311 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

**Chapter 311: The Truth That Not Everything Can Always Go Well** Though it is an undeniable truth that everything in life cannot always go smoothly, Logan found himself frowning at a report that arrived at an inopportune moment. "A delegation from the Eastern Kingdom of the Empire? Not a delegation from the Empire itself?" "Yes. It is said to be for negotiating trade terms with a kingdom whose influence is rapidly growing." "Is it because Philip is doing his job too well?" "There might be other reasons..." "Reject it. The royal family does not directly handle trade matters." Though it might have sounded like nonsense that undermined the purpose of the McRain trading company, there were countless excuses one could make, depending on how one spun it. However. "It seems that won't be possible." "Why not?" "The one visiting as the envoy is a princess." "A princess?" What is this about now? "She cited her engagement to Count Ronian as another reason for the visit." "Engagement? Putting aside the engagement, she's coming in person to discuss it?" "This is the first time I've heard of such a case." Dwayne, delivering the report, wore a perplexed expression just like Logan's. 'So this is why Dwayne came in with him.' Logan's gaze naturally turned to Damian, who was standing beside Dwayne. "There is a Princess Louisa von Aserian, aged 29. For an imperial royal to remain unmarried at that age is unusual, and there are no records of her engaging in external activities." "…If they intend to, they could disguise a completely unknown woman as the princess." "Yes." "Your Majesty, isn't that going a bit too far… If an engagement is settled…" Dwayne interjected, shocked, but Logan and Damian's expressions remained unchanged. "It won't be settled." "Yes, it won't happen." Despite the certainty in their replies, Dwayne looked worried, but Logan had no time to comfort his subordinate's concerns. 'I suspected they might try something strange, but a princess? An engagement?' This was an approach he hadn't anticipated at all. While he was still feeling flustered, Damian's voice brought him back from his thoughts. "For now, we can't refuse the delegation." It was only natural. Refusing a marriage proposal from a member of the imperial family, not just any noble? That would be tantamount to declaring war. Of course, relations with the Empire were beyond repair. Logan knew the Empire was preparing for war, and the Empire knew Logan was opposed to them. But international matters aren't driven solely by emotions. 'It's not time yet. The magic formation isn't ready either.' With their current lack of military strength, Logan had no intention of giving the Empire a pretext for war. "We have no choice but to accept." "Yes." "Have Ronian come to the palace and take full responsibility for 'protecting' the envoy. No incidents, understood?" "…Yes, understood." And it was also necessary to reassess plans due to this unexpected move. "The issue we were worried about isn't something the envoy needs to address directly, right? Even if they have other schemes." As they left the office, Logan muttered, still feeling uneasy, and Damian agreed promptly. "Of course, Your Majesty." "Then why have they come?" "……." Damian couldn't immediately answer and eventually replied in an uncertain tone. "There is a possibility she isn't a princess, but a spy." "One who could do something within the palace?" "Yes. Considering the rumors about the knights, the Empire might be curious." "True. That's possible." Logan nodded, his expression calm yet acknowledging the point. Even though they were urged to maintain secrecy, it was unreasonable to expect the 30,000 artifacts supplied to the legion's knights to be completely secure. Rumors about the artifacts possessed by McRain's knights were slowly spreading, so it wasn't surprising that the Empire might have caught wind of it. "Besides, there was the recent incident with the magic tower." "Ah, yes. That could be connected." Logan, as the man responsible for that incident, couldn't help but feel guilty. "Though the supply of artifacts comes from Taren, so they won't learn much from the palace, I will focus on that for our preparations." Ah. Hearing those words sparked another concern. The research on the grand magic formation... 'It's not even completed yet.' Logan bit his lip, worried that their mistakes might lead to unintended connections with the Empire. "Make sure the magic tower remains off-limits. Even if it's not for that, there are things that must be hidden." "Yes, I will ensure it." "I'll make sure Ronian is also informed of this." "Yes." While Logan and the McRain leadership were on high alert, in only a week's time, the delegation from the Eastern Kingdom arrived at the McRain royal palace. * * * – Her Highness, Princess Louisa von Aserian, envoy of the Empire's Eastern Kingdom, is here. "Let them in." The doors to the throne room opened, and the entourage slowly entered. The first to catch everyone's eye was the woman in the pink dress at the forefront. Her attire was a typical outing dress that noblewomen of this era might wear—hardly the kind of garment one would expect an imperial royal to don. Yet despite her simple dress, the woman's face shone. Dazzling blue eyes, skin so fair it appeared translucent, beautifully sculpted features, and strikingly red lips. Her jet-black hair cascading down to her waist emphasized her beauty more than any piece of jewelry could. "Wow…" "Indeed, a princess…" "Astonishing…" Gasps of admiration came from the nobles observing, and even Logan, watching from the high seat, was visibly shaken. 'Is she truly a princess?' Assuming it was all a ruse, he was caught off guard by her unexpectedly impressive appearance. In these times, regardless of how naturally beautiful a person might be, if they were not well cared for, they could quickly lose their luster. Only those raised in noble, wealthy, knightly, or wizarding families would have smooth skin and straight teeth, leading others to deem them beautiful or handsome. Despite it being chilly as winter approached, Logan's flushed face, with sweat trickling down, seemed unfamiliar to the gathered officials. “It’s a matter for the administrative team to handle trade affairs, but the proposal of marriage—especially you coming here personally—is quite unexpected. May I ask if there's a particular reason?” “There’s no special reason to it. Just think of it as a maiden who missed her prime due to poor health becoming impatient and choosing to press the matter herself,” the princess jested unexpectedly. Those nearby chuckled at the princess's unanticipated joke, and Logan, too, let out a chuckle, shaking his head. “I have summoned my brother to the palace, but it seems your visit was swifter than expected. Please stay a little longer at the palace. We have also prepared a welcome banquet for you to enjoy.” “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.” At the renewed realization of how the princess addressed him, Logan's expression slightly darkened. * * * “It does seem she truly is a princess, but what did you think?” After the meeting in the hall, Damian swiftly approached and quietly asked. Logan dispensed with the polite facade and replied with a stony expression. “She’s a mage.” “…Pardon?” “And a mage who wields the same mana as those black serpents. Whether she is the real princess or not, it no longer matters.” Damian's expression hardened at those words. A mage? An extraordinary being? That young woman? “But the magic corps already conducted an examination…” “It’s a different magical framework. It's mana specialized in concealing itself. If I hadn’t encountered her kind before, I, too, would have been deceived.” Logan recalled the previous situation. Even with heightened senses, nothing seemed off. Only when he activated his special trait and concentrated all his energy on his sense could he detect it. Six concealed magic circles. The mere fact that an imperial princess, not yet thirty, was a mage was shocking enough. That her fundamental magic was similar to the black serpents’… It was bewildering. “Is that possible? Then what is this all about…” Damian’s murmur, more a groan than a question, mirrored Logan’s inner turmoil. “It’s incomprehensible. Absolutely…… As for the Aserian matter, what could it possibly be?” “I’ll maximize the number of guards. Even if it causes some unease.” “No, keep the existing system. We can’t afford to sow suspicion prematurely.” “But if she’s a mage…” “Leave her be. I’ll assign Viktor and Bourdelle to watch her.” “If that’s the case, then…” Bourdelle would remain distant, monitoring, while Viktor would conceal his aura and act as her escort. Recalling Princess Louisa’s smiling face, Logan’s eyes grew steely. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the palace, the princess and her entourage engaged in a similarly hushed conversation. “Did you confirm anything?” “……” “Your Highness?” “No, I have no clues. If I can’t determine anything, it’s not merely of intermediate level as the Second Emperor suggested.” Frowning with concern, Louisa shook her head, troubled. “Could it be that they are using a unique artifact? The Grandia treasure, the crown of dominion, is famous…” “That’s merely a 5th-class artifact. Surely, I can perceive something of that rank.” At the princess’s icy glare, the knight, no, the tower’s soldier disguised as a knight, quickly bowed his head. “I-I apologize.” Foolish creature. ‘These brainwashed ones are always lacking in intelligence,’ Louisa thought disdainfully, clicking her tongue. After a brief pause, she issued a new, discreet command. “I must witness him in action. Rumors of his golden aura alone are too vague. I need to see for myself if that’s truly ‘that power’ or merely an unusually yellow aura, so I must verify this as an elder.” Logan McRain. Could he truly be the individual the Grandmaster seeks? If indeed he is... Louisa's crimson tongue sensuously traced her even redder lips.