Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Though the Kingdom of Grandia wasn't particularly large, traveling from the MacLaine territory at the southwestern edge to Logan's first destination—the Kail territory at the western border—would take three to four days even on horseback without rest.
Thus, spending nights on the road was inevitable.
Flick.
At Logan's gesture, his Force emitted a brief surge of heat, igniting the campfire.
While he couldn't manipulate multiple elements like a mage, generating momentary heat was within his capabilities.
Of course, this was only possible after forming his Force Core.
'Right. The future has already changed. So I can do this.'
Crackle, crackle.
With the sound of burning wood as his lullaby and the starlit sky as his blanket, Logan lay on a makeshift bed of gathered grass.
Though this was his first time sleeping rough in this life, it was a familiar routine from his past one.
And compared to back then, this was downright luxurious.
'Now that I think about it, the kingdom at this time had its merits. At least in terms of public order...'
Even in the neighboring empire, bandit groups that included Force Users were common, but such incidents were rare here.
This was the result of a traditional culture that idolized knights and the nobility's obsession with maintaining strict control over them.
Since Logan had already surpassed the level of an ordinary low-ranking knight, he had little to fear while traveling along the main roads.
Any half-decent bandits would steer clear the moment they saw the noble crest engraved on his armor.
But even if his body was at ease, his mind couldn't afford to be.
'This isn't the time for pointless sentimentality. Focus. First, the territory's problems...'
The MacLaine family relied on financial support from the Kairos family—the maternal house of the current head—for over 70% of their income.
Even if they poured all three million gold from the annulment into repaying debts, they couldn't sustain the territory without Kairos' backing.
The fundamental issue was that, given the MacLaine territory's current state, there was no viable long-term solution.
'So I need to achieve financial independence and expand the territory's military forces in this situation? Damn it.'
Two hundred years ago, the MacLaine family had been a prestigious count house, ruling over vast lands that included the neighboring Viscounty of Tesron, the Silvan Viscounty northwest of it, the Pereta Viscounty to the south, and even the Bifrost Plains beyond.
They were the dominant power of Grandia's southwestern region, revered as a Lord house.
But thanks to the grand and glorious blunders and misdeeds of his ancestors over three generations—from his great-great-granduncle to the current head, Patrick MacLaine—their rank had been demoted, and their territory had shrunk to an embarrassing fraction of its former size.
Their former vassals had split off, becoming independent houses of equal or higher status.
At one point, there had even been talk of stripping them of their title entirely. If Patrick MacLaine hadn't become a high-ranking knight just in time, they would have lost everything.
But even that had been cutting it close.
The MacLaine Plains—once one of the kingdom's foremost granaries—had fallen into the hands of their most powerful former vassal.
Other valuable lands had been divided among the rest, leaving them with little more than this barren stretch near the southern mountains—a place they had been practically driven into.
Though it was the ancestral origin of their house, after the MacLaines became counts, this area had served only as a fortress to fend off monsters descending from the southern mountain range.
There were no notable local products—not even the copper mines commonly found in territories bordering high mountains.
Thus, agricultural output was meager, and maintaining troops just to fend off occasional monster attacks strained their finances to the limit.
To put it bluntly, without the Kairos family's support, the MacLaine house would struggle to survive.
'Even if we win the territorial war like this, we'll have to beg Kairos for help again.'
To break this vicious cycle, they needed a massive sum of money—far beyond what Logan currently possessed.
So Logan planned to multiply his funds many times over.
Of course, he had no special talent for business, but if he couldn't do it himself, he could entrust it to someone who could.
He knew just the person—someone whose ability and trustworthiness had been proven in the future.
'We need a sustainable source of income for the family.'
A way to multiply his current funds many times over, and someone capable of managing and growing that wealth continuously.
Both could be found in Kail, the kingdom's largest trading city—his current destination.
'And the supplies we'll need for the territorial war, too.'
For multiple reasons, traveling to Kail now was essential, and he planned to invest over half of his available funds there.
'The money needed to recruit Philip and purchase supplies. Even investing over 1.5 million would be worth it.'
If Dwain knew, he'd probably faint on the spot.
"Welcome to Kail, the greatest trading city!"
A guard, having confirmed the flame crest on Logan's palm-sized silver identity plate, took a step back and saluted.
Passing through the gates, Logan was immediately assaulted by the city's cacophony.
'So this is...'
"Imperial silk undergarments for just 10 gold!"
"Premium northern leather—all the rage in Grandia right now!"
"Fresh southern fruits!"
The bustling streets, a stark contrast to the rural backwater of MacLaine territory, drew a brief sigh of admiration from Logan.
In MacLaine, the castle housed artisans and special personnel, while most commoners lived in villages outside its walls.
This densely packed urban scenery was unfamiliar to Logan—no, it was his first time seeing it.
He had visited the empire's trading cities, known as sleepless cities, in his past life, but that didn't count.
'Well, no time to get sentimental now.'
Without sparing a moment to take in the sights of this metropolis, Logan quickened his pace.
'Third alley from the government office. Kail's Night.'
Fortunately, it matched his memories from his past life.
The inn and tavern Kail's Night stood slightly off the main thoroughfare, away from the central bustle.
Yet its scale dwarfed any inn in the city center—a five-story mansion that wouldn't look out of place as a noble's salon.
A sign reading Kail's Night - Inn was affixed prominently.
Logan stepped inside without hesitation.
Clatter.
"Landlord! Another beer here!"
"Half a wild boar over here!"
The moment the door opened, raucous noise flooded out.
The tavern on the first floor was packed even in broad daylight with all manner of drunken patrons.
'Same as ever.'
This was primarily a lodging house for rough mercenaries—far rowdier and noisier than a typical inn.
"Hey sweetheart, got time today? How much?"
Whack!
"You bastard, you wanna die?!"
"What, you bitch—!"
Crash!
"Hahaha! That's it—fight, fight!"
"Loser pays for damages! Don't start if you can't handle it!"
"Oooh! My money's on the bearded one!"
The chaotic first floor was a riot of noise.
Cutting through the mingled scents of savory meat, chilled ale, and the underlying stench of sweat, Logan headed straight for the counter.
Behind it, a portly middle-aged man with a friendly face greeted him with a smile.
"Welcome! What can I do for you? Lodging? Drinks? Or maybe a meal?"
"Three nights' stay, breakfast included."
"Five gold per night. Meals extra. That alright?"
"Fine. And..."
Logan had chosen this noisy, unruly inn for a reason.
'Innkeepers who cater to mercenaries tend to be well-informed about territorial affairs.'
The owner had connections with every guild or group in Kail.
"I've got a small favor to ask."
"Huh? Oh, well, if it's something I can do..."
His tone was indifferent—until a clink sounded.
The moment a 5-gold coin hit the counter, his attitude flipped instantly.
"Anything you need, sir. I'll help however I can."
"This is my first time here, and I'm looking for someone."
"Ah, well, that's my specialty."
Logan's main purpose in coming to Kail was to find one person and place one request.
The request could wait—finding the person took priority.
And in this city, this inn was the fastest way to track someone down.
The Ares Empire—the continent's most powerful nation.
A strongly centralized state built on meritocracy.
If you had the skill, regardless of age, gender, or origin, you could rise to power and wealth.
Even foreigners were granted the same opportunities.
A prime example was Philip Claude, a native of the Grandia Kingdom, who ranked among the empire's top ten merchants and bore the nickname Golden Bug.
He was one of the magnates who moved the empire, a war merchant unparalleled on the continent—reviled by Grandian refugees as a traitor.
To his face, he was called the Golden Merchant; behind his back, the Golden Bug.
Despite the scorn, he secretly supported refugees from his homeland and eventually used his gold and influence to establish the Grandia Autonomous Region—becoming a miracle worker in the process.
'And he secretly funded our independence movement too.'
Logan knew that Kail had been Philip's hometown and where he'd spent his youth.
More importantly, regardless of his political maneuvers, his skill and trustworthiness as a merchant were undisputed across the continent.
'But... is that really him?'
Frowning slightly, Logan approached the young man.
"Damn bastards... How am I supposed to... Ugh."
If he kept his head down any longer, tears would spill again. Philip forced himself to look up.
The sky outside the window was clear—which only deepened his gloom.
Stories of merchants ruined overnight by scams were common, but he'd never imagined he would be the protagonist of one.
It felt like he was trapped in some alternate world.
'Maybe I should just die...'
Recalling the same thought he'd had countless times over the past month, Philip chuckled bitterly and lowered his head again.
If he'd had the courage to die, he'd have done it already.
He was a coward who couldn't even muster that.
He considered wandering aimlessly to clear his mind, but the crushing despair left his legs weak.
"Ahem. Excuse me. Are you Philip Claude?"
An unfamiliar voice reached Philip's ears.
Looking up, he saw a young man with striking red hair and crimson eyes.
The intensity of that gaze burned with unmistakable fervor.
The worn half-plate armor and mud-stained greaves barely registered—that piercing stare dominated everything.
"Y-yes, that's me... And you are...?"
As Philip nodded, the stranger's gaze grew even more intense.
"Ah, it is you. Just as I heard—you have remarkable eyes."
The young man grinned brightly, complimenting Philip's otherwise unremarkable gray eyes before stepping closer.
Instinctively, Philip recoiled.
That look—he'd seen it countless times as a merchant.
It was greed.
Such naked hunger from a complete stranger stoked ominous thoughts.
Selling his last remaining shop wouldn't cover his debts.
He'd resigned himself to slavery, but...
- Gray eyes are rare. They'd fetch a higher price. You know... for that kind of work.
A snippet of conversation he'd overheard from loan sharks flashed through his mind, sending chills down his spine.
The timing, the demeanor, even the shabby gear—this guy screamed mercenary thug.
'Don't tell me...?'
Philip prayed desperately that wasn't the case.
The thought of his last shreds of human dignity being violated made his skin crawl.
Unconsciously, he straightened his torn collar and hunched in on himself.
Those crimson eyes felt like they were crawling all over his body.
"W-what do you want? The repayment deadline isn't for three more days! The shop sale won't finalize until then, so come back later!"
"Oh, I'm not here to collect debts—"
"Even if I'm enslaved, I'll never do that kind of work!"
"Huh?"
"I can read and write! I know high-end commerce! I'll be useful in other ways! Just not that!"
"What are you—"
"L-look, the sale money isn't in yet! Just go away!"
As Philip flailed and shouted, the young man chuckled and shook his head.
"I'm not here to take money. I'm here to invest."
"...What?"
Now Philip was baffled for an entirely different reason.
"...In me?"
"Yes."
"...In my failed trading company?"
"Exactly. That makes you a bargain."
The confident tone. The self-assured smile.
The fervor in those red eyes now carried a completely different energy.
Only then did Philip grasp the situation.
'Oh. He's just insane.'