Episode 308: A flash in the east, a flash in the west (3)
It was a moment when Hoffman was filled with frustration.
Valentino.
Muriel.
Vincent.
While traveling around the three kingdoms, the fact that Count Fabius was there every time really touched my heart.
Besides, things didn’t all work out the way Dmitri wanted.
I felt like I wanted to slap his smiling face, but right now I had a more important purpose, so I forced myself to swallow my anger.
Viscount Vincent said.
“Well, no one wanted to postpone their appointment, so we had to arrange a three-way meeting. “I think you’re looking for me for the same reason anyway, so is it okay if we continue the conversation together like this?”
Contrary to the polite way of speaking.
His true intentions were clearly visible.
As he emerged as a hot potato due to problems in the iron industry, his intention was to inflate his own price by inviting his rivals, Count Fabius and Hoffmann, at the same time.
Viscount Vincent was shrewd.
The expression on his face as if he didn’t know the truth was pretentious, but no one could point out the truth due to his wealth.
It was the same with Hoffman.
Normally, he would put pressure on his opponent to live up to the Golden Bank’s name, but now it was the thirsty man who dug the well.
‘Oh, I will follow your wishes.’
I laughed to myself.
The fact that the opponent was a snob was an advantage for Golden Bank.
Hoffman said.
“Viscount Vincent is a man well-versed in world affairs, so I believe he knows how things are going. Dmitry’s relationship with the Golden Bank ended. There is no intention to restore relations with Dmitry through any future negotiations, and the same goes for Golden Bank’s ‘partners’. In fact, as someone who pursues reasonable transactions, I find this situation very uncomfortable. “It may be harsh to ask you to choose one, but I came here to persuade Viscount Vincent.”
“this.”
Viscount Vincent looked troubled.
However, the strangely sparkling eyes showed that conflict was the catalyst that caused the ransom price to skyrocket.
so that.
Hoffman offered a clear reward.
“Stop doing business with Dmitry. In return, we will accept the Vincent family as members of the ‘Golden line.’”
* * *
Viscount Vincent’s eyes widened.
“… … “Are you really, sincerely saying this?”
“yes.”
“Huh.”
golden line.
It meant a huge privilege.
Golden Bank, which has led the finance of the Salamander Continent for a long time, encouraged certain partners with a guaranteed future to join the Golden Line.
The world beyond the border.
As a sign of looking in the same direction as the Golden Bank, they granted jaw-dropping privileges to the members of the Golden Line.
Like right now.
“As you know, joining Golden Line means sharing your future with Golden Bank. If you accept my offer. In the future, we will provide assistance to all businesses handled by the Vincent family. You will be able to purchase our products at a low price, and we will introduce you to a distribution company belonging to Golden Line so that you can reduce the costs consumed in the distribution process. Members who are already members of Golden Line will be able to connect with the Vincent family. “We will pursue a deal.”
Kill two birds with one stone.
No, it was more than that.
Even with simple calculations, I couldn’t help but realize how special a benefit this was.
“Golden Bank is a lending company. We plan to set the interest rate on the amount previously lent at the lowest interest rate, and we can provide business loans to Golden Line members based on credit alone. To be honest, I am confident that there is no opportunity like this. Among the forces that joined the Golden Line, there were not only those that achieved wealth from the beginning. However, they showed rapid growth each year. What do you think would happen if the Vincent family entered that area? A wealthy man of the Frankish Kingdom. This is an opportunity for the Vincent family, known as the great wealth of the Kingdom Alliance, to break out of the well and expand into the ocean. “I definitely want to tell you to take this opportunity.”
It was a tempting offer.
As a merchant, refusing to join the Golden Line was an act that went beyond common sense.
but.
The Vincent family’s situation had to calculate complex problems.
“… … I agree that this is a really good suggestion. Probably no power will be able to reject Mr. Hoffman’s offer. However, there are issues that we must consider. The Vincent family is a force that operates on the stage of the kingdom union. “The political issues cannot be overlooked because all the base forces are right here in the Frankish Kingdom.”
Cataclysm.
The world has changed.
In the past, there was no need to worry much about the political problems of the Frankish Kingdom, but the war between Dmitri and the Kronos Empire completely changed the situation.
The Frankish Kingdom bet on Dmitry.
But what would happen if the Vincent family, active in Frankfurt, joins hands with the Golden Bank, which is hostile to Dmitri, the head of the kingdom union?
It’s over.
There would be enormous pressure, and the infrastructure within the Franks might disappear at once.
So it was ambiguous.
When Hoffman first asked to meet, I knew this was an opportunity, but it was not a choice I could hastily make.
My mind was in a complicated state.
Viscount Vincent wanted to turn this opportunity into a definite advantage, so he made a snobbish move by meeting Count Fabius and Hoffmann at the same time.
“Mr. Hoffman’s proposal could destroy our foundation. “How do you plan to solve that problem?”
I passed on the problem.
If you provide an answer, I will accept it, but if not, I will start a conversation with Count Fabius.
Hoffman laughed.
It was as expected.
The other person was a snob, so I was glad to see him.
“It’s a simple problem. Come out to the Great Sea. How long do you plan to remain active in this small well called the Frankish Kingdom? To Kronos, or Valhalla. We will provide the foundation for the Vincent family to establish itself. This does not mean abandoning the Franks. However, by expanding the options, we will provide a solid foundation that can withstand any external pressure the Frankish Kingdom may face.”
It was the perfect solution.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
Enter the Empire!
It was an ecstatic word.
As Viscount Vincent, he could not suppress his lips from twitching as the conversation progressed to this point.
“Count Fabius. What do you think of Golden Bank’s offer?”
I shifted my gaze.
Even though I was already leaning towards Golden Bank, I couldn’t help but listen to Dmitry’s suggestion.
Maybe through competition.
Couldn’t you get a better offer?
however.
“From my perspective, these are good conditions. Take your chance, Viscount Vincent.”
Count Fabius’s remark, smiling heartily, poured cold water on the heated conversation.
* * *
I was embarrassed.
What people say is that they only come to persuade you.
Viscount Vincent asked back.
“… … Are you saying you don’t mind if I join hands with Golden Bank?”
“yes.”
Count Fabius leaned back on the sofa.
I sipped my tea with a relaxed expression and looked at Viscount Vincent’s face, which was stained with embarrassment.
“Dmitry cannot meet the same conditions as Golden Bank. To be precise, I have no intention of granting preferential treatment to the Vincent family as a condition of asking for Dmitry’s hand.”
“All right. If it comes out like that… … .”
“By the way.”
I abruptly stopped talking.
In response to Viscount Vincent’s anger-stained reaction, Count Fabius adjusted his posture and put down his teacup.
“I am truly worried about Viscount Vincent, so I will tell you an interesting story. Until Golden Bank reached its current position. In the process of competing for interests, disputes like today have occurred more than once or twice. Each time, the presidents of Golden Bank said the same thing. Hold the golden line. “If you share a future with us, you too will face a brilliant future.”
He twitched and laughed.
It was obvious.
What proposal will Golden Bank make?
Since it was a proposal that he knew could not be prevented, Hoffman made the exact same statement as expected within the expected range.
“What you said, Mr. Hoffman, is right. In fact, there are many successful forces as members of the Golden Line. But did you know that there are also forces that have failed? And what about the fact that those forces have something in common?”
“… … What does that mean?”
“It means facing reality. Forces that failed even after becoming members of the Golden Line. What they have in common is that they joined through ‘competition’ as they are now. They are not accepted because Golden Bank sincerely wants them to join, but are accepted conditionally in order to win the competition. They were discriminated against within the Golden Line, knowingly or unknowingly. On the outside, it looks like they are actively carrying out their promises, but on the inside, they are leading the situation so that they have no choice but to fall out of exhaustion.”
If you look back on history.
There was a clear precedent.
In reality, the forces that had fallen that way were unable to raise their voices and changed their orders at the bottom.
“Me too, Viscount Vincent. I know full well that what I just said is true. If you ask me to provide evidence, I would tell you to look back at history. If so, let me ask. “Golden Bank wants the Vincent family now, but do you think they will keep the same feelings later on?”
“Where are you talking nonsense?” … !”
Hoffman was furious.
He got up from his seat, but Count Fabius’ eyes were fixed on Viscount Vincent.
“Dmitry is different. Dmitry never betrays a relationship once established. That is the only condition Dmitry can promise to the ‘Vincent family.’”
* * *
The atmosphere was strange.
Seeing Viscount Vincent’s complex expression, Hoffmann raised his voice.
“Viscount Vincent! Don’t be deceived by such nonsense. Golden Bank is a force that has reached its current position with credit alone. We consider the words we speak like gold, and we want a future with the Vincent family. “Don’t you know that joining the Golden Line is a rare opportunity?”
I admitted it.
Hoffmann’s proposal was a tremendous opportunity, but Count Fabius’ remarks confused Viscount Vincent.
‘Count Fabius is right. Cooperation with Golden Bank requires the worry of betrayal at every moment, but according to popular rumors, Dmitry never betrays a relationship once he has accepted it. So what kind of power will cooperation be the future for the Vincent family?’
There is something people misunderstand.
Snobs.
Never act recklessly.
Even though their dark intentions may be criticized by people, they chose the safest future in their world.
“… … I will accept Count Fabius’ offer. “Vincent wants to share a future with Dmitry.”
I made a decision.
at last.
Faith was important.
If Vincent cooperated with the Golden Bank, great wealth would be guaranteed, but what was important to the Vincent family, already known as the wealthy, was safety.
The future with Golden Bank was uncertain.
On the contrary, Dmitry is leading the new future, and the rumors floating around have proven that they are trustworthy.
finished.
In a situation where even Viscount Vincent could not be appeased, Hoffmann’s patience reached its limit.
Pop!
Clink!
“You bastards!”
The table was overturned.
Viscount Vincent’s face turned red and his anger poured out.
“Vincent! How dare you reject my offer? Joining the Golden Line is an opportunity that even the empire’s richest people are lining up for. But you turned down the offer without even knowing the topic. I promise. Vincent’s future will fall into the same abyss as Dmitry’s. The Golden Bank, this Hoffman, will plunge you into the abyss.”
Suddenly, I turned my head.
there.
There was Count Fabius.
The culprit that made the situation like this was that raccoon.
“Fabius. On the day Dmitry collapses, I catch you alive… … .”
“Lower your voice.”
“This bastard is real!”
Moment.
The atmosphere turned violent.
Count Fabius, who usually laughed heartily, showed a fierce expression as if he were someone else.
“If you don’t want to be fooled, shut your mouth. “You f*cking bastard.”
fantasy,
