Chapter 214

"Success?! You're saying it worked?!"

"Yes!"

"H-how much...?"

Though Logan's words were fragmented with surprise, his eyelids twitching slightly, Clayton somehow understood and gave him the answer he sought.

"Since we can substitute iron for the most crucial metal, production costs will drop to at least one-thousandth of their previous amount."

"You're serious?!"

Logan's fists trembled as he listened.

Mass production of low-class artifacts was now within reach.

'One of the Empire's greatest weapons is about to disappear from their hands—and fall into mine!'

Even compared to when he had first developed the repeating crossbow, or when he poured a hundred times the resources into creating Liberatio—which could be substituted with scrolls for firepower—this was a far greater joy.

"Ahahahahaha!"

Even low-class artifacts of the 1st or 2nd tier could boost a knight's combat effectiveness by 5-10%.

But the reason they couldn't be mass-produced before was due to the absurd cost—stemming from the rarity of materials and the exorbitant fees of mages.

Even the simplest 1st-class artifact required an investment of at least several hundred thousand gold. No monarch could afford to equip an entire army with such luxuries. Even the Empire, for all its wealth, would go bankrupt instantly if it tried to outfit all its knights with artifacts.

In other ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠words, Logan had just acquired a weapon the Empire could never replicate.

"Master Clayton. You must never, ever speak of this secret to anyone. This is more classified than Liberatio! Understood?!"

"Of course, Young Lord."

Clayton watched Logan's near-manic excitement with a pleased expression and nodded willingly.

Then, he reached into his coat and pulled out Croune's research journal—the one he had carefully safeguarded all this time—and handed it over.

"Now that the most critical research is complete, I should return this journal to you. I've already gained far too much from it."

"Huh? Oh..."

Only then did Logan notice the shift in Clayton's demeanor, and his expression changed once more.

Though Logan could visually perceive the flow of mana and mana force, the overwhelming brilliance of Clayton's breakthrough had initially blinded him to the smaller light beside it.

"Master Clayton... Don't tell me..."

A nod.

"I achieved a minor epiphany upon completing the experiment."

Clayton then proceeded to explain the insights he had gained from the journal—something he could only do because he believed its true owner was Logan.

'He really is excessively honest.'

Logan's eyes gleamed as he listened.

"Word Power—the soul of language, was it? That's a groundbreaking and memorable explanation. Though our paths differ, I think I can still draw inspiration from it."

Clayton tilted his head at that.

It was common knowledge that mana—the power of nature—and force—the power of life—were fundamentally different.

His explanation about the foundation of his epiphany was based purely on what he believed to be true, not because he expected Logan—a force-user—to gain anything from it.

But Logan was serious.

The Fifth Form of the Divine Sword Secret Art, which he was slowly piecing together, had elements that aligned with Clayton's explanation.

'Is it that the higher the realm, the more these two abilities converge... or is it...?'

Or was the Divine Sword Secret Art simply unique?

Setting aside the unanswered question for now, Logan handed the journal back to Clayton.

"But I don't think there's any need for me to keep this journal."

"Huh? But among mages, this holds incomparable value—"

"Which is exactly why you should keep it. Aren't we family now?"

Family.

Clayton's smile deepened slightly at the word.

What had begun as a transactional relationship had evolved through countless events into a partnership—and now, an inseparable bond that both sides treasured deeply.

So much so that the word "family" didn't feel awkward at all.

Clayton's achievement remained a secret shared only between him, Logan, and Hamar for the time being.

There were still magical issues to refine before establishing a perfect mass-production system for artifacts, and estimates suggested it would take another year to prepare the necessary facilities in the workshop.

"It's a shame, but it's fine. Even if it takes a year, we still have over three years to spare."

Even if unforeseen variables twisted the situation again, it was unlikely the Empire's war would be pushed forward by several years.

The more pressing matter now was the distribution and sale of magic stones, now that full-scale mining had begun.

[My apologies, my lord. Releasing them domestically is too risky, so the best course is to distribute small quantities to the western Empire or the eastern kingdoms' alliance. However, if we adhere to your conditions, we can't even use the MacLaine Merchant Guild. So...]

"You're saying it's impossible for now?"

Even to the seemingly reproachful question, Damian's expression in the communication orb remained unreadable.

[Please give me a little more time. I'm looking into ways to expand the organization's external connections while handling magic stone distribution. If it's truly urgent, I can push through with some effort...]

"No, no. I was just asking to confirm. Don't strain yourself. Take it slow and steady. For now, manipulating information about Taren's mine is enough."

[On that front, you needn't worry. I've already spread false information to the Royal Magic Tower, claiming a high-quality silver vein was discovered. Even if other information guilds verify it, they won't find major discrepancies.]

"Silver?"

[Spending 3 million gold to keep an iron or copper mine secret would be too excessive.]

"...Right."

Logan didn't ask how he'd done it.

The administrative officer who, a year ago, would have protested at the mere suggestion of such actions now wore an expression eerily similar to that of the Evil Brain from Logan's past life.

Calm and inscrutable.

'Back then, that expression used to frustrate me.'

Now, it was nothing but reassuring.

"Good work. Oh, and for magic stone distribution, prioritize the magic towers of the kingdoms' alliance. Exclude the Empire as much as possible."

[Huh? Wasn't the organization's goal to gather intelligence within the kingdom and the Empire?]

"Yes. Since the Empire is our top surveillance target, I'd prefer not to do anything that might benefit them."

[...Understood.]

Unlike others, Damian didn't press for reasons—another thing Logan appreciated.

Fortunately, the magic stones mined so far had uses beyond Clayton's experiments.

"Master, what did you say?"

"To the dam. Load up all the magic stones we've mined so far."

"...I can carry them, but why bring magic stones to the dam?"

"To grind them into powder and dissolve them in water."

"Pfft—ha! If you don't want to explain, you don't have to make up such jokes... Wait, why do you look so serious? Y-you're not joking?"

"I'm serious."

"Have you lost your mind, Master?! Why would you dissolve such expensive things in water?!"

"You'll understand when we get there."

Unlike Damian, Hamar threw a fit—even dragging Clayton into his protests.

Clayton's reaction wasn't positive either.

"You're dissolving magic stones in water? Why? What possible reason is there for such waste?"

"I plan to use these otherwise useless magic stones to increase the barren land's yield—even if just slightly."

"...Magic stones are minerals solidified with mana, so grinding them into ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠powder would indeed dissolve them in water. Using that to fertilize farmland... Yes, it's theoretically possible."

"Magician! Are you seriously—?!"

"But! The cost-efficiency is abysmal. Frankly, the value of crops produced across that plain in a year wouldn't match a month's worth of magic stones mined."

"L-look, Master. If disposal is the issue, let's just store them quietly. Where would the stockpile go if we manage it well...?"

"No, I'm doing it."

"Master!"

"Young Lord!"

Rebellion ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠erupted—exactly as expected—and Logan sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Ah, I'm so tired of this pattern. At this point, shouldn't you just trust me no matter what I do?"

Clayton hesitated briefly, but Hamar's face twitched, and his hands began trembling violently.

"Huh? Heh, heheh. T-trust you? How can you say that to my face with a straight conscience...?"

Given the grand promises, repeated scams, and labor exploitation he'd endured, even Logan couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

"N-no! Forget the process—look at the results! Everything I said turned out well, didn't it?! Just trust me this time too!"

Logan thumped his chest emphatically, pushing his argument forcefully.

"...I have a question, Master. Answer me honestly."

The dwarf narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping to a meaningful, low tone.

"...What is it?"

"Honestly, you only care about the result, don't you? You couldn't care less who gets trampled in the process or what gets wasted along the way?"

Gulp.

A piercing remark that struck deep into Logan's core.

It was an observation that cut straight to the heart of everything Logan had done since his regression.

'W-well, so what? We have to get things done first. Everything is for the greater good...'

Even as he thought that, Logan's trembling pupils instinctively darted away from the dwarf's sharp gaze, drifting toward empty space.

"N-no! Absolutely not! Both the process and the result matter! Hah, haha."

Realizing his blunder, he hurriedly defended himself—but his voice was awkward to anyone listening.

"See? This guy has no conscience. Who'd trust him? Ugh, my fate..."

"...Lord Logan. Unless the projected yield increases tenfold, this is nothing but waste. Please reconsider."

"What if it does increase tenfold?"

"Huh? Even then, there's no way—"

"I'm certain it can."

"There! The demon master's signature stubbornness! Magician, hold your ground! Hold it! You can do it!"

Hamar's bizarre expressions and chanting from the side were disorienting, but Logan stood firm.

"A month's worth of magic stone investment will double the land's yield for the next decade. Isn't that worth trying?"

"...Has any nation ever attempted this?"

"Not yet."

But there had been in his past life.

Logan's gaze held unspoken truths—experiences Clayton couldn't possibly know.

As Clayton wavered, a snide voice cut in.

"See?! The lunatic master strikes again! Magician, you have to resist—Gah!"

"Come here, Hamar."

"V-violence is wrong! I-I'm just rationally discussing—Ahhh! Dizzy!!"

Unable to take it anymore, Logan grabbed Hamar and spun him violently overhead.

Watching the spectacle, Clayton let out a quiet chuckle.

'Lord Logan... You could just enforce your will, yet you still want to convince me and Hamar.'

And Logan MacLaine had already accomplished countless things—with no precedent or basis.

Had any of them failed?

All had achieved miraculous results...

'Well, Tomodo was a bit of a close call. And during the civil war, the allied forces suddenly... Hm.'

His own experiences abruptly halted his runaway optimism.

'Surely it wasn't just luck... Right? Heh, surely not.'

A cold sweat trickled down his back—but thankfully, his thoughts landed on recent successes.

-The research journal on mass-producing artifacts. If you can truly bring that to reality...

Logan, who knew nothing about magic, had pinpointed the journal's essence and relayed it.

Those words had made the experiment possible.

'Right, I should trust him. If I don't trust Lord Logan, who else would I trust?'

Of course, whether he trusted him or not, everything in MacLaine would now move according to Logan ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠MacLaine's will.

In that case, it was better to cooperate proactively—to ensure smoother progress.

'With all my strength.'

Having reached that conclusion, Clayton smiled peacefully.