Chapter 186

Words : 1269 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Chapter 186 “Is this really okay as it is?” “We have no other choice. I must be honest with you.” “Yes, I suppose so. But then how you think His Majesty will react...” As concern filled the master’s aged face, Logan intuited there was more trouble on the horizon. Not wanting to pry into matters in this situation, Logan took a deep breath and stood in front of the office door. At Logan’s nod, the knight guarding the door announced their arrival loudly. “Duke Felix Esperanza and Count Logan McLain have arrived.” – Let them in. Creak. The door opened with a familiar voice. The king’s stern expression came into view immediately. Logan sighed inwardly and stepped forward with determination, kneeling down. “Forgive us, Your Majesty. Although we have captured some of the assassins, they all took their own lives before we could learn their affiliations and those behind them.” The king sighed in response. “Just as I thought...” Logan’s eyebrows twitched involuntarily. ‘Is he suspecting me?’ It was an unpleasant thought, even if expected. But then. “It means they were thoroughly prepared. There’s no wonder you couldn’t find it. Well done, Logan.” An unexpected response came from the king. “...Excuse me?” Taken aback by the surprise, Logan couldn’t hide his astonishment. However, the king was now smiling at Logan, unlike before. Moreover, “I might have come across a bit irritable after all the troubles we’ve faced. Please forgive this inadequate ruler, Lord Logan. If I cannot trust you, then whom can I trust?” At the moment when the king, having risen from his seat, approached Logan and patted his shoulder, The Sword Master, standing behind Logan, looked visibly brightened. “Your Majesty...!” Yet Logan couldn’t smile like his master. Although the king was smiling at him, his eyes remained completely still. It was an eerie discrepancy that Logan felt, an act he was all too familiar with from his previous life as a freedom fighter, concealing his own identity. ‘An act...’ A chilling feeling crept into Logan’s heart, but he couldn’t show it. Logan managed a similar smile and bowed his head. “Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty.” “Ha-ha-ha. It’s only natural. No need to thank me for such. Perhaps our estranged relations were due to the distance we’ve kept. Let’s take this chance to grow closer.” “...Pardon?” “Let them in!” An abrupt order from the king. With the command, court ladies carrying all sorts of foods and drinks entered as if they had been waiting. Logan, unable to hide his confusion, cringed slightly. “Your Majesty, to do this at such an hour...” “Oh, Duke. It’s unnecessary to intervene today. This is a reconciliation between Lord Logan and me. Come and have a drink too.” Even the Sword Master’s attempt to dissuade him couldn’t stop the king’s benevolent face. And so began a most unexpected midday drinking session in the king’s office for Logan. “Ha-ha. Cleo, bring more wine.” “Your Majesty, you’ve had enough.” “On such a fine day, when are we to drink if not now? Bring more! But this Flamma seems to taste a bit different, doesn’t it?” “The taste of the noble wine changes slightly depending on the brewing time and the accompanying food...” “Is that so? Ha-ha. I’m learning so much. Enjoy freely, Lord Logan. I shall fill your cup as an apology.” Ha-ha, Logan laughed at the awkwardly pleasant gathering, which now included even the usually stoic Sword Master with a broad grin. The drinking affair that started in broad daylight continued until the sunset viewable from the castle windows. “That’s why I want you to lead this organization.” Dermian, within the communication orb, agreed mechanically at first but then was utterly surprised. [My lord, why would I be suited for...?] “It’s because you’ve been helpful in the recent event, and you seem to have the talent.” In his past life, he knew Dermian had been exceptionally good at it. ...Instead of saying that, he attached a plausible excuse. [It was just a small idea that came to mind.] Of course, the excuse was not without basis. Logan remembered the recent reports and smiled. “Not only that. Weren’t you the one who established a periodic reporting system in the McLain domain near the castles to build a network?” Fortunately, the Evil Brain from his past life had already begun to exhibit his talents in his current life. It seemed he just lacked the confidence he once had. [But... but that was merely a small trick to quickly spread news throughout the domain.] “That’s fine. Right now, I need that trick. Expand it nationwide, or even to the empire if possible, discreetly, of course.” [My... that seems too much to ask of me, my lord.] “Triple the monthly salary.” [...Where do I start?] Heh. If he lacks confidence, filling it with ambition should do. “You’ll learn the ropes at the houses of Duke Esperanza and Count Floyd. Start there and then apply what you’ve learned to the system you’ll create. And focus on the royal palace’s information network.” [Understood. So, shall I head to the capital immediately?] “Yes.” Since the king suspects me, I can’t simply return to my territory without doing anything. Never again will I be caught off guard so foolishly. ‘At least before leaving for my domain, I’ll establish a system that can thoroughly collect information from the royal palace and the king.’ Logan thought about the king’s eyes that couldn’t laugh and made that resolve. However, barely a week had passed, When he heard of something else he would have to worry about even more. – To celebrate the coronation of the new king, a special envoy from the Ares Empire will visit the royal palace. The announcement of a visit that would play a significant role in redefining the relationship between the two countries. A major event that now focused the attention of most of the kingdom’s nobility. * * * “Do the empire’s envoys just send notices like this without any prior arrangements?” “That shouldn’t be the case. The news was already sent to the neighboring countries after the coronation ceremony, so maybe this is just a delayed reaction.” “But shouldn’t they have told the royal family beforehand?” “They did, actually.” At the Sword Master’s words, Logan asked incredulously. “Pardon?” “His Majesty was aware of it.” “And only now do we learn about the envoy when they are about to reach the border?” “Well, there were big troubles, you know. His Majesty said he simply forgot because of that.” How could he forget something like that? There must be... As Logan looked at his master in disbelief, “Being a friendly envoy, would it really matter if we were informed a bit later? Let’s just go in.” The master, with an embarrassed look on his face, turned his gaze away from Logan and led the way. Logan could only sigh and follow. ‘If this had happened before, the master would have consulted His Majesty and informed me immediately...’ The apparent change in his master’s demeanor was disheartening, but that thought was fleeting. For there were much more pressing issues now. ‘The worst case couldn’t be... No, it won’t be. Not yet.’ The sudden visit by the imperial envoy – Logan hoped it was not a declaration of war. Suppressing his growing anxiety, Logan entered the great hall.

Chapter 186

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