◈ 317. [Side Story] Lucas McGregor
“… … .”
Lucas was standing on a low hill outside the East Gate of Crossroads.
There is a defensive line at the south gate of the Crossroads. Cemetery at the west gate. At the north gate there is a road leading to another city.
Unlike the gates of the three directions, where there are always people, the east gate was always a quiet place.
So Lucas used to come here whenever he had something to worry about.
“after… … .”
With a faint sigh, Lucas took something out of his pocket.
It was the handle of the [bestowed sword].
The blade was not broken, and only the old, crude hilt remained, shaking miserably in Lucas’ hand.
Its function as a sword has long since been lost.
However, Lucas did not abandon this and always lived with it in his arms.
Because it was such a precious and painful thing.
– Hey, Lucas. Do you have the hilt of the sword you first used?
Ash’s voice, which he had asked with a calm face not long ago, flashed through his mind.
“… … .”
own master.
Have you really forgotten everything?
the day’s work. The promise of that day… … .
Lucas closed his mouth and looked down at the hilt of the sword in his hand.
“young master!”
Suddenly, I heard the familiar voice of a middle-aged man.
I was surprised to see that a middle-aged man with a shaggy beard was running towards me with a bright smile.
“Oh my God, Master Lucas! I am, me!”
The middle-aged man was a gigantic giant. He had broad shoulders and a thick body like that of a bear.
On his back was a huge sword the size of a human torso.
The middle-aged man waved his hand and jumped up to stand in front of Lucas. Surprised, Lucas blurted out his name.
“Uncle Mason… … ?”
“Yes, Bocchan! I am Mason, the eternal loyal servant of the MacGregor family!”
Mason, a middle-aged man, bowed his head to show his respect. Lucas was taken aback, but smiled happily and grabbed Mason’s shoulders.
“It’s been a while, Uncle Mason. How long has this been?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you since the MacGregor family’s swordsmanship school closed, so it’s been about eight years. You’ve grown up wonderfully, young boy… … !”
As if thrilled by the reunion after a long time, Mason blushed.
“I have also heard rumors about the military exploits made on the southern front. I never thought that McGregor would grow up to be a great knight who is not ashamed of his name… … . Bullcho Mason, I am thrilled!”
“… … .”
Feeling embarrassed, Lucas smiled bitterly.
Swordsman McGregor.
The name of the family where Lucas was born.
It was once a prestigious knight family that produced the Imperial First Sword for generations.
At one time, it was. until about a hundred years ago.
Until a hundred years ago, the head of the MacGregor family was involved in treason.
Taking into account the achievements made so far, he did not suffer from extinction, but the head of the household was blown away and the family shrank.
Since then, he has become an insignificant fallen aristocrat who has not achieved any success, let alone the first sword of the empire, and has withered and died.
In the end, when it comes to Lucas’ age.
It reached the point where it was impossible to even maintain the family, and in the end, the family’s long-standing swordsmanship workshop was closed.
Mason was an instructor at MacGregor’s swordsmanship school. At the same time, he was also a vassal who had supported the MacGregor family all his life.
On the day the swordsmanship school closed and the MacGregor family disappeared into history, Mason held onto Lucas and cried for a long time unfit for his size.
I haven’t heard from you since.
They were reunited in this southern outback.
“You are well aware that I have served as an escort for His Highness Prince Ash… … .”
Lucas, chin on the crossroads, asked while facing Mason.
“How have you been Uncle Mason?”
Then Mason smiled and said,
“After that day, I committed myself to the command of the 2nd Prince Fernandez.”
Without hiding it, he spit out his belonging.
“Because he is the one who supported our MacGregor family in the early days. It was a natural procedure.”
“ah… … .”
Embarrassed, Lucas stammered and laughed awkwardly.
“okay. And now?”
“yes. Since then, I have been working in the Aegis Task Force. What I mainly do is… … .”
Mason now spoke openly.
“It’s spying.”
“… … .”
“This time I was dispatched to figure out the dynamics of the southern front here.”
Lucas’ voice grew cold.
“Mason. For what purpose now… … .”
“You know what, Bocchan? The Aegis task force to which I belong is a gathering place for those driven to the edge of the precipice.”
Mason spoke nonchalantly, scratching his shaggy beard.
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“In order to achieve their ends, those whose souls are the only thing they can sell to the devil gather here in the task force.”
This was the Aegis task force’s way.
Seize the weaknesses of those who have lost their foundation, and use as hostages what they are trying to obtain even at the cost of their lives.
take any task
And the task force is willing to do just that.
“Neither did I. I willingly sold this soul to His Highness Fernandez in order to fulfill my purpose.”
Lucas narrowed his eyes and asked coldly.
“What is your purpose?”
“Revival of the MacGregor family.”
Looking into Lucas’ blue eyes, the old vassal who still serves McGregor muttered ferociously.
“All I want is that.”
“The McGregor family is over. mister.”
Lucas still looked down at the handle of the [gifted sword] in his hand.
A worn-out sword with no blade, only a handle.
The day the blade of this sword broke many years ago.
The fortunes of the MacGregor family are also over.
“Please let go of that specter now. Live your uncle’s life.”
“no! It’s not over. The blood of the noblest knight in the empire is Master Lucas! Isn’t it connected to the young master!”
Pirani of a noble knight.
It was so ridiculous that Lucas laughed involuntarily.
The blood that flowed through my body was far from virtuous or chivalrous.
If I had to ask, it would be the blood of a mad dog.
I don’t know where to play my teeth, I can’t even recognize the owner… … mad dog’s blood.
Unaware of Lucas’ rate of self-help, Mason continued.
“I have never forgotten the rise of the McGregor family.”
“… … .”
“Bulcho Mason, only to share the future of the young master! Until now, I have endured all kinds of humiliation and humiliation. And finally the time has come.”
Mason smiled with his beard pulled up and pressed himself close to Lucas.
“After my repeated requests, His Highness Fernandez promised.”
“… … promise? what?”
“He told me to tell Master Lucas. ‘If you keep the old oath, I will absolve you of the sins left in the family, restore your honor, and restore the family’s old fiefs and property.’”
old oath… … .
At those words, Lucas’ blue eyes slowly closed and then opened.
– Swear to me, young McGregor.
He recalled Fernandez’s friendly and unlucky face as he looked down at him from the seat of honor.
It was a long time ago, so I forgot about it, but I guess I was the only one who forgot.
The past was finally catching up with Lucas and bringing an indelible mistake back in front of his eyes.
“Brother Lucas. His Highness Fernandez will become Emperor.”
Mason said confidently. Lucas sighed.
“Isn’t His Highness Fernandez clashing with His Highness, First Prince L’Arch? How are you going to stop the best army and commander from the imperial capital?”
“Force has no meaning. This war is not that kind of war. Having worked in the Aegis Task Force for 8 years, I will vouch for it. The winner of this war will eventually be Your Highness Fernandez.”
Mason smiled brightly.
“For the future of the MacGregor family, how should we act… … Think carefully.”
“… … .”
“What is the point of being loyal to the wretch 3rd Prince in such a remote area? Hasn’t that prince been bullying and pampering you all his life?”
Mason’s logic was simple. And it was clear.
Abandoning the idiot 3rd Prince, who stays secluded in the outskirts of the country and takes care of himself without paying for his loyalty.
Join the smart second prince who will seize the throne in the central imperial family.
To fulfill an oath long ago that was not kept.
then… … Even a family that has already collapsed can be revived.
“… … .”
Lucas laughed and tried to answer Mason.
It was then.
kiik-
The east gate of Crossroads opened wide,
rumble… … !
Crowds of people poured out from inside.
“huh?”
Crossroads alumni don’t have many people coming and going. Suddenly, dozens of people opened the gate and came out at once, and something strange happened.
Lucas looked over there. Mason, noticing a strange feeling, also looked that way.
Doo doo doo doo-!
People running in this direction.
At the forefront was… … .
“Lucas!”
… … It was Ash.
The 3rd prince of the empire squealed with a face that turned red from the rush of blood as he ran so quickly.
“I found it!”
With dozens of soldiers mobilized behind him, Ash, who arrived in front of Lucas in an instant, breathlessly pointed and shouted.
“Catch him!”
“yep!”
Dozens of soldiers rushed forward with their spears panting, and surrounded this side as they were—
He grabbed Mason and knocked him to the floor.
“Khehe?!”
Kudangtangtang!
Mason was subdued without much resistance. Mason shouted as he was tied up with ropes.
“Hey, what is this! I am a refugee from the north… … .”
“Whoa, whoa, don’t be a jerk, you spy bastard.”
Ash growled, licking his chin and controlling his breathing.
“I was going to leave it alone if I was dizzy. Whether it’s telling you what’s going on or casting magic stones, I tried to pretend I didn’t know what you spies were doing.”
Mason was embarrassed because he didn’t know that his identity would be revealed right away.
Pointing at Mason, Ash gave a squeal.
“By the way, how dare you secretly put in a scouting proposal to take a player out of my club! I’m in season right now?! This is tempering, you idiot!”
Ash vomited indignation, spitting out the jargon of sports contracts that are only used on Earth.
“If you’re going to offer a scout, you have to formally make an offer through me! Offer the transfer fee later! I’ll listen to you! I will never hand him over!”
“Uh, what… … .”
“Ah, okay! Put them in jail for now!”
Lucas broke into a cold sweat as he watched Mason dragged through the prison.
Mason looked at Lucas with pitiful eyes, but he couldn’t save him because they weren’t in a situation where they were talking proudly.
In front of Lucas, Ash smiled like an angel as if he had never done that before.
“Lucas, would you like a raise?”
“Yes, yes?”
“Or a title? wisdom? what do you want This prince is everything! all! I’ll listen. Any complaints, difficulties, suggestions or anything! Oh, and equipment? Shall I bring some more good equipment?”
As Ash said that, he suddenly found something in Lucas’ hand.
It was the handle of an old sword.
“Eh?”
Taat!
Ash smiled brightly as he snatched it from Lucas’ hand.
“There was, the gifted sword!”
“ah… … !”
“Found it! Hey, do you know how anxious I was to think you f*cked up this again? Ugh. Glad you found it, really.”
Ash put the handle of the sword into his bosom and gave a thumbs up with a grin.
“Because I’ll remake it into a really awesome weapon. It’s good to look forward to it. If you have this, can you really fly? Trust me, Tsarya!”
“… … .”
Lucas pauses for a moment, then
“… … Lord.”
I exhaled slowly.
“A little while ago, your lord told you to trust only your lord, didn’t you?”
“huh? uh, did you?”
“Then, my lord, do you believe me?”
“of course! Hey, who else would I trust if not you?”
“I am… … .”
Lucas slowly lowered his blue eyes… … .
I looked at Ash’s neck quietly.
“… … Even if you betrayed your lord once before?”
The neck he tried to bite off a long time ago.
