057
In the Baratheum Empire, there were three major banks.
1. The Imperial Bank
2. The Pure White Bank
3. The Exclusive Bank
These banks were spread throughout the empire, but the most trustworthy among them was undoubtedly the Imperial Bank, as it was responsible for issuing currency.
The Imperial Bank was particularly popular among nobles because it provided large loans with extended repayment periods.
Although the monthly interest rates were somewhat high, the bank reinvested these funds into the nation’s major public projects.
Additionally, at the discretion of each bank’s manager, funds could be invested in various businesses…
In short, it was considered a good institution—at least, for the common people.
“Emergency! It’s an emergency!”
“What now?!”
Dickens, the bank manager, was already deep in thought, holding his head in frustration. When one of his subordinates suddenly shouted, he couldn’t help but snap in irritation.
Ever since several of the businesses they had invested in collapsed, he had been suffocating under pressure, unable to return home for over a month. It was only natural for his patience to wear thin.
“The person has arrived!”
“Who?!”
“You know who I mean! That person!”
“And who exactly is ‘that person’? Did the head of a noble family come by or something?”
As if!
Dickens found his own joke amusing and let out a small chuckle.
Obviously, the head of the Pashayen family never came to the bank—it was the other way around. If anything, nobles rarely visited the bank in person.
At least in Pashayen, flaunting one’s noble lineage was not openly encouraged.
“Sir, have you really forgotten? The incident with the major investor…!”
“Oh? Oh… Oh no—OH NO!!”
BANG!
Dickens shot up from his seat in alarm, only to yelp in pain as he slammed his knee against the desk.
“Ugh, my kneecap!”
But there was no time to sit around complaining.
With only a few strands of hair left on his head, Dickens hastily smoothed them back and rushed out.
This was enough to snap him wide awake.
‘That person’… had arrived!
“Ack—!! Welcome, welcome!!”
“……..?!”
“Such an esteemed guest! This is a great honor for the Pashayen branch of the Imperial Bank! Please, allow me to escort you to the VIP lounge!”
Excitedly, Dickens turned his gaze to the visitor…
Only to see not a young lady, but an infant—a tiny child, practically glowing in the light.
The baby had chubby, soft cheeks and pink hair, but right now…
They looked different.
Right now, they looked like money.
A walking fortune!
***
‘Huh…?’
What in the world is going on?
I just came to the Imperial Bank to check how much money I had, but then suddenly, this bald old man—the bank manager—rushed over and dragged me into the VIP lounge.
As I sipped on a milk tea filled with chewy tapioca pearls, brother Mikard stirred his teacup with a spoon and muttered in a serious tone.
“I’ve never been in here before either.”
“Huh? Aren’t we only here because this is Pashayen?”
“Nope. Only Father or the Young Lord would be allowed to sit in a place like this.”
Then why are we here?
I tilted my head in confusion.
Just then, a mountain of financiers and croissants drenched in chocolate was brought in.
“I heard you have a sweet tooth. I brought these so you can enjoy yourself while we discuss business. Hahaha.”
People who bring food are good people… right?
Then why did he seem so suspicious?
The bank manager was sweating bullets, and his legs were trembling.
He definitely had something to hide.
“Hey… if I eat this, are you going to kidnap me?”
“Wh—WHAT?! Good heavens, how could you say such a thing?! This is merely a small token of hospitality for our esteemed guest! Hahaha!”
Suspicious.
[The Earth Spirit King senses that this man is up to something and is worried.]
[The Water Spirit King says that no one gives away things for free.]
‘Yeah, that’s right.’
The Admiral always said that.
He told me there are people in this world who shouldn’t be trusted.
“Hey.”
It was at that moment.
“What the hell is all this?”
BANG!
Brother Mikard shoved his hands into his pockets and kicked the low table.
The tower of financiers collapsed instantly.
What a waste!
“You think you can bribe our family’s youngest like this?”
“A-Ahahaha… N-no, you misunderstand! It’s just a small gift!”
“Oh, really? Then why don’t you tell us why a bank manager, known for being ruthlessly calculating, is acting this way? Want me to beat it out of you, or will you just talk?”
Brother Mikard was so intimidating…
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ says that such things are yucky and gross.]
[Don’t grow up to be like your brother, okay?]
‘O-Okay…’
[The Emotion Spirit King defends Mikard.]
[Well, he’s just trying to protect his little sibling, so it’s kind of sweet, isn’t it?]
Was bringing brother Mikard along the right decision…?
I glanced at him uncertainly, and suddenly, the bank manager collapsed onto the floor and pressed his forehead against the ground.
Then, in a loud voice, he begged.
“Please… PLEASE tell the investor that our bank is the best!”
“…Huh? Investor?”
“Ah, yes! That little brat who suddenly barged in the other day… No, wait, that rude… No, that won’t do either. Oh dear, my inner thoughts keep slipping out about such an esteemed person… Haha.”
…What is he even talking about?
An investor…?
During my lessons with Teacher Cedric, I had learned about investment concepts, so I could understand the general idea of what the bank manager was saying.
But it still didn’t make sense.
“So, you see, I invested in several businesses…”
“And…?”
“And, well… some unfortunate problems arose.”
I knew what that meant.
When adults say it like that, it’s just a polite way of saying they lost everything!
“As a result, ahem, there were some losses… If I don’t cover them quickly, the bank won’t be able to function properly…”
[The Water Spirit King mutters, So, he completely went bankrupt.]
[All the Spirit Kings in the room have started paying attention to the situation.]
Beyond the glowing text of the Spirit Kings, brother Mikard let out a dry laugh.
“So, the bank almost went bankrupt? Do you even realize how ridiculous that sounds?”
“Bankrupt?! No, no, no! It wasn’t that bad!”
The bank manager practically jumped in alarm.
“But you did lose enough to put your own position as bank manager at risk, right? And judging by your reaction, this must have been entirely your fault. So… what exactly did you invest in?”
“Ugh… The Richika Mana Stone Mine…”
“Oh, the one discovered last year? But when they actually started mining, the mana stones turned out to be low quality, didn’t they?”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
The bank manager wiped his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief, looking completely defeated.
“But then, out of nowhere, a lifeline appeared!”
He suddenly perked up, his tone filled with hope.
“A large sum of money was deposited into our Pashayen branch, keeping us afloat!”
[The Water Spirit King provides a simple explanation.]
[It’s like someone opened a bakery, thinking it would do well, but the bread tasted awful and the business failed. Then, while the owner was crying, someone suddenly appeared and offered to help.]
‘Ohhh!’
The Water Spirit King always explained things so well!
“On top of that, this mysterious investor also decided to put money into our financial products!”
“Oh?”
“But there was one condition…!”
At that moment, the bank manager snapped his head toward me.
His eyes were practically burning.
“Lady Shupetty Pashayen must be treated with the utmost respect whenever she visits our branch. We must serve her like royalty. If she wants something, we must do whatever it takes to provide it!”
“Oh?”
Brother Mikard raised an eyebrow.
“And who exactly is this investor?”
“That, um… I don’t actually know… Hiek!”
THUD!
Brother Mikard had grabbed the bank manager by the collar and lifted him off the ground!
“Do I look like an idiot to you? You really expect me to believe that? Should I march you straight to my grandfather and tell him that you’re an incompetent fool who almost ruined his own bank?”
“N-no! I swear it’s the truth! I never saw their face! All I remember is that they were insufferably rude…! If they weren’t an investor, I would have punched them in the face!! Ughhh…!”
