Chapter 84
Chapter 84
"Not at all, Your Highness. The honor is mine."
"Enough with the honor. The honor is mine. To meet a young hero like you."
"You flatter me too much. I merely had the fortune of meeting a great teacher and achieving modest results."
"Haha. If that's modest, then what does that make someone like me?"
"That wasn't my intention—"
"And it's not just personal martial prowess—you saved your family from crisis and even expanded your territory. You're the very definition of a hero."
"...Thank you."
Logan was slightly taken aback by the unexpected praise.
A prince who knew the affairs of a remote barony—something most nobles in the capital wouldn't even glance at.
When Logan glanced at his teacher for an explanation, the Sword Duke subtly shook his head.
He hadn't been the one to inform the prince.
"The Duke spoke so highly of you that I grew curious and looked into you myself. Have I overstepped?"
"Not at all. I'm only grateful for your generous interest."
"Is that so? Good. Ah, don't just stand there—take a seat. Duke, please sit as well. There's no need for excessive formality among us."
With a casual laugh, the prince gestured to the seat directly in front of him.
Logan hesitated briefly, but when his teacher took the seat beside the prince without protest, Logan suppressed a sigh and sat as well.
From somewhere, someone had prepared tea—the prince himself poured fragrant tea into cups for both his teacher and Logan.
Clink.
"Ah, no—Your Highness!"
"It's fine. Stay seated."
"Tch..."
"I enjoy meeting people. Especially young, exceptional talents like Sir Logan. But given the watchful eyes of my elder brothers, this is all I can do. A cup of tea can't make up for my rudeness, but I hope you'll accept it as a gesture of sincerity."
His words carried the weight of a third prince who had lived under scrutiny, yet his demeanor was unbothered, his tone brimming with confidence.
Logan had heard his teacher praise the prince's intelligence and that rumors spoke of his royal talent—but now he understood it wasn't just martial prowess.
'I expected him to be better than the First and Second Princes, even if not as much as the rumors claimed.'
But the prince had already exceeded those expectations.
"...I'll gratefully accept."
A smile came naturally.
"Given my personality, I dislike beating around the bush or dragging things out. So I'll get straight to the point."
Perhaps because he was young, the prince was far more direct than Logan had anticipated.
"Sir Logan, you may not be aware, but the fate of this kingdom hangs in a precarious balance. The nobility has split the country in two, each side fighting to devour the other half. Though no outright violence has erupted yet, it's a bomb waiting to explode."
I already know when it'll detonate.
Logan kept his thoughts hidden and listened quietly.
"Those who care not a whit for the people's lives—they're the poison that will ruin this kingdom. That's why I need talent. Power. The strength to purge those toxins!"
The prince's clenched teeth and desperate expression were unmistakable.
"Your Highness!"
But the Sword Duke's face hardened rapidly at those words.
"Your Highness. You assured me there would be no coercion."
"Of course, Duke. How could a powerless prince like me dare coerce the Sword Duke's disciple?"
"That's not what I—"
With a single sentence, the prince silenced his teacher and turned back to Logan.
"Word of you reached me. A High Knight at just twenty-one. A war hero who led two campaigns to victory. Even the Sword Duke here admitted you surpassed him at that age."
Logan glanced at his teacher, who coughed awkwardly and looked away.
"Logan MacLaine. A genius of the century, the kingdom's treasure. I wish for a talent like you to stand by me—to rise for me when the time comes. Will you?"
A lifetime's worth of praise and a question with only one possible answer—one he couldn't refuse.
'Exactly what I wanted.'
But even if it hadn't been, how could he refuse here?
Even as the weakest of the three princes, his royal status alone could easily crush a minor territory like Logan's.
Smiling inwardly, Logan slowly spoke.
"I deeply sympathize with Your Highness's views. Meeting you in person, I now see the rumors calling you the 'only' royal talent are entirely true."
The prince's smile widened, while the Sword Duke watched them with a conflicted expression.
"However, I'm afraid I cannot immediately pledge myself to Your Highness's cause."
Logan had just poured cold water on the conversation.
"...I see. So even you see no hope in me."
The prince's face fell, but Logan shook his head calmly.
"No. There is plenty of hope."
"Oh?"
"At the very least, it's already widely known that the two elder princes haven't shown themselves to be desirable rulers."
"Logan! That's not something you should—"
"It's fine, Duke. Sir Logan, continue."
"...If you demonstrate even basic competence, I believe Your Highness's cause will prevail."
Of course, that cause will soon become meaningless.
"But as my family's heir, I have a duty to protect them. And right now, my territory is locked in conflict with Count Bifrost—a formidable enemy beyond our current means. In such circumstances, I cannot recklessly answer Your Highness's call."
"Bifrost... the Second Prince's faction? The Border Lord of the southwest?"
As the prince frowned, Logan smiled confidently.
"Give me just a little more time. Once I've toppled Bifrost, I'll bring my family's full strength to Your Highness's side."
And then you'll become my blade.
Hiding his true thoughts, Logan bowed his head.
Finally, the Third Prince's face broke into a full smile.
"Hahaha! That confidence—truly worthy of the Sword Duke's disciple. Very well, I'll wait. Let's see... On such a fine day, I should give you a gift—"
"Your goodwill is enough. I'll accept gifts only after I've proven my worth."
"Heh. You grow more likable by the minute. Fine. Then I'll prepare a surprise gift for that day. You can look forward to it."
The atmosphere warmed. Smiling, Logan clasped the prince's outstretched hand.
"What were you thinking, saying such things?"
On their way out of the Third Prince's residence.
After walking in silence for a while, the Sword Duke finally spoke.
"Hm?"
"That pledge to follow the Third Prince."
"Ah... Did I sound that definitive? I only said I'd support him after overcoming Bifrost—"
"You sly brat. Isn't that the same thing? Or were you trying to deceive His Highness?"
"Haha. Didn't I say it because I trust you, Master?"
"Tch... Me? Didn't I tell you I can't guarantee anything?"
Though the Sword Duke's gaze was conflicted, Logan continued with a smile.
"Life is an adventure anyway. Greater risks bring greater rewards."
"Is that really all there is to it?"
"Come on, Master. You know my family is at odds with Bifrost, and we're practically enemies with Kairos of the First Prince's faction. What other choice do I have?"
"Remaining neutral isn't an option?"
"I'm still young. Might as well aim high."
Despite Logan's cheeky reply, the Sword Duke pressed on seriously.
"So that's really all? I doubt it."
"...Why do you say that?"
"You don't strike me as someone who'd charge into a hopeless fight. If you've got something in mind, spit it out. Who knows—maybe I'll help?"
Those piercing blue eyes held deep curiosity. Meeting them, Logan asked solemnly:
"Master, which of the three princes do you think would make the best king?"
"That's not for me to decide. It's His Majesty's decision."
"And the nobles' interests will be tangled in it too. Many will chase after the next power shift—just like the First and Second Prince factions now."
"That's none of my concern either."
The Sword Duke's voice was firm, but Logan pressed on calmly.
"Is that so? But I disagree. I once heard this: The First Prince will be a tyrant who ruins the royal family, and the Second Prince will be a fool who ruins the kingdom."
"...Who dares say such things?! That's slander against the royal family and both ducal houses! Those aren't words to be spoken lightly!"
'You were the one who said it.'
Though in his past life, those words had been a lament during the civil war—not too far from now.
Confident that his teacher's thoughts wouldn't be too different now, Logan continued easily.
"Regardless, I believe it. I don't know how far the Third Prince will grow, but at the very least, he'll be better than the other two. What do you think, Master?"
"As I said, it's not my place—"
"I respect your loyalty, but blind adherence to principle doesn't always benefit the kingdom. Right now, I just want your opinion. Surely that's not too much?"
Logan's crimson eyes fixed on his teacher.
After a brief hesitation, the Sword Duke sighed and spoke honestly.
"...I don't disagree with you."
'Perfect!'
He had secured the Sword Duke's tacit approval.
Of course, for now, it was only a seed planted in the loyal knight's mind.
But the tree of thought grown from such seeds could reshape a person's beliefs.
Whether it would sprout—or grow into the tree he desired—remained to be seen.
But when the unexpected storm came, he could at least steer the flow.
So Logan watered that seed with his own hopes.
"His Majesty must also wish for the Third Prince to surpass his brothers. That's why he appointed you as his guardian."
"...Even so, I cannot openly support the Third Prince."
"You don't need to. Just..."
"Just?"
"Keep protecting him as you have until he comes of age."
Because chaos will erupt before then.
"...I always thought you were a sly one, but now I've no idea what you're plotting."
As the Sword Duke chuckled wryly, night deepened around them.
A mere two months.
In that short time, Logan had accomplished much.
He had confirmed the king's condition and forged ties with the Third Prince.
Philip had been sent north to prepare supplies for the civil war, and to facilitate this, Logan had extracted trade routes and connections from Kairos—even securing promises of cooperation.
On top of that, he had gained Ellen as an ally and learned another secret technique from his teacher. His objectives in the capital were more than fulfilled.
Thus, Logan saw no reason to linger.
The incessant invitations from the First and Second Prince factions were another problem.
But regardless of his calculations, this moment was bittersweet.
"Waaah!"
"I'll come back to see you soon, Stella."
As if sensing their parting, the baby cried pitifully. Logan gently stroked her cheek before reluctantly handing her back to the nursemaid.
Sniff. Sniff.
"Waaah..."
"Haha. Stella really seems to like you."
"I've always been popular with babies."
Rick's disbelieving stare burned into his back—Logan had only ever held two babies in his life: Ronian and Stella—but he remained shameless.
At least it was true that both liked him.
"Indeed. Making her own father jealous, this one."
"Waaah..."
Despite his words, the Sword Duke's face showed only delight as he stroked the baby—not a trace of envy.
"Stay well until we meet again."
"Yes. May we reunite on a good day."
Though the Sword Duke voiced his hopes, Logan knew this peace wouldn't last much longer. He could only offer an awkward smile.
"Young Master, we should go."
At Rick's urging, Logan finally stepped away.
There was still one more place to visit in the capital.