Regressor of the Fallen Family novel 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.

Dwayne, proceed with preparing for the construction of the second town.

Yes.

With a sigh mixed with dismay, Dwayne complied.

While some might find such developments suffocating, at this very moment, McLean was unquestionably advancing.

And as Logan smiled in assurance, a report from Knox, diligently fulfilling a commission he had long forgotten about, arrived before him.

To Lord Logan McLean. We have located an individual fitting the description of the person you requested us to find two years agothe mage Chern Crow. Currently in the domain of Rusfell, near the eastern borders of the Empire, adjacent to the Grandia Kingdom. The subject matches the provided description and the estimated level of power. Although not under the name Krawne that you mentioned, there is a high probability

It was the result of tracking a request regarding an independent superhuman who made a name during the war with the empire.

The Sorcerer of Slaughter, Krawne. Ha Why now Of all people

This news troubled Logan.

During the Imperial War in his past life, there had been a certain mage who had served as a mercenary for the empire. Shrouded in artifacts of his own making, he fought at the very front, not typical for a mage, and slaughtered the troops of the kingdom. He gained infamy as a superhuman, though his reputation and treatment differed drastically from that of The Evil Sword Banjoni. While the imperial palace refused to acknowledge Banjoni despite the mercenary contracts due to his horrendous acts, they actively courted Krawne, the Sorcerer of Slaughter. However, the Sorcerer of Slaughter continued to reject their entreaties and operated as a mere mercenary.

Though the number of slain Grandia troops by this mercenary was prodigious, the more critical reason for concern was different.

The developer who successfully mass-produced lower-grade artifacts and one of the 10 leading merchants of the empire.

There were speculations that he had joined the war reluctantly due to the empires insistence, and within a decade, he would become an unbeatable powerhouse in both martial and financial prowess. It was also a consensus among historians that the fall of Grandia was accelerated by at least half due to the lower-grade artifacts he supplied to imperial knights.

Therefore

The best course is to induct him if possible. Or, at least, he must be eliminated.

Logans gaze naturally carried a murderous intent.

Regardless of the Grandia kingdoms soldiers sacrificed to those artifacts, the damage the resistance suffered later was immense.

Emotionally, upon laying eyes on him, Logan wanted the man dead.

But still, if possible, I must bring him in.

The Sorcerer of Slaughter was that sort of talent.

Thus, he could not afford to miss this opportunity.

Even if Knoxs report was false, it required verification.

And Logan was the only person who could recognize him; no one else could be entrusted with this task.

Eventually, Logan informed his retainers of his brief journey to the empire.