Chapter 15
As hidden resources began to be discovered one by one, jobs increased, and money started circulating, people would eventually flock to Rogas.
When that happens, things will probably be chaotic for a while.
“Yes.”
‘It was the same in the original story.’
That’s why it would be great if someone prepared the commercial foundation in advance.
“The headquarters would be difficult. The Chamber of Commerce’s headquarters has to be in the place where the most money flows and where it’s easily accessible to people.”
Ardian firmly shook his head.
Tsk.
So it’s like that, huh?
‘In the future, they moved the headquarters here…’
It seems it’s still too early for that.
“Then let’s make it a branch! I’ll give you a golden spot!”
“Is there a golden spot here?”
Gulp.
Surprisingly, no.
“A place with good sunlight.”
I averted my gaze.
“Instead! I want you to be here, mister.”
Who cares about the headquarters?
All you need is one smart manager!
Smack!
I slapped the table, stood up, and raised my right hand high.
“A special offer, just for today! If the chairman comes, the Duke’s household will provide food, clothing, and shelter!”
“……”
The drawing room fell silent.
Ardian, with a smile that looked almost painted on, stared at me silently. Though his eyes were nearly closed.
“Ahem.”
I awkwardly sat back down.
“Instead, I’ll offer an exclusive contract.”
“With the Aurora Diamond?”
He asked skeptically.
I shook my head with a bright smile.
“From now on, whatever new things are discovered in Rogas, you get an exclusive contract for one year.”
“Hmm. Are you trying to buy me with that uncertain promise?”
I blinked and tilted my head.
He was saying something weird.
“You’re the one who said you were betting.”
Pause.
“You said you smelled money. Don’t you smell money from me? Then…”
I got up again and pointed at the door.
“Have a safe trip out!”
Then I waved my hand playfully.
There was nothing to regret. It wasn’t urgent, and building commercial infrastructure wasn’t the top priority.
‘Anyway, once I take over the Luden County, a branch will form on its own.’
Later, there wouldn’t even be a need for exclusive deals or benefits. There’d be no point in locking anyone into exclusivity.
But despite my obvious dismissal, Ardian didn’t leave.
In that case…
“Sigh.”
I’ll be the one to leave.
Just as I turned to exit the drawing room—
“Two months.”
“Hm?”
“Two months from now, I’ll return with a proposal for the Rogas branch of the Chamber.”
He stood up with a smile.
“Then, let’s have an honest conversation. Just the two of us, little Duke.”
Ardian lifted me up lightly and brought his face close.
‘He’s beautiful.’
Up close, Ardian’s face was strikingly handsome.
“Business is built on trust.”
With a gentle smile, he placed me back on the sofa and said he’d visit formally in two months before leaving.
He was like a quiet storm that suddenly swept in.
* * *
As soon as they left the mansion, Doniche asked,
“Are you seriously considering coming to the North?”
“That’s absurd. Even if we get exclusive rights to the Aurora Diamond, for you to leave your post…”
“But I smell money.”
“You believe the words of that child?”
Ardian let out a refreshing laugh.
“Doniche, what part of that kid looked like a normal child to you?”
“Well, I admit she was… somewhat extraordinary…”
Somewhat extraordinary?
After failing to bring the headquarters over, that child immediately tried to recruit the most valuable asset within the headquarters instead?
Calling that merely “somewhat extraordinary” was an understatement.
It may look simple at first glance.
But to swiftly shift gears like that in such a situation and try to recruit someone wasn’t something just any child could do.
And then there was the skill in raising the auction price.
Ardian thought that even if the Aurora Diamond had just been brought in without much fanfare, it would’ve sold for no more than 50 billion won.
But the little duke had spread rumors in advance, sparking the interest of powerful figures and wealthy nobles who normally didn’t care about auctions.
The record-breaking price of 75.5 billion won was thanks to a month of behind-the-scenes work.
Just a rumor.
One rumor was enough to drive the price up by an additional 25.5 billion over what Ardian had estimated.
“A commoner-turned-flash noble…”
She supposedly had no education, no manners, just a title of duke…
Ardian’s eyes widened.
In that moment, amber eyes filled with strange light peeked through before disappearing once again behind slitted lids.
“I thought Altad was finished… but maybe that name will ring through the empire once more.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You’ve still got a long way to go. You’re terrible at smelling money. Drop your prejudice, Doniche.”
“Yes…”
“If it makes money, even stray dogs and alley cats should be treated like nobles.”
Doniche closed his mouth with a defeated look.
“Money is everything in this world.”
Ardian grinned and climbed into the carriage.
“Since we’re here, let’s visit the northern branch. Was it in Luden County?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Setting up a new branch in Rogas is difficult… we’ll need to consider relocating. I’ll stay in the north for a while, so you go back to HQ first.”
“Are you really doing this?”
Doniche asked, still too stunned to finish his sigh.
“I’m still considering. But with investments, moving faster than everyone else…”
“…Makes more money.”
“Exactly.”
“Well… we’ll see in two months, depending on how much trust the little duke can show me.”
Northern Rogas, on the border of the Winter Mountains.
At a small outpost reserved for the Altad Ducal House.
Whooong—!
A violent snowstorm howled as a man pushed open the shabby wooden outpost door.
“Lord Cherban, a message has arrived.”
The man came in with a grumpy face and waved the letter around without care.
It was sealed in black wax with a tiger emblem.
“Don’t tell me it’s more debt again?”
“Please, tell me it’s not. If this keeps up, I’ll die a virgin in this hellhole surrounded by nothing but men—either frozen to death, torn apart by monsters, or stabbed fighting barbarians!”
“Am I even a mercenary anymore, or just a glorified clerk…”
Inside the cramped outpost.
Men, huddled in blankets, grimaced at the news.
In the middle of them, a middle-aged man with a gladiator-like buzzcut—Cherban—stood and took the letter.
“……”
Without a word, he opened it with a face devoid of any hope.
“…Huh?”
He rubbed his eyes.
“How much more debt is it this time?”
“5 billion? 10? Ow! Why’d you hit me?”
The man complaining after being smacked rubbed his head in annoyance.
The one who hit him clucked his tongue.
“That’s the usual monthly increase. It’s probably another 50 billion by now.”
“It’s like pouring water into a bottomless pot…”
“That’s right. You’d better give up on women.”
Their voices were devoid of hope.
Naturally. They had been stuck out here in the far north for almost ten years.
Despite living like dogs, their debt only increased. Hope and expectations had long been shattered.
Compared to ten years ago when they first arrived, their debt had ballooned by 30 billion won. No wonder no one was hopeful.
As the voices murmured on, Cherban just kept rubbing his eyes. Then suddenly, he jumped up.
“Lord?! What are you doing?”
He ran outside with the letter, scooped up snow, and rubbed it hard into his eyes.
“What are you doing?! That won’t change the numbers! Cold snow won’t change reality! Get a grip!”
A man ran after him and yanked the letter from his hands.
“How much debt did we rack up this time…”
The man reading the letter rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
Then, just like Cherban, he ran outside and scrubbed snow into his face.
“It’s shift change time… what are you two doing?”
One of the men returning from patrol looked at the two and grimaced.
“A-aide… the letter…”
The man, trembling, handed the letter over and promptly fainted.
The aide, Remanti, silently accepted the letter.
First, he dragged both the standing and collapsed men back into the outpost and tossed them inside.
Once he shut the door, he finally read the letter.
“What… what’s written in there to make everyone faint…?”
“Did our debt finally hit a trillion won?”
The heavily muscled men gathered and trembled in fear.
Remanti read the letter carefully. Very slowly, as if he were going to dissect each word.
Only after a long silence did he finally speak.
“No. It’s a recall order.”
The outpost froze.
“…What? So we’re ruined?”
“Oh no, the Altads are finally done for.”
“Hunting monsters wasn’t enough to keep up with the debt, like swatting cockroaches…”
“No.”
Remanti still stared at the letter.
He was a man of little emotion, but those who knew him could tell.
His eyes were trembling.
“The Duke says 80% of the debt has been cleared. He’s ordering us to return and resume our original duties.”
