Episode 33: The Earl of Davis.
Although he was a member of the traditional royalist faction and had no fiefdom, he was a member of a prestigious family in Grand who had served as Minister of Finance for two generations.
The current head of the family, Earl Falun Davis, was also serving as Secretary to the Treasury at the age of only 25. It was expected that three successive generations would become Ministers of Finance within a decade or so.
Therefore, there were many people who wanted to look good in the count’s house, and as there were many guests, parties were frequent.
Thanks to this, the Earl Davis’ mansion was always bustling with guests.
“Wow. This is my first time seeing the flame symbol. It’s good that he’s Baron McLane. Please come in.”
The gatekeeper of the Earl of Davis who checked the flame symbol on the silver identity card.
He, who was just a soldier and not a knight, looked Logan up and down, smiled and gestured in a tone that was almost half-respectful. The owner’s prestige is so great that even soldiers treat lower-ranking nobles with ease.
Since it was an entirely natural sight, Logan casually filled out the guestbook and entered the interior of the huge mansion.
The mansion, which was larger than McLane’s inner palace and spacious garden, looked so complicated that it would be surprising for a first-time visitor to get lost.
However, without even asking the attendants passing by, the loud sound of music coming from the party naturally led Logan’s steps.
Before entering the party, Logan had to take out his identification card again.
The knights guarding the entrance to the party became suspicious when they saw Logan’s awkward tailcoat and nervous expression.
“Oh, sorry. I hope you enjoy the wonderful culture of the capital, Confucius.”
Even though his identity was confirmed, he didn’t look very friendly as he sneered.
“You are eating Baron McLane’s son!”
As I entered the party with a loud voice that seemed a bit excessive, numerous eyes were focused on me from all directions.
“who is this?”
“McLine?”
“Was there such a family?”
“Just looking at him, he looks like a hillbilly.”
“Oh my. Look at the world’s most out-of-this-world party clothes.”
But that was all there was to interest in Logan.
A party was a social gathering place where one could meet people more influential than oneself or find an attractive partner.
His red hair, red eyes, and pretty good looks were enough to attract attention, but he couldn’t overcome the ‘overly flashy and expensive-looking’ gold and red tailcoat.
So Logan smiled very satisfied.
‘It was a good choice. Philip.’
It was heartbreaking to know that no one knew about the McLane family, but I didn’t want to create a relationship that had nothing to do with my purpose.
In any case, the butterflies that flew after the honey gathered here would all disappear if a storm blew through the flower garden.
Those who will survive the coming chaos and make a name for themselves will not be hanging out at parties with no justification on weekdays.
“Oh my, it’s so old-fashioned. Where on earth do they come from?”
“Don’t look at me. I don’t want anything dirty in your beautiful eyes.”
So, the couple having this ridiculous conversation as if they were listening right in front of them just looked like idiots.
As he walked toward his goal without paying attention, someone blocked Logan’s path and politely asked him to say hello.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Simpson Brown.”
“This is Logan McLane.”
“I have heard of the reputation of the Count McLane family. It is an honor to meet you.”
“…Are you a male writer?”
“Huh? Wasn’t he a count? Apparently, in the noble genealogy I memorized… Ah?! Ugh, that was rude. I guess I misunderstood the person.”
“…hmm?”
The guy who was walking backwards, smiling awkwardly as if he had made a mistake, was seen clapping with people who seemed to be in his group.
‘Did you see it? did. I did it?’ The visible shape of the mouth let me know that this unbecoming act was just entertainment.
‘…There are all kinds of weirdos in the world.’
After walking without knowing that a storm was coming and ignoring the butterflies looking for honey, I was finally able to find my goal.
The host of this party was Count Falun Davis.
Several noble ladies were gathered in front of the main character, who had a round face and a friendly smile with a moderate amount of belly fat, smiling.
No matter how highly corrupt the country was, it was a truly strange sight to see a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Finance holding a party at this time.
‘When you get to know him, he’s a pitiful guy.’
Judging by his family background and his position, he was clearly an excellent husband.
However, although he took a wife at the age of only 20 and also had a second wife and a concubine, he had no children.
‘Because it’s impossible.’
While analyzing the data provided by Nox, I found this guy’s name in all three ledgers and suddenly memories of my past life came back to me.
Although it was only for a short time, it was a name that became famous.
‘The count committed suicide because of his wife.’
– A guy who can’t even stand!
What happened was that the bomb his wife set off at the party ultimately drove him to commit suicide.
It was difficult for Logan to understand, but it seemed that other people’s opinions and honor were so important to him that they could determine his life.
Of course, Logan wasn’t very interested in what the future held for Count Davis.
All that needs to be done is to provide a helping hand to the future of that poor man, who already has three wives but is forced by his family’s elders to throw parties to get another wife.
Logan walked up to Count Davis and spoke quietly.
“Excuse me, Count. A guest would like to say hello to the host of the party.”
“Oh my. You’re a new customer. Welcome… where are you from?”
Falun Davis, who was momentarily taken aback when he saw Logan’s attire, barely managed to keep from bursting into laughter and asked.
At an open party like this, even uninvited guests were guests.
Since it was a party that any noble could attend, it was important for the host to be polite.
“My name is Logan McLane, the eldest son of the McLane family in the southwestern region. I came to the capital on business and heard the count’s name and came to say hello.”
This was the same even if it was a business that came from an unknown corner of the country.
Because he was an exemplary nobleman who knew how to be polite.
“Oh, it’s a business. There’s already nothing that’s missing in Grand. Haha, since you’re from the outskirts, it’s possible that there are some interesting items that aren’t found in the capital.”
Even if you peel it, turn it over. This was the speaking style of a true nobleman.
Falun admired himself for his exquisite linguistic play.
It seemed like some of the stress from the party was washed away.
However, this country nobleman seemed to have some difficulty grasping the subject.
“Of course. I’m sure it’s something I don’t have, so I’ve come to sell it.”
“Ah… I see. What kind of product are you selling?”
First of all, they responded, but it was clear that they were not interested.
“It’s a medicine. A medicine like no other in the world.”
“Oh, I see. Then I’ll just leave…”
“It’s a really good medicine for men, especially at night.”
The last words came quickly and were whispered softly so that only the guy’s ears could hear them.
Although he might have been surprised by the sudden approach, it was definitely not the reason why the Count’s eyes were shaking.
“…What do you mean?”
“It’s an aphrodisiac. It’s an aphrodisiac. It’s also a treatment for erectile dysfunction, which is said to make even a eunuch stand up.”
As expected, it was a barely audible whisper, but it would have been as loud as thunder in the earl’s ears.
However, Falun’s reaction was a little different than expected.
“A nobleman’s son really needs to sell aphrodisiacs?”
I wonder if he wants to embarrass me by making a loud noise to attract attention.
The noble ladies around him blushed a little and turned away.
Looking at the guy’s expression, I could easily read his mind.
‘okay. ‘You can’t believe this, right?’
Of course it could. Because the circumstances are such, you would have already found out a lot about it.
“Because I’m sure it’s effective.”
Logan was not embarrassed and just shrugged his shoulders and smiled leisurely.
“It’s an item that doesn’t befit the dignity of a nobleman. But… in this country, business is free. Try your best.”
Falun looked Logan up and down and then turned around with a hard look on his face.
Looking at that guy, Logan pulled out the last move he had prepared.
“Still, since I’m coming from a foreign country, I have to be polite. I brought a gift to say hello to the powerful people in the capital.”
“gift?”
“This is a product called ‘Imphoric’ that is scheduled to be sold for 100 gold each. I brought three tablets as a special gift to the Count.”
I don’t know if it was because of the words “100 gold” or just because it was a gift, but the Count easily looked back.
“I can swear on my noble honor that this is a top-class medicine with absolutely no side effects.”
At Logan’s last words, the Count’s eyes fluttered like waves.
* * *
“Will the Count come to buy this medicine?”
“Well, wouldn’t it be more likely that he won’t come?”
“Yes? Then why…”
“But I’m not just going there.”
“Oh, I know what you mean.”
“He who is in a hurry digs a well. If you throw the bait a few times, someone will definitely bite. Then…”
“That will be the end of the game.”
“No. This is where the real deal begins.”
The words were different, but the meaning was the same.
Logan and Philip looked at each other and laughed.
* * * The downtown area of the Grand Castle.
The royal palace was located at the very center, and the mansions of high-ranking nobles were lined up around it.
The street leading from the west gate of the castle to its center boasted the highest land prices within the capital city.
“This little booger is worth 10,000 gold a month?”
Logan made a dumbfounded expression as he looked at the space that was only about 10 pyeong wide, but the broker’s expression was nothing short of confident.
“Haha, Prince. This is a position that has barely been made. There are so many people who want to do business here…”
“Philip. What do you think?”
“Space isn’t important to us. I think we can have a variety if we decorate it properly.”
Normally, when doing business, we will consider and compare various things, but for us, it is more important than anything to have an assortment.
Logan, who read the hidden meaning in Philip’s words, smiled bitterly.
Unlike him, who thought that if things went well, the nobles would come to him on their own, Philip said that there should be an official sales route, such as an official merchant or shopping mall.
– Of course, just because you open a shopping mall, nobles won’t come to visit you in person. However, the mere existence of an official sales route changes the impact.
It was said that just by ‘seeing’ people flocking together, the rumor would grow several times faster.
Those words were persuasive, so I found a commercial space in the most expensive location in the inner city.
However, I couldn’t help but be concerned about the enormous monthly rent that I had never imagined at McLane Castle.
“I need to move a little harder.”
“I will first decorate the shopping center luxuriously.”
“…okay.”
The decision was quick, and Logan became busier from that day on.
* * * Three quarters of the nobles of the Kingdom of Grandia were concentrated in the capital, Gran.
The majority of honorary nobles without estates, who accounted for more than half of all nobles, lived in the capital, but even estate nobles often left the management of their estates to managers or successors and lived in the capital.
The purpose of most of these people was to make connections, and the party to build those connections was making the center of the capital, Grand, noisy even today.
It was not an uncommon sight for a nobleman from the countryside who had just arrived in the capital to snoop around at such a party.
Most parties held for networking were places where you could only attend if you had the minimum qualifications, that is, noble status.
However, among those people, there were very few people wearing flashy clothes like Logan.
“…Do you have an invitation? If not, please show me your identification card.”
The soldier bowed his head respectfully towards Logan.
It was more to hold back laughter than to be polite.
This was already the seventh time the soldier had reacted like that, so Logan shrugged his shoulders in a familiar manner and lifted his identification card to reveal the emblem.
‘It’s almost time for a bite to come…’
He visited one or two parties a day and spread bait.
Strangely enough, those who were targeted held more parties than ordinary nobles.
‘Is it because of a sense of entitlement?’
I burst into laughter, but the reason was probably good.
If one waterway opens, everything will start to unravel.
Now it was important to throw at least one more bait for that.
So, Logan smiled and lowered his head at the human-shaped pig, who found it surprising that his body didn’t explode again today.
‘I think it’s because of his weight. Losing weight is better than taking medicine… Okay. Let’s throw the bait and see.’
The reward for all that hard work came before five days had passed.
* * *
“Aren’t you going to the party today?”
A narrow space that is luxuriously decorated to resemble a private meeting room for VIPs.
Logan, who was sitting on a chair worth 20,000 gold and staring blankly at the ceiling, answered Philip’s question a little late.
“I’m wondering if there’s something wrong. Have the vulgar clothes tarnished my image too much?”
“Don’t think too hastily. Logan’s strategy is reasonable enough. Now, let’s take a moment to react…”
“Are you there!”
At perfect timing, I heard the voice I had been waiting for.
“You’re here.”
“come!”
Smiles appeared on both people’s faces.
