Episode 184: A hasty climb with only a minimal number of escorts.
Before even stopping by the mansion in the capital, Logan headed to his teacher’s mansion first.
And then I heard surprising news.
“Attempted assassination?!”
“okay.”
The gray hair of my teacher, which had increased significantly since the death of the previous king before the civil war, seemed to have increased even more without me seeing it.
That expression wasn’t good either.
“First of all, I asked those who knew the truth to crack down on the rumors as if nothing had happened to the outside world. But it seems that the rumors are spreading secretly.”
“What happened? An assassination attempt out of the blue?”
“That’s right. There are quite a few strange things about it.”
“yes?”
The teacher’s explanation continued slowly.
“… That’s what happened, but the bigger problem is that there are no traces. No evidence, no witnesses. I interrogated the person in charge of the royal guard, but nothing came out. The guy didn’t know anything.”
Logan also calms down his surprise at the long explanation and turns his head.
No matter how much I thought about it, I could only come to an uneasy conclusion.
“…That’s strange.”
“Yeah. It’s weird.”
“How many people in this world are worthy of that? Master, you really don’t think we are the first king’s descendant faction, do you?”
“Is that possible? Even if they kill the king, it’s not like they can ascend to the throne.”
Logan nodded at those words.
I omitted it because I didn’t say it out loud in front of my teacher, but more than anything, Logan himself, who killed his father and installed a new king, had absolutely no intention of doing so.
Because he had no hobby of hanging his own neck with his noose.
‘Rather than find the collateral royal family whose blood has become cloudy.’
It was an idea that anyone with even the slightest sense of intellect could think of.
“Then, as expected, you said that….”
“If we assume at least an imaginary enemy, wouldn’t His Majesty’s anger go there? That’s why I only mentioned it.”
“I’m at a loss.”
“Yes, that’s right. Plus, Lewis’s testimony is a little strange.”
“Lord Lewis?”
“Yes. To cut a long story short, it was said that the attack was quite sloppy for an attack carried out deep inside the royal palace, but the retreat was strangely thorough. Can’t you smell it?”
“…Yes. It stinks. What are you looking for?”
Logan’s expression changed to follow his teacher’s stiff face, and the teacher sighed and continued speaking.
“I still don’t know who they are or what they are really aiming for. But it is clear that this incident has caused problems. And in the most difficult way for you.”
“…Me?”
“Your Majesty is suspicious of you.”
“What is that…!!”
Words that make you jump up without even realizing it.
“I am the one who put your current Majesty on the throne. Why would I threaten your life?!”
“Yes. It’s normal to think that way. But the human mind doesn’t always flow that rationally…” “
Didn’t Lord Lewis say it was strange too? It couldn’t have been a ploy to take his life in the first place!”
“Yes, I think so too. The problem is that Lewis’s testimony is just an opinion and cannot be objective evidence. We believe in Lewis, but…” “Your Majesty
thinks otherwise. Ha…. ”
Logan had no choice but to collapse back into his seat in embarrassment.
It was only now that I realized that the urgent matter my teacher had mentioned was referring to this situation, not the assassination attempt that had already occurred.
“As you said, everyone thinks there is a different ulterior motive. However, they mobilized many force users of advanced level or higher and even manipulated the shift schedule of the guards in the royal palace, so it is only me or you who can do it.”
“…So your Majesty pointed me out?”
“Yes. You didn’t say it explicitly, but… you asked me to call you and have a conversation.”
“Huh. What is this…”
It was a series of embarrassing events.
Honestly, in my personal opinion, this was more embarrassing than the attempted assassination incident.
‘Why on earth is your Majesty me?’
My heart was pounding, but in the end, there was only one way to solve it.
“…I must see your Majesty.”
“Is the solution to think and speak?”
“First of all, I need to know why you are suspicious of me so I can take action or not. I will request an audience right away.”
“Okay, I understand. I’ll get ready right away.”
“Yes? Why Master…?”
“It was said that if I were not there to control you, I would not even allow you to stand alone.”
“….”
I was so dumbfounded that no words came out.
The king’s condition seemed to be more serious than expected.
* * *
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. It’s been a while, Lord Logan.”
Greetings exchanged politely and formally.
But the King was glaring at Logan with a hard face.
“I heard about something unpleasant that happened recently. Are you okay?”
I tried to speak as politely as possible.
“You’ve probably already heard the story, so why are you saying such nonsense when you’re looking at it like this?”
The king’s reaction was not good.
‘Why on earth is this happening?’
Feeling frustrated, he glanced at his teacher and saw that he was shaking his head at himself.
Logan seemed to be telling him not to add unnecessary words, so he changed his mind.
“…I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Is that really the Duke’s sincerity?”
“yes?”
“I was wondering if it was something you regret.”
The cold blue eyes beneath the platinum hair looked at Logan and asked him bluntly.
“Is that possible? I was just worried about Your Majesty.”
“And why do I never get that feeling?”
Even while looking at the king who was openly hostile to him, Logan calmly questioned him.
“Do you think I caused that incident? May I ask why you think that?”
I am the one who put you on the throne.
But why would I do that?
The question was politely packaged and asked.
The king said something completely unexpected.
“I heard that since you returned to the territory, McLane has been continuously increasing his troops. I heard that he is even mobilizing women for military training. What is the reason for you to do this when you are already at the top of the kingdom’s subjects? By any chance. “Aren’t you doing this because you covet this position?”
“…yes?”
Logan couldn’t help but make a dumbfounded face at the king’s words.
‘ah…?’
It might… seem that way.
A disconcerting realization hit Logan’s head.
However, as there was nothing to hesitate about, there was no hesitation in answering.
“Actually, I am worried that the empire may invade our kingdom within a few years. I have told you about this in advance, and we are strengthening our troops to prepare for that unexpected event.”
“Imperial invasion?”
Let’s look at the swordsman with a look of absurdity.
“It’s true. I’m also keeping a close eye on the west and increasing the territory’s troops. In addition, Logan is already supplying McLane’s crossbows, which played a significant role in the civil war, throughout the country at low prices. It’s all for the kingdom. “I ask you to understand.”
Even with the swordsmith’s support fire, the king’s gaze toward Logan did not easily change.
“Is there any evidence that the Empire is preparing an invasion?”
“…It’s still just speculation. However, in history, the empire has more than 70% of cases of invading neighboring countries after the battle for succession to the throne has ended and the succession has been established, Your Majesty.”
I had no idea that later, the words I had prepared to persuade the king would be used as an excuse.
However, the king’s attitude did not change.
“70%. That’s a very high probability. Even if the subjects continue to gather troops, the king can’t say anything.”
“your majesty!”
The swordsman took a step forward with a hardened complexion at the excessively sarcastic tone.
“For the military subjects who act as margraves, the expansion of troops is at the discretion of the family as stipulated in the kingdom law. McLane is also just doing its duty as a family in charge of the southwestern border.”
The king, who was silent for a moment, sighed deeply and took a step back.
“Yes. I said too much. I apologize. I think that unpleasant incident got Jim on edge.”
The swordsman also sighed softly.
“How about reducing your intake of medicinal alcohol? I think you need to pay more attention to your health in times like these.”
Yakju?
As Logan tilted his head, the king waved his hand.
“I will take care of that, Archduke. But I don’t think that was the subject of our conversation just now?”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
When the Master retreated, Logan stepped forward again.
“I am sorry that I did not take into account Your Majesty’s sincere heart. However, I hope you can believe that my heart is always towards You and the kingdom.”
“Yes. I guess so. Ha… I guess I was oversensitive. If I don’t trust you, then who will I trust? I became king thanks to someone.”
Although he said so, the king’s stern expression never relaxed.
‘You still doubt me.’
I thought he would give me full support since he was put on the throne.
‘Was the Third Prince just an ordinary person?’
Logan felt his heart become heavy at the unexpected change in Rogers, who he thought showed the qualities of a saint.
If you have to find the simplest and fastest solution, there is only one.
“I will catch the people who caused that unpleasant incident and bring them before Your Majesty.”
“Yes. I will believe you.”
The king says he will trust him with an expression of complete distrust.
With a king like that, Logan had no choice but to return.
And the swordsmith’s expression when he saw the king and Logan like that was extremely dark.
* * *
“Your Majesty. Archduke Esperanza has requested a private meeting.”
“The Archduke? A private party? Hmm… Do it.”
The king put down his drink with a complicated expression and nodded.
Cleo immediately stepped back and the swordsman entered through the door.
“What are you doing alone at this late hour, Grand Duke? Oh, this is just a little pleasure after work, so don’t say anything.”
The king laughs, pointing at the wine glass.
The swordsman opened his mouth with a heavy expression.
“It may be undeserved, but as someone who holds the position of the king’s teacher, I came because I wanted to know your true feelings.”
“…My sincerity? What does that mean?”
“Do you really think that incident from before was Logan’s doing?”
Stop.
The liquor that was being poured into the glass overflowed through the king’s hands.
Immediately, the king chuckled, shook his hands, lifted the full glass, and poured the drink in one gulp.
“Hmm, that’s good. Would the Archduke like to have a drink too?”
“I am okay.”
Seeing the king avoid answering and raising his glass, the swordsmith politely expressed his refusal.
“Haha. Anyway, the Archduke is a very honest person.”
“That’s too much praise.”
“It’s not a compliment, haha. I guess that’s his charm. But did you ask me if I really doubt Lord Logan?”
“…That’s right.”
“Is that possible? If Lord Logan really meant that, I would have already been lying in my coffin long ago.”
The swordsman’s eyes sparkled at the answer that came out much faster than expected and without any delay.
“But why did you say that during the day?” It was a
difficult story. He answered easily what he had in mind, but when asked about the reason, his eyes hardened and he did not open his mouth.
The swordsman waited without urging the king.
Then the king looked at him, poured alcohol into a glass, and drank three glasses in a row.
“your majesty. If you drink that much without a snack, it’s bad for your health…”
The Duke of Swords, who had been waiting patiently, reluctantly tried to stop him.
The King suddenly asked,
“Grand Duke. Who is the real king of this country?”
“…Yes?”
The swordsman is taken aback by the absurd question.
“Me? Lord Logan? The subjects say that as long as they say something, they will get permission from Lord Logan, and you also listen less to Lord Logan than to me.” ”
Your Majesty. How can that be so ridiculous…”
“No, if I say it like this, will this fall into Lord Logan’s ears? So what else does Lord Logan have to say? huh? I’m curious.”
The king’s question with a flushed face and a grin cut off the swordsman’s words.
“How can you say such a thing?”
He sneered.
“Honestly, what does it mean whether I doubt Lord Logan or not? . Just think of it as the Scarecrow King’s complaints. Don’t you have the power to override my thoughts?”
“…That’s not true. The true owner of this country is Your Majesty.”
The king burst out laughing at the answer given by the swordsman with a dull complexion while bowing his head deeply.
“Puhahahaha. Do you really think so? If I tell you to exclude Duke Logan from state affairs, will you do so?”
“Your Majesty. Logan is only trying for your Majesty and this country!” ”
…What does that matter?”
“Yes?”
“I’m not talking about whether Lord Logan is doing well or not. Just put pressure on Lord Logan. Are you going to do it as soon as possible? Am I not the king?”
“….”
When the swordsman froze without saying anything, the king smiled and waved his hand.
“Go away. I need to have another drink.” The
hard-faced swordsman kicked up . As he turned and went outside, the king smiled bitterly and took another swig of alcohol.
But why did the alcohol, which always gave him a warm and refreshing feeling, unclog his chest, make him feel stuffy today?
Wajangchang.
He nervously threw away the bottle. It hit this wall and was scattered into pieces, and the moon that rose outside the window quietly disappeared between the clouds.
