406 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 406 "It seems this is my first time meeting you in person." The inner sanctuary of the castle was enveloped in thick darkness, despite the bright torches lit throughout the premises. In the stillness of the night, a calm voice reverberated through the office. Upon hearing this, one of the two people in the room nodded gracefully. "Indeed." This individual, standing before the king of Mackline without bowing the knee but merely lowering his head, did so with an air of complete naturalness. The middle-aged man with blonde hair and blue eyes displayed a demeanor that was utterly unperturbed. "I regret that the situation has come to this point." "It is not something to be regretted. It was bound to happen eventually." Logan couldn't help but be intrigued by the middle-aged man's words. 'He's not just paying lip service,' Logan thought. The man, Dongik King, appeared remarkably at ease for someone who had descended from the pinnacle of the world to its very depths. He had no luggage, accompanied only by a single knight standing behind him. Naturally, Logan was curious about the story behind this. "Bound to happen eventually? May I inquire what you mean by that?" "...It's not a tale suitable for these turbulent times. Isn't it time to look towards the future, rather than dwell on the past?" After a moment of silence, Dongik King replied with a faint smile. There was no trace of the deep anger one might expect from a former high king who had fled to an enemy nation to directly engage in battle. Of course, Logan knew better than to judge a person merely by their expression. 'Especially considering his cooperation with the Kassel Tower even at his former stature.' Even so, there were things Logan needed to verify, things that needed to be addressed. "Dongik King..." "Gerard." "Excuse me?" "Just call me Gerard from now on, Your Majesty. Ah, it's somewhat refreshing to address someone other than the emperor as 'Your Majesty'." His tone indicated that he held no remaining attachment to his former royal status, prompting Logan to study him even more keenly. "…Very well, Gerard. But is the real reason behind these events, as the imperial announcement claims, truly Mackline? Or does it also involve issues related to the Black Serpent?" "Does it matter either way?" "I'm hesitant to say this now, but if it's the latter, I'm afraid Gerard must refrain from participating in the war, regardless of what your knight decides. The circumstances have shifted somewhat." As Luisa had mentioned, Gerard's heart harbored a fiery circle, indicating his magical prowess without reliance on Kassel Tower's magic. However, the issue lay not with his magical ability. The international situation was far more dire and dramatic than when Logan last discussed it with Luisa. Gerard seemed well aware of this fact too. "Even in these circumstances, are you still concerned with public opinion?" "Precisely because of these circumstances, I must be mindful of it. At least until a full-scale war breaks out in the west." Gerard chuckled softly at that remark. "…You're more cautious than I anticipated. But you need not worry. My expulsion had nothing to do with the tower. If anything, it was likely because I aided Mackline." Advertisements The words sounded matter-of-fact, but the peculiar tone gave Logan cause to furrow his brow slightly. "Gerard, you don't seem entirely sure of that yourself?" "Oh, did my words cause misunderstanding? Let me clarify. If it were a matter related to the tower, I wouldn't be here meeting Your Majesty." "…What do you mean?" "The imperial family's obsession with the Black Serpent is excessively intense." Yet, seeing Logan still unconvinced by his words, Gerard offered a resigned sigh and shared an unexpected revelation. "Not many know this, but there was a time when the Imperial family once allied themselves with the Black Serpent." "What?" Logan's eyes widened at this astonishing revelation, which seemed even more surprising given his knowledge of both the Kassel Tower and the Ares Empire. Perhaps detecting Logan’s skepticism, Gerard continued with a bitter smile. "You might find it hard to believe in the current situation. But it's true. While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact period due to scant records, such a time existed." "Ha…" "I understand the Special Inspection Department's technology and artifacts as remnants from that era. It’s fair to say their power significantly contributed to the growth of the Ares Kingdom into the Empire it is today." "Then why…?" "If not for the incident where the Kassel Tower attempted to brainwash the crown prince, the Tower Master mentioned we might still be united even now." "What? Brainwash? The crown prince?" "Yes. Since then, they became the Empire's sworn enemies." “Hmm…” It wouldn’t have been from that moment. Logan realized Gerard's understanding wasn't complete. The descendants of the Archmagus Taron Ares, a friend of the Sword Saint, must have been at odds with them from the very beginning. It was more baffling that they had, even for a moment, allied with the Black Serpent. How had they aligned themselves with such a group? 'No matter how much a person's heart can change...' Regardless of Logan's bewilderment, Gerard continued speaking. "Anyway, from that incident onwards, members of the imperial family have been magically conditioned from birth to resist mental domination. And the imperial family seeks to eradicate everyone related to the Black Serpent's insignia—to the furthest relatives. Had I been linked to it…” Though Gerard trailed off, the implied conclusion was hardly difficult to guess. “I hear even reaching here wasn't smooth sailing for you, Gerard…” Reports said that over a hundred knights and twenty magicians were killed in his escape. Several fierce battles marked his journey from the royal residence to Mackline. It was during this period that the revelation of Dongik King being a 5-circle fire mage became known. However, the man himself shook his head calmly. "That would have been nothing compared to how difficult it could have been. Even with Jay, I’d have died before escaping the royal residence." Despite knowing this, Gerard had still chosen to cooperate with the Kassel Tower. Logan found himself increasingly curious about Gerard’s audacity and underlying motives. However. "Thus, I intend to join the battlefield as well. Who knows, I might get to see Emperor Kaisers’ face." Gerard's menacing smile and blazing gaze seemed far from deceitful. 'No, it is the truth.' Logan’s red eyes gleamed. With his mastery over aura, he could clearly sense that Gerard's furious spirit and the mana that resonated with it were in perfect alignment. Unaware of Logan's insight, Gerard continued resolutely, as if reaffirming his intentions. "I would do anything if it means I can take the Emperor’s head. Jay here is probably of the same mind." At his words, the striking blond knight standing behind Dongik King's nodded forcefully, as if it were obvious. The spirit and force of the hidden dagger of Dongik’s court, Aura User Jay Persson, were in agreement as well. This, too, was the truth. Still… "Both Gerard and Sir Jay, your skills fall short of your resolve," Logan could only offer a candid assessment. "What...!" "Enough, Jay. It’s an assessment from the strongest swordsman on the continent who defeated the Swordmaster. Do not let pride take precedence." At Gerard's words, Jay, who had been on the verge of stepping forward, bit his lip. Yet his twitching eyebrows and fierce eyes betrayed a yearning to draw his sword and prove his skill at any moment. Logan’s eyes sparkled as he observed this. 'Hmm?' The visible anger and the resonance of his soul were subtly different. Compared to the sluggish emotion of anger, the vibrations were rather calm. They were more reminiscent of resolve, aspiration, or admiration than fury. He chuckled softly. Indeed, for someone supposed to have hidden his true nature for so long, his reaction was too immediate. A pretender... 'Does he want to see my skills?' Of course, Logan felt no obligation to oblige. While the knight's ability to conceal his aura was impressive, the gap between them was too vast. However... 'If he is an unpredictable card, it's at least prudent to show the difference in level.' To prevent any reckless behavior on the battlefield. With that in mind, Logan rose from his seat and approached him. "Is it Sir Jay Persson?" "Yes, Your Majesty. It's an honor... ahem, an honor to meet you." The moment Logan stepped closer and addressed him by name, Jay momentarily forgot he was pretending, his expression lighting up with undisguised delight. Noticing this lapse, Jay flustered, and Logan couldn't help but chuckle at his own amusement. 'He's purer than I expected.' He might be younger than he appears. Even though as an Aura User he might appear youthful, it suggested either that his real age was similar to his appearance, or he awakened his aura at a young age. In other words, he was an exceptional genius. Judging by his visible proficiency and presumed talent, his actual age wouldn’t be far off. 'At most, he's in his early thirties.’ For someone so young to have become a superhuman, living in hiding, it’s understandable that he’d be enthusiastic upon meeting Logan. But to be so moved just by hearing his name, Logan's initial intentions to subdue his spirit subsided unexpectedly. "...Well, then, Sir Jay. I look forward to working with you." "I’m honored as well!" What was the point of his earlier display of anger? Logan chuckled in slight disbelief. At that moment, Gerard sighed softly and intervened. "Jay, didn’t you say you wished to learn from the continent's greatest swordsman? Now’s your chance. It would be wise to be straightforward." Jay flushed with embarrassment, and Logan, momentarily confused by Gerard’s statement, was quickly brought to understanding. "Your Majesty, would you grant Jay some guidance? He is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. As someone who has hindered his potential, this is all I can do." A man who, until recently, had been one of the rulers of an empire, bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle. "Your Highness! Why would you go to such lengths...?!" Jay was flustered, but it was Logan who felt more off-balanced. Not only because of Gerard's excessive courtesy but also the realization that Gerard's incredible expression was referring to him, albeit a moment too late. 'The continent's greatest sword?' That grand title once belonging to the Swordmaster... "Ah…!" The Swordmaster whom he had slain himself. Thus, the continent's greatest sword now referred to him. "Sigh…" Realizing this brought an amused sigh to Logan, though how Jay perceived this was unclear. Jay, with his lips pressed tight, stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Though it’s shameless, I humbly request your teaching, Your Majesty. It would be an immense honor to witness the swordsmanship that defeated the Swordmaster, even briefly." Ugh. His words were laden with such excessive flattery that Logan almost cringed inwardly. The sincerity on Jay's face made it even more unnerving. But then he noticed Gerard’s pensive look and Jay's earnest face, along with the desire for control over battlefield uncertainties, and Logan nodded in agreement. That day. Logan reproduced a technique the Swordmaster had once demonstrated to him years ago, showing it to Jay. The only difference was that what Logan showed now was a genuine soul blade, as close as one could come to an Aura Master’s true power. He etched into Jay’s spirit a move that might become a new horizon or an insurmountable wall for the young prodigy, who admired him yet might one day become his foe. Consequently. The hidden blade of Dongik’s court, Jay Persson couldn't open his eyes for an entire day. And when he finally recovered his senses. "…It was an overwhelming martial prowess I could never hope to match. King Logan, you must be around my age in years, too." Jay expressed his utmost admiration, leaving Gerard with a complex expression on his face. At that very moment, when the former Dongik King and his guard were still in awe and admiration of the martial prowess of the new greatest swordsman on the continent, news reached the Kyle Castle of the imperial army breaching the borders of Mackline.