Chapter 217
Chapter 217
"Presenting His Grace Felix Esperanza, Grand Duke!"
At the knight's announcement, the Sword Duke pushed open the door and entered the office.
As he did, he carefully selected his words—just as he had done persistently over the past six months.
'I must persuade His Majesty to reconcile with Logan.'
That was what was best for the king and the kingdom.
With that resolve, he fixed his gaze on the monarch.
Of course, the king did not seem particularly pleased to see him. Without even lifting his eyes from the documents on his desk, he replied indifferently.
"You've come again, Grand Duke."
A cold voice from an expressionless face.
The Sword Duke had expected such a reaction, so he merely swallowed a sigh.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I've come to pay my respects after a week."
"Why must you visit so often to check on a man as young as I? Grand Duke, you're making me uncomfortable."
Stop coming so much.
The Sword Duke was well aware of the king's thinly veiled message, but he merely bowed his head with the same practiced smile as always.
"How could a loyal subject not worry for his sovereign? Please indulge this old man's fretful nature."
Haa.
The king exhaled softly before finally setting aside the documents he had been reviewing and turning his full attention to the Sword Duke.
"What is it you wish to say this time? If it's the same as before, I suggest you rise and leave now."
"It is indeed the same matter, Your Majesty."
"Grand Duke!"
"But this time, I have a suitable pretext."
"...Pretext?"
"Your Majesty's birthday approaches, does it not? Invite Logan to the royal palace for the occasion."
"And how is that a suitable pretext? I've said I don't wish to!"
"What matters is that it won't appear as though Your Majesty is bowing to Logan."
"Ha! What nonsense—"
Though the king scoffed, the Sword Duke could clearly see the hesitation in his eyes.
After half a year of relentless persuasion, he had finally begun to understand what the king truly desired.
It was something so childish that it had been difficult to recognize at first.
Pride.
"Simply by doing this, you will publicly demonstrate reconciliation between Your Majesty and Logan. Moreover, Logan will be seen bowing his head in celebration of Your Majesty's birthday."
Watching the king's wavering expression, the Sword Duke slowly knelt.
The king's eyes flickered unmistakably.
"Your Majesty, I implore you. If you reconcile with Logan and place your trust in him, he will become your sword and lead this kingdom to a century of prosperity. Consider this an old man's final request."
The Sword Duke's voice resonated through the office.
After a long moment of contemplation, the king finally released a deep sigh and uttered unexpected words.
"Ha... Haha. Hmph. It seems I truly am an unworthy king."
"Pardon?"
"To have my loyal subject kneel before me over something as simple as reconciliation... It's shameful."
"N-No, Your Majesty need not—"
Startled by the sudden apology, the Sword Duke hastily lowered his head.
"If the Grand Duke insists so fervently, then I shall comply. However, I worry whether Lord Logan shares your sentiments."
"Logan is also a loyal subject who cares deeply for this kingdom's future. If Your Majesty extends your hand, he will gladly take it. And if he hesitates, I will ensure he does."
"...Is that so? Then I shall trust you, Grand Duke. Do as you see fit."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will contact Logan immediately."
The Sword Duke's face brightened at the rare sight of the king's gentle smile.
[Before entering the royal palace, he was adopted into the Teman Count family, but there are no records of his prior activities.]
"None at all? You mean he appeared out of nowhere?"
[Yes. The late Count Teman Riverrun recorded that he took in a clever child from the slums, but many witnesses claim the count was not the type to visit such places—even by accident.]
"...I see."
Logan's mind churned at Damian's report through the communication orb.
[The problem is that all relevant parties are already dead, making further verification difficult.]
"All of them are dead?"
[The direct lineage of the Riverrun household perished, leaving Cleo to inherit the title.]
"This grows more suspicious by the minute. Dig deeper. If we can't uncover his past, look for anything unusual in his current activities—especially concerning the king."
[Understood.]
Damian nodded calmly, but before Logan could receive any additional information, another message summoned him to the capital.
"Master?"
[His Majesty wishes to meet you for his birthday. He intends to apologize for past grievances.]
"What? That can't be."
[No. The king was sincere. It seems this old man's persistence in visiting the palace wasn't in vain. So, for my sake, come to the capital.]
How could that be possible?
'If mere counsel could change his mind, he wouldn't have resorted to such schemes in the first place, Master.'
And if Cleo was still whispering in the king's ear, all the more reason to doubt.
"Forgive me, Master. I'm rather busy—"
Though Logan made his reluctance obvious, his master remained firm.
[Logan. This is my request. Come for my sake. His Majesty truly seems to have changed.]
Haa.
'If Master insists this strongly...'
And if there was even the slightest chance the king's change of heart was genuine, this might be the final opportunity to mend their strained relationship.
With that thought, Logan's resolve wavered.
[Logan. His Majesty has painfully acknowledged his mistakes. If you reject him now, you'll only plant the seeds of further discord.]
Moreover, the genuine concern in his master's expression made refusal impossible.
"Very well. I'll visit soon."
[Good. I knew you'd see reason. I'll see you in the capital.]
This is the last time. If this turns out to be another of the king's schemes...
With thoughts far less optimistic than his master's, Logan prepared for his return to the capital.
And just a week later—
"Is my master inside?"
"Yes. He's been expecting you."
Upon arriving, Logan sought out his master first—not his own estate or the royal palace.
The king's birthday was not celebrated with grand festivities.
Instead, it was Grandia's royal tradition for the royal family to gather privately in the palace's inner chambers for a modest celebration.
But given that Logan had slaughtered most of the royal lineage, the current king reportedly spent the day hosting a light banquet with his closest retainers.
And those retainers were...
'Just that Cleo bastard and a few guards.'
Effectively, the king had dined with Cleo alone among his ministers.
That alone proved Cleo wasn't merely the Head of Inner Palace Guards—he was the king's most trusted confidant.
And if Cleo was involved in the king's sudden change...
'I'll have to eliminate him.'
Lost in thought, Logan soon found himself before his master's office.
"Master. It's Logan."
—Come in.
Creak.
As he entered, his master greeted him with a smile brighter than before.
But that smile vanished the moment Logan spoke with a grave expression.
"Cleo is suspicious?"
"Yes. His past cannot be verified. Everyone who might know it is already dead."
"Then your conclusion is...?"
"I suspect he's manipulating His Majesty."
"Isn't that an excessive assumption based solely on an unclear past?"
"If I'm wrong, then no harm done. But Master, hasn't His Majesty changed too drastically in too short a time? I can think of no other explanation."
"What first drew your attention to him?"
"Forgive my bluntness, but he's the only person close to the king beyond my reach."
"Hah..."
The Sword Duke fell silent at his disciple's directness.
Yet, seeing the logic in Logan's words, he soon nodded.
"Very well. I'll investigate as well. If nothing comes of it, all the better."
"Thank you, Master."
"No need. You honored my request—this much is nothing. It's for His Majesty's sake, after all."
Logan responded with a bitter smile and a nod.
"Will you go to the palace tomorrow, then?"
"Yes. May I spend today with Stella?"
"Hahaha. Of course. In fact, Stella has been speaking more lately. She even asks for you sometimes."
"Truly?"
"I'm joking."
"......"
The Sword Duke burst into laughter at Logan's rare, crestfallen expression.
"Pfft—HAHAHA! It's true, you fool. I already told her you'd arrive today—she's been waiting eagerly."
"Ah, now that you mention it, I heard something odd from the bishop while in the Empire."
"Oh?"
Compared to the conflict with the king, these were trivial matters.
For a brief moment, master and disciple set aside their greatest worries and spent the day exchanging lighter conversation.
"Presenting Count Logan MacLaine and His Grace Felix Esperanza, Grand Duke!"
—Enter!
At the king's unusually cheerful command, the doors swung open, revealing a lavish banquet spread across the spacious office.
The table was set as if for thirty guests rather than three, adorned with the opulence of a royal feast.
Behind it stood the king, smiling as he welcomed them.
"Welcome, Lord Logan. It's been too long."
The king even rose and approached, forcing Logan to awkwardly accept his outstretched hand.
"It's been some time, Your Majesty. I'm honored by your invitation."
"Ah, Sword Duke. No need for such formality. Please, be seated. On such a fine day, I'd rather dispense with excessive courtesy."
"...As you wish, Your Majesty."
Thus began the gathering.
Though Logan had brought no gift—Grandia's customs placed little emphasis on birthdays—the atmosphere remained warm.
"Have a drink, Lord Logan. You've suffered much because of this foolish king."
"N-No, Your Majesty. How could you say such—?"
Glug.
The king filled Logan's cup with wine.
Despite Logan's fleeting suspicion of poison, the wine was exquisite—clean and refined.
'Is he truly sincere?'
Contrary to Logan's doubts, the king smiled broadly the moment he drank and immediately extended his own cup.
"Now, pour me one as well. I'll take three cups as penance."
"Haha. There's no need for that, Your Majesty. Allow me to toast you instead."
Logan played along, though his smile remained perfunctory.
"Had it not been for Lord Logan, this unworthy man would never have become king. I should drink in atonement. More, please."
To Logan's surprise, the king's words carried unexpected sincerity, and his own smile gradually became more genuine.
How long had they been exchanging drinks?
Amid the pleasantries, the king suddenly drained his cup in one gulp—and his complexion instantly turned strange.
"L-Lord Logan? Wh-What is this...?"
"...Your Majesty?!"
The Sword Duke's alarmed gaze snapped to the king's face, now tinged with blue as blood trickled from his nose.
"B-Blood?!"
"Wh-What's happening?! L-Lord Logan! Surely you didn't—?!"
The king, pale with terror, glared at Logan with accusing eyes before—
"Guh... H-How could you...?"
—he pointed at Logan in fury and collapsed.
And then—
"Your Majesty!"
"The king has fallen!"
"Fetch a priest!"
"Lord Logan! You must come with us!"
Before the alarmed guards could draw their swords and approach, Logan stood frozen, staring blankly at the fallen king.