Note: The Novel Will Be Corrected Until Chapter 105, After That Chapter It Will Be All MTL
C7 - 8 - 9
Episode 7
“There’s no need for that, Lady Riina. My stance is unwavering. Logan, the honor of the Maclaine family cannot be traded for money.”
“Yes?”
After all that had been said.
Why? For what reason?
Even as Logan looked at his father with eyes full of incredulity, his father’s stern expression remained unchanged.
Beside him stood his stepmother, her gaze mocking, and other members of the household nodding their heads in agreement.
Feeling dizzy at the sight of all those piercing stares, Logan struggled to maintain his composure.
‘Why on earth…?’
Frustration bubbled up and his chest felt tight.
It wasn’t terribly frowned upon among the noble families to forsake profit for the sake of honor.
But…
‘That should be decided considering the circumstances. How does it make any sense to refuse money given our family’s situation?!’
Logan gritted his teeth internally, yet his father’s stance was unyielding.
The problem wasn’t just this.
“Why are they acting this way?”
“It looks like he’s just being stubborn because his pride was hurt by the rejection.”
“Is that worth defying the Baron’s words?”
“The heir has always been a bit…”
The servants’ whispers comprised mostly of criticism aimed at him.
Riina’s face, shamelessly feigning regret, seemed to smile with the victory of one who had anticipated this very situation.
Only after being struck by all these realizations did Logan understand.
He had been too complacent in assessing the situation.
‘I thought wrong. To think I could change the family by gaining their recognition?’
By when?
Show a changed demeanor slowly over time?
‘Everybody would be dead by then.’
It felt as though an icy wind had blown straight through his heart.
Only nine months remained until the Estate War.
‘Let’s give up what needs to be given up.’
The only thing that mattered was to save the family by any means necessary.
For now, he had to gain strength on his own, independent of the family.
With clenched teeth, he declared,
“Lady Riina, in that case, I, as a party to this broken engagement, make my demand. Regardless of the family’s wishes, I will personally accept the compensation.”
“Logan!!”
The booming voice of Patrick shook the hall, and a tumultuous energy surged behind him like waves.
‘Gah!’
Hmmmmm.
The force core within his heart pumped strength throughout his body, straightening his knees that nearly buckled.
Although still immature, the vision of the divine sword with infinite potential was his to bear, even if it couldn’t compare to the strength of a senior knight.
But at least he had the power to fend off such oppressive pressures, in absence of direct violence.
“I will not be satisfied with mere verbal apologies!”
“What did you say?!”
“If the honor can be compensated with a few fleeting words, then I consider its value to be just as trivial.”
The shock or perhaps anger at seeing his son defy him, Patrick looked at Logan with a complex expression.
“As a party to the broken engagement, I believe I have the right to make such a claim.”
“The Wolves will follow the wishes of Baron Patrick Maclaine, the head of our family. What is your decision, Baron Patrick Maclaine?”
Riina interjected as the situation seemed to take an odd turn.
Though she appeared willing to accept Logan’s point, her words ultimately upheld the authority of the head of the family.
‘Essentially telling me to save the head’s face.’
Logan’s fierce gaze turned toward her once more.
Then, after a moment of furrowed contemplation, Patrick opened his mouth with a heavy look.
“…As the head of the Maclaine family, I am satisfied with a sincere apology. However, as for how the affected party, Logan, perceives the sincerity of that apology, I’ll leave it to him.”
“My lord!”
“The head of the house?!”
The murmurs swelled.
An unexpected answer indeed.
Riina’s face, still displaying a hint of regret, contorted momentarily at his words.
As the commotion among the household members subsided, Patrick continued,
“Think carefully, Logan. If you accept money for this insult to our honor, you are suggesting that your honor is always for sale in the future.”
Patrick believed that if Logan had truly changed, he would make the ‘right’ choice at this juncture.
That was why he gave his son this final chance, even at the cost of his authority as the head of the family.
Yet, Logan’s resolve did not waver.
“I, as a party to the broken engagement, will accept the compensation from the Wolves family.”
At his declaration, Patrick’s face contorted, and a smirk emerged on his stepmother’s.
* * * Astonishingly, Riina paid the immense sum of 3 million gold, not through a bank transfer but in gold coins, right then and there.
The large chest almost reaching Logan’s waist, filled with glittering gold, inevitably shook his composure.
“By this, I declare the dissolution of the engagement between the Count Wolves family and Baron Maclaine’s family effective.”
“I accept.”
Riina turned to leave after setting down the chest of gold coins, her expression ever so slightly distorted.
Logan watched her with a conviction that his choice was correct, yet his father seemed to think differently.
“I thought you had changed a bit, but instead, you’ve gotten worse.”
‘All I did was for the family.’
“My fault, then, for failing to properly instruct you on the value of honor.”
Despite the largest pile of gold he had ever seen before him, his father’s sigh carried nothing but bitterness.
As Patrick left the hall, the faces of the knights following him bore smirks of ridicule.
Meanwhile, his stepmother followed, her face beaming as if she had gained something substantial, a stark reminder of how his decision was received by the family.
Watching them with an expressionless gaze, Logan reaffirmed his resolve.
‘I will not concern myself with my reputation within the family. First, I shall focus on winning the Estate War.’
Yet even as he calculated how best to spend the funds for the upcoming Estate Battle, he couldn’t help a feeling of heaviness in his heart.
* * * Bang!
A loud noise reverberated from inside a luxurious carriage.
“Are you alright, miss?”
Lochfern inquired, but only silence followed within the carriage for a while until a reply came.
“…Yes, I’m fine.”
“Are you upset?”
“What went wrong?”
“Hm?”
“I thought if I mentioned a ridiculous sum, the baron would surely refuse out of sheer pride. My prediction was right. But…”
“I didn’t expect the heir Logan to react like that.”
“That greedy brute…”
Bang!
There was another loud noise, but Lochfern refrained from prying into the interior of the carriage, instead initiating a new topic.
“The heir Logan seems quite different from the rumors.”
“Has his greed outweighed the rumors, or is it that he doesn’t understand honor?”
“I can’t say about emotional factors. However, it’s certain that he is a force user.”
“…He’s capable of violence too?”
Riina reacted with surprise, but Lochfern was unequivocal.
“Yes. Considering his age, it’s quite an accomplishment.”
“…So he’s not just a spoiled rascal as the rumors suggest.”
If he had kept up his roguish behavior and not put in the effort, even as a genius he wouldn’t have reached the level of a force user, particularly at the young age of nineteen.
“Yes. Seems the rumors might be baseless.”
Lochfern emphasized that Logan was not as simple an opponent as they thought, trying to console Riina, but she was not to be fooled.
“…But still, it doesn’t change the fact that I was bested.”
“It couldn’t be helped. We had to bow before them, we were in enemy territory.”
“Enough. Don’t try to comfort me, Lochfern.”
“You won’t have to worry anymore, will you? Now that the obstacle is gone, you’ll surely make connections with another noble house, and compared to…”
“Hmph! That’s obvious. But I will certainly get my revenge for this frustration.”
“As you wish, miss. It will come to pass.”
The luxurious carriage departed swiftly from Maclaine territory.
* * * The day after Riina left.
The Maclaine household was abuzz with the shocking news of the broken engagement and rumors of the dissolute heir pulling off an immense sum from the fairy-like beauty by defying his lord’s wishes.
Although Logan was the party to the broken engagement, he wasn’t met with sympathy but rather criticism for his harsh decision.
However, Logan himself couldn’t help but smile despite the finger-pointing and whispers.
“Finally…”
No matter how others saw it, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief, as a troubling time had passed safely.
Since his return, the shackles weighing down on his soul had been released, giving him a sense of liberation.
If his heart had its way, he could spend the entire day basking in triumph.
But he couldn’t afford to be overly elated. Pondering over the future swiftly dispersed his mirth.
His plan to strengthen the family to overcome the crisis had shifted to a resolution of tackling the crisis head-on.
‘This is the beginning.’
The immediate tasks before him were numerous.
He decided not to worry about his reputation within the family, but he must avoid giving his father a legitimate reason to intervene directly.
He could no longer afford to cause such blatant disruptions within the household.
‘So I must go outside.’
Committing to his plans, Logan mulled over what needed to be done.
‘First of all, the money has been deposited at Coppus Bank.’
Coppus Bank, with the most branches in both the Grandia Kingdom and the western imperial territories, also had one in the debt-ridden Maclaine domain.
Of course, when he went to deposit the money, they asked if he intended to use it to pay off the family debts first.
‘No chance.’
According to the original plan, that’s what he would have done.
However, his experiences from the previous day had significantly changed his perspective.
‘I need to build my strength separately.’
Regardless of his inability to discuss future information, the differences in thinking between him, the household members, particularly his father, were too drastic.
The moment he entertained thoughts of changing things from within the family, they vanished.
‘I must build strength from the outside. So first…’
Knock, knock.
As he carefully checked over his plans, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Expecting Rick or someone familiar, Logan was surprised by the unexpected visitor.
“Haha. Did you call, heir?”
“Hm?”
A bushy beard that covered the entire face, a figure bigger than any standard knight.
The middle-aged man entered with an awkwardly friendly tone.
“Dwain?”
“Yes, my lord. It’s Dwain.”
Dwain Filsner, by the look of him, had the physique of a knight, yet he was actually a functionary – specifically, responsible for the family’s finances.
He was also one of his father Patrick Maclaine’s most trusted vassals.
Meaning, typically, they weren’t close enough for Dwain to bear such a smile.
As Logan looked at Dwain with suspicion, a commotion erupted outside.
“Aaack! Don’t push!”
“Hey! I was here first…”
A clatter of footsteps followed, and several familiar faces poured in behind Dwain.
“Greetings to the heir.”
The beaming bald man was Lugel Heiss.
The official in charge of food supplies would usually skirt around Logan at any opportunity.
“Good day to you, heir.”
The pleasant-smiling overweight man was Ferran Doyle.
The official in charge of soldiers’ equipment who often vanished without even acknowledging Logan passed by.
“Heh, these people. I was here first… Haha, good morning, heir. Did you sleep well?”
Wiping his sweat constantly, the plump figure was Rufan, in charge of wall management.
As far as Logan recalled, this was the first time they’d greeted each other properly.
These familiar faces from around the courthouse, known for avoiding Logan whenever possible, were now vying for his attention.
“Heir…”
“To greet you…”
In what was quite an amusing situation for Logan, he could guess the circumstances behind it.
“…What’s this all about?”
He concealed the smile curling at the corner of his mouth with a feigned indifference as he asked.
Gulp.
‘It’s crucial to say the right thing, Dwain.’
For Dwain, this moment felt like a career turning point.
Being the financial administrator of the Maclaine family was an excruciating role.
Were it not for his loyalty and the indebtedness he owed to the family, he would have longed to abandon the role.
Constantly struggling with insufficient budgets, his tasks included running the entire domain’s affairs and begging at the in-laws for financial assistance when necessary.
Sometimes he couldn’t tell if he was an administrator or a beggar clan leader – such was the life of the Maclaine financial administrator.
But now, if he played his cards right, he could secure several comfortable years for himself.
After all, he was just dealing with a headstrong youth.
With newfound confidence, he sailed into his pitch.
“Hahaha. I just came to pay my respects. Your conduct yesterday truly made an impression on me.”
“Eh?”
“You stood firm against the unfair external pressure and proudly presented your case. Truly a magnificent heir befitting the Maclaine family.”
With an admiring look and a sly thumbs-up, Dwain thought he had begun the conversation well with his best attempt at flattery…
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
The response from the so-called youth was far from what he expected.
--------------------
Episode 8 – “This little brat… he throws a fit even when praised.”
Grinding his teeth internally, Dwayne managed to maintain a smile on his face.
The crucial discussion was about to begin, and there was no way he could let one comment ruin it.
“The recent hardships of the family make the sum of 3 million gold akin to a much-needed rain after a drought. Thanks to your lordship’s ingenuity, the family can finally take a deep breath.”
He practically wanted to say, ‘Well done. Now hand over that money…’ but instead, he spoke politely, wrapping his true intentions in a facade of adult composure.
“Why do you say the family can breathe easy? It’s my money, isn’t it? Didn’t you hear what my father said yesterday?”
The thoughtless comment of the spoiled brat left Dwayne feeling dizzy once more.
‘I can’t believe it’s really happening…’
Though his face twitched as if it might cramp up, now was not the time.
Dwayne struggled to control his expression. Twenty years as MacLaine’s Financial Officer meant he was well practiced in maintaining a servile expression.
‘I need to cajole him gently… very gently…’
However, before he could even speak, his subordinates started creating a commotion.
“Impossible, my lord!”
“You’d spend all that money by yourself?!”
“What blasphemy!”
The young lord’s complexion turned icy in an instant.
“What are you doing! How dare you! Get out, all of you!”
Dwayne, with a face possibly more rigid than Logan’s, was the first to shout angrily.
The officials looked as though they had bitten into something distasteful, but upon realizing their mistake, they quickly turned away with the look of defeated soldiers.
‘Dwayne, let’s start with the food situation.’
‘No, it’s the management of the walls.’
‘The equipment of the soldiers…’
Their hopeful gazes locked onto Dwayne, their last bastion.
‘I’ll give it my all.’
Left alone, Dwayne locked the door to his room with a resolved expression and bid them farewell.
“Ha ha ha. My lord, my subordinates have been quite rude. They are not usually so senseless, but given the dire straits of the family… Ha ha.”
“Is the family really in such dire straits?”
‘There we go!’
Though mindless, his subordinates had yielded an unexpected result.
Suppressing the strength in his fist, Dwayne opened his mouth with a slightly sad expression.
“You may not be aware, but we owe 3 million gold to Coopers Bank. The interest alone each year is…”
“150,000 gold.”
“…You knew?”
“Yeah. I heard it yesterday at Coopers, after depositing the 3 million gold.”
Dwayne once again gulped down his saliva upon seeing the deposit slip casually waving in the profligate’s hand.
“Then this simplifies matters. With the interest payment due, repaying that amount would ease the family’s woes for many years to come…”
“It’s the harvest season, isn’t it? Paying the interest should be doable, right? And the maturity date can be extended automatically.”
‘…How does he know so much? Even the head of the family isn’t familiar with the banking details…’
Dwayne was momentarily flustered but quickly composed himself. That wasn’t the matter at hand.
“Ha ha. Managing a territory always involves expenses, and our funds are always tight. If you could just help out a bit…”
Dwayne’s original plan was to get his hands on the entire 3 million gold, but now his ambitions had been significantly lowered without even his own realization.
“Are you asking me to contribute to the territory’s management funds?”
“Yes, exactly that!”
It seemed as if his persuasion had worked!
Just as Dwayne was on the verge of rejoicing internally,
“Sorry, but no.”
The calm voice shattered his elation as if he had been soaring to heaven only to be dragged back down.
“Why not?!”
Dwayne roared without realizing.
The chilling glare of the young lord made him shrink back momentarily, but he gritted his teeth for the good of the family. He could not let the fortune of 3 million gold scatter meaninglessly into the air.
“Why? I thought you were standing up against the lord’s opposition for the sake of the territory?!”
“That’s right, I am.”
“See? That’s… What?”
“I will use this money for the good of the family. But certainly not for something as fleeting as immediate management funds. We have to think more long-term.”
Though unexpected, this answer did not soothe the anguish raging within the officer.
‘What do you know to be making such decisions! Just leave it to me!’
Dwayne forcefully suppressed the truth rising to his throat and caught his breath.
“Long-term…?”
“Yes. Say I use the money now to resolve the debt. How much would the condition of the territory change?”
“Well… With a larger budget, the financial operations would be more comfortable for at least a few years. It buys us some breathing room.”
“A chuckle.”
Logan let out a derisive laugh at Dwayne’s response, which was exactly as he had expected.
“And after that?”
“…Excuse me?”
“We’ll just end up in debt again, right? We have no special products or anything like that. It’s a vicious cycle.”
“Ahem. That’s…”
“I’m trying to break that vicious cycle. So I’ll use the money according to my plans.”
‘Ah, is this really the great lord I knew? That degenerate?’
Were these signs of a deeper side to the lord? For once, Dwayne was at a loss for words, having been faced with such a calm analysis of the fundamental problem.
Regardless, there was one thing he needed to confirm.
“Ahem, then, if you plan to use it for the good of the family, may I inquire about your plans?”
Dwayne asked, circling around the question with all the finesse he could muster.
“You don’t need to know.”
Ugh.
That one phrase pushed Dwayne’s patience to its limit.
‘All this talk of the family is rubbish. This brat is just mocking me. It has to be.’
“You…”
Just as Dwayne was about to lose his composure and erupt in anger,
“I will show the results through action.”
The unwavering red eyes forced Dwayne to cling once more to the thin threads of his rationale.
“… Somehow, I will save it. No matter what it takes.”
It was as if these vague mumblings weren’t meant for Dwayne, yet Logan’s eyes, deeply sunken by determination, seemed to betray an intense longing.
‘What’s going on…?’
That gaze seemed far more desperate than that of Dwayne, who was worried about his own suffocating immediate monthly budget.
‘Why?’
What could possibly make the noble son, who just came into a fortune, appear so anxious?
‘Different…’
The look in his eyes when pointing out the fundamental problems of the territory, it was as if this was not the Logan he knew.
Observing Dwayne’s conflicted expression, Logan let out a bitter laugh.
Although Dwayne had come with the intent to milk him for money, he was recognized by all as a loyal servant of the MacLaine family.
Logan felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness once more at having even more things he couldn’t share with such a person.
However, there was no time to be lost in such emotions.
‘Now that it’s come to this, I’ll have to entrust this task to Dwayne. Give him some money too…’
The idea that came to him on the spur of the moment seemed impromptu, but not a bad one. And with that thought, it became his words.
“Ah. With this in mind, I do have a request for Dwayne. For the good of the family.”
“… What is your request?”
“If you comply, I could also contribute a bit to the territory’s management funds.”
Gulp.
“Please, speak.”
“Could you gather some mercenaries under the family’s name?”
“…Mercenaries, you say?”
“Yes. Uh… they don’t necessarily have to be A-grade since they’re quite costly. Just any mercenaries capable of riding horses. Ah, perhaps C-grade would be suitable. Over 300 C-grade mercenaries capable of horseback riding. Did you get that?”
Dwayne’s expression changed drastically with the specifics and the number mentioned.
“Three hundred C-grade mercenaries?”
Mercenaries were hired soldiers, fodder soldiers gathered temporarily to bolster forces in urgent situations like war.
E and D-grade mercenaries were often only good enough for errands, serving simply to pad out the numbers during war.
Starting from C-grade, however, they were considered genuine mercenaries, each taking on the role of a proper soldier. Trained and with enough strength and experience to stand their ground in battle.
Moreover, as they lived and thrived on the sword, they tended to be rough and difficult to control.
Having such a substantial number of these individuals – not one or two but over 300 – was not a matter the MacLaine Barony could dismiss without concern.
Thus, Dwayne had to ask for the reason.
“Why do you need so many mercenaries, my lord? And so many at that?”
Unable to tell the truth – that since he couldn’t command the family’s forces as he wished, he needed his own force to command – Logan used a plausible excuse he had already thought up.
“I’m thinking of going monster hunting.”
“Excuse me?”
“To hone my real-world experience. It’ll also help with the security of the territory.”
“…Are you serious?”
Obviously, it was a bluff.
‘It’s easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. Once I’ve gathered the mercenaries…’
Despite his true intentions, Logan’s expression remained brazen.
“If I make personal requests, gathering hundreds will be difficult. Even if possible, it would take too long. That’s why I want Dwayne to gather them under the family’s name.”
It was clearly the fastest way to get what he wanted.
“Indeed, that makes sense, but…”
While the logic was sound, Dwayne wasn’t convinced.
Perhaps it was to be expected. Despite the term ‘mercenary,’ bringing a different force inside the territory is a matter that requires the lord’s approval, regardless of the reason.
However, unlike the deeply troubled Dwayne, Logan’s expression was far more relaxed.
‘He can’t refuse.’
If he’s being offered money and a chance to help the territory, the man who had come to plead for financial support can’t afford to refuse.
‘If my father objects, he’ll probably try to persuade him.’
So the fact that Dwayne is even contemplating it now was something Logan expected.
“How much will you provide?”
That was close to an acceptance, and Logan smiled.
“I’ll give you 100,000 gold.”
“Only that…”
“If you don’t like it, nevermind.”
Challenged by Logan’s resolute attitude, Dwayne felt his head throbbing.
“…If the lord refuses, I can’t do anything about it.”
“Then I’ll have to take the money back.”
“It’s for your family.”
“It’s my father’s family, and it’s my money that’s being used.”
The intense exchange of gazes between Logan and Dwayne was brief.
The officer, squeezed by chronic budget constraints, finally bowed his head, and the deal was settled.
* * *
After handing over the hefty sum of 100,000 gold to Dwayne, Logan immediately began to prepare to leave the territory. It hadn’t been long since he returned from his training, but this time he would not be gone for long.
‘At most, one month. That should be enough.’
It was a premeditated and necessary plan of action, but naturally, his surroundings did not understand.
“Lord, are you really leaving?”
“Yes.”
“Why in the world?”
“For various reasons, but if I had to pick one… to make money?”
“Haven’t you already gotten a lot of money!”
“I need much more.”
Rick was dumbfounded, but Logan meant every word.
In a year, a local war will break out, and in ten years, an imperial war will begin. In that maelstrom, to protect the family and survive, what is most needed?
It was not something to think deeply about.
Powerful forces. In other words, an overwhelming power.
And the most necessary thing to acquire that power… was undeniably money.
Whether to increase the number of soldiers, knights, procure equipment, or store food, everything required money.
That’s exactly why Logan needed money.
Far more than he currently had in his possession.
‘Even if I’m not sure about the local war, to stand against the Empire…’
He couldn’t even begin to guess how much money would be needed.
Hence, he was now preparing to leave the domain to build this financial foundation.
“The lord will not allow it.”
Even for a good cause, as Rick pointed out, there was a problem.
Logan had not even completed his coming of age ceremony and was but a young man.
More so in the midst of receiving the family’s cold gaze, there was no way to talk of leaving without hearing an earful.
Rick made a valid point, and Logan acknowledged it.
“That may be the case.”
“That’s… what?”
“That’s why I’m thinking of sneaking out.”
“What?!”
If the flow of history remains unchanged, there’s less than nine months before the local war.
If he had given up on changes from within the family, he needed to bring in change from outside.
‘Thankfully, there’s a lot I can do out there.’
It was strange to only come up with such a thought after the broken engagement had passed.
Logan knew about the events happening outside the domain much better than those within.
‘Because I was banished, wandering from kingdom to kingdom.’
And the information he still had was still infinitely valuable.
If utilized well, the value of the 2.9 million gold he currently held could be maximized.
‘Of course, I need to first prepare for the local war. So as quickly as possible…’
He had to find a way to strengthen his external power and come back.
Naturally, others couldn’t understand his thoughts.
“What are you thinking! Leaving at this moment! What will the lord think…”
Rick illustrated the point, his face a mask of despair.
His master had only just begun to think positively for a few months, but now he was starting trouble again.
This time not just an internal family matter, but an escape attempt.
‘What am I supposed to do!’
So he prostrated himself on the ground.
“If you’re going, please take me with you. Otherwise, absolutely! Absolutely not!”
If Logan caused a problem, Rick had to clean up.
Already in the midst of chaos, Rick felt that he couldn’t cope with his master’s escape.
But Logan seemed unfazed by his valet’s concerns.
“I’ll leave a letter. No one will say anything to you.”
“That’s just what you think!”
“…you’d prefer I write it directly to my father?”
“What, to make him angrier?”
“Of course not!”
If the lord himself condoned Logan’s departure, then it would be a little different.
But the next day,
“What’s all this after making such a fuss and even extorting money?!”
Rick had to face the lord’s flashing fury and was on the verge of wetting himself.
Seeking some fresh air due to the heartbreak of the annulment—will return.
Written by Logan.
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Episode 9
No matter how small the Kingdom of Grindia may be, traveling from the southwestern tip of the Maclaine territory to Logan’s first destination, the western edge of the Kail territory, would take three to four days on a swift horse without rest.
Therefore, it was essential to spend a few nights on the road.
Click.
At Logan’s gesture, the Force momentarily released heat, kindling a fire on the campfire.
While he couldn’t manipulate multiple elements like a wizard, he could still generate a momentary heat.
Of course, this was a trick that had become possible only after the creation of the Force Core.
‘Yes. The future has already changed. I can do this.’
Crackle, crackle.
Using the sound of the burning fire as a lullaby and the starlight blanketing the night sky as his blanket, Logan lay down on a makeshift bed of gathered leaves.
Sleeping outside was a new experience in this life, but in his past life, it had been a familiar routine.
Moreover, the current conditions were quite comfortable compared to his previous existence.
‘When you think about it, this era of the kingdom does have its good points. At least in terms of public safety…’
Even in neighboring empires, bandit groups that included Force users were common, but such occurrences were almost unheard of in this country.
This was the result of the traditional culture, which held knights in high esteem, and the aristocrats’ desire for strong control over them.
Now far beyond the level of an ordinary low-ranking knight, Logan didn’t have to worry about his safety, at least when traveling along the main roads.
Amateur bandits wouldn’t dare approach upon seeing the noble crest engraved on Logan’s armor.
But even if his body was at ease, his mind couldn’t afford to be.
‘This is no time to be lost in sentimentality. Let’s focus. First, the issues with the territory…’
The Maclaine clan’s financial dependence on the Kairoth family, the in-laws of the head of the family, exceeded 70%.
Even if he invested all 3 million gold he obtained from breaking off the engagement to pay off debts, without the Kairoth’s support, it would be impossible to sustain the territory.
The problem was that, given the current state of the Maclaine territory, finding a fundamental solution was difficult.
‘So, the goal is to achieve financial independence and increase the military forces of the territory, huh? Damn it.’
Two hundred years earlier, the Maclaine clan had been a noble count family, encompassing vast territories including the baronies of Tesron in the neighboring region, the Sylvan barony to the northwest of Tesron, the Pereta barony to its south, and even the vast Bifrost Plains.
As the ruler of the southwestern region of the Grindia Kingdom, they were revered as Lords.
However, starting with Logan’s great-great-grandfather to the current head of the family, Patrick Maclaine, three generations of ancestors had diminished the family’s title and lands through foolish and tyrannical rule.
Their vassals had become independent, achieving equal or higher status.
There had been talks of the family’s titles being revoked, and if Patrick Maclaine hadn’t become a high-ranking knight, the title would have indeed been lost.
But even that was a remedy that had come far too late.
The granary of the kingdom, once known as Maclaine Plains, had fallen into the hands of the most powerful vassal.
Other useful lands had been divided among other vassals, and the Maclaine clan had been relegated to a harsh and barren plot of land near the southern mountains.
Though initially an ancestral seat, after becoming a count, the land’s primary function had been as a fortress to ward off monsters descending from the mountains.
With no notable specialty products and even lacking a common copper mine found in most territories near high mountains, maintaining a military force to fend off occasional monster incursions was financially challenging.
In short, without the support of the Kairoth household, the Maclaine clan could hardly maintain its current state.
‘Even if we win the territorial war, we’ll have to reach out to Kairoth again.’
To break this vicious cycle, Logan needed a considerable sum of money, far more than what he currently possessed.
With no special products to offer, he planned to entrust the money to someone capable.
Logan knew of a person whose abilities and creditworthiness would be proven in the future.
‘A consistent source of income for the family must be established.’
Logan’s primary objectives for visiting Kail, the kingdom’s largest trade city, were to seek out a person and undertake a particular task.
Since he could always make the request, finding the person first seemed best.
Moreover, looking for someone in this city meant visiting this particular tavern.
* * *
The greatest empire on the continent, the Ares Empire.
A powerful centralized government and a nation of meritocracy where anyone with ability, regardless of age or gender, could become an official and enjoy power and wealth.
Even foreigners, not born in the empire, were eligible for these opportunities.
A prime example was Philip Claude, a Grindia Kingdom native, who ranked among the empire’s top ten merchants and was nicknamed “The Golden Bug.”
He was one of the empire’s influential merchants and was called a traitor by his compatriots from Grindia for his actions.
Despite the criticisms, he supported his homeland’s refugees and ultimately used his wealth and power to create the autonomous region of Grindia.
‘And he also provided secret financial support to our independence movement.’
Logan knew that Philip’s hometown was Kail in the Grindia Kingdom and remembered clearly that his ability and credibility as a merchant were impeccable across the continent.
‘Could it really be that guy?’
Logan approached the young man with a muddled head.
“Damn it… What to do now that…”
Philip raised his head to prevent tears that seemed imminent at the thought of his own helplessness.
The outside sky was clear, but it only seemed to heighten his sense of gloom.
Stories of merchant houses collapsing overnight due to scams were not uncommon, but he never imagined that he would be the protagonist of such a tale.
He felt as if he was alone in a different world.
‘Maybe I should just die…’
After mulling over the same thought for the past month, Philip scoffed and lowered his head again.
If he actually had the courage to die, he would have done so already.
He was a coward, lacking even the courage to end his life.
Thinking about wandering aimlessly to escape the suffocating feeling, his despair paralyzed him so much that he couldn’t muster the strength to stand.
“Ahem, excuse me. Are you Mr. Philip Claude by any chance?”
An unfamiliar voice reached Philip’s ears.
Looking up, he saw a young man with remarkable red hair and red eyes.
The intense, desperate gaze in those red eyes was memorable despite the dirtied half-plate armor and greaves.
“Yes, that’s me… but who might you be…?”
As Philip nodded, the intensity of the gaze magnified.
“Oh, indeed. You do have the impressive eyes I’ve heard about.”
Complimenting Philip’s unusual gray eyes, the red-haired youth smiled warmly and moved even closer.
Instinctively, Philip took a step back.
The determination in the young man’s face was something Philip, a merchant, had seen countless times.
It was greed.
An unfamiliar face displaying such emotion stoked fearful imaginings in Philip’s mind.
It was clear that even by selling his last small commercial building, he couldn’t repay his debts, leading to his inevitable slavery.
He had anticipated becoming a slave, but…
‘The gray eyes are unusual; they’ll fetch a higher price. You know…’
The words of the loan sharks he had inadvertently heard echoed in his mind, sending shivers down his spine.
The timing of this figure’s appearance, and now that he thought of it, the state of his old equipment, were all characteristic of a mercenary thug.
‘Could it be…?’
Philip inwardly prayed that it wasn’t so.
The thought of his last shred of human dignity being degraded filled him with dread.
Subconsciously, he adjusted his torn clothes and shrank back.
The red eyes seemed to rove over his body, raising goosebumps.
“Wh-What do you want? The repayment date has not yet arrived, has it? Come back after the sale proceeds from the shop come in three days.”
“Oh, I’m not here to collect a debt, but…”
“I won’t do ‘that’ kind of work, even if I become a slave. Absolutely not.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m literate. I have knowledge of the commercial world. Even as a slave, I can be useful ‘elsewhere.’ I absolutely won’t do ‘that kind of work.’”
“What are you talking about…?”
“Anyhow, the sale proceeds have not yet come in! Please go away!”
As Philip gestured frantically and yelled, the young man in front of him gave a wry smile and shook his head.
“I’m not here to collect money; I’m here to invest.”
“Excuse me?”
Philip’s confusion couldn’t be more apparent.
“… Are you talking to me?”
“Yes.”
“… To this failed business?”
“Yes. That’s why it should be easy to invest.”
His confident stance and self-assured smile struck a very different chord this time.
Finally, Philip understood the situation properly.
‘He’s just a madman…’