Memoirs of the Returnee

Opportunity Cost, Sunk Cost (1)

I welcomed Jesco at the synthetic mana stone factory. He placed the documents on a modest table.

“This is Crow’s business expansion plan.”

Business expansion.

One of the steps Jesco would soon take on the path of division.

I skimmed through the documents.

“How about it. Think you can handle it? Do you understand what it’s about?”

“…It seems to suggest that we need five times the current supply for the new route.”

“Five times?”

Jesco’s eyebrows arched.

“Five times might be tough, right?”

“No. It’s possible if the equipment is set up, but that means we need to increase not just the quantity but also the quality.”

I searched for something on the auction site on my laptop.

“…Take a look at this.”

I subtly turned the screen towards him.

“A new filter and melter have been invented.”

“Hmm.”

Jesco narrowed his eyes.

“Five million ren each… So if we install this equipment throughout, it’ll cover our needs?”

“Yes.”

It’s a machine invented by Zia’s company. Superior in performance, but certainly expensive.

The investment cost would be at least over a hundred million ren.

“It’ll cost about a hundred million ren.”

Jesco was surprisingly quick in his mental calculation.

“We’ll recoup the investment in three to four months.”

“I think so too.”

Suddenly, it’s clear why he’s not just any Quantum Mechanic.

There’s a reason he’s tenaciously survived in this ruthless industry and has a grip on the central-western distribution network.

“It’s doable.”

Jesco chuckled. Then he rummaged in his coat and pulled out a perfectly spherical mana stone.

“Belkman. Do you know what this is?”

“…A top-grade mana stone.”

I deliberately put on an impressed expression.

“Right. Top-grade. A work of Quantum Mechanic. You produce uniformly high quality, but I deal with more fluctuations. That’s why even top products like this come out.”

Jesco boasted with a satisfied look.

Such pride comes from someone who has something to boast about, so I have to play along. If I appear superior in every way, he’d only become wary and jealous.

“It’s an exquisite piece.”

“Ha! No need to go that far. Anyway, it means you and I can fill in what the other lacks.”

Jesco placed the top-tier mana stone on the desk.

“But, Belkman. You know what? Not many use synthetic mana stones of high grade or above as stones themselves. Synthetic mana stones have different properties from natural mana stones.”

“Are you talking about drugs?”

“That’s right. You’re quick on the uptake.”

Crush! He crushed the mana stone in his palm. The pearl-like lustrous mana stone turned to dust in an instant.

“When you grind it up like this, it immediately becomes a drug. Among synthetic mana stones, this is a top-quality product, so no additional processing is needed. Even a small inhalation will give you a killer high.”

A thick smile hung on Jesco’s lips.

“The upper-grade mana stones you make are certainly not top-quality. But when mixed with chemicals, they can become drugs like crack or speed. That’s why they sell so much.”

He gathered the powder and put it into a small plastic bag.

“Of course, technicians shouldn’t do drugs. You know that, right? Don’t even think about it.”

“Yes. I won’t. But how are drugs usually distributed?”

The harm of drugs is painfully obvious. Especially in the underworld, it’s safe to say nearly half are addicts.

“Well, the low-quality stuff will be consumed by the lower classes. The pure top-quality will be discreetly consumed by the high society. We don’t care about that crap; we just need to make money, right?”

Jesco smirked, shaking the plastic bag filled with the blue mana stone powder.

“In the end, it’s this ‘powder’ that’s more profitable than the stones. But until now, we’ve only played the role of raw material suppliers. Even when there was a gold mine right in front of our eyes, we could only watch.”

He paused, then pointed at me.

“But with you here…”

“We can process the drugs themselves and sell them?”

“Exactly! You catch on quick. Must be because you’re from the desert.”

He grinned and sank back into the sofa.

“So let’s work hard, fellow countrymen. If things go well, I’ll even raise your cut to 4%.”

“4%? Brother, isn’t that too much?”

“A good technician deserves good treatment.”

Thump! A bankbook came out of Jesco’s pocket. He placed it on the desk with a triumphant smile.

“Look. Everything you’ve earned so far is here. It’s been laundered cleanly, so you can spend it anywhere without getting caught.”

I opened the bankbook. There were quite a few digits.

“…It’s substantial.”

“Substantial my ass. That’s just for two months. What are you going to spend it on?”

“Um… there are some things I need to spend it on.”

Any money earned under the identity ‘Belkman’ can’t be freely used by me. That would just create a link to my real identity.

So, the money I’ve swindled in the desert, I plan to return it all to the desert.

“I won’t spend it on anything pointless.”

“It’s dirty money. No one cares if you spend it on something pointless.”

Jesco stood up.

“As for the equipment, I’ll send Crow over, so talk to him about it… Oh.”

Then, narrowing his eyes sharply, he asked.

“Has Face said anything?”

“No. These days, he’s been focusing on security.”

“Good. That’s how it should be. I’m off.”

Jesco quickly left.

I could hear him talking to the guards outside.

“…”

I pulled out a small diary from the office drawer.

This diary is a potential ace in the hole.

Day by day, I would only write content that could evoke good feelings and a sense of camaraderie with the desert about Jesco, while for his second-in-command, I would lay out sentences filled with concern and ominous feelings.

If ‘Belkman’ disappears, this diary would be left solely for Jesco to read.

* * *

[Golden Ornamental Tube]

[Ancient Mana-Infused Amber Gem]

[Branch of the Sun Tree]

[Evergreen…]

Rustle- Rustle-

In the Aerial Garden of Libra, the eldest daughter’s office.

Johanna was scrolling through the auction catalog on her monitor, her face bored to death, chin propped on her hand.

“Hmm.”

Thanks to acquiring a stake in the Golden Casino, she had more money than she knew what to do with, but nothing really worth buying.

Boredom.

What’s worse, today was the most pleasant day she’d had in recent memory.

Why?

Because Derek had been publicly humiliated at the hearing.

“I’m getting tired of this.”

Just as she was growing weary of replaying the hearing video.

Knock-knock-

Right on cue, a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

At Johanna’s command, the door opened.

It was the Balancer, Beckman.

“Lady Johanna. The intelligence you ordered last time.”

He handed Johanna a file. She broke the seal. A flood of photographs spilled out.

The now-retired mafia, Karlos.

His fiancée, Eva.

Pictures of the two of them.

They had left for the neutral country of Bergsen.

“What a fucking mess…”

The couple staying in the island nation with a population of just over two million appeared blissfully happy in every photo taken, almost sickeningly so.

“I can eliminate them right now if you just give the order.”

Beckman was revving up, his tone still filled with unyielding anger and murderous intent.

“Leave them be.”

“But-”

“I said leave them.”

Johanna glared at him.

“It hasn’t been that long. How long do you think this gambling-addicted woman will fancy an old man?”

She tossed the photos aside.

At most, a year.

Eva will leave Karlos within a year. A human addicted to gambling, competition, and money can never be sincere in love. From the start, that emotion can never be a goal.

It’s just an illusion to forcibly fill one’s own imperfections—a weakness.

“Just make sure the auction preparations are thorough.”

She was going to participate in this auction.

If you earn a lot, you should spend a lot.

“Yes, understood.”

Johanna waved her hand dismissively. However, Beckman remained standing.

A vein throbbed at Johanna’s temple.

“…Is this insubordination?”

“Shall we deploy the Chaser?”

At that, Johanna paused for a moment.

“It seems prudent to take the utmost precautions, considering what happened last time.”

Chaser. Since the auction was a matter of some importance, it would be legal to mobilize dozens of Chasers.

“…Do that. Do you have the list?”

“Yes.”

Moreover, Chasers are fundamentally a resource available to all direct family members. Regardless of faction or whom they serve, once the mobilization order is issued, they must respond.

“Here it is.”

“…”

As soon as Johanna received the list of Chasers, she pretended not to care as she searched for a particular name.

It wasn’t far off.

A caterpillar-like smile wriggled across her lips.

[Shion Ascal]

* * *

[BALANCE]

There are a lot of people.

Not just a lot. It was crowded. It’s like a human whirlwind swirling layer upon layer around a building.

That’s how one would describe the exterior scene of the café [Balance], established by Derek.

“…Wow. It’s really crowded.”

“Totally. We can’t get in today. Such a shame.”

Layla pouted her lips.

“Well, I expected this. I knew it would be like this from the moment Layla mentioned it. Too bad.”

Elise snorted with a mix of disappointment and reprimand toward Layla.

“What? Elly, you said you wanted to come too!”

“It’s just rumors~ I didn’t really need to come. Thanks to you, I wasted my lunchtime.”

Elise teased Layla with a smile, while Gerkhen stood by like a statue, checking his wristwatch.

That guy would just stand and wait, lunchtime or not.

“…Elly, you’re ridiculous. Oh? There’s Asher and Kain too. They’re ahead of us. Should we swap places with them?”

“Are you a thug?”

Kain and Asher were also visible not too far away, each with a girl on their arm.

Seems like they’re having their own kind of fun.

“Ah… It looks like we’ll never get in. Where did all these people hear about it from?”

Besides those two guys, there are a ton of college students. It’s only a 15-minute distance from the national university.

For reference, it was my recommendation for the location. As you can see, college students are the best at spreading word of mouth.

“Ah, right. Shion! You said Libra is your dream job, right? Can’t you push through and get us in?”

Suddenly, Layla spoke up. Elise and Gerkhen looked at me with expectant eyes.

“…Let’s see.”

I cleared my throat and walked towards the entrance. There were a few guards standing there.

“Excuse me-”

“Oh.”

Before I could say anything, they nodded.

They recognized my face.

“Are you Sir Ascal?”

“…”

It seems I’m somewhat famous as a Chaser.

It’s also because I have a physique that’s easy to remember.

“Yes, Ascal. Is it possible to enter the café? There are four of us.”

“Of course. There is a separate VIP gate for you.”

“…”

I gestured to the three behind me. Gerkhen, Elise, Layla. They came running over, their faces bright with excitement.

“Are you companions of Sir Shion Ascal? Please follow me this way.”

“Wow~ Shion, what’s this~”

We entered through the VIP gate.

The interior of the café gradually revealed itself.

“Wow…”

Layla was the first to marvel. Elise’s eyes widened in amazement. Even the usually stoic Gerkhen showed a different expression.

It was worth it.

“…It really is different.”

Jade’s artistic sense is definitely exceptional.

The combination of colors, the arrangement of furniture, and the art-like wallpapers drawn considering the angle of human sight are beautifully understated, and the impressionist paintings on the ceiling hold the light of magic, softly shimmering.

A perfectly upscale café.

“Would you like to go to the Noble Floor?”

The guard asked.

“The Noble Floor?”

“Yes. There’s a separate space for VVIPs. Orders are backed up right now, so it would be more comfortable for you there.”

“What do you mean? When I inquired earlier, they said there was no such thing as a VVIP Floor.”

Elise furrowed her brow.

Layla seized the moment.

“What~? Elly, you inquired in advance~?”

“…!”

Elise’s body shook. She looked as if she regretted her slip.

Layla continued to tease her with a sly smile.

“If you don’t want to go, why did you even make a call in advance~?”

“Yes, yes, because you wanted to go, I, I just quickly checked it out. Idiot.”

“You’re lying~ Elly, I didn’t see you making any calls today~”

“…”

“Shall we go up? Master Jade is also there at the moment.”

At the guard’s words, I tilted my head.

“Master Jade is here?”

“Yes.”

“Then… well. Let’s go?”

I turned to look at the three behind me. Layla, with a languid grin, chattered like a monkey.

“You wanted to go, hehe, you had to~ Elly wanted it enough to call ahead~”

“…Be quiet.”

We ascended the stairs side by side.

Even the staircase leading upwards was quite impressive.

Not just the simple interior design, but also soap bubbles, butterflies made of magic, streams of water forming patterns as they flowed, all creating a truly fantastical scene that delighted the eyes and ears.

We arrived at the VVIP floor amidst our distracted gazing.

“…”

There by the window was Jade. As soon as I saw him, I straightened my clothes, but there was already a guest with him.

A face I recognized.

More than me, the person behind me was even more surprised.

Senator── Ken Petra.

“…”

Ken sipped his coffee, glancing back and forth between Elise and me.

Elise’s breathing grew louder, as she hid behind me.

“Well then. I shall take my leave. You’ve built a fine café.”

“Thank you, Senator Petra.”

Ken stood up from his seat. Jade also rose and gestured a farewell.

“Goodbye then.”

Ken naturally headed towards the exit, which was in our direction.

Thud── Thud──.

His footsteps resonated unusually heavily.

His body still bore the traces of a battle.

As he walked towards us, he looked intently into my eyes.

I did not avoid his gaze.

Soon, standing right in front of me, he sized me up.

We were eye to eye with each other.

Our heights were almost identical.

“Shion Ascal… was it?”

He inquired.

I met his crimson pupils and nodded.

“Yes. I am Shion Ascal.”

“…You’ve got some spirit.”

He gave my shoulder a firm pat. Then he cast a sharp glance over my shoulder at Elise. Without a word, Elise swallowed her saliva.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

Ken Petra descended the stairs.

It was a somewhat impressive encounter…

“What are you standing there for?”

Jade pointed in our direction with a smile. It was an uncommonly bright smile from Jade, his lips curving like a crescent moon.

“Uh, uh, uh, uh. Shion! Why is he looking at me like that?”

Layla seemed to misunderstand, thinking the flirting was directed at her.

“…It’s not you.”

“I don’t like men who are too much older than me…”

“I said it’s not you.”

Jade stated.

“Come and sit down.”

“…Yes.”

Before I knew it, Layla had scurried over and sat down in front of Jade.

“…And who might you be?”

“I am… Layla, your grace…”

“Why do you speak like that? Are you ill?”

“…It is simply the way this lady speaks…”

Jade looked at Layla with a face that screamed he found the situation absurd.

“Let’s go sit down as well.”

I said to the other two. Gerkhen nodded, but Elise still looked pale.

I dragged her along.

“Let’s go.”

“…Huh? Oh, yeah… let’s go.”

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

I felt like I understood what was going through his mind, but I chose not to show it.