Chapter 308 Flashes in the East Flashes in the West (3)
It was a moment when Hoffman was irritated.
Valentino.
Muriel.
Vincent.
While touring the Three Kingdoms, the fact that Count Fabius was there every time touched my heart.
Besides, didn’t everything work out according to Dmitri’s will?
In my heart, I really wanted to slap the smiling face properly, but now I had a more important purpose than that, so I forced myself to swallow my anger.
Viscount Vincent said.
“There is no one who wants to postpone the appointment time, so we inevitably arranged a place for a three-way meeting. You seem to be looking for me for the same purpose anyway, so would it be all right if we talk like this?”
Unlike polite speech.
The inside was clearly visible.
As he emerged as a hot potato due to problems in the iron industry, he intended to inflate his ransom by calling in rivals Count Fabius and Hoffman at the same time.
Viscount Vincent was clever.
His expression, as if he didn’t know the truth, was fake, but his wealth did not allow anyone to point out the truth.
Same with Hoffman.
Normally, he would pressure his opponent with the value of the Golden Bank name, but now it was the law of a thirsty person to dig a well.
‘Come on, I’ll follow your will.’
I laughed inwardly.
Being a snob was an advantage for Golden Bank.
said Hoffman.
“Viscount Vincent is a person who is well versed in worldly affairs, so I think he knows how things are going. Dmitry’s relationship with Golden Bank is over. We have no intention of repairing our relationship with Dmitry through any negotiations in the future, and that is the same with Golden Bank’s ‘partners’. In fact, as a person who seeks a reasonable deal, this situation is very uncomfortable. I don’t know if it’s harsh to ask you to choose one, but I came here to convince Viscount Vincent.”
“this.”
Viscount Vincent showed a troubled expression.
However, the strangely sparkling eyes knew that conflict was the catalyst for soaring ransom prices.
so that.
Hoffman offered a tangible reward.
“Stop doing business with Dmitry. In return, I will accept the Vincent family as members of the ‘Golden Line’.”
* * *
Viscount Vincent’s eyes widened.
“… Are you really serious?”
“yes.”
“Huh.”
golden line.
It meant a huge privilege.
Golden Bank, which has led the finance of the Salamander Continent since long ago, invited reliable partners with a guaranteed future to join the Golden Line.
A world beyond borders.
In the sense of looking in the same direction as Golden Bank, they granted jaw-dropping privileges to members of the Golden Line.
like right now
“As you know, joining Golden Line means sharing the future with Golden Bank. if you accept my offer. In the future, we will help in all businesses handled by the Vincent family. You will be able to purchase top-notch products at low prices, introduce you to distributors belonging to the Golden Line to help reduce the cost consumed in the distribution process, and allow members who have already joined the Golden Line to trade with the Vincent family. will be promoted.”
Two birds with one stone.
no, it was more than that.
Even with a simple calculation, I couldn’t help but notice how special this was.
“Golden Bank is a lender. We plan to match the interest on the amount previously loaned at the lowest interest rate, and we can lend business funds only with credit to members of the Golden Line. To be honest, I pride myself on an opportunity like this. The factions that joined the Golden Line weren’t the only ones that made it rich in the first place. However, they showed rapid growth as each year passed. What do you think would happen if the Vincent family entered that realm? King of the Franks. This is a chance for the Vincent family, who are said to be the wealthiest members of the kingdom union, to get out of the well and expand into the Great Sea. I want to make it clear to seize this opportunity.”
It was a tempting proposition.
As a merchant, it was an act of common sense to refuse to join Golden Line.
but.
The situation of the Vincent family had to calculate complex problems.
“… I agree that this is a really good suggestion. Perhaps no faction can refuse 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 of the base forces are right here in the Frankish kingdom.”
Cataclysm.
The world has changed.
In the past, he did not have to worry too much about the political problems of the Frankish kingdom, but the war between Dmitri and the Kronos Empire completely changed the situation.
The kingdom of the Franks bet on Dmitry.
However, what will happen if the Vincent family, active in the Franks, joins hands with the Golden Bank, which opposes Dmitri, the head of the Kingdom Union.
That’s it.
There would be tremendous pressure, and the infrastructure within the Franks might disappear at once.
so it was vague
At first, when Hoffman asked for a meeting, he knew this was an opportunity, but it was not a matter of hasty choice.
My brain got tangled up in a mess.
Viscount Vincent wanted to turn this opportunity into a sure profit, so he set up a snobbish river to meet Count Fabius and Hoffman at the same time.
“Hoffman’s proposal could undermine our foundation. How are you going to solve that problem?”
handed over 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 it was nice to see him.
“It’s a simple matter. Come out to sea. How long do you plan to work in the little well called the kingdom of the Franks? To Kronos or Valhalla. We will prepare the foundation for the Vincent family to establish themselves. It doesn’t mean abandon Frank. However, by expanding the options, we will prepare a solid foundation for the Frankish kingdom to withstand any external pressure.”
It was the perfect solution.
Advance to Empire!
It was an enchanting word.
Viscount Vincent could not restrain his lips from twitching at the conversation going on like this.
“Count Fabius. What do you think of Golden Bank’s proposal?”
I shifted my gaze.
I was already leaning toward the Golden Bank, but I still couldn’t help but listen to Dmitri’s proposal.
Through competition, just in case.
Might you get a better offer?
however.
“From my point of view, it is a good condition. Take your chance, Viscount Vincent.”
The remarks of Count Fabius, who spoke with a smile, poured cold water on the heated conversation.
* * *
It was embarrassing.
That’s what you mean when you say you’re here to convince me.
Viscount Vincent asked.
“… 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 face and looked at Viscount Vincent’s embarrassed face.
“Dmitry cannot match the conditions of Golden Bank. To be precise, I have no intention of granting preferential treatment to the Vincent family on the condition that they hold hands with Dmitri.”
“All right. If it comes out like that… … .”
“By the way.”
I cut off my words.
In response to Viscount Vincent’s reaction stained with anger, Count Fabius corrected his posture and put the teacup down.
“I am sincerely worried about Viscount Vincent, so I will tell you an interesting story. Until Golden Bank rose to its present position. It is not the first time or two that there has been a dispute like today in the process of competing for interests. Each time, Golden Bank presidents said the same thing. Catch the golden line. If you share the future with us, you too will face a brilliant future.”
smiled wryly
It was obvious.
What proposals will Golden Bank make?
Since it was a proposal that could not be stopped even though he knew it, Hoffman made the same remark as expected within the expected range.
“Hoffman is right. In fact, there are many forces that have succeeded as members of the Golden Line. But did you know that there are also failed factions? And what about the fact that those forces have something in common?”
“… What does that mean?”
“It means facing reality. Those who failed to become members of the Golden Line. What they have in common is that they joined through ‘competition’, just like now. Those who were not accepted because Golden Bank sincerely wanted them to join, but conditionally accepted in order to win the competition. Knowingly or unknowingly, they were discriminated against within the Golden Line. On the outside, he seemed to be actively fulfilling his promise, but on the inside, he led the situation so that he could not help but fall out of exhaustion.”
Looking back at history.
There was an obvious precedent.
In fact, the forces that had fallen out like that passed away at the bottom without even raising their voices.
“Me too Viscount Vincent. I know very well that what I said is true. If you ask for proof, I’d say look back at history. If so, I’ll ask. Do you see the Golden Bank wanting the Vincent family now, but retaining the same mindset later?”
“Where are you talking nonsense… !”
Hoffman was furious.
He got up from his seat, but Count Fabius’ gaze was fixed on Viscount Vincent.
“Dmitry is different. Dmitry never betrays a relationship once established. That is the only condition Dmitri can promise to the ‘Vincent Family’.”
* * *
The atmosphere was strange.
Seeing Viscount Vincent’s complicated expression, Hoffman raised his voice.
“Viscount Vincent! Don’t be fooled by such nonsense. Golden Bank is a force that has risen to its current position through credit alone. We value our words like a thousand gold and wish for a future with the Vincent family. Aren’t you well aware that joining the Golden Line is a rare opportunity?”
Admitted.
Hoffman’s proposal was a great opportunity, but Count Fabius’ remarks threw Viscount Vincent into confusion.
‘Count Fabius is right. In cooperation with Golden Bank, you have to worry about betrayal every moment, but Dmitri never betrays a relationship once accepted, as rumors say. If so, what kind of cooperation is the future for the Vincent family?’
There are things people misunderstand.
snobs.
Never act recklessly.
Even if people criticize them for their black inner thoughts, they chose the safest future in terms of snobbery.
“… I will accept Count Fabius’ offer. Vincent wants to share a future with Dmitri.”
made a decision
at last.
Belief was important.
If Vincent cooperates with Golden Bank, great wealth will be guaranteed, but the most important thing to the already wealthy Vincent family is safety.
The future with Golden Bank was uncertain.
On the contrary, Dmitri is leading a new future, and rumors proving that they are credible.
finished.
Hoffman’s patience reached its limit when even Viscount Vincent was unable to appease him.
Pak!
Clink!
“These buggy bastards!”
overturned the table.
His face flushed red and he poured his anger into Viscount Vincent’s face.
“Vincent! How dare you refuse my offer? Joining the Golden Line is an opportunity for even the richest people in the empire to line up. But to reject the offer without knowing the subject? i promise Vincent’s future will go downhill just like Dmitri’s. The Golden Bank, this Hoffman will lead you into hell.”
I turned my head around.
there.
There was Count Fabius.
It was that raccoon that was the culprit that made the situation this way.
“Fabius. On the day Dmitri collapses, I’ll catch you alive… … .”
“Lower your voice.”
“This bastard is real!”
Moment.
The atmosphere turned grim.
Count Fabius, who usually laughed, showed a ferocious expression as if he were someone else.
“If you don’t want to die, shut up. You fucking bastard.”
