Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 10

He would not bother to throw bait like this just to deceive someone who had nothing but debt.

This one must be undoubtedly mad.

And there was nothing more foolish than engaging in lengthy conversations with a madman.

But still.

How much do you plan to invest?

Because there was always a chance, however slight.

With the thought of preparing for the unexpected, Philip tossed the question nonchalantly.

Perhaps a rich young master cant handle his excessive wealth and splurges foolishly.

Understanding it was a pitiful hope, Philip couldnt help but cling on to it. After all, in his desperate state, he couldnt afford to ignore even a rotten lifeline.

How much debt do you have? And what about your plans for the next venture?

To Philips surprise, the madmans answer had some logic to it.

A faint hope began to rise in Philips heart.

Would you really invest in a trading company that has already failed once?

Well, its fine. I believe in Mr. Philips talent. I want to invest and see.

When have you ever seen me

Yet despite his constant ranting, the madmans gaze never wavered.

Such consistent reactions were not characteristic of a madman.

Putting aside his prejudices, Philip felt a sense of familiarity in the intense gaze of the young man before him.

The eyes of someone missed.

Father

It was the gaze of a person confident in their judgement, someone who knew exactly the path they must take and had the belief to walk it to the end.

It was then that Philip allowed the hope he had been forcibly ignoring to raise its head again.

Are you serious about investing?

His heart fluttered.

It was like seeing a ray of light in a pool of despair, as his slim hope grew stronger.

Yes. How much would you need to pay off your debts and make a fresh start? Ill support you fully.

Just as these sweet words made Philips mood soar.

Tap.

An insignificant noise caused him to reflexively turn his head.

Dust fell off from the self-proclaimed investors armor, revealing an emblem.

The moment Philip saw the emblem, the enthusiasm bubbling inside him turned ice cold in an instant.

Of course, it figures.

The bitter feeling was all the more miserable because of the high expectations he had held.

Ill meet your conditions as best as I can. Just let me know.

All excitement had faded when he came face-to-face with the swindlers grinning face.

Ha, really Such a despicable young lad. I was about to let you off lightly, thinking I misunderstood something.

Cold words naturally spilled out.

What? What did he say?

Logan was taken aback. Everything was going well when suddenly he couldnt conceal his bewilderment from Philips abrupt words.

You. If youre going to scam someone, at least prepare properly. Like those bastards who scammed me before.

What?

Philips dramatically changed expression was met with an unexpected retort.

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Ha

It seemed he was spitefully picking a fight with someone who might have saved him.

Had he not known the boys future, he wouldve thought of him as a fool.

No, even with that knowledge, it seemed like an act of utter stupidity.

You, what are you saying?

Youre not an investor, are you?

What?

Is this guy crazy? Why the sudden change?

Having failed once in business, is he now like a mad dog eager to bite anyone?

These questions and more were reflected in Philips eyes as he answered with a snort.

You havent been in Kail long enough to even shake the dirt off your shoes. And you come straight to the merchants district to talk about investing? You know who I am?

Philip pointed to his shoes, which, just as he claimed, still had some dirt on them.

That finger soon pointed to Logans chest.

Plus, Ive memorized every noble family crest in this country. That crest on your armor is from the MacLaine baronial house of the Southwest. So whats the problem? Dear noble-man-cum-swindler?

Though the claims were untrue, Philip felt a pang in his chest as he seemed to know what would come next.

The MacLaine house is a family of leeches living off their in-laws. And theyre talking about investing? A family that cant even pay off their own debts?

Ugh

It was painful to admit these irrefutable facts.

Im truly sorry that I have to advise you, but impersonating a noble and getting caught will get you executed, you know? Theyre rather strict here, understood?

Philip gestured cutting across his neck, his face a mix of cynicism and irritation.

No, but thats actually true

And more crucially, your attitude!

Whats wrong with it

An investor is an absolute superior to a desperate merchant. Yet youre behaving as if youre anxious to invest in me. Even the target of your deceit is wrong. You rookie scammer. Im truly dirt-poor, got it?! You bastard!!

His voice became increasingly forceful, the last of his words almost a scream.

Im so broke that I dont even have money to buy food for myself, you son of a

Philips voice filled the dust-coated shop, brimming with emotion.

Seeing a grown man cry is as uncomfortable as having to console a weeping woman.

Feeling this anew, Logan still hesitated to make a move.

Despite Philips accusations containing many inaccuracies, they could have been reasonable doubts had Logan not been through his own experiences.

And thats the problem.

Despite such talent, the young man had been scammed. If it were the same renowned merchant he had known in his previous life, things would be different.

Hes not that capable person yet.

Perhaps the trials and tribulations he had yet to face would create the man he would one day become.

Actually, it must have been exactly that which crafted his future self.

Time must have crafted the merchant.

But Logan didnt have time to wait for the Gold Bug to awaken the abilities he had in his previous life and go through all that hardship.

What to do

Logans trail of thoughts suddenly reached a fundamental question.

Wait, why do I need to invest in the trading company at all?

The future imperial merchant was considering abandoning the path of a merchant entirely.

This might be the chance to make the future empires top ten merchant my own!

His confused thoughts seemed to align suddenly.

Even if the man didnt grow to where he was in the previous life, it would still weaken the power of the Ares Empire on its own.

Having organized his thoughts, Logan spoke with a bright smile.

If I were to pay off all your debts and hire you for life, how much would it cost?

That was enough to stop Philips wailing.

What are you saying?! Are you still trying to scam

About to shout again, Philip was silenced upon seeing the golden aura bursting from Logans hand.

Could a young genius capable of using Force actually be a noble impostor running scams?

It would be idiotic to throw a promising future into the gutter like that.

And that realization proved every speculation Philip had made so far was wrong.

Ah Ahaha, really?

Seeing a stunned Philip, Logan reminded himself, He is the future merchant. One of the empires top ten.

With a composed expression, Logan gathered his thoughts.

After an awkward silence, a resigned voice spoke up.

Ah so you were really a young master. Eeek. But what did you say?

Trying to convert his derogatory speech to respect, Philip ended up sounding extremely awkward.

I said, how much would it be to hire you for life if I paid off your debt? Logan clarified.

Youre willing to hire me? For life?

Yes. Name your price for the contract. Consider paying off your debt as a gift.

Logan thought it would be clear-cut at this point.

However, Philips expression grew more twisted upon hearing this.

I must first apologize for the disrespect I showed due to my misjudgment.

A sense of foreboding washed over Logan at the ominous prelude.

But! Unless theres been a tremendous change Im unaware of, the MacLaine household wouldnt have the means, would they?

Ah

Are you suggesting we both sink together with my debts on top of yours? Im sorry, but Im not interested in a suicide pact.

Philip firmly expressed his refusal. He mightve misjudged the person, but one thing was clear to him.

The MacLaine baronial house is a beggars family. What would they have to offer!

It wasnt a scam, then either the noble-young-master was mocking him, or the young master was too naive to understand the harsh realities of the world.

Being born noble makes the world seem like an easy place, huh?

Philip decided to teach this young nobleman a lesson in reality.

The existing debt alone is 250,000 gold, and my person is worth that much too. The only certainty for a merchant is a contract. Can we sign it right away, or should I wait?

Throughout his exceedingly sarcastic tone, the young masters expression hardened.

That figures.

Seeing that look, Philip was about to extinguish the last bit of hope he had held when suddenly

500,000 Seems like odd math to me. How can someone in 250,000 debt claim a personal value of another 250,000? Unless you mean a negative 250,000.

Struck out of nowhere by a forcible fact, Philip felt a deep blow to his heart.

Urgh. Its its that

Fine. Ill add another 50,000 for your pride. So, how about 300,000 total?

Wha? No, what did you say? Three, three hundred thousand?

Would you rather not?

As Logans words grew more brief, Philip seemed too shocked to even notice.

Then shall we leave it as is?

Utterly bewildered by the unexpected sum, Philip collapsed at that one sentence.

300,000 gold! Yes! Absolutely yes!

To Philip, it was as if salvation had unexpectedly arrived in response to a casual remark. There was no reason for him to refuse.

Shall we make a contract right now?

Excuse me?

Logan nonchalantly put down his travelers sack as if it were nothing significant.

Thud.

The sack sounded unusually heavy, echoing weightily in Philips chest.

A golden glow peeked out from the opened top, revealing a bag full of gold coins.

The money Logan had withdrawn earlier that day from the Coppers Kail branch.

Any merchant would go mad at the sight of that pile of gold.

Thankfully, it seems I have enough for the upfront payment.

Philip thought he saw a halo around the smiling owner of the backpack.

What is this man? An angel?

Feeling somewhat detached from reality, Philip remained speechless for a while.

It, this, for real?

Gazing at the gold coin sack as if in a dream, Philip soon held Logans hand with tears welling up in his eyes.

Th-thank you. I really, truly thank you. I considered resigning myself to a life of slavery

And now I find myself kneeling Ah, I already was, indeed.

Sinking to the floor was one thing, but now his posture resembled a worshiper praying to a god, an admittedly overwhelming sight.

So, why do you wish to employ me, to go to such monetary lengths?

Didnt I say? I believe in potential for the future.

Do you really think so? That I may bloom late and help increase your wealth?

No, it must happen. For my own purpose, it must.

Logans determined gaze seemed to move Philip once again.

Nobody has ever shown me such trust. Not even my late father did so much

Overcome with emotion, Philip took a moment to compose himself while Logan looked on with a faint smile.

Lets go make that contract.

Where to?

We cant write a contract here, can we?

Really?

Regardless of where the contract is written, what does it matter?

Logan took the befuddled Philip to one of the rare magic shops in Kail.

* * *

There. Contract complete!

As a drop of blood from Philips finger fell onto the contract, the bluish mana inscribed upon it glowed brightly, ensnaring his body.

It was an expensive magical contract worth 10,000 gold.

From now on, if Philip intentionally committed an act harmful to Logan, he would experience soul-rending agony.

Unless he wanted to suffer, hed need to awaken his own Force to become a superior knight or pay a wizard of at least the 4th circle hundreds of times the sum to lift the curse.

In essence, the contract exchanged Philips life for 300,000 gold, a contract for all intents and purposes akin to buying a slave.

Thus, it was understandable that Philips face soured, despite just moments ago being filled with emotion.

A scum, using an exorbitant contract worth the price of 30 slaves just to make one slave out of me. And with 300,000 gold on top of that?

Philips continued grumbling fell on seemingly deaf ears, as Logans face was brimming with smiles.

How else would we trust each other at first meeting? If you invest a fortune, there ought to be a guarantee.

Though Logan spoke casually, Philip was clearly agitated but sighed in acquiescence.

Better than being dragged off by those other scoundrels.

Being treated similarly to a slave was better than being officially branded and treated as one.

That was what he told himself to feel better, but his spirits irresistibly dampened due to the previously high expectations.

As Philips gloom was starting to set in again, Logan casually remarked.

We can always get rid of the contract once we build mutual trust. So, lets do our best from here on.

A vague promise, without any specified period or conditions.

Yet, that simple statement was enough to kindle a small flame in Philips dead-looking eyes.