Episode 267
“Wahahahah!”
A wedding reception at the royal palace full of laughter.
Of course, the area around the main characters, Logan and Eilen, was crowded with people, but the next most crowded place was the place where the second prince of the empire was located.
“It is a great honor to meet you like this, Your Majesty.”
Looking at the nameless noble bowing his head in front of him, Baros simply nodded with a smile.
In fact, he didn’t have the slightest interest in this pig in front of him or the other nobles he had greeted earlier.
‘That’s annoying.’
At times like this, I often wondered if it would be better to give off an unapproachable, razor-sharp vibe like his half-brother.
Of course, as always, that thought was fleeting.
If it weren’t for the ‘good and kind’ image he had developed from a very young age, he, who was born as the 6th prince, would not have risen to the status of 2nd prince.
“I will remember your favor, Baron.”
“Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”
The fat nobleman whose last name, let alone his name, I could not remember, jumped with joy at those words and stepped away.
If it were the imperial capital of an empire, it would have been better to remember the name and surname and add a word, but I didn’t want to do that much mental labor even in this kingdom.
And for now, just a smile that seemed like a habit was enough.
For the nobles of this small kingdom, the status of prince of the empire was almost omnipotent.
But at that moment, as if he had been waiting for his turn, he saw a one-eyed knight approaching behind another nobleman who was almost afraid that the seat in front of him would become empty.
The second prince’s black eyes, which met his single eye, glowed subtly.
“Hmm. Excuse me. I guess the group has something to say to me.”
“Ah… Yes. I understand, Your Highness.”
The nobleman who was approaching couldn’t hide his disappointment at his words, but when he saw Jerome approaching from behind, he hurriedly retreated.
During the month the delegation stayed, the story of the young empire’s superhuman who defeated the half-giant Luther Kyle and the storm sword Wicken Calia in sparring was a big issue in the kingdom.
Many people expected to spar with the king or a swordsman, but they refused to deal with Jerome, saying he was not suited for swordsmanship. However, since Jerome could not ask the king to spar with him directly, we could not see any more superhuman battles.
‘Well, that’s enough.’
Because it was enough to show the might of the empire.
While the prince was thinking that, Jerome, who had safely completed his first mission, arrived in front of him.
“What’s going on, Jerome?”
“Well… we’re having a bit of a problem, Your Highness.”
As the prince winked at him, his bodyguards pushed the people around them further away.
Soon the surroundings became quiet, and Jerome whispered something in a low voice into the prince’s ear.
And at that moment, the prince’s expression changed.
“…They’re all dead?”
The emotions expressed in a very small voice were deep confusion and anger.
“It was fine until we started questioning, but as soon as we got deeper into the palace today, something happened.”
“Even though you had the excuse of being a worker to help the nation?”
“The excuse that I took the wrong route didn’t work at all. They executed me the moment I left the venue…”
“These crazy things!!”
As the attention of those around him gathered as he shouted, unable to hold back, the prince struggled to keep his expression in check.
However, the soft voice that continued was murderous.
“Officially file a complaint with the Kingdom of McLane. I will never sit idly by and say that favors are returned with vengeance.”
“Well… I already complained.”
“You did it?”
The prince’s gaze turned to the king, who was being greeted by nobles at the head table, and as if targeting that moment, Logan raised his glass towards him.
The moment the prince noticed the subtle smile on his lips and slightly furrowed his eyebrows, Jerome continued speaking with a small sigh.
“They said the king’s order had already been given and they didn’t even budge. They said they knew what the scoundrels who threw people’s heads in front of the king would do and would make an exception…” ”
Ha… crazy…”
Unexpected It was work.
Because it was such an extreme move that it could have caused a major diplomatic problem if it had been taken.
What it meant was clear.
‘You won’t care about diplomatic friction?’
The second prince gritted his teeth at the king’s absurd provocation.
The problem was that even if I resolved this diplomatically and received compensation from the kingdom, my loss would be greater in the end.
It would be a clear point deduction factor in the battle for succession to the throne.
‘I don’t think you know that…’
The prince forced his expression. He did not want to show any more weakness to the king of a small country who was looking at him with a relaxed look.
On top of that relaxed expression, good news finally came.
“However, the victims were only intelligence agents and the ‘ghosts’ escaped safely. Moreover, it is said that they have already found a suitable target and gained a ‘face’. Assassination is still possible.”
“…No, right now I’m telling you to just focus on gathering information. Don’t even approach the Auror users yet.”
“Yes, I understand. And I think there is some useful information among the information I have gathered so far.”
“hmm?”
“They said there was friction with the priests when dealing with the plague, but it wasn’t just friction. It seems the royal family was also making a fuss about it.”
“More details.”
“Yes. That’s…”
The aftermath of what Logan did.
The detailed process was fully heard by the prince.
As Jerome continued, the smile on the second prince’s face grew stronger.
“That’s interesting. You broke the temple’s taboo…”
“I think it would be enough to cause a stir.”
“No, that alone is weak. The bishop was convinced. But there must be more that can be used.”
“yes?”
“There was a report that came in when he came to the empire two years ago. It was said that the temple was keeping an eye on this kingdom. But it was not a good atmosphere at all. I just passed this on at the time, but I think we need to look into it in detail.”
Jerome’s single-eyed look at the prince filled me with admiration, as he had the memory to immediately recall a report he had heard in passing a year ago.
The prince smiled delicately as he looked at Jerome and raised his glass, which was half full of alcohol. Then, enjoying the scent of wine that tickled the tip of his nose, he raised his glass towards the back of the king’s head, who was now looking away from him.
“I guess I should stop by the central temple. I think I can give the king a nice gift.”
“…yes?”
“So Jerome, please lend me your name.”
“yes?”
“If the name of the Holy Empire is added to my name, the time it takes to meet the Pope will be a little shorter.”
Jerome’s face hardened slightly at those words.
It was not because of the weight of the name Pope.
It was because he said he would use his own name.
“…Your Highness. I still have no intention of interfering in the battle for succession to the throne.”
He simply volunteered to serve as a guard to gauge how high the level of the enemy who took one of his eyes had risen, and he had no intention of becoming a member of the second prince’s faction.
Even though I received that offer all the way here.
“You don’t mean to say that I’m going to lead all the operations here and get out of there, right? Jerome Decade.”
“That’s just following His Majesty’s instructions.”
“Hmm. Is it because I still feel like I’m not good enough to serve as your lord?”
“…Is that possible?”
Even if it was not his work at the palace, the leadership skills, charisma, and tolerance he showed in the process of getting to this point, as well as the tolerance for comforting his subordinates, seemed to be enough for a monarch of a country.
“However, my teacher’s position is…”
“I don’t think Lord Tris is the type of person who would force that on his students just because he maintains neutrality?”
“….”
Looking at Jerome, who looked embarrassed, Baros pressed his tongue.
“I care about my people. I will generously support whatever you desire.”
The second prince’s tone was full of sincerity.
In his mind, there was already no trace of Cleo, whose head was cut off just to save Logan.
And those words shook Jerome.
Because his mindset was also different from when he came to the kingdom.
“…Even if I want that king’s head?”
Jerome asked grimly, stroking the blindfold covering his right eye.
Despite my teacher’s teachings to have a broad mind, I could not completely shake off the anger of defeat.
‘I was just being bold and pretending to forget.’
I realized that fact as soon as I saw Logan McLane’s face a month ago. And the short time I spent here was enough time to forget my teacher’s teachings and reflect on my anger.
The prince, who read his anger, nodded with a subtle smile.
“Of course. I will definitely provide that position someday. Even if Your Majesty is against it.”
Jerome’s single eye flashed at those words.
“I will believe you.”
“Good. The name of the next Imperial Sword will grow even bigger next to me.”
Baros patted Jerome on the shoulder and laughed.
One of the important purposes of coming here was achieved more easily than expected.
So now all that’s left is….
‘Meet the Pope.’ If I have my way….’
Inevitable chaos will come to this newly emerging kingdom. Then, the eastern part of the continent will be completely cooked according to his wishes.
‘Our empire will only need to lift a spoon.’
Furthermore, the outcome of the imperial succession battle will also become more certain.
‘Logan McLane. There will be no easy way out this time.’
– Long live Logan McLane!
– Long live the Kingdom of McLane!
In a place filled with cheers for the kingdom’s bright future, the 2nd prince also raised his glass to the king.
With a real smile for the first time in a long time.
* * * Two months have already passed.
Jack.
As the warm sunlight pouring down on his face along with the sounds of birds and the feeling that spring had fully arrived, Logan, who had been intoxicated with drowsiness, opened his eyes with a pleasant smile.
Meditation, which used to replace sleep, is now a thing of the past.
No matter how important training is, I couldn’t have my companion, who was supposed to be with me for the rest of his life, start working alone from the newlyweds.
“Hmm…”
As if to tell us about the intense last night, his companion was still unable to come to his senses, despite his status as a top-level force user.
Logan smiled as he looked at the messy red hair and the beautiful shoulder line exposed from the blanket, but Eilen, who had been tossing and turning for a while as if feeling empty, opened her eyes with a messy face.
“woke up?”
side.
Her red face from the light kiss on her forehead was very lovely.
“I have to go out right away. I’ll see you in the evening.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I should leave immediately too.”
“Aren’t you tired? Even if you rest a little…”
“It’s okay. The harder we work, the sooner the day will come when we can give birth to our child with peace of mind.”
Logan’s face hardened slightly at those words. It was because it reminded me of the conversation we had after our marriage ended.
I sighed without realizing it.
“I’m sorry. I…”
“No, no. If the Empire’s invasion is true, I’m pregnant now, which will only cause trouble.”
Eilen was already dressed and had even tied her hair.
It was so fast that I wondered when I had even woken up in bed.
“I’m so glad, right? Because my wife is an excellent engineer who can even control her biological rhythm?”
I loved the way she smiled and joked as if she was a little embarrassed, and I was very grateful.
There was a certain number of words that Logan could say to express that gratitude.
“That’s right. Let’s do our best today as well.”
“Was today the day the corps system was announced?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, female soldiers still have no choice but to be deployed only to the central corps. There are also issues with absolute numbers and infrastructure.”
“I already know this because I’ve heard it a few times, Your Majesty. Don’t worry, just take care of your work.”
A smile appeared on Logan’s lips at that brave response.
Logan walked out of the bedroom with pride filling his heart.
“Your Majesty!”
“I see you, Your Majesty.”
As soon as he left the bedroom, he met him . They all bowed their heads.
They accepted the greeting appropriately and hurried on their way, and the guards, including Victor, who had been waiting outside the palace immediately followed suit.
“Have you coughed, Your Majesty?”
“Chung!”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
As we entered the main palace, Dwayne, who was waiting for Logan outside the main hall, looked at him and bowed his head.
“Your Majesty. “All the nobles are gathered.”
“Okay, let’s go in.”
“Yes.”
Dwayne gestured, and the knight guarding the entrance to the main hall shouted towards the inside.
“Come in, Your Majesty!”
Okay, go ahead. The
huge gate of the main hall. It opened, and nobles were seen standing up all at once to the left and right of the now familiar fluffy red carpet.
Heads
were lowered one after another next to Logan, who was walking at a steady pace towards the head of the table.
I was confident that there would be no more trouble in the kingdom. It was a breathtaking sight.
As soon as he sat down on the throne, Logan got straight to the point, as usual.
“Starting today, we will comprehensively reorganize all military classes in the kingdom.”
“Yes?”
“What is that…”
“As expected…” ..”
There was a lot of noise in the battle.
I saw a few people nodding their heads as if they had predicted it, and many people who were perplexed.
Facing the gazes of the nobles who were focused on me one by one, Logan once again announced the change in the new kingdom.
