Chapter 228
Chapter 228
Logan MacLaine had killed the king.
The rumor that swept through the royal capital in an instant froze the already tense atmosphere even further.
Now that even the king is dead, nothing is surprising anymore.
It was only natural for such thoughts to spread.
Soon, even the common citizens of the capital began to hesitate to step outside their homes, and people came to realize one more undeniable fact.
Logan MacLaine is now the ruler of this kingdom.
How the MacLaine family—and Logan MacLaine himself—would move next.
While everyone inside and outside the capital watched their every move, those who felt the full weight of the world's transformation most acutely were undoubtedly the nobles of the capital, imprisoned by MacLaine's forces.
Beyond the bars that held them captive, they could see the former state ministers—once locked in the royal dungeons by the now-dead king—walking the streets with bright expressions.
Soldiers bearing the flame crest occupied the capital's streets.
The only ones who strode confidently with their heads held high were the nobles who had been classified as Logan MacLaine's faction.
Having seized control of the capital, the MacLaine family wasted no time gathering those nobles and convening a grand assembly in the Great Hall of the royal palace.
"Now, here, we shall decide the future of this kingdom."
A declaration that sent shivers down the spine.
The weight of the agenda was immense, and the elderly minister, Palmer Terryhi, well past seventy, couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, wondering if he even belonged in this place.
'Perhaps I should have claimed lingering aftereffects from my imprisonment and excused myself.'
It wasn't entirely a lie.
His lower back prickled with a dull ache.
The pressure bearing down on his chest made the aftereffects feel even more pronounced in real time.
As he endured the burden and remained in his seat—
"Most of the nobles in and around the capital have pledged their allegiance."
"'Most' implies there are still those who haven't?"
"A very small number remain. Mostly relatives of those the late king appointed as state ministers. But with Marquis MacLaine personally handling the matter, they'll be dealt with soon."
The words flowed naturally—the MacLaine family had effectively taken control of the nation.
'Of course. With even the surrendered Esperanza faction fully cooperating, who would dare resist now?'
There was no longer any force in the kingdom that could rival the MacLaine family.
If even an old man like himself could recognize that so clearly, how could others not feel it?
"Good. Then it's time to discuss the direction this kingdom must take."
The Great Hall fell into a frigid silence at the words of Logan, who had seated himself just below the empty throne as "interim regent."
The same thought flashed through everyone's minds:
It has come.
And their assumption was not wrong.
"I seek opinions regarding the new throne of Grandia. Speak freely—any opinion is welcome!"
Even after Logan's invitation, no one stepped forward rashly.
'Again, only natural.'
Who would dare speak carelessly?
No matter what was said, if it displeased Logan MacLaine, the speaker could plummet straight into the abyss.
But then—
At some point, Palmer felt the gazes converging on him.
The nobles' eyes, fixed on the eldest among the former state ministers, carried a peculiar expectation.
Finally, Palmer had no choice but to take a deep breath and step forward.
'After surviving imprisonment, surely he wouldn't kill me now...?'
Truthfully, having lived this long, he had little attachment to life left.
Trying to convince himself, Palmer swallowed hard and cautiously opened his mouth.
"If I may offer my humble opinion, Your Excellency."
"Ah, Lord Palmer. Speak."
Thud. Thud. Thud.
He had thought he'd lived enough, so why were his legs trembling?
Palmer took another deep breath, ensuring his words wouldn't slur, and spoke clearly.
"What if we were to seek a collateral descendant of the Grandia royal line and enthrone the one closest to the main bloodline?"
"Huh...?"
"How could he say such a thing...?"
"No, it makes sense, but..."
Murmurs erupted instantly.
The Great Hall buzzed with noise.
But Palmer's attention remained solely fixed on Logan at the high seat.
When Logan's brow furrowed slightly, Palmer felt his lifespan shortening by the same degree.
When Logan flashed a faint smile, that lost lifespan seemed to return.
'I merely stated the conventional approach...'
Yet the atmosphere suggested he had said something gravely wrong.
But then—
"Hmm. A plausible suggestion. Any other opinions?"
Watching Logan nod expressionlessly, Palmer finally exhaled in relief.
Yet at that very moment, another minister stepped forward to object.
"Even if we find a collateral royal, how would we determine the order of succession? Paternal line? Maternal? Or proximity to the late king? There's no precedent for this—it could create even greater complications."
The man who drew the hall's attention was Viscount Adam Morgan, originally not part of the MacLaine faction but one of the nobles who had actively cooperated during the capital's occupation.
'Him?'
Palmer stared at him in bewilderment.
The confident young minister, in his forties, spoke with unwavering clarity.
"Would it not be best for the kingdom's people if Your Excellency Logan MacLaine were to establish a new dynasty?"
Silence swallowed the Great Hall.
The atmosphere turned icy.
Though everyone had privately considered the possibility, Adam Morgan had voiced it with startling boldness—something none had dared say outright.
'Is it his youth? Or...'
Had this already been discussed?
Palmer's seasoned mind raced for the first time in years.
After killing the king, it would be stranger if Logan MacLaine didn't covet the throne.
Adam Morgan's statement was likely prearranged with the MacLaine family.
As Palmer scrutinized Logan and the viscount's expressions, Count Roberts Floyd cautiously added his voice.
"I, too, agree with Viscount Morgan's opinion."
Whoosh.
Every noble's gaze in the hall snapped toward Roberts.
"Over the past few years, the damage inflicted upon the kingdom by the Grandia royal bloodline has been incalculable. The blood of the millennium-old hero has long diluted into that of common birds rather than phoenixes. To welcome a new era, it is only right that the 'Star of Grandia' should establish a new dynasty."
With a long, archaic flourish, Roberts Floyd bowed his head, and the hall erupted into noise once more.
"Still, shouldn't we preserve the millennium-old royal bloodline? I believe enthroning a collateral descendant is the correct path. Even if the new king's abilities are lacking, wouldn't it suffice if Your Excellency acted as regent?"
"Why go through such a troublesome process when direct rule would be better? What if another problem like the late king arises?"
"That's precisely why a regency would solve it!"
"No, I mean—why bother with unnecessary steps?!"
The debate exploded across the hall in an instant.
But amid the chaos, Palmer caught a glimpse of Roberts' faint smile and became certain—this, too, was part of the MacLaine family's design.
'A staged farce. They're securing legitimacy...'
The bitter realization that he, despite being part of the same faction, had been entirely excluded from the discussion made a cold wind blow through his chest.
'...I should retire.'
The tension he had felt at the start of the meeting had now morphed into bitter resignation, gnawing at the old minister's mind.
As Palmer stewed in his thoughts—
"Enough! Silence!"
Bang. Bang.
Logan, who had been watching the ministers' heated debate with indifference, quelled the uproar.
"Now is not the time for disputes over the throne! Since no consensus has been reached, we shall postpone all decisions until the kingdom stabilizes!"
The meeting was adjourned.
But perhaps due to the lingering fervor of the debate, an immediate objection arose.
"Your Excellency! Prolonging the vacancy of the throne is unwise. We must reach a conclusion as soon as—"
Adam Morgan.
The young minister who had advocated for a new dynasty stared at Logan with unwavering confidence—
"Viscount. Did you not hear the Count's words?"
—only to freeze at the icy interjection from Digrom, captain of the MacLaine Knights, standing below Logan.
Logan's stern expression implicitly supported his knight-captain, forcing Adam Morgan to pale and bow his head immediately.
"N-No, I... My apologies."
—The decision regarding the next throne was postponed.
Thus concluded the day's assembly.
But immediately afterward, a signature campaign began among the younger ministers, spearheaded by Adam Morgan.
"The Star of Grandia, Logan MacLaine, is the hero who must establish a new kingdom! Only under his direct rule will the kingdom survive!"
Their declaration began to spread like wildfire from the capital, igniting fervor across the land.
—The era of MacLaine's absolute dominance has arrived.
Just as everyone was coming to terms with this reality, Logan received a report that weighed heavily on his heart.
"Sword Duke has completed emergency treatment and has been transported to the capital."
"...Is he conscious?"
"All wounds have been treated, but he has yet to regain consciousness."
"...I see. Ensure he is taken to a secure location."
"Understood!"
A secure location.
Logan's expression as he spoke those words was bitter.
With the roles of the punitive force and rebels reversed, the leader of the former punitive force was now a criminal who belonged in prison.
The secure location he referred to could only be a relatively comfortable cell.
"If anyone from Esperanza wishes to meet him, permit it freely. The moment he regains consciousness, inform me immediately."
"Yes, understood."
After dismissing the knight, Logan exhaled deeply and sank into thought.
Only after a long while did he seem to reach a conclusion, summoning Clayton, the kingdom's sole archmage, to the king's office.
"You called for me?"
"Yes. There's something weighing on my mind."
"Oh?"
"I thought the kingdom had stabilized, but there remains another armed faction. Several, in fact—and sizable ones at that."
Clayton couldn't hide his bewilderment at Logan's words.
In this Grandia?
A faction that would still defy MacLaine?
'Even if such a group exists, why tell me...?'
As he hesitated, unable to respond, Logan clarified.
"The Magic Towers. The Towers."
"Ah...?!"
"We must consolidate all authority over the Towers."
"But that's..."
"We must establish a seamless system centered around you, Archmage Clayton—the kingdom's sole mage. The Towers are part of the kingdom's military strength, after all."
"...The Towers have traditionally maintained political neutrality by convention."
"That convention ends now."
"What? But even so—"
Clayton was at a loss, but—
"We begin with the Earth Magic Tower."
Logan's next words made his expression shift entirely.
"...An excellent idea, my lord. Shall I take the lead?"
A sudden change in stance.
Sensing the archmage's long-held grievances, Logan smiled and nodded.