Chapter 145
Chapter 145
'It was fifty-fifty anyway. That's fine. Just getting me an audience with the Third Prince is more than enough. I can slowly persuade Master later.'
The night streets of the capital.
Logan, sprinting across rooftops, tried to console himself with those thoughts.
Though he had failed to secure the Sword Duke as a definite trump card, he still had other cards up his sleeve.
'Convincing the Third Prince should be as easy as flipping my hand...'
Would he accept a fate of death or lifelong imprisonment, or would he take a gamble on the slim chance of becoming king?
Even ordinary people would likely choose the latter.
And the Third Prince Logan knew would undoubtedly choose the latter as well.
So what he needed now was forces that would lend their strength not just to him and his family, but to the Third Prince.
'It should work out as planned...'
After running through the darkness for a long while, Logan's steps eventually led him inside a mansion adorned with intricate floral patterns.
"These terms are far too excessive. Do you truly intend to honor them?"
Count Roberts Floyd clutched his head, unable to sleep despite the late hour when he should have been deep in slumber.
The cause of his insomnia was nothing more than two thin sheets of paper.
"We'll grant you the vacant position of Border Lord as you wish, left open by the war. Join us."
After tossing aside another letter with similar contents, he let out a hollow laugh and stared at the ceiling.
Rumors had been circulating for days about the heavy losses both factions suffered during their clash at Harun Castle.
And the aftermath of those rumors was now in his hands—these letters.
Both factions were beginning to reach out to neutral forces.
Thanks to the Sword Duke, who had declared neutrality early on, many nobles near the capital—especially those around the Esperanza territory—had also declared neutrality.
Of course, they weren't a force comparable to the First or Second Prince's factions, but their support could tip the scales.
Neither faction could recklessly pressure them, but tempting them with sweet offers was another matter entirely.
'The Sword Duke likely won't stop families who voluntarily withdraw their neutrality. Unless it's coercion.'
And in this situation, the words left by that bastard who had stolen his "treasure" half a year ago resurfaced in his mind.
"Please remain neutral for as long as possible."
Had he foreseen this?
"No way..."
"He did foresee it."
"Gah!"
The sudden voice from behind made Roberts Floyd practically leap out of his skin.
"W-Who's there?!"
Though not exceptionally strong, he was still a Force User with skills comparable to a knight—enough to be utterly startled.
He was also well aware of the defensive and alarm magic laid throughout the mansion, which made the intrusion all the more shocking.
But what surprised him even more was the voice that followed.
"It's me, Father-in-law."
A familiar voice. Yet when the black mask was removed, the face beneath was entirely unfamiliar.
"Prince Logan? No, that hair color... And your eyes—what happened?"
"First, I must apologize for intruding so rudely. I had urgent matters to discuss that couldn't wait..."
Logan's words gradually hardened Count Roberts Floyd's expression.
And his initial response was as negative as his face suggested.
"It's certainly an intriguing proposal, but this is a matter that risks the fate of my house. I can't make this decision lightly."
Though he phrased it diplomatically, the count's expression was dark.
Had it not been for his daughter's connection to Logan's family, he would have refused outright.
But Logan remained unfazed.
"Is it because you believe the combined strength of the neutral nobles would still be insufficient?"
"I won't deny it. Moreover, the fact that you've chosen me as the focal point for rallying neutral forces implies Duke Felix has already refused, doesn't it?"
Logan gave a bitter smile at Roberts' deduction.
"I plan to persuade Master further. It seems he needs more time."
"Hmm... Given what he's said, I doubt he'll change his mind..."
The count sighed deeply, his expression growing even gloomier.
"Ahem. Regardless. Even if Duke Esperanza were to step forward and all neutral forces were gathered, opposing either faction would still be incredibly difficult. It's far too risky. And now, with both factions growing desperate, they're offering absurdly tempting terms."
"I'm aware."
"And yet you still propose this? Some houses have already joined factions and marched to the frontlines."
"I'm aware of that as well."
In the original course of history, his father-in-law, Roberts Floyd, would have joined the Second Prince's faction.
'Though the timing is a bit early.'
Aside from Floyd, the other houses that had abandoned neutrality in his past life had already committed their forces.
That was why Logan could devise this plan.
Those who would side with the factions had already done so.
"However, there's one fact you're unaware of, Father-in-law."
"...And that is?"
"The MacLaine forces backing this alliance are strong enough to face two—or even three—Border Lords simultaneously."
"I've heard of your family's exploits in the war, but that's..."
"Recently, we also forced Marquis Calria's army to retreat. Of course, that included the Transcendent, Stormblade."
He didn't mention that this didn't even account for the forces still stationed in their territory.
That alone should be convincing enough.
"...Is that true?"
The count's eyes lit up, distinctly different from before.
However—
"Princess Eileen was also present. You could ask her directly. I believe communication should be possible soon."
"W-What?!"
"If that's not convincing enou—"
"You dragged my daughter onto a battlefield?! And one where Stormblade was present?! You—you insane—!!"
Logan, having failed to properly consider the heart of a father with a daughter, spent the next while sweating bullets as he tried to calm his furious father-in-law.
But after much effort, once the count had finally settled down—
"So, MacLaine and Duke Esperanza's house... With the remaining neutral noble forces added, it might indeed be possible. At the very least, it's better than gambling half my house's survival."
"Then...?"
"I'll gladly join you. I leave it in your hands, 'son-in-law.' Ah, of course, this all hinges on the Sword Duke's participation."
"...Naturally."
Eight months into the civil war.
Roberts Floyd, head of the Floyd Count family—one of the strongest remaining neutral noble houses—accepted Logan's proposal.
The next day.
Using the same route and method as before, Logan infiltrated his master's mansion and met the Third Prince, whose complexion had grown somewhat haggard since their last meeting.
"It's been a while, Your Highness."
Even at the sudden voice from behind, the prince turned his head calmly, as if he had expected it.
Then, seeing Logan remove his mask, he gave a bitter smile.
"Indeed. It has been a while, Lord Logan."
"I hope you've been well, Your Highness. The time has come to fulfill the promise I made to you before, so I've come."
"Ha... A promise..."
The pale-faced prince's blue eyes flashed as he stared at Logan.
Without beating around the bush, Logan cut straight to the point.
"As I told you that day, I've dealt with Roger Bifrost and returned. Now, I intend to make you the ruler of this nation. Of course, only if you wish it."
"Hmm..."
The prince's face flushed slightly at the word "ruler."
But the Third Prince, Rogers von Grandia, did not speak easily.
After a long pause—
"I'm holed up in a duke's mansion, not the royal palace, under protection. And you, hiding your proud lineage, have come to meet me like this. Is this even possible?"
"It is."
Logan's immediate reply made the prince's eyes sharpen slightly.
"The First and Second Princes' factions are too busy fighting each other, so their forces are dwindling. And I've prepared enough troops to finish them off in one stroke."
"...How so?"
"Our family's strength has already been proven on the central front. And more than double that firepower is waiting in our territory."
"What?! Is that true?"
The prince's eyes gleamed at the mere mention of "double."
'He's been keeping his ear to the ground about the war. Good. That's promising.'
A smile tugged at Logan's lips.
"And if I can persuade Master to mobilize the neutral forces, we can easily sweep away what remains of the two factions after their prolonged conflict."
"And you believe they'll ultimately support me?"
The prince's eyes grew livelier by the second.
"Yes. No noble would refuse the chance to secure their place in a new kingdom."
"Even if your master doesn't help?"
"MacLaine already has enough strength, Your Highness. And the situation will only grow more favorable with time."
A simple but solid strategy.
Finally, after so long, a smile bloomed on the Third Prince's face.
'Trying to persuade Master any further right now would backfire. It's better to return and occasionally communicate through messages from now on. From this point onward...'
For the next few days, Logan secretly met with the leading figures of the neutral faction—those who had stubbornly remained neutral in his past life, only to be utterly ruined by the war's end.
They would become the foundation for the most certain plan Logan envisioned.
"Maximize production of Liberatio and repeating crossbows. Increase militia training as well."
These were Logan's orders to his territory immediately after declaring his withdrawal from the factions.
By the time Logan returned from the capital, the work was already well underway.
"Crossbow and magazine production has increased by 1.5 times, and Liberatio output has followed suit. The militia now numbers nearly 20,000. Though there's some discontent with the increased training time as harvest season approaches..."
"That much is fine. You've done well, Ronian."
"Not at all, Brother. It's only what I should have done."
Logan patted the shoulder of his younger brother, who had grown considerably more dependable over the past few years.
"Any news from the central front?"
"They've been in a stalemate since the last clash a week ago."
"What? Why?"
It was too early.
They shouldn't have suffered enough damage to warrant this yet.
Ronian scratched his head awkwardly under Logan's questioning gaze.
"How should I know? Maybe they're regrouping and conserving their strength?"
"...I suppose that's possible."
Though somewhat uneasy, he couldn't scrutinize the frontlines from here.
Instead of worrying needlessly, Logan focused on bolstering his family's military strength.
"Good. You've done excellently in our absence. Here, this is your reward."
"Huh?"
"Take it. Consider it compensation for safeguarding the territory."
Ronian's gaze fell on the sword being held out to him.
A sleek blade with runes so finely engraved they seemed like mere decoration, emanating a faint blue chill.
Even at a glance, it was clearly a high-grade artifact.
"The sword once wielded by the Moonlight Knight, Flanz. It's inscribed with the name 'Frigus'—an ancient word meaning 'frost.' Likely a Class 4 artifact."
"Why give this to me? You could use it yourself..."
"Lux has awakened its natural magic. So I don't need it."
"Ah—! So it was truly possible! Wow!!"
Ronian's eyes widened comically as he gasped in amazement.
But soon, he shook his head again.
"Ah, no. Even so, I shouldn't accept this."
"What?"
"Then give it to Sister-in-law. Mane is more than enough for me. Who knows? Maybe it'll awaken natural magic like Lux did."
Lux was a masterpiece infused with the soul of a dwarven grandmaster. Mane, its lesser counterpart, was fundamentally different.
'And Hamar can't just make another one intentionally.'
Not that his brother was unaware of that.
"This is a reward for protecting the family in our absence. You've earned it."
Aslan's sword—a grade lower than Velocitas, which their father had taken—had already been given to Heinkel.
Logan had assumed this one would naturally go to Ronian.
"If that's the case, then all our vassals should receive rewards together. Not just me."
"Hah, you brat..."
"As I said, it was only my duty. Sister-in-law's safety is far more important, Brother. She'll be the next lady of MacLaine."
"That's you... Hmm."
"Huh?"
"No, never mind. If you insist, then so be it."
Setting aside her status as his fiancée, Eileen was also a talent with the potential to become a Transcendent.
If not Ronian, giving it to her wasn't a bad idea either.
"Eh? Why are you smiling, Brother? Thinking about Sister-in-law again...?"
"Because you've made me proud, you rascal!"
Pfft.
The future was truly unpredictable now.
Even as he sensed the coming chaos, Logan could laugh freely, if only for a moment.