Episode 365
“The Kassel Magic Tower will withdraw from the Holy Kingdom.”
“withdrawal?”
“You know what I mean, Your Majesty.”
The first to react to Luisa’s words was not Logan, but Victor, who was standing behind her.
“Then the saintess…!”
“Of course you’ll be safe. But you seem to be quite close to that saint, Sir Victor?”
Victor blushed and took a step back at the sight of Luisa smiling and eyes watching him from all directions.
“…The saint is from McLane Parish, so there is no one here who does not know her.”
Everyone in the room nodded at Logan’s calm voice, but Luisa thought those words were a smokescreen.
‘A superhuman unknown to the outside world has a close relationship with a saint. And, as it happened, the superhuman disappeared for a while and reappeared not long ago. What happened during that time? Something to do with the saint… Ah, the imperial lightsaber died in the saint. … Was it that strong? ‘You’re that young?’
An interesting inference was already forming in her mind, and it soon became a premonition that was close to certainty.
Of course, I didn’t show it. Because now was just the time to appeal that the Kassel Magic Tower was their ally.
A gathering nominally to celebrate a ‘good day’.
It was a good opportunity as it was a friendly event where the queen, who was rarely seen at official events, even brought her dog.
“I see. So I gave you some good news?”
Luisa smiled quietly with the queen and then petted the dog.
No, I tried to stroke it.
but.
“Sniff.”
The silver puppy snorted and hid behind the queen to avoid Luisa’s hand.
Hands wandering in the air. As Luisa was smiling awkwardly, the queen suddenly came forward and relieved her of her embarrassment.
“Hmm, that’s good news. Your Majesty seems to have one less thing to worry about.”
‘I heard she was a female knight, but now she’s just like a noblewoman.’
Luisa smiled as if she was grateful for the consideration and then looked back at Logan.
“Well, we won’t just withdraw. We need to keep the imperial family’s attention, so we will only withdraw after causing the Holy Kingdom and the Empire to clash.”
At those words, the faces of everyone in the room stiffened.
“Collision? Then maybe that’s it?”
When Logan’s gaze turned to the side, Damian, who was sitting there, nodded with a heavy face.
“There was information that the sword spirit and the cold wind mage left Aserian with a private army. So…?”
“…McLaine is also quick on information. Yes, they are the sword that the Emperor has drawn against the Holy Kingdom. And the Holy Kingdom will not avoid that sword but fight against it. Because ‘we’ will make it so.”
“Hmm.”
The air in the room changed with Logan’s voice.
Feeling that, Luisa smiled leisurely.
“That’s why I wanted to meet you and tell you in person. I wanted to gain a little bit of your trust. I also wanted to appeal to Count Ronian, who is now officially my fiancé.”
She has glossy black hair, eyes as blue as the sea, and a dress that highlights her figure, dressed for an engagement ceremony.
The red-haired young man, who was receiving the gaze of an extremely attractive beauty, smiled and averted his gaze. This was because the current situation, which started as an engagement reception and had become a conference hall where all the powerful figures of the kingdom gathered, was absurd.
Luisa burst into laughter as she watched this, and the swordsman, who had stayed silent until now, as if wary of her, took a step forward and opened his mouth.
“…I’m sorry for Bishop Ilia, but it’s a great thing for us, Your Majesty.”
The information Luisa gave him was so shocking that even the cautious man said so.
Logan was equally embarrassed.
‘It is the best case among the variables that were considered…’
Although it was called a castle, its center, Noviens, existed almost in the center of the empire’s territory. In fact, there was nothing bad for McLane since there was a conflict within the empire.
but.
“…I’m glad it ends in conflict, but what if the empire takes over the Holy Kingdom?”
“If we do that, we will face backlash from the entire continent’s subjects. The power of the Holy Kingdom does not lie only in Noviense.”
Although the Knights Templar were famous, most of their power was scattered in temples across the continent. In other words, the power of the Holy Kingdom in Noviens is only a small part. The real power of the Holy Kingdom is the public sentiment of the continent’s subjects, and the real force is the Holy Knights and temple soldiers scattered throughout the continent.
But Logan shook his head at those words.
“I said I was a Holy Kingdom, not a Noviens. The Emperor is not the kind of person who would do something so unreasonable without any basis.”
Is this guy also talking about the emperor?
‘He said he saw the emperor a lot.’
Luisa spoke calmly, trying to calm her anger, which left even her confused as to who it was directed at.
“Are you saying that the emperor has a justification for swallowing up the Holy Kingdom?”
When asked if that could be possible, most of the people gathered there nodded without thinking.
Logan wasn’t sure either.
‘Common sense tells us that it shouldn’t exist.’
If it were easy, the empire would have annexed the Holy Kingdom a long time ago.
But the worst case scenario had to be considered.
“What if I enter Noviense in the name of dealing with you?”
Luisa’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the word ‘you people’.
But the answer came without delay.
“We should go back immediately after dealing with it. We may be able to occupy the capital for a while, but it is not a reason to devour the province.”
“You can use the excuse of protecting the Pope who was embroiled in a conspiracy. At the same time, you can use it to pressure the Pope. Just like you did.”
“Or you could use the excuse of Lightsaber, who died in the capital. They may not know that it was done in McLane.”
Everyone’s complexions slightly hardened at Luisa’s sharp answer.
No one made the mistake of looking at Viktor, but Logan could feel Luisa looking at him. And the expression on the guy’s already embarrassed face.
But Logan responded calmly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Hmm, was I mistaken? Well, let’s say so. Anyway, not all priests in the temple are idiots. There is no way a sane Pope would respond to something that would be difficult even if he was brainwashed.”
“Originally, the Pope was said to be a truly upright man. Even if he had to sacrifice his life, he would not follow a path that is not the right path…”
“Hmm?”
It was Victor who responded to Luisa’s words with a faint smile.
He probably wanted to change the topic from earlier, but…
‘If you do that, it seems like he’ll admit it more!’
As Logan strained his eyes, Viktor lowered his head with a pale complexion, seemingly realizing something only then.
“…The saint said so.”
Logan sighed and changed the topic.
“Yes, I have heard rumors about Cardinal Austin.”
It was a very subjective statement, but it was worth keeping in mind.
In that case…
“I think there is another cause.”
“Why do you think so? I think the work will be completed with the Empire giving up a significant portion to the Holy Kingdom.”
“hmm.”
“I think they went out to stabilize the rear before starting a war. It would be difficult if the Holy Kingdom tackled them in a war of conquest.”
“…That makes sense, Your Majesty.”
Her words were certainly persuasive, to the extent that the majority of those gathered here unconsciously nodded again, not only because the swordsman who was hostile to Luisa said that.
But Logan still felt uncomfortable.
‘The only thing the emperor did by moving his sword spirit and cutting wind was to stabilize the rear?’
I thought it was just excessive anxiety because it had no basis, but it kept bothering me.
Perhaps reading that expression, Luisa smiled and continued speaking.
“If the Kassel Magic Tower continued to ‘work’ in cooperation with the Empire, an irreversible event has already occurred. You don’t have to worry.”
An irreversible event. It was clear what that meant.
It means that what you did produced the best results.
‘Is it really a needless worry?’
Since he didn’t have an excuse he could understand, Logan just smiled wryly, nodded, and raised his glass.
“Okay. I feel like I’ve made the atmosphere heavy on this great day for no reason, so let’s enjoy it for a little while.”
Only then did everyone remember that this was actually the after-party of the engagement ceremony.
“Ah… engagement ceremony. That’s right.”
Phew.
When Ronian, the person involved, made a nonsense statement, small laughter erupted from those around him.
A banquet where only family members gathered without inviting any nobles. But that is why all of those gathered here had no choice but to be powerful figures in the kingdom.
And in keeping with the original purpose, the talks continued on somewhat lighter topics.
‘He’s still a collaborator.’
Logan tried to ignore the uneasy feeling he felt as he watched the blue-eyed princess naturally conversing with the people around her.
‘I guess I’ll have to stay up all night training today.’
It was the best way to shake off complicated feelings.
* * * Chang!
bang!
The slim figure, who had been pushed back by the strong impact, kicked the floor again and rushed to the front.
Although she was just wearing simple casual clothes without any armor, the red aura that covered her whole body protected her from external threats stronger than any armor in the world.
Of course not.
“Gap.”
“Ugh!”
bang!
This doesn’t mean that you can be completely safe from attacks from opponents who are a few numbers higher.
“Ik! Again!”
Eilen, who had fallen, quickly got up.
As the darkness deepened outside the training hall, the burning flame in the red-haired woman’s eyes burned more and more fiercely.
On the contrary, Logan, who he was dealing with, was exhausted.
“Ha. Let’s call it a day, ma’am.”
From the beginning, I had planned to stay up all night practicing, but it wasn’t like this.
Logan tried to stop his wife with an awkward smile.
“Why? I’m still fresh?”
“Are you going to keep doing that? I did something wrong.”
“No. I have to prove to my husband that I am worthy of being a knight.”
Logan looked embarrassed at Eilen’s words.
“Well, that’s not what I meant.”
Eilen, who had recently gone on special training with Ronian and Viktor, heard the news from someone else and became angry.
“I have talent too! Are Master Ronian and Lord Viktor the only secret weapons?”
“Oh well, I really didn’t mean to.”
“Then what is it?”
“That…”
I was at a loss for words because I couldn’t tell the truth.
‘I think I unconsciously excluded you because I don’t want you to go to war. It is my mistake.’
It was clear that he would get even angrier if he revealed it like this.
My wife is a knight who has proven her talent by reaching the level of a superman when she was only in her mid-twenties. It was he who even founded the female army and entrusted its training.
I understood better than anyone else the desire to live as a knight before becoming someone’s wife.
I thought…
‘I guess it means I can’t help it, I’m a man from Grandia.’
I sighed. He was the most surprised by the fact that Eilen had unconsciously ruled out going to war. So, I had to deal with the aftereffects myself.
Logan, who had been racking his brain the whole time, forced himself to come up with an answer that didn’t exist.
“Hmm… Are you going to practice alone like this?”
A charming smile is a bonus.
It was an excuse for conversion, but my wife’s expression soured.
“…don’t talk nonsense.”
Then he raised the knife again and pointed it at himself.
“Don’t ever think of me without me again! I am also a knight and an Auror user who can be of great help to you and the country!”
…You guessed it.
So what more excuses should I make?
“sorry.”
These are awkward words coming from an awkward expression, but I have no choice but to apologize with the utmost sincerity.
“And… thank you.”
Eilen seemed to have calmed down at least with those words, and smiled, letting go of the fierce spirit that had been overflowing in the training hall.
“Then I guess I’ll also participate in the special training from next time?”
“sure.”
“Aww!”
The sight of my wife clenching her fists and screaming looked so cute that I laughed.
The uneasy feeling I had been feeling since morning seemed to disappear for a moment.
But my wife said something unexpected.
“Okay! Well, now that I’ve solved my problem, tell me yours too. What’s the problem?”
“yes?”
“You’ve been thinking about other things ever since the engagement ceremony.”
“Ah…”
Was it obvious like that?
Logan was a little embarrassed, but Eilen smiled and continued.
“I don’t know. We’ve been together for several years.”
“…It’s no big deal.”
He was grateful, but since it was a problem that really had no answer, Logan just smiled bitterly.
“It’s not a big deal, so let’s talk about it.”
As blue eyes filled with laughter gazed softly into his eyes, Logan revealed his inner thoughts that he had been trying to keep in his mind without even realizing it.
“It’s just that I feel uncomfortable about Seongguk’s affairs.”
“Wasn’t it concluded earlier?”
“Yes. It’s already happened. It seems like it’s just a matter of mood… No, it’s probably true.”
A stone that was kicked up rolled around helplessly.
Like a stone that stopped rolling without even being able to roll, Logan felt as if something had been placed on his chest.
“It’s uncomfortable….”
However, when I saw my wife approaching me with a serious expression on my face, I couldn’t help but smile. My heart wouldn’t have lightened if someone thought about it for me, but for some reason, I felt relieved.
“…That’s Okay.”
“yes?”
“Thanks to you, all the discomfort has disappeared, so let’s go now.”
“…I didn’t do anything?”
“I did. Enough.”
“to?”
The incomprehensible expression on his face seemed even more endearing, so Logan just grabbed his wife’s hand.
My heart felt warm just from the body heat.
But Eilen didn’t seem to stop worrying.
“Why is the second prince in the Holy Kingdom now?”
Logan tilted his head at the sudden words that came out before he reached the bedroom.
“Huh? Suddenly what…?”
“I feel uncomfortable about Seongguk’s affairs.”
“Ah…”
My wife seemed to have misunderstood his discomfort.
Although he was uneasy about the emperor’s intentions…
Still, he smiled and answered, grateful that he had taken the trouble to think about it.
“That’s why, while trying to establish a position in the Holy Kingdom, there was a falling out between them and they ended up in the air.”
“But why don’t you return to the Empire and stay in the Holy Kingdom?”
“Hmm. Well, if I just go back, X will happen?”
“So you’re saying it won’t do anything if I stay there?”
For a conversation between the king and queen of a country, too many cheap words were used, but at that moment, Logan’s complicated mind seemed to clear up a little.
“That’s not true.”
A feeling of connection between something that was not connected.
“Could it be that the emperor had some ulterior motive for putting the prince there?”
“The intention is…”
“For example, there will be some justification for the prince being there.”
“Well, that gives me some justification. I wonder if Baros could die there.”
It was meant to be a laugh, but the moment he said those words, Logan felt as if a ray of light passed through his mind.
‘Wait… this?’
Is there a possibility?
What if Prince Baros, a candidate for the throne, dies there? And what if a good reason is not revealed?
‘It becomes a justification for the empire to occupy the Holy Kingdom.’
My wife’s face was frozen as she made eye contact, as if she was thinking the same thing.
“…No matter what, my son.”
“Isn’t that right? Anyway…” Even though
we both tilted our heads with similarly shocked faces, the ominous feeling did not go away.
In the end, Logan had no choice but to turn around with a stern expression.
“Is it possible to contact the saint now?”
“…Give it a try.”
“Damn it…”
Logan started running to the communications room like crazy in the middle of the night.
