Chapter 230
Chapter 230
"A perfectly timed visit. To find everyone gathered like this."
Logan's assessment was simple as he emerged from the Tower of Flame.
But Clayton, following behind him, seemed troubled by something. After a moment's hesitation, he quietly spoke up.
"However, Lord Logan, many mages are fiercely proud and have difficult personalities. They've submitted to force for now, but that could lead to even greater backlash later."
"This isn't the time to worry about such things. If they rebel, we simply make them pay the price. Right now, we need their strength."
A quiet voice, laced with a natural undercurrent of killing intent.
At that chilling sensation, Clayton's face stiffened as he looked at Logan.
Logan's presence had only grown stronger since the civil war.
Or more precisely, since his duel with the Sword Duke.
The problem was that this intensifying presence would sometimes erupt as killing intent even during ordinary conversation.
It felt like watching a bomb that could go off at any moment, and Clayton couldn't help but worry inwardly.
But Logan was already a Transcendent walking his own path. More than that, he was a hero of the age—the man who had saved the kingdom from civil war, then sparked another to overthrow the royal family itself.
Young as he was, he was not someone Clayton was in a position to advise.
With that thought, Clayton withdrew his concerned gaze.
"Understood. I will exercise perfect control and handle everything within my capacity."
"Yes. I'll trust you to it."
Thus, Logan eliminated another variable within the capital.
Around the same time, another variable was being snuffed out in a territory southeast of the capital.
"H-hold them off!"
"My lord, the enemy's strength is overwhelming. You must surrender!"
"Don't be ridiculous! They are lawless wretches who broke their oaths as vassals and murdered the king! I would rather die than surrender to such scum!"
At Viscount Orlando Ferhi's fervent cry, the face of the old knight delivering the report hardened.
Is he truly willing to sacrifice his entire house for the sake of loyalty?
He could clearly see the family he had served for so long heading toward annihilation, but there was nothing more he could do.
All he could do was stare blankly as flames spread beyond the devastated viscounty, and as the banner of flame that had wrought this devastation steadily advanced toward the inner castle, its momentum growing.
"Curse you...!"
Snikt.
Thud.
Roll, roll, roll.
Patrick gazed at the severed head with an indifferent expression.
It's over.
The end of Orlando Ferhi, the last surviving State Minister appointed by the dead king.
Now, every faction that had openly defied MacLaine was gone.
The subsequent reports from his subordinates confirmed it.
"The outer city is completely pacified. The inner city won't take much longer either."
"Well done, Henderson. We return to the capital as soon as it's finished."
"Yes, sir!"
The immediate fire is out now.
Gazing at the burning Ferhi Viscounty, Patrick found himself letting out a chuckle at the contradictory thought.
Then, realizing that he had enough peace of mind to actually laugh, he felt a renewed sense of relief.
But a thought soon surfaced, and his expression hardened again just as quickly.
What choice will Logan make now?
The kingdom had effectively fallen into the family's hands.
Just a few years ago, when the changes his son had wrought were rapidly expanding the family's power, he never could have imagined things would come to this.
But now, standing at this massive crossroads that might bring even greater changes, Patrick couldn't think of any advice to offer his son.
Because he himself hadn't reached a conclusion.
It's a complicated matter, my son.
At least in his mind, seizing control of the kingdom and becoming king were two distinctly different issues.
Installing a collateral relative of the Grandia royal family as a figurehead while holding the real power.
Or establishing a MacLaine dynasty centered on Logan.
Those two paths would create entirely different repercussions.
And for Patrick, who had lived his entire life upholding honor, family, and the code of chivalry, neither option was easy to voice.
But that dilemma was quickly resolved by a single, relatively carefree remark from a subordinate.
"Huh? Me, I'll just follow whatever Young Lord Logan decides. He'll handle it well enough, won't he? Just like he always has."
"...Right. Ha. Yes, you're right."
The choice wasn't his to make.
He was the Lord of MacLaine, but the one all the knights and territory folk truly followed was his son.
It might be a cowardly thought, but...
Whatever you choose, Logan, do it. In return, I will stake everything I have to support you.
Having made that decision, Patrick's next course of action immediately changed.
"Henderson, alter our return route."
"Sir?"
"We'll tour the territories near the capital and meet with their lords. A day at each should suffice."
"Yes, understood."
These were territories that had already conveyed their surrender to MacLaine.
But just in case any of them harbored second thoughts, he would make a strong enough impression to ensure such thoughts never arose.
Thus, the MacLaine army's tour of the capital's surrounding areas—after suppressing the rebels—was decided.
The declaration of support from the Five Great Towers, the swift suppression of the remaining royalist forces.
And the subsequent territorial tour was news that those who had belatedly sided with MacLaine had been desperately hoping for.
Among them, Count Jacques Juan—the master of the Juan County near the capital, a man of considerable standing—made another momentous decision at that very moment.
"Do everything in your power to cooperate with MacLaine. Give them whatever they want—money, troops, anything! No, even if they say they don't need it, go offer it anyway!"
"Y-your Excellency, is it truly necessary to go that far?"
"The more you invest, the greater the return. MacLaine is becoming the kingdom itself now. Any investment in the MacLaine family will be repaid on a kingdom-wide scale! Do it, no matter what! Damn it, if I'd known it would come to this, I would have sent troops the moment the civil war broke out."
Jacques Juan hopped about in belated regret before suddenly snatching up a pen as if struck by a thought.
The letter he proceeded to write...
Was so overflowing with flattery that his adjutant couldn't help but stare at it with a horrified expression.
And unfortunately for Jacques Juan, he wasn't the only noble who had thought along similar lines.
The desperate flailing of the nobles who had been walking on eggshells under the capital's martial law was even more blatant.
"J-just a moment is all I need. Please, let me see His Excellency! This is truly a precious..."
"Send him away."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The elderly noble's earnest plea was coldly dismissed by Eileen's sharp voice.
Logan was currently staying not at the royal palace, but at his own mansion within the capital.
It was meant to maintain his position as temporary regent, but it naturally attracted a flood of nobles seeking an audience.
Because of this, Eileen, serving as the temporary steward, let out a soft sigh as she watched the nobles swarming outside the mansion.
It was a role she'd half-willingly, half-reluctantly taken on because none of the knights—who had done nothing but swing swords their whole lives—were suited for the position of temporary steward.
Though I've done nothing but swing a sword my whole life, too.
Her position as Logan's fiancée had probably played a large part.
Not that she disliked it.
It was just that there were so many things to worry about.
"This is a critical time. Do not let the tongues of cunning men reach him. Block all access and send them back immediately."
"Yes, ma'am!"
At Eileen's firm command, the knights answered in unison, bowing their heads.
But as she turned away calmly, Eileen's expression visibly crumpled the moment she spotted a familiar face.
"Eileen! It's your father! I've brought a gift for my son-in-law—I mean, His Excellency. This stuff is really good for men... Haha. Well, I can't exactly say what it is, but you know..."
Her father, beaming and waving at her.
Unconsciously covering her face with her hand, Eileen desperately ignored the sight and shouted.
"Do not let him in under any circumstances! Send him back as quickly as possible!"
"...Yes, ma'am!"
"Eileen? D-daughter?! Let go of me, you scoundrels! I'm the father of the kingdom's greatest female knight, Lady Eileen! The future queen's...! You're not letting go? Huh?"
Ugh, Father...
At the familiar voice ringing out behind her, her face grew increasingly hot.
Fortunately, the knights seemed to have handled the matter well, as the voice soon faded into the distance. Quickly composing herself, Eileen let out a small sigh and asked her subordinate.
"Any other issues?"
"Public order is being perfectly restored. There are a few minor complaints from friendly nobles, but we've handled them all as you instructed."
"Good. Has the young lord's armor been repaired?"
"Yes. It should be brought back shortly."
"And the person in the prison?"
"I'm afraid I don't know much about that either..."
"I see. From now on, bring any such matters to me first, so the young lord doesn't have to concern himself with trivialities. Understood?"
"Of course, Lady Eileen."
"Good. You may go."
The moment her subordinate turned away, Eileen headed for the mansion's kitchen. Taking the pre-prepared tea and cups from a maid, she made her way to her fiancé.
Knock, knock.
- It's Eileen.
At the familiar voice, a brief smile flickered across Logan's previously hardened expression.
"Come in."
The report lying before him, just a few lines long, had been weighing heavily on his mind, making her presence all the more welcome.
These days, the only moments he could manage a smile were the times he spent with this thoughtful lover of his.
Creeeak.
"I've sent away all the nobles seeking an audience with you. Among those who came today, the only ones of count rank or higher were Count Roman and Count Flo...yd."
"Flo...? My father-in-law came too?"
"Yes."
At the word 'father-in-law,' a faint blush spread across Eileen's face.
Though she was the type of tightly-wound fiancée who would launch straight into business the moment she saw his face, at times like this, she was simply endearing.
"Still, you could have let your father in..."
"I didn't want you to be disturbed by unnecessary meetings at such a critical time."
Eileen's gaze swept over the report placed in front of Logan.
Since it was something all his close aides already knew about, and not something he was particularly trying to hide, Logan didn't bother to cover it.
And even though she must have seen the contents of that report, Eileen simply set the teacup down with a calm expression.
"It's Garin tea. They say it clears the mind and settles distracting thoughts. Drink it slowly."
"...Thank you. As always."
"It's nothing. It's only what I should be doing."
"No difficulties, I hope?"
"None."
Glug-glug.
The conversation, which had been proceeding in calm, short answers, came to an abrupt halt.
It was almost too plain and simple to be called a conversation between lovers. Yet, as they sat facing each other, tilting their teacups, faint smiles lingered on both their lips.
A time of many troubles.
This time, which could calm his restless heart, was nearly his only respite. It was Eileen's consideration, knowing Logan's worries, and Logan gladly accepted that consideration.
But perhaps because his heart had relaxed too much...
"...I should take my leave now."
A moment later, as Eileen rose from her seat and turned to leave.
Logan found himself asking the question before he could stop himself.
"What would you want me to do?"
Eileen paused at his words.
But thankfully, her answer came without hesitation.
"It doesn't matter to me what choice you make."
Though it wasn't quite the answer Logan had been hoping for.
"You're the one who gave me the chance to achieve my dream, and made me feel a sense of accomplishment beyond even that. Now, it's my turn to help you. Whatever you choose."
It was an answer that gave him more than enough strength.
...Praising Your Excellency's valor in righteously driving out the lawless tyrant... (omitted) ... From my distant territory, I sincerely pray for Your Excellency's continued good fortune.
The nobles' joint petition is nearing completion. Once that is done...