Regressor of the Fallen Family-Chapter 255: Thunderous Hooves

Chapter 255: Thunderous Hooves

The plain quaked as if struck by an earthquake under the thunderous gallop of the charging cavalry. The flags swirling chaotically signaled nearly three thousand horsemen to rain a barrage of quarrels upon the enemy. As a dark cloud of bolts blackened the sky and descended upon their target, Dwayne let out a sigh.

“The cost alone of purchasing these three thousand horses…”

He glanced to the side with a hint of reproach, but the person responsible merely turned his gaze toward the distant sky. Dwayne couldn’t help but add a hollow laugh and a word of consolation.

“Thank goodness they seem to be of some use, at least.”

A faint smile graced Logan’s lips as he looked at the crossbow cavalry, now aligned in formation after their drill. Hankel and Kaisallon, brightening minutely, bowed their heads towards him.

“As you can see, the royal crossbow cavalry unit has been completed.”

Logan’s smile deepened at that report.

“Good work, everyone.”

Satisfied, Logan patted their shoulders, and a quiet but orderly applause followed from behind—a lukewarm response from the nobles who’d watched the knights’ and soldiers’ training since morning. The power demonstrated by the royal forces wasn’t particularly welcome to them. However, among them, one noble’s attitude was markedly different.

“Your Majesty, the troops you’ve painstakingly assembled are quite formidable. You must feel reassured.”

The brown-haired, middle-aged Jacques Huan, with his stern demeanor, bowed deeply, wearing a genuinely pleased expression. Logan smiled warmly in return.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to everyone’s concern.”

“Ha, what role did we play? It is all due to Your Majesty’s grace.”

“I appreciate your words.”

“Ah, but Your Majesty, I’ve heard a somewhat worrying rumor…”

“A rumor?”

Logan looked at him curiously.

“There’s strange talk that the soldiers’ rations have been decreasing for about a month now…”

“Nonsense! Is an earl of the realm listening to such idle gossip?”

“My apologies. Of course, it must be a rumor. Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

Jacques bowed quickly, but beneath the bowed head, a smile crept on his face. After thorough investigation, including the unexpected tactic of food loans, it was confirmed that a massive amount of food had entered the empire through various channels, though this flow had now ceased. And for several months, the supply had been maintained through the Esperanza and Maclaine territories.

‘Even that ended last month.’

In essence, the foolish king had managed to destabilize his own stronghold with this one army. If the king had remained silent, perhaps there might have been room for doubt. However, this overzealous public drilling convinced Jacques of the fact he’d confirmed himself: the army’s rations were indeed dwindling.

‘This public drilling is nothing more than a facade, an attempt to pressure us. This army is but a scarecrow, impressive in appearance but lacking proper support.’

The pieces were set.

Jacques clenched his fist, igniting the flame of ambition. Observing him, Logan looked on with a profound gaze.

“Now that the royal foundation is set, it’s time to solidify the kingdom’s foundation. All nobles should prepare for the grand council meeting!”

“Your command will be obeyed!”

As Jacques Huan and a few other nobles concealed meaningful smiles, the assembled nobility bowed in response. Days passed, and the grand council meeting was convened with the long-awaited subject ‘Post-Harvest Administrative Direction of the Kingdom.’

* * *

“Are we certain of this?”

“Today marks the beginning of the history we shall forge.”

Or rather, the history I shall forge.

As Jacques greeted other nobles with nods and smiles at the heart of the murmuring crowd, a resounding announcement filled the chamber.

– His Royal Majesty approaches.

The sound echoed as the grand chamber doors swung open, revealing King Logan in his armor. The nobles all turned their attention to the monarchical figure taking his throne and without delay, the meeting commenced.

“First…”

But before he could complete his statement, Jacques Huan confidently stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, allow me to speak.”

Though the move was abrupt, causing the royal sword bearer’s eyebrows to twitch, Logan allowed Jacques to proceed.

“Earl Jacques Huan, speak.”

“Thank you for your permission, Your Majesty. Before we discuss the new direction of national policy, I believe we must first address a promise from the past.”

“A promise?”

Logan feigned ignorance with an air of innocence.

‘Intending to be evasive?’

Misinterpreting the king’s expression and tone, Jacques returned the question with a smile.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I urge you to reaffirm your promise to reduce the royal taxes.”

“Oh… the tax reduction?”

As if suddenly recalling, Logan nodded.

Jacques and the nobles exchanged meaningful glances, but the response they received was unexpectedly blunt.

“I have no intention to do that.”

“What do you mean…!”

“Your Majesty!”

“How can you say that?!”

The chamber erupted in chaos at the unforeseen declaration.

Startled by this brazenness, even Jacques’s steady composure twitched, his face hardening.

‘Who has some nerve, to be this shameless?’

Suppressing an ominous inkling, Jacques spoke once more.

“If a sovereign does not honor his promises, what foundation do his subjects have to follow him? Please reconsider.”

“Of course, there will be a tax reduction.”

Relief returned to Jacques’s face.

“The hardships endured by the kingdom’s citizens, crushed by taxes from their lords this past year, have been severe.”

The change in topic left Jacques’s expression frozen amidst a suddenly chilled atmosphere.

‘Who’s doing what?’

‘Wasn’t it you who raised the taxes?’

‘What’s happening now…?’

Amidst the cold silence, Logan continued with a firm tone.

“Therefore, from now on, the authority of the lords will be restricted, and the amount of taxes they can extract from the people will also be limited to fifty percent. However, the tax collected by the royal household from the nobility will remain at sixty percent, as it is.”

This bombshell pronouncement turned the grand hall into a bustling marketplace.

No longer was the issue merely about the rate of taxes.

“Your Majesty! This undermines the very foundation of feudalism!”

“The rights of the lords cannot be encroached upon, even by Your Majesty!”

“Outrageous!”

The uproar swelled.

Even those close to Logan, like the royal sword bearer and Roberts Floyd, were visibly shocked.

Having hesitated initially, Roberts, now the chancellor, approached Logan with concern.

“Your Majesty, infringing upon the rights of the lords could destroy the country’s foundations. Even the king must not…”

“Even if it’s the king?”

“…Such an act would make enemies of all the nobility. Based on my loyalty, I beseech you to reconsider…”

With even Roberts Floyd expressing dissent, the nobles grew more vociferous.

“Please reconsider!”

“This is unacceptable!”

“Even Your Majesty cannot interfere with the authority of the lords!”

The halls echoed with united outcry as if all nobles had become one voice. Logan, although anticipating this, was still struck by the reality of their reaction, giving way to a wry smile. Fortunately,

“Carry out Your Majesty’s will.”

His master supported him with unwavering resolve, and his loyal retainers, including Damian and Dwayne, stood by him with steadfast solidarity. Eileen and the royal guards, led by Victor, too took their positions, preparing to counter the heated fervor amidst the nobility.

Catching this scene with satisfaction, Logan was about to continue when a mighty voice erupted from the excited nobility.

“Silence! Silence! This is the royal court! Settle down!”

While it sounded like something a royal guard might say, these words belonged to Jacques, effectively the nobles’ spokesperson. All eyes, holding various sentiments, turned toward him. Savoring their gazes as if reveling in his own calm, Jacques spoke crisply.

“Your Majesty, the lord’s authority is inherently inviolable, even by the king. Do you not intend to retract your previous words?”

“…No. This measure is intended to alleviate the suffering of the people. I trust that any noble with a conscience will follow.”

A statement neither speaker nor listener truly believed.

With a steely face, Jacques retorted.

“As a representative of this kingdom’s nobility, I formally reject Your Majesty’s ‘proposal.’ Furthermore, we will withhold all taxes from the royal household until the original promise is honored.”

His calm declaration stunned the majority of onlookers, leaving them disoriented. Although none present had explicitly elected him as their representative, none stood to challenge his statement in this context. For now, the king’s reaction to that pronouncement mattered more.

Everyone’s focus traveled back to Logan, who, unaffected by Jacques’s bold challenge, responded coldly.

“Earl, your words challenge the royal household.”

“You have crossed the line first, Your Majesty. Please honor the duties of a rightful sovereign!”

Jacques did not back down, holding his ground.

“My stance is unchanging. Those who defy will be dealt with by royal decree.”

Though it was a seemingly indefensible stand, Logan’s words carved a clear line in the room, turning the nobles’ faces into stone.

“Unacceptable!”

A chorus, louder than any before, filled the room.

“I, representing all the nobility of this land, formally reject your proposal.”

With that, Jacques turned to leave.

Declaring outright disobedience was a collective gesture, signaling a clear revolt. The remaining nobles could only watch as he departed, expressions stiff and somber.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Earl?”

“What if the king resorts to force…”

Swept along by the mood, unease remained palpable amongst them. But Jacques assured them with confidence and assertiveness.

“He can’t.”

“Why not?”

“An army without supplies is no army at all. Given the current circumstances of the royal household, neither the royal army nor Maclaine nor Esperanza can afford to act rashly.”

Jacques had checked and re-checked this intelligence with three guilds and had seen it for himself.

“Return to your territories and muster your forces. If we show a united front, the king will have no choice but to capitulate.”

His words brimmed with self-assuredness, prompting those around him to nod in agreement.

‘Now my era begins.’

Claenching his fist, Jacques let himself indulge in the delusion that his ambitions were materializing before his eyes.

And at that moment, in the depths of the grand hall, Logan, under watchful eyes, slowly began to speak with a lethal smile.

“What is our current military status?”

Hankel responded with an assured smile.

“Combining Maclaine, Esperanza, and the royal army, we almost have 50% of the total military power of the kingdom.”

Though a known fact, this affirmation further bolstered his confidence.

“Good. That’s perfect.”

“Not all nobles need to be our adversaries, Your Majesty.”

Sensing Logan’s emerging aggression, the sword bearer added a cautious note.

Logan simply replied with a nod and a smile.

“Naturally, master.”

Then, surveying the assembly, he boldly announced.

“Prepare the troops. As soon as our priority targets have been identified, we shall settle everything.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”