Episode 124
“What do you mean!”
“In the faction where Bipros is?”
“You won’t even accept it?!”
“Why even with the faction that is losing now?”
There was bound to be chaos.
No matter how you look at it, Logan’s words were beyond common sense.
“Confucius. Why do you think so? I think there’s… a bit of a problem with that plan.”
Dwayne took a step forward and asked with an awkward expression.
As the head of a civil servant vassal, he stepped forward to answer everyone’s questions.
But Logan’s answer was not satisfactory.
“How much would you be grateful if you helped the winning side? It would just delay the destruction of your family a little. There would be a lot to be gained by joining the losing side and turning the tide of the war.”
What Logan said made sense.
If the premise is established that McLane has the power to change the outcome of a war in which the entire country is split in half.
“…I’m afraid that I’ll just be a latecomer to a sinking ship.”
Dwayne went around saying, ‘Are you out of your mind right now?’
“It’s not a sinking ship. A sail or two is broken and the sole is on the verge of a hole, but we still have the strength to sail.”
Should I say that I am glad that they seem to be aware of reality at least?
Or should I say that I am more excited because I know I am going to do something crazy.
Dwayne was unable to speak for a moment due to the complicated feelings boiling in his chest.
I didn’t check everyone around me, but I was sure that most of the vassals had expressions similar to mine.
However, it is also true that the grand duke in front of us will carry out his opinions regardless of whether his vassals say so or not.
And above all.
“Is there anything wrong with what I asked you to do? Trust me, I can do it again.”
There was no longer a brave person in this family who would give up on excuses such as the clearly expected reports of the former family.
“Ugh….”
“What happens if you fail?”
“Huh?!”
Dwayne, who was pulling out his hair, turned his head towards the voice of the savior.
‘Philip!’
When a talented young man with unique gray eyes shamelessly raised his face and asked Logan.
Dwayne looked at Philip with moved eyes, like someone who wandered through the desert and discovered an oasis.
and.
“I won’t fail. I’m confident.”
“Can you tell me the basis?”
“I’m in trouble now.”
“Hmm. You’re saying that again… Well, Confucius has never failed every time you say something like that. I believe you will tell me the basis at least later.”
Why did you ask?
If that’s the case, why did you come out?
Dwayne clenched his fists, feeling betrayed by Philip, who collapsed again so easily.
He couldn’t have guessed that Philip’s question was something he had discussed with Logan in advance to appease any possible opposition from his vassals.
‘Someone tell me a rebuttal! Let’s resolve the meeting logically! Is this a meeting? Notice!’
Dwayne, who was groaning out of frustration at having buried the words he couldn’t even say, couldn’t bear the feeling that his stomach was going to explode and walked up to the Archduke’s side.
And with a red face, he whispered in my ear.
“They said that incident was Jordan’s doing! But why the 2 princes faction…!”
Anyone can predict the situation if they know the context, but they quickly say things in a whisper that cannot be said in public.
“Don’t worry. You will be rewarded for it.”
As expected, only an indefinite answer came back.
When he answered, the cold smile on Logan’s lips seemed like a warning to him, and Dwayne crumpled helplessly.
“Huh…”
Finally.
“vassals, prepare for war! We will dispatch troops as soon as we can talk to the second prince!”
In fact, Dwayne could not stop the lord’s declaration, which delegated most of the authority to Logan.
That very day.
McLane’s communication was directed to the Waltermime family.
* * * [I will join the 2nd Prince faction.]
McLane’s declaration frightened the official in charge of communications and soon summoned the owner of the castle.
And the owner of the castle just maintained a cold attitude despite those grateful words.
“Now are you going to join us? How can I believe that?”
Cold cynicism. However, the evil red eyes in the communication port just smiled.
[Well, if you really refuse, I don’t mind if you go with the 1st Prince faction. Do you really want to refuse, Your Excellency?]
Jordan Waltermime exploded with just those words.
Wow!
“How dare you try to play with me?!”
The bookshelves and desks fell over with just a shout, and the official, who barely caught the communication tool flying into the air, raised his trembling arms with a look of exhaustion.
A normal Jordan Walter mime would not have been this excited by these words.
However, as the defense slowly continued, the looming premonition of destruction was slowly taking away the composure in his mind.
He didn’t take out all the resources he had prepared, but that would be the same on the other side as well.
[haha. How could I be rude to Your Excellency? I already received such a scary gift not long ago.]
But the other person’s humorous words made my mind cool again.
Brothers Ralph and Jeff.
The top-class knight brothers he sent, as well as the top-class assassins added to them.
It was only a month ago that they all decided that they could not return.
As expected, it seemed like they had truly fulfilled their duty in that arrogant bastard’s territory.
But I couldn’t reveal it.
“Huh. It’s a gift. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Anyway, you’re going to join our faction because of that?”
[hmm. Not necessarily. However, if you join the side that is being pushed out and turn the tide, won’t there be more to gain in the future?]
The side that is being pushed out.
Jordan’s eyes became slightly more distorted as he realized that the view from the outside was also like that.
But the answer was calm.
“If you are on the losing side, you are saying that you will join the 1st Prince faction. Why are you saying that here?”
[Hmm. Your judgment is a little different from mine. Well, if that’s the case, then it must be so. Anyway, there are conditions for our joining.]
Jordan snorted inwardly at Logan’s words.
I’m going to come under the wing of the person who sent the assassin.
How is this different from saying that you are going to stab someone in the back?
“It’s a condition… Do I really need to hear that condition?”
However, the other person calmly said only what he had to say.
[This is not a difficult request. After our victory, we want recognition for the occupied territory of Bipros and half of the lands of the Marquis of Calia, adjacent to Macraine. And although I don’t know the title of marquess, I need to get confirmation about the title of count that our ancestors lost. How do you feel?]
The conditions Logan put forward were beyond questionable and ridiculously excessive.
So much so that Jordan, who had tried to ignore it, had no choice but to respond indifferently.
“You took over my subordinate’s land without permission and then ask me to acknowledge it? Plus half of the marquis’ territory? Haha. That’s ridiculous. Are you serious about what you’re saying?”
[I don’t think it’s an excessive condition compared to the risk we have to take.]
The Duke of Jordan’s eyebrows twitched as he looked at the grinning face of the guy.
Even if it weren’t for this situation right now, he wouldn’t be able to be so arrogant in front of himself.
He tried to end the communication at this point, as continuing the conversation would only hurt his pride.
“If you’re going to bend over and come in here, come here and talk to me. If you can stand in front of me and say the same thing, I’ll admit it.”
It was something I said thinking there would never be a response.
But the arrogant guy beyond the communication port nodded.
[haha. Is that so? Good.]
“What? Huh… are you coming? Heh heh.”
Jordan could only nod with a complicated expression.
* * *
“Aren’t the conditions too excessive? The land is probably already supposed to be shared between them.”
“If we are considering that at this point, the Second Prince faction will simply be ruined. And since the conditions are excessive, we will be able to remove any doubts.”
“Doubt? I doubt it, and as soon as they join us, they will try to use us as arrows.”
“I have to accept that.”
“The family’s hard-earned power can be shattered in an unexpected place.”
“Oh, you say that again. Your father also gave permission after seeing Liberatio.”
The power that others knew and the actual power of McLane now were completely different.
Although there was a difference in basic military power, tremendous new weapons were also prepared.
Officials who knew the secret were confident that even if it were used as an arrow catcher, it would be capable of catching an arrow bag.
But Padrick’s concern was something else.
“It’s because of that Ribe… What is it? I’m worried that maybe I’ve become timid as I get older and that we’ll be able to protect it completely.”
“…Don’t worry. Once our strength is proven, no one will be able to say such things without permission. To do so, we are also supporting the disadvantaged.”
“Is that really all you’re thinking?”
“yes?”
“I find it hard to believe that you really want to make Prince Romaine king.”
Padrick still remembered the incident that occurred at Grand noblesse.
The sight of my son smiling as he watched the incident that triggered the civil war in earnest.
At that time, the deceased secretary, Larry Clatt, was a leading member of the Second Prince faction of civil servants and nobles.
He had an ominous suspicion that his son’s claimed participation in the civil war might be an extension of what had happened back then.
“Well, Prince Romain doesn’t have what it takes to be king.”
And my son’s smile brought that ominous guess to the surface.
“You can’t believe it….”
“These are difficult times, father. Today’s enemy may become tomorrow’s ally, and today’s ally may become tomorrow’s enemy.”
It seems like the two factions have already reached the point of no return for them to act like bats.
“We just need to benefit the family as much as possible.”
My son’s confident smile stopped me from saying what I was about to say.
“Yes. I guess so.”
In fact, it has been a long time since full authority of the family was handed over. Now all I had to do was trust and move on.
Padric stared at the face of his eldest son, who had been out of his hands for some time, and patted his shoulder without saying a word.
There was no need to spoil the atmosphere by letting out the ominous feeling that was building up without knowing why.
‘I guess I’m old. ‘What kind of premonition has no basis?’
Even as he thought so, he desperately wished in his heart.
May only glory be with you at the end of this road.
If unexpected obstacles arise on the way…
‘I will clear the way. Even if it means sacrificing my life. So thank God. ‘I sincerely hope and hope that you will give only light to my sons’ future.’
As he searched for the God he had never looked for in his entire life, Padric tried to suppress an unknown, ominous feeling.
* * * Ronian was very pleased with the recent situation.
The country was in turmoil due to civil war, but that was an external matter.
Rather, the family restored its homeland and regained its glory from 200 years ago.
And through this civil war, further prosperity will be achieved.
Perhaps it could become an omnipotent family like it did in the days when Adam McLane, the sword saint and progenitor of the family and a contributor to the founding of the Kingdom of Grandia, which was only heard about in family legends, was alive and well.
‘It’s possible because I have you!’
And he himself will become the sword that carves out that glory next to his older brother, and he will become the vanguard that leads and records all history.
Ronian made that promise and worked hard at training every day.
So that you never again fail to carry out your ‘brother’s plan’ due to lack of strength.
Then one day.
When he heard that his family was preparing to go out again, he received a completely unexpected order.
“…To protect the family? Me?”
“Only six knights per group and one hundred soldiers were left in ten castles, including two towns. This is too small a number compared to the expanded territory. The direct lineage of the family must remain to command the knights and supervise vigilante training. And in case of an emergency. …”
“older brother.”
Ronian stopped talking as he looked at his brother’s face, who was already spitting out his third explanation.
“hmm?”
“It must be necessary, right?”
“…Okay. Strictly speaking, this is not our war, so there is no need for all of the direct lineage of the family to go.”
“If the worst happens, I will have to take over the family.”
“That won’t happen, but…”
“Brother, I’m not young anymore. I know what you’re talking about, and the need for it.”
At those words, Logan closed his mouth and looked at his younger brother.
Now only eighteen years old. However, his height had grown to become similar to his own, and his shining red eyes were looking at him with a confident smile.
The face of my younger brother, whom I thought was young, vaguely overlapped with the face of an Auror user who led his family alone and fought against the empire in a difficult situation that was incomparable to the present.
Logan blinked several times and smiled softly.
“Haha. Yes. I guess I was nagging too much.”
“Please go. I will guard the territory until you return. For sure.”
“…I believe it.”
As I turned around and patted my younger brother on the shoulder, a strangely proud feeling filled my heart.
I completely trusted my younger brother, who had grown up with confidence…
“But just in case…”
“Brother, please…”
Even though my face had lost a little, I couldn’t shake the feeling of anger.
‘Because it’s such an important time.’
It’s definitely not because he’s an old guy who worries too much.
Logan fooled himself like that.
