Chapter 8

Chapter 8

This little brat he throws a fit even when praised.

Grinding his teeth internally, Dwayne managed to maintain a smile on his face.

The crucial discussion was about to begin, and there was no way he could let one comment ruin it.

The recent hardships of the family make the sum of 3 million gold akin to a much-needed rain after a drought. Thanks to your lordships ingenuity, the family can finally take a deep breath.

He practically wanted to say, Well done. Now hand over that money but instead, he spoke politely, wrapping his true intentions in a facade of adult composure.

Why do you say the family can breathe easy? Its my money, isnt it? Didnt you hear what my father said yesterday?

The thoughtless comment of the spoiled brat left Dwayne feeling dizzy once more.

I cant believe its really happening

Though his face twitched as if it might cramp up, now was not the time.

Dwayne struggled to control his expression. Twenty years as MacLaines Financial Officer meant he was well practiced in maintaining a servile expression.

I need to cajole him gently very gently

However, before he could even speak, his subordinates started creating a commotion.

Impossible, my lord!

Youd spend all that money by yourself?!

What blasphemy!

The young lords complexion turned icy in an instant.

What are you doing! How dare you! Get out, all of you!

Dwayne, with a face possibly more rigid than Logans, was the first to shout angrily.

The officials looked as though they had bitten into something distasteful, but upon realizing their mistake, they quickly turned away with the look of defeated soldiers.

Dwayne, lets start with the food situation.

No, its the management of the walls.

The equipment of the soldiers

Their hopeful gazes locked onto Dwayne, their last bastion.

Ill give it my all.

Left alone, Dwayne locked the door to his room with a resolved expression and bid them farewell.

Ha ha ha. My lord, my subordinates have been quite rude. They are not usually so senseless, but given the dire straits of the family Ha ha.

Is the family really in such dire straits?

There we go!

Though mindless, his subordinates had yielded an unexpected result.

Suppressing the strength in his fist, Dwayne opened his mouth with a slightly sad expression.

You may not be aware, but we owe 3 million gold to Coopers Bank. The interest alone each year is

150,000 gold.

You knew?

Yeah. I heard it yesterday at Coopers, after depositing the 3 million gold.

Dwayne once again gulped down his saliva upon seeing the deposit slip casually waving in the profligates hand.

Then this simplifies matters. With the interest payment due, repaying that amount would ease the familys woes for many years to come

Its the harvest season, isnt it? Paying the interest should be doable, right? And the maturity date can be extended automatically.

How does he know so much? Even the head of the family isnt familiar with the banking details

Dwayne was momentarily flustered but quickly composed himself. That wasnt the matter at hand.

Ha ha. Managing a territory always involves expenses, and our funds are always tight. If you could just help out a bit

Dwaynes original plan was to get his hands on the entire 3 million gold, but now his ambitions had been significantly lowered without even his own realization.

Are you asking me to contribute to the territorys management funds?

Yes, exactly that!

It seemed as if his persuasion had worked!

Just as Dwayne was on the verge of rejoicing internally,

Sorry, but no.

The calm voice shattered his elation as if he had been soaring to heaven only to be dragged back down.

Why not?!

Dwayne roared without realizing.

The chilling glare of the young lord made him shrink back momentarily, but he gritted his teeth for the good of the family. He could not let the fortune of 3 million gold scatter meaninglessly into the air.

Why? I thought you were standing up against the lords opposition for the sake of the territory?!

Thats right, I am.

See? Thats What?

I will use this money for the good of the family. But certainly not for something as fleeting as immediate management funds. We have to think more long-term.

Though unexpected, this answer did not soothe the anguish raging within the officer.

What do you know to be making such decisions! Just leave it to me!

Dwayne forcefully suppressed the truth rising to his throat and caught his breath.

Long-term?

Yes. Say I use the money now to resolve the debt. How much would the condition of the territory change?

Well With a larger budget, the financial operations would be more comfortable for at least a few years. It buys us some breathing room.

A chuckle.

Logan let out a derisive laugh at Dwaynes response, which was exactly as he had expected.

And after that?

Excuse me?

Well just end up in debt again, right? We have no special products or anything like that. Its a vicious cycle.

Ahem. Thats

Im trying to break that vicious cycle. So Ill use the money according to my plans.

If the lord refuses, I cant do anything about it.

Then Ill have to take the money back.

Its for your family.

Its my fathers family, and its my money thats being used.

The intense exchange of gazes between Logan and Dwayne was brief.

The officer, squeezed by chronic budget constraints, finally bowed his head, and the deal was settled.

* * *

After handing over the hefty sum of 100,000 gold to Dwayne, Logan immediately began to prepare to leave the territory. It hadnt been long since he returned from his training, but this time he would not be gone for long.

At most, one month. That should be enough.

It was a premeditated and necessary plan of action, but naturally, his surroundings did not understand.

Lord, are you really leaving?

Yes.

Why in the world?

For various reasons, but if I had to pick one to make money?

Havent you already gotten a lot of money!

I need much more.

Rick was dumbfounded, but Logan meant every word.

In a year, a local war will break out, and in ten years, an imperial war will begin. In that maelstrom, to protect the family and survive, what is most needed?

It was not something to think deeply about.

Powerful forces. In other words, an overwhelming power.

And the most necessary thing to acquire that power was undeniably money.

Whether to increase the number of soldiers, knights, procure equipment, or store food, everything required money.

Thats exactly why Logan needed money.

Far more than he currently had in his possession.

Even if Im not sure about the local war, to stand against the Empire

He couldnt even begin to guess how much money would be needed.

Hence, he was now preparing to leave the domain to build this financial foundation.

The lord will not allow it.

Even for a good cause, as Rick pointed out, there was a problem.

Logan had not even completed his coming of age ceremony and was but a young man.

More so in the midst of receiving the familys cold gaze, there was no way to talk of leaving without hearing an earful.

Rick made a valid point, and Logan acknowledged it.

That may be the case.

Thats what?

Thats why Im thinking of sneaking out.

What?!

If the flow of history remains unchanged, theres less than nine months before the local war.

If he had given up on changes from within the family, he needed to bring in change from outside.

Thankfully, theres a lot I can do out there.

It was strange to only come up with such a thought after the broken engagement had passed.

Logan knew about the events happening outside the domain much better than those within.

Because I was banished, wandering from kingdom to kingdom.

And the information he still had was still infinitely valuable.

If utilized well, the value of the 2.9 million gold he currently held could be maximized.

Of course, I need to first prepare for the local war. So as quickly as possible

He had to find a way to strengthen his external power and come back.

Naturally, others couldnt understand his thoughts.

What are you thinking! Leaving at this moment! What will the lord think

Rick illustrated the point, his face a mask of despair.

His master had only just begun to think positively for a few months, but now he was starting trouble again.

This time not just an internal family matter, but an escape attempt.

What am I supposed to do!

So he prostrated himself on the ground.

If youre going, please take me with you. Otherwise, absolutely! Absolutely not!

If Logan caused a problem, Rick had to clean up.

Already in the midst of chaos, Rick felt that he couldnt cope with his masters escape.

But Logan seemed unfazed by his valets concerns.

Ill leave a letter. No one will say anything to you.

Thats just what you think!

youd prefer I write it directly to my father?

What, to make him angrier?

Of course not!

If the lord himself condoned Logans departure, then it would be a little different.

But the next day,

Whats all this after making such a fuss and even extorting money?!

Rick had to face the lords flashing fury and was on the verge of wetting himself.

Seeking some fresh air due to the heartbreak of the annulmentwill return.

Written by Logan.