Chapter 185
Chapter 185
Logan had rushed to the capital with only a minimal escort of knights.
Without even stopping at his own residence, he headed straight for his master's estate—where he was met with shocking news.
"An assassination attempt?!"
"Yes."
The Sword Duke's hair, which had already been streaked with white after the former king's death, seemed even grayer now. His expression was grim.
"For now, I've ordered those who know the truth to keep it quiet. But rumors seem to be spreading regardless."
"How could this happen? An assassination attempt, out of nowhere?"
"That's what I'd like to know. And there's more—several strange details."
"Huh?"
As the Sword Duke explained further, Logan listened intently, his mind racing.
"...The biggest problem is that there's no trace left behind. No evidence, no witnesses. Even after interrogating the captain of the royal guard, we found nothing. The man genuinely knew nothing."
Logan frowned. No matter how he thought about it, something felt off.
"...This is suspicious."
"Indeed."
"Who would even dare attempt such a thing in this political climate? Master, you don't actually suspect the First Prince's faction, do you?"
"Of course not. Even if they killed the king, they wouldn't be able to claim the throne."
Logan nodded.
He had omitted voicing it outright, but the truth was simple—Logan himself had no reason to harm the king. He was the one who had placed him on the throne in the first place.
'I'd sooner dig up some distant royal relative with diluted blood than kill the king I just installed.'
It was the obvious conclusion for anyone with half a brain.
"Then what you meant earlier was...?"
"Merely giving His Majesty a target for his anger. Even if it's a hypothetical one."
"This is troubling."
"Indeed. And there's more—Louis' testimony is odd as well."
"Sir Louis?"
"Yes. To summarize, the attack was sloppy for something that took place deep within the palace, yet the retreat was unnaturally thorough. Doesn't that stink?"
"...Yes. It reeks. What were they really after?"
Logan's expression darkened as he matched his master's grim tone. The Sword Duke sighed before continuing.
"We don't know who they are or what they truly wanted. But one thing is certain—this incident has caused problems. And for you, in the worst possible way."
"...For me?"
"His Majesty suspects you."
"What—?!"
The words made Logan shoot to his feet before he could stop himself.
"I was the one who placed His Majesty on the throne! Why would I want him dead?!"
"That's the logical conclusion. But human emotions don't always follow logic..."
"Didn't Sir Louis say it was strange too? This might not have even been a genuine assassination attempt!"
"I agree. The problem is that Louis' testimony is just an opinion—it's not objective proof. We trust him, but..."
"His Majesty doesn't. I see..."
Logan slumped back into his seat, stunned.
Now he understood—the "urgent matter" his master had mentioned wasn't the assassination attempt itself, but the fallout from it.
"As you said, everyone suspects another mastermind. But mobilizing multiple high-level Force users and manipulating the palace guard's rotation schedule—who else could pull that off besides me... or you?"
"...So His Majesty pointed the finger at me?"
"Yes. He didn't say it outright, but... he told me to summon you for a conversation."
"This is absurd."
One baffling revelation after another.
Honestly, the king's suspicion was more shocking than the assassination attempt itself.
'Why me?'
His chest tightened. There was only one way to resolve this.
"...I must see His Majesty."
"Do you have a plan?"
"First, I need to understand why he suspects me. Then I can decide how to respond. I'll request an audience immediately."
"Very well. I'll prepare as well."
"Huh? Why would you—?"
"His Majesty said he wouldn't grant a private audience unless I was there to 'control' you."
"......"
Logan was speechless.
The king's state seemed far worse than he'd thought.
"It's been a while, Your Majesty."
"Indeed. It has, Duke Logan."
The exchange was formal, by the book.
But the king's face was stiff as he glared at Logan.
"I've heard about the recent unfortunate incident. I trust you are unharmed?"
Logan kept his tone as respectful as possible.
"You've already heard the details, and now you see me with your own eyes. Why bother with pointless pleasantries?"
The king's response was cold.
'Why is he acting like this?'
Frustrated, Logan glanced at his master, who shook his head slightly—a silent warning not to push further.
"...I'm relieved to see you unharmed."
"Is that truly how you feel?"
"Huh?"
"I wondered if you might be... disappointed."
The king's piercing blue eyes locked onto Logan as he cut straight to the point.
"Of course not. My only concern was for Your Majesty's well-being."
"Then why do I feel nothing of the sort from you?"
Despite the king's open hostility, Logan remained composed.
"Do you truly believe I was behind this? May I ask what led you to that conclusion?"
I'm the one who put you on the throne. Why would I want you dead?
He phrased it more diplomatically, but the meaning was clear.
The king's response, however, was unexpected.
"I've heard that since your return to your territory, MacLaine has been continuously expanding its military forces. Even training women for combat. What reason could a man who already stands at the pinnacle of the kingdom's nobility have for such actions? Could it be... ambition for this throne?"
"...Huh?"
Logan could only stare blankly.
'Ah...?'
Now that he thought about it... he could see how it might look that way.
The realization struck him like a hammer.
But since he had nothing to hide, he answered without hesitation.
"The truth is, I fear the Empire may invade our kingdom within a few years. I've mentioned this to my master before—I'm strengthening my forces in preparation for that possibility."
"The Empire's invasion?"
The king shot a disbelieving look at the Sword Duke.
"It's true. I, too, have been monitoring the western borders while expanding my own forces. Moreover, Logan has been supplying crossbows—MacLaine's specialty—to the entire kingdom at low cost. All for the sake of the kingdom. I ask you to recognize that."
Even with the Sword Duke's support, the king's gaze remained unconvinced.
"Do you have proof that the Empire is preparing to invade?"
"...Only circumstantial evidence for now. But historically, the Empire has launched invasions against neighboring nations over 70% of the time after their imperial succession wars conclude, Your Majesty."
He had prepared this argument to persuade the king later—he never expected to use it as a defense.
Yet the king's attitude didn't soften.
"Seventy percent. A high probability indeed. High enough for a vassal to amass troops while his king can do nothing but watch."
"Your Majesty!"
The Sword Duke's expression darkened at the sarcastic tone, and he stepped forward.
"Border lords are permitted by kingdom law to expand their forces as they see fit. MacLaine is merely fulfilling its duty as the house responsible for the southwestern border."
The king fell silent for a moment before sighing deeply and relenting.
"You're right. I spoke out of turn. My apologies. That... incident has left me on edge."
The Sword Duke exhaled quietly as well.
"Perhaps you should drink less, Your Majesty. At times like these, your health should be your priority."
Drinking?
Logan tilted his head in confusion, but the king waved it off.
"I'll handle that myself, Grand Duke. But I believe we were discussing a different matter."
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
As the Sword Duke stepped back, Logan spoke again.
"I regret not considering Your Majesty's concerns sooner. But I swear my loyalty lies solely with you and this kingdom."
"Yes. I'm sure it does. Sigh... I may have overreacted. If I don't trust you, who can I trust? I owe my crown to you, after all."
Despite his words, the king's stiff expression never relaxed.
'He still suspects me.'
Logan had assumed that placing the king on the throne would guarantee his unwavering support.
'So even the Third Prince is just an ordinary man after all.'
The unexpected shift in Rogers—whom Logan had believed possessed the qualities of a wise ruler—weighed heavily on him.
There was only one straightforward solution.
"I will find those responsible for this disgraceful act and bring them before you."
"Very well. I'll trust you to do so."
The king's words said trust, but his eyes did not.
With nothing more to say, Logan could only take his leave.
And as he walked away, the Sword Duke's expression darkened further.
"Your Majesty. Grand Duke Esperanza requests a private audience."
"The Grand Duke? Alone? Hmm... Very well."
The king, his expression complicated, set down his wine glass and nodded.
Cleo withdrew, and soon the Sword Duke entered.
"What brings you here so late, Grand Duke? Ah, this is just a small indulgence after work—don't scold me."
The king gestured to his wine glass with a laugh.
But the Sword Duke's face remained grave as he spoke.
"As the man who holds the position of Your Majesty's teacher, I've come to understand your true feelings."
"...My true feelings? What do you mean?"
"That incident earlier—do you truly believe Logan was behind it?"
The king's hand froze mid-pour, wine spilling over the rim.
After a moment, he chuckled dryly, wiped his hand carelessly, and downed the full glass in one gulp.
"Hmm, delicious. Care for a drink, Grand Duke?"
"I'll pass."
The Sword Duke politely declined as the king refilled his glass.
"Hahaha. Still as rigid as ever, Grand Duke."
"You flatter me."
"That wasn't a compliment, haha. Well, I suppose that's part of your charm. But you asked if I truly suspect Duke Logan?"
"...Yes."
"How could I? If Duke Logan truly wanted me dead, I'd have been in a coffin long ago."
The answer came far quicker and more decisively than expected, making the Sword Duke's eyes gleam.
"Then why did you say those things earlier?"
The king, who had answered easily before, now hesitated, his expression hardening.
The Sword Duke waited patiently.
Finally, the king poured himself another drink—then downed three glasses in quick succession.
"Your Majesty. Drinking so much without food is bad for your—"
The Sword Duke tried to intervene, but the king suddenly asked:
"Grand Duke. Who is the real king of this country?"
"...Huh?"
The absurd question left the Sword Duke dumbfounded.
"Me? Or Duke Logan? The nobles act as if they need his permission before speaking, and even you listen to him more than you do to me."
"Your Majesty. That's preposterous—"
"Ah, I wonder if these words will reach Duke Logan's ears. What would he say then, hmm? I'm curious."
The king's flushed face twisted into a smirk as he cut off the Sword Duke.
"How could you say such things?"
The king chuckled darkly.
"Whether I suspect Duke Logan or not—honestly, what does it matter? Just consider it the tantrum of a puppet king. You all have the power to dismiss my thoughts anyway."
"...That is not true. You are the rightful ruler of this kingdom."
The Sword Duke bowed deeply, his face shadowed.
The king burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! Do you truly believe that? Then if I ordered you to remove Duke Logan from politics, would you obey? I am the king, am I not?"
"......"
The Sword Duke stood frozen, unable to respond.
The king waved him off with a bitter smile.
"You may leave. I'd like another drink."
As the Sword Duke turned stiffly and exited, the king poured himself more wine, his laughter tinged with bitterness.
But for some reason, the alcohol that usually warmed his chest now only made it feel heavier.
CRASH.
In a fit of irritation, he hurled the bottle against the wall, where it shattered into pieces.
Outside the window, the moon disappeared behind the clouds.