432 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 432 "Van Johnny?!" "Yes. A superhuman by that name has killed Balthon Krassen and disrupted the balance on the Western Front. He already has nicknames like 'Calamity Spreading Dwarf' and 'Evil Sword.'" "Ha, that guy...?" Logan seemed to recognize something about this newly emerged superhuman, prompting Damian to tilt his head curiously. "Do you know him?" "No, no. I've just heard rumors." Rumors? The Empire was clearly stunned by the abrupt emergence of this superhuman. However, Damian was accustomed to his liege's exceptional information-gathering abilities, so he brushed off any further doubts. He soon continued with what he intended to say. "Thanks to him, the Imperial Army is overextending its advance to the west, even without resolving supply issues in Aetherian." "The Empire must be suffering significant losses." "Yes, it's a favorable situation for us." "...Indeed." Despite Damian's words, Logan's expression remained complex, and he couldn't readily respond. "Evil Sword Van Johnny. In the previous life during the Grandia War, he was a neutral superhuman who fought for the Empire. But now he's attacking the Empire?" In the past life, it was long after he became famous that it was revealed he was from the underworld. It was speculated that someone from such a background would pledge loyalty to the Empire in hopes of advancing his status. But why now...? "Does he think the Empire will lose?" The thought seemed plausible for an instant, but Logan quickly shook his head. Even if the Western Ten Nations had their thoughts, the Empire's objective military strength was still superior. Although the Imperial Central Army was defeated at Macline, losing over half their forces, combining them with the Western Legions would still easily surpass the total forces of the Western Ten Nations. Additionally, considering the number of superhumans, the quality of equipment, the soldiers' training, and supplies, the gap widens even more. Did a criminal like him think he could become a hero by siding with the losing side? "That's impossible..." "Sir?" "No, it's nothing." He still remembered the villainous acts he committed in his previous life. A typical petty villain who grovels before the strong and is ruthlessly cruel to the weak. He was someone who didn’t hesitate to commit shameless acts like desecrating corpses right in the middle of the battlefield. Because of his heinous nature and criminal history, even after contributing to the Empire's victory, he was unable to obtain an official title and had to be content with controlling the underworld. If such a notorious criminal was causing havoc on our side, he would need to be killed on the spot, but if he was an enemy of the Empire... "I'll let you live for now, Van Johnny, until you appear before my eyes." It seemed wiser to not concern himself with him for now. "...When would be the most optimal time for us to engage?" Advertisements "The best time would be the exact moment the Imperial forces clash with the Western Ten Nations." The glow in Damian’s eyes was unmistakable as he spoke. With the central army gone, both the Empire’s eastern front and the kingdom’s western borders were vulnerable. The Empire’s Eastern Eighth Legion had its strength reduced by half, and most lost their superhuman commanders. Thus, it was an unparalleled opportunity for Macline. And Damian had another target in mind. "The Empire would never imagine that we would be the first to make a move and attack them." "Indeed." The loss wasn't exclusive to the Empire. As the Empire's defeat became certain, the allied reinforcements from the small kingdoms were preparing to withdraw, and Macline's Fifth Legion had also suffered severe casualties, necessitating a near-reorganization into three legions. The vigilante corps suffered similarly grievous losses, particularly at Kyle Castle. Even now, citizens were shedding tears for lost family members. "It's just that the atmosphere of celebration is masking the sorrow." Furthermore, it was well known that their victory was attributed to the equipment and the grand magical formation. In such circumstances, even Macline's people wouldn't anticipate an offensive against the Empire. "Deploying the vigilante corps will only lead to further casualties." "Exactly. Therefore, we need to quickly seize critical points with our elite forces alone and advance to capture Rusfelheim and Penna, destroying the Eastern Legions in the process." At first glance, Damian's proposition seemed overly ambitious. He was advocating an aggressive territorial expansion war with fewer forces against larger ones. Yet neither Damian nor Logan believed it to be impossible. "If my master and I fully recover, it should be achievable." "Yes. I will find a way to delay the withdrawal of the Kingdom’s alliance with various pretexts. However, the concern is that the Imperial Central Army could join the western battlefield within a month at the latest..." Damian glanced worriedly at Logan’s white hair and pallid complexion. He feared that their leaders might not be fully recuperated by then. "…Don’t worry. We’ll be recovered by then. No, we have to recover." Logan’s eyes glimmered as he caressed his hair, slowly regaining its red color. This wasn't an exaggeration. For reasons unknown, many of the cracks in his force core healed during the process of treating his master, leading to a faster recovery than expected. It seemed that during the risky treatment, he briefly glimpsed a realm beyond. “If I could only experience that sensation again…” He felt confident he could wield power not even the Emperor could ignore. He might even be able to heal Clayton, who was thought to never awaken. Though still a daunting thought, it wasn't beyond possibility. The only issue was that he couldn’t undertake such risky endeavors right now. “Sometime in the future...” Logan sighed softly, thinking about the retainer who lay in an unending sleep. "So now the only variables are the Cassel Magic Tower and the Holy State?" "Yes. Judging by the rumors, it seems Sir Harmon and Sir Viktor handled everything exceptionally well." More than just handling things well. Rumors had spread that the disappearance of the Saintess and the involvement of the Black Serpent were interconnected. This unexpected turn of events was something Logan and his allies hadn't foreseen but welcomed nonetheless. "As a result, both variables have tangled with each other and will have little effect on the war," Damian informed with satisfaction. Advertisements The Holy State, in pursuit of the Black Serpent, and Cassel Magic Tower, forced to evade not only its pursuers across the continent but also those from the Holy State, were now too preoccupied. This was a scenario that couldn't be more favorable for Macline. "Indeed. If we had known it would turn out like this, we might have pinned this on the Empire instead," Logan mused with a jest. "...That would have been too far-fetched. No one would have believed it," Damian replied, chuckling. "It was just a joke. I thought maybe things would have unraveled more smoothly." Logan's lightheartedness elicited a smile from Damian as well. Completing their mission had been a near-miraculous feat, but the added rumors of the Black Serpent's involvement seemed to amplify its success. Hoping for miracles beyond this would be unreasonable greed. "There's been no word yet, but Sir Victor should be on his way back, even if Sir Harmon isn't. Let's wait a bit. After all, isn't he the 'Immortal Knight'?" "They also call him 'The Slayer'—not a bad nickname for someone who kills well and never dies. I'd envy any such title." Logan laughed at Damian's joke, both amused and content. A few days later, the Immortal Knight appeared at Castle Kyle, almost breathless, with a woman draped across his back. * * * "Sir Victor! This is not acceptable...!" "St-stop him!" "How do we stop him?!" Logan looked up, puzzled by the commotion outside his office. It was rare to hear such a ruckus in a place where he resided— the ruler of the nation and almost a deity in the eyes of the people. Despite feeling burdened by such excessive reverence, he welcomed the distraction from the clamor. Furthermore, the familiar name he overheard was unmistakable... "Victor?" Why would he, who was supposed to return to the southern fort, be here now? As Logan pondered, the door slammed open. And in stumbled a skeleton-like figure carrying someone on his back, staggering into the room. "Y-Your Highness, please! Save this person! I beg you!" Even as Victor collapsed to his knees, he didn't let the woman slip from his grasp. Logan, hearing Victor's desperate plea, finally recognized the gaunt man. "What!? Victor!? What in the world happened!?" Knights who hastily followed were unsure whether to intervene or not, while the half-conscious Victor continued to mumble incoherently. "Please, Your Highness. Save her..." Logan's gaze moved to the brown-haired woman slung over Victor’s back, and his expression soon turned troubled. "...A corpse? No, she still has a faint soul lingering. But this..." The woman had the appearance of a commoner, but with a beauty that stood out amidst her modest attire. Although, Logan instinctively knew that those closed eyes were brown too, based on the familiar magical scent emanating strongly from her. Advertisements If Victor were to bring someone here at this time, and if she needed to be in disguise... "Could it be...?" Logan, battling a sudden headache, gestured Victor's escorts to leave. "...Everyone, please leave. Just leave them as they are." "Y-Yes, sir!?" "Understood." The knights looked uncertain but offered a swift, formal salute before heading out. The large door closed with a lingering scrape. Wuuuung. Following Logan's gesture, an artifact resembling an identification badge slipped from the woman's embrace. Simultaneously, her features rearranged themselves, and her brown hair transformed into a radiant silver. Watching this transformation, Logan couldn't help but grit his teeth. "Of course... Damn it." Regardless of his personal acquaintance with Ilia, the current circumstances were exceptionally grave. – The vanished Saintess is in Macline. And in a half-dead state, no less. If this kind of rumor got out, any plans for a conquest on the Empire would collapse, and they would face an onslaught from the Holy State. ‘And if only the Holy State attacks, we'd be lucky. The Empire and even the Small Kingdoms Alliance might turn their backs...’ The mere thought was enough to worsen his headache. "What on earth were you thinking...?" "Y-Your Highness. Please, save her." Even with Logan's reproach, the exhausted Victor continued to repeat the same plea. What had happened in the Holy State? Why would a normally rational person take such a reckless action? Countless questions arose, yet seeing Victor's almost tearful, though tear-dried, face made Logan reluctant to press further. "Please, Your Highness..." "Sigh... Very well, Victor. Get some rest." "Yes, Your Highness. Thank you..." Only then did Victor, finally relieved, faint away. Yet even unconscious, his gaunt features remained etched with worry. "To the point of exhausting himself... How could this fool..." Unwittingly, Logan sighed in exasperation, though he already understood the condition afflicting Victor. ‘He's been continuously channeling force into Ilia's body. Considering the distance from Noviens to here...’ Victor likely hadn’t rested or slept during the journey. It was nothing short of miraculous. An undertaking no superhuman other than Victor could have accomplished. Even so, bringing the Saintess in such dire condition to him was perplexing. "...I trust you had your reasons, Victor." Advertisements Otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences when you awaken. Murmuring to himself, Logan gathered his force. Wuuuung. Ilia's state clearly indicated soul loss and life force depletion. Without external life energy, she would soon breathe her last. However, given his unrecovered state, consistently providing her with life energy would be difficult. Therefore... [To the office immediately.] Logan communicated with his wife and Victoria, who were within a 500-meter radius, capable of providing the precise spiritual assistance required. This mental transmission had become rather effortless for him, offering insight into why legendary Aura Masters were often regarded as tactical geniuses. If such spiritual signals could be distributed to all allies without wasting energy... 'Then you could maneuver a large army at your command as if they were an extension of your own body, without relying on flag signals, magical communication, or shouted orders.' This ability, in part, fueled his confidence in defeating the Imperial Army even with a smaller force. With hope, Logan placed the disguise artifact back into Ilia's possession. Wuuuung. Her appearance reverted to the unremarkable demeanor she had when first brought here. Ensuring that the Saintess and Pope Ilia Gabon were in this location was a closely guarded secret. Maintaining the transformation magic was crucial. After a short while, Eilin and Victoria, who had rushed in like the wind, gaped at the sight of the collapsed Victor. "Brother!!" "…Sir Victor!?" "Victor is alright; he's merely exhausted. The real issue is her." Their attention turned from Victor to the unfamiliar woman beside him, though they still appeared bemused. Though it was a matter that should never be leaked, these two needed to be informed for Ilia's recovery. Logan exhaled and retrieved the identification artifact to unravel the magic. "Saintess Ilia!!?" Watching their shock, Logan explained Victor's recent mission and the events leading up to the current situation. Luckily, neither seemed overly startled by the notion that the gods and apostles were supposedly hostile towards them. Perhaps it was due to previously sharing the hidden tale of Zibrik Cassel and the Nine Gods, or perhaps they trusted him greatly. '...Probably both.' While Logan felt a tiny sense of pride inappropriately amidst the situation, the duo's reaction to the Saintess was immediate. "Why on earth…?" Logan’s wife seemed dumbfounded, sharing his initial bafflement, perhaps reflecting their intrinsic connection. Meanwhile, Victoria took a slightly different stance. "…My brother surely had his reasons. If we can save her, then..." Listening to her explanation, Logan sighed once more.