Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

It had taken only a day to pay off Philips debt and sort out the remaining burden he carried. In his only remaining asset, his mansion, Logan explained to Philip what had to be done going forward.

I may take you with me, but you wont be formally employed by the family right away.

There was no need to tell him the unpleasant truth that hiring him could potentially tarnish ones own reputation.

So for now, I just wish youd do what I ask of you here.

Yes, I understand, Lord Logan.

Despite likely having questions, Philips response showed no hesitation.

Was it because he felt there was no need to question since he had already signed a contract, or was it simply a lack of drive?

As Logan viewed Philips potential with some doubt, he knew he needed to test him.

Well see once I give him a task.

Initially, he thought to take advantage of the merchants skills not in making money, but in procuring goods. His second objective in the trading city of Kail was to secure necessary supplies for the immediate operation in his fiefdom.

The first task Ill set for you is to purchase large quantities of cartridges, springs, and glue made from the southern imperial ironwood.

Yes?

Philip looked perplexed, so Logan, instead of explaining the reasons, outlined the specifications of the materials needed.

And it would be good if we could get about a hundred samples for various experiments beforehand.

Are you planning to sell toys?

Putting aside his cheeky attitude and the mocking tone, since the purported purpose of employment was to make money, it wasnt strange that Philips mind went in that direction.

Um, something like that.

However, there was no need to discuss right now the plan to create weapons for the war.

For the time being, Logan was more focused on producing the samples based on his memories from his previous life.

As for the matter at hand,

The southern imperial ironwood is known for its durability, so quality springs will only need to be standardized, and as for glue, the stronger the adhesive quality, the better, correct?

Thats right.

Then, theres really no need to buy them here or even from the empire.

Philip spoke quite quickly and unexpectedly.

What?

Ironwood from the northern kings territories is even sturdier than the southern imperial ironwood. They are mainly produced in the northern Triton estates. There are many artisans who make goods from ironwood there, and naturally, theres glue too. Personally, I think its far superior to imperial produce. Buying directly rather than through merchants here would also mean a cheaper price.

Oh?

Logan, now a mercenary, had used weapons made from these materials only after the collapse of the kingdom, an unknown fact to him.

I still have connections from my ancestors in those places. If you wish, I can contact them to have about a hundred samples sent to the MacLayn estates purely on credit. Shall I make the arrangements?

Yes, do that.

Logan nodded, simply taken aback by Philips rapid and unexpected response.

More competent than I thought.

But Logan still held back on his assessment of Philip.

With that in mind, he brought up the most significant matter he had contemplated.

This was an item that, even with his current shortage of business acumen, could be enough to make money, leveraging information from the future.

Hell probably panic, though.

With the feeling of playing a mischievous prank on a fussy friend, Logan casually dropped the bombshell as if nothing was wrong.

Im also thinking about buying monster meat.

Ah, I see What?!

Philips surprise was only natural.

Monsters werent natural creatures; they enjoyed destroying nature and tormenting other life formsbyproducts of ancient demon kings or the remnants of unrecorded ancient civilizations, or perhaps simply born from sorcery.

According to scholars, their opinions varied, but they shared a common perspective:

Monsters are antagonistic to other life forms, their blood and flesh carry toxins and continue to harm living beings and destroy the environment after death.

Thats why, when vanquishing monsters, it was customary to burn anything other than their bones and hides. Only special parts of particularly unique monsters were harvested for magical or specific purposes.

I must be hearing things because of bad ears, you meant the byproducts of monsters, not the meat, right?

No, I meant the meat.

Are you serious?

Despite the polite words, Philips expression clearly read, Did I just see a madman?

Logan just grinned and added more to his explanation.

Im planning to buy and stockpile the meat of the lower-class monster Karok.

Karok, you said?

The lower-class monster Karok looked similar to a wild boar with a horn on its forehead.

Even if they resembled commonplace livestock, their blood possessed toxins, which meant their meat was not fit for human consumption.

Yeah, Karok meat.

Why are you emphasizing meat? You dont mean there are people who eat it?

I just want you to purchase and gather that meat.

As Logan focused on dictating his request without answering Philips question, Philip gave him a look as if he had been presented spoiled food.

While his gaze silently conveyed, Are you seriously out of your mind? Philip attempted to reason clearly.

Monster meat is best disposed of by burning. No matter how much you pay for it, it will only ensure a loss.

It wont be, in this case.

What kind of nonsense

Philip choked back a curse that was about to escape as he looked at Logan, but Logan appeared to be undeterred, his eyes shining even brighter.

Haah Well, if you say so. How much do you intend to use?

Philip eventually asked, signaling surrender with a raised hand gesture.

However, the ensuing answer made him involuntarily leap to his feet.

One million.

One million?! Have you gone insane!

Philips near-hysteria was laden with unfiltered emotion, but Logan simply responded with a smile, firm in his assertion.

Ill spend even more if it turns out to be profitable. Definitely.

No matter what rumors youve heard, a rumor is not a reason to invest such money! For a rumor to become reality, you need indisputable, concrete evidence!

Philip spoke with a voice so loud and flushed in the face, turning heads of people passing by outside the mansion, yet Logans demeanor remained unchanged.

Evidence will come, definitively.

How can you be so sure with

To Philips exasperated protest, current common sense dictated that his response was entirely logical.

Yet in a few years, the situation would drastically change.

Next summer, in one of the empires towers, a serum neutralizing monster blood would begin being sold.

It was a neutralizer made from common ingredients, without rare herbs or magic.

Though it only worked on the blood of low-level monsters, its cost-effectiveness was extraordinary.

Moreover, anyone could make it if they knew the ingredients.

Since monster hunting by mercenaries and hunters mostly involved low-level monsters, this serum would rapidly spread across the continent.

Soon after, in regions where food was scarce, the consuming of Karok meat and other livestock-looking monsters began.

This shocking new culinary culture spread, and during the winter of the same year, numerous cases surfaced of people curing impotence by eating Karok meat.