Chapter 80
Chapter 80
I had gained an unexpected talent in Ellen—something I hadn't even considered when I first arrived in the capital.
Through sparring with the Sword Duke, I had also found a clue to further my swordsmanship training.
Things seemed to be falling into place smoothly, yet some parts still felt daunting.
'The King...'
The capital's situation, as I had learned through Philip, remained largely unchanged.
No signs of civil war, no troubling rumors about the royal family or the king.
Contrary to my expectations, I had found nothing substantial.
Even the so-called "royal secrets" I had paid a staggering million gold to uncover through Nox turned out to be nothing more than the factional dynamics between the First and Second Princes.
Sure, there were a few who outwardly belonged to opposing factions, but—
'Information that would be exposed the moment civil war breaks out anyway.'
It felt like a waste of money, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
Still, one thing was certain:
'No noble is preparing for civil war yet.'
The king's death.
Just as in my past life, it would truly be a sudden demise.
Something none of the kingdom's nobles could foresee.
Gaining that certainty alone made my trip to the capital worthwhile.
'Right. That's enough.'
It would have been perfect if I had also earned my master's trust and made an introduction to the Third Prince, but—
Forcing a meeting now would only invite suspicion.
Since I intended to make the Third Prince king anyway, meeting him after the civil war erupted wouldn't be a problem.
So there was no need to dwell on regrets now.
Besides, my master's child would be born soon, so I needed to start thinking about names.
Taking Ellen back after the naming ceremony wouldn't be a bad choice either.
Just as I was organizing my thoughts—
Logan heard unexpected words from his master.
"Where am I going?"
"The royal palace."
"Me?"
"Yes. Hurry and prepare yourself—you're coming with me."
Stunned by the Sword Duke's abrupt statement, Logan blinked in confusion.
"What kind of sudden order is this without any prior notice?"
"I only just heard it myself. But if His Majesty summons us, what can we do?"
"......Huh?"
"It seems rumors have reached him that I've taken on a disciple."
"......."
Seeing his disciple's dumbfounded expression, the Sword Duke smiled faintly.
From his perspective, it was only natural for a noble of this kingdom to show reverence to the king they ought to serve.
After growing weary of nobles who placed themselves above their sovereign, the Sword Duke found his disciple's reaction gratifying.
Of course, the person in question felt quite differently.
'Why? For what reason?'
As the heir of a rural baron, I had never expected to meet the king—it wasn't even something I had considered from the start.
Questions swirled in my mind, but there was no time to dwell on them.
An entirely unforeseen possibility had suddenly opened before me.
So—
"I'll go no matter what!"
I had no choice but to knock on that door with enthusiasm.
"Loyalty! His Grace, Duke Esperanza, your identity has been verified. Please follow me."
The massive, snow-white gates, emphasizing elegant curves, split open to reveal the splendor within.
The fence-like walls flanking the gates—whether functional or artistic—were beautiful in their own right, but they paled in comparison to what lay beyond.
As soon as the gates parted, what unfolded before my eyes was an expansive, breathtaking garden meticulously maintained by the kingdom's finest gardeners.
Yet even that garden was merely a decorative frame for the overwhelming golden palace gleaming in the distance.
Grandpia—a palace so beautiful that even its conqueror would later say, "It's too exquisite to ruin. Preserve it as it is."
Decades after the Imperial War, it would be renamed the Governor-General's Residence, its beauty intact but its purpose twisted—a symbol of the kingdom that stung with bitter irony.
Seeing the royal palace for the first time in this life, memories from my past life—ones I thought had faded—resurfaced vividly.
'I'll stop it no matter what.'
My chest grew heavy, and I clenched my fists, reaffirming my resolve.
"Feeling burdened?"
"Huh?"
"No need to worry. His Majesty cherishes talent—this meeting will only benefit you, never harm you."
"......Yes."
Of course, it would benefit me. Just... in a slightly different way than expected.
Logan watched his master's retreating back with a solemn gaze.
"I stand before the master of this kingdom."
Thud.
Following his master's lead, Logan knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
From above, a somewhat weary, elderly voice echoed.
"Ah, my friend. I've told you time and again, there's no need for such formalities..."
"If those above do not uphold propriety, who below will follow? What must be observed, must be observed."
The Sword Duke, Felix Esperanza, bowed his head with characteristic dignity.
The king chuckled softly at the sight.
"Still as stubborn as ever. Your unchanging nature is reassuring, I must say. Very well, my old friend. Raise your head. And your disciple as well—I wish to see his face."
Following the command, Logan lifted his head and beheld an old man whose hair and beard were entirely white, devoid of their original color.
A golden crown rested atop his head, his lavish silk robes adorned his frame, and his fingers glittered with rings—an ostentatiously dressed, ruddy-cheeked elder.
This man was Samuel von Grandia, the king of the Grandia Kingdom—a ruler who would later be remembered as the epitome of incompetence.
'He looks quite healthy...'
In the past, Samuel von Grandia had also been healthy.
That was why no one had anticipated his sudden death.
Had he shown even the slightest frailty, the line of succession might have been settled before disaster struck.
But because he was hale and hearty, no one had rushed to establish an heir.
Thus, his abrupt demise had split the kingdom in two, plunging it into civil war.
'This time will be no different.'
Logan felt oddly relieved seeing the king's healthy appearance.
It meant history was still unfolding as he remembered.
As he steeled himself and gathered his thoughts—
The king studied Logan with keen interest.
"Hoho. Indeed, you seem spirited enough to be his disciple. You're the first young man to stare at me so boldly upon our first meeting."
"Ah. My apologies, Your Majesty."
"Oh, no, no. Your master is overly formal—no need to emulate that. I like spirited youths."
"His talent matches his spirit. Despite his youth, he has led his territory to consecutive victories in territorial wars through both valor and wisdom. I believe he will become a pillar supporting this kingdom's future."
"Oh? Truly? Worthy of being your disciple, then. But how did you two come to meet?"
"Well, you see, I had an old injury from my past. Back when Your Majesty was still crown prince..."
And so began the nostalgic reminiscing between master and king.
Logan, feeling like a mere bystander, struggled to stay alert throughout the lengthy exchange.
"Ahahaha! Such a connection—I never would have guessed. Logan, was it? Truly, truly, I am grateful."
"......Yes?"
"Truthfully, I summoned you merely out of curiosity—wondering what about you had caught my old friend's eye. I expected nothing more than exceptional talent. But..."
The king paused, casting a complicated glance at the Sword Duke.
Yet Logan still couldn't grasp why the king was thanking him.
Blaming himself for not paying closer attention to their earlier conversation, he hesitated to speak.
"This friend's injury was the root of the guilt I carried toward him. A wound so painful I dared not speak of it."
"Ah..."
"Healing that injury resolved not only his resentment but also lightened the burden on my heart. So how could I not be grateful? Thank you—truly, thank you."
"Your Majesty. You honor me too much."
"Not at all! Had you not been there, neither would I stand here today—what does that tell you?"
Lord and vassal, vassal and lord.
Every word they exchanged betrayed their deep mutual regard.
"As king, I cannot leave such gratitude unexpressed. It's only right to offer a proper gift."
"Your Majesty, there's truly no need—"
"No, no. How can I not repay the benefactor of my one true friend?"
Though it was a conversation Logan couldn't interject in, one word caught his attention.
'A gift?'
And a king's gift, no less—an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss.
Instinctively, Logan took a step forward.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Logan!"
The Sword Duke's expression hardened instantly.
"Kuhahaha! That's the spirit befitting the Sword Duke's disciple. Come closer."
"Your Majesty, there's truly no need. I will repay him personally."
"Tsk! It's fine. Do you know how long I've carried this guilt toward you? Repayment is due. Come here, Logan."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Though he felt his master's piercing gaze drilling into the back of his head, Logan hurried forward with quick steps.
The king then removed a bluish bracelet from his left wrist.
Even with his head bowed, Logan could sense the dense magical energy emanating from it.
The Sword Duke recoiled in shock and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty! That is far too generous!"
"It's fine. How much longer will I have need of it? A talented young knight putting it to use will benefit the kingdom."
Even to Logan's eyes, it was no ordinary treasure.
Though he couldn't discern its exact nature, the sheer mana radiating from it suggested it was at least Class 5.
Meaning it was a relic capable of wielding magic on par with legendary 7th-Class spells—something only supreme archmages could craft.
In other words, an artifact nearly impossible to obtain in this era.
No wonder his master looked so aghast.
No matter how thick-skinned one was, accepting such an item without hesitation was unthinkable.
Despite his greed, Logan's hand hesitated momentarily.
Noticing this, the king extended his hand further.
"Consider it recompense for resolving both my friend's and my own regrets. Take it—quickly, before I change my mind."
The king's smile made it clear he was joking, but—
Fearful that further hesitation might make him reconsider, Logan swiftly—yet as respectfully as possible—accepted the gift.
"I shall engrave this excessive kindness in my heart."
"Logan! You shouldn't have accepted so readily. That is a royal treasure—"
"Felix, enough! Just as I've done little for you, think of this as doing something for your disciple."
"Your Majesty, how can you say such—"
With the king insisting so firmly, even the Sword Duke could protest no further.
"Logan MacLaine. Do you, too, find my gift excessive?"
"......I will treasure it as dearly as its worth."
"Kuhahaha! Well said—your bearing surpasses your master's."
The king laughed heartily for a while before smiling at Logan again.
"A bond forged through rare fortune. May this gift lead that bond to an even brighter future."
"Your Majesty..."
"My only request is this: Serve your master as you would the heavens, and labor for this kingdom as he has."
For the kingdom.
Why did such a simple phrase weigh so heavily?
Logan still wasn't sure whether his future actions would truly be for the kingdom's sake—or merely his own.
But one thing was certain.
'I will stop the Empire.'
Gazing at the face of the king—seen for the first time, and likely the last—
Logan slowly, yet sincerely, bowed deeply.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I swear it!"
On the way back after the royal audience, master and disciple walked in silence for a while.
Only as they neared the palace's outer gates did the Sword Duke finally speak.
"His Majesty seems to have grown much softer in heart."
"Huh?"
"He was never one to speak so much. That he wished to meet you, too... I worry he may be burdened by some unspoken concern."
"Don't worry too much."
"What?"
The Sword Duke halted abruptly at Logan's calm reply.
"The king I saw today seemed the type to confide in you directly if he had worries. If he said nothing, then it must be something you need not know."
"......True. You're right. I must be growing old, letting paranoia take hold. Hah, perhaps I'm just unsettled after watching my disciple walk off with a royal treasure."
The sudden deflection made Logan flinch.
Instinctively, he covered his left wrist, where the bracelet rested.
"The Bracelet of Regeneration. A Class 5 artifact embedded with Rapid Healing magic. Though it houses only one spell, its power is immense—equivalent to a high priest's divine incantation."
His master explained the artifact's exact effects.
A high priest's divine incantation.
An ability potent enough to turn fatal wounds into mere scratches, allowing immediate movement.
Considering that magical healing spells are generally weaker than divine ones, this artifact essentially contained the most powerful recovery magic possible.
As expected, it was a treasure beyond valuation.
"......Is it really alright for me to have this?"
"Now you ask? Where was this hesitation when you snatched it up earlier? Scheming brat."
"Ahaha... I didn't realize it was this incredible."
Having no rebuttal, Logan could only offer an awkward smile.
"Well. Now that you've obtained such a treasure, I can rest easy."
"All thanks to you, Master. I'm grate—"
"Until now, I've pushed you to the brink of death. But now, I can cross that line. Prepare yourself from today onward."
A spasm flickered across Logan's smiling lips.
But he quickly steadied himself.
"I will strive to meet your expectations."
Time for growth.
The greater the trial, the greater the reward.