“Our family matters have recently been entrusted to my son. I am sorry, but it seems you should discuss with this child.”
Fortunately, Patrick found a way in the awkward situation.
Not just with words, the way he stepped a few paces back showed his intent, and the superbeings’ gazes once again gathered on Logan.
“Interesting. For someone his age to already decide on the family’s important matters, it seems he isn’t just powerful in force.”
“A conversation with a young talent is always enjoyable. Logan, it’s a shame we don’t have the time to arrange a separate meeting.”
The two viscounts transitioned their stance as fast as lightning.
Whether it was truly because they needed the Mclaine family or because they were in front of the Sword Saint, from Logan’s perspective, it was good that the superbeings themselves showed such humility.
“Thank you for your words. May I ask the reason for coming to our family?”
“You get straight to the point like a young man. Good.”
“We’re both busy, there’s no need to beat around the bush.”
Eyes clashed fiercely again.
It was confusing whether they wanted to converse with him or just fight among themselves.
As Logan sighed inwardly,
“I’ve heard about the war with Bifrost. You’re well aware that Roger Bifrost supports the Second Prince. Now is your chance to swear loyalty to His Highness Rohiter. You know that the Kairosh family, our allied family, is part of our faction? We’ll support you and your family. To prevent Roger Bifrost from taking any other cunning actions.”
“Why should the neighboring estates quarrel unnecessarily? If you swear loyalty to His Highness Lomain, mediation with Bifrost can be promised, not to mention generous treatment. Surely, it’s better than the remote support of the First Prince’s faction?”
As expected, the two superbeings spewed their speeches, then quickly turned to criticism of each other.
“Are you trying to embrace two warring estates at once? That’s a foolish proposal that will only cause you to betray existing allies.”
“The southwestern areas lack the time for outreach. Who would be foolish enough to fall for such greed-driven empty words?”
A murderous intent flickered simultaneously in the eyes of both superbeings.
Creak-crack.
Once again, the space between the two became distorted as their energies collided, filling the reception room with an eerie noise and hostile atmosphere.
Of course, the hostility did not last long.
“What are you doing now!”
“Cough.”
“Gulp.”
A commanding voice broke through the palpable murderous aura.
Then, as the superbeings glowered at each other, they could only continue to cough awkwardly away from the Sword Saint’s glare.
“It’s still the same shameful acts. So now, forgetting about dignity, you directly engage in factional play? Even targeting my disciple?”
“Your Excellency, it isn’t because he is your disciple. It’s a proposal for the Mclaine family.”
“Yes, Your Excellency. We have no intention of disturbing your brightness. We merely wish to discuss the future with the Mclaine estate.”
“The way you both say that, it’s as if you get along well in this regard. Unrelated to me? Can you assure there isn’t even a speck of such thought?”
“We swear it.”
“Me too.”
“Good. That’s how it should be. Even if my disciple accepts one of your proposals, I won’t intervene in factional disputes. Even if this child dies.”
The finality in the Sword Saint’s voice made the superbeings’ eyes shine momentarily.
“…What do you mean by that?”
“I’ll no longer involve myself in factional fights.”
“Huh? Your Excellency, if that’s so?”
“I swear on my honor. So discard any thoughts of provoking me through this child or anyone else.”
The Sword Saint informed the two superbeings the conclusion he’d reached from his study—a declaration of neutrality was a fitting response for both.
Logan couldn’t help but smile, but the complex look on the superbeings’ faces revealed their feelings.
Nonetheless, their ultimate response was the same.
“We will communicate Your Excellency’s intentions to the princes. We shall confine our discussion with the Mclaine family.”
“Same here.”
“Haha, you lot… Your family seems to have become quite the enticing prey. Congratulations, my disciple. What will you do?”
The Sword Saint revealed his discomfort, asking Logan for his decision.
“I’m not sure. This talk has been so sudden…”
While the superbeings’ presence was unexpected, the approach from the factions had been anticipated.
But Logan appeared troubled.
“If you’re concerned about what that blockhead said, don’t worry. If you swear loyalty, as soon as the state funeral ends, the Calia Knights will be dispatched to your family, and Bifrost’s threat will be taken care of easily.”
“How preposterous. Do you think I’ll just remain idle? Disciple of the Sword Saint, choose wisely. Wouldn’t it be better to live peacefully with your close neighbors?”
Whether it was persuasion or a threat, Luter Kyle’s words were almost threatening.
‘But it’s also reality.’
The territory of the Kyle family, centered around the trade city of Kyle, was directly north of Bifrost.
Given the proximity, they could indeed exert influence over them, with Tomodo Castle currently occupied by Mclaine all the more possible.
Of course, regardless, Logan had no intention of joining any faction.
At least for now.
‘It would start a civil war centered around our estate. It would be suicidal.’
A war had already broken out before the state funeral, and if the faction members were involved, any excuse would be good for them.
Even if they reluctantly reconciled with Bifrost by joining the Second Prince’s faction, Calia could claim they were ignored and invade later.
‘It would be a perfect excuse.’
The helping hands extended to Mclaine were not gestures of peace and reconciliation, but rather like the hands of death pulling them into hell.
“I’m sorry, but… it’s difficult to make a rash decision at this moment. We will keep in mind your kindness and think carefully.”
For now, this was the best course of action.
“Hmm.”
Of course, the viscounts must not have been pleased with the response.
Superbeings, aura users, came in person to visit the lord of a rural estate, and all they got was a ‘we will think about it’.
Fortunately, the situation favored Logan.
‘It must be because of him.’
The fact that both the viscounts watched each other’s faces grimace indicated that they were on the same page.
Moreover, the host’s reprimand carried weight.
“Right. The better answer is not to step into a quagmire. It seems matters are settled; you may both leave now.”
After a moment that felt long but short, the first to move was Wickan Calia.
“It’s not bad to be cautious given the circumstances, but I hope that this contemplation leads to the right decision. Until next time.”
The send-off was like an empty formality, but Logan responded with a smile.
Only after he had completely disappeared from view did Luter Kyle rise up with a fierce grin.
“Mclaine might actually be lucky. Had you attacked Bifrost after this matter, the Second Prince would have seen it as a challenge, and you wouldn’t even have the chance for a negotiation like this. Think carefully.”
‘Yes, that’s why I attacked before.’
That’s why, knowing it was a gamble, Logan had chosen to attack Tomodo Castle in Bifrost and not the Pheretta territory.
Attacking Bifrost was an essential event that must occur for Logan’s long-term plan to shake the foundation of the Second Prince’s faction.
Between Mclaine and Bifrost, there had always been a long-standing conflict, so the pretext could always be brought up.
But as Luter Kyle mentioned, the window for this was only right before the civil war, that is, when the death of the king occurred.
“I am thankful that’s the case.”
Therefore, Logan could dismiss Luter Kyle’s veiled threat with a smile.
But another person who had been listening alongside them couldn’t do the same.
“Are you threatening my disciple before me? Luter, it seems you’ve already forgotten the lessons from the past.”
Thud.
With a serious look, the Sword Saint stepped forward, and a chilling aura surged from his body.
The pressure was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed to crush Luter Kyle’s massive frame in half.
“Ugh!”
Although Kyle’s enormous body emitted a powerful force in response, the Sword Saint’s presence ignored it and continued to press down hard.
“Je, I would never dare. Not at all, Your Excellency. It was fortunate that we can get along nicely now.”
As he laughed with sweat beading on his forehead, the giant waved his large hand.
But the person who truly suffered was the one caught in the middle—Logan.
‘Ugh!’
When his master’s aura struck from behind, it felt like a brutal wind brushing past.
But the moment that wind hit the rock-like energy and created a counterforce,
The combination of the ferocious storm and the weight of the huge rock on both sides seemed to crush his body completely.
That’s right. It must be an illusion, Logan thought…
Drip-drip.
Just standing there made sweat pour out like a waterfall, with his energy draining away.
‘Uhh.’
He couldn’t just collapse pathetically.
However, trying to stand and withstand the pressure made it impossible to even open his mouth to speak.
Fortunately, the standoff did not last long.
“Shameless! If not for your thick skin… Get lost!”
“Excuse us, Your Excellency. And student, ah, Logan, was it? Until we meet again.”
As Luter Kyle laughed, drenched in cold sweat, he glanced at Logan interestingly before bowing his giant frame and stepping out the smaller door.
Only then did Logan collapse, exhausted on the spot.
‘To be this drained by mere presence…’
Despite defeating the top-class knight Aslan in an arguably unfair fight, Logan had thought he’d grown considerably stronger.
Of course, he never deluded himself into thinking he could beat an aura user. Still, he had hoped to at least stand against a superbeing for a few rounds.
But this brief confrontation between his master and Luter Kyle and his position in the midst, made him instantly realize the tremendous mistake in his thinking.
‘If I faced them on the battlefield now, it would be the end for me. No wonder they are called tactical weapons.’
Aura users were on a different level from top-class knights.
This was a hard fact known in mind, but now deeply felt in heart.
While letting out a sigh of relief, his master’s voice reached his ears.
“Foolish. Why did you force yourself to stand? You wouldn’t have been criticized for rolling away to avoid it.”
The concern hidden in the rebuke brought a smile to Logan’s face after the sigh.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“First, get your trembling legs under control before you say such things, you fool. Tsk tsk. But what will you do now?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you plan on getting involved in the faction fights? Seeing you didn’t flatly refuse.”
Was the light in his master’s blue eyes worry or reproof?
Logan calmly shared his true feelings.
“I have no intention of joining any faction right now.”
“Not yet?”
“It’s possible if needed. I apologize, but we lack the strength to uphold ideals as nobly as you do right now.”
“The will to pursue ideals isn’t born from power… Ah, no, right. I won’t waste words on that. But…”
“I will do my best to uphold at least the basic principles, no matter which path I take.”
Logan swiftly replied, catching on to his master’s intentions.
Seeing this, the Sword Saint could only chuckle wryly and nod in acceptance.
“…Alright. That’s enough for now.”
His beliefs were his own to hold, not to be forced upon another.
‘Even if it’s my only disciple.’
If his beliefs were truly right, those who wanted to learn from him would also choose to follow those beliefs.
Still, there was one nagging thought.
“Baron. Were you truly planning to remain silent? Your son could have made a wrong choice?”
“My son is exceptional. The current Mclaine family is practically his creation. Whatever the outcome, I was ready to respect Logan’s decisions.”
“Logan is still young. Don’t you think you’ve given him too heavy a burden?”
“Preparations are underway to lighten that burden. They will continue in the future.”
Despite sounding almost like a scolding, the baron’s red eyes, imitating his son’s, did not waver.
“…Very well.”
The Sword Saint found the father of his cherished disciple quite to his liking as well.
The shock of his master’s abrupt death had softened somewhat.
For the first time in a week, the Sword Saint allowed himself a faint smile.
* * *
– I will not involve myself in factional strife.
The shockwaves from the Sword Saint’s declaration of neutrality were surprisingly minimal.
The focus of both factions had always been on each other, and from their perspective, they had simply lost a large obstacle between them.
Very few saw significance in the fact that it distanced the Sword Saint and the Third Prince from the public eye.
However, it naturally intensified the feud between the two factions.
It led to numerous disturbances in the capital daily, filling the news with more and more noisy events due to the amplified sense of unrest.
And in this moment, when everyone’s unease was palpably felt,
The state funeral finally began.
– May the king rest in peace!
In front of the inner sanctum of the palace.
With the shout from the royal guard, the doors of the inner sanctum opened; a grand coffin, adorned with the banner of the phoenix, emerged slowly, carried by sixteen pallbearers.
Passing slowly through the upright swords of the lined-up royal guards, the coffin was placed on the platform in the courtyard of the inner sanctum.
Thud.
– The servant of the nine great gods, the representative of the deities who watch over the world, Archbishop Pamiel Gernheim, arrives.
Another door opened to the outer sanctum of the palace, allowing a group from outside to enter.
First, the priests in white robes lined up in two rows and moved swiftly to form a line up to the coffin, bowing to one another.
Then, in the midst of them, a man walked in robes adorned with delicate gold, not flashy, but many times longer than his head, Archbishop Pamiel Gernheim.
Although his appearance may not seem impressive compared to his fine clothes, this man is, in a sense, of higher status than the king of the kingdom himself.
He was the chief priest of all nine temples of the great gods in the Kingdom of Grandia and the archbishop of Aion, the god of water and agriculture, the first among the nine gods.
Excluding the Pope and the Holy Maiden, he was the highest-ranking priest in the temple.
The true significance of the state funeral began with the arrival of Archbishop Pamiel standing before the king’s coffin, with the priests lined up in front.
Yet the movement of the nobles that occurred right after the start of this solemn ceremony was enough to even shake the firm gaze of the archbishop.