Chapter 82
Chapter 82
"Cut ties? What a cold thing to say. Past mistakes are mistakes, but blood ties remain blood ties. Considering the financial support our Kairos family has provided over the past decade, surely we can overlook one misstep?"
"That's unfortunate."
"What?"
"If only that 'misstep' hadn't been turning your back on kin teetering on the edge of a cliff, your words might have sounded convincing."
Beron's face twitched slightly at Logan's remark.
He had known this would be a difficult conversation, but he hadn't expected to be so thoroughly rebuked by someone much younger—technically his nephew by family hierarchy.
The Beron from thirty minutes ago, who had thought it fortunate to approach Logan naturally at a party rather than in a private meeting, now seemed pitiful in hindsight.
Of course, his anger toward Logan burned hotter than his self-pity.
'This brat's gotten a little fame and now his head's swollen.'
The reckless, impulsive nature of a delinquent hadn't changed.
But... that also made persuasion easier.
Beron steadied himself with that thought.
"That was indeed a fatal mistake on our family's part. Though belated, I formally apologize on behalf of the Kairos family."
"At least you recognize it's belated."
Beron nearly flared up again, but he had already braced himself for humiliation. Backing down now wasn't an option.
"If you want reparations, name your terms. Wouldn't it be better to accept a proper apology and reconcile rather than sever ties forever?"
Beron extended a blank check to Logan, who remained obstinate.
But—
"Hmm. Did you really come here just to apologize? If I accept compensation, you won't bring up anything else?"
The infuriating reply made Beron grit his teeth unconsciously.
'Who does this brat think he is?'
Logan openly smirked at Beron's twisted expression.
There was clearly something else Beron wanted—hence this clumsy charade.
"If you have something else to say besides an apology, then I'll decline the apology. You may leave."
Logan drew a firm line, but Beron's reaction defied expectations.
"Help me. I'll grant whatever you desire. Look not at past mistakes, but to the future."
His head bowed almost at a right angle, his tone desperate.
Beron's complete surrender was unexpected even to Logan.
'Oh?'
The Kairos family he knew—especially Simon Kairos—wasn't the type to do this. They weren't people capable of regret or reflection for their actions.
And it was common knowledge that Beron Kairos, Simon's sole heir, couldn't defy his father.
Which meant...
'This, too, comes from Simon Kairos's superiors.'
Logan's gaze flicked toward the other power center of the party.
Duke Jordan Waltermein and Duke Juan Douglas—the kingdom's only 6th-Circle Archmage, standing at odds with Waltermein—glanced his way before turning their heads.
As expected, they wouldn't intervene directly.
Even with the title of the Sword Duke's disciple, Logan was merely a pawn for the dukes to test the waters.
Though their minor coughs sent their subordinates into a frenzy.
'Whether it's Vifros or Kairos, even two of the kingdom's top three magnates dance to the dukes' tune.'
The bitter connections between Logan and these families now felt like mere foothills compared to the true mountains he had to climb.
'Then I'll use them for now.'
Coincidentally, he needed something from the kingdom's wealthiest—no, from the merchant guilds.
'This should be enough to fully support Philip.'
Vifros had already drawn his sword.
No matter what tricks Logan pulled, Vifros wouldn't budge easily. But Kairos was a different story.
"Hmm. Uncle, there's no need for such excessive courtesy with your nephew. A small favor between family isn't so difficult, is it? Right?"
Logan's tongue danced lightly, hiding his voracious greed.
"...Thank you, nephew."
Beron's face brightened slightly with relief.
But that relief hardened into stiffness as Logan led him to a secluded corner and continued speaking.
"If you do that much, arranging a meeting with His Highness the First Prince won't be difficult."
"...Understood."
Beron had no choice but to nod.
Of course, Roger Vifros's gaze from afar turned icy, but Logan paid it no mind.
Vifros and Kairos.
Even after those ill-fated connections, many nobles still sought Logan's attention.
But dealing with them all was exhausting, so Logan used his master as an excuse to politely decline with brief greetings.
As the party's complicated proceedings wore on—
"May I have your attention, everyone? The most important event of this party is about to begin. To celebrate the young lady's safe growth, we shall now welcome the esteemed individual who will bestow upon her a name. That person is... eh?"
Lefman, a vassal of the Esperanza Ducal House and an honorary count, paused mid-script, startled, before looking back at his lord.
The Sword Duke smiled and nodded, so Lefman read the name on the script with a slightly flustered expression.
"...His Excellency's disciple, Lord Logan MacLaine."
'That expression, though.'
Why are you naming the young lady?
Unlike the seasoned nobles, Count Lefman couldn't hide his bewilderment.
But knowing it stemmed from his fierce loyalty to the Sword Duke, Logan found it more amusing than offensive.
Logan maintained his composure as he approached the high seat, but—
Facing the adorable baby wrapped in soft silk, staring up at him with wide eyes, he couldn't help but smile.
The baby, brimming with vitality after receiving an Aura Shower at birth, looked even more endearing.
And the moment Logan carefully cradled her—
"Gyah?"
The baby reached out with tiny hands, grasped Logan's finger, and beamed at him.
Squee.
He knew it held no deeper meaning—just a coincidence—but his heart swelled regardless.
Gazing into the baby's sparkling eyes, all the other name candidates he'd agonized over vanished, leaving only one.
"This child's name shall be Stella. It means 'star' in the ancient tongue. A wish for her to shine as brightly as the celestial lights illuminating the night sky."
"Gyahaha!"
The baby's cheerful laughter seemed to approve of her name, making Logan smile brightly in turn.
"...Lord Logan MacLaine has chosen the name Stella. Your Grace, do you accept this name for the young lady?"
"I accept it."
"The young lady's name has been decided. Stella Esperanza! Let us all bless the newest star of the Esperanza family!"
"Waaaaah!"
Amid the cheers and applause, Logan kept exchanging glances with the baby before carefully handing her back to the duchess.
The child's giggling face, waving her hands, dispelled all the unease left by the Crimson Archbishop's divine energy.
Stella Esperanza's naming ceremony became an opportunity to showcase the unshakable bond between Logan and the Sword Duke across the kingdom.
Invitations poured in endlessly from those seeking an audience with Logan, now backed by a formidable patron.
But by then, Logan was already preparing to leave the capital.
'Winter is coming.'
Which meant it was time to return to his territory and prepare for the civil war.
Observing the capital's movements, he dismissed any doubts that things might differ from his past life. His trust with his master had also deepened.
Though he regretted not immediately securing a meeting with the Third Prince, gaining Ellen as an asset made his capital visit far more fruitful than expected.
Moreover—
- The wasteland—no, the New MacLaine Plains—is projected to yield over twenty times MacLaine's past harvests. And with land still untapped due to labor shortages, next year...
- Financially, even 30 million gold is achievable. Just Tesron and Silvan's tax revenues exceed 10 million. The Silvan territory's people are cheering since we kept our promise of low taxes.
- Huh? This year's yield alone is enough for three to four years... You're telling me not to sell? Why...? Understood. Money isn't an issue anyway.
The changes in MacLaine during his absence were more than enough to bolster his confidence.
'Preparations are going well.'
Time to return, make final adjustments, and execute the plan.
As Logan steeled his resolve—
"Leaving already?"
A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Master!"
"Yes. Thanks to you, the naming ceremony went smoothly. My wife is grateful."
"N-Not at all. But why aren't you with Stella...?"
A baby who repelled the divine energy of a high-ranking archbishop.
A story as bizarre and significant as his own regression—one he couldn't bring himself to share with his master.
His concern for the child lent sincerity to his words.
Perhaps sensing that, his master smiled.
"The Aura Shower was more than enough. Overdoing it would only harm her. Now, I've come to resume training my hardworking disciple."
"Ah, Master. I appreciate the offer, but as I mentioned, it's time for me to return to my territory. There's the Vifros issue..."
"It won't take long."
"Huh?"
Past training sessions had always pushed Logan to exhaustion, so his confusion was understandable.
"You've endured grueling training thus far. Now that your foundation is solid, I'll teach you one more practical technique."
"What?!"
"You've got that astonishing secret art, yet you're surprised? Tsk tsk."
"Master, that's..."
The Sword Duke smirked at his disciple's reaction but continued solemnly.
"That ancient secret art. I once disparaged it, but used well, it may surpass my own. However, don't forget—what's more important?"
"...The basics."
"Correct. What I'm about to pass down is a secret art that maximizes those basics. Follow me."
A paradoxical statement, but an offer Logan couldn't refuse.
Whoosh.
Entering the training grounds, the Sword Duke drew his sword with a smooth sound.
"The foundation of the martial arts I've honed over a lifetime lies in restricting the enemy's movements while maximizing my own."
Hum.
As he spoke, aura surged around the Sword Duke.
Simultaneously, an immense pressure weighed down the entire training grounds.
"Ultimately, it's about dominating space on the battlefield. The Gravity Press Sword you learned is the first concrete manifestation of that philosophy. Can you endure it?"
'Not at all.'
Logan's thoughts didn't become words.
Just standing firm made sweat pour down his back under the crushing pressure.
His master chuckled lightly and withdrew the force.
Gasp!
Logan staggered.
Without even being struck, dizziness overwhelmed him.
The prowess of those called Transcendents was awe-inspiring.
"Indeed. It's a technique I can take pride in. But the secret art you possess surpasses mine as an offensive tool. Thus, there's no need to teach you my sword's secrets—oppressive weight, silencing sound, chasing lightning."
"Then...?"
"Don't look so disappointed. Open your eyes wide—this is far more impressive."
Logan focused intently as his master's figure blurred momentarily.
'Huh?'
Before Logan could process it, his master vanished—only for a chilling presence to materialize behind his neck.
Gasp!
Whirling around, Logan found his master standing calmly, sword slightly raised.
"Hah..."
"Did you see?"
"...Not at all."
"Understandable. How did it feel?"
Logan hesitated.
It was undoubtedly an incredible movement—one he couldn't perceive.
But—
'Is it really that remarkable?'
For the kingdom's greatest swordsman to consider this his proudest technique, surpassing even his sword arts?
Unlike the Gravity Press Sword, Logan didn't feel its impact viscerally.
A Transcendent of the Sword Duke's caliber could move faster than Logan could react anyway.
Seemingly reading his thoughts, his master smiled.
"What's the foundation of all martial arts?"
"Lower body and footwork."
Logan answered instantly, but his expression remained dubious.
The Sword Duke knew why.
"But that logic only applies to those who can't wield Force or whose mastery is lacking. Isn't that what you're thinking?"
Logan couldn't bring himself to agree, hesitating awkwardly.
"Then suppose I told you the reason I'm rated higher than other Aura Users like Jordan, Luther, or Wycken isn't swordsmanship—but this movement technique. Would you understand?"
"...?!"
"This Ghost's Shadow is a technique no less exceptional than any sword art."
'Ghost's Shadow...'
The name didn't suit the Sword Duke's reputation—ominous and eerie—but his tone brimmed with pride.
"You struggled against that Flanz fellow, didn't you? Had you learned this beforehand, that wouldn't have happened."
With that irresistible provocation—
"Do you want to learn it?"
"Absolutely!"
Flames reignited in Logan's crimson eyes.