The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations

Claude let out a strange scream as he was sent flying.

“Hey, why are you hitting me? Wendy, do something!”

Claude, who had fallen flat on the ground, shouted.

Wendy, who was supposed to be his bodyguard, didn’t move a muscle when Belinda attacked him.

Completely ignoring Claude’s indignation, Belinda pointed her finger at him and yelled.

“How dare you try to build such a vulgar facility on our Young Lord’s land!”

This was the first estate that Ghislain, whom she had taken care of so dearly, had received.

But a gambling hall? What?

As his former tutor, there was no way she would allow such a facility to be built.

“Look at him! He’s completely lost his mind to gambling! The moment he becomes Chief Overseer, the first thing he tries to do is set up a gambling hall!”

“No, no! Wait, listen to me for a second! It’s not that I want to gamble! I quit, I swear!”

“Quit, huh? How could you say you’ve quit and then the first thing out of your mouth is to build a gambling hall? A dog would stop barking sooner than you’d stop gambling!”

At Belinda’s words, the retainers’ faces filled with doubt.

Claude desperately waved his hands.

“No, no! That’s not it! Listen to me. We’re going to turn this place into a leisure city like Austern. If we promote it well, nobles will flock here and spend an enormous amount of money!”

“……”

The retainers still had suspicious looks on their faces, but even Belinda shut her mouth at his words.

It was true that many nobles visited Austern for leisure. Thanks to that, Baron Austern had made an absolute fortune.

As people seemed to become intrigued, Claude spoke even more excitedly.

“In simple terms, we’re creating a cultural city and tourist destination. The townspeople will also make money by serving the visitors.”

“Well, it does sound somewhat plausible.”

Belinda stroked her chin, nodding.

If done well, it certainly seemed like they could rake in a lot of money.

Even so, she couldn’t agree that gambling was part of cultural life.

“I did some research, and there’s no city like that in the Ritania Kingdom. We could be the first to build a larger and more extravagant planned city from the ground up. Austern grew naturally, so it ended up a bit messy.”

Austern had originally been in a situation similar to Fenris.

No special products, no resources, just barren land.

It was a place where people who enjoyed gambling and those involved in shady businesses slowly gathered, causing its accidental growth.

A naturally developed, crude place—unlike anything else on the continent.

That was Austern, the city of indulgence.

“Even though nobles act dignified, they’re always looking for something fun behind the scenes. It won’t be just nobles, but mercenaries and adventurers will flood in too. The more people come and go, the more money changes hands, and the more residents will settle.”

Claude declared confidently.

At first, the retainers, who had been taken aback, began to nod, seemingly convinced that Claude had a point.

With the public opinion now on his side, Claude turned to Ghislain.

“What do you think? Once the city is established, you can make money without lifting a finger. It’s like money printing itself! How can you say no to that?”

Ghislain, who had been quietly listening, let out a small laugh and leaned back in his chair.

“Well, that was an interesting idea. We can consider building a small city later on.”

“Later? Then what about now?” Claude pressed.

“Isn’t it obvious? We proceed with the original plan.” Ghislain replied.

“What? My lord! I’m telling you, don’t waste your money!”

It was a tempting proposal, one that would have easily captured the interest of other lords.

With the use of the Runestone, they could create a city comparable to Austern.

However, for Ghislain, who would eventually have to face off against the most powerful ducal family in the kingdom, it wasn’t the best option.

“I’m well aware that the estate has a lot of problems. But what’s the most pressing issue right now?”

“Well, everything is an issue, but… the most urgent problem is food. We’re already buying supplies because there isn’t enough to eat. We can’t keep purchasing food forever. Once we run out of money, we’ll all starve.”

“Food, huh… I’ve already got something in mind for that, so this works out. I’ll take care of the food problem, so just secure some land for cultivation.”

“Ugh, seriously…”

Claude glared at Ghislain with frustration.

He had already explained several times that the land was too barren to increase production!

Did this guy even listen to anything he said?

“Look, my lord, I’ve told you before, this land can’t grow crops. It’s impossible to revive it, no matter who comes. Unless a god of farming descends… no, even a goddess would find this place too filthy to bother with!”

“That’s enough. I’ll take care of it”

Claude’s expression grew increasingly sour.

“…My lord, have you ever farmed before? Do you even know anything about farming techniques?”

“Well, not really.”

Of course, Ghislain wouldn’t have had any experience with farming, having spent his life constantly fighting.

“…So, are you secretly the god of farming? Is there some hidden truth about your origins?”

“Of course not.”

“Then how exactly are you planning to increase food production? Do you think the other lords aren’t doing this because they don’t want to? It’s not that they won’t, it’s that they can’t! That’s why I’m saying we should focus on making lots of money first!”

As Claude continued to push his argument, Ghislain smiled slyly and replied.

“If I solve that problem, what will you do?”

“Huh?”

“How about we make a bet? Let’s see if I can increase food production or not.”

“Hah, and how would you do that?”

“You don’t need to know that. So, how about it? If I win, you’ll stop complaining and just do as I say from now on.”

Claude scoffed.

How dare he challenge him, a gambling expert, to a bet! And with a result that was so obvious!

“What kind of bet is this if there’s no money involved?”

“You don’t have any money, do you? Ah, then how about this—if I win, you’ll become my unpaid servant for 10 years. I’ll feed and house you, of course, but you’ll have to follow orders without a single complaint.”

Claude did owe Ghislain 2,500 gold, but he still received his salary.

After all, he had to maintain his personal life, and naturally, he had living expenses. Losing this bet would mean giving up even those basics and literally working as a servant with nothing.

Claude, who had been making an incredulous face, suddenly flashed a meaningful smile.

“And the time limit? It would be a bit inconvenient if it’s too long.”

“A generous three months.”

“…Excuse me, what?”

Claude’s mouth dropped open in shock.

Not three years, but three months? He was supposed to show results in just three months?

It was the middle of winter. Even if something were planted, they’d be lucky if anything sprouted at all.

Suppressing his laughter, Claude reconfirmed the terms of the bet.

“Then, what if I win?”

“What do you want?”

Claude’s heart raced, but he tried to maintain his composure, pretending to be calm.

“Well… I’m already in debt to you, my lord, so it’s a bit embarrassing to say. But, come on, you know what I’m talking about.”

“Then I’ll give you 5,000 gold. How about you use that to pay a visit to Anna again?”

The mention of 5,000 gold shocked those nearby.

With 5,000 gold, Claude could live a life of luxury for the rest of his days without working.

“No, no! Please don’t do this!”

“My lord, this is… This bet is completely absurd.”

Belinda and Gillian hurried to intervene.

Ghislain might have had his reasons, but the time frame was only three months.

Even for someone like him, it would be impossible to revive dead land in that short a time.

They couldn’t just stand by and let their lord engage in such an unfair bet.

“Hey now, are you trying to hinder the lord from accomplishing something great? Everyone, please stay out of this.”

Claude put on a mock-serious expression as he spoke.

Belinda, frustrated by his smarmy attitude, turned and snapped at the others around her.

“What are you all doing? Stop the lord!”

Prompted by her forcefulness, the retainers began stepping forward one by one.

“My lord, this is a reckless wager. Please reconsider while there’s still time.”

“The Chief Overseer is right. Most of this estate is rocky, and the soil, where it does exist, is too rough and dry for crops to grow.”

While everyone was trying to dissuade Ghislain, Kaor just sat back, smirking, without making any move to intervene.

For him, it would be amusing no matter which side lost.

Belinda glared at him, but Kaor simply shrugged, as if to say,

‘What’s the point of me speaking up? He wouldn’t listen anyway.’

Ignoring those who were trying to stop him, Ghislain turned back to Claude and asked again.

“So, are you in or not? If you’re scared, you can always back down.”

“Ha!”

Claude let out a dry laugh, without immediately responding.

‘Why is he so confident? He clearly doesn’t have a way to do this.’

There wasn’t even the slightest thought in his mind that he would lose.

But Ghislain’s unwavering confidence made him uneasy.

Having spent years in the world of gambling, Claude could tell that Ghislain’s attitude wasn’t some bluff to hide his anxiety.

He truly believed he could win.

‘What’s he banking on? What crops can even grow in three months?’

Claude racked his brain, pulling out all the knowledge he’d learned at the academy long ago.

There weren’t any crops that could grow in just three months—especially none that thrived in winter. But still, he had to ask, just in case.

“What kind of crops are you planning to grow? It’s wheat, right? You can’t just plant something weird that no one can eat and force it on us.”

“Of course, wheat is the best.”

Claude clenched his fist in victory.

‘Perfect! If it’s wheat, there’s no way it’ll grow in three months.’

He struggled to suppress the grin threatening to break out on his face.

He wasn’t sure what Ghislain was thinking, but this was as good as winning.

‘Did I overestimate our lord? It seems like he doesn’t even know how to grow wheat. Did he really think I’d lose on purpose just to save his pride? We haven’t known each other that long.’

Claude glanced at Ghislain with a slight smile.

“Well, I’ve quit gambling but… fine, I’m in.”

“Great. The bet is set. Everyone here is a witness. If I win, you’ll work for 10 years without pay. If I lose, you’ll get 5,000 gold and can return home.”

Claude nodded with a bright smile, but the others frowned.

Why on earth was their lord making such a ridiculous bet?

Belinda, unable to stop Ghislain, glanced at Wendy and ran her hand across her neck.

It was a signal to deal with this matter later in the night.

Wendy nodded grimly.

Of course, Claude wasn’t about to let things go that easily either. With a smug voice, he spoke to Ghislain.

“By the way… if I win, but my safety isn’t guaranteed… well, there’d be no point in making the bet if I couldn’t leave with the money, right?”

Ghislain chuckled.

“Claude is the Chief Overseer of the estate, so everyone will ensure his safety. If anything happens, I’ll hold each of you responsible.”

At those words, Wendy shrugged at Belinda, who stomped the ground in frustration and shouted.

“Argh! This is infuriating!”

Gillian, who had planned to take action if things went too far, also scowled.

With the lord giving a direct order, he couldn’t interfere now.

If they withdrew from the bet at this point, it would only make Ghislain look foolish.

Claude’s face lit up with joy.

“Hahaha! Well then, I’ll be off to secure some land for cultivation. There’s plenty of empty space, so it won’t take long!”

As Claude joyfully turned to leave, Ghislain warned him in a low voice.

“But if you slack off and just wait out the three months, I’ll consider it my win. I’ll be watching, so don’t think about cutting corners.”

“Oh, of course. I’m not that petty. Don’t worry. Hahaha!”

Laughing, Claude practically danced his way out of the room, with Wendy following behind him, sighing.

Those left behind stared at Ghislain in disbelief.

They had no idea what their lord was thinking.

Ghislain, oblivious to their confusion, stood up leisurely.

“Well, I guess it’s time for me to get moving too.”