The Returned Lord Is a Genius of Gun Law - Chapter 25

chapter 25

The Sabotaged Barrier Stone

The Returning Lord: GUN Law Genius – Episode 25

Episode 25

At that moment, the air in the basement grew cold and still.

Eliana pointed to the blackened area at the base of the barrier stone. “Look here. The way the magic circuit was severed… it’s completely different from natural wear and tear.”

Her finger traced the crack slowly. “This is impossible unless someone knew the barrier stone’s structure intimately. They selectively destroyed only the most critical magical connection points.”

“Are you sure?” Eugene asked calmly.

“Absolutely. I’ve examined hundreds of barrier stones in my life. Natural damage and deliberate destruction are clearly distinguishable.”

Eliana pointed to another section. “This part, and that section over there—it’s as if someone calculated precisely how to disable the barrier stone and then executed the plan.”

Yujin silently stared at the barrier stone.

Soon, someone’s face came to mind.

Beluf.

The butler who had managed Crocus’s affairs for twenty years.

The traitor who had embezzled the estate’s assets after his father’s death and colluded with Primrose.

I never thought he would go so far as to destroy the barrier stone.

But Yujin’s thoughts didn’t stop there.

Could Beluf have done this alone?

To know the barrier stone’s structure so precisely and target only its core for destruction—all without being detected.

This was no task for a mere butler managing the estate’s administration.

Someone must have helped him, or there’s someone else pulling the strings.

Primrose, Bolton, or someone else entirely.

Someone had deliberately tried to bring Crocus down.

Though finding them wasn’t the immediate priority…

“Can it be repaired?”

Yujin asked again.

“Yes, though it will take some time and resources.”

“Then that’s settled,” Yujin said firmly. “We’ll start immediately.”

“Now?” Eliana’s expression turned surprised. “But the contract hasn’t even been drafted yet…”

“Crawford,” Yujin called to the butler standing behind him.

“Yes, my Lord?”

“Prepare the contract. We’ll pay ten kilograms of diagnostic fees today and one hundred fifty kilograms for repairs—half upfront, the rest upon completion.”

“Understood,” Crawford said, bowing his head and stepping back.

“You’re in a hurry,” Eliana observed, looking at Yujin. “Any particular reason?”

“War may be imminent.”

Eliana’s expression momentarily froze at Yujin’s blunt answer.

“…War?”

“Yes. That’s why we must hurry.”

Yujin gazed at the barrier stone.

“The difference between this working and not working will be immense.”

Eliana stared at Eugene for a long moment before slowly nodding.

“Alright. I’ll finish it as quickly as possible.”

She circled the barrier stone again, muttering to herself.

“Intentional destruction… what an interesting case.”

“You find it interesting?”

“Academically, yes. I’m curious about who did this and why.”

Eliana shrugged.

“But that’s not my concern. I just need to fix it.”

Eugene nodded in satisfaction.

She doesn’t ask unnecessary questions.

Professional.

The attitude of doing only what’s necessary and not interfering unnecessarily.

This was Eugene’s preferred style.

An hour later, the contract was ready.

“Just sign here,” Crawford said, handing over the parchment.

Yujin and Eliana quickly reviewed the contents and signed the contract in turn.

“Alright, let’s start with the advance payment.”

After signing the contract, Yujin nodded at Crawford.

“Bring it here.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Crawford stepped back and returned with a small box.

Click!

He opened the box, revealing refined magic stones radiating a blue light.

Ten fist-sized magic stones.

“No way…?”

Eliana’s eyes widened as she examined the magic stones.

“They’ve even been refined?”

“There were some left in the territory,” Yujin replied curtly.

In truth, these magic stones were some of the items confiscated when they drove out Beruf.

Eliana picked up one of the magic stones and examined it closely.

Vwoom!

A faint magical energy flowed from her hand and seeped into the magic stone.

“…The purity is quite high. At this level, we could get more than the market price.”

“We don’t have time for that.”

“Understood.”

Eliana placed the magic stone back in the box and closed the lid.

“I’ll give you the rest after the work is done.”

“Sounds good. I’ll head back today to organize the materials list and start in earnest tomorrow.”

Eliana stood up, holding the box.

“I’ll show you to your quarters.”

“Thank you.”

With a nod of gratitude, Eliana followed Crawford out of the basement.

Eugene remained alone, gazing at the barrier stone.

A cracked crystal, a scorched base, and a severed magical circuit.

If this was all planned…

Eugene placed his hand on the barrier stone.

Feeling its cold, hard surface, he closed his eyes.

I will find them.

Those who dared to draw their swords against Crocus, my territory.

Three days passed.

Eliana spent each day in the basement, absorbed in repairing the barrier stone.

She worked tirelessly, reconnecting broken magical circuits, reinforcing cracked crystals, and transplanting new magic stones.

Slowly but surely, the barrier stone was being restored.

Meanwhile, preparations for the defense of the territory continued.

Jerome deepened the trenches and installed additional barbed wire.

Leon intensified the knights’ training, and the soldiers practiced marksmanship daily to familiarize themselves with their new weapons.

Everything was moving toward the war that lay ahead.

And today…

“Lord, we’ve received a reply from the Bolton family.”

Crawford entered the office and handed Eugene a sealed letter.

Eugene accepted the letter and broke the wax seal.

As he unfolded the parchment, he saw the words written in elegant script.

To Baron Crocus,

First, we thank you for the conditions you have proposed.

However, given the considerable sum involved, Count Bolton believes careful deliberation is necessary.

Therefore, if you could grant us a little more time, we anticipate being able to provide a satisfactory response.

We appreciate your understanding and patience,

Walter Grossman, Diplomatic Aide to the House of Count Bolton

Eugene finished reading the letter and slowly set the parchment down.

“What’s in it?” Croford asked cautiously.

“They’re asking for more time.”

“Does that mean there’s room for negotiation? That’s a relief.” Hope mixed into Croford’s voice.

But Eugene shook his head.

“No.”

“…What?”

“They’re stalling.”

Eugene gazed out the window as he spoke.

“If they truly intended to negotiate, they wouldn’t have responded like this. They would have presented a specific counter-proposal or at least indicated their acceptable range.”

“But…”

“Instead, they’re asking for ‘careful consideration’ and ‘a little more time,’ without setting any clear deadline.”

Eugene tapped his fingers on the letter.

“This is a delay tactic. They’re using the time to prepare something.”

Crawford’s face hardened.

“Then…!”

“They’re gathering troops.”

Eugene said firmly.

“They’re buying time to reinforce their forces and prepare for an attack. That way, they can strike the moment negotiations collapse.”

“…In that case, what should we do?”

At this, Eugene rose from his seat.

“Summon your retainers. Now.”

Thirty minutes later, Crawford, Leon, and Jerome gathered in Eugene’s office at his summons.

“We’ve received a reply from Bolton,” Eugene said, tossing the letter onto the table. “Read it.”

Leon picked up the letter and scanned it quickly. “…They’re asking for more time.”

“What do you think?” Eugene asked.

“To be honest…” Leon began cautiously. “It seems like there’s room for negotiation. If we make a small concession…”

“No,” Jerome interrupted. “This is just a delaying tactic.”

“On what grounds?”

“It’s a soldier’s intuition.” Jerome set the letter back down.

“If Bolton had truly intended to negotiate, they wouldn’t have given such an ambiguous response. They would have offered a specific amount or at least proposed a meeting.”

“Right.”

Eugene nodded.

“Bolton is buying time. In the meantime, they’re gathering troops and preparing their attack.”

“Then…”

Leon’s face paled.

“Are you saying war is imminent?”

“It’s highly likely.”

Eugene gazed out the window.

“The moment they feel fully prepared, they’ll unilaterally break off negotiations and strike.”

Silence fell over the room. Tension spread across the faces of his retainers.

“What should we do then?” Crawford asked.

“It’s simple,” Eugene replied. “We’ll turn their own scheme against them.”

After speaking, Eugene turned to face his retainers.

“Jerome.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Accelerate the reinforcement of our defenses. Dig the trenches deeper, double the barbed wire, and increase our border patrols.”

“Understood.”

“Leon.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Intensify the knights’ training, especially in coordinated tactics with firearms and night combat preparation.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

“Crawford.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Inform Eliana that we’ll pay whatever it takes to expedite the repair of the barrier stones.”

“Understood.”

Eugene spread the map on the table, showing the Crocus territory and surrounding terrain.

“If Bolton attacks, he’ll take this route.”

His finger traced a path across the map.

“Straight ahead along the plains. It’s the fastest and most efficient route.”

“In that case, shouldn’t we establish an additional defensive line here?” Jerome pointed to a specific location on the map. “If we build a second defensive line here, we can easily hold them off…”

“No.”

But Eugene shook his head. “Building a defensive line on the plains with our depleted forces would be suicide, especially if they come with their knights.”

Eugene knew all too well how terrifying the tactical weapons known as knights were. Though few in number, each was a being that surpassed human limits in senses, strength, and defense, possessing combat power comparable to the tanks of Earth.

In the end, stopping them is the key to victory.

And Eugene knew how to do it.

“We’ll establish the defensive line here.”

As Eugene finished speaking, his eyes began to shine.