Chapter 190
Chapter 190
"The Grand Prince has returned!"
"Lord Logan is back!"
The welcome in MacLaine Town was even warmer than in Taren.
With the new year approaching, Logan had been away from town for nearly four or five months since harvest season, and now he had returned just before the year's end.
Logan responded to all the cheers with a simple smile before immediately heading straight to the administrative office.
"What's the rush? You're going to run yourself ragged. I heard you didn't even greet His Lordship before coming here?"
Dwain, whom Logan hadn't seen in a while, set down a stack of documents with a hearty laugh.
"It's urgent. I'll have to be away again for the next six months, so I need to get everything done before then."
"Huh?"
"Ah. Has the news not reached you yet? There's something... I'll explain later. First, the reports."
Dwain tilted his head in confusion but quickly straightened his posture.
"Ahem. Well, I suppose you'd be curious, so let me start with Prince Ronian's whereabouts. He's currently working as a mercenary in the southern Empire under the name Roan..."
"Oh...?"
Dwain's report was lengthy, but it seemed his younger brother had adapted to mercenary life better than expected.
'Mother would be horrified... but it's a good choice, Ron.'
Becoming an exploration mercenary in the southern mountains was risky, but that very risk made it an excellent opportunity for growth. Battling monsters rather than humans would expose Ronian to an entirely new world.
"Make sure to warn him not to venture too deep. Absolutely!"
"Well, actually... His Lordship already did. Lady MacLaine fainted when she heard."
Ah, so she already knew.
Logan let out a small sigh before moving on to the merchant guild's trade report.
"...That covers the guild's results so far. They've managed to turn a decent profit. However, all earnings from the past six months have been reinvested into restocking goods, establishing trade routes, and setting up branch offices in major cities. With your permission, of course..."
"Good. That's exactly what should be done. Just keep receiving reports on their progress."
"Understood. The internal affairs of the territory are detailed in the documents. Budget allocations are finalized, and this is what remains."
"...Excellent. Any other issues among the administrators?"
Logan asked, thinking of the former noble-born officials.
"None at all. Thanks to Fabian, Rockman, and the other new administrators, budget reviews have become much faster. Damian's absence isn't even noticeable, given how smoothly things are running."
"...That's a relief."
The loyal retainer's expression was noticeably brighter than before.
Enough to make Logan feel no regret for forcing the title upon him.
"As for the detailed budget expenditures..."
"No need to go that far. I trust you've handled it well."
"My lord..."
The burly administrator looked moved, though Logan had simply wanted to avoid paperwork. He quickly changed the subject.
"Ah, are refugees still arriving in the territory?"
"Yes. The numbers have decreased since land redistribution began, but there's no guarantee the new lords will treat them better than before. Meanwhile, rumors about our territory have spread far and wide..."
"Good. Then send the refugees to Taren. Only those who work hard and have verified backgrounds may settle deeper within Taren. Continue food aid steadily for a while."
"Understood."
"Also, send all the remaining dwarves in town to Taren. From now on, all MacLaine products will originate from Taren. Adjust manpower accordingly."
"Yes, that's already underway."
"Good. Keep up the good work, Dwain. And don't you dare say you're quitting."
"Of course not, my lord!"
Perhaps it was his age, but Dwain found himself blinking back tears as he bowed repeatedly.
With administrative matters briefly concluded, Logan stood to address his most pressing concern—only to find the very person he sought entering the office.
A red-haired female knight, still slightly damp with sweat from training, appeared before him in full armor.
A smile automatically tugged at Logan's lips, mirrored by hers.
"Lord Logan! I heard you'd returned and was on my way to see you."
"Yes. I was just about to look for you as well."
"I thought so..."
"Hm?"
"I also wanted to report on my progress."
"...?"
"You were going to inspect the female recruits' training, right?"
Well, yes, but...
For some reason, it felt a little... disappointing? Even after so long apart?
Suppressing his mixed feelings, Logan chuckled awkwardly.
"Ah. Haha. Yes, that's right. Were you just at the training grounds?"
"Yes, follow me. I'll show you the results."
Her confident smile radiated pride in her achievements—more reassuring to Logan than any personal greeting.
"Alright. Let's go."
***
When Logan arrived at the training grounds, the recruits were finishing their endurance run.
Not wanting to disrupt their focus, he observed from a distance—but even from afar, the transformation in the female soldiers was evident.
"Pant, pant..."
"Ten-minute break's over! Everyone, fall in!"
"Fall in!"
The recruits, having just completed the perimeter run—a staple of MacLaine's basic training—responded crisply to the instructor's commands.
They swiftly picked up wooden spears from the training ground's edge and formed precise ranks.
"Strike!"
At the loud command of a notably tall female recruit, the unit thrust their spears in perfect unison.
Though still unpolished, their discipline was undeniable—a far cry from the disorganized group of half a year ago.
But that wasn't the most impressive part.
"...232. All still here? Not a single dropout? Even with the same rigorous training as the men?"
That was the most unexpected—and remarkable—achievement.
Likely what Ellen was proudest of.
"Yes. Not a single one."
A smile naturally spread across her face as she answered.
"We focused on endurance training for the past six months and began weapons training a month ago. Their progress isn't lagging behind male recruits. No one gave up, and several are showing exceptional talent."
Ellen was all business when reporting.
"Exceptional talent?"
"Yes. Take Cassandra, the tall recruit at the front. She possesses unbelievable natural strength and flexibility. With her instincts, had she trained in swordsmanship from childhood, she might've awakened her Force by now."
"Oh...?"
Following Ellen's gaze, Logan studied the tall recruit—only for his eyes to widen in recognition.
"...And Evelyn, the young recruit, is also remarkably gifted. Those two alone prove women can match men in combat."
"...Cathy?"
"Yes?"
"Ah, no. She looks familiar. Must be mistaken."
But Logan knew he wasn't.
'Why is she here now...? Hah, this is interesting.'
A former comrade from the Grandia Liberation Front, an A-rank mercenary who'd risen from Grandia's ranks.
The unexpected reunion warmed his heart, but reason held him back.
'Cathy wouldn't know me now anyway.'
A bittersweet thought, but Logan shook it off.
His regression had granted him many victories.
Mourning a single severed bond seemed trivial when so much work remained.
Ellen, however, seemed to misinterpret his reaction.
"Someone you know, my lord?"
"Ah, no. Must've confused her with someone else."
"Mhm... Well, if you say so."
But it wasn't "if you say so"—it was the truth.
In this life, they had no connection.
In the past life, they'd merely been comrades...
"I'll pay special attention to that recruit, then."
"...Yes. She does seem talented."
"Hmm? You can tell from this distance?"
Avoiding Ellen's piercing gaze, Logan silently wished his old comrade well.
Ellen chuckled at his expression before continuing her report.
"...Once they're fully trained, I plan to have them spar with the new male recruits."
"Sparring?"
"Yes. To showcase their progress. Strong performances from the first batch will attract more applicants."
"...Good idea. Proceed as planned."
"Understood."
The female recruits' training—his greatest concern—was exceeding expectations.
A weight lifted from his shoulders.
Moreover...
"I'll need to leave for the Empire soon. It'll take at least half a year."
"You'll need an escort. I could—"
"No. I know your skills, but you're needed here. The recruits trust you—I can feel it even now."
"But the journey's dangerous! Shouldn't someone stronger—"
"It's not dangerous. If anything, the Emperor himself guarantees my safety. No need to worry."
"...Really?"
"Yes. I'll return safely. As quickly as possible."
"...I'll hold you to that."
"Of course."
Her easy acceptance of his reassurance made Logan smile—the most confident smile he could muster—as he tightly grasped Ellen's hand.
Pfft.
"What's with that silly grin?"
"..."
His plan hadn't worked as intended, but no matter.
The female recruits weren't his only concern.
While he'd left knightly affairs to his father, the expanded infantry required inspection.
'With veterans mostly in Taren, discipline might've slipped...'
But.
Contrary to his worries, the training camp delivered even better news.
"Awakened?"
"Yes. Five of the first recruits you personally selected—including Tray and Adam—have awakened their Force. They're currently awaiting assignment as probationary knights."
Kaisolon's report deepened Logan's smile.
"Four years? In just four years?"
"Yes, my lord. Your foresight continues to amaze."
Even accounting for wartime experience accelerating their growth, halving the usual timeframe for knightly ascension was remarkable—especially for those without innate genius.
"I need to see them. Assemble the troops."
"At once!"
After verifying the awakened and survivors from the original thousand recruits, Logan couldn't suppress his satisfaction.
'Just as I thought.'
Of the five hundred survivors, nearly a hundred showed meaningful Force potential.
Within a year or two, many would reach knight-level strength.
"Excellent work, all of you! Three days' rest, starting today!"
"Wooooah!"
Amid the soldiers' cheers, Logan smiled contentedly—until a sobering thought resurfaced.
'The Empire has been recruiting nationwide by those standards. Even with my refined criteria...'
Could it meaningfully narrow the gap?
There were ways, of course.
"If our territory alone isn't enough, we'll implement it kingdom-wide."
"Huh?"
"Ah, never mind. Good work, Kai. Bonuses will be generous."
"Thank you, Grand Prince!"
Five years.
He would close that gap.
'Things are progressing even better than expected.'
With renewed determination, Logan steeled himself.
***
"Jumping straight into work upon return... You really..."
His father greeted him with a wry smile on the way back to the estate.
"My apologies, Father. I should've paid my respects first..."
"No, no. It's all for the territory. Just don't neglect your health. You're the territory's pillar."
"Fortunately, capable vassals have lightened the burden. Progress is better than expected—quite reassuring."
"An odd choice of words. Reassuring? Is something amiss?"
"...Has word not reached you yet?"
Strangely, no one in the territory seemed aware of the capital's news.
Clicking his tongue, Logan found his father's expression growing concerned.
"What news?"
"Never mind. My oversight. Forgive me. Father, I'll soon need to visit the Imperial capital."
"What?!"
His father's face darkened instantly.
"...The Emperor's personal invitation. Then there's no choice."
After explaining the summons, his father nodded reluctantly.
"Yes. An imperial summons ensures safe passage."
"Isn't traveling to the Empire inherently dangerous? If they're preparing for war as you say."
"Precisely why they won't touch me now. It'd be tantamount to a war declaration."
"True. Given your position in the kingdom..."
"Fortunately, territorial affairs are stable. I can depart with peace of mind."
"That's some consolation."
His father's nod was heavy—but Logan had heavier news.
"...Father. While I'm gone, keep close watch on the capital's movements."
"The capital?"
"Yes. Especially His Majesty's."
"Why? Has something happened?"
"It seems His Majesty finds my presence... burdensome."
"What?"
As Logan continued, his father's expression darkened further—but Logan finally exhaled, feeling preparations were complete.
Just as departure plans neared finalization—
A sudden message arrived from Nox.