Regressor of the Fallen Family
Chapter 53

Episode 53

“…Why? Why not?!”

[Mithril can’t be bought simply with money. Although its monetary value is as you mentioned, its scarcity means…]

“Are you saying it can’t be bought because it’s not available?”

He had thought money could solve most issues.

[If we must be specific, then yes, that’s the case. 100 kg? Such a massive purchase requires not just money but also power.]

In his past life, as Logan, who had been a mercenary barely able to even glimpse mithril, this was something he couldn’t have known.

“Huh…? Power?”

Logan was flustered by the sudden realistic obstacle.

But soon enough, he came up with a solution.

“The Sword Duke should have enough power, right?”

[What?! But will he personally intervene for just a transaction…?]

Philip expressed doubt, but Logan believed his relationship with the Sword Duke was more than ‘just a transaction.’

He couldn’t explain it in detail to Philip, but it was clear that the Sword Duke held more than just a buyer-seller relationship with him.

“There’s no harm in trying. I’ve got to talk to him.”

[I’m worried it might ruin the trust you’ve built for nothing.]

“Trust that’s broken with one request isn’t worth much. I just have to ask.”

Despite Philip’s worried expression, Logan immediately entered different coordinates into the communication device.

He had never used these coordinates since he got them, and while he was worried, thankfully the connection was made quickly.

[This is the residence of Duke Felix Esperanza. Connection coordinate… McLean? Please hold on a moment.]

[…Where is this? Anyone familiar? Some country …]

Although he heard some displeased remarks, the coordinates seemed accurate.

Then, about 30 minutes later.

[Did the Duke arrive already?]

[Damn it. Is there someone important in this backwater place?]

[Hey, the communication device is still on…]

[Ah! I messed up…]

[My apologies! The Duke will be here soon.]

After the commotion over the communication device, a familiar face appeared, followed by a voice he knew well.

[It’s been a while, Logan.]

“Did everything go well since we last met, my lord?”

[Yes. Except for my pupil, who didn’t send even one message.]

The Sword Duke seemed almost pettily upset.

“Ha ha. How could I dare to send personal news to you, my lord? I know my place.”

Logan’s smooth smile didn’t waver, regardless of the faint guilt now evident.

[You always did have a way with words. Well, your timing is perfect; I was thinking of thanking you, actually.]

Those unexpected words rang in Logan’s ears.

“Wha… What?”

Thanks for what? What had he done, unknowingly?

Or was it a disguised threat for not contacting sooner?

[Duke Esperanza, there’s 3 months of pregnancy and 3 months have passed. It’s been 3 months, and my hope has been fulfilled.] S~ᴇaʀᴄh the N0vᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

The Duke’s radiant expression blew away all of Logan’s concerns.

“Gosh, congratulations, my lord!”

[Yes, thank you. It’s all thanks to you.]

“How could it be thanks to me, my lord? Surely it was your own effort… uh!”

Logan nearly blurted out too much and just barely held his tongue in time.

“Ahem. Surely, it’s a blessing from above.”

[Haha, you still speak so formally. Indeed, it’s a blessing and my own effort. But first and foremost, it’s thanks to you. I’m truly grateful.]

“Ah… haha.”

Without guile or calculation, the Sword Duke expressed genuine joy and gratitude, and a natural smile spread across Logan’s face.

“I’m glad my timing was good when contacting you.”

[Yes. If you hadn’t, I would’ve come rushing over to see if you mastered the Heavy-Pressing Sword Technique and whether you’re ready for the next lessons.]

“Haha. Even the thought is an honor… Cough! What did you just say?”

[Why, do you object? Should I just forget about it?]

“No, not at all! If that’s the case, I’d be grateful!”

Logan quickly declined, startled by the unexpected offer.

[That’s the spirit. Once the child is born, visit the capital again. My wife also wants to extend her personal gratitude. I’ll throw a lavish party for you.]

“Haha. There’s really no need for a party. Your words are more than enough.”

[Then should I not bother teaching you anymore?]

Logan’s refusal promptly disappeared at that remark.

“…What party? What’s the dress code? I’ll follow whatever you wish, as long as it’s not… a skirt.”

[Hahaha! Right, that’s more like you.]

What is this ‘like me’ you speak of?

Sigh.

‘It’s not bad news, but it’s complicating at this moment.’

He unintentionally connected on a trivial matter, only to be caught up in an important event…

“Ah! My lord. Before we speak of the party, might I inquire about acquiring some mithril?”

Logan almost forgot his essential reason for calling, swept up by the Duke’s sudden announcement.

[Mithril? You’re rich enough, just buy it.]

“Well… I need about 100 kg.”

[100 kg? Not 100 grams?]

“Yes. That’s why I’m contacting you.”

[Hmm. So you need power.]

Thankfully, the Sword Duke understood his request immediately.

[You’ve made so much money? Haha. That medicine must’ve indeed been something.]

Although there was a slight misunderstanding, Logan did not feel the need to correct it and just brushed it off with a laugh.

[Alright. I assume you have money; what do you need all that mithril for?]

“I want to provide mithril alloy armor for the knights who have worked hard.”

[For regular knights? Mithril armor?]

“Yes.”

[Hahaha, I underestimated your generosity.]

“…Excuse me?”

[Well then, I like it. You’re worth investing in.]

Logan was perplexed by his growing misunderstanding.

[I’ll step in. Only need to help your subordinate in the capital?]

As the awaited words fell, Logan instinctively bowed deeply.

“Thank you, my lord.”

[Oh please, it’s nothing difficult. Just be sure to attend the party when my child is born. And by then, perhaps refer to me as your teacher. Let’s keep in contact more often.]

“…Yes?”

[Then, contact me again once the deal is done.]

Crackle.

As the communication ended with the Duke looking slightly embarrassed, Logan was left with a dumbfounded expression. It was only after a while that he clenched his fists and turned around.

And then.

“Woah!”

In a space where no one could hear him, he let out a cry of joy.

‘To be the disciple of the Sword Duke. Good, good.’

He had merely planned to make a small request based on a past connection, but he found himself holding a golden lifeline.

Unable to hide his elation, Logan’s heart soared.

‘Once Hamar finishes with the crossbow and the town’s affairs, I’ll have to hand over the mithril to him.’

He nearly rushed to meet Hamar in his excitement, but eventually restrained himself.

‘Let’s honor his holiday.’

He remembered the greater efficiency when Hamar returned from a brief rest last time.

Not all people could run continuously like himself.

Hence, he decided to simply keep the future task in mind.

‘How benevolent an employer I am.’

Logan felt a sense of pride, having grown a step further.

Of course, he was unaware of the nightmare that woke the sleeping dwarf and that salt was being spread and spit on outside the lodging.

* * *

“To reenlist as a soldier… you say?”

There was reason for Kai’s skepticism.

At a time when the contract period for Logan’s mercenaries, hired in preparation for the war with Tesron, was coming to an end, the employer proposed something unusual.

“Yes. I’ll appoint you as an exclusive training instructor, with a knight’s treatment. Any other who desires will be hired as regular soldiers.”

The others were merely C-rank mercenaries.

Considering this, the offer was extraordinary, which made it even more…

“These men won’t accept it. Their monthly wages will be slashed.”

“But it’s steady work.”

“I wonder. Since it’s different from a long-term contract. Surely some desire the independence of a mercenary life.”

“You too?”

“I’d be content, being treated like a knight and instructing seems to suit me. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“I wish to witness the growth of this family.”

At that response, Logan’s smile broadened.

“And you’re not eyeing potential spoils afterward?”

“Well, maybe a little.”

“That’s fine. As long as I can secure you, I can handle the others with a two-year contract or so.”

“And if anyone refuses…”

“They refuse. You know why?”

“Indeed…”

The reason was singular: the rapid-fire crossbow.

The design would eventually spread, but not yet.

Though some wanted to end their contract within a year, Logan had no intention of letting them go.

‘Even if there are interested parties already, like the Wolves, they’ll be doubtful after just one battle.’

However, once the civil war begins and the McLean family achieves another success, the situation will change completely.

‘Spies may infiltrate, theft or losses in battle may occur. Not everything can be prevented.’

At the latest, the crossbow would inevitably become widespread by the end of next year.

Therefore, the intent was to strictly control it until then.

“There will be backlash.”

“Suppress it. That should be possible for you.”

“But still…”

“Should they still wish to leave after that time, I have no objection.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Kai’s emerald eyes bore into Logan with suspicion, but Logan did not avert his gaze.

“You’re sincere.”

“I’m always sincere.”

“…This isn’t preparation for war within 2 years?”

At Kai’s cautious inquiry, Logan let out a brief laugh.

“I’m not a warmonger.”

It’s simply that when the time comes, he must be ready to wage war.

“You have my… obedience.”

Unable to decipher the intentions behind Logan’s smile, Kai bowed again.

“Let’s start with soldier training then.”

“Yes.”

“Recruitment of about a thousand training soldiers is planned, and along with the existing soldiers, basic martial arts and crossbow cavalry training will all be conducted.”

“…Yes?”

The first task handed to the official training instructor was even more perplexing than Kai could have imagined.

* * *

– Soldier recruitment notice. Eligibility: males aged 16-20. Simple tests conducted at McLean and Tesron castles…

The so-called ‘Miracle of the Wasteland’ had greatly bolstered trust in Logan and the McLean family.

However, it hadn’t immediately solved their subsistence issues.

Concerned about how long the food distribution could continue, and being dubious about the promise to carry on until next year, the majority of people with children of suitable age wished for them to enlist as soldiers.

Moreover.

“Rick’s son from the east village, Rom. He’s sixteen this year…”

“What sixteen! He barely looks thirteen!”

“Pan’s son from the west village, Raum. He’s sixteen this year!”

“Hey, he’s only fifteen! Don’t you remember the household survey during food distribution? What’s gotten into these people?!”

Parents were even trying to trick their way into getting their children into the recruitment by lying about their ages.

“Do we really need to recruit so many? If we just follow tradition and recruit around ten times the number of knights, that would be enough for now…”

“I’ve got this.”

Despite Dwayne’s persistent nagging, increasing troop numbers was an essential task Logan was committed to, despite the consequences.

He would have preferred not to limit the recruiting.

‘If it weren’t for the kingdom’s backward thinking, I’d recruit women without discrimination. If we did that now in our kingdom…’

He shuddered at the thought of the immense backlash such an action would generate.

The local resistance could somehow be quelled, yet the severe backlash from other nobles in the kingdom, whom they would need to confront and conquer eventually, was unmanageable.

‘The empire had many female knights.’

Regretting the outdated patriarchal culture of his current nation, he sighed.

‘Unless we conquer the entire kingdom… No, still problematic.’

Logan shook his head to dismiss the impractical thoughts.

‘Anyway, the number of soldiers isn’t what matters. It’s about finding those with the potential to become knights.’

The current enlistment was about planning for the distant future.

Merely having a large number of soldiers wasn’t very beneficial – they would only serve as auxiliaries.

Even assuming crossbows were distributed to every soldier, an additional thousand would suffice.

Moreover, with less than a year left until civil war, anything more was overly ambitious.

Even in this recruitment alone…

“Over two thousand have flocked. More than a thousand are just from McLean Castle.

The administration is overwhelmed by the numbers…”

“All the knights claim they have the authority to recruit for their own ranks. They even want to go to Tesron…”

Amidst the advisors’ individual concerns, Logan raised his hand to silence them.

“Instruct the knights to properly train themselves. I’ll start with McLean Castle, and Dwayne, Feran, and Rugel, you three will join me.”

“Why must I…?”

“Why, should I do it alone?”

It was supposed to be the knights’ duty, and they were eager, yet why involve the administrators?

The disapproving glares from those selected met Logan squarely, but he was unfazed.

‘New standards must replace old perceptions. Traditional knights won’t work.’

That’s why establishing clear criteria from the start was critical.

“Are all soldiers currently considered knight trainees?”

“Yes, although some have given up, regulations still…”

“Exclude those who gave up, but from the new soldiers, select those with talent or guts and group them separately. Create a knight trainee unit.”

“Excuse me? What about the others…”

“uh?”]

Logan did not pay heed to the concerns of his vassals. Establishing a fresh batch of soldiers with a new perspective was vital. Despite the confusion this new direction might cause, the importance of upending old customs in favor of rigorous new standards was not lost on him.

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