Episode 15: Padric looked at the door where his eldest son left and sighed deeply.
– I will prove the reason for my actions within one year. So, for now, I ask you to turn a blind eye to what I am trying to do on my own.
‘How much should I trust…’
My son’s eyes were firm, but I couldn’t trust him at all.
Nevertheless, Padric had no choice but to accept the request.
– Please, father.
It was the first time I heard those words since ‘that day’.
It was a sound that had not been heard even when he was committing all kinds of evil deeds, not just committing bizarre acts like he does now.
‘Please…’
Padric smiled bitterly at the thought of such unfamiliar words that parents and children often say.
However, as I was shaken by those words and took a step back, if Logan cannot prove his words even after a year…
‘I will definitely have to make a decision.’
To protect the family’s honor.
Before he was a father, he was the head of the family who had to protect the McLane family.
“Haa….”
Click.
With a long sigh and a weak hand, the simple pendant opened, revealing the portrait inside.
The familiar face of a brightly smiling blue-haired beauty pierced my eyes especially painfully today.
“Raina… I’m sorry. I have no idea what my son is thinking. I promised to protect him and raise him well…”
…I guess I was too negligent.
The last words, scattered helplessly, eventually became a stab of self-reproach and pierced the heart of a father who was not the head of the family.
* * * The sound of the office door slamming shut made my heart pound heavily.
“Mother…”
Just by saying those words, memories that were now vague came back vividly.
Even though Logan’s memories of his past life are blurry memories that are now decades old.
The word mother had such power.
That made Logan’s heart become heavier.
‘I didn’t expect you to say that…’
In my previous life, it was something I never mentioned until the end, even when I was kicked out of the family.
Looking at it objectively, I don’t think what I did now is worse than the stabbing I did in my past life, so the reason was predictable.
‘At least you didn’t let go of some expectations.’
Logan let out a chuckle without realizing it.
As I was walking down the hallway with a confused mind, I heard a familiar voice coming from the other side.
“It’s my brother!”
“Ronian?”
His younger brother Ronian appeared accompanied by two knights with uncomfortable expressions.
“Brother! Are you okay?”
Seeing him breathing heavily, it looked like he had run out of breath during training.
It was an all too familiar pattern, but now I welcomed the familiarity.
“Of course it’s okay. It’s been a while, Ronnie.”
“Whew, that’s good. I was worried because the rumors weren’t so good.”
The sight of Ronian smiling and sighing in relief, that same and unchanging attitude…
‘Huh? Is there something different?’
Of course, his younger brother’s concern for him and his relief were genuine.
However, his slightly flushed appearance and eyes filled with strange anticipation were different from usual.
And it even looks strangely lively.
‘Ohh? no way?’
As I focused my senses on the inside of the guy, wondering if it would be possible, I felt traces of a supernatural ability moving energetically within his body.
At that moment, Logan’s eyes widened.
“You guy! You didn’t just come here to say hello! Already…?!”
“As expected! I thought you would recognize me right away.”
Ronian’s bright smile clearly showed his pure desire to boast about his accomplishments.
And as he intended, Logan was purely impressed.
“At only fourteen… huh.”
In Logan’s memories, Ronian from his previous life awakened the Force only during the Territory War.
So, he was worried that his younger brother’s achievements might be delayed by his relapse and changing the future.
However, it was surprising that the achievement was accelerated.
“It’s all thanks to you, brother. When I heard that you were back, I tried to come out to meet you, but the knights interrupted me…” ”
…What?”
Only then did I notice the distorted marks on the armor of the knights standing behind Ronian.
The reason for my awakening was absurd, but that was not the end.
‘As soon as you awakened, you escaped from the two knights?’
It meant that the guy’s talent was that great, and it was also good news that completely blew away his depressed mood.
“Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Well done. Good job Ronnie!”
The achievements of the youngest Auror user in his previous life became even faster.
Also….
‘What if we teach Ronnie the vision of the divine sword as soon as his force stabilizes?’
You can repay your debt to your younger brother and at the same time lay the surest foundation for overcoming future crises.
For Logan, this was something he could not help but be happy about in many ways.
And of course, it wasn’t just Logan who was delighted with Ronian’s accomplishments.
That day, the news of Ronian’s Force awakening caused an uproar throughout the McLane family.
Even if a person awakens the Force early, the person does not necessarily become an Auror user, but the probability definitely increases.
Baron McLane was a family established by his ancestors who were originally Auror users, and the entire family was excited about Ronian being a genius who would bring prosperity to the family like his ancestors.
Meanwhile, Logan, who had become the target of comparison due to his past eccentricities, had no choice but to be harshly criticized.
Of course, the person concerned was busy doing what he had to do regardless.
* * *
– There were more C-class mercenaries who knew how to ride horses than expected. C-level mercenaries from all over the country almost flocked to the contract because it was a long-term contract and included horses.
– yes? Good? How difficult is that? Well, we selected about 350 people with high credit ratings. Don’t look at me like that. I barely managed to cut it off from that line.
– yes? Should I have gotten more? This is crazy… ahahaha. sorry. As a lowly person, my thoughts were short-lived.
Dwayne did his job too well.
As many as 350 C-class mercenaries, or in other words, several company-level troops, were armed and gathered at the McLane territory.
Although it was not enough power to do anything to Baron McLane, it was enough to cause trouble.
So, they had to live in a run-down villa in the southern part of McLane territory for at least 10 days, or at least 5 days, under the watchful eye of knights.
As the waiting time became longer day by day, the mercenaries’ dissatisfaction naturally increased.
“You couldn’t possibly have scammed us, right?”
“There’s no way a baron could fight a mercenary guild unless he goes crazy…”
“I don’t know, maybe he’s crazy. The rumor about the eldest son calling us is not good.”
“Oh, I heard that too. That guy could be really crazy.”
“Mr. Geon, then are we shoveling now?”
“Think about it and open your mouth. Considering your relationship with the mercenary guild, the baron will figure out how to compensate you.”
“What dude?!”
The mercenaries were already on the verge of explosion due to Logan’s rumors getting worse day by day and the accumulated stress.
And finally, the hero of the rumor appeared before them.
* * *
“With crossbow cavalry… you mean?”
“okay.”
Kai had no choice but to ask again at Logan’s calm answer.
“Aren’t you mistaken for archer cavalry?”
“Okay. We’re going to make you carry a crossbow, not just a bow.”
“Hey… Logan. A crossbow is not an effective weapon for cavalry. Or even in war…”
“I know.”
“…yes?”
Compared to a bow, the destructive power of the crossbow is far superior, but even if loaded on the ground, the crossbow takes more than a minute for an unskilled person.
What if you make a cavalry unit out of it?
Even if you carry three or four loaded crossbows, you will become a premature ejaculation unit that will lose firepower if you engage in combat for more than a minute.
So it was natural for Kai to be so embarrassed.
But Logan had no intention of canceling the order.
“Even if you think I’m playing soldier for money.”
I flinch.
“…Train me thoroughly first. You will find out why later.”
Logan chuckled as he looked at Kai, who smiled awkwardly and nodded.
It was just something he said, but it seemed like he was really thinking that way.
But I had no intention of finding fault with that.
What was needed immediately was to capture those mercenaries and train them.
Logan’s eyes turned to the numerous mercenaries lounging around the villa’s military parade ground in the distance.
They wear a variety of colors that give the impression that they have lived freely, and they show a disorderly appearance that does not ignore even the slightest controversy.
At first glance, it seemed like it would not be easy to group them into one unit and train them.
‘First of all, we have to establish discipline.’
When a cruel smile spreads across Logan’s face.
“Please leave it to me.”
Kai, who sensed what he had to do from Logan’s gaze, stepped forward.
“No, if you come forward, it will be quiet. On the surface, that is.”
“yes?”
“Just watch, I’ll take care of it.”
“…?”
Mercenaries were people who followed money, but they had a tendency to view the target as a complete brat if they just gave it to them.
It was an unavoidable aspect of a rough life living on a diet of cut-and-dried food.
And the old warrior from his previous life knew well how to control them.
* * *
“Hey, look over there.”
“hmm?”
“Oh? Flame pattern. You’re a noble, aren’t you?”
“Shh, it’s probably the eldest son.”
The whispering that had been heard from the moment Logan approached the villa became even more noisy the moment he entered the large yard used as a military parade ground.
“Hey, look at that fluff.”
“Have you come of age?”
“I’m begging you to say it didn’t work out.”
“Where are you using your palms?”
Among them, there are some words that are somewhat acceptable…
“Isn’t that Harun’s Kai behind there?”
“who?”
“The strongest A-level Kai.”
“Oh, I think I’ve heard of it.”
Those who recognize Kai, who follows in Logan’s footsteps.
“Wow. It looks like it has grown very beautifully.”
“Ah, what a crappy life. I get sick to my stomach every time I see nobles.”
“I hope I’m lucky enough to meet my parents. Shit, I don’t even know their faces.”
And even those who give everything they can to show that they have lived a rough life.
Reactions were as diverse as the number of people gathered.
But there was a different person that Logan was looking for.
“Oh, the armor. Oh, and the sword too. Are you trying to play soldier?”
This is the guy who hides and laughs, thinking no one will hear him.
Logan stopped and pinpointed the guy.
“You there.”
“Yes? You mean me?”
“Is it funny that I’m wearing armor and a sword?”
“…What are you talking about?”
The mercenary, who had no idea that Logan had heard everything he said earlier, rolled his eyes and took off his hands.
“Well, you might think so. If you have that much skill.”
“yes?”
“But what kind of skills does a C-rank mercenary have that he ignores others? I don’t even know the topic.”
At those words, not only those who had been mocking Logan knowingly or unknowingly, but even a few mercenaries who had a slightly favorable view turned cold.
“It seems the topic has pride again. Are you offended by what I say? Well, that’s fine.”
Logan, who entered the center of the parade ground, looked around and spread his arms.
“It’s okay if it’s not that idiot over there. If anyone spars and hits me even once, I will immediately pay a year’s worth of ransom and send them on their way. This is a promise made on the honor of nobility, and all of you here are witnesses.” Everyone
looked at Logan with an expression of bewilderment at his unexpected words.
When no one moved for a while despite Logan’s provocation, Logan was behind Kai. He touched his knee.
Then Kai sighed and stepped forward.
“I think there are definitely friends here who know me. My employer here keeps his word. Anyone who wants to try it is welcome to do so.”
“Really?!”
“Wow!”
“Me! Me!”
At Kai’s words, the mercenaries quickly became noisy as they realized that Logan was sincere.
Logan raised his hand and pointed at the mercenary who had first laughed at him.
“Okay, shall we try you first?”
“Good. There is nothing else to say!”
The mercenary who excitedly stepped forward had a huge physique of over 2 meters.
His bulging muscles and size were enough to make you believe that he was an A-level mercenary rather than a C-level one.
Also, his size and muscles may not have been his form, etc. The sight of him picking up the maces he was carrying crosswise behind him, one in each hand, looked very powerful.
“Isn’t that Hale?”
“Huh? “Isn’t that friend B-level?”
“Not yet, right? Well, what if I finish this request?”
Of course, it just seemed funny to Logan.
‘So I guess you were confident.’
The mercenary excitedly took a step forward and shouted,
“Now then, attack the client first!”
“Me first? You’ll regret it, right?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll have eaten more food than the client has eaten since he was born.” ”
Oh
really? Then, whatever you want.” As
soon as Logan’s leisurely words ended, there was a strong hitting sound, like splitting something with an axe. It echoed throughout the hall.
None of the mercenaries properly recognized the process of Logan striking the brown-haired mercenary’s chin. It was
just at that moment when something red and golden light flashed and a sudden wind arose.
The mercenary’s chin soared into the sky. There was.
When the eyes of the mercenaries around them who were watching them widened.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Clutter.
“Off.”
The mercenary’s mangled body rolled around on the floor.
“Do you even have the skills to shake off the snout?”
Indifferent. Logan, with a cold sarcasm on his face, shifted his gaze.
“Are you someone who wants to rob me again?”
All the mercenaries surrounding him avoided Logan’s eyes.
