Episode 220
“There were no more accidents?”
“Yes. Since the news of your escape, there have been no raids on dwarven craftsmen or warehouses. Of course, we have doubled the vigilance.”
“As expected…”
“What?”
“No, no.”
I still needed to organize my thoughts a bit more.
It seemed like I had almost found the answer to the concerns that persisted throughout my return to the territory.
As soon as he escaped, the accidents and terrorism that occurred in McLane disappeared?
‘As expected, there are people plotting behind the scenes.’
One face naturally came to mind.
A middle-aged official who said he admired heroes and encouraged them to escape.
‘Cleo. Either he manipulated the king or there is someone behind him.’
I had no choice but to come to that conclusion.
Because the king’s actions were too extreme to think otherwise.
He did things so calmly that he could lose everything if he messed up even once, and put undue pressure on himself and McLane.
It was an act of making no hesitation before discussing the qualities of a saint or a tyrant.
‘It means you can’t make a rational decision.’
When I thought about it that way, I felt fortunate that I had escaped from prison.
Perhaps the king would have done something regardless of whether his teacher opposed it or not.
If we had waited a little longer, there could have been bloodshed and a chase right from the palace.
When I thought about that, my insides burned again.
‘Damn it. ‘How did something like this happen…’
The big picture drawn to prepare for the empire’s invasion collapsed from its foundation.
The boiling emotions naturally turned towards the person thought to be the culprit.
‘Cleo. I will completely destroy you and everything behind you.’
Logan gritted his teeth as he took in all his life.
“I can no longer tolerate the king’s violence. Now I must take down the king I put on the throne with my own hands.”
“Okay. I guess so.”
At that time, when the red eyes of the two father and son appeared, a vicious murderous spirit appeared.
‘That news’ also reached Macline.
– Geomgong himself declared the subjugation of McLane.
It was truly shocking news to the other family members, except for Logan, who was mentally prepared.
* * *
“I kept trying to connect, but you still wouldn’t answer.”
“Of course it is.”
– If you continue like this, you will truly be a traitor, Logan.
Logan, remembering his teacher’s warning, smiled bitterly.
‘Now that this has happened, there is no need to hesitate any longer.’
That’s how I made up my mind again.
The thoughts of those around him were quite different from his.
“Logan. No matter how much I think about it, it seems like I’ve gone too far in squaring off with His Excellency the Sword Master. If I can persuade him, I think it would be better to try to persuade him.”
With my father with a stiff face.
“Prince Logan. Do you have the confidence to deal with His Excellency the Sword Duke? If not, try to resolve it somehow through conversation. It seems like the sacrifice will be too great…”
Eilen looked worried.
“That’s right. Wouldn’t an all-out war with the Archduchy be a burden? It would require great sacrifices. I also think that attempting dialogue is a priority.”
Even Heinkel agrees with that statement.
But Logan shook his head resolutely despite all the concerns.
“I’m not the type of person to change something once I’ve decided. Fighting is already inevitable.”
Everyone gathered at that assertion sighed in unison.
But soon.
“If we can blockade only His Excellency the Sword Duke, we will be able to minimize the damage. If you are not confident, we will have to find a solution at the knighthood level.”
The father with a stern expression immediately spoke about the swordman’s containment plan.
“Esperanza is the Archduke… It’s a burden, but there’s nothing that means she can’t fight. The morale of the soldiers is high. Watching the seniors awaken as force users one after another, there are some who are just waiting for war.”
The old knight commander also clenched his fists while talking about the morale of the soldiers.
“The same goes for female soldiers. All 1,200 of them are looking forward to this opportunity to prove their worth.”
Eilen, who had a worried expression from beginning to end, also showed fighting spirit with sparkling eyes.
No one was afraid even when they heard that other nobles were joining together to attack the Esperanza Knights, the strongest in the kingdom.
‘It’s worth it.’
McLane’s current power was so strong that they were so confident.
Although there have been some recent problems, Liberatio’s production has already reached saturation and the number of knights has long since surpassed 1,000.
And more than a third of the knights were equipped with artifacts developed by Clayton.
However, the power of the three superhumans himself, Luther, and Clayton seemed to be a bit lacking compared to Sword Gong and Wicken Callia.
“Contrary to what the outside world may think, we are superior in terms of superhuman power. Please keep that in mind as well.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes. I am confident.”
“…Yes. Believe me, then it is definitely more likely.”
As Luther Kyle repeatedly sparred with himself, he was breaking through the wall that had remained stagnant for a dozen years.
Clayton was now capable of dealing with Juan Douglas from the past even if he returned.
And he himself is actually a special case among superhumans.
‘Maybe I can handle Master on my own.’
Thanks to that, Logan’s voice was full of confidence.
No worries about power.
Now all that remains is the emotional burden of dealing with a teacher.
and.
‘How many more talented people will die as a result of this conflict?’
How big will the variables that will arise as a result?
My heart just felt heavy at that thought.
But even that suddenly disappeared without a trace when he thought of the shadow of a giant lurking in the far west.
Emperor.
When I thought of him, I didn’t want to drag on the situation by being clumsy.
‘Even if conversation were possible, not now.’
Once you find an agreement and step back, you will continue to step back.
There was no time to waste like that.
so.
“If it has to be done, let’s do it. Let’s show the world just how strong our Macline is!”
“yes!”
Everyone’s fighting spirit went up endlessly as the words poured out as if they were declarations.
At a time when the entire MacLine was frantically preparing for battle, Logan received an unexpected call.
Ugh.
“hmm?”
Logan’s brows narrowed at the faint wave of mana felt in his arms.
The source of the wave was easy to find.
A small bead-shaped communication tool that I had because I thought there might be something clever about it.
The disposable communication device that contained the empire’s communication technology handed over by the 2nd prince was trembling.
‘I heard it was made so I could contact them?’
Logan, who once again felt disbelief at the handsome face of the 2nd prince that came to mind at first glance, crumpled his expression and slightly infused force into the bead he took out.
Then, the expected face appeared on the bead.
[It’s been a while, Prince Logan.]
“…It’s been a while, Your Highness, Prince. But what’s going on?”
It wasn’t a situation to exchange friendly words, and I didn’t want to ask why they were calling me after telling me to contact them.
However, despite that straightforward question, the prince was still smiling.
[I heard that Lord Logan is in a difficult situation. So, at the risk of being rude, I communicated with you. It’s difficult to obtain direct coordinates for the McLane family in a foreign country.] It’s
a difficult situation…
I know it well.
Logan’s wariness grew even stronger when he heard the prince say that he was still aware of the kingdom’s movements.
“It’s a bit of a difficult situation, but I’m not sure if that’s why His Highness contacted me.”
It means to get to the point without interrupting the conversation.
[ah. Didn’t I give you this communication tool as a gift before? I told you to contact me if you need my help.]
“…What do you mean?”
[I contacted you first in case you forgot. I think I can help in a difficult situation.]
A difficult situation has subtly turned into a difficult situation.
Logan tilted his head, looking at the prince who was still smiling.
“What do you mean when you say help? You certainly don’t mean to send the Empire’s troops, do you?”
Because that would be aggression, not help.
‘No, then is it really going to help?’
If the Second Prince appears like that, the Master will have to turn his sword and join forces with him again.
The imperial war may be a little faster, but….
sigh.
‘Useless thoughts…’
The person who would become the next emperor of the Second Prince Empire could not have been that stupid.
When Logan realizes that his mind is truly complicated.
The prince smiled again and continued.
[It can’t be. You may not want it, but I have no desire to cause international trouble.]
“If that’s the case?”
[You may not know, but there are some talented people who can help me despite my shortcomings. Some of them have exceptional talents. If you wish, I would like to tell you that even if you don’t know swordsmanship, an assassin called the Storm Sword is capable of assassination.]
When he said the word ‘assassination’, the prince also lowered his voice as much as possible, and the moment he heard the word, Logan’s expression hardened. It hardened.
‘Assassinate a superhuman?’
Of course, it is not impossible if the same superhuman is used as an assassin.
However, it is doubtful whether a superhuman’s pride will allow him to respond to something like assassination, and if an empire’s superhuman is discovered operating within the kingdom, a situation will be created that is no different from a direct invasion by the empire’s large army.
so.
“Do you mean that there are non-superhumans who can kill superhumans…?”
[haha. How could such a person be common? If that were the case, His Majesty the Emperor would not have shown so much interest in Duke Logan.]
“Then?”
[It’s nothing compared to Lord Logan, but I’ll just say that there are talented people who can do this without leaving behind any evidence if they come together.] This
means that there are assassins who can kill superhumans.
‘If this guy is confident enough, it means he really has that kind of ability.’
My expression suddenly hardened and cold sweat ran down my spine.
At the same time, a certain group that I had only heard about through rumors in my past life came to mind.
Although he was horrified by the newly felt power of the Empire, Logan tried to control his expression.
“Hmm. What is your reason for doing that?”
[ha ha ha. I’m not asking for anything in return. It is enough for you to remember my kindness and continue our friendship in the future. We can live by helping each other.]
The prince’s words sounded like this to Logan.
– Later, I will receive more compensation than you think.
An expression that becomes instantly cold.
Moreover, as the conversation got longer, I felt that this small communication port had some unknown function.
Logan’s senses felt a mana pattern that was completely different from the normal communication sphere.
This strange feeling combined with the unpaid favor gave me a vague idea of its function.
‘I’m going to record it…’
What if a video was released showing him asking a person from the empire to assassinate his country’s superhuman?
How much impact will it have?
Even if the war is won, there will be no positive results.
so.
“Hmm. Thank you for your favor, Your Highness. But, I’m sorry, but I have to refuse.”
[Huh? Hmm. You must be in a very difficult situation, right? I didn’t think you were the type of person to show off your pride in front of Silly…]
“Ahaha. You saw it wrong. If I wasn’t a person with pride, how could I have refused His Majesty’s offer?”
[Huh… Are you really saying that you would refuse help because of pride?]
“You just need to see it as confidence, not pride. I am confident that we will get through it with my own strength and that of my family.”
[Hmm. If you say that, I understand. I can’t force help to someone who doesn’t need it.]
What does the regret in that expression mean?
Don’t fall for the bait . Regrets about the missing fish?
[But the Empire and I feel very sorry that a hero like you has to go through such hardships. I feel very sorry that you don’t want help, but please always remember this feeling.] ”
Of course. ”
[And if things don’t go as well as you hoped, please come to the Empire at any time. Your Majesty will make the same offer again, and I will also actively help you.]
So, you also seem to think that our family will lose.
Logan I was snorting inwardly, but suddenly this situation felt a little strange.
‘A contact like this at this timing…?’
Cleo’s suspicious appearance seemed to overlap with the 2nd prince’s face.
Of course, even if he was really a person on the 2nd prince’s side, there was nothing to prove right now.
‘…We’ll see.’
Logan once again felt burdened by the shadow of the empire that was cast at an unexpected moment, but used it as motivation to fuel his fighting spirit even more.
“Thank you for your words. That won’t happen.”
[…Good luck.]
Pisik.
Not wanting to continue talking any longer, Logan tightened his grip.
Kwasik.
The bluish mana scattered into the air along with the finely shattered remains of the communication port.
Logan, who was watching the scene with a murderous expression, said to Dwayne who was standing next to him,
“Preparations are all complete. Announce it throughout the kingdom. “I will oust the tyrant king and build a new Grandia. The nobles who respond to the tyrant’s request will later have to endure Maclaine’s revenge.” It was a declaration that signaled the beginning
of the second civil war
.
