28 It was two more days later when the main unit of the Macline and the head of the family, Padric Macline, arrived at Tethron Castle.
As soon as he arrived, Padrick heard about what Logan had done and immediately called Logan aside.
“…Haman committed suicide?”
The tone was full of the feeling that I had heard something absurd.
But Logan shamelessly looked at his father.
“Yes. I guess there was a lot of frustration.”
“Did you kill him?”
I flinch.
“…no.”
When Padric saw his son’s eyes looking into the distance for no reason, he let out a long sigh.
“Ha… Then again, all of his sons died while dueling with you?”
“I only challenged you to a duel because you don’t know the topic and insult me.”
If those who died protesting in a hushed voice to be treated as nobles heard this, their clothes would have turned upside down.
“Force users to ordinary people?”
“Honor has nothing to do with the Force.”
“Umm… Logan, you can be honest.”
Logan, who saw his father’s changed eyes at Padrick’s words after a long sigh and a groan that seemed to be drowning out something, calmly told the real reason.
“Yes. I killed him on purpose.”
“why?”
“The Tethron Territory must be placed under our Macline again. I did not want to leave any trouble by keeping the bloodline alive.”
“Haven’t you ever thought about the possibility of keeping him alive and making him a retainer?”
“yes.”
Padric frowned for a moment at the short answer that came out without delay.
But he wasn’t as angry or angry as before.
This war made him clearly aware that his eldest son was an adult who was out of his arms.
He acknowledged that he was an adult with different thoughts rather than someone whose mistakes should be taught and corrected.
‘It may have been too much, but there must be a reason.’
Compared to a few days ago, it was a truly absurd change in thinking.
The son who protected the family despite cold treatment and disregard was worthy of such trust.
And there were too many urgent matters to worry about such ‘trivial’ issues.
“Haaa….”
Only a long sigh replaced the regret that could not be expressed in words.
“Okay, okay. Let’s go in. Anything else?”
“Precious metals and other wealth were gathered in one place. For all other matters, we gathered Tethron officials and had them write a report.”
“Officials?”
“A total of twelve administrative officials did not bother to touch it because they thought it would be necessary.”
“…Okay, good job.”
The leader of the conquerors and his son entered the main hall of Thesron Castle to confirm the achievements they had made.
* * * It was only a week after the war began that the McLane family’s troops returned to their hometown.
Since the actual war ended in just one day, it was safe to say that the process of traveling to and from Tethron territory was the entire period.
Nevertheless, the residents of the territory who welcomed the returning troops cheered as if they were welcoming a war hero who returned after several years.
“Long live the McLane family!”
“Long live Patrick McLane!”
People shed tears of joy as they hugged their fathers and sons who had returned safely, and endlessly shouted hurray.
Since the war started in desperate circumstances, the victory was even more thrilling.
And the most incongruous cheer among them reached Logan’s ears.
“Long live Archduke Logan!”
Logan waved his hand with a dazed look on his face at the unexpected cheers.
‘It’s been a few days…’
He was a little taken aback by the faster-than-expected change, but the rumor had already spread as fast as it could.
Archduke Logan made the greatest contribution in the war.
At first, many people did not believe it, but the testimonies of the families who returned to their arms were more than rumors.
As a result, the negative rumors about Logan that had been accumulating for a while disappeared as if they had been washed away at some point.
And what took its place was only praise, which even the person involved was embarrassed to hear.
Genius insight and even more amazing military power. A talent like no other in the world.
The rumors about Karok’s meaty behavior were understood as ‘eccentricities of a genius that criminals would not understand’, and the rumors about Logan’s past villainy were also covered up with the absurd pretense that Logan was acting to hide his own excellence.
Logan’s face turned a little red at the ridiculous joke made on the spot in the middle of the triumphal procession.
“How do you feel, brother? Everyone is praising you!”
“Praise only makes your face get hot. You should do it in moderation, Ronnie.”
Those words were sincere. In fact, it was a major that was achieved solely by knowing the future.
No matter how thick-faced he was, he couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed to be evaluated as all of his talents.
However, there was also a reason why Logan couldn’t help but smile inwardly with satisfaction.
“I thought the Archduke would do something in the end!”
Rick has suddenly returned from being a soldier to serving as an attendant.
“In fact, Confucius has won!”
Heinkel, the knight commander who was usually quiet.
“That’s right, Confucius! This victory is yours!”
Additionally, no knight around him objected to the embarrassing compliment.
My previous life where I was kicked out and pointed at by everyone. And the family that was ruined.
The two pains that remained as resentment in my past life disappeared.
That made me feel relieved, and it was a struggle to keep my shoulders from rising.
‘Let’s stay calm. It’s starting now. The future is even better…’
Even though I tried to console myself, I couldn’t stop the muscles on my face from smiling.
“Come on! Let’s show everyone who is the biggest contributor to this war!”
“Wow!”
Following one knight’s shout, the surrounding knights rushed towards Logan.
And then the rinse began.
“Long live Prince Logan!”
“hurray!”
The hands of the knights raised to the sky, the pleasant gaze of the people of the territory gathered together.
A joyful scream that he could no longer hide came from Logan’s mouth as he was thrown high into the sky.
“Hahahahahaha!”
* * * The noisy welcome ceremony that lasted for a while came to an end and the main figures of the territory gathered in the conference room.
Heinkel attended alone as a representative of the knights instead of the five knights left behind to temporarily manage the Tethron territory.
Five administrative officials, including treasurer Dwayne.
And the McLane family.
Padric declared with everyone in a bright mood except for Marian, who had a gloomy face.
“From now on, I will start talking about territory warfare. Dwayne.”
“Yes. I will report the results to you.”
Dwayne recited the results of the war in a calm voice.
Tethron Territory budget balance: 4.32 million gold in cash.
Precious metals with an estimated value of about 1 million gold.
Grain with an estimated value of 300,000 gold.
Tethron Castle and territory are a plain of nearly 500 hectares (5 ㎢).
This was a huge material gain for the McLane family through this war.
“That is all.”
“Wow!”
It was natural that cheers erupted the moment Dwayne finished speaking.
“It seems like the Tethron family had a lot more money than we expected.”
Padrick smiled in satisfaction at Dwayne’s addition and continued quietly.
“Everyone did a great job. From now on, we will decide on the reward.”
First, the majors of the knights were discussed.
Since they were the main force of the family, it was natural for them to be rewarded.
However, what was surprising was that some compensation was also given to administrators who did not participate in the war.
This was to increase their sense of unity as members of the family, and at the same time, it was also an advance compensation for the enormous amount of post-war processing work they would have to do in the future.
However, all of that was not that great compared to the benefits gained.
The reward for Knight Commander Heinkel was somewhat large at 50,000 gold, but the total compensation for everyone did not exceed 500,000 gold.
No matter how much money was earned, it was small compared to the costs incurred during the war and the future costs.
Because war only consumes resources and does not create them.
If we were to consider the budget that had to be spent on Tethron Castle right now, we might not have enough money until the harvest this fall.
No, since the war occurred during a busy farming season, I might have to tighten my belt until next year.
At least everyone gathered here was aware of that fact.
And once all the ‘trivial’ rewards were decided, the main topic finally came out.
“Everyone here will know that this war was not won through the strength of the knights, including myself, but through the strength of others.”
Even though there was no direct mention, everyone’s eyes were focused on one place.
Those who participated in the battlefield, including Heinkel, had infinitely favorable views, but doubts still remained in the eyes of officials who were not on the battlefield.
‘Did the archduke really change the war?’
There was a clear look of distrust, but given the atmosphere, it was impossible to argue.
Eyes filled with complicated thoughts stared at Logan at once.
However, the expression on the face of Logan, who was actually involved, did not move at all.
This is because I was in a rush because of what I had decided to do after the meeting.
But even he couldn’t help but widen his eyes at Padrick’s next words.
“There is only one person who has contributed the most to this war. My son Logan. I would like to award him 300,000 gold.”
It may seem small at first glance, but it was an enormous reward, equal to the reward for the entire knighthood.
In the current situation of the McLane family, this is a huge expense.
“Also, in recognition of his legitimate bloodline suitability and merit as the eldest son of the McLane family, I hereby declare Logan McLane as the official successor to the family!”
In addition, there was a story about succession that no one had thought of.
The people in the conference room who stared blankly at Padric for a moment at the sudden succession declaration showed different reactions.
“Your Majesty! Congratulations.”
While Heinkel applauded with a bright complexion, the officials with somber expressions just looked at each other.
Fortunately, Dwayne stepped forward cautiously.
“The head of the family needs to think carefully about the succession…”
“Uh-huh. This person. It’s because you didn’t see Confucius on the battlefield.”
“No, but only looking at one side…”
Dwayne and the two representatives of the Heinkel vassals were about to raise their voices at each other.
“I’m sorry, but first of all, I will refrain from talking about the successor.”
The person in question with a grave expression actually poured cold water on him.
“…what?”
“Did I hear wrong?”
“It’s a no-go now…”
Then, representative of those voices, Padric, with a slightly stern expression, asked again.
“…Why? Are you keeping the events of yesterday in your mind?”
He couldn’t help but think of what happened at Logan’s coming-of-age ceremony(?) just before the war.
However, under the confused gaze of his retainers, Logan calmly shook his head.
“That’s not the reason.”
“then?”
“As I said then, Ronian, who has a genius talent for martial arts, is more suitable as the successor to the knight family McLane.”
“older brother?!”
Ronian shouted, and it was these words that made Marian, who had always had a gloomy expression on her face, raise her head.
However, most of those who heard those words reacted with astonishment.
How many knights did Logan kill in this war? Moreover, among them there was even a senior knight.
No matter how injured he was, if the person who cut off the head of a senior knight at the age of only 20 was not a genius, then who was a genius?
No matter how the listeners’ expressions changed, Logan continued speaking.
“Ronian became a Force user when he was only fourteen years old. Five years earlier than me. No one knows what achievements he will have when he becomes an adult.”
“Even if it goes as you say, there is no way to become the master of a family simply because of strong military power, Logan.”
‘no. there is.’
Logan smiled bitterly at his father’s common sense answer.
If Ronian obtains the title of the youngest Auror user on the continent like in his previous life, any shortcomings will not be a problem.
Of course, there was another reason than that at the moment.
‘There is no need for me to be the successor.’
To be more precise, it was easier for those who were not successors to move freely.
Once he has a position, many people will be concerned about his safety, and a lot of paperwork will take up his time under the pretext of training for a successor.
I wanted to make Ronian my successor right away, but I couldn’t do that just yet.
“At least as an older brother, I would like to give my younger brother a chance. I would like you to postpone the selection of a successor until Ronian comes of age.”
So this was the best he could do for now.
“Brother…”
I didn’t bother to look at Ronian and his stepmother’s faces with complicated expressions.
Fortunately, the answer seemed to impress my father and his retainers.
“Indeed…”
“As expected, the Archduke has changed…”
“Amazing…”
Even the officials who had expressions of skepticism when talking about the major looked at Logan with admiration.
In particular, Knight Commander Heinkel was nodding his head with utmost pride.
Padrick also smiled and responded to the warm atmosphere.
“…It’s not a bad idea. I will accept your wishes and postpone the selection of a successor until after Ronian comes of age in the next five years.”
“Thank you. And…”
Before the smile could disappear, Logan threw another bombshell.
“I would also like to decline the reward.”
