472 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 472 - Clayton of Kyle Castle Has Disappeared The moment the news broke about Clayton's disappearance from Kyle Castle, the command of MacLaine, which was preparing to return with some forces left behind, hurriedly convened a meeting. Bang. "Damien!" As Victoria stormed in, forcing the door open with ferocity, Damien stepped forward, exhaling deeply. "Wh-what's happening!?" "As you've heard… Sir Clayton's… no, his body has vanished. It appears to be an abduction given the circumstances." "What were the troops guarding Kyle Castle doing!?" Victoria’s voice rang with sharpness that bordered on reprimand, yet none dared to correct her. Everyone understood her deep respect and affection for her mentor. "After the saintess’s resurrection incident, we tightened security even further. However, the rumors spreading made me uneasy, and now…." Logan, who had once overturned Kyle Castle, avoided Victoria’s intense gaze, as Damien continued in a steady voice. "Judging from the reports, it seems nearly impossible to have prevented." "Why?" "All the knights guarding the inner sanctum were found unconscious. It seems they succumbed to powerful magic. And yet, there were no casualties." The enemy had demonstrated overwhelming power without taking lives. "Right. If they wished to kill Duke Clayton, they would’ve left his corpse. If it were merely a robbery, they wouldn’t have penetrated the inner sanctum." Logan added quickly, and Damien nodded, reassuring Victoria with a gentle smile. "Yes. While it may not offer much comfort, at least you needn’t be concerned for Clayton’s life." "But how can you say that now…!" Even so, when Victoria's voice rose in distress again, Damien swiftly interjected. "If the intent was simply to harm Clayton or his body, there would have been bloodshed. But notably, not a single knight or soldier was harmed." "So, what are you saying…?" "It's likely they left room for negotiation. Hoping we won't act with blind hostility. The perpetrator will likely contact us or you, Victoria. To make demands." Imagining another reason for abducting the near-lifeless body of a sorcerer was difficult. Damien's reasoning seemed sound. "The issue is, there aren't many who would dare to demand anything from MacLaine by kidnapping Sir Clayton at this time." "The Empire or Cassel Magic Tower, perhaps." Both the Sword Saint and Ronian's opinions held weight. After defeating the Empire, who else would dare provoke the augured kingdom of MacLaine? "Then isn’t it strange that no blood was shed?" "They probably want something akin to a pact or agreement, not merely threats. Maybe a cease-fire or retraction of hostilities, to see things amicably." As Luther and Wicken made similar conjectures, the Sword Saint spoke up with a serious face. "Your Majesty, forgive my presumption, but if they demand retreat from occupied lands…" "We must never comply." Though the Sword Saint hesitated, gauging Victoria’s reaction, Damien's abrupt response was unyielding. When Victoria’s face darkened, Logan calmly shook his head. "No one involved is foolish enough to ask for such an unbalanced trade. Likely it’s a non-aggression pact or adjustment of war indemnities." To which Luther responded with confusion, tilting his head. "But didn’t His Majesty intend nothing beyond that in the first place?" "You idiot, outsiders wouldn’t know that." "…You wanna fight?" "…Read the room, will you." Everyone shook their heads at the familiar scene of Luther being promptly silenced beside him. "Hopefully that’s all it is…" As Logan drummed his fingers on the armrest deep in thought, Victoria stepped forward. "…Your Majesty, whoever the culprit might be, even if they make unreasonable demands, please stall for time. I’ll handle it somehow." Her face was resolute as she spoke. 'Handle it somehow… sigh.' Logan sighed quietly, standing up, and met Victoria’s eyes as he rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. “This isn’t your burden to bear, Lia. It’s a matter for me to resolve.” “But…” “Even if they secretly approach you, I will take care of it. I owe Sir Clayton as well. It's only natural to rescue him. No matter what.” Nothing was certain yet, so Logan's assurances might have seemed mere bravado. Yet Victoria nodded with ease. “Yes. I trust Your Majesty’s word.” Her demeanor calmed instantly, a smile tugged at Logan’s lips. ‘I never realized she believed in me this much. Thank you.’ Along with guilt, Logan felt immense gratitude for the trust placed in him. "…Yes, trust me. I’ll resolve this, no matter what." Logan reassured Victoria with firm determination as if pledging to himself. “Yes. Since it's Your Majesty's command, it will be done.” While her overconfidence seemed slightly unsettling, Logan stood, patting her shoulder. But then. “Then, there’s no need for further discussion.” “Indeed. His Majesty will handle it.” “So should we adjourn the meeting?” There was something odd about the reactions around the room. "…What’s going on here?" As Logan furrowed his brow momentarily, others looked around, puzzled. "Didn’t you say you’d handle it, Your Majesty?" "Then it’s settled, isn’t it?" "With Your Majesty directly involved, it’s bound to be resolved." Even Damien, considered one of the sharper minds, started this nonsense, prompting everyone else in attendance to nod in agreement. Bewildered by this absurd scene, Logan’s face was frozen, but luckily two among them reacted differently. “...Hold on, why is everyone acting this way?” "My dear, your words seem to carry a strange power… urgh… they do." It was Logan's mentor, who had some mastery over the power of souls, and his wife, who had been by his side through it all, that sensed the anomaly. "What is this… wait a moment." Sensing something amiss, Logan began to introspectively examine his own soul. Having reached the limits of being an Aura Master and glimpsing beyond, his soul shone brilliantly, more radiant than ever. Yet, the nature of its light seemed different from the foundational power of desires anchoring his soul. And instinctively, Logan realized what it meant. ‘…The power of my will.’ It wasn't the shared vestige of desires left by other souls, but the strength residing in his own will. And when one speaks with such firm resolve— “Shatter.” Crack. It manifests into reality. Logan stared in disbelief at the sight of the chair he had been sitting in moments ago, now reduced to splinters. He hadn’t used any force; he merely spoke with the desire for the chair to break. This was akin to… ‘Magic!?’ It wasn’t so much surprise as it was incredulity. While gaining a new power could be seen as a delight, it was obvious that this came with serious side effects. “Damien.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “Insult me. As harshly as you can.” Damien nodded respectfully before abruptly shifting his expression. “Hey, you son of a b****! If you’re going to do whatever you please, why bother consulting me? Do you have any idea how hard I work, you little…! Oops, oops!?” Startled by the sudden profanity, the Sword Saint hastily clamped his hand over Damien’s mouth, and only then did the other superhumans realize something was off, looking at their sovereign in surprise. “Y-Your Majesty, just what is this?” “Why is Damien acting like that…?” “Now that I think about it, why were we just about to leave without formulating any plan?” “Well, that’s because His Majesty would take care of… huh!?” Superhumans who had realized their lord’s change all exclaimed in quick succession. “Why, why? I only did as His Majesty commanded?” Meanwhile, Damien seemed completely unaware of any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Logan sighed deeply, burying his face in his hands. The response regarding Clayton’s situation had been postponed. Although he ordered an investigation by the knights of Kyle Castle according to protocol, no one expected significant results. They merely operated under the assumption that the kidnapper had a motive, and if Victoria or her mentors received a private message, they were to be informed immediately. Logan then sequestered himself in his chambers to meditate. His top priority was resolving the unforeseen dilemma that had emerged. ‘Improving my rank is a reason for joy, but with things like this….’ The potential for being the first Aura Master to transcend into the realm of divine beings was indeed heartening. Yet, an unforeseen issue had arisen. That power, combined with the battlefield control an Aura Master possesses, led to an unexpected problem. The spirits of those once under battlefield control obeyed his words, however absurd his commands. While a valuable trait for a ruler, “...It’s hard not to see me as something other than human at this point, isn’t it?” A wry smile played on his lips. To have everyone comply with his orders. Without any dissent or resistance. If one were to revel in the control this situation provided, that would indeed be abnormal. Any ordinary person would prefer to live in harmony among humans rather than be the sole human amidst a host of puppets. Yet would he abandon his own advancement? In truth, Logan sensed that with a mere trigger, he could reach the realm of the divine. But it didn’t bring him joy. He instinctively understood that even his mentor and wife, who had so far resisted, would become mere puppets to his words if that happened. ‘What should I do….’ Never before had such a dilemma occupied his mind. ‘Should I give it up?’ The method to abandon the path upward was simple enough. By inflicting a minor injury upon his own soul—and refraining from wishing for its recovery—he would stagnate at his current level, yet live a human life. However, the opportunity to evolve into a superior being was a profound temptation for humankind. Forsaking the law’s ecstasy of ascension? Be it knight or wizard, once anyone experiences the bliss of such ascension, they yearn for it their entire lives. Even those who have reached their limits and can no longer progress find themselves unable to forget that euphoria. No joy or drug could replace that pleasure, as myriad historical figures who proved it through their lives. Even the ancient demigod Zibrik Kassel, who risked it all in an attempt to surpass the gods who vanished beyond dimensions, forfeited his glory as the last demigod on earth. But Logan soon reached his conclusion. “Why am I worrying about this?” Chuckling softly. Upon realizing his unnecessary concerns, laughter escaped his lips. Had he not grasped a miraculous second chance in the midst of a desperate moment? The initial purpose was simply to seek forgiveness for his misdeeds and save his family. Yet somehow, the term ‘family’ broadened, and it culminated in him overthrowing a nation and leading the kingdom to defeat the Empire. His heart's desires had been more than fulfilled, and what he wished for had come to fruition. Now, all that remained was the aftermath. Whether he did it or not mattered little. “I shall live as a human. Beside my family.” Logan murmured to himself, as if committing to memory. Family. Yes, that was enough. A demigod? If he couldn't live humanely among those he cherished, then such lofty status was meaningless. Perhaps some of the Aura Masters, tracing their lineage back to the ancient Sword God, refrained from breaking their limitations because they knew this truth. ‘Yes, surely that must have been the case for some.’ With this certainty, Logan forged his path. He honed his soul to a fine edge, envisioning a blade within his mind. ‘A mere scratch will suffice. There’s no danger in it.’ Just as he steeled himself, clearing away the lingering desires that he couldn’t fully let go of, his focus was shattered. – Your Majesty! A message, a communication has arrived! The urgent voice from outside his door disrupted his meditative state.