Episode 103
“Prince Logan and Baron Patrick McLane have visited.”
– Bring it in.
Sigh.
As the door to the office opened with an old friction sound, a middle-aged man staring blankly out the window where the sunlight was shining came into view.
His golden hair, which looked fair beyond his age, had already grown noticeably more gray, and thick wrinkles had taken their place on his once taut forehead.
Logan was momentarily taken aback by the sight of his mentor who seemed to have aged by a dozen years even though it had only been a few months since they had parted ways.
“Master?”
“Okay. Sit down.”
“What happened to this? Your face…”
“The old man has just been hit with a little bit of all the years he has been avoiding. Don’t make a fuss.”
Despite what he said, a look of fatigue was evident on the swordsman’s face.
If the Auror user’s complexion is like that…
“You were a bit overextended by investigating His Majesty’s affairs while you were in a state of shock…”
“Lewis.”
“I’m sorry, Your Excellency.”
“It’s not a big deal, so you don’t have to worry. Mind your own business… Ah! Look at my mind. Then this way…” When
the swordsman turned his gaze to Padrick, who was watching him silently next to Logan, Padric Rick greeted politely.
“This is Padrick McLane. I heard that you are indebted to your poor son. It is an honor to meet your Excellency, whom I have always admired.”
“Yes. I see. I’m sorry for not being able to welcome you with a kind face, Baron. Because of the current situation…” “
No, it’s an honor just to meet you at this time. We may have interrupted you while you were busy.”
“No. No. The past week has just been a time when I realized that this old man is even less capable than I thought. I won’t be any busier any longer. Please sit down.”
Duke Felix Esperanza, the most respected knight swordsman in the kingdom of knights Grandia, was spewing out pessimistic words as if he was blaming himself.
Everyone who was listening could not easily keep their mouths shut.
“Ah, did I make the atmosphere heavy again? Hmm, how much did I talk about? The McLane family…”
“Master. I want to know the current situation in the capital rather than about our family. We also just arrived today, so there are a lot of things we don’t know.”
“Ah. Yes, that would be better. Phew….”
It certainly seemed that the teacher was not in a normal state.
It was very awkward and difficult to see the person who seemed like he would always be there like a strong pillar become broken.
“If you’re tired, later…”
“No, no. The funeral will start soon, so we have to do what we can right away. What did you ask? Ah, the situation in the capital. It’s not good. Juan Jordan Because of those two damn bastards… .”
A rarely seen swear word from a swordsman.
However, the content that followed was not good enough to make sense.
What Logan and his party saw when entering the capital was just the tip of the iceberg.
Even before the funeral ceremony officially began, the factions of the 1st and 2nd princes gathered in the capital were waging a war of nerves throughout the capital, making the atmosphere hostile.
And the nobles began to openly gather by faction and ostracize the opposing faction.
Not only has the sword not been raised, but it is practically on the verge of war.
That was the current state of Grand as seen by the swordsman.
“If this continues, the country will be split into two. The two dukes, who should control factions and maintain balance on their own, are inciting discord. Even…” The
swordsman gritted his teeth as something came to mind outside of the conversation.
“How dare they put pressure on me to participate in that dog fight. They are.”
Crackling.
I felt extreme anger.
“Master, haven’t you always said that you won’t get involved in the succession battle?”
“Yes, that’s right. But how dare they… they are pressuring me with the life of the Third Prince.”
“yes?!”
Padric was so surprised that he jumped up, but Logan was just calm because he had already guessed what was going on.
“It means that the third prince, who holds the right to inherit the throne, is an eyesore. Moreover, since the master is the guardian until the prince comes of age…” “
Yes, those arrogant bastards dared to put pressure on me with the prince’s life. “If you want to save him, join the faction.”
Eyes burning brightly.
I was trying to control my momentum, but even with just that, the air in the room was already becoming desolate.
“So what do you plan on doing?”
“What can I do? How dare my bastards take action? If they put pressure on me with force, it will be good for the other bastards.”
In a way, this was obvious, but Logan had a slightly different idea.
“The Third Prince must be in danger.”
“…what?!”
“Master can only put pressure on you with words and cannot take direct action. However, the third prince, who has ‘such a great teacher’ as his guardian, is a legitimate heir to the throne. He will soon become an adult.”
“…Even in the countryside, I heard a rumor that the King cherishes the Third Prince.”
Padric, who was nearby, added a word with a stern expression.
“Master’s close relationship with His Majesty the late King. And the role of guardian. From the 1st and 2nd princes’ standpoint, His Royal Highness the 3rd prince will inevitably be an eyesore.”
“If I continue to refuse my demands…”
“I will try to get rid of the Third Prince. One way or another.”
The swordsman’s expression hardened frighteningly at Logan’s words.
In fact, the reasoning was plausible at first glance, but it had a fatal flaw.
At this point when the king suddenly dies, another royal suddenly dies again?
First of all, it was certain that it would attract the attention of the entire kingdom.
Then, if evidence of anyone’s involvement was revealed, either faction would inevitably suffer a fatal blow, so it was normal for both factions to be cautious.
but.
‘It actually happens.’
Logan’s complexion hardened as he recalled the attempted assassination of the Third Prince that had occurred in his previous life.
There was no need to repeat the events of my past life.
Now, we had to prevent that incident from even happening to reduce unnecessary waste of time.
Even for the work I want to do in the future.
That was the main point he wanted to discuss with his teacher, and fortunately, the teacher accepted his story carefully.
“It’s a very promising story. Huh. Oh my…”
The swordsman stands up and starts pacing around nervously.
Father and son McLane could not say anything until the swordsman spoke again.
Then after a while.
“Louis.”
“yes.”
“Take the Third Prince to the mansion. He will need to stay with me for a while.”
“I understand, Your Excellency.”
“It’s a shame, Master.”
“hmm?”
“No matter how much you keep the prince by your side, you won’t be able to be with him all the time.”
“I have my knights back then. At least, more than you have in the palace now…”
“You can change your mind.”
“what?”
“Honestly, it is not the 3rd prince that the 1st and 2nd princes’ faction is keeping in check.”
“What is that… ah!”
“Yes. What they are keeping in check is not the 3rd Prince, but the Master. They are worried that the Master will act as a background for the 3rd Prince, who has no power, and create another power.”
“Huh… I guess so. Then…”
“Declare that you will not get involved in any disputes between factions. Didn’t you say in the first place that you would not get involved in the succession dispute? You are only expanding the scope.”
Throughout his life, the swordsman has always risked his life to protect the words he once uttered.
The life he has lived adds weight to his words, so no one will doubt his words.
And that was what Logan wanted now.
‘Master, you must not try to mediate factional strife.’
A civil war was going to happen anyway, and if it couldn’t be prevented, it had to happen sooner.
“But that’s not that easy to say. If the fight between the two factions escalates into a civil war…” “It
shouldn’t happen, but even if it does, you can’t stop it, Master. Just with a word. “You are saving the 3rd prince’s life. Think of it that way.”
The immediate reaction came not from the swordsman but from his father.
“Logan! Then our family…”
It was a natural reaction for Padric, who was worried about Bipros’ retaliation after the funeral.
But Logan cut him off in a stern tone.
“We can resolve our family’s affairs, father.”
“….”
“Huh. Yes. If that were you, that would be it. Your Excellency, you looked ugly.”
Padric suddenly got up and bowed his head towards the swordsman.
Then the swordsman sighed and shook his head.
“No. I was so stubborn that I couldn’t see the bigger picture. Thank you, Logan. If I could fulfill my duty with just a few words, it would be great. The fate of the country is left up to heaven anyway.”
The swordsman’s pale-looking face became even more shadowy.
But in response, Logan secretly clenched his fists.
Rather than declaring neutrality as if he was being pushed by ugly pressure and surrendering like in his previous life, the teacher actively determined his position.
It will come back as a real benefit, not just an emotional benefit.
The Grand Noblesse to be held after the state funeral.
It will make that period much earlier than your previous life.
There were also unexpected additional benefits.
“Stay in the capital for a while even after the funeral is over. I will talk to Jordan directly. He probably doesn’t want to pay any attention to you directly right now…” “
Thank you, Your Excellency!”
When told that he would try to use his power directly against Duke Waltermaim of Jordan, who could be the head of the Second Prince faction, the faction to which Bipros belongs, Padric stood up and immediately lowered his head in delight.
“Thank you, but like I said, Master, we can handle the matter on our own.”
“Huh? Logan. Too much confidence is not good.”
“It’s not excessive. It’s quite possible.”
The swordsman looked intently at his student’s confident expression and eventually burst into laughter.
“Yes. Still, if anything seems to go wrong, come to me. The door will always be open for you.”
“Haha. Do you mean you can do me a favor?”
It was a joke meant to change the mood.
“What? Huh, okay. Anything is fine. I’m indebted to you again, so if there’s anything that comes to mind, please let me know. I’ll listen to whatever is possible.”
The swordsman, who had a somewhat vain and detached expression, said something he would never have said under normal circumstances.
I wondered what kind of rice cake this was, but it was too big of a rice cake to eat in the current situation.
“Hmm… No matter how much I think about it, I don’t have anything to ask you yet. But if I ever have to ask you a favor, I hope you’ll really think about it carefully.”
Instead of swallowing the large piece of rice cake right away, which might make him sick, Logan chose to prepare it so that it would be easier to eat later.
And when the teacher nods his head helplessly.
“Your Excellency! Two superhumans have visited the mansion!”
Terrible news arrived outside the door.
“superman?”
“These are the Marquis Wicken Callia and the Marquis Luther Kyle. Since the two of you are in a relationship, I think you should come out quickly and see them!”
The urgent voice of the attendant who delivered the news immediately made the heavy hips in the room move.
* * *
“I didn’t expect to meet you here like this, lump.”
“What I will say is horse bones.”
“Did you come here because you wanted to get beaten up by the swordsman again? “He doesn’t necessarily care about factions, right?”
“Hmph. Don’t worry about other people’s business.”
“Hmm. Then, after all, it’s because of the Mac line.”
“Hah… You too?”
I asked.
I couldn’t believe it even when I looked at him with eyes that were close to 3 meters tall. As the gazes of the tall man and the slightly skinny man collided, a spark lit up in the middle. I had the illusion of jumping.
In reality, the space between the chairs they were sitting on was distorting, making an eerie noise as if it
were bursting. The servants of the swordsmith who were watching them were trembling but forcing themselves to stay in their seats.
For a while that seemed like an eternity to them. After some time had passed, the door to the living room opened and the owner of this mansion came in.
Kuung.
“Seeing you spewing out rude murder here, I guess that means you want to have a fight with me, right? Wicken. Luther.”
As soon as the door opened, a sharp force that erupted took over the living room.
And immediately, the two people sitting stood up and bowed.
“Huh! dismissal. “It’s been
a while since I’ve seen you.” “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
“…You seem to forget your duties and take sides, but you’re still humble in front of me. “Is there still something left for me to see?”
“Your Excellency, is that possible? “Even this dull body has not forgotten the lesson that Your Excellency gave me a while ago.” These are
the words of Auror user Luther Kyle, also known as Half Giant, a sharp-edged swordsman with an eloquent tone that does not match his appearance. “Then?”
“
This time, I came not to meet Your Excellency, but to meet the McLane family, who came as guests of this mansion. Since I’m staying here, I can’t send a subordinate, so I came here myself.”
“Logan?”
“The same goes for me, too. I had no intention of making you feel uncomfortable.”
Wicken Callia, The Storm Blade, Luther Kyle’s rival, also conveyed similar thoughts.
The swordsman’s eyes couldn’t help but change.
“Ho? That’s right. Disciple, would you like to talk to me directly?”
“It would be my honor if you could do that.”
Logan came out from behind the swordsman as if he had been waiting.
“This is Logan McLane. It’s an honor to meet the two people I’ve always admired.”
“I’ve heard a lot about the swordsman’s disciple. But…”
“I, too, am glad to meet such a talented young man. But…” ”
I would like to speak with the master of the McLane family.”
“I have come to speak with your father.”
At the same time, similar The superhumans who spat out their words snorted at each other again and
turned their gaze to Padric McLane, who was standing behind Logan.
The corners of Logan’s mouth, which had been smiling at the unexpected situation, trembled slightly.
