450 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 450 - The Western Alliance Army's Crushing Defeat The news of the Western Alliance's defeat quickly reached the MacLaine forces stationed in Ruspelheim. Yet, not a single person seemed deeply shaken. "So, the Empire won?" "Didn't someone say it wouldn't end so easily?" "Come on, it's just the Empire." "Exactly. We've beaten them several times before." The attitude of "it's just the Empire" was now uttered with such nonchalance, something unimaginable just a few years ago, reflecting the sky-high morale of the MacLaine army. Of course, the leadership immediately called a meeting upon receiving the news. "The Kassel Tower has withdrawn from their promise to the Alliance. It's clear there was some collusion." When Damian reported this with a firm expression, Logan also nodded gravely. Despite their stern faces, there was a hint of exhilaration in their demeanor. "So, it was true after all." "Indeed." Only Damian, Logan, Aylin, and Ronian nodded in agreement, leaving the other gathered superhumans puzzled. Representing their confusion, Swordmaster broke the silence. "What do you mean, Your Majesty? I expected we'd hear about increasing our march speed towards Penna..." The logical move would be to quickly occupy Penna and advance to Aserian as planned, especially after hearing about the collapse of the Western front. Logan turned his gaze from Swordmaster to Damian next to him. "How long do you think it'll take for the Imperial forces to clean up the battlefield and return east?" "At least two months." "If we occupy Penna and head to Aserian?" "We will likely encounter the Imperial forces near Penna or in its vicinity before reaching Aserian." "Hmm." Contrary to Logan’s sigh, the response from those around was heated. "In that case, we should speed up, capture Penna quickly and wait for the Imperial army there, Your Majesty." "Exactly." "Wasn't our target Penna from the start? It's definitely possible." "There's no significant resistance there beyond the basic forces." The morale of the MacLaine army was clearly manifested in the superhumans. However, their leader seemed to have differing thoughts. "We will defend against the Empire and the Kassel Tower here in Ruspelheim." "What?" "There's someone who benefits from the bloodshed on the front lines." "What do you mean?" "The Kassel Tower will attack us alongside the Imperial forces. It's better to fortify our defenses here rather than facing them immediately after occupying Penna." "Excuse me!?" The unexpected statement left most of the superhumans bewildered. "Are you suggesting the Cassell Tower will align with the Empire?" Swordmaster questioned on behalf of the others, and Logan answered with a small sigh. "Yes, Master. We've received credible information. Though we haven't announced it officially, the collapse of the Western front aligns with what we've heard. It's safe to say the Kassel Tower has already left the Alliance to join the Empire." Swordmaster let out a scoff. "Hah, such untrustworthy people." As Logan and Swordmaster conversed, Luther, who had resolved to stay silent, unintentionally spoke up. "Does the Emperor really intend to trust such people?" The disbelief was palpable, and for once, Wecken offered no rebuttal to his rival's comment, responding instead. "The Emperor is probably desperate to grab any straw available after being humiliated by us." "They're utterly incomprehensible, shifting sides. What's their real motive…?" "What on earth are they thinking?" "That's..." With Luther's lament as a catalyst, the assembly grew chaotic. Even those usually silent during meetings, like Victor and Burdel, began to add their voices and exchange opinions. Watching this, Logan sank into thought. - The Master of the Tower is targeting you, Your Majesty. - Why? - Because you are one who changes destiny. There was no need to inform everyone of the words Luisa had said. But the notion remained. 'One who changes destiny...' Hearing those words had made his heart drop. Fortunately, Luisa seemed not to fully grasp the full meaning of her statement. The Tower's Master, based on past behavior, likely didn't suspect he was a regressor. Otherwise, they wouldn't have reacted that way. - You've seen the scroll the Emperor used in Ruspelheim. Similar but lesser scrolls were scattered where battles would take place. - The blood and flesh from battle have become the power of souls focused on some secret location known only to the Tower Master, aimed at reviving the founder of the Kassel Tower, the Grand Sorcerer. - And at the heart of that ritual lies the need for the life of one who changes destiny. From the moment those words were spoken, Logan had no choice but to trust Luisa's account. It was too eerily precise to disregard, especially considering their ignorance of his relationship with Gibrick Kassel. This was why he delayed their advance. The news about the Western front simply served to justify the change in plans to the others. Moreover, in Ruspelheim, a large-scale magic circle centered around Victoria was already being set up to fend off enemy assaults. Logan, even as the meeting continued, gave a subtle nod to Victoria, who remained deep in thought at one corner of the hall. He had heard the basic structure of the grand magic circle was complete, and she was likely pondering the task he had given her before. 'The heart of the battlefield will ultimately be here.' Specifically, it would be where he was. He was certain. Even Luisa didn't know the exact details of the Emperor's contract with the Tower Master, but she could infer the possibility. 'They'll target me.' Whether it was the Master of the Tower or the Emperor, neither could confront him alone. If the Tower Master's aim was indeed him, Logan knew they would proceed together. The Emperor's long-held animosity towards him would only embolden such an alliance. Though the Tower Master posed no immediate personal threat to him, a potential partnership with the Emperor was concerning. 'This could be troublesome.' Logan could envision the scene— the Tower Master assisting the Emperor in a joint assault against him. Unless he could decisively crush them using his unique traits, danger would undoubtedly loom. The Emperor had already witnessed Logan's trump card. 'If it were Master... no, even he would be in danger. This is a battle I must face alone.' The Tower Master may only be vulnerable to him, but to others, he posed a greater threat than the Emperor. Princess Luisa mentioned that the Tower Master's power centered on soul and dimensional attributes. While 'soul' was familiar, he had never encountered 'dimensional' before, though he could infer its implications. When they had crossed paths, the Tower Master wielded soul magic with greater proficiency than the Emperor and could manipulate spatial movement effortlessly. Considering the magic he hadn't yet shown, any joint attack with other warriors would only lead to their casualties. Against an Aura Master or Grand Sorcerer, lesser beings could only hope to win through relentless attrition. "Umm..." As Logan tapped his armrest in contemplation, the room gradually quieted. His firm expression cast a temporary silence over the assembly. When even breathing became cautious, Logan finally spoke. "Ria." "Y-yes, Your Majesty!" Victoria, lost in her own world, started at the sudden call. "Is your research on 'those things' complete?" "Not yet, but I'm confident I can present results within a month." Victoria's eyes sparkled with confidence. 'Then there's a way.' Recalling the unique spoils from the Ruspelheim war, Logan nodded. The Emperor and the Tower Master. Now aware of their intentions, he could prepare to face them. "We will hold off both the Empire and Kassel Tower here in Ruspelheim. Not a single step back. We'll dismantle them here before resuming our plans to strike Penna and Aserian." The plan hadn't changed; it was merely postponed. Logan's resolute voice carried the intention to seize the eastern Empire and beyond. Heartened by their lord's determination, the commanders kneeled in unison. "As Your Majesty wills." "We shall follow your orders." "Glory to MacLaine!" "Honor to the unyielding flame!" Their affirmations, beginning with Swordmaster's, echoed beyond the council chamber, resounding throughout the citadel. * * * "Clear the way! Wall repair materials coming through!" "Make way! Supplies from the kingdom's home front!" Though the war had ended not long ago, Ruspelheim grew increasingly bustling. The army's movements intensified post-occupation, elevating rather than easing post-war tensions. Additionally, an unexpected development contributed to Ruspelheim's chaos. "...Are they really distributing rations?" "Seriously?" "But you must register as citizens of the MacLaine Kingdom, not the Empire, to receive them." "...With nothing to lose, why protest?" "But what if His Majesty the Emperor reclaims the land..." "That 'Majesty' fled, didn't he?" "And even if he returns, would he blame us citizens? Survival comes first." Contrary to expectations, the occupying forces announced ration distributions instead of looting. The citizens of Ruspelheim, who had abandoned their livelihoods and quaked in fear throughout the war, were drawn out by these surprising news. The city naturally returned to a buzz of anxious vitality, though incidents remained scarce. "Citizens must stay within designated areas!" "Outside these zones, we cannot guarantee your safety!" "Disregarding orders will result in summary execution as remnants of the Imperial army!" The stern military discipline of the occupying forces left no room for petty disturbances. The MacLaine forces, unlike typical occupying armies, refrained from any customary misconduct. The reason was simple. – His Majesty, the King, is watching over us. Their actions were driven by near-religious devotion to a leader who had guided their souls on the battlefield. "Is it true that a group planning to loot was caught and begged on the spot after hearing His Majesty's voice?" "It seems the rumor about His Majesty watching over us is true." "What rumor? We've experienced it. He directly gave us orders." For some reason, the aura of the Aura Master continued to expand even after the war. And the origin of these occurrences was astonished by the unexpected situation. A resonating hum filled the air. "...The God of Battle. Now I understand why such legends exist." Though Logan had believed he understood already, this was beyond comprehension. Even as he did nothing, he felt the faith infused throughout the castle pouring back into him as power. 'The weight of vows, the burden of belief, even false faith spurred by rumors becomes a substantial force.' His spirit was soaring as days passed. Logan thought he vaguely understood how the nine gods had obtained their divine status. It was around this time that an unusual request came from the temple.