Chapter 229

“It was indeed the perfect moment to visit. Everyone is gathered here.”

Logan’s impression upon leaving the Tower of Fire was simple.

However, Clayton, who followed behind, seemed troubled by something and hesitantly opened his mouth after a moment of hesitation.

“But, Lord Logan. Among the mages, there are many with strong pride and nasty dispositions. They may have submitted now due to being overwhelmed by strength, but that could lead to greater rebellion later on.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“We don’t have the leisure to consider that now. If they resist, they’ll face the consequences. For now, we need their strength.”

A hint of murderous intent naturally blended into the softly flowing voice.

Clayton stiffened at the spine-chilling sensation, fixing his gaze on Logan.

Logan’s presence had grown even stronger after the civil war.

‘Or perhaps it has been since the duel with His Excellency the Sword Emperor.’

The problem was that this growing intensity sometimes erupted into killing intent, even during ordinary conversations.

It felt to Clayton as if he was looking at a bomb that could go off at any moment, and he couldn’t help but worry.

But Logan himself had already become a superhuman walking his own path, a hero of the era who had saved the kingdom from civil war and overturned the royal family with another.

Even if he was young, he wasn’t someone Clayton felt qualified to advise.

With a worried gaze, Clayton decided to withdraw his concern.

“Understood. I will ensure everything is perfectly controlled on my end.”

“Very well. I trust you.”

As Logan eliminated yet another variable within the capital, another variable to the southeast of the capital was crumbling.

“Stop them!”

“My lord, the enemy forces are overwhelming. We must surrender!”

“Don’t joke with me! They are brutes who have betrayed their duty to their liege and slain the king! I would rather die than surrender to them!”

The fervent outcry from Count Orlando Ferhi echoed as the old knight reporting to him stiffened.

‘Are you willing to sacrifice your entire house for your loyalty?’

He saw clearly that the house he had served for many years was headed for ruin, but there was nothing more he could do.

All he could do was watch helplessly as flames engulfed the realm beyond the decimated county, the banner of the flames advancing toward the inner castle.

“Damnation…!”

Snap.

Thud.

Roll.

Padric indifferently watched the severed head that he had just struck down.

‘It’s over now.’

Count Orlando Ferhi’s end marked the last survivor of the Secretaries of State appointed by the now-dead king.

The factions that had been openly resisting McClain were all gone.

The follow-up reports from his subordinates confirmed this as well.

“The outer city has been thoroughly dealt with. The inner city will not take long.”

“Well done, Henderson. Return to the capital once it’s over.”

“Yes, sir!”

‘The immediate crisis has been dealt with.’

Looking out at the burning Ferhi county, Padric couldn’t help but let out a wry smile as he thought of the phrase that contrasted with the scene before him. He felt a sense of relief, but was quickly hardened by another thought.

‘Now what choice will Logan make?’

The kingdom was, in essence, in the hands of the family.

He could never have imagined the situation would come to this a few years ago when his son was rapidly advancing the family’s prominence.

But at this pivotal moment, likely to bring more significant changes, Padric could not think of any advice to give his son.

He was unable to come to a conclusion himself.

‘Such a tangled issue, my son.’

At least in his mind, controlling the kingdom and becoming the king were clearly two different matters.

Either to prop up a distant relative from the Grandia royal family and retain the real power or to create a McClain royal dynasty around Logan.

Both choices would bring completely different repercussions, and as someone who had lived his life valuing honor, family, and chivalry, Padric could not easily voice either option.

However, his dilemma was soon concluded with a straightforward utterance from one of the subordinates.

“Huh? I’ll just follow whatever decision Prince Logan makes. He’s taken care of everything so far, hasn’t he?”

“Yes, that’s right. Ha, so it is.”

The choice wasn’t mine to make.

Padric was the lord of McClain, but in reality, it was his son whom all knights and residents of the realm followed.

It may have been a cowardly thought, but…

‘Whatever you choose, Logan, I will support you with all I have.’

Padric made his decision, and at that moment, his next course of action changed.

“Henderson, change our return route.”

“Sir?”

“I will visit the lords in the vicinity of the capital. A day each should suffice.”

“Yes, sir.”

The domains that had already expressed their submission to McClain.

But to ensure they didn’t get other ideas, he would make an impression they wouldn’t forget.

Thus, the McClain army announced its patrol near the capital, having subdued the rebels.

The declaration of support from the great magical towers and the rapid subjugation of the remaining royalist forces…

The tour of the domains followed, a much-anticipated development for those who had been late to ally themselves with McClain.

Among them, Count Jack Huan, the high-ranking lord near the capital, made another significant decision at that moment.

“Do everything possible to support McClain. Offer finances, troops, whatever they want! Even if they say it’s not necessary, still go!”

“My lord, do we really need to go that far?”

“The more you invest, the more will come back to you. The McClain family has become the kingdom itself now. Investments in the McClain family will be repaid on a kingdom-wide level! Just do it! Damn, if I had known, I would have sent troops since the civil war began.”

Count Jack Huan regretted his late realization and immediately grabbed a pen.

The letter he penned was filled with flattery, so much so that his deputy could not help but look on with appalled eyes.

Unfortunately for Jack Huan, he was not the only noble to have such thoughts.

Especially those nobles in the capital under martial law were more blatantly desperate.

“Just a moment. Allow me to meet His Excellency! This is really valuable……”

“Throw him out.”

“Yes!”

The fervent plea of the elderly noble was swiftly disregarded by Eileen’s sharp voice.

Currently, Logan resided not in the royal castle but in his mansion within the capital, maintaining the position of the interim regent.

It naturally attracted numerous nobles seeking an audience.

Since no knight among her lifetime peers could take on the role of temporary Seneschal, Eileen had ended up with the position—half willingly, half reluctantly.

‘I’ve only dealt with swords my whole life, too.’

Presumably, being Logan’s fiancée had played a significant role.

Not that she minded.

It was just that there were many irksome duties.

“At a crucial time like this, don’t let those sly characters near him. Block all access and send them away immediately.”

“Yes!”

With Eileen’s firm command, the knights all responded at once, nodding in deference.

But as she watched them and turned to leave, Eileen’s expression contorted upon spotting someone.

“Eileen! It’s your father! I’ve brought a present for the son-in-law, I mean, His Excellency. This is something men really appreciate… haha, I can’t exactly say more, just take this.”

Her father waved a cheerful smile at her.

Without realizing it, Eileen covered her face and, trying to ignore him, shouted.

“Don’t let him in at all costs! Send him away quickly!”

“Yes!”

“Eileen? Daughter?! Let go, bastards! I am the father of Eileen, the greatest female knight of the kingdom, the future queen… Not letting go? Ugh?”

Uh, father…

Her familiar voice receding into the distance, Eileen’s face reddened as the knight neatly handled the matter. Soon regaining her composure, Eileen sighed softly and asked her aide.

“Are there any other issues?”

“Security is tightening up well. There are some minor complaints from the friendly nobles, but I have dealt with them all as you instructed.”

“Good. Is the prince’s armor repaired?”

“Yes. They will bring it back shortly.”

“And about him in the prison?”

“That, I’m not entirely sure of…”

“Right. Make sure His Highness doesn’t need to bother with trivial matters. Bring any such matters to me first. Understood?”

“Of course, Knight Eileen.”

“Good. You may go.”

As her subordinate turned to leave, Eileen headed back to the mansion’s kitchen and received tea and a teacup prepared by the maid, making her way to her fiancé.

Knock, knock.

– It’s Eileen.

At her familiar voice, a smile crossed Logan’s otherwise rigid face for a moment.

“Come in.”

Logan was grateful for her presence, especially when he was preoccupied with the few lines of a report that complicated his mind.

Lately, the only times he could find himself smiling were during these thoughtful moments with his considerate beloved.

Creak.

“I have sent all the nobles away who wished to meet the prince today. From today’s visitors, among the nobles above the rank of earl were only Count Roman and Count Flo…yd.”

“Flo…? My father-in-law as well?”

“Yes.”

The term ‘father-in-law’ gave rise to a faint blush on Eileen’s face.

Even though she was a fiancée who immediately started talking about work upon seeing his face, this side of her was endearing to him.

“You could have let my father-in-law in, though…”

“I didn’t want you disturbed by unnecessary meetings during such an important time.”

Eileen glanced at the report in front of Logan.

Since it was something all his confidants knew and he had no intention of hiding it, Logan didn’t cover up the report.

Despite having seen the report, Eileen simply set down the teacup with serene composure.

“It’s ginseng tea. It’s said to clear the mind and settle wandering thoughts. Drink it bit by bit.”

“Thank you, as always.”

“It’s what I should be doing.”

“Any troubles?”

“No.”

Clatter.

Their conversation, though remarkably succinct for a couple, ended there.

Sitting across from one another, sipping tea, both individuals had subtle smiles on their faces. It was a time of many worries, yet this was the only respite available to soothe an otherwise bustling mind. It was Eileen’s consideration, knowing the weight of Logan’s concerns, and Logan, in turn, gladly accepted her kindness.

Perhaps because of that relaxation.

“I should go now.”

Shortly after, as Eileen rose to leave.

Logan, almost without realizing it, asked a question.

“What do you wish I would do?”

Eileen halted for a moment but fortunately, her answer came without delay.

“I don’t mind whatever choice you make.”

It wasn’t the answer Logan hoped for, but…

“You gave me the chance to realize my dreams and to feel an achievement beyond that. Now it’s my turn to help you, no matter what you choose.”

It was nonetheless an answer that provided strength.

With praises to His Excellency’s valor for triumphantly deposing the tyrannical ruler…(omission)…from the distant realm, with sincere devotion, I pray for your continued victories.

The chain letters from the nobles were almost complete. Then…