I Regressed to My Ruined Family – 64

 #I returned, and my family was ruined (65)

Silence filled the conference room.

Chayman looked at Knight Commander Rowen. Rowen gave him a few hand signals.

―Mana levels are close to level 6.

―There are no traces of black flames.

Chaymen nodded after seeing the secret hand signals.

“We can’t ignite the black flame.”

He had heard a story from Myers.

Ten years ago, when the Grand Prince restored the family’s techniques, he had clearly restored the secret breathing technique that allowed the black flame to be ignited.

“The youngest prince said he learned it.”

That was why Myers was trying to ignite black flames.

Ethan Ardan.

His talent and skill were far superior to those of the youngest prince.

If the youngest prince could ignite black flames, then the crown prince should be able to do so as well.

Nevertheless, the mana flowing from Ethan was nothing but a red aura. Why couldn’t he produce black flames?

It was unlikely that he hadn’t learned the vision breathing technique that had been restored in the past.

There were two possibilities.

The first was that he had reached a level where he could completely control the black flames, allowing him to hide them completely.

The second was…

“…Perhaps he is unqualified.”

Among the members of the Duke’s family, there were those who were naturally unable to produce black flames. Unqualified was the term used to refer to such individuals.

That was exactly what Cheiman was thinking.

“The first possibility is almost impossible.”

Being able to control black flames with such ease meant that his skill was on par with the previous duke.

Someone who had lost his mana hole less than half a year ago had reached the same level as the previous duke?

No matter how strong the Grand Duke was, that was completely beyond common sense.

If he had such skills, he would have already cut the throats of all the nobles in the conference room.

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

He had reached a level close to that of the former Duke, a transcendent being. What was there to fear?

Even Rowen, the knight commander, would have had his neck cut off in a single blow.

“If he can’t even use Black Flame with that level of skill…”

It means he is unqualified.

Chayman’s eyes sparkled.

Myers began to emit black flames.

The value of the youngest prince had increased dozens of times over in that moment.

He couldn’t help but feel at ease.

“Fight.”

Irudan and the Grand Prince.

If these two fought here, he couldn’t ask for anything more. Irudan, who had been silent, looked at the members of his faction.

The faction, which had been five, had already shrunk to three.

The only nobles left were a viscount and a baron.

Their eyes spoke volumes.

Are you really going to accept those demands?

“Damn it! What do you want me to do?”

Chayman would have finished coordinating with his faction and lowered taxes.

But what about him?

He didn’t even have time to coordinate.

After much deliberation, Irdan spoke.

“I need time to consult with my people.”

“The decision must be made here and now.”

“Give me a week…”

“Then it’s war.”

The Grand Duke placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Anyone could see that he was ready to draw his sword at any moment.

All the nobles in the conference room were stunned. It was as if a madman had appeared before them.

Even Cheiman, who secretly supported the Grand Duke, looked disgusted.

“He’s really crazy.”

And he was crazy and unreasonable.

There was nothing more terrifying than a man like that who also possessed power.

“What is your answer?”

Refuse the offer and fight the Grand Duke?

Irda shook his head.

Even if he defeated the Grand Duke here, there was nothing to gain.

Especially with Cheyman smiling at him and the Grand Duke.

“But if I refuse the offer?”

That madman would immediately draw his sword.

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

War would break out here.

Even if that didn’t happen, he would move the Southern Alliance to attack his faction.

The only one who would benefit from rejecting or postponing the proposal was Cheyman.

“…I accept.”

Irda finally raised the white flag.

It was that moment.

Kesten, the viscount, and Henaris, the baron, who belonged to Irda’s faction.

The two nobles widened their eyes.

It was as if their income had been cut in half in an instant.

How could the head of a faction make such an important decision without even consulting anyone?

Irda’s trust in him was shaken.

Charisma and decisiveness were essential qualities for a leader.

Irda lacked both of these qualities at that moment.

Just then.

Feeling someone’s gaze, Viscount Kesten turned his head slightly.

The viscount flinched.

Count Cheiman.

He was smiling meaningfully and secretly nodding his head.

Gulp.

The viscount swallowed very carefully. He was a nobleman who had been through many trials and tribulations.

He could guess what that wink meant.

A change of faction!

In the silent conference room, Count Cheyman was making a secret proposal to him.

“…I guess I can talk to him.”

Viscount Keston moved his eyebrows very cautiously. Meanwhile, the conversation between the Grand Duke and Irdan continued.

“It will take effect starting today.”

“…I understand.”

The leader of a faction should not be a tail-wagging dog like Irdan, but should be strong.

“He’s crossed over.”

Cheiman smiled quietly.

Irdan was completely cornered. If he failed to sway Viscount Kesten, all he would have left was his title of baron.

Could that be called a faction?

In reality, it would be nothing more than a lonely claim to be a faction.

Irdan had lost a lot.

On the other hand.

The meeting had been very fruitful for the Grand Duke and himself.

* * *

After the meeting.

The nobles left the meeting room one by one, and soon they witnessed a shocking scene.

The Red Lion Knights, the direct knights of the Earl of Amelton.

They were kneeling before the Dragon Slayers.

Why?

The most terrified was Irdan, the master of the knights.

“What are you doing!”

His face turned red as he yelled loudly.

“Count, please calm down. I will ask you.”

Zari hurriedly stopped him.

There were too many people watching.

If even the count showed signs of wavering, the situation would spiral out of control.

He looked at Pons, the vice-commander of the knights, and asked.

“Why are you kneeling?”

“…I lost the duel. I’m sorry! My lord! Even if you cut off my head, I will take responsibility…”

Pons immediately brought his sword to his own neck. Zard stood in front of him in shock.

“What are you doing?”

“…I have committed a capital offense. I have brought the honor of the Knight of the Red Cross down to the ground…”

Irudan and Zard’s eyes wavered.

The Dragon Slayers.

Despite its grand name, it was nothing more than a knight order made up of nobles and vassals.

But they lost a duel?

The knight order of a count?

It was an unbelievable story.

But it couldn’t be denied.

The only explanation for the entire knight order kneeling was defeat.

The grand duke, who had been listening to the knights, smiled wryly and looked at Irdan.

“The enemy isn’t that tough after all.”

Ugh!

There had never been such a disgraceful defeat.

Irdan sensed it.

He realized that he had lost too much in today’s meeting and duel.

He could tell just by looking at the viscounts and barons belonging to his faction.

Their eyes were darting around like a boat caught in a storm. On the other hand, the reactions of the knights standing around him were completely different.

“…What kind of sword technique did he learn?”

Faction disputes were irrelevant.

Such trivial matters were not of interest to the knights gathered here.

Nerian.

The precise and deadly swordplay he had demonstrated.

That was all they wanted to know.

Nerian was not particularly distinguished among the six-star knights.

Yet he had defeated three knights in a duel. And they were all renowned knights.

It was said that his swordsmanship was truly extraordinary.

What was even more surprising was that

the creator of that swordsmanship was none other than the Grand Duke.

Everyone’s eyes were drawn to one person.

The leader of the Yongsaldan, pressing Irdan with a black broadsword.

The creator of the devastating sword technique known as Yongsalgeom.

Ethan Ardan.

The eldest son of the Duke, with a talent beyond anyone’s imagination.

Despite the piercing stares of the knights, the Grand Duke’s expression remained calm.

And so he climbed onto the carriage.

Silvia, who had climbed up with him, asked,

“Did the meeting go well?”

“So-so.”

By pressuring Irdan, he had gotten him to sign the documents.

The tax rate in the territory he ruled would return to normal levels starting the next day.

“Viscount Kesten.”

A viscount belonging to Irdan’s faction.

The look he exchanged with Cheyman seemed to indicate that he was considering changing sides.

Due to the factional strife, there was nowhere he could turn for help.

Irdan was completely cornered.

“What should I do?”

Bow his head to Cheyman?

Even if he did, there was no way he would accept Irdan. And even if he did, he would probably cut off his arms and legs.

There were only a few options left for Irdan.

Ethan caressed the hilt of his broadsword. What would a rat trapped in a jar do?

Time would tell.

The carriage began to race toward Viscount Itun’s residence.

* *

Ir-dan.

He was overwhelmed by the recent news. All of it was bad news.

He looked at the butler who was speaking hesitantly in front of him.

“…What? Betrayal?”

“…Yes. It seems that Viscount Kesten has defected to the opposing faction.”

“Are you sure?”

“……We haven’t heard from him at all recently. What’s more…… I hear that the knights of Count Cheyman have left for the viscount’s territory.”

“…….”

“The mood among the people of the territory is also unsettled. Taxes have been lowered, but that doesn’t mean they are grateful to us…….”

The news that the Grand Duke had not only humiliated Irdan in the council chamber but also showed his true strength and put pressure on him had already spread so widely that there was no one who did not know about it.

The only one being praised was the Grand Duke. That was not the only bad news.

The Red Knight Order and the Dragon Slayer Order.

News of the duel between the two knight orders was spreading, and the reputation of the Red Knights was beginning to plummet. The rumors were spreading like wildfire.

“…Where are the bastards spreading those rumors?”

“…It seems that Cheyman and the Grand Duke’s forces are working together. We haven’t found any leads yet…”

Bang!

“Damn it!”

Ir-dan slammed his fist on the desk and gritted his teeth. All of this was the work of the cunning Chey-man and the Grand Duke.

The two were putting pressure on him as if they were working together.

It was fine for now.

However, he couldn’t help but notice that the throne he sat on was slowly beginning to crack.

“…Get out! Don’t even think about coming back to my office until you find those bastards!”

“…Yes.”

After the butler left the office.

Ir-dan touched his head.

‘What should I do?’

Should he really strike the Grand Duke?

The situation was becoming increasingly extreme. The only thing that was certain was that if he remained passive, he would naturally wither away and die.

That was when it happened.

“You seem troubled.”

“…!”

Irdan was shocked.

Someone had appeared in the office without him noticing.

The figure in the pure white robe moved his hand.

The teapot floated in the air and began to pour tea into the teacups.

“…Who are you?”

Without a word, he handed him a card.

It was a golden card engraved with an intricate dragon head.

When Ir-dan saw it, his eyes lit up.

“…The Capital Magic Council?”

“Haha. We do cooperate with them, but I am not directly affiliated with them.”

“…Then you are from the church?”

“That’s right. I am the eighth servant of the archbishop.”

The archbishop’s servant?

There was only one position that would allow him to describe himself so directly.

“Bishop?”

Considering that each kingdom had one archbishop, it meant that a high-ranking member of the church had come.

“…Why did you come to see me?”

It was at that moment.

A red lip peeked out from between the draped robes and smiled faintly.

“Would you like us to take care of the Grand Duke? We can help you.”

“……!”

Irda narrowed his eyes.