359 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 359 "......Everyone, you’ve done a great job!" The voice of Padric McLaine boomed from high atop the newly built fortress walls, reaching the depths of the expansive fortress below. "Celebrate today by eating and drinking to your heart's content! All food and drink will be provided by the 3rd Legion!" "Woohoo!" Every dwarf, laborer, and wizard who heard his proclamation embraced each other and cheered, for they had every reason to celebrate. This grand fortress, situated on the Kingdom's southern adventurer's path at the southernmost tip of the continent—where the Luther River flows to the north and the southern mountain range is visible to the south—sat prominently atop the largest crossroads connecting the Kingdom and the Empire. Astonishingly robust and large, it was hard to believe it had been erected in just two months. While the contributions of the wizards and dwarves were substantial, no one here had emerged without toil. "Certainly generous!" "Well, he is our Majesty’s father." "So, a former king?" "What are you talking about! He's not even a king, and 'former king' refers to someone deceased... Oh, never mind. Do you not pay any attention to the country? How can you converse with someone like you?" "What did you say?!" "Whoa, calm down. Why fight on a good day? Here comes the drink and meat! Let's just enjoy!" "Let them be. More food for us that way." "Ha ha ha!" As the fortress transformed into a bustling market-like scene amidst the cheers, two individuals, or rather one person and one dwarf, stood out, grinning broadly. "We did it, I did it!" "Well done, Lord Hamar." As Clayton praised him, Hamar laughed heartily and embraced him. "Ha ha ha! My dear wizard, once again I have surpassed my limits! It won't be long until I become a super dwarf..." With dark circles under his eyes and a flushed face, the dwarf shouted enthusiastically, only to be half-dragged by a one-armed dwarf standing beside him. "Master Craftsman, you've had too much to drink. You need to witness 'that' being activated. The Grand Duke is also coming." "No worries! It's just initiation left. We've slaved away like dogs to build two fortresses in three months; surely I deserve this much!" Hamar's vehement outburst was met with an awkward smile from Temar, who glanced around. However, Clayton, the most senior figure around, simply smiled, and nobody tried to stop Hamar. "See! Even the wizard is staying put! Hey, wizard, we've shared hardship more than once; come and have a drink. You deserve a rest!" "No, my disciples and I have to set up 'that' in three castles on the western border, so we must leave by tomorrow." At this, Hamar's lively chatter fell silent. He looked at Clayton with a sympathetic expression and raised the mug, as large as his head. "To your hard work, comrade." With a brief word of comfort, Hamar turned away, shouting, "I'm free!" and continued to gulp down beer and devour meat. Everyone looked at him incredulously, but the dwarf, lost to the world, simply kept refilling his beer mug. The only one who tried to stop this quickly got swept along with the vibe. "Hmm... In that case, I..." Temar, stealthily glancing around, polished his left-hook hand and speared a hefty chunk of roasted pork from a plate. He poured beer into a mug identical to Hamar's and began to gulp it down. Gulp, gulp, gulp. How could such a small body hold so much alcohol? "Ahhh!" With people watching in amazement, Temar downed a mug in one go, letting out a deep sigh of satisfaction as he took a bite of meat. The carefree chomping was both barbaric and appetizing in its way. "Whew..." Mesmerized by the scene, Victoria quietly stepped back from between Clayton and his disciples, distancing herself from the two dwarves. And the two dwarves, oblivious to their surroundings, began eating and drinking even more competitively. Their spree continued until Padric McLaine, wandering through the fortress encouraging workers and soldiers, finally arrived. By then, it was already too late. "Ha ha ha. Temar, today that hand of yours looks enviable, perfect for tearing meat!" "Ha ha heh. Would you like to try losing a hand, Master Craftsman? It's an absolute diet plan!" They had reached a point of drunken banter. "Hello, everyone. Great job..." "Gasp! Red hair! It's the devil's dad!" "......??" Padric McLaine, both the King's father and the general responsible for defending the southwest centered on the McLaine territory, had certainly never heard such comments before. Stunned, Padric was momentarily frozen as Clayton's disciples, Greik and Enan, rushed forward. "Lord Hamar, let's get you to rest." "Mmph!?" "Temar, you too." "Mmph? Mmph?!" While the two hurriedly covered the mouths of the drunk dwarves, Clayton stepped in next, blocking Padric's view with an awkward smile, bowing slightly. "......Lord Hamar was just overcome with joy and drank a bit much. I ask for your understanding, Grand Duke." "Ho ho. It's quite a curious experience. I wouldn't think to fault a vassal whom His Majesty cherishes so dearly for something like this, Clayton." "Ha ha. Thank you, Your Grace. Shall we head to the underground then?" "Let's." Laughing off the strange scene heartily, Padric followed Clayton into the fortress's basement, publicly known only as the "Food & Weapon Warehouse." The knights guarding the entrance were all proven loyal followers of McLaine. "Salute!" "You’ve done well." "Not at all, Your Grace!" With a pat on the shoulder, Clayton entered into the underground plaza. Already, a massive magic circle illuminated the expansive space, spanning dozens of meters and glowing brilliantly. "Magnificent, indeed." "You'll be even more impressed once you experience its effects." "I'll look forward to it." At Clayton's subtle nod, Victoria, who had been briefly out of sight, stepped forward. She hurriedly made her way to the center of the magic circle, where she placed a gemstone the size of a fist. Woooom. Soon after, the air felt different, and the magic circle began emanating a glow on a whole new level. "Oh!" Padric, feeling invigorated after a long series of speeches and encouragements, uttered in admiration. Though his fatigue didn't entirely dissipate, as a top-tier knight, he could instantly sense the changes in his body. "......So, your stamina usage decreases by about 30%, and recovery increases by 30%. This alone would be immensely beneficial for a siege." "And the second effect I mentioned......" "I already know. But drawing a formidable foe inside the fortress would only be an option if one is ready to see it through to the very end. Ideally, we shouldn't let it come to that." Padric spoke boldly, but both he and Clayton knew that things wouldn't transpire so easily. "It costs quite a bit to create and maintain this, doesn't it?" "Yes. According to the Minister of Finance, installing this here in Armor, the shield constructed in the north, and in the other three castles including Kyle, is probably the limit." "Five locations. But as strategic strongholds, they will be of great help." Silence hung between them for a moment. War. Especially war with the Empire, was too heavy a topic to discuss lightly. Padric, with a resolute expression, soon changed the subject. "Speaking of which, I've heard some strange rumors about Ronian lately." "Pardon?" "You know, that princess from the Eastern Kingdoms of the Empire. Rumors are floating around that she has some sort of relationship with our Ronian, even reaching my domain. Do you know anything about this?" "Ahaha. Is that so? I've been quite busy lately, as you know." While a plausible excuse, Padric perceived it as a gentle reminder to not indulge too much in rumors. "Oh, of course. You've certainly been very busy. Ahem, perhaps I was thoughtlessly bothering you about my children's marital affairs. It's impossible not to be interested..." "Haha. It makes perfect sense." "...Besides, if it were true, it would, in fact, be good for our Kingdom." "...Pardon? Good for the Kingdom?" Clayton tilted his head at such an unexpected comment, while Padric looked back, equally puzzled as if asking why he found it surprising. "I've heard that the Empire doesn't dismiss daughters they marry off as outsiders. If it's true and such 'an event' actually occurs, it could stir up turmoil within the Empire. One of the Four Great Kingdoms might even be drawn away from the Empire." "Ah...!" To Clayton, Padric's words were a revelation. 'I'm not the only one who would find this surprising, am I?' While Louisa's visit was initially thought to be about marriage, since Logan had categorically dismissed any possibility, everyone had overlooked it. If such an alliance were actually formed, it would likely cause internal strife in the Empire if a war broke out between the Kingdoms. Regardless of the size of the turmoil, it wouldn't be a disadvantage to McLaine. "That makes sense. The Eastern Kingdoms have been exerting influence on this issue lately… It's certainly plausible." "...Plausible? You mean it hadn't crossed your mind?" "Oh, yes. His Majesty only considered her a spy using marriage as an excuse to infiltrate. With that in mind, are you still alright with it, Your Excellency?" "Hmm? What do you mean?" "The idea that Count Ronian might have to endure a forced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom." "Ah... Haha, such things are commonplace among nobles. I myself got married in such a manner. If it benefits the nation, there’s nothing wrong with it." Clayton looked at Padric anew, realizing how differently nobles think. But something was bothering him. "......Do you think His Majesty would allow it?" "Hmm?" "Despite appearances, King Logan deeply cares for his family, especially Count Ronian. I doubt His Majesty would approve." That was likely the consensus. But Padric gave Clayton a peculiar glance and then, as if finding it absurd, asked him: "......Are we in a position to worry about such things?" "Pardon?" "If a war with the Empire truly erupts as His Majesty suggests, what do you think our chances are of winning?" "We will do all we can to prepare. I am confident we will prevail." "Spare me the hopeful words." "......" Clayton said nothing more, but his expression clearly showed his reluctance to agree. ‘Is this also an influence of Logan?’ Padric thought of his eldest son, who had colored everything around him with his own unique hue through all his events, and managed a wry smile. ‘Confidence is one thing, but recklessness is another.’ That boundless confidence had brought numerous achievements, but now the nation's fate, in addition to his family and lineage, rested on those shoulders. Perhaps because he'd been separated from his eldest son for quite a while, it felt like it was his duty to ground his assumptions in reality once more. "Hmm. No matter how I see it, I believe the odds are against us. Fifteen legions, the imperial central army shrouded in mystery, and numerous superhumans. Honestly, just thinking about it feels overwhelming. That's why I believe we should take every possible measure. In that sense, Ronian's marriage isn't a bad option." "Even if it means Count Ronian is unhappy?" "My son won’t be defeated by mere unhappiness. I've done a great job raising my children, you see." Clayton momentarily recalled Logan, taken aback by Padric’s unwarranted confidence. "Shall I bring it up if you find it difficult to do so?" There was no denying the hereditary nature of taking bold actions. Clayton could only swallow hard in response. Meanwhile, at the McLaine royal palace, Ronian’s voice carried a note of surprise. "A marriage proposal? Are you serious?" "Absolutely." Louisa gazed at the red-haired young man in front of her with an enchanting smile.