Chapter 208

"The rebels who rose up in the former Zahid County in the northeast are arrogantly claiming that Clavis, a former member of the royal family, should be restored to the throne and are gathering soldiers. According to our estimates so far..."

The estimated military strength of the rebels reported in the meeting was on par with that of a former border lord.

But the problem was that their numbers were steadily increasing.

There was information that the forces of former barons who had once sided with the First Prince Faction were joining the rebellion one by one.

"Are they out of their minds?"

"These are men who lost much after their defeat in the civil war. They must have thought death preferable to continuing as they were..."

"Tsk, tsk. Nobles, I swear..."

Regardless of their reasons, their forces were swelling, and the royal investigation team reported that delaying any longer would only worsen the situation.

The nobles' opinions were nearly unanimous.

"Either the Grand Duchy of Esperanza or the Marquisate of MacLaine must take direct action."

"If the two join forces, they'll crush the rebellion swiftly. Even one alone should suffice."

The reason most minor and mid-ranking nobles remained unshaken despite the massive issue of rebellion was their unwavering trust in Logan and the Sword Duke, who had ended the civil war.

"If MacLaine steps in personally, this should be resolved easily. Lord Logan, may I ask for your assistance?"

Hearing the king's words, Logan sighed inwardly.

'It's an unavoidable choice, but...'

Esperanza's forces were guarding the capital and the borders, so it made sense for MacLaine—the only house with any remaining capacity—to take charge.

'If we combine our elites ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with volunteers from other nobles' private soldiers, we can minimize casualties.'

The decision was swift.

"Understood. My house and I will take responsibility for crushing them."

His answer was resolute.

The king and nobles welcomed the decision with applause.

And so, the formation of a suppression force centered around MacLaine was decided.

"Assemble the troops."

With Logan's single command, MacLaine's forces sprang into action.

The knight order alone had long surpassed a thousand, and the standing army exceeded ten thousand.

This was the professional military force alone, not even counting the militia that could be mobilized.

While the soldiers had been steadily expanded, even Logan was surprised by the explosive growth in knights.

It was the result of wandering knights (knights from fallen houses) petitioning to join MacLaine—now the most prestigious house after the civil war—combined with soldiers from the territory awakening to knighthood.

"Leave only the bare minimum necessary and mobilize everything else. We'll crush them in one strike."

"But with the forces from other nobles, is it really necessary to go this far? Our house alone would bear too great a burden."

"This is to ensure the rebels are eradicated completely, so this never happens again. And the more troops we have, the fewer casualties there will be."

There was another reason, one he couldn't voice publicly.

'We can't afford to waste time on rebels.'

They still had a long way to go before being ready for the war with the Empire.

Though the king's attitude toward him seemed to have softened, he couldn't let his guard down completely.

'Whether it's Clavis and the remnants of the First Prince Faction or some hidden mastermind, we'll end this in one stroke.'

So—

"Tell the participating nobles as well. Gather as many troops as possible. We'll suppress them in a single sweep."

"...Understood."

Just two weeks later.

Seventy percent of MacLaine's total forces had assembled in the front courtyard for the suppression campaign.

Moreover, the forces from other nobles who had committed to the campaign at the Grand Hall meeting—regardless of their quality—numbered even more than Logan's own troops.

"Seven hundred knights and seven thousand elite soldiers from our house. Combined with the rest, that's fifteen hundred knights and fifteen thousand elite troops."

"According to reports, the enemy doesn't even have half that number."

"Exactly."

An overwhelming numerical advantage.

With reports indicating that fewer nobles were joining the rebels, the morale of the suppression force gathered before MacLaine Town soared higher by the day.

Then, an absurd incident occurred.

"Another terrorist attack?!"

[Yes, indeed. This time, His Majesty was severely injured. The bishops of the temple have all rushed to his side.]

Beyond the communication orb, the elderly minister Palman Terry's face was pale with urgency.

"Did the royal palace's defenses fail again?"

[It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠seems so. As such, His Majesty has a request for you, Lord Logan. But it's...]

An awkward expression clouded Palman's wrinkled face.

"...It's fine. Speak."

Seeing this, Logan pressed him instead.

[He requests... the deployment of the MacLaine Knights to Grandia. If the rebels seek the throne, he says the capital must be secured with trusted elite forces...]

"Our knight order?"

Logan's brow furrowed, and Palman hastily waved his hands.

[Not my words—His Majesty's! The Esperanza Knights must guard the borders in case of emergency, so he said only you could be relied upon...]

Though Palman's sweating face was pitiable, this was no time for sympathy.

"At the very moment we're about to strike the rebels?"

[His Majesty said MacLaine has expanded its forces enough that losing the knights shouldn't hinder the suppression. Again, not my words—His Majesty's!]

"My lord! This is absurd! Withdrawing troops at this critical juncture? And ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the knights, no less...!"

Even Ellen, who had been quietly listening from behind, raised her voice in protest.

But—

'Losing our knights won't cripple the suppression.'

MacLaine wasn't the only house in the campaign.

And there was no reason to provoke another conflict with the king over this.

"Understood. The MacLaine Knights will guard His Majesty. Then—"

"My lord!"

"Don't worry. We'll still have enough."

Despite Ellen's concern, Logan answered readily and turned to leave—

But Palman, still in the orb, added with an apologetic expression:

[Ah... His Majesty also said the royal guards are utterly unreliable now, so he requests additional soldiers to bolster the capital's security. He mentioned those crossbow cavalry being particularly skilled...]

Huh—?

'You can't be serious...?'

Logan's expression stiffened, his eyebrows twitching.

Seeing this, Palman in the orb repeatedly bowed his head.

Before Logan could respond, Ellen exploded.

"The crossbow cavalry too? Preposterous! Lord Logan, this is unacceptable! Anyone can see this is an unreasonable demand!"

[My apologies. Age has made me forgetful—I should have conveyed everything at once. And again, this is absolutely not the ministers' suggestion.]

Hah...

Listening to Palman's voice with half an ear, Logan sank into thought.

'So this is how it's going to be...?'

The king's gentle face from the Grand Hall meeting faded from his mind.

[I'll inform His Majesty it seems unfeasible. Truly, an unreasonable request. Yes, of course. In this situation, MacLaine's full strength—]

"No, tell him we'll comply."

[I thought as mu— Wait, what?]

"My lord!!"

Ellen's eyes widened as she stepped forward, but Logan merely raised a hand to stop her.

A slight shake of his head. A grave expression.

Seeing his face, Ellen could only sigh and retreat.

Then, with the same expression, Logan spoke into the orb.

"We'll dispatch the crossbow cavalry as well. Will that suffice?"

[Truly...?]

Even Palman, relaying the king's words, couldn't believe the decision.

Logan nodded heavily and immediately left the communication room.

SLAM!

The violently shut door perfectly conveyed Logan's feelings.

Though he had maintained composure during the call, his insides were boiling.

'What is he playing at?'

Even the emperor of a foreign empire sought to strengthen his nation by drawing Logan in—yet his own king was hell-bent on sabotaging him.

'This is unacceptable, Your Majesty.'

He struggled to suppress the chilling thoughts rising in his mind, but his fury refused to subside.

'Endure. I must endure. I can't clash with the king with rebels still at our doorstep. Our forces are still sufficient.'

But just a day later.

Count Torres, representing the suppression force nobles, cautiously delivered news that tested the limits of Logan's patience once more.

"We've received orders to scatter and eliminate remnant rebel forces across the regions while MacLaine's army targets their main stronghold."

Stripping MacLaine of its main forces and leaving them to face the rebel core alone.

With only fifty newly awakened apprentice knights and regular soldiers to suppress the heart of the rebellion.

It sounded like a death sentence.

"Ha... To go this far..."

A bitter laugh escaped him, and the killing intent radiating from him chilled the room. Sensing the ominous aura, Count Torres hastily backtracked.

"Of course, that's unreasonable. We'll follow MacLaine and assist in crushing their main force."

But Logan, exhaling deeply, shook his head.

"No, it's fine."

His reason for enduring remained the same as yesterday.

He could defy the king's orders and force the suppression forward.

His influence still undoubtedly surpassed the king's.

But acting without justification risked provoking an even worse reaction from the king.

"...Proceed as ordered. We'll handle their main force ourselves."

"Th-Thank you, my lord."

Count Torres, caught between the king and Logan, brightened instantly.

'The king seems dead set on this.'

It was clear he intended to use this rebellion to oppose Logan and expand his own influence.

And perhaps even beyond that...

Logan's expression hardened further as he sank into thought.

Of course, those around him couldn't comprehend his decision.

"My lord, this is madness. The king is determined to destroy our house. Shouldn't we reconsider?"

Ellen confronted him with furious disbelief.

Knowing her anger wasn't directed at him, Logan soothed her with a bitter smile.

"I know."

"You... what? Then—!"

"But it's better to comply this time."

"Why?!"

"Anyone can see this demand is unreasonable. By accepting it, we gain justification—for the future. For me."

"...What?"

"This is the last time. The last time I indulge the king's whims."

Seeing Logan's murderous expression, Ellen couldn't bring herself to press further.

[He's really going through with it?]

"Yes. I confirmed the departure of the MacLaine Knights and crossbow cavalry to the capital, leaving only the bare minimum."

[Hahaha, so Logan MacLaine just accepted it?]

"Correct."

[I expected resistance to use as leverage, but he took it without protest. Unexpected, but the best outcome for us. Right?]

"Indeed."

The man observing the communication orb nodded.

[Good. Though it bothers me slightly. What is he thinking? Does he truly believe he can eliminate the rebels with the remaining forces?]

"Perhaps he's relying on the mages?"

[Does he think mages and Logan alone can bridge the gap of five hundred knights? No, he's not that foolish. There must be something else...]

"Unconfirmed, but rumors say Luther Kyle has taken up residence in MacLaine."

The figure in the orb grimaced.

[Hah?! That man is the Sword Duke's— Ugh. Well, they are master and disciple...]

Lost in thought, the figure sighed softly.

[That must be it. With another Transcendent, it's a plausible gamble.]

"Even if true, it won't be easy."

[...'Not easy' isn't enough. I'd prefer Logan MacLaine dead. Failing that, MacLaine must suffer catastrophic losses.]

"I'll employ additional measures."

[Additional?]

"...It will be as you wish, Your Majesty."

Only then did the young face in the orb smile in satisfaction.

"All forces, advance!"

With Logan's command, MacLaine's troops began to move.

A mere fraction of the house's full strength.

Fifty knights and nearly seven thousand regular soldiers.

A pitiful force stripped of its main knight order and most crossbow cavalry—utterly outmatched even by their current enemies.

The troops sent to the capital were one thing, but a minimum number of knights had to remain to guard the territory.

Even the militia equipped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with rapid-fire crossbows had to defend the vast lands in place of the regular army.

This was effectively the maximum force Logan could muster now.

It was only natural for all watching the march to be filled with concern.

"What does he plan to do?"

"Is this a suicide mission?"

"Why...?"

But though Logan's face at the forefront was stony, there was no trace of worry.

To his right stood Clayton, the kingdom's sole archmage.

To his left stood Luther Kyle, the Transcendent who had sworn allegiance to MacLaine, making his first official appearance.

And though unknown to outsiders, Logan himself had already reached Transcendence.

Three Transcendents, augmented by their strongest available weapons.

Gazing at the rows of wagons in the army's center, Logan turned his eyes northeast and smiled coldly.

'No matter who's pulling the strings or what they desire—I'll overturn it all.'