Episode 275 The War of Money (3)
A fresh rumor is causing a sensation in the business world.
“Did you hear? There are young and lively talents at the Colosseo Academy.”
“You mean the friends who achieved great results in this mock investment competition?”
“What’s shocking is that it wasn’t a ‘mocking’. They said it was done with real money.”
“Huh? You mean that ridiculous rate of return was real then?”
“Why not? That’s why everyone accepted the invitation today.”
Oracle. An investment club that has reaped huge real returns in a simulated investment competition held by Bourgeois.
There has been little information about their identities.
However, since he is a student at the prestigious Colosseo Academy, it is only known that his identity and status are certain.
Therefore, numerous people in the business world were curious about the ‘party invitation’ sent by Oracle.
I heard the story that the owner of the largest and most splendid hall in the ecliptic had changed.
The person who took over the party hall paid for the sale of the building in cash, and in the meantime left a huge tip of 10%.
Furthermore, rumors that the new owner immediately started building exterior walls or interior interior extensions as soon as he bought the large and splendid hall also surprised people.
Where else could that huge and splendid hall be decorated?
So, not only the general public, but also some of the best people in the business world were paying attention to Oracle’s move.
yet.
Dang-Dang-Dang-Dang-Dang-Dang-Dang-Dang-Dang-
O month X day. The time when the grandfather clock chimes nine times.
It was the date and time written on the invitation from Oracle.
Rich people from all over the imperial capital or province gathered at the party hall in response to the Oracle’s invitation.
The number was about 100 at most, but the crowd was over 3,000 including the number of attendants.
at that time.
“What? That person?”
“Ohhh. He accepts the invitation.”
“It’s the first time I’ve actually met you.”
“A heavyweight was at the party.”
Old gentlemen and noble ladies from the business world stood aside on either side.
On the way to the hall, there was a carriage passing proudly through the center.
A family coat of arms with a white triangle on a black background.
This was the mark of the ‘Sinan’ family, famous for their wealth in the north.
And in the carriage was a person who caught the attention of business people.
Viscount ‘Sinan Salt Sale’, a salt merchant.
He was the leader of the Sinan family, one of Don Quixote’s maternal families.
Saltsale is a colossus known as one of the leading merchants in the North and a famous powerful family.
It is said that the wealth he accumulated by transporting as much as 60,000 tons of salt across the empire is almost unmatched in the north.
“Heh heh- Yes. Let’s see how fancy and extravagant they invited people to the imperial capital to hold a party.”
Saltsail stroked his mustache and looked out of the wagon.
at that time.
“……!”
Saltsail’s carriage stopped.
It was because a strange person was standing in front of them and blocking the way.
A body that still looks like a boy. He wore a cute cat mask on his face.
He was wearing long boots on his feet, giving the impression of something out of a fairy tale.
Saltsale asked.
“Who are you and are you blocking the way?”
Then the boy in the cat mask answered.
“My name is ‘Puss in Boots’. I’m the guide who came to meet you to lead you to the party today.”
His voice was dry and emotionless, but his pronunciation was clear and easy to understand.
Eventually, Puss in Boots proved his identity with the invitation card he was carrying, and got into Viscount Saltsale’s carriage and sat next to him.
“Now we have about 23 kilometers to the party.”
At the words of Puss in Boots, Saltsale only made a sad face.
at that time.
“……hmm?”
Viscount Saltsail’s eyes widened slightly.
It was because I saw something bluish in front of the central road in front of me.
“What is that?”
Viscount Saltsail stretched his head out and looked ahead.
Then you can see what is right in front of you.
It was a blue cloth. A large curtain surrounds it and covers the inside.
said Puss in Boots.
“The owner put a lot of effort into the party that will be held today. He said that the place where noble people gather can’t be open to the public, so he bought a specially good silk cloth and put up a tent around the hall.”
Now Viscount Saltsale’s carriage was passing by the tent.
A silk curtain with a view as if the blue night had fallen over the land.
When it comes to luxury items, Saltsale, who has a keen eye for them, soon recognized what kind of fabric it was.
“It’s blue silk lined with the finest purple silk. Hmm, you have an eye for it. I put something like that around my house. It’s 10 miles long.”
Saltsail spoke in a proud tone, and the cat in boots next to him quietly said a word.
“Our master has covered 21 kilometers this time.”
“what?”
Saltsale looked back at the cat in boots, as if his pride had been hurt.
But the cat in boots was just a cat in boots, and there was no reaction.
Soon Viscount Saltsale’s carriage arrived at the party hall.
A curtain was drawn even over the entrance of the hall, so it was difficult to see the outside of the building.
However, I could only guess that it was a fairly tall palace-style building.
“Before you go in, I’ll give you a brief guide.”
Puss in Boots told me the ‘dress code’ for today’s party.
Today’s concept is a red cloak.
However, Salt Sail tilted her head as if hearing that there was a dress code for the first time.
“I don’t think you’ve ever heard of the costume?”
“Oops. It looks like something went wrong in the process of delivering the letter. But don’t worry. I have a cloak prepared for guests.”
Saltsail’s eyes narrowed as she saw the red cloak being handed over by Puss in Boots.
“Ohhh? This is a fire cloth. It’s the finest cotton cloth that has been in vogue since the Warring States Period until now. Moreover, even the teeth and claws of the vicious monsters living in the western jungle are handicrafts. It must be quite precious.”
“You must have a good understanding of fabric and linen.”
“Of course. I also have two sets of clothes like this.”
At first, Salt Sail was going to give a face mask if a cheap cloak came out.
However, he was quite satisfied with the provided cloak as he thought it was very precious.
In addition, since this cloak was also lightly enchanted, it prevented food or alcohol from getting wet and had a warming effect, so there was no reason not to take it.
“Would you like a cocktail on the way to the party?”
Puss in Boots politely held out a glass.
Red wine and clear ice were floating in the clear glass.
Saltsail accepted the cocktail glass and grunted.
“I don’t know much about alcohol. I need to drink something like this to pee.”
“Is that so?”
The cat in boots nodded at Saltsail, who was still shaking off the cocktail while complaining.
yet.
After passing through the dark hallway, a bright and spacious space came out.
Saltsail’s eyes widened slightly.
“Oh, this is…”
The colorful interior was welcoming the salt sale.
The flooring was Southern Jasmunhald marble, and the ceiling was adorned with chandeliers made of canned rubies from Western Red Awl Castle.
The walls were painted with red stone pigment, which is said to be rare and rare among rare earths, and for some reason, a golden sink was attached to the center.
In addition, it is seen that a carpet made of duck down is spread on the floor of the statue carved from expensive coral water.
In the middle of the wall there was a curtain of purple silk, and here and there stood well-dressed maids holding bottles of perfume.
The splendor was such that Salt Sail, who did not snort at the moderate luxury and enjoyment, nodded to admit it.
“……It’s amazing.”
Saltsail turned to Puss in Boots at a distance and said.
“It’s a beautiful main building. There must have been a person with some sense in the Imperial City. It’s decorated well enough to rival the main building of my mansion.”
Saltsail nodded with a satisfied expression, as if she had found a good match for wealth and luxury.
……but.
“What do you mean?”
Despite Saltsale’s praise, Puss in Boots tilted its head.
Then Salt Sail also tilted her head.
“What do you mean? You said the main building was well decorated… Huh?”
Then I saw something strange.
Saltsale stopped talking and looked around.
Apparently, all the guests who had come in with him when he entered disappeared somewhere, leaving him alone.
Except for the cat in boots in front of her and the ladies-in-waiting with perfume bottles, there was only one of them here.
Saltsale said.
“No, where are all the people at the party? Come to think of it, why are there so few people in the main building? Not everyone went to the bathroom.”
Then the cat in boots opened its mouth as if to say something.
“Of course, all the other guests are going to the main building.”
“……what?”
Salt Sail’s expression turned blank.
You mean this is not the main building? If the main building is elsewhere, then what is it here?
Saltsail, with a puzzled expression, told the truth about Puss in Boots.
“This is the bathroom, not the main building.”