Note: The Novel Will Be Corrected Until Chapter 105, After That Chapter It Will Be All MTL
C88 - 89 - 90
Chapter 88
One day, amid the whirlwind of reading military training reports, Logan was caught off guard by a sudden question from Patrick.
“Do you two meet separately?”
“Excuse me?”
“Mm. I can tell the lady knight is sincere about the knight order training, and I know you’re busy. But you are engaged, albeit not formally. It seems like you only ever deal with business at arm’s length.”
“Ah… Haha. Yes, that’s true. I should visit her once things settle down…”
Logan stammered a response, his gaze shifting back to his desk. But his father wouldn’t let it slide.
“No matter how much work I’ve loaded onto you, I don’t want to obstruct your youth. I’ll handle things today. Go and rest.”
“Excuse me?”
“Spend some time with Lady Eileen. She has the day off too.”
“…Father, that’s…”
“Stop making excuses. You’re engaged because you like each other. Now, off you go!”
Patrick shooed him out and closed the door firmly.
Logan stared blankly at the closed door before sighing softly.
The civil war loomed near, leaving little time for idle dates, but his father’s stubbornness seemed to demand at least one day’s respite.
Logan’s steps were lighter than he realized as he turned away, unaware of his own buoyancy.
* * *
“Lady!”
“I told you not to wake me! I’m one with the bed today!”
Eileen rebuffed Lyla as she entered the room, burying herself deeper in the bedding.
Yet Lyla wouldn’t back down.
“You can’t stay in bed! Young Master Logan has come to see you!”
“What?!”
The sudden announcement jolted her alert, dismissing the heaviness of sleep, and Eileen sat up sharply.
“Why would Logan come?!”
“Oh my, Lady! It’s obvious – it’s a date! All this time I’ve worried why he hasn’t come to see you!”
The blunt reply flushed Eileen’s cheeks.
‘A date?’
She’d fended off several suitors before, thinking she’d have no more romantic connections in life.
Caught off guard, no rational thoughts came to her.
“Don’t just sit there! Go wash up! I’ve prepared bathwater!”
“Oh, alright.”
“And leave dressing to me. Finally, we’ll put that dress to use.”
“The dress?”
“What, did you plan to wear armor on your date? Hurry to the bath!”
Pushed by Lyla’s strange forcefulness, Eileen resignedly retreated to the bathroom.
It was three hours later when Logan finally met Eileen.
“I’m so sorry for the delay, Young Master. Did you wait long?”
“It’s alright…”
As Logan turned at the sound of her voice, Eileen’s appearance struck him speechless.
The thick shawl draped casually over her exposed shoulders, a floral dress accentuating her waistline, elegantly flowing. Amethyst necklace and matching earrings complemented her red hair, enhancing her already beautiful features.
‘Huh…’
Since their arranged meeting, Logan had never seen Eileen so well-dressed, and he momentarily froze.
When he just stared without a word, Eileen’s face clouded over.
“Is something… off? This outfit is a bit uncomfortable…”
“No, not at all.”
“Excuse me?”
“I was merely surprised by the unexpected sight, my lady. You look beautiful. Truly beautiful.”
His candid praise brought a gentle smile to Eileen’s face, and Logan, too, allowed himself a small smile, though his subsequent words were ill-suited.
“Aren’t you cold? In the middle of winter, just one shawl seems a bit…”
“No! It’s, it’s enough!”
Her smile tightened as she abruptly turned away.
The arrival of a lavish four-horse carriage that was a rare sight in MacLaine drew the villagers’ attention.
“What’s with the carriage?”
“It must be the lord’s carriage.”
“But there’s no family crest…”
“I know! I saw that visiting the High Lord’s fiancée…”
The people murmured from a distance, and over Eileen’s shoulder, she could now feel the warmth of Logan’s red cape in the carriage.
“It seems we don’t have a town tour since you arrived. It’s cold outside, even in the carriage. Shall we go in and have tea?”
The snowfall was picturesque but hardly inviting for a stroll in her light dress and shawl, now covered by a cloak.
Yet Eileen was resolute.
“No, I’m fine. Really.”
Logan, cheeks flushed a healthy hue, looked untroubled – Force users could handle a bit of cold, after all.
He smiled and spoke.
“Then, let us proceed. I’ll guide you to each place.”
“Over there is the sewage system. Don’t go too close – it disposes of household waste naturally.”
“It smells far less than in Grang. I had thought it was because it’s new.”
“On the contrary, the sewage will smell more. But certainly, the public health is much better.”
“Indeed, many people seem happy.”
Eileen observed the villagers, not unlike the common people in Grang, though these seemed cleaner somehow, with light smiles.
Apart from that…
‘Is this a date?’
The thought kept nagging at her.
“If circumstances allowed…”
Listening to him speak passionately felt detached.
She pondered if simply a guide would’ve sufficed. The cloak was warm, but so was her heart chilling.
Then dissatisfaction settled in, startling her with its presence.
‘How foolish…’
To expect anything from an arrangement fostered by mutual benefit.
Embarrassed, she clutched the cape around her shoulders. Logan, noticing her discomfort, hesitated.
“Are you not enjoying this…? Sorry. This is all I know to do…”
“No, not at all! I find the town fascinating, and… well…”
Her embarrassment was palpable, and Logan’s expression stiffened. They were equally unsettled.
Logan, who in a past life had only known gruff female mercenaries or empire knightesses who targeted his life, struggled for words.
‘Such companions, if you could say that.’
A rueful smile crossed his face at his limited experience, unable to find a fitting response to Eileen’s downcast look.
“What if we just go for a ride instead? It might be more fun than this stifling carriage.”
To an elaborately dressed lady, it was an odd suggestion.
Yet surprisingly, she responded with eagerness.
* * *
“Let’s race to that hill’s foot! The loser grants a wish – no, a request!”
“What? Start!”
With Eileen setting off headlong after hastily spoken words, Logan took a moment to follow.
She muttered about her discomfort, feeling freer in simple practice gear than her exquisite dress.
The rush of the ride was intoxicating, filling her with joy.
Then, a bold voice interrupted.
“Excuse me!”
A golden streak of Force-enhanced speed whizzed past Eileen.
‘Really, Force?’
Caught in disbelief and amusement, she yelled indignantly and gave chase – but now, it was Logan’s subtle fleeting scent that lingered in her heart, bringing a persistent, radiant smile to her face.
“Ho, ho! I won, fair and square, yes?”
“Using the Force, that’s cheating!”
“No rule against it, Lady.”
Logan’s shameless expression finally broke through Eileen’s reluctance, and together they shared a genuine laugh.
“What’s your request?”
“Let’s have dinner.”
“That’s it?!”
“A winner’s request.”
“You had something in mind after all, didn’t you?”
“Not exactly…”
Their banter continued, and the plans for a city-prepared meal shifted to a picnic, thanks to Lyla’s efforts. The food was unexpectedly delightful.
Their rides became frequent, an almost everyday sight. Logan and Eileen, seizing their breaks from the knight order trainings, would surge through the MacLaine lands, their camaraderie deepening.
Soon enough, they paused at the outskirts of MacLaine Castle, far from town.
“We should turn back; the soldiers are training ahead.”
“Why not observe?”
“If you wish.”
And so, they watched the impressive drills of a thousand crossbow horsemen, commanded by the master tactician, Kai. The flawlessness of the regiment moved Eileen, and Logan could only humbly acknowledge his part in their creation.
“Amazing. They could challenge any knight.”
“That’s the purpose,” Logan confessed, details of his inventions and MacLaine’s prosperity fueling Eileen’s admiration. Despite the remarkable triumphs, there was a relentless tension in him, an inexplicable drive to push on – and she wondered what spurred him.
The image of him laughing carefree contrasted sharply with his tireless striving.
Perhaps she was becoming curious about the man behind the gallant facade, desiring to see smiles rather than burdens…
‘No, that’s not it,’ she wavered, then grasped, “Forgive my question. Shall we return? I’ll treat you to a splendid dinner.”
The splendid dinner she promised would be a task for the ever-diligent Lyla. And so Eileen’s generous offer, on behalf of Lyla’s discontent at the casual attire replacing the beautiful dress, would have to wait. Their postponed engagements continued as their shared rides across MacLaine became a new routine.
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Chapter 89: The Merchant’s Arrival
Kukung! The carriage, laden with heavy items, passed through the entrance of the town, making a hefty rumble along the main road. There weren’t many carriages, but the Heaviness of the goods they carried was evident from the strained yet dynamic movements of the horses pulling them. The person leading this small procession appeared to be a merchant new to Maclaine Town, constantly looking around, taking in his surroundings with obvious curiosity. The local residents watched with amused smiles on their faces.
Maclaine Town hasn’t been established for long, and its market was only just beginning to thrive. It had started to attract merchants spurred by rumors of opportunity, their actions much like those of this one. To the citizens who were directly witnessing the growth of their town, the reactions of these outsiders instilled a sense of strange pride within them.
“Keep going straight down this road and you’ll reach the lord’s manor. That’s where you need to take your goods,” a soldier helpfully directed the merchant.
“Yes, yes, I’m aware. Thank you,” Merchant Jansen replied, nodding and bowing repeatedly as he slowly guided his horse forward.
“Hmm. It seems even this little corner of the world is finally getting a proper market,” he muttered to himself.
The consumption patterns of people living disperse in villages significantly differed from those living together in a city. Even a farmer who once manufactured most of what was needed would turn to purchasing cheap mass-produced goods when living in a city. As the market began to grow, it wasn’t just essentials but also luxury goods that started to be sold. From the merchant’s perspective, now was the ideal time to invest in Maclaine Town.
Moreover, the fact that a place bustling with so many people had such low weaponry purchases meant it was secure and peaceful. This pleased Jansen. After delivering his goods, he planned to stay in town for a while to figure out the local demands without realizing that many other merchants like him were becoming regulars in Maclaine Town.
“Again? More timber for storage?” a voice exclaimed.
“Yes. It looks like we’ll need another warehouse.”
“Why do we have to keep building them? We’ve exceeded the soldiers’ supplies long ago!”
“Curious?”
Hammar, intently complaining, was shocked by the chilling voice that sounded like it belonged to a devil, and he turned around abruptly.
“Oh, no, I was just wondering why we need to make so many excess weapons. It seems like a waste of manpower and materials… Haha.”
“The day we’ll need them will come. Just get them made.”
“Right, of course. Let’s hurry, everyone. Let’s keep producing until every citizen can shoot a crossbow.”
Hammar’s words were an attempt at a subtle rebellion masked by humor.
Yes. Not all, but a part of them…
Even though it wasn’t immediate, it was something that had to be executed eventually. Logan, considering this, watched with a stern expression as the crossbows and cartridges were continuously produced and stored in the warehouse.
‘We’ve also adequately stocked up on supplies.’
With different names listed as consignees, resources continued to flow into town little by little. Whether it was arms, timber, or horses, merchants carried small batches, each remembering their trade partners under various names. While it was uncertain how long this trickery could last, it seemed very efficient for the time being.
“Philip’s doing a good job.”
Logan mumbled his praise almost subconsciously as he nodded his head slightly.
The subject of his praise soon arrived in Maclaine Town.
“Wow, this place looks more impressive than I expected.”
“What were you expecting? Your surprise at the entrance is nothing compared to what you’ll find inside,” replied Henderson nonchalantly to Philip’s exclamation.
Philip and the escort knights had grown quite close over the past few months. The hectic schedule that took them all over the country and encounters with bandits along the way had fortified their bond. This worried Henderson a bit.
“But, are you sure it’s okay to be back now? You haven’t even spent all the money, right?”
“No matter how many different names I used, we’ve bought too much already. Merchants are catching on, causing the prices to soar. Buying now would make us suckers.”
“Still, the young lord might…”
“Oh come on, he’s not that foolish to not understand,” Philip reassured the knights, full of confidence.
After enjoying their visit to the town, they finally arrived at the lord’s residence and faced Logan.
“Why are you back already… Ah, I see. Can’t be helped then. You did well.”
“I knew you would understand!”
“What did you expect? As long as we’re sufficiently prepared, it’s fine.”
“Ha, as expected of the young lord! Then, about the bonus calculation…”
“Of course, as promised.”
“Thank you!”
Philip couldn’t help but grin widely at this.
While the reason Philip returned so quickly, the skyrocketing market prices, wasn’t entirely a lie, there was more to the story.
‘There’s no need to pay extra and reduce the bonus.’
His greed played a significant role in the situation.
And then:
“If we haven’t spent 30% of the allocated funds, we should add that amount to the total purchase cost.”
“Wait, Lord Logan, hold on a second…!”
“I told you to buy as much as you could. I never said anything about maximizing efficiency, did I?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Let’s see, adding 30% to the difference calculates to… Oh, it’s still a decent amount? A bonus of fifteen thousand… Ah, I’m feeling generous. Let’s make it fifteen thousand gold. You’ve earned it.”
Thud.
Fifteen thousand gold was an undeniably substantial sum.
Yet, Philip sat down heavily, stunned by the bonus that was nearly 1/20th of what he had expected.
Sensing Philip’s dismay, Logan spoke to him, “Let’s keep matters simple. It’s not about achieving maximum efficiency, it’s about whether we reached the outcome. Got it?”
“Oh…”
Would Philip even hear whatever Logan said? His grey eyes stared emptily into the void.
“Well, though… I was thinking of giving you a discretionary bonus on top of our agreement… But you don’t seem happy about it. Should I not?”
“Who said I wasn’t happy?!”
That single sentence brought life back into Philip’s face. This change strikingly illustrated the fickle nature of the human heart.
With genuine happiness for the extra ten thousand gold yet feeling slightly pathetic, Philip’s thoughts ran wild:
‘So what if it’s pitiful? The game’s not over yet!’
‘I love money!’
Philip Claude, 27, fully embraced his greed—a trait which he carried from his previous life as a “money grubber.”
* * *
“Oh, Philip! This is the first time we’re seeing each other in person.”
“That’s true, Lord Dwayne. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“There’s no need for introductions, which is nice. Dwayne, handle these administrative tasks for a bit. Weren’t you short on staff?”
Pleased at the suggestion, Dwayne nodded his head in agreement.
Maclaine’s domain had expanded to include two new castles, not to mention the newly established Maclaine Town. However, the number of administrative officials available to manage them had only marginally increased. Many of the administrators from Teslon and Sylvan were unsuitable due to their previous roles under a tyrant lord, squeezing the locals for every penny.
It was clear why additional assistance would be most welcome.
“Absolutely! But aren’t trading and administration slightly different fields…?”
“When it comes to money matters, I’m confident in anything!”
“…Well, that’s great enthusiasm.”
Why is he acting like this?
Dwayne squinted skeptically at Philip yet had no way of knowing the agreement between Philip and Logan—that the administrative tasks would be a precondition before Philip could go on his next trading journey.
He reluctantly accepted Philip’s eagerness.
“Lord Lugel. Is this all for the food supplies? If we store them in the warehouse this way, it’ll be cost-effective and prevent spoilage for an extended period.”
“…Ah, really? Thank you.”
“Lord Dwayne, there seems to be a mistake here about the town’s maintenance expenses and staff wages.”
“Oh, I see. Hmm…”
“Lord Peran. The weapons are all well-maintained. However, if you order the maintenance oil from Kalia’s domain instead of Kyle, you can get it for half the price…”
“Ah, the merchant’s expertise shows. Thank you for the advice.”
Philip, brimming with enthusiasm, rapidly cleared out piles of tasks. In all money-related areas, he made slight improvements and identified potential enhancements.
While everyone praised him and expressed admiration, even then, Philip was busy looking for more work, with only one thought in mind:
‘The more I save, the more money I make for myself!’
Logan’s promised bonus wasn’t limited to the trading business.
“Thanks to him, we’re getting through the work much faster. He’s quite an impressive lad.”
“That so? Good.”
“But, young lord…”
“Hmm?”
As Dwayne, who had been lavishing Philip with praise, called out with a serious tone.
“That war you mentioned before… do we really need to do it? Just like this, our domain can…”
“Enough.”
“Young lord…”
“I can’t explain everything, but keep this in mind. There won’t be consistent progress anymore.”
“Excuse me?”
“You either soar high or stagnate and collapse. When there are only two options, you must choose the path that soars, even if it contains risks.”
Logan spoke with unwavering determination, and his gaze was solemn.
“…I guess there’s no stopping you?”
“Correct.”
“Then I’ll support you with all my might.”
“…Such a quick change of stance?”
“Who else would believe in you, young lord, if not me?”
“There are many who would.”
“…”
Having apparently lost the words to reply, Dwayne’s silence was met with a sly smile from Logan.
“Just joking. Thank you for having faith.”
* * *
Maclaine Town was practically festive as it harvested its first yield. With merchants and travelers increasingly visiting from outside, the townspeople could genuinely feel the prosperity of their domain.
However, as winter began to bring colder winds, an indiscernible tension started to hover, especially among soldiers, knights, their families, and acquaintances. It was a time when the increasing intensity of military training began to show tangible results. Despite no official statements from the Maclaine leadership, including its young lord, rumors with a tinge of unease began to spread among the citizens.
At that moment, all of the domain’s managers were gathered in the office.
“The knight order has perfectly adapted to the new training.”
“The specialized training for different branches is also concluding. There shouldn’t be an issue if deployed into actual combat.”
“We’ve finalized the financial statements too. We won’t run into any monetary problems at least until this time next year.”
With all preparations seemingly in place, Logan went to see his father.
Knock, knock.
“It’s Logan.”
“Come in.”
Creeak.
“What’s the matter?”
“There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“Alright, speak.”
“We need to prepare for war.”
“…”
“…”
An ominously direct statement brought silence that hung heavy in the room.
“This isn’t about Bifrost attacking us. Are you suggesting we instigate a war?”
“Yes.”
“So, the recent emphasis on knight training and the pressure you’ve been putting on Heinkeel and Kai isn’t just for the security and strengthening of our territory but…”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm…”
Patrick sank into deep thought for a while after the abrupt conversation. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“Why?”
“If we stay as we are, the domain will fall.”
The ever-expanding Maclaine seemed to be flourishing to outside eyes, yet Logan’s words told a completely different story. Patrick’s face hardened with a grim realization.
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Episode 90
“Don’t you know? We’re only holding back because of our master, but if a little more time passes or there’s the smallest excuse, Roger Bifrost won’t hold back.”
“We can use that time to grow stronger. We’re still inferior to Bifrost. Isn’t that what you said?”
“Yes, but if I were Roger Bifrost, I wouldn’t just wait for us to grow. He’ll create a reason somehow.”
“Right. He probably would.”
Even without knowing the future conflict, it was a natural prediction if one acknowledged the tension with Bifrost. However, my father nodded but wore a slightly shocked expression.
‘…It’s not strange.’
It’s human nature to harbor hopeful expectations for one’s own matters, regardless of intelligence or social standing. It was Logan who was unusual, always thinking about war.
“You must be speaking because you have a plan in mind.”
“Yes.”
With confidence, Logan began to explain his plan. Shortly after:
“It’s a reasonable plan. But what about afterwards? What’s your thought on that?”
“We will endure.”
“What?”
“It’s difficult to provide details at the moment. But trust me. It is certainly possible.”
Patric’s face, which had seemed to lighten a bit at the sound of Logan’s plausible plan, crumpled once again.
“You haven’t told me how to deal with the most dangerous issue. And you say, let’s start a war just like that? Just trust you?”
“Yes.”
“If it were anyone else who had said this, I would’ve thought they were mad and wouldn’t want anything to do with them. In fact, I might’ve taken their head on the spot.”
Despite the grave tone, Logan looked unwaveringly at his father. Sighing deeply, Patric slowly nodded with a heavy look.
“Alright, I must trust you. If I don’t trust you, who will I trust? Let’s do it. But this plan will only be shared among a few until the end.”
“Of course.”
It wasn’t because of a particularly ingenious strategy. To protect the morale and spirit of our forces, the father and son decided to conceal this seemingly hapless tactic until just before the war.
“When is the time? When do you plan for it?”
“It’s not far off. We must start on the day the next full moon rises.”
Patric tilted his head at his son’s words. The son seemed like he had fixed the date as if he knew it from someone else.
“Only about 20 days left. But why does it have to be on that day?”
“Yes.”
“Does it relate to the plan you mentioned earlier?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, we must prepare. Even if it’s rushed, the forces should be ready by now.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“I should be the one to thank you. You’ve opened my eyes to my complacency.”
The discussion of a dangerous future ended, and with it, the conversation between father and son.
“I’ll call a knight’s meeting tomorrow. Be ready.”
“Yes.”
War was once again on our doorstep.
The next day.
By order of Lord Macline, the vassals gathered at the lord’s manor.
The newly built manor in the town, although smaller than the grand hall in Macline Castle, was more than enough for the assembly of fewer than 40 people.
It lacked the splendor of the old grand hall but was built with ironwood; a modest and clean space, it provided a more comfortable atmosphere for discussions. Yet, the expressions of the eight administrative officers and twenty-four guards who had been with old Macline Castle were not bright.
“An all-out call…”
“There really must be something going on.”
“It shouldn’t be anything serious.”
The groundless rumors spreading through the domain were starting to take shape and circulate among the people.
Something had happened to the Lord’s family.
They started construction more extensive than in previous years during winter.
Taxes will go up as much as before.
From the perspective of domain citizens who, for the first time under Macline, were preparing for a warm winter, it was hard not to be anxious.
Yet the most worrying rumor among the majority of the domain’s citizens was this:
A war was about to break out.
Just as things were finally settling down and becoming livable.
No one in Macline wanted the worst-case scenario—a war.
However, while the administrative officers might have been unaware, the increasingly harsh nature of their training had already made the knights suspect.
So, when the lord finally revealed his intent shortly after appearing, no one was particularly shocked.
“We start a war with Fereta this winter.”
Of course, excluding Dwayne, the faces of the administrative officers looked as if they had been struck by a thunderbolt.
“A war, you say?!”
“That’s ridiculous! A war at this time!”
“What, without any declaration of war from them, we start a war?!”
Rugel Hice, with his scalp burning red, jumped up in outrage.
“Oh, no wonder there’s been so much armor coming in.”
Feran Doyle, shaking his plump cheeks, clutched his head.
The knights, somewhat prepared, calmly voiced their objections.
“If we strike at Fereta, Bifrost will not sit idly by.”
“That’s right. We need to consider Bifrost in the background. Our domain is not yet powerful enough to handle Bifrost.”
“We need either allies or assurances that Bifrost won’t move.”
But Patric looked unfazed, turning his gaze to his son beside him.
Catching the cue, Logan stepped forward.
“The will of the house is decided. This is an announcement. Summoning you here isn’t to hear your opinions.”
His sonorous voice echoed, suppressing the vassals’ retorts with his authoritative presence.
“This gathering is to carry out the upcoming war as effectively as possible. Speak of ways to prepare for war. I will not entertain dissent.”
In short, it meant ‘follow blindly.’ It was an outrageous action that belied the term ‘vassal meeting,’ yet no one dared voice opposition.
The feudal hierarchy in Macline was quite strict compared to other noble families.
‘That is advantageous now.’
As Logan thought this with a slight smile.
“Is this the Crown Prince’s thinking?”
“If so, well…”
“There must be a plan.”
“He’s not one to act rashly, after all.”
The atmosphere, rather than stiffening, became warmer and full of trustful gazes.
‘What’s with this… ‘
Confounded by this unexpected turn, Logan was surprised when his father’s declaration reinforced the situation.
“As you have surmised, this war is Logan’s idea. Naturally, the Crown Prince will lead it. Any objections?”
Logan looked back, perplexed, but—
“No objections!”
“We will follow!”
“Command us!”
The voices poured out.
When they first entered the grand hall, their faces had been anxious, but now almost all had brightened.
‘This easy?’
Logan wore a blank expression, dumbstruck, but Patric whispered to him in a low voice.
“How does it feel, Logan?”
“Pardon?”
“This is the result of your actions. Are you not proud?”
At those words, Logan took another look at the faces of the vassals.
Heinkel, who had looked somewhat worried, nodded vigorously when their eyes met.
Dwayne, who had been a strong supporter of his words, gave an inappropriate wink along with a thumbs up.
The bald Rugel, chubby Feran, and the surprisingly thin Lupen, who Logan didn’t recognize.
Henderson and the rest of the knights as well.
They all looked at him with trust-filled eyes.
“While worrying, if it’s the Crown Prince’s consideration—”
“We trust you, Crown Prince.”
“Show us another miracle.”
Overwhelmed, Logan briefly lost his words, unable to speak, his heart aching with emotion. Finally, with sincere intent, wanting to turn his desires into reality, he declared:
“Of course! This time, too, I will show you a definite result!”
“Wow…!”
“Trust me! With this war, Macline will soar once again!”
Logan’s declaration lifted the spirits of the vassals.
“Prepare for war!”
The Lord’s affirmation echoed, and in that moment—
“We will follow your command!”
The roar in unison almost shattering the walls of the grand hall.
* * *
The moon rose high that night.
As always, Logan sat in meditation in his room, but unable to concentrate, he quietly relaxed his posture and stood up. The soft moonlight and starlight peacefully illuminated Macline Town outside his window. He could occasionally hear faint sounds of laughter.
This serenely peaceful scene inexplicably filled him with unease.
‘Couldn’t we continue to grow without taking risks and still sustain the house?’
Even though he had examined and resolved this many times, his anxiety surfaced again. The upcoming war carried a heavy burden of danger. One wrong step could plunge the house into the abyss. It was natural for worries to arise.
Logan pulled out the records he had made shortly after his return, which he had inspected countless times. The most important day to remember, and for the current situation, was the day the king died.
Despite being decades ago, it seemed unlikely he was mistaken, as it was an easy date to remember.
‘The last day of this year.’
That day, the king’s death will be announced.
But his anxiety didn’t ebb easily.
‘What if, like with the domain war against Tesron, something unknown to me shifts the timeline? What if I really misremembered the date? What if we’re underprepared?’
He worried about betraying the absolute trust the vassals had shown during the day. The anxiety grew, trailing thought after thought.
But the conclusion was clear.
‘We must do it.’
If we don’t seize this chance to rise, even if we grow quickly, we’ll hardly have the influence of a third-rate lord in the 8 years when the imperial war breaks out.
We’d have to abandon this land bequeathed through generations, abandon the country, and perhaps migrate en masse to that detestable empire.
“I must succeed, no matter what!”
Logan voiced his determination, banishing the creeping anxiety.
‘Whatever happens.’
Wishing the cold moonlight to carve out his weaknesses, Logan stood there gazing at the sky for a long time.
Two weeks later, nearing the year’s end and just 3 days left, the declaration came.
“Advance!”
As Logan gave the order, Macline’s army moved out.
152 knights.
A total of 2,532 soldiers, including 1,000 crossbow-cavalry (squires included) and 1,532 infantrymen. Even those from Silvan who defected were mobilized.
All of Macline’s forces except those needed to maintain minimal public order were heading west.
Even infantrymen who could hardly ride horses were mounted behind their comrades. The army, almost devoid of provisions, was laden with the maximum possible weapons and equipment. It was the same as the battle for Silvan territory, just larger in scale—a determined charge for a swift war.
And the declaration of war delivered to Fereta.
– We will hold you accountable for the insult 6 months ago.
A storm once again began in the kingdom’s southwestern part.
* * *
Fereta territory was turned upside down by Macline’s sudden declaration of war.
“Send word to Bifrost! The Maclines have gone mad!”
Max Fereta shouted hoarsely, his face pale.
“Let Flan Castle fall and concentrate all forces at the main castle! We must hold on until Bifrost arrives!”
Since Silvan’s effortless fall, Max Fereta had analyzed the battle countless times. He realized Maline’s previous attack on Silvan instead of himself was sheer luck.
Thus, he valued the envoy Rihalt, who dissuaded him at the time, far more than before.
However, with Macline igniting conflict despite Bifrost’s warning, Fereta realized that all his fortune might just be a matter of time.
Especially upon learning Macline was bypassing Flan Castle and advancing on the main castle, his last bit of reason vanished.
“Conscripts! Round up the conscripts too! They must at least deplete that damned rain of arrows!”
Following the ruthless command, every village resident near Fereta castle was forcibly drafted.
Indiscriminate mobilization with no distinction between young and old. Every able-bodied man was press-ganged and herded to the castle.
Fereta Castle and its surroundings trembled in terror at the sudden emergence of a state of emergency invoked by Macline’s advance.