309 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 309 "The Second Prince has appeared at an official event." "Hmm?" Logan tilted his head in puzzlement at Damien's unexpected report. Wasn't that guy supposed to be missing? "…And how did the royal family respond?" "Well... since they never officially acknowledged his disappearance in the first place..." "Ah, right. So, was there any mention of those wizards?" "No. Not at all." What on earth is happening? Weren't the Black Serpents supposed to be antagonistic towards the empire? Or did the Second Prince have the capability to escape their grasp? No, perhaps it was the royal family who saved him after all? "Should we consider that the Second Prince disappeared and then came back? And that the clashes between the wizards and guards were real?" "Yes. The devastation in Aserian is still being repaired. The empire has no reason to put on such an elaborate show." "Right. Of course." That's what makes it all the more confusing. "Do we have any intelligence on the Black Serpent faction?" "I'm afraid not. We haven't managed to gather anything yet." "Is that so..." Tap. Tap. Logan drummed his fingers on the armrest, his expression tangled in complexity. "But there's something else worth noting." "Hmm?" "One of the Four Kings moved during the time the Second Prince appeared." "What?" The Four Kings of the Empire, who seldom leave their posts, only act officially upon the emperor's direct command, honoring the weight of their partial delegation of imperial authority. "The Eastern King visited the capital city Aserian on the day the Second Prince reappeared, and afterwards, they both headed towards the East King's domain." "…Suspicious." "Indeed." The information was overwhelmingly insufficient. Without understanding the inner workings of the royal family or the enigma of the Black Serpent wizards, deducing anything from outward appearances alone was inherently limited. "This is headache-inducing." Logan let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples, when he noticed Damien’s face was even more rigid than his own. "…Do you have any guesses?" After some hesitation, Damien carefully began to speak. "There's no concrete evidence, so it's merely my imagination." "Imagination?" "If, as your Majesty mentioned, the Empire is indeed planning a war, and they're deliberately inciting chaos in the kingdom as part of that plan, then the Second Prince, who is suspected to be behind Cleo Riverman, could be an executor or conceiver of this plan. If these assumptions are true..." "It's all fact." If he wasn’t behind it, he couldn't have reappeared holding Cleo's head, who had vanished without a trace. As Logan frowned, recalling past memories, Damien, his expression even more set, continued speaking. "…Yes. If that’s the truth, I can only think they’re trying to bolster the Second Prince’s endeavors with the Eastern King's support." "Hmm..." His argument was logical. Given that assassins had already been dispatched, it wouldn't be surprising if they tried something similar again. But there was a significant flaw in that line of thought. "If it were an outright war, I’d understand, but another round of covert maneuvers? Do we even have a significant weakness in our kingdom that could lead to such chaos?" All power within the McRine Kingdom effectively lay in Logan’s hands at present. Any opposition had already been stamped out, and those remaining were either bound by blood ties or maintained relationships of absolute loyalty. Therefore, stirring internal discord seemed more challenging than opting for war. That was Logan's reasoning. However... "…With all due respect, your Majesty, there’s one issue that could create a significant fissure within the kingdom." "What?" "Under your reign, all has been well. No issues are apparent at the moment, but..." As Damien continued, Logan found himself exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Only then did he become aware of the unexpected landmine lurking within the kingdom. "If it weren't for you pointing it out, I might have blindly forged ahead, unaware of the crumbling ground beneath me." Damien absorbed the king’s admiring gaze with a stiff smile. The subject at hand was far too grave to allow for any sense of pride. "The most straightforward threat would be another assassination attempt. But if not, I suspect they’d aim there." "…Makes sense. Even I would target it if I were the enemy. Hah, realizing my mind isn't quite so sharp is a painful revelation. Thank you, Damien." Indeed, the nickname “Serpent of the Grandia Liberation Front” was well-deserved for Damien Nadahl. Back in the day, he was a strategist who never hesitated to sacrifice some for the greater good, causing even his allies to feel a chill. Logan’s past disdain and caution towards Damien stemmed from the fear of being sacrificed at any moment. However... "Oh, no, your Majesty. You're overwhelmed with governance tasks, and it’s understandable you’d miss it. I merely constantly gather internal and external intelligence…" Watching Damien's dismissive hand wave, Logan suddenly realized the world had changed. "Was this lad always this bashful?" Perhaps the Serpent Damien encountered in his past life had become hardened after witnessing his homeland's downfall. "I promise to prevent such devastation from ever occurring again." Logan resolved silently, reassuringly patting Damien on the shoulder. "No need to be modest about such matters. Acknowledging shortcomings leads to improvement. If anything like this arises, don't hesitate to speak. I require someone as wise as yourself." To this, Damien bowed deeper. A king who acknowledges his shortcomings and elevates his vassals. Serving such a ruler must be the greatest gift a subordinate could hope for. "...I will willingly do so." Damien answered the king's resolve with a faint smile. "Now, about that matter..." "If the vulnerable point is apparent, it’s easier to prepare countermeasures in advance. Leave it to me. Should the enemy move, I'll use the opportunity to resolve that issue entirely." "Very well. I trust you." "Yes, sire!" Could it be that his conversation with Damien had eased some of the anxieties swirling within him? As Logan made his way towards the building housing the Magic Battalion where Clayton worked, his steps were light. With the internal issues being handled under Damien's lead, it was time to bolster their still inadequate forces compared to the Empire. Fortunately, Clayton seemed to have uncovered a potential solution. "Halt! Salute the Majesty!" "We greet the ruler of McRine!" The knights and soldiers standing guard outside the tower hurriedly dropped to their knees at Logan's approach. "Your Majesty, why have you come without any notice?" Even though it was a tower situated within the royal compound, it was still the sovereign’s presence. Seeing Logan arrive alone, without even a guard, naturally startled the knights. Of course, Logan himself was unfazed. "Where is Lord Clayton?" "He is inside. Shall I notify him?" "No, I’ll go in. I don't wish to disturb someone immersed in important research." "Oh? Yes, of course! I'll escort you." Following the knight who quickly turned to lead the way, Logan ascended within the tower at a leisurely pace. The Royal Magic Tower of Grandia, housing the center of the once-renowned Wizard School, stood as a testament to the kingdom's thousand-year history alongside its dynasty. The walls were adorned with ancient murals, depicting humans fighting against monsters and other races, relying on the cities’ high walls back when dragons, giants, and forest fairies roamed the continent with overwhelming might. "From a thousand years ago..." The murals were created by the wizards who established 'Humanity’s Hope' in the eastern continent, in the fortress city of Grand. From the first floor up, these murals commemorated how humans managed to persevere through times when other races dominated. This was a testament of pride for the ancient Wizard School and the millennia-long kingdom, Grandia. It laid the foundation for the remedy Logan and Clayton intended to recreate. 'A fortress city. More precisely, a grand magic circle that could be engraved and maintained on a castle.' In today’s modern era, where knights could effortlessly scale thirty-meter-high fortification walls in a few leaps, such walls served only to delay attackers rather than provide effective defense. However, a castle or fortress inscribed with a grand magic circle was something entirely different. 'According to history, soldiers fighting within Grand gained unyielding vigor and tireless determination.' Even though their descendants failed to produce a grand wizard or even a sorcerer, the traces of such power still lingered throughout the magic tower. The issue was that Grand, due to its lengthy history, had become so ancient that even the remnants of its grand magic circle had faded. – The remaining grand magic circles are almost non-existent. The sole defensive magic on the walls is reaching the end of its efficacy. It’s predicted to cease functioning within a few years. – Any chance of restoration? Is it impossible? – With current magical studies, it is impossible. My apologies. The words from Cheyson Riverfield, former master of the Royal Magic Tower and current deputy commander of the Magic Battalion, highlighted the challenges of their endeavor. Logan had reluctantly come to understand why Grand had fallen so easily in his past life, leaving him with a bitter memory. 'Yet Aserian's magic circles respond so flawlessly.' Granted, the history of the Ares Empire is merely half as long as Grandia's. Even the Empire struggles to maintain, let alone expand upon, the grand magic circles in Aserian or other major cities. Compared to this, Logan’s current undertaking might seem like a reckless challenge. Yet Clayton insisted it wasn't a futile endeavor, saying there was potential to succeed. His apprentice, Victoria, had found clues in research journals believed to be linked to the Black Serpents and in Treia’s national treasure, the 6th-class artifact Ignis. – There’s a connection. The school behind these journals and the one that created Ignis likely belong to the same magical lineage. – These are ancient magical formulas not seen in modern times. With the ability to perceive mana, one could compare Ignis and the journals to restore the magic circles, and even develop their application further. What started as a hope to perhaps enhance the quality of mass-produced artifacts unexpectedly revealed vital clues. – Six months. It will take six months. Please leave this to us. It had been nearly four months since Clayton confidently began the research with Victoria. 'By now, they must have something to show.' With a mix of impatience and excitement, Logan's pace quickened. "This is it, Your Majesty." Was Logan's anticipation greater than he realized? As soon as the knight gestured towards the door, Logan swung it open without even bothering to knock. The first sight that greeted him was a collection of peculiar glass bottles filled with various colored liquids. Slightly startled by the scene, Logan called out loudly for the person he sought. "Lord Clayton! How is the research…?" His resonant voice echoed through the room, triggering an immediate outcry from within the space filled with glass bottles. "Yikes!? Who’s there?! And at such a critical time!" "Eek! Master! Don’t look away! F-Focus! Oh, no! The mana is…!!" "Damn it all!!" Uuuuung. Just as Logan's expression shifted to concern in response to the tense atmosphere... BANG! A tremendous explosion erupted, tearing through the sixth floor of the Royal Magic Tower in its entirety.