Chapter 176

Words : 1384 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Chapter 176 The harvesting season of Macline had passed, and the budget allocation was completed with the revenue brought in by the collection. Macline, the Bifrost Plains, and the other fortresses that had expanded after the civil war were all taken into account. If we were to consider the amount in terms of gold, the budget was a staggering sum exceeding eighty million. Yet even with such a budget, Logan’s expression remained unsatisfied. “The amount we produce from the gold mines doesn’t even come close to this.” “...Your Highness, you do realize that what you’re saying sounds rather spoiled, right? If you remember just a few years back, you really shouldn’t say such things.” Logan smirked at the incredulous look Dwayne was giving him and quickly changed the subject. “Thankfully, the post-war internal repairs are almost finished. Prioritize the allocation of subsidies to the Tower of Magi. Oh, and have the grains and wagons been sorted for the supporters?” “Yes. All preparations are complete.” “Good. Then call for Philip.” “But are you really going to do it? Even if Philip doesn’t know, that person... “ “Dwayne. Don’t make me repeat myself. I’ve already decided.” “...Yes.” Dwayne’s expression suggested he found something unpleasant, but he could not defy the order. Shortly, Philip was summoned to the office. The sound of tea being poured trickled into the moment, and Philip’s grey eyes shifted nervously from left to right. ‘Why have they called for me?’ He couldn’t help but feel anxious. With the increase in administrative tasks, Philip, who was essentially a temporary employee, had been slacking off recently. Instead of completing the tedious paperwork properly, he had been preoccupied with gauging the market conditions of the overflowing town or gathering rumors to find out which goods would sell well where. Now that the man in power had arranged this meeting... Plus, the stares of the other administrative managers led by Dwayne Filchner, Baronet of Administration, were menacing. And so. “Been busy lately? Not bored?” “I’m sorry!” The moment the question was asked, Philip immediately bowed his head. On the other hand, ‘What is wrong with this guy?’ Logan couldn’t help but be dumbfounded. “...What’s wrong?” “I’ve been a bit negligent with my work recently, preoccupied with other thoughts. My apologies.” “What kind of thoughts?” “I’ve been collecting rumors about what goods are trending in which areas and contemplating which trade would do well where. I guess I’ve gotten a bit of wanderlust from staying here too long... I’m sorry!” “Hmm... So, what’s the conclusion?” “Excuse me?” “I mean, what’s the end result of these distracting thoughts? What’s likely to sell well in Macline, and what would be a good product to take elsewhere?” As soon as Philip’s eyes started rolling again, “The most valuable things in the Macline territory are, of course, weapons... but you won’t sell those, haha. Then, naturally, it’s the grains produced in the two plains. And if there is a need here, it would still be daily necessities.” Like a broken dam, Philip’s words poured out relentlessly. “Throughout the territory, there are still refugees increasing in number, and even if you give them land to till, many of them typically make basic household tools themselves. Though not artisan masterpieces, I believe we could secure a sufficient stock from the eastern imperial cities like Rusfelheim, where handcrafted goods are abundant. Ideally, we could take our grains to the northern Tritan territory...” “Ah, enough, enough. I get it. You’d rather manage a trade guild than work in administration, right?” “Yes, that’s correct!” The anxiety in his eyes was replaced by a small spark of excitement. ‘Maybe... ‘ Philip felt a hopeful premonition from Logan’s affirming tone. After signing a contract akin to slavery, Philip’s deal with the commodity Imporik had been a massive success, but since then, his work had been tediously dull. He now had a glimpse of a much more exciting life ahead of him. And Philip did indeed receive that opportunity. “People should do the work that suits their abilities and talents. That’s why I’m thinking of putting you in charge of the Macline trade guild. As our family’s representative trade guild...” “Is that really the case?” Philip startled to his feet involuntarily. A noble trade guild that blatantly bore the family’s banner and was backed by solid capital and power could engage in trade credit that was incomparable to regular small and medium guilds. And with the current status of Macline, they were virtually an omnipotent power within the kingdom. Whatever they traded, whatever they did. Most merchants would be willing to accept some decrease in profit for the sake of their relationship with the Macline guild. “That should be enough.” “Really?” “Then I will assign someone to help you begin the implementation.” “Your Highness, you did listen to me, right?” With a slower pace, “Sure. I’ve actually called the person you need. Dwayne, let them in.” “Alright.” Dwayne, who had been anxiously watching, moved slowly, and Philip looked back and forth between Logan and Dwayne in disbelief. “...Excuse me? This isn’t as easy as it sounds, right?” A well-established merchant with firm trading posts in the Imperial cities – those words were easy to say but represented people so few in the kingdom. One had died during the last civil war. Another saw his family’s downfall. And the remaining one... The door creaked open. “...Huh?” “You called for me, Prince Logan?” “Ah, Uncle, why do you have to be so formal? I told you to speak comfortably.” Despite Logan’s unusually warm welcome, the stern expression did not lift from the man’s face. He was Beron Kairos, the current head of the renowned Kairos Grain Guild within the three greatest guilds of the kingdom and heir to the Kairos family. “Representative Beron Kairos of the Kairos Guild will be assisting you in running the guild. One cannot underestimate his connections, right?” “Wow...” Philip let out an exclamation of amazement. “Now, Uncle, please introduce yourself. This is Philip Claude, who will be the head of the Macline trade guild.” “Ah... at least he has a last name. Are you a noble?” “No. There might have been nobles in my distant ancestors, but now I’m just a commoner with a last name.” “You’re asking me to serve under a commoner...” “Is that a problem? Hmm, looks like the Kairos family has grown too comfortable with their current bounty, it seems.” “...Well, it’s manageable. Yes, I will do my utmost to assist.” “It is a pleasure to work with you, Beron Kairos.” “Well... same here.” Logan plainly noted that all final decisions in trade dealings lay with Philip, with Uncle Beron merely needed for connections and advisement. The reluctant expression on Beron’s face turned into strained laughter, but Philip genuinely smiled. Two months prior. When Juan Douglas’s head rolled in the Macline battle, the Kairos family was one of the first houses to choose surrender. Their knights had already been decimated, and they had few soldiers remaining, so there was no other choice. But even after the war, the Kairos family faced a grim predicament. The Macline family, whom they had previously dismissed coldly, was now a dominant power in the nation post-civil war. All the Kairos family could look forward to was a bleak future. Eventually, Old Lord Simon Kairos pleaded with his daughter, asking her to intercede on their behalf. – Please save us. Wasn’t that your birth family? Haunted by the notion, Marian reluctantly conveyed her father’s words to Logan. “You can ignore it, Logan. I’ve only conveyed it as a daughter should. After all, I’m a daughter who was abandoned.” “No, Mother. I actually have a perfectly suitable task at hand.” Logan accepted the proposal with a smile. That’s why Beron Kairos came to Macline, and the launch of the Macline trade guild began smoothly. Now, The grand trade guild procession bearing the flaming crest flag stood ready to depart from the heart of Macline Town.

Chapter 176

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