Chapter 231
Chapter 231
A single step could mark the end of the road.
A mere nod could bring closure.
Or the final stroke that completes a painting.
For some, these choices might seem effortless.
But what if the path leads to a cliff?
What if that single nod alters the course of my life?
What if that last stroke ruins the entire painting?
Could the choice still be made so lightly?
For Logan, this was the dilemma he now faced.
- To become king. Or not to.
Knowing it would come to pass made the choice no easier.
A decision that would reshape his life and the fate of his family demanded caution—it was inevitable that he would agonize over it.
Yet, no matter how much he pondered, his thoughts only grew more tangled. Eventually, Logan stepped outside alone in the dead of night.
He wandered the streets until dawn, lost in thought beneath the martial law he had imposed, the city unnervingly silent.
A young man with crimson hair and scarlet eyes, his expression grave, walked alone through the capital.
Passersby occasionally glanced at him, some even tilting their heads at his distinctive appearance. But the young man, lost in thought, paid them no mind.
Those who wondered why he wandered without guards soon passed by without a second thought—until someone recognized him and froze in shock.
"L-Lord Logan MacLaine?! H-how are you here...?!"
An elderly nobleman in lavish attire immediately dropped to his knees. The sight snapped Logan from his thoughts and soon sent ripples through the entire street.
"L-Logan MacLaine?"
"That MacLaine?"
"Gah—!"
Someone screamed before hastily covering their mouth.
Those nearby trembled and prostrated themselves, while those farther away hid and whispered.
"The man who killed the king...?"
"The one who slaughtered the entire Davis Count family, leaving no survivors..."
"They say he kills anyone who meets his gaze..."
Unaware their hushed words reached his ears, the crowd grew increasingly restless. Sensing the tension, some turned and fled.
"L-Lord...!"
"L-Logan MacLaine..."
"I'm scared!"
People trembled in fear, though nothing had happened.
But the name carried that weight.
The man who killed the king.
The day he entered the royal palace, over a thousand had died.
The massacre included the families of nobles who resisted.
Logan exhaled bitterly, a wry smile twisting his lips—until knights rushed in, amplifying the chaos.
"Lord Logan!"
"My lord!"
"Make way!"
Thud-thud-thud!
Neigh—!
Knights dismounted in haste and knelt before him.
"Grand Prince, why have you come out alone? You should have summoned us."
"...I knew this would happen."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. Let's return."
"Y-yes! Escort him!"
"Unnecessary. I'll walk."
Whoosh.
Before they could react, Logan vanished. The knights stared blankly at the empty space where he had stood—none among them skilled enough to track his movement.
Much later, Logan gazed down at the chaotic street from the highest rooftop in the capital, his expression heavy.
"This... wasn't what I wanted."
A murmur lost to the wind.
The breeze wrapped around him as if in consolation, but his desolate expression remained unchanged for a long while.
[The crowds are growing, but it's still manageable. That's all for the report.]
The era of MacLaine had arrived.
Dwain delivered a concise report on the town, now flooded with people drawn by the news spreading across the kingdom.
"Good work, Dwain. Neither Father nor I are there, but hold on a little longer."
[Of course. We've just overcome a major hurdle. The entire territory supports you, my lord. Stay strong, even if you're weary!]
The bearded administrator's smile briefly eased Logan's bitterness.
Perhaps that was why.
"Dwain... what do you think if I became king?"
The question slipped out before Logan could stop himself.
[Huh? Uh... well... why ask me...?]
Dwain's flustered reaction was expected.
"Never mind. Forget I asked."
Logan shook his head, masking his unease.
[...Is that why you seem troubled?]
Dwain furrowed his brow and pressed further.
Logan stiffened before forcing a bitter smile.
"...Just... complicated thoughts."
Dwain hesitated before speaking cautiously.
[Truthfully, as a vassal, it's difficult to speak freely on such a grave matter.]
"Right. Pretend I didn't ask."
The mood grew heavier. Logan sighed, watching Dwain's discomfort.
Then, flustered, Dwain hastily continued.
[N-no, my honest thoughts aren't that profound. It's just... haha, well...]
"Not profound?"
Logan's gaze sharpened. Scratching his thick beard, Dwain hesitated before speaking carefully.
[I never imagined you'd agonize over this, my lord.]
"Huh?"
[You've always acted first and thought later, haven't you? More than anyone I know, you leap without hesitation—ah, wait. Forget I said that!]
Sweating bullets at his slip-up, Dwain paused—but seeing Logan's blank expression, he found courage to continue.
[A-anyway! You're the type to charge ahead once you see potential. Frankly, it's a reckless mindset, but you've always produced undeniable results. Results that force everyone to nod in approval.]
"...True."
The phrasing differed, but it echoed Ellen's words.
Alongside his father, Dwain—who had watched Logan longer than most—conveyed the same sentiment.
[I believe this time will be no different. No—everyone in MacLaine thinks the same. Do as you wish, my lord. If you want to be king, ascend the throne. If not, then don't!]
Dwain laughed heartily, offering a refreshing conclusion.
Logan couldn't help but smile.
"Right. Thanks, Dwain."
It didn't resolve all his doubts, but his heart felt lighter.
- I'll support you now. Whatever you choose.
Ellen's words resurfaced, bolstering his resolve.
Of course.
[And if you do become king, make sure to reward me properly. A kingdom minister would suit me better than a territory administrator...]
Though tinged with self-interest, Logan knew it was just awkward humor and laughed good-naturedly.
[Finance Minister would be ideal, actually.]
...Was he joking?
Logan's eye twitched—
[Our lord is becoming king?!]
From behind Dwain's bulk, a familiar brown-haired, brown-eyed youth popped up, eyes wide with shock.
The two communicators gaped in unison.
"Rick?"
[Hey! When did you get here?!]
[Administrator, you summoned me! You weren't answering, so...]
[But barging into the comms room...]
As chaos erupted, Logan raised his voice.
"Enough, Dwain. It's not a state secret. Nothing's decided yet."
[S-sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop...]
A headache threatened, but since word would spread soon anyway, Logan sighed and shook his head.
"Again—nothing's final. If you spread baseless rumors, you'll regret it."
[Pfft, my lips are sealed. But our lord as king? Though... I guess it makes sense?]
Rick looked genuinely bewildered.
Logan trusted his loyalty but felt the need to rein him in.
"Nothing's decided! Do you understand?!"
[Huh? Oh, right. So... you might not become king?]
"Right."
[Aha... That's a relief.]
"Relief?"
Logan reflexively echoed Rick's unexpected remark.
[N-no! A slip of the tongue! Not relief, more like... reassurance? No, that's not it either?]
[Rick, you're speaking to the lord—]
[I said it was a mistake!]
[Still, you—]
As the comms devolved into chaos, Logan sighed.
"Dwain, leave us."
[Huh?]
"I want to speak privately with my attendant."
[M-my lord, did I... err?]
Though Logan genuinely wanted to talk, Rick's pale face overlapped with the terrified citizens earlier. He shook his head to dispel the thought.
Not Rick.
Hah...
"No. It's fine, Rick. I just want to talk. Dwain...?"
[Understood, my lord. I'll report later.]
"Good."
Once Dwain left, only Rick's uneasy face remained in the comms.
[My lord... Did I mess up? I didn't mean to... My opinion doesn't matter. Just ignore—]
"Rick."
[I was just worried, that's all—]
"Rick!"
[Y-yes, my lord. I'm listening.]
Finally responding to the repeated calls, Rick stiffened, still visibly confused.
Logan softened his tone.
"I'm not scolding you. I truly want your opinion. You've been by my side the longest."
[R-right. I've served you longer than anyone.]
"Exactly. My personal attendant, my friend—in a way, like a brother."
[...My lord. To say that...]
Tears welled in Rick's eyes before he composed himself, gazing calmly at Logan.
"So I ask sincerely—do you think it'd be bad if I became king?"
[...No. It would be magnificent.]
A complete reversal from his earlier slip.
"Magnificent? Earlier, you said you'd be relieved if I didn't."
Logan frowned, but Rick, head bowed, didn't see it and continued softly.
[It's... undoubtedly magnificent. The lord I've served since childhood ascending the throne—how could I dislike that? I might even secure a royal position myself. But...]
"But?"
Unable to wait, Logan pressed as Rick hesitated.
After a long pause, Rick finally lifted his head, meeting Logan's eyes with resolve.
[As splendid as it is... I preferred the old days.]
"Huh?"
[Not this complicated territory, but the peaceful countryside MacLaine. You trained or rode out occasionally, and I served you. Those carefree days were better.]
"..."
[Of course, I know the family has prospered. But... I've seen you smile less over time. It's weighed on me. Even now... my lord, you're struggling, aren't you?]
Brown eyes brimming with concern.
Hearing the genuine worry in his voice, Logan's throat tightened. He looked away—not at the sky, but the ceiling.
[If you rise higher, you'll suffer more. That's why I said it's a relief. Just dismiss it as a foolish attendant's thoughtless worry.]
Watching Rick bow repeatedly, Logan fell silent for a long moment.