Chapter 114

Chapter 114 Logan had not only intended to cherry-pick talents from the fallen families due to internal strife. Although he could not openly make a public recruitment, he had been indirectly spreading rumors through other villages and merchants that the McLean territory was accommodating refugees generously. As the civil strife continued past two months, gradually refugees, or rather war refugees, began to trickle into McLean lands. And this influx was gaining momentum. Eventually, a report arrived stating that the McLean Town was reaching its accommodation limit much sooner than expected. It seems we might have to execute the second town plan sooner rather than later, Dwayne reported with a grave look on his face. A second town, huh? Between Tomodo and Sylvan, right? Yes. Gathering the scattered villages on the old McLean plains, now called the Bifrost plains, and including the refugees, would make production management much more efficient. Just as McLean Town has already proven. The current increase in troops and the pace of material consumption are putting a strain on our finances, arent they? We are managing for now. Thats all the more reason to build the town before the planting season starts, to increase the projected yield for the year. Is the budget definitely in place? We will need to tighten our belts for a while. So please, you must refrain from Ah, I understand. Proceed with it. Thus began the construction of the second McLean Town. However, the plans for its construction faced issues from the very start. Are we short on money? The war has greatly increased the consumption of timber. Importing from the Tritan estate is now out of the question; wed have to source from the empire or pull from the southern mountain ranges, but the latter would have a great backlash. Logan felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he sighed. Yet, he, the one who directly ordered the troop reinforcements that caused the increase in timber consumption, had no right to complain. Well have to import from the empire. Do some logging too. So, how much more will that cost? For now, we are fine. But once the town construction is finished and until this years harvest, we might have to tighten the belt even further. With the troop issue, even the gold mines finances are tight. As their expressions grew serious, Phillip, who had been listening, interjected with a puzzled look. Why is money short? The domain has more than enough to sell. To sell? What? Food. Phillips casual response dramatically changed their expressions. Sell food?! With the current state of affairs! We need to be prepared for emergencies. Dwayne roared, his face flushing with anger, but Logans eyes gleamed. Food? Do we have that much of a surplus? Yes. I heard you didnt sell the excess food produced in preparation for the war. But then, our war ended quickly, and with the onset of the civil war, food prices have skyrocketed. Selling even half of it would mean we dont have to worry about money. The ranch construction youve planned can also be significantly accelerated. Ranch construction. It was essential in preparing the necessary groundwork for producing thousands of crossbow cavalry in the long term. To operate the cavalry, they had relied entirely on imported horses, but it had been argued that we must also consider their production and not just management for the maintenance of our forces. That was the reason they had saved the produced food But selling the food that was reserved for the ranches would allow them to build the ranches sooner. Yes. With food prices unlikely to go higher than now, it is the perfect time to sell the surplus. No, prices will likely be even higher in about two years. But still Its a good idea. Milord! I knew youd say that! W-wait, Milord. If something untoward occurs, what will we do about our food Were just loosening up production right now. Think of it as an investment, an investment. But surely you dont mean Oh, it wont come to that. Milord! Dwaynes concerns were understandable, but Logan was confident. War is the result of madness created by reason. Yet sometimes, that madness devours reason itself. When harm escalates, its only natural for the conflict to intensify. A timid war that only tests the waters will not last long. The civil war is bound to become increasingly fierce with time. And if that happens No one will care to give a thought to those who sit idly. Theyll be too preoccupied with slaying each other. A sly smile crept upon Logans lips. Sell half of the surplus food to the different factions. Phillip, you take care of that. Squeeze out as much profit as possible. And with that money, oversee the timber purchases too. Yes, Milord. It was not we who did that Well, it was. Sigh. So, despite being aware of the danger you mentioned, are you still insisting on going? Yes! Padric silently looked up into eyes that resembled his own. Although he didnt understand the rationale behind it, his sons actions always ended up for the familys benefit. Another trust might not hurt. Alright. Go then. Just make sure youre well disguised. Our family traits are too distinct and word would spread quickly. Of course. Though he felt somewhat uneasy, the permission was granted. Logan left his fathers office with a light heart. * * * May you return safely. Thank you, soldiers. As always, the soldiers guarding the border post allowed the peddler to pass after receiving a reasonable amount of money. Most of these moths, carrying just a pack on their bare bodies and dreaming of a jackpot, would pass away never having seen the large cities of the empire. Thus, a slight bending of the law like this was naturally deemed a way to earn pocket money. And it was the same for the soldiers at the empires border post just a few hundred meters away. In fact, they were even more lax. One of the soldiers even had connections with a gang of robbers operating at the border. Depending on the value of the goods in the peddlers sack, a certain amount would be rewarded to that soldier. You should fear the world, merchant. Why wander alone? The empires soldier Largo chuckled to himself, recalling the red-haired blue-eyed merchant who had handed him a gold coin earlier. The empire Crossing the border post and walking for quite some time, the blue plains began to come into view. Logan rubbed his dry eyes, which felt gritty from the magic. Looking out into the distance evoked a familiar sensation. A peddlers disguise, eyes color the only thing changed in the disguise. Such antics, which he had performed countless times in his past life, naturally brought up memories of those days. With his overtly distinctive physical characteristics, changing just one aspect often made him appear completely differenta tremendous advantage in disguise, so he often traveled this path among his comrades. Following the main road to the west leads to the city of Rusfellheim, a three-day walk to the eastern part of the empire. The city served as a bridgehead for the empires invasion and a supply base, a city he often visited with mixed feelings of love and hate no, rather, with pure loathing, one he would love to set ablaze immediately if possible. But his current destination was not that place. Southward. Closer to the border It was unclear why the future superhuman Sorcerer of Slaughter was in such a remote borderland, yet that made it an opportunity he could not afford to miss. Surely hes not a superhuman yet. The idea of a superhuman concealing their power and languishing in a borderland domain was preposterous. Considering the acts Krawne committed later, his ambition was certainly no less than others. Perhaps hes quietly elevating his power with research. If so, perhaps a 5th Circle, or given his unique abilities, a 5th Class mage. That would place him on par with the highest tier of Force Users. However, since Class Mages were slower to cast than Circle Mages, it would be possible to kill him *Slap!* Why do I keep thinking like that? First, I should aim to recruit him. Lay aside the grudges of my past life. Chastising himself with a slap to his cheek, Logan tried to focus, continuing his journey. After walking for hours, as dusk fell, Logan found himself waiting for the stars to appear in the middle of a forest path. Leaving behind the familiar highway and now trudging through a forest path where human signs had seemingly vanished, it felt as if he had lost his way. Looks like I have no choice but to navigate using the stars and walk through the night. Just as he grumbled to himself and settled down to wait Shortly after, Halt! Stop right there, red hair! That bastard, wasnt he the one heading to Rusfellheim? Whyd he veer off? Looks suspicious, this one. This might be a good deed were doing for the country. Thats right, stop in your tracks. You walk pretty fast for a bright red sucker like you. Well have you leaking the same color as your head. Damn, Im tired. Rough-looking brutes, wearing reasonably good leather armor and wielding iron weapons, encircled him before he knew it. And Logan smiled. Because he had just found his guides.