for the kids.”

“I’ll handle the home. You handle the work. Logan has been losing sleep over the fortifications lately.”

“Not that much, I still have to keep an eye on the knights…”

The sounds of their playful arguing drifted through Maclain Castle as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

‘I must be diligent in my preparations to ensure all of this remains safe.’

Watching them from a distance with a smile, Logan reaffirmed his own commitment.

“My brother is truly something else…”

With the orange glow of the sunset behind him, Ronian laughed as he thought about the lecture he had just endured. It had felt like being interrogated while standing up—how many hours had Logan spent talking about the life of a mercenary? He knew it came from a place of deep brotherly love, but it still felt like being treated like a child.

‘That is why I have to come back significantly stronger.’

As he braced himself with this new resolve, he reached the edge of the Maclain plains. There, silhouetted against the setting sun, stood a man with distinctive blue hair. He looked as though he had been waiting for a long time, his footwear covered in the dust of the road. Ronian broke into a grin and called out.

“Viktor! How long have you been standing there? I thought you’d turned into a landmark!”

As he drew closer, Viktor offered a crooked smile.

“You’re one to talk. How long can a single goodbye take? I was starting to think I had the wrong day.”

The two greeted each other with the easy familiarity of old friends, swapping jokes, bumping fists, and sharing a brief, firm hug.

“Watch your back out there.”

The words were simple, but they were heavy with genuine care, prompting Ronian to smile back with equal sincerity.

“When I return, I’ll be so powerful I’ll be able to beat you with one hand tied behind my back. Don’t slack off while I’m gone.”

Viktor laughed at the playful boast.

“Just focus on coming home in one piece. Even if you don’t get any stronger, I’ll still look out for you.”

“What was that, you rascal?”

Laughter rang out in the twilight, and with the farewell of his closest friend in the territory fading behind him, Ronian stepped forward into the unknown.