Episode 163 The festival period passed quickly.
And Logan announced his intention to leave the capital with McLane’s entire army the very next day.
“Are you really taking everyone with you? His Majesty has a lot of faith in you. He would be happy if you left only a few Macline knights as ceremonial guards.”
He said in a tone of regret that he was a swordsman.
The king wanted his closest associates to be protected by the Knights of McLane or the Knights of Esperanza rather than the royal knights.
However, Logan willingly gave up that role to the Knights of Esperanza.
“Don’t keep thinking about it, Master. I really want to.”
“Are you saying you had that intention?”
“Yes. Until right before I came to the capital.”
“….”
In fact, in a way, it was natural.
This was because of the distrust in the royal knights that he had instilled in the king in the first place.
Logan added with a chuckle.
“You don’t have to worry. I gave up. But I hope you follow what I said.”
“Empire… you mean?”
“Yes. I believe you when you said that you will prepare for an invasion by the Empire and cooperate fully with anything related to it.”
“It’s about protecting the country from invasion by foreign forces. Even if you don’t tell me…”
“I’m saying you need to prepare from now on.”
The swordsmith’s expression also changed to serious due to Logan’s stern eyes and tone.
“…You really believe that the empire will invade.”
“yes.”
“Hmm… Actually, I heard you say it before and investigated it separately. But the empire is not yet finished with the competition for the throne. Analysis suggests that it will drag on for at least five more years. It is not a civil war like ours, but just a routine competition for successor. However, there was no history of the empire invading another country during that period.”
“There have been countless invasions right after that.”
“As for what you said about the Empire preparing for war… no, no. Anyway, don’t worry about that. As I am in charge of half of the western border, I will never neglect it.”
He did the same in his past life, but he eventually passed away, Master.
‘Of course, the environment was the difference between heaven and earth back then.’
In any case, if the teacher kept his promise, there was no need to be greedy and antagonize the teacher.
If the purpose is the same, the teacher’s sword is ultimately the same as his sword.
‘And if it comes to that…’
Logan smiled, silently burying the thought of saluting his teacher if he found out.
“Yes, I believe it. I will hand over McLane’s weapons at the lowest possible price. You must also provide good equipment for your soldiers.”
“…Do you mean to do business with me too?”
“Of course. Are crossbows or magic bombs going to come out when we sell the land? We have to leave something behind, too.”
The priests looked at each other snickering and then burst out laughing without anyone else hearing them say it first.
After laughing like that for a while, the priest said his real goodbye with a sad look on his face.
“Come up to the capital often. No matter how much of an advisory role I have, I don’t want to chase down and crack down on each and every minister at this age. Come up and put pressure on those who are greedy often.”
“…Didn’t you want me to get as far away from the royal family as possible?”
“I just hope you don’t change. If you are like that, you can be a great indicator for His Majesty.”
“We’re not even a few years older than each other.”
“Yes. Wouldn’t that be even better?”
The teacher’s smile was quite burdensome today.
This is because we know that it is the result of loyalty to the royal family and expectations for the third prince, or rather King Rogers, slightly overshadowing reason.
‘How many kings have there been in history who liked subjects who were better than themselves?’
Of course, in reality, the only thing he was good at was his military power, but that would not be the opinion from the outside.
I only hoped that King Rogers, who was evaluated as having the qualities of a saint, would truly develop those qualities.
Logan thought about this and smiled at his teacher.
The McLane family leaves the capital ‘completely’.
That fact caused a stir in the capital.
Some thought it was an opportunity.
Some thought it was a missed opportunity.
Most thinking people thought it was surprising.
– Are you leaving the king’s side and giving up the real power you worked so hard to secure?
Even if your father-in-law was a prime minister and your teacher was a grand duke, the weight of being next to the king in person was different.
Even if a henchman was planted right next to the king, no one would say anything, but it seemed as if he had completely washed his hands of it.
And most people who thought that far came to one conclusion.
– The bond between the King and Logan McLane is deeper than it appears.
This ultimately led to the fact that McLane’s army, including Logan, was bombarded with various invitations throughout their return to the territory.
A continuous procession of invitations continued for several hours.
Invitations were even sent from territories more than a day away from McLane’s route.
And all while showing their own courtesy by mobilizing numerous articles and gifts.
“There are so many crazy people who volunteer to bring over 1,000 elite troops into the heart of the territory.”
Logan lamented and refused all invitations with the excuse of being tired and chose to sleep out in the open.
It was okay for a while, but as I continued to sleep on the streets, I felt extremely tired, to the point where I wondered if I should have accepted one or two invitations.
Especially now, when the camp fire crackling under the starry night sky makes you feel drowsy.
‘No, no. You can’t stretch it already. Come to your senses.’
Logan lightly slapped his cheek with both hands and recalled training with his teacher.
Looking back, it was definitely a worthwhile time. Quite a few results were achieved.
It was clear that training without stopping was the right choice.
A familiar voice was heard next to Logan as he strengthened his resolve again.
“What are you thinking like that?”
“Ah… it’s nothing.”
“Your complexion has been heavy ever since you left. If you have any concerns, wouldn’t it be a good idea to share them with those around you?”
Emerald eyes that sparkle like the stars above your head, or even brighter.
The look in his eyes was so full of kindness that I wondered if it was the same person who had blown away the cold a few days ago.
‘I still don’t know why, but I’m glad. Could it be that your father’s advice was correct?’
Logan cleared his throat, swallowing the thought that would have been absurd if Eilen had found out.
“It’s no big deal. There’s no need to reveal every little detail.”
Because it will only cause you worry.
But Eilen’s expression darkened slightly again at those words.
‘Did I say something wrong again?’
Out of annoyance, I look at him a little.
“…Well, definitely. You don’t have to do that.”
Eilen sighed softly and stood up.
I don’t know why, but I stood up together because I felt like I had to grab something.
“You don’t have to say anything. But now that Confucius, who is in charge of the army, has a stern face, the others who should be keeping their shoulders straight as a victorious army are also struggling.”
Her next words were ‘Ah!’ The sound came out naturally.
“I don’t know how far away you are looking, but I think it would be better to look to the side or back right now. Then, I’ll leave.”
Logan grabbed Eilen’s arm as she turned around without realizing it.
At the same time, the thoughts in my head came out of my mouth regardless of my will.
“I think I have some regrets.”
“…yes?”
A look of bewilderment replaced calmness on Eilen’s face.
Looking at that, Logan let out a small sigh.
Because it’s such a small thing.
“I wish I had gone out of my way to see the festival or visit the capital’s famous attractions, but these are minor regrets.”
At those words, a faint smile appeared on Eilen’s face.
Maybe it was because I felt reassured by that sight.
“If possible, with you.”
Huh!
I was startled by what I said, so I let go of the arm I was holding and took a step back.
“Ahahaha! What is that…!”
Eilen laughs loudly at what is so funny.
For a moment, she caught the camp’s attention, wiped away the tears that had fallen, and smiled brightly as she looked at Logan.
“You just have to say it. Like a fool…”
Was that really that funny?
Wouldn’t it be nice if I knew what was funny?
I felt confused for a moment.
“When we get back, we do it a lot. Together. Whatever it is.”
That one word made me laugh like it was a lie.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Eilen smiles brightly again at those words.
I look at her blankly, feeling like the surroundings are brightening for a moment.
“Well, I’m still… fine….”
Unlike before, the voice became noticeably quieter.
Contrary to the volume of the voice, Eilen had come closer and was looking at him with big eyes.
Excited. Excited.
Without realizing it, his heart began to beat like crazy, and his body moved as it pleased, and he hugged her tightly.
Their lips, drawn by the atmosphere, get closer and closer.
Empty!
We had become so accustomed to it that we had forgotten about it, but our armor clashed with each other and suddenly revealed our presence.
“….”
“….”
“Uh. Um… the armor is… nice.”
What nonsense are you crazy!
Logan wanted to smack his lips for talking freely.
But I couldn’t bear to do that or see Eilen’s face.
I just lower my gaze and look resentfully at her breastplate.
side.
“good night.”
Surprised by the soft touch on my cheek, I raised my head and saw Eilen’s back hurriedly walking away.
Although it was dark, the ears were so red that they were clearly visible.
I smiled involuntarily at the warmth that grew as much as my heart pounding.
* * *
“He is coming!”
“Lift it up!”
“Beat the drum!”
Just as Logan thought he could see the town in the distance, a loud noise began to be heard.
and.
“…what?”
“It looks like a big piece of cloth… but there’s writing on it?”
“Welcome the return of Logan McLane, the hero of the country who ended the war, and the McLane family warriors? Hahaha! What is that?!”
The huge banner, which could be seen from 1km away, made the McLane troops, who were cheering on their return to their hometown, burst into laughter.
As Logan, who was in the lead, suppressed laughter and got closer, he saw his father and stepmother, Dwayne, and the people of the territory lined up behind him.
“Welcome back!”
“Hero of this country! Welcome back, Archduke!”
“Thank you for ending the war!”
The closer you get, the louder the voices get.
However, Logan’s brightly smiling face gradually began to stiffen the moment he saw the people of the territory up close.
Although these people had genuinely happy expressions, I could see through them the images of people with bandages, limping legs, and missing arms.
The aftereffects of the civil war.
No, not exactly.
‘I created this…’
It felt like cold water had been poured into my heart, which was filled with a proud sense of accomplishment.
The good news was that smiles could be seen on their faces.
“Wow! Thank you, Archduke!”
Do I deserve to be thanked by them?
I’m starting to feel down again.
“Please wave your hand, brother.”
“hmm? Ah, yes.”
“Don’t you look happy, those young people? It’s all a result of my brother’s accomplishments.”
“…It wasn’t me, we all accomplished it together.”
“Yes. Under your leadership.”
“Man….”
“Brother’s hand!”
“Yes. I got it, I got it!”
As I turned my head to see my younger brother smiling, I saw the smiles of the proud soldiers and the healthy residents of the territory, who outnumbered the injured ones.
‘Okay. That’s it. From now on…’
I tried to weaken. I gathered my resolve once again and
waved my hand widely with a bright smile.
“Come on! It’s finally back! Everyone shout!!”
“Wow!!”
Heroes of the country’s salvation.
Until the day when that phrase, which is still awkward, becomes the truth.
Don’t let those many people become slaves of the empire, lower class people, and experimental subjects.
And….
“Welcome back, son!”
“Good job, Logan. Ronian?! Can’t you come to my side quickly?! What are you doing there?”
“Oh, let’s go! Father and mother! I’m back!”
“Stop clinging to me, you bastard. Now the grown up is disgusting…!”
“Puhahaha!”
So that my precious family can keep this smile.
I will protect it.
‘Definitely!’
With the resolve in his clenched fist engraved in his heart,
Logan smiled brightly.
I would consider it the honor of my life if you would stop by our estate on your way through.
