The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations – 144



144th Episode: Isn’t This a Great Opportunity? (2)

The nobles stopped bickering and started grumbling.

“What on earth is happening here!”

“Tsk let’s just go back for today and come again next time.”

“Ugh maybe it’s because he’s a rural peasant from the North but he lacks courtesy. Really lacks it. If it weren’t for Marquis Branford.”

The people who were just slashing about in front of someone else’s shop were now solemnly discussing manners as if they had never acted that way.

After a while most of the crowd dispersed. When they closed the shop without saying a word there was no other option for them.

As the outside quieted down Ghislaine casually asked Claude.

“Is everyone gone?”

“Well almost all of them have left. But what are you planning to do now? If you open again it’s going to be another mess.”

“We need to make sure there’s no mess.”

“So how do we do that?”

“We need to get a deputy. Since things have come to this it’d be better to sell quickly and get out of here.”

They couldn’t stay tied to the capital forever.

Ghislaine made a resolution and strode forward confidently.

Claude rushed after him and asked breathlessly.

“You said it would be a waste to leave it to someone else. It’s chaotic now but won’t it stabilize after a few days?”

“When will that happen? Unless we set up branches in all the territories of the kingdom and supply them people will keep flooding in. The famous merchant groups from various regions have already come looking for us.”

“……It seems impossible to return to the territory right now.”

“Right we’re stuck here until all the stock runs out.”

Ghislaine estimated the quantity based on the popularity he had seen in his previous life.

At first he planned to sell only to a few wealthy nobles using a high-end strategy and gradually expand his market.

He had intended to control the demand moderately while securing a stable income source but the rumor of Rosalyn’s treatment spread via word of mouth faster than expected.

However just because business was good didn’t mean he could overlook more important matters.

It was tough to share any of the benefits but in this situation it was better to appoint a deputy.

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Claude vaguely understood Ghislaine’s mindset and with a serious resolve shouted.

“Instead let me stay and figure something out! You just return to your territory Lord!”

“Are you planning to just laze around if you’re left alone? Want to die?”

“I’m sorry….”

Claude’s subtle ambition was blocked by Ghislaine’s iron wall.

“Then who are you planning to entrust it to?”

“Well…”

The deputy had to be someone powerful enough to control nobles and capable of doing the job well.

There weren’t many options.

“Count Ailzbur’s lady wouldn’t be bad but since I’m already entangled with a guardian it would be better to leave it to the House of Branford.”

Ghislaine casually visited Marquis Branford’s mansion.

Seeing him suddenly show up Marquis Branford pressed his temples enduring a headache.

“This isn’t a friend visiting…”

He hid his true feelings and asked with his usual blank expression.

“What is it?”

“I came to deliver some good news.”

A line commonly uttered by frauds.

Marquis Branford squinted and looked Ghislaine up and down. Ghislaine faced him confidently showing no signs of hesitation.

“…Go on.”

“You must already know that the popularity of cosmetics is rising.”

“And?”

“I’d like you to take over the sales of cosmetics for the House of Branford.”

The marquis couldn’t hide his bewilderment and replied.

“Why would you hand it over if it’s selling well?”

“There are too many people; we can’t manage it with our staff alone. We’ll give you 10% of the sales but please invest 300000 gold.”

Marquis Branford’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

300000 gold is a fortune that could buy a small territory. To throw out such a large number so casually was absurd.

While the popularity of cosmetics was immense trading a mere 10% stake for 300000 gold didn’t make sense.

“Does he think I’m a pushover just because I’ve helped him a few times?”

It had been a long time since he felt this agitated. Marquis Branford scowled and said

“No.”

The immediate rejection made Belinda and Claude nod in agreement.

“Brother is going too far this time. 300000 gold. With that money we could lounge around for decades.”

“Ah why is our lord so grand? Does he really think such a deal is feasible? Even a fool wouldn’t agree to that.”

Just as the atmosphere became awkward Rosalyn who claimed to be Ghislaine’s benefactor interjected.

“Father! I’ll cover half of it. Please accept it. This is truly a great opportunity.”

At her sudden statement Marquis Branford raised an eyebrow and asked.

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“Opportunity? What kind of opportunity is this nonsense?”

“Cosmetics are consumables in the end. They’ll keep selling constantly. The investment will all be recouped eventually.”

“When will you fill that money? 10% is only 10 gold. Subtract management and operating costs and it won’t even leave half.”

“That’s only because we’re selling solely in the capital right now. Once Deneb’s name spreads across the kingdom we can recoup it much faster than expected.”

While not incorrect it would still take time and money to build that reputation and sales network.

Money and expenses come together.

Marquis Branford clicked his tongue and scolded his daughter.

“Do you think it’s as easy as it sounds? Selling in the capital and establishing branches all over the kingdom are completely different beasts.”

“I’ll manage it.”

Her confident reply made Marquis Branford pause for a moment.

“Really you Rosalyn?”

“If you hand it over to me I’ll definitely recover the capital without any problems.”

“If that guy fails to supply the items properly we’ll suffer big losses.”

At that moment Ghislaine who had been quietly listening grinned and spoke confidently.

“Oh come on if the goods sell well that’s good for me too. There’s no way I’d let that happen. You don’t need to worry so much.”

Rosalyn eagerly backed her up.

“That’s right. Baron Penris is not that kind of person. You’ve seen it until now haven’t you?”

Though she tried to draw a line and keep her distance from Rosalyn if they were going to help so actively the conversation changed.

“Anyway I was thinking of slowly setting up branches when I have some leisure in the future. If Young Lady Rosalyn helps we could establish ourselves quickly. It would also be a huge benefit for the House of Marquis.”

As the two pressed forward with determination Marquis Branford stepped back looking somewhat flustered.

Regardless Rosalyn continued to speak more actively.

“This is an opportunity to raise our family’s influence. All the nobles would have to buy the products exclusively through our family.”

That was also a valid point.

Monopolizing a product is a form of power.

Especially if it’s a wildly popular product the power from that would increase significantly.

For a moment Marquis Branford felt almost convinced.

‘No wait a minute. To gain just that little bit of benefit by spending 300000 gold and doing the work for them is ridiculous. I’m not a fool!’

Common sense dictates that when you invest you receive equity in return.

Yet asking them to do the work is no different from saying they should work for free. Where would one find an investor foolish enough to accept such a proposal?

As Marquis Branford was about to reject them again Rosalyn winked at Ghislaine and quickly continued her pitch.

“Just think about it. Branches spread all over the kingdom with the Marquis’ flag hanging at every one of them. Our family wouldn’t suffer at all. We’d recover the capital quickly and after that it would be pure profit. Let me try it out.”

With her suspiciously desperate attempts to persuade him Marquis Branford’s expression turned skeptical.

‘Why is she being so pushy? Could it be that she was impressed by that idiot’s words?’

Suddenly a thought struck him and he pointed at her.

“You’re getting married soon aren’t you? You don’t have the luxury to take on other work.”

Rosalyn as if she had anticipated the Marquis’ remark replied without missing a beat.

“Now that I’m fully recovered is there really a need to marry into such a family? There must be far better options. Isn’t that a waste?”

“Hmm….”

Marquis Branford’s gaze wavered slightly.

Marquis Branford’s gaze wavered slightly.

With his illness recovering and his personality returning to what it once was it felt wasteful to send him to such a place.

Seeing this Rosalyn realized that it was time to push forward.

Father hardly ever hesitated like this.

“Um I have experience running various organizations so I’m confident in making money. You know this right? Please trust me. With 300000 gold I’ll make you feel like you got a bargain.”

Marquis Branford couldn’t refute Rosalyn’s words.

It was true that Rosalyn’s aptitude was superior to his.

Before falling ill she had managed multiple organizations without ever hearing a complaint or making a loss. It was worth trusting her.

‘It sounds plausible but… something feels off…’

Marquis Branford glanced at Ghislaine.

Ever since that guy asked for a guarantee he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being manipulated.

Ghislaine wearing a confident demeanor spoke up.

“In the long run I’m the one at a disadvantage. I’m in urgent need of cash and it’s burdensome to manage which is why I’m reluctantly letting it go for cheap. Opportunities like this… are rare.”

To say such audacious lines like a con artist takes talent.

Marquis Branford frowned slightly.

“Still the amount is too large isn’t it…?”

“Father!”

Swish!

Rosalyn opened her fan to cover her face peering through it as she glared at Marquis Branford.

“Why are you acting unlike yourself? This is a chance to enhance the family’s influence and make money! You know the value of this right?”

‘What does “being myself” mean? Does selling cosmetics make me “myself”?’

Marquis Branford felt inexplicably wronged.

‘Why am I… listening to this? Why do I… have to sell cosmetics all of a sudden? Why do I… have to give her money?’

In truth he knew Rosalyn was right. And that was the problem. He knew it had that kind of value which made him waver.

It’s a doable task so why does it hurt so much?

Marquis Branford clutched his throbbing head and closed his eyes.

Since that guy Ghislaine showed up everything felt like it was going wrong.

He asked for a guardianship using that as an excuse to take all the support. Now he wants to sell cosmetics for him and demands money in return.

‘Ah I understand why it hurts now.’

When he thought about it that guy was taking everything he wanted.

The turmoil was visible on Marquis Branford’s face.

Watching this scene Belinda and Claude clenched their fists.

Seeing Marquis Branford struggle like this!

‘Is is the Young Master really shaking from the proposal? Really? Is that truly Marquis Branford?’

‘Can we really convince him? I hope so! That would be a jackpot! At least it would lighten our workload. Please please!’

As Marquis Branford struggled without reaching a conclusion Ghislaine unleashed his long-held special move.