Episode 159: The day Logan entered the capital.
The royal palace, where the current issues and future of the kingdom and royal family were discussed, was stained red with the blood of the royal family.
Something that has never happened before in the thousand-year history of Grandia.
The notoriety about Logan McLane quickly spread throughout Grand through the mouths of countless soldiers and nobles who watched the process.
And the very next day.
“I am going to see His Majesty Rogers. Please guide me.”
At Logan’s words, the complexion of Count Francisco Romero, commander of the Royal Knights, turned pale.
But I couldn’t refuse that.
‘What will they do to the prince who will become king?’
With that one belief, Francisco took a reluctant step.
Trying to ignore the fact that McLane’s knights were following him and Logan’s stern expression felt like he was murdering them.
* * *
“Prince Logan, please wait here for a moment. The Prince will be out soon.”
The words of the knight guarding the Sword Duke’s mansion drew all the attention and the marching procession stopped.
“Are they trying to capture or kill the prince as well?”
“No way…”
“No way, didn’t you hear what happened yesterday?”
“Maybe it’s because we gathered people like this…” As the
number of people whispering in low voices increased, Francisco, who was leading Logan and the McLane Knights at the front of the group, felt a little strange.
A simple fact that I had forgotten because I was caught up in the atmosphere came to mind.
‘Prince Logan is the swordsman’s disciple. He must have known that the prince was here. Was it really necessary for me to guide you?’
Isn’t this how the knights of the Royal Knights, including himself, will look like Macline’s errand boys?
The moment his complexion hardened at the realization, the door to the mansion opened.
And within it, a young man with platinum hair and blue eyes appeared, accompanied by the knights of Esperanza, each with an eagle symbol engraved on his armor, on his left and right.
3 princes. Rogers von Grandia.
The son-in-law becomes quiet at his appearance.
Funny enough, the eyes of the people watching were focused on Logan, not the prince.
Jeez. Jeez.
Soon, the prince with a rather stiff expression slowly descended the stairs together with the knights with frozen expressions.
thud.
“Logan McLane meets his noble blood, His Highness Rogers von Grandia.”
A posture of extreme reverence, kneeling on the left knee and placing the right fist over the heart.
The eyes of many people watching widened at the sight of Logan bowing his head deeply.
thud. thud.
“See you, His Majesty the Prince!”
The voices of the McLane knights bowing in unison, following Logan.
That powerful shout definitely eased the tension in the silence that was prevalent on the street.
A soft smile appeared on the face of the 3rd prince, who had a somewhat stiff expression.
Louis Hyon, who was guarding the prince with a very nervous expression, let go of the hilt of the sword on his belt with a sigh of relief.
“Lord Logan…”
“Now I can finally keep my old promise. I’m sorry for being late.”
“Promise…”
The three princes with complex expressions were unable to speak for a moment, but then burst into laughter.
“Of course… I made that promise. Yes, I did… ha…”
That small laugh soon turned into a cheerful laugh that resonated everywhere.
“…Hahahaha! I never imagined that promise would come true like this. Thank you for your hard work, Lord Logan.”
The Third Prince took Logan’s hand, lifted him up, and patted him on the shoulder.
Without realizing it, he was being respectful to Logan for the first time since he met him.
But that one word solidified Logan’s current position.
The third prince, no, the person who will become the next king is someone who treats people with courtesy.
Logan, who took over the 3rd prince from Louis, immediately took the prince to the royal palace.
And after announcing the new king’s enthronement to the people of the country, he sat down in the palace under the pretext of guarding the prince until the coronation ceremony.
“Wow, the security of the royal palace is traditionally the responsibility of the Royal Knights! Lord Logan.”
“That is so, my prince. Shall we do so?”
“If the Royal Knights were trustworthy, would I have stayed at the Sword Duke’s mansion? Lord Logan, I want you to stay by my side.”
“I will follow you wholeheartedly.”
“Count Francisco?”
“…I will follow your orders.”
Although the expression of the leader of the Royal Knights was distorted, he could not go against the trend.
From then on, the McLane Knights and their troops began to take over the role of the royal guard at the Royal Palace Grand Pia.
And the very next day, Logan gathered all the nobles in the capital to the royal palace for an extraordinary cabinet meeting.
– Logan McLane… give it a try.
An ambiguous title with no title attached.
Even among the eunuchs guarding the palace hall, their voices were shaking, perhaps because it was their first time speaking, but no one laughed at their shaking voices.
Rather, the nobles seated inside the Daejeon all stood up as they saw the red-haired young man opening the front door and entering.
“Ah, there is no need to stand up. Please sit down. This kind of courtesy is too much for this person who has no title. I’m sorry I’m already late.”
Logan naturally sat down at the head of the table with a soft smile.
And I got straight to the point.
“The reason why I called all of you who are so busy here is because I need to create a new cabinet. Although it is still before His Majesty Rogers’ coronation ceremony, shouldn’t there be ministers who can take charge of the work in order to prepare for the coronation ceremony?”
New cabinet. If so, it meant that they were candidates for the new minister.
The nobles, who had been living in silence due to factionalism, began to see strength in their eyes.
However, contrary to the greed shown in their eyes, no one came forward willingly.
“Hmm. It was thanks to Prince Logan that we drove out the traitors and created a new country. We just believe in and follow his will. How can we be greedy?”
In the end, Count Roberts Floyd spoke first with a smile, speaking in a soft but polite tone, as if considering it to be an official situation.
In response, the other nobles also nodded and agreed.
“That is correct!”
“Is there anyone here who would follow Confucius’s wisdom?”
“Any talent recommended by Confucius must be trusted unconditionally.”
Insight? Do you trust me unconditionally?
Logan couldn’t help but smile bitterly at the excessive flattery.
But this situation itself was what he intended in the first place.
Logan spoke again, suppressing the feeling that his eyes were about to twitch.
“Hmm. Then, since you don’t seem to have any particular opinion, I’ll tell you my opinion. Here is a list of ‘candidates’ who were selected by me based on my ‘insufficient personal opinion.’”
Logan handed out prepared materials to the nobles, emphasizing certain words.
All the nobles who looked through the data could not help but sigh a little.
Regardless of other names, it was clear what Logan’s intentions were just from the name at the top.
[Prime Minister: Count Roberts Floyd]
The name of the person who would become the father-in-law was placed in the highest position among the kingdom’s civil servants.
And the list below is also a list of people who were close to Count Roberts Floyd.
Appointment based on friendship rather than ability.
At first glance, it was a subjective list perfect for destroying the country, but no one objected.
“Ahaha. Sa… Hmm. I don’t know what to do with Prince Logan, who thinks so highly of this poor person. I will gladly dedicate myself to this country.”
Even though everything had already been said, Roberts Floyd created a warm atmosphere without making it awkward.
“It’s a clear appointment.”
“As expected, Prince Logan. You have excellent insight.”
“We all agree!”
Those whose names were on the list smiled and applauded, hoping that they would get at least some soybean paste from those who were not there.
‘All the civil servants of the First Prince faction who had devastated the country in the previous life were beheaded. At least you’ll be better than them. There are some who were pushed out of office by factions.’
Although it is a list that was completed by actively reflecting the recommendations of his future father-in-law, Count Roberts Floyd, it is at least better than the cabinet he remembers from his previous life.
‘You will have no choice but to follow my words unconditionally.’
With such expectations, Logan spoke again in a soft voice.
“If you have any disagreement, please speak up immediately.”
There could be no difference of opinion.
“Then I will report this to Your Majesty. I think Your Majesty will be pleased that all the nobles came to an ‘agreement’ so quickly.”
agreement?
It must be an agreement between just the two of you.
Except for Logan and Count Roberts, everyone’s thoughts were the same.
Of course, no one objected.
“Of course, the official appointment will be after His Majesty’s coronation ceremony. I hope that those whose names appear on the list will make sufficient preparations in the meantime.”
Logan smiled sincerely for the first time since entering Daejeon.
In my past life, I never paid attention to who was capable of administration, so I never even heard of rumors.
He’s not a famous knight or wizard, and there’s no way he’s rumored to be a famous administrator.
However, there was at least a supplementary measure.
“For the detailed working-level staff, district officials who lost their jobs due to factionalism will be hired first, and the insufficient manpower will be composed of graduates of the Administrative Academy. There is no disagreement, right?”
“doesn’t exist!”
One of the few nobles among the gathered nobles who was smiling sincerely.
With Roberts Floyd’s exciting answer, the ‘Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting’ came to a brief end.
* * * Even though the civil war ended and one faction took power, not everything was cleared up.
It took more than a week just to organize the final battle that took place in McLane territory, and it took another week for the swordsman to complete the entire process and return to the capital, Grand.
And when Geomgong finally entered Grand.
The capital was in an uproar over what Logan had done.
After hearing the story, the swordsman was lost in thought for a while and soon went out to look for Logan with a heavy expression.
“Did you really have to do that? The royal grandchildren were children barely over ten years old.”
“I thought there was no need to leave behind a successor. Well, I ended up losing the first royal descendant who had already disappeared.”
The swordsman was speechless for a moment as he looked at his disciple, who spoke as if he was sorry that he had not been able to kill the royal bloodline despite his bruises.
“…Do you really think that is for the good of the country?”
“Yes, that’s right. Considering His Majesty Rogers’ accession to the throne, this is the best.”
“It’s not your greed?”
“of course.”
In the eyes of the disciple who looked at him blankly, there really seemed to be no selfish interest.
But Geomgong felt more uneasy about it.
“Did you come to the capital first to do this? Are you afraid that I will stop you?”
“…I didn’t think there was any need to get Master’s hands dirty.”
“Excuses… ha, that’s enough. Fortunately, it seems like you’re aware that it’s a dirty job.”
“…Master.”
Logan’s expression sank deeply.
“I have no intention of ruining what has already happened. Rest assured.”
“…thank you.”
“But keep one thing in mind: You have already crossed the line once.”
“yes?”
“What you say now makes sense and has a reason. So I’ll just skip it this time. But I am worried.”
The swordsman’s eyes, filled with many meanings, met Logan’s shaking eyes.
“What are you saying…?”
“Make sure you are aware of the line you must follow. The moment you don’t mind crossing that line, you become just like Jordan and Juan.”
“Master, that’s…”
“You promised me before that you wouldn’t be like them, right? Please don’t disappoint me anymore.”
There was a moment of silence between the two, and then Logan spoke in a heavy voice.
“…I will never change.”
“That’s right.”
“…?”
“I If you were the one I met at first, you probably wouldn’t have answered my question honestly. That’s why he separated from me and came to the capital first.”
I flinched.
Logan’s eyes widened momentarily at the completely unexpected words.
Looking at his student like that, the swordsman let out a small sigh.
“People always change, Logan. Just as I risked my life to protect the words I once said, I changed to protect you.”
“I’m really… sorry.”
“It’s not something to be sorry about. Because it is my choice too. But be aware that you have also changed. And please keep this in mind. There are lines that a subject, or a person, must adhere to in order to live as a human being. When that line becomes invisible, a person becomes a monster. Like the Jordanian who died by your hands.”
With those words, the swordsman left the place, and Logan could only stare blankly at the back of his teacher as he turned around for a while.
