What is love?
I love golden things, but I don’t understand the mindset of purchasing a book collection made from demon skin to profit from market fluctuations.
Even if they are classified as demons, the only difference is whether their ears are pointy or not, so they’re just people.
Ew.
It’s a totally ew collection.
But it doesn’t seem like the motives are that bad. It feels more like a behavior aimed at seizing cultural relics by recognizing the historical value of pre-existing books.
It’s just a peculiar item, a typical investment activity of someone who loves history…?
Phew…
At this point, is love a bad thing?
I didn’t ask the Demon Lord on purpose because I didn’t want to bother him, but shouldn’t I ask him what love is just once?
A lecture on the nature of love from a love-struck guy who’s been rejected.
I might need to hear that.
“Marquis?”
Count McKenna, who was reading a secret contract while puffing on a cigar, looked puzzled.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Business, business.
“I’ve been contemplating sponsoring some art pieces myself.”
Pastel suddenly pointed at one side to change the subject before it could go anywhere, gesturing quickly. There was a golden flower painting decorated with a golden frame amidst the golden collection.
“I mean, sponsoring the painting.”
Count McKenna took the cigar from his mouth.
“Well, it is that time, isn’t it? It’s been less than a year. Your business achievements have been remarkable.”
The cigar pointed at the painting.
“This side works through connections, so there must be a lot on your mind.”
It was a tone that understood the situation of a fallen family, regardless of individual ability.
“If you wish, I can give you an invitation to the art gallery. I get plenty of invites, but I’m not much into art myself.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
The trivial chatter about how to recycle excessive cash into art pieces to avoid taxes ended quickly.
Count McKenna placed the cigar back in his mouth. He scanned the secret contract with sharp eyes.
The contract stated that they would stab the Empire Bank in the back and collude in an auction. The Craft High Merchant would take over the listed items at a low price, while the Demon Realm Stock Company would pocket a secret commission.
The key point is that Count McKenna has already colluded with the Empire Bank to receive the items at the agreed auction price, only to then double-cross them.
The contract lay on the table.
“That’s quite the dilemma.”
Count McKenna leaned back on the sofa, smoke wafting from his mouth.
“The merchant’s duty isn’t to deceive, is it?”
The first time hearing such a principle.
Totally mind-boggling.
Pastel pondered how to persuade the aloof count, who had invited him to collude in the auction to join them at the villa.
He had already offered a high commission, so was he hesitating because of the Craft High Merchant’s buyout of the Railroad Merchant?
It seemed he invited them to use the Craft Marquis, who had appeared unexpectedly at the auction, as leverage to bid for items at a lower price than promised to the Empire Bank.
He didn’t seem to intend to break the agreement with the Empire Bank entirely.
To turn this mind around is the goal of this meeting.
He needs to be convinced to choose Craft between the Empire Bank and the Craft Family.
Melissa had mentioned at the explanation meeting that the royal family’s influence might be reflected behind the Empire Bank, but…
Could it be that the bank, which should separate itself from the government according to credit principles, is acting like the hands and feet of the royal family?
It can’t just be a situation where Count McKenna and the Demon Realm Stock Company are deliberating on which side to stick with between the Empire Bank and the Craft Family.
No way!
Because life is just too easy for Pastel!
Objectively speaking, if the bank is swayed by the government, it would collapse due to a credit crisis.
Pastel got up from the sofa and carefully examined the golden collection. Count McKenna leaned back smoking his cigar, eyes fixated.
The girl’s hand seemed about to touch a golden bird statue.
“It’s lovely.”
It was a piece of art, so she didn’t touch it, instead staring dreamily at its golden beak. It felt so lifelike it could chirp any moment, yet it was solid gold.
The count nodded with the cigar in his mouth.
“Indeed. It’s the masterpiece of a great artist. Thanks to his timely demise, its value has already increased about twentyfold.”
The pink-toned girl nodded.
“Love is greater than anything else.”
The ashes of the cigar fell into the ashtray.
“Is that so?”
Count McKenna rose from the sofa and moved to one side. He grabbed a treasure chest full of gold coins and brought it to the table near the girl.
“Marquis, since you understand this sentiment, conversing will be easy.”
He spilled the treasure chest, and gold coins cascaded onto the table, clattering against each other.
“It’s a message from the Empire Bank. They say as long as you quietly step away from this auction, they won’t hold it against you.”
The pink-eyed girl looked down at the pile of gold coins.
“If I may share my opinion, it seems the Craft Family isn’t in a mood to blame their ties with demons. However, if they were to share what kind of schemes they are preparing against them, it could be a good opportunity for the Craft Family.”
“Do you think I’m preparing schemes?”
Count McKenna simply chuckled without responding.
“Count.”
The girl shook her head, glancing thoughtfully at the golden collection.
“If you love all of this, then you should embrace your heart as much as that love.”
The count’s eyes glinted with interest.
“How much are we talking about?”
“What is your dream, Count?”
A rejection of the mundane?
A wealthy investor in the infinite vault?
The girl pointed at herself.
“I dream of being a supreme ruler.”
She stretched her hand towards the chandelier on the ceiling.
“A ruler who cannot be blamed by anyone, criticized by anyone, or even looked at by anyone.”
She let her hand down.
“Is that childish?”
The girl smiled gently and swept her arm across the table, pushing the pile of gold coins. The clamor echoed as countless golden pieces scattered to the floor, creating a golden tide against the white marble. The fierce resonance rippled through the room.
The pink-eyed girl smirked.
“Have big dreams.”
Count McKenna stared blankly at the girl in front of him.
What does supreme power mean?
Lightning struck his mind.
He slowly turned his gaze to a world map among the golden collection, depicting the Empire, Sky Island, and the Demon Realm.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
What it means for the one who holds the strategic stronghold of Sky Island to speak of power to a company owner who possesses a large-scale army and supply chain.
Count McKenna’s voice trembled slightly.
“Can you do it?”
The girl replied nonchalantly.
“I don’t devise plots that lead to failure.”
A slow smile spread across the count’s face. His hefty body trembled, and greedy laughter rang out.
“Craft Marquis! Indeed! That’s right! Whoever the opponent, that Craft won’t forget any grudge!”
His palm slapped the table.
“How much funding do you need for that dream?”
The girl beamed brightly.
“As much as the entire world.”
Count McKenna laughed.
“How bold of you.”
The cigar returned to his mouth.
A short silence followed.
The thick smoke rolled out from Count McKenna’s mouth as his thoughts concluded.
“I will invest, as much as the entire world.”
Wow.
#
A verbal contract is, in fact, meaningless.
Even saying “the entire world” without producing a contract is no different from saying he’ll invest while watching the situation.
But Pastel was in the kitchen of the airship going back to the academy, wrapping her cheeks and giggling.
“The Demon Lord should have seen that spectacle! It was totally business~ Pastel!”
“How many times is that now?”
The demon, rolling out dough, looked a bit tired like someone dragged into shopping. The only difference from shopping is that Pastel kept following him, chatting away.
Pastel began her eleventh boast.
“I threw only that tricky blank check and succeeded in business!”
In fact, it was a success that came from keeping her friendship instead of yielding to the reverse proposition of betraying the demon, Elly!
Vee! Vee!
Pastel: Count! Dream big! Don’t be satisfied with mere pocket change from Empire Bank! If you betray the Empire Bank and choose me, I’ll give you more money than just this pile of gold coins!
But she didn’t say how much.
Because she had no cash on hand right now.
Since she had poured everything into smuggling.
Hehe.
But but!
The count seemed captivated by Pastel’s confidence and went beyond his intended bidding in the auction, stating he intended to invest in the Craft High Merchant?!
He even joined in on the absurd joke about needing as much as the entire world for investment!
“I know! He’s that kind-hearted investor who gets moved by the confidence of youth and says, ‘Go ahead and give it a try!’”
The age difference was as vast as that between parent and child, so she could sense whatever kind of emotion stirred in his heart!
It must have been a moment of nostalgia and reflection, remembering a time when he was young and energetic!
Pastel clenched her fist tightly.
“Count! I will repay that expectation! I, Pastel, will pour my all into smuggling!”
I’ll show you the magic of compound interest!
“Don’t make such bold commitments,” said the demon, who thumped Pastel on the head with the rolling pin.
“Ouch!”
Uwaaaah.
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