Note: The Novel Will Be Corrected Until Chapter 105, After That Chapter It Will Be All MTL
C76 - 77 - 78
C76
As Henderson burst out of his newly assigned room immediately after unpacking, his heart was pounding so fiercely that he couldn’t stand still.
He wondered if his temperament was too fiery, but he settled that thought quickly with a slam of the door.
“Ugh. What now, team leader?”
“You too?”
“What’s up? We’re all the same, aren’t we?”
Members of Team 18 who had similarly kicked their door open, looked at each other and shared a sheepish laugh.
“There’s no way to hold back once you’ve seen them—the knights with the eagle emblem.”
Those words came from Digrom, the deputy team leader, which Henderson hadn’t expected but welcomed.
Not just them, any knight would feel the same way.
‘I want to test myself against the Esperanza Knight Order.’
Whenever the best knights of Grandia were mentioned, the Esperanza Knight Order always came to mind first.
Another of the three great orders, the Royal Knights, served only within the palace, while the Valtermayn Knight Order was known more for its size than skill.
But what truly spurred their competitive spirit was,
‘The knights personally trained by that Sword Master.’
The country’s finest swordsman, idolized by any knight who bore a sword.
The Esperanza Knight Order, taught by the Sword Master himself.
How could anyone not be curious about their abilities?
“Let’s go. Show them the strength of the Maclain knights.”
Leading the way, Henderson’s eyes blazed with passion, even more so than when he first saw the refined ladies upon entering the capital.
“Sorry, but we’re only average knights at the middle ranks. It would be somewhat unfair for us to spar with the others unless you want to try sparring with the apprentice knights?”
However, a knight clad in armor bearing the eagle emblem deflated Henderson and his team’s eagerness with just a single comment.
“The lower-ranked Force users are just about learning swordsmanship for the first time. By our standards.”
Within the Maclain, or most knight orders for that matter, a team leader level middle-ranked knight was but an average knight in the Esperanza Knight Order.
Two hundred middle-ranked knights, forty high-ranked knights, and two top-ranked knights.
The true might of the renowned but mysterious Esperanza Knight Order was astounding.
‘Our lord used to be a high-ranked knight until a couple of years ago, and he was unmatched in our region. But what’s this mess, damn.’
But having come all this way, he couldn’t just back down.
“Alright. The team leader of the Maclain Knight Order’s 18th team, Henderson, requests a spar.”
“Accepted.”
Though their pride was wounded, Henderson managed a better-than-expected result against an Esperanza knight in the ensuing spar.
It was a decent outcome, but Henderson couldn’t help but feel something was off.
“Damn. Maybe I should try sparring with the apprentice knights?”
“They’re still just kids. They won’t even accept you as an apprentice if you haven’t awakened your Force by your twenties, they say.”
“Really? Even so, that would be a blow to my pride…”
“Does pride feed us?”
Ignoring the comments of his peers, Henderson walked on, a perplexed expression on his face.
The spar with the Esperanza knight, who practiced a style of swordsmanship far different from his own, was enlightening, just at the mere thought of reviewing it.
However…
“Team leader. Are you sure that knight did his best? The swordplay was… lacking.”
“That must be the case. Which is why it’s odd.”
Digrom’s keen insight, being at the cusp of ascending from the lower-ranked knights to the mid-ranks, was accurate.
The average-level Esperanza knight he faced, seemingly around his age, had demonstrated a noticeably lower level of proficiency with the Iron Blood Sword compared to what he knew of the Maclain’s teachings from the Sword Master.
“Why don’t we all try sparring with the apprentice knights from tomorrow?”
“Ugh. I guess putting on airs here doesn’t really suit us, does it?”
“Yeah. Let’s do that. Even if we face disgrace.”
Henderson and Digrom exchanged puzzled looks, lost in thought.
They didn’t discuss it, but their thoughts were the same.
Perhaps the Iron Blood Sword that Lord Logan has obtained didn’t come from the Sword Master after all.
‘It couldn’t have been invented by the Grand Duke… Where did he get it from?’
Although their thoughts diverged, the conclusion was clear.
Their future lord had provided the Maclain lineage with a sword technique superior to that of the Esperanza ducal household.
The two knights’ expectations of their future leader grew ever so slightly.
* * *
Logan’s official reason for coming to the capital was to meet his mentor, the Sword Master, and remain until a successor was named.
However, there was also a genuine motive for his presence, and that required building trust with his mentor first.
Embracing the training that began on his first day with open arms, Logan threw himself into the sessions, which made him revisit his own shortcomings, causing him to forget all his plans.
Concerned the knights might cause trouble, Logan went to check on them after a week had passed.
“His Highness the Grand Duke!”
“Your Highness, we’ve been loyal!”
“Respect!”
“…Uhh, right.”
‘Huh, these guys… why are they suddenly doing this?’
He was surprised at the excessive reactions, even when considering his position within the household.
“Digrom. Anything happen?”
“No issues!”
“How have things been?”
“We’ve been continually sparring with the Esperanza Knight Order for practice.”
“…Really? That’s diligent.”
Impressed, Logan smiled at their practice despite the early morning chill.
“Shall we continue then…?”
“We will continue to train rigorously!”
“Your Highness’s consideration, I will never forget!”
Although Logan was puzzled by their intense reactions, nothing was seriously wrong.
He even found himself reflecting again.
‘The ordinary knights are this diligent. I should definitely…’
With a sigh, Logan retrieved his sword and joined the knights in training.
“Why, the Grand Duke?”
“Today, I’ll join you in training.”
Smiling bright, the knights nodded, and Logan’s sigh turned into a smile.
Content after a satisfying training session, Logan was greeted by an unexpected turn of events.
“A matchmaking meeting… what?”
“Yes. A successor of a noble family without a betrothed at twenty-one—that’s intolerable! And you’re my student, to boot! So I’m considering finding you a match.”
“Weren’t we supposed to focus on training while here? Why this sudden…?”
“A calm heart is essential for good training. I realized that after I got married.”
“…Right.”
He knew a domestic conflict that would sweep across the kingdom was imminent.
And his student was planning to be right in the thick of it.
‘…but of course, I can’t say that. Damn.’
This was a bolt from the blue.
Struggling to compose himself, Logan questioned the abruptness.
“Is someone asking you for a favor?”
“One would naturally worry about a grown successor still unwed.”
The Sword Master’s words provoked an obvious suspicion in Logan.
“From my family?”
“Any parent would be concerned, wouldn’t they?”
Despite his words, Logan had to stifle a scowl.
‘Damn it all.’
He understood the machinations at play.
‘It’s pointless. Soon enough…’
His mind understood, but he couldn’t outright dismiss his master’s suggestion.
“…I’ll meet them.”
He consoled himself, thinking that wasting just one day wouldn’t be too bad.
“Good. You won’t be disappointed. You’d suit well with her, a well-known lady of the capital.”
The mischievous smile on his mentor’s lips gave Logan pause, but…
* * *
“A match? Haven’t you given up on that?”
In response to his daughter’s retort, Count Roberts Floyde struggled to control his rising ire, maintaining a calm demeanor.
‘I’ll somehow enable you to comprehend the joy of a woman’s happiness.’
Sweat-soaked black training clothes and a sword in hand.
An unfitting sight for an earl’s daughter, though in the father’s eyes, she was still beautiful.
Objectively, too, she was surely a beauty.
“Yes. You’re still quite the catch, my dear daughter. The recommendation came from none other than His Excellency Duke Felix Esperanza himself.”
“…Esperanza? You mean the Sword Master’s family?”
Her face showed a hint of color, but knowing it wasn’t for the prospect of marriage, the count felt a deeper bitterness.
Still, he was glad she showed any interest at all.
“Yes. He’s the Sword Master’s student, in fact.”
“A student of the Sword Master? He took a student?”
“Yes. It’s not widely known yet, but he’s soon to be celebrated talent.”
‘But I wonder if he can match you…’
Roberts swallowed his genuine emotions as he sensed his daughter’s growing anticipation.
She’d always been bold; he’d thought an interest in swordsmanship would pass as it was a difficult endeavor even for adult men.
When she found it enjoyable, he laughed it off as her unique charm until the day she awoke her Force at twelve and proclaimed her desire to become a knight.
– How can a girl become a knight? Ruin our 300-year-old family history, will you?
He still vividly recalled how his own father, the robust Earl Floyd of the time, had bellowed as his health faded.
And when at fifteen, she’d beaten up an older fiancé to the point of calling off the engagement, her father had collapsed, followed by the family’s severe consequence of having assaulted the grandson of the mighty Force-user Duke Valtermayn.
From then on, Eileen’s sword practice was strictly forbidden.
Yet two years later, she managed to prove her worth against a fully qualified knight suitor with a one-sided thrashing.
– I have no interest in marriage!
As she publicly declared her stance, Earl Roberts gave up.
A maiden who could best knights was now branded with a nickname that stopped any further suitors.
‘Why wouldn’t she just live like other women?’
Roberts fumed at the rigidity, yet she wouldn’t budge an inch.
So this opportunity was one he could not miss.
‘The duke assures he’s an exceptional talent.’
Perhaps he could manage Eileen.
Maybe even break her.
He didn’t wish unhappiness upon her; he wanted her to experience normal joys.
And in that, the earl held a conviction.
‘No man can resist my daughter.’
Her healthy and slim figure from sword practice.
Her beauty reminiscent of the capital’s once-famed woman, her clear facial features, and her red hair shimmering like silk surely any average young man would find irresistible.
“Being the Sword Master’s student piques my curiosity.”
Good. Keep interested. Hopefully in more than just swordplay.
“Just don’t! Use violence this time! Understand?!”
Still, her response was lukewarm.
“If he behaves.”
Only the father’s despair grew blacker.
* * *
“Eileen… Floyd?”
The sight of the young woman with matching red hair and eyes left a unique impression on the well-put-together young man.
Eileen had seen countless men flustered at their first meeting.
‘Most were worthless.’
– With your awakened Force, you’ll bear strong children.
She regretted not hitting the foolish Valtermayn heir harder for those words.
– How strong can a woman with Force be? I’ll handle you with one hand. Oh, you may use a weapon.
Beating such a fool single-handedly was justified, though others thought otherwise, such as those proposing to magically seal her Force and force her to live quietly.
Idiotic men, intent on looks alone.
This one would be no different, she presumed, as her slight expectancy for the Sword Master’s disciple waned.
But she had to follow basic courtesy.
“Pleased to meet you. Logan Maclain.”
With flowing red hair complemented by a light cream evening gown adorned with a sparkling necklace, the green-eyed beauty was stunning.
However, Logan wasn’t shaken by her looks but by her Power, which was so potent for an eighteen-year-old.
And he realized there had been rumors about the Floydes during the three-year interior conflict.
The downfall of the Floyde estate and the rise of the Steel Rose, Eileen Floyde – one of the promising talents lost during that tumultuous time.
Now she stood before him, an unexpected encounter.
-----------------------
Chapter 77: The Regressor and the Fallen Noble’s Talent
Count Floyd’s household was a descendant of a war-hero founding noble with a fairly large territory near the capital. In my previous life, it had remained a neutral force until the civil war had escalated, and for some reason, joined the Second Prince’s faction, thus walking the path towards its downfall.
As the war turned in favor of the First Prince’s faction toward its end, the Floyd family was made an example of and was wiped out by the other nobles, who were watching and waiting for an opportunity.
And at its last stand, there was an incredible rumor that the family’s young lady, barely of age, had barricaded the inner fortress door and cut down a hundred knights.
Eileen Floyd, a female knight born in the wrong era, and even the wrong country.
Given Grandia Kingdom’s views on the status of women, her story became even more infamous.
Her end, after the civil war, became a song spread through the lips of poets and bards across the kingdom.
“A variety of stories had been created and spread about her.”
Of course, most of these stories were tragic love tales based on her.
Yet, her last moments undoubtedly shocked the people of Grandia.
And Logan was now witnessing with his own eyes that the rumors of her previous life were not entirely without merit.
Considering her young age, the level she had reached was not easily achieved.
Furthermore, considering the difficult circumstances for a noble lady to dedicate herself to swordsmanship training…
“She might have a talent not inferior to Rhonian or Victor.”
Logan had come to this engagement meeting expecting to pass the time and then leave, but unexpectedly he had come across a real talent.
Curiosity and regret swirled in Logan’s eyes.
“There’s only a few months left until the civil war restarts. An engagement is meaningless.”
If it were marriage instead of an engagement, he could use it as a pretext to tie this talent to the Maclaine family.
However.
Considering they had just met, planning a marriage in just a few months was an impossible tale within the nobility of Grandia.
“I don’t have any particular talent for seducing women.”
There was no immediate way to bring this talented lady into the Maclaine family.
“…Such a pity.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, no, my apologies, Lady. Just talking to myself… sorry.”
“…It’s alright.”
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence weighed heavily upon them.
“Hmm, maybe we could start with a cup of tea…”
“Ah, yes, that would be… good…”
“…”
“…”
Forced conversation attempts continued, but the silence lingered.
Finally, Logan sighed and spoke.
“It seems like you didn’t really want to be here either, Lady.”
“Excuse me?”
“Since I’m in the same situation, shall we come to an agreement and leave this place?”
Her expression changed subtly at his words.
“You’re suggesting we don’t waste any more of our meaningless time?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hmm. Then, how about we make the time meaningful?”
“Excuse me?”
The sudden shift from understanding to interest took Logan by surprise.
It was as if she was pleased by the idea of not wasting time.
It also felt as if she was proposing this with the intention of enticing him in return.
If that was the case, there might be a sliver of possibility.
“…What do you mean by meaningful time?”
Thump, thump.
Hiding his anticipation, Logan looked at Eileen.
“I hear you’re a disciple of the Sword Saint. Would you be willing to spar with me?”
“Excuse me?”
Caught off-guard by her unexpected proposal, Logan could only chuckle inwardly.
“The fact that I can’t gauge your level even knowing you’re a student of the Sword Saint leads me to think you must be more skilled than I am. Would a spar be… troublesome for you?”
The proposition was unforeseen, but that was what made it fresh and interesting.
Looking at the eagerness in Eileen’s expression, Logan nodded with a smile.
“Very well. A sparring match with someone of your young age and talent is also a welcome challenge for me.”
* * *
“Mistress!”
Laila, the maid who had been taking care of Eileen for a lifetime, was anxiously tugging at her sleeves.
Startled, Eileen turned her head towards Logan, who was a little ahead.
Fortunately, he didn’t seem to overhear.
“Keep your voice down! He might hear you!”
“Argh, that’s not the problem, Mistress! The Count specifically ordered you not to do this. Why are you acting this way? I can’t handle this.”
“It’s different now! This is an official spar. Laila, don’t you trust me?”
Eileen was assertive, but Laila was adamant.
“I can’t trust you. How am I supposed to trust you, Mistress? Oh dear, really.”
Pfft.
Somewhere far away, a laughter trying to be suppressed could be heard.
“Keep it down, I told you!”
Red-faced, Eileen yelled, but Logan’s situation up front was not much different.
“Master! Sparring with a lady? You can’t possibly be serious! That’s absolutely not allowed!”
Even amidst urgency, Rick’s voice was a whisper, and his expression was desperate.
“Don’t laugh at me! If a rumor spreads that you’ve hit a woman in a spar, Lord Maclaine will have my head. Please, by no means, you can’t. You understand, right?”
With genuine distress in his voice, Logan responded with a wry smile and nodded.
“No such thing will happen, don’t worry.”
If this young lady’s swordsmanship is half as good as the power she supposedly wields, no rumors would start.
Although Logan thought this, Rick let out a sigh of relief without understanding.
And fortunately, Eileen’s actions made sure no such rumors would surface.
– If a rumor spreads, it would be troubling.
Following Eileen’s request, Logan opened up a private training ground he only used under his master’s instruction.
The guarding knight looked at them with curiosity, but Logan did not satisfy his intrigue.
His own interest was solely in witnessing the true skills of this lady, famed only after her death.
‘And perhaps… this could be an opportunity.’
Maintaining a poised demeanor while preparing for the spar, a high-pitched voice reached their ears.
“Mistress! Since it’s come to this, win decisively!”
“This woman is insane! Do you even know the kind of person our master is?!”
“Are you kidding me? Do you know our lady at all?!”
The two servants, anxious and bouncing on their heels, shared the same earnest expression.
‘This match-up has already tanked.’
‘As long as it’s ruined, I wish at least our side could win.’
In the presence of just these two onlookers, Eileen, now clad in simple training attire, lifted a practice iron sword in front of Logan.
“Eileen Floyd. I’ve been training in swordsmanship alone for ten years.”
Her greeting, while assuming a stance with the sword, was reminiscent of legendary introductions from heroic tales. But Logan did not laugh, the content of her words was too jarring.
“Alone?”
Mistaking his reaction for mockery, a faint blush crossed Eileen’s face.
“I’ve beaten fully-fledged knights before. Please do not underestimate me. I wouldn’t want to hear later that you were taking it easy.”
“Ah, my apologies. I was merely astonished. Rest assured, I won’t be negligent. To do so would be unthinkable.”
This young lady is calling for trouble.
Had her words reached the ears of his master, the repercussions would not have ended with a mere scolding.
On the contrary.
“I have no intentions of holding back, so please understand if my actions seem rough.”
Eileen’s eyes grew brighter in response to Logan’s firm words.
Soon after, there was a loud clash!
“Cough!”
A single blow had sent a shock through Eileen’s side that felt strong enough to fracture several ribs.
The spectators, Laila and Rick, clutched their sides with expressions suggesting they felt the impact too.
Eileen was forced to drop to her knees, stifling the pain that made her want to groan.
Within a single move.
It was shocking enough that Logan had such a gap in skill, but it was inconceivable that the gap would be so wide when he was barely older than her.
“Ouch!”
With a flushed face, Eileen suppressed her agony and got up.
Her gaze was determined as she cautiously orbited Logan.
Thump!
She closed the distance swiftly.
Whoosh!
The whistling of her iron sword, aimed perfectly, seemed lethal, but…
Whack!
Clang!
“Argh!”
Her sword was deflected sharply, and Logan’s retaliatory strike showed no mercy.
Wooosh.
Blood spurted from Eileen’s forehead as if it were a lie.
Screams spilled from the mouths of the onlookers.
“No, Mistress!!”
Laila’s face turned as pale as if she herself had been struck.
With trembling hands and on the verge of fainting, Rick stood by her, equally ashen-faced.
‘I’m done for. This is the end.’
All Rick wanted to do was cry.
In his mind, he pictured Logan’s reputation as a woman-beater and envisioned his own punishment within the family.
Whoosh! Whack!
“Cough!”
Another intense pain speared through her side, yet Eileen didn’t falter.
The agony was unfamiliar despite having endured it countless times.
She had never imagined, let alone seen, blood spurting from her head, nor had she imagined the horrific pain inflicted by the battering iron sword.
She hadn’t even conceived how this spar could have turned out.
A shocking pain intruded into her romanticized dreams, creating a surreal reality.
Her body begged to collapse, but she refused.
To her, Logan’s red eyes looking down seemed to scoff as if asking, “Is that all?”
‘I have to land at least one hit!’
Eileen briskly wiped away the blood trailing past her eyes.
She wanted to leave a bruise on those insufferably red eyes as if tainted by the blood on her hand.
“Wipe the blood from your eyes and…”
Thump!
“Die!”
She launched an attack during the moment he spoke.
It was beyond sparring; it was a strike filled with extreme personal emotion.
Nevertheless, it was futile.
Whack!
Even if the sword came half a beat late, it was always there in time, intercepting her own.
Ironically, her following blows, barely deflecting his attacks, felt more like luck.
“Well judged.”
He praised her, even though she had expected scorn for resorting to a cheap shot.
But to Eileen right then, even that sounded like mockery.
“Your movements should be more concise though!”
Clash.
Another jolt of agonizing pain blurred her vision once more.
‘This wretched man!’
It wasn’t about playing games
Whether due to pain or anger, tears welled up.
Yet, even so, Eileen’s body moved with shortened, deliberate motions.
She had never felt such electrifying pain throughout her whole body.
And she didn’t realize her unnecessary movements were decreasing, nor that her injuries weren’t as severe as the pain suggested.
And in front of her, Logan watched with bright eyes as Eileen continued to transform.
‘It must have been how my master felt watching me.’
Overflowing with potential but failing to harness it.
Although she seemed to have bad habits indicative of being self-taught, a few points of guidance had her immediately improve her form.
Her talent was real, not just some story or rumor.
‘So I must conclude this definitively.’
Just as he made his decision, Eileen charged once more.
“Ahh!”
A cry that sounded like both a scream and a rally.
It was unfitting for a lady of rank but the result it brought couldn’t be ignored.
Her zigzagging footwork and shifting blade, a stark contrast from her initial straightforwardness, was like she was a completely different person.
Yet.
Logan’s iron sword easily deflected hers, burying itself into her solar plexus.
Whoosh! Whack!
The impact would surely paralyze her for quite some time.
Emotionally and physically.
As Logan withdrew his sword, Eileen’s body wilted weakly.
But even then.
“Let’s, let’s go again. Again…”
Desperation in her voice, as if refusing to end it there.
Struggling to rise, Eileen’s plea was almost heart-wrenching.
‘Spirit, check.’
Logan sighed softly, preparing himself mentally.
What was happening had significant implications for the future.
But…
‘It’s well worth it.’
Resolute, Logan extended a hand.
“I’ll help you up, Lady.”
“Again, let’s do it again!”
“I’ll give you another chance next time.”
“Sigh…”
Chuckling, Logan helped Eileen to her feet.
Then, he whispered a few words into her ear.
“…What? Yes?”
Eileen, with a confused look, nodded after a moment.
The few whispered words resulted in a situation more unbelievable than the improbable spar.
The servants, still in shock, were rendered completely speechless for a long while.
-----------------
Chapter 78
“Phuahaha!”
“Young Master! Is this really the time to laugh?! Have you lost your mind? No matter how peculiar your tastes, this is just strange. An engagement without even informing the family!”
Rick ranted, his chest puffed up with fervor. However…
“If there’s no engagement, someone must take responsibility for the injuries of Lady Eileen, right? You perhaps…?”
“Why, why would you mention me! You were the one who hit her!”
Rick took a step back with a sense of injustice on his face.
“It’s inevitable. When you see a treasure right before your eyes, of course, you have to claim it.”
“What are you even talking about? If you propose an engagement with that… that brilliant lady, even the lord will jump in shock! They’ll say the Sword Master was just making a joke!”
“No, that’s not it.”
“No, that lady too… Why, why did she nod her head. What exactly did you tell her in that moment? Someone who has never properly interacted with a woman in his life, how could he suddenly…”
“You’re curious about that, aren’t you?”
“Well, I am a bit curious… No! Young Master! I am just speaking from utter loyalty!”
“So, you don’t want me to tell you?”
“Hem-hem. Well, it would be nice to know…”
“I’m not going to tell you.”
“Oh, come on!”
Logan smirked, ignoring Rick’s commotion, and quietly closed his eyes. Days had passed, but the thrilling experience was still vivid in his mind. Rick’s assumptions were somewhat different from the reality.
‘Her swordsmanship sense was not inferior to Ronyan’s.’
She had immediately corrected her swordsmanship right there after being pointed out a few flaws.
Upon witnessing that, Logan instantly changed his mind. He decided that he must secure her by any means necessary. She had the potential to become a superhuman in the future, but that was not the only reason.
‘A potential superwoman knight from Grandia?’
Even if Eileen didn’t become well-known for her skills as a knight, her fame would eradicate one of the worst social diseases in the country.
‘She could be a driving force to develop female military forces.’
The neighboring Ares Empire valued talent over gender, and this policy extended to the military. Whoever had talent, regardless of gender, could receive advanced education and training. This applied to both martial and magical pursuits.
Thus, sorceresses and female knights were another formidable weapon in the empire, a strength Grandia did not yet possess.
And he would have to face such an empire in the future.
‘The more cards we can play, the better.’
A mindset deeply ingrained in the thousand-year-old foundation of the Grandian kingdom.
Changing this wasn’t just about expanding the influence of one’s family. But if things went as planned…
‘If the price of that potential is an engagement, even marriage, it’s a bargain at twice the price.’
Whispers that weren’t romantic per se but a ‘proposal’ he thought she would appreciate given the rumors, her situation, and her abilities.
“You have remarkable talent. Let’s work together. Come to Maclaine, not as a woman, but as a knight. I promise you free training, sparring, and a battleground where you can make a name for yourself. Of course, we’ll have to engage for formality’s sake.”
The moment Eileen’s flushed face lightly nodded in agreement.
The deal between two nobles was struck.
An unexpected gain that naturally excited him. After all, it wasn’t every day that you stumbled upon such a treasure. Furthermore, Eileen’s bright smile, lit with the pure joy of unbridled sparring…
Snip!
“Augh! I’ll have a handprint! What are you doing, Young Master?! Have you really gone mad?!”
“No, just trying to come back to my senses.”
“Why resort to self-harm to regain your senses? You’re bleeding! Blood!”
While Rick was in a panic, Logan suppressed the flutter of his heart.
“Indeed, it is blood. Sigh.”
Logan berated himself for letting blood flow so carelessly.
‘Have I already become this lax?! Pull yourself together, Logan! Women, it’s like you want to perish in the arms of one!’
Eileen would get a chance to showcase her talents.
And he would gain another talent to oppose the empire.
Yes. This was just a mutually beneficial transaction.
‘The agreement itself is sufficient.’
As the excited emotions settled down, his heart grew calmer.
And then…
“I’m going to see the master.”
“What should I take from that after you’ve spilled blood…?”
“It’s okay, really. It’s nothing.”
“It doesn’t seem like nothing.”
Logan didn’t bother to convince Rick, whose mind was cluttered with doubts.
His own mind had cleared up, so he was curious about what was to come.
* * *
“Why Eileen?”
“Yes. It doesn’t seem like you simply wanted to arrange a marriage for me.”
“Ha-ha. Boy, it seems that lady has quite caught your fancy!”
“Master!”
“Ahem. I was in a bit of a rush to tell you. Well, there are two reasons I chose that family.”
“Two reasons?”
“Yes. First, the Countess Floyd is not part of any faction but holds significant influence in the capital. They can represent Maclaine, which lacks central political connections.”
“…It gives Bipros even more reasons to tolerate.”
With the internal conflict on the horizon, Logan himself hadn’t been all that bothered by this reason. But to the oblivious Sword Master, it was a sound justification.
“Yes. And the others…?”
“There’s an even more important reason…”
Logan leaned in to hear the Sword Master, who spoke with deliberate seriousness.
“I was curious to see what would happen if you put a schemer with a wild maiden. To think you’d actually take to her this much! Phuahaha!”
“Uh…”
Logan’s clenched fists trembled on his knees.
The master was often whimsical, yet stern in training matters, which only shattered the grand image of the Sword Master the world knew.
This was playing with personal matters of duty.
Perhaps there was another reason, but Logan couldn’t help feeling defeated.
‘Well, it worked out anyway.’
Trying to forget his master’s prank, he found solace in justifying the outcome.
“Just like that, give an old man no regrets. Go and make some children.”
“Master!!”
“Phuahaha!”
* * *
After the incident with Eileen, Logan’s life had become quite monotonous. He didn’t leave the Sword Master’s residence, dedicating his time to relentless training.
Despite the strange looks from those who learned of the engagement, Logan focused solely on training.
This included sparring with the 18 knights that followed him as guards.
As autumn deepened and three weeks since his arrival in the capital passed, a turning point came for those who accompanied Logan.
Swish!
Cold water was poured on Henderson’s face as he lay defeated.
“Blah! Ptooey! Who dares…?”
“It’s me.”
“…Thank you for waking me up, Young Master.”
Although Logan was the one who knocked him out, Henderson quickly voiced his gratitude, his eyes sincere, making Logan feel a twinge of guilt inside.
And this reaction wasn’t unique to Henderson; most of the 18 knights seemed to have grown even more loyal since coming to the dukedom.
Uncertain why this loyalty intensified, Logan found it challenging to address them with his prepared remarks.
“Ahem. Have you all improved at least a little since arrival?”
“Yes, we have!”
“Do you feel it’s been worthwhile coming to the capital?”
“Yes!”
Considering the chaos they had caused at the city gate, Logan thought it wouldn’t be surprising if they wished to dash out to the streets every day.
Yet, contrary to expectations, these knights didn’t take a step outside the estate, seeming almost as addicted to training as Logan himself.
Feeling more confident in their commitment, Logan decided it was time to delegate an important task to them.
“In truth, I have a personal favor to ask.”
“Yes?”
“Will you help me?”
“We’ll do anything you command, Young Master!”
The knights shone with loyalty. However, as Logan’s request extended, their expressions slowly turned complex.
* * *
“Ah, to think that the knights…”
Having barely managed to settle his shipping affairs in the capital, Philip stared slack-jawed at the knights Logan had brought.
“Yes, they’ve all agreed to my ‘request.’ Let me introduce them. This is Henderson, the captain. He will be responsible for your safety.”
“I’m at your service.”
“I am as well, but… is this really…?”
As Philip faltered, Logan continued with a smile.
“This is Digrom. For strategizing, consult this lieutenant.”
“But Young Master, is it really…”
“From here we have Jimmy, Nuez, Lambert, and Kelden.”
“Are you sure it’s wise to deploy the knights this way?”
“I asked them, and they’re all okay with it, right?”
“Yes.”
The knights’ collective voice was quieter than that of an individual, a testament to their unwillingness, but Logan’s next words gave them a glimmer of hope.
“Three months. Until winter sets, you’ll assist with something very important.”
For Philip, the knot of anxiety only tightened.
“There’s no need to worry. It’s just an expansion of last year’s tasks…”
Despite Logan’s reassurance, Philip’s unease only grew.
“Secure as many weapons and mounts as possible before the end of the year, and send them back to our territories, including the timber from the recently acquired Triton County.”
An ominous premonition that was never wrong.
“…What scheme are you plotting now?! These are dangerous times and you’re gathering war supplies. Are you planning to start a war yourself?”
“Ay, do you see me as a warmonger?”
“Then why gather war supplies!”
“Just in case, that’s all.”
“In case of what! Every time you say that, something always…”
About to protest further, Philip swallowed his words, fearing his prediction could become reality. He sighed and gave in, seeing Logan’s unwavering resolve.
“…How much, then?”
“Allocate 30 million gold for it. Do the best you can with that amount.”
“What?!”
Philip’s cry of disbelief didn’t alter Logan’s expression.
After conquering Sylvan without much effort, Logan had become confident.
‘If I could increase the number of crossbow cavalries, I could handle a lesser knight order with just soldiers.’
It was possible to annihilate a small knight order with thousands of soldiers, changing the common understanding of the continent. There was certainly a limit to the number of troops due to maintenance costs of horses and equipment, but it was worth the challenge. Moreover…
‘In the long term, it doesn’t even need to be cavalry. Just training conscripts with crossbows would suffice.’
While he might not reach the prowess of the empire’s crossbow soldiers, he needed to build a comparable force before his rebirth. And this involved amassing resources in peacetime.
But it seemed Philip had other concerns.
“Ah. That’s complicated. Young Master, due to your lack of experience with trading, let me explain. You probably won’t be able to procure even half of what you’re thinking.”
“What?”
“I’m telling you, the moment there’s such demand, prices will skyrocket. Especially horses! Money doesn’t make horses multiply faster or grow overnight!”
“Wha… did I wait too long to act? I thought it would be fine before a war, this is…”
“Before war?! You did say before the war! So you are planning this!”
“No.”
Logan feigned innocence as Philip helplessly quivered with anger.
“Let me explain clearly. 30 million gold. Even if we spent a third each on weapons, horses, and timber at twice the current market rate, prices would still soar to the sky. Especially horses!”
Philip insisted prices would triple.
And to gather such quantities and transport them to Maclaine using the merchants’ guild…
He dreaded the idea too much to continue thinking about it, so he tried to persuade Logan. However…
“Ah… No choice then. So adjust your approach.”
“…?!”
Philip’s argument about the inevitable price spike was futile.
“Why gather such an amount of horses and weapons? We don’t have that many troops! Why are you doing this…?”
Philip was determined to reason with him and stop this madness.
“Basing the purchasing price on twice the current market rate, with an additional 3% commission for any savings made by buying cheaper.”
“I will do my utmost.”
…With a bit of effort, it wasn’t an impossible task.
Ignoring the bewildered gaze of the knights, Philip forced a smile, resolving to do his best.
“Ah, and there are a few other things…”
“So, shall those also earn a bonus?”
“Certainly.”
After all, there’s nothing money can’t solve.
