Mana: Goddess Of Destiny

Now then, three days had gone by in no time, and as promised, Eda knocked at the gate.

She was brought into Glass study along with Rain, Ryle, Sebastian, Sara, Fest and Isa who was a runaway Orphan that Glass brought in to the Hall household. Isa assists Sebastian in the management.

"When I went to inspect the territory, my impression of it is… respective Although it's fine to eat it now, if we wait a little longer, it will eventually rot. That's what I think."

They did not expect Glass to have this kind of impression since they kept blinking their eyes in bewilderment. Especially Sebastian and Sei.

"…famous And because the stores lack new commodities, the air has become stagnant." Glass continued "If the people living in the territory are not rich, the territory will never become rich."

That's how it works. When the market is limited, it will eventually collapse. In other words, if prospering the people does not continue, with the current economic flow, this territory will decay.

"I intend to make this province blooms like Blur and Salver.

Where Commoners and Orphans alike can go to school. Where walking the streets is always safe. Where another homeless family is not begging on the streets."

"But that is all possible because of the East Trade Company" Ryle

"She is the East Trade Company" Rain said which surprised everyone but Sara and Rain.

"My Lady is the founder of the company," Sara said

"Impossible, she would have been six at that time," Eda said

"I would like to establish a Bank. Which is something Blur, and Salver do not have as of Yet…." Glass said as she eyed them to listen.

"…U-umm. What exactly is a bank?" Isa interrupted and asked timidly.

"Ah, my apologies. Because I was too absorbed, I got in way over myself. Regarding the bank, I intend to let Sebastian and also Eda handle it. I will talk to you about it in detail a little later. …However, the bank will not be realized unless we first help the people prosper and reform the taxation system here in our territory."

"In other words, you want to use the taxes collected from the people to manage the territory, and gather money from elsewhere to maintain the Hall House?"

"That's right, Eda."

"Specifically, what do you intend to do?"

"The funding will be supplied by the East Trade Company. But before that, we will launch a new product."

"…new product, you say…"

Sebastian and Isa are probably against it. Their facial expressions turned a little overcast.

"To do something you're not used to, there are many examples of that. I think it'll be better if you stop thinking in that direction."

Eda, who was part of the Commerce Guild, was also against it

"How should I say this. I am after all a daughter of a noble. For someone like me who has never stood on the battlefield alongside other merchants, and to suddenly announce that I want to start a business, your reaction is only natural."

"…No, please excuse me."

"It's fine. Now, continuing with what I was saying. I want to sell this commodity. Fest"

"I understand."

The thing Fest took out from the bag was a brown fruit.

"…This is…?"

Sebastian and Isa, who seemed to have never seen one before, scrutinized it.

"This is a fruit called cacao" It seems that these meets in the tropical regions in the south, and the locals will occasionally grind them and make them into a drink."

Cacao is a common commodity in this province, which is what makes Glass excited about Turing Rica into the land of Pure delight Or Chocolate for short.

"…I have heard of it. But if I'm not mistaken, because it is too bitter, it is not something fit for drinking…"

As expected of Eda. The Commerce Guild should be well aware of these kinds of products "As I thought, it has yet to be commercialized. I'm relieved to hear Eda say that."

"Ye-yes…"

"However, this Commodity has a secret that you have yet to discover, Sara."

"Certainly, my lady" Sara stepped out for a moment and came back with a chief whose eyes were sparkling. Who came in who a cart full of Chocolate."

"This is a dessert using the Cacao" Glass picked up the tray of chocolate and brought it to everyone. "Try it."

They looked at it in wonder before they timidly tried it.

"…Delicious!"

However, after eating a mouthful of it, there was nothing but words of praise.

"This is, something made from cacao, right? Certainly, if it is this meet By the way, how will this be priced?"

"Because sugar was used, I intended to price it a little high. The target demographic will be nobles, and because it uses an abundant of high-class ingredients, I intend to market it as a luxury food. But sometime shortly, I will eventually make it a low-priced commodity where more people will be able to buy the product. Now then, please bring in the others." Glass said to the chef

"Yes, my lady."

What was brought in a while ago was an empty plate of milk chocolate. What was brought in next were dishes of dark chocolate and various assortments of chocolates such as truffles.

"Although these snacks were also made from cacao beans just like the one earlier, the taste is completely different. Please try it."

"Wow~ Delicious! I like this round looking one."

"As for me, I like this plain one, and it's easy to eat."

Everyone respectively took a liking to the different snacks depending on their preferences. I am relieved that the overall evaluation is favorable.

"This way, there's a variety of flavors. As someone who was part of the Commerce Guild up until recently, what are your impressions, Eda?"

"It is a commodity that's never been heard of before… With the proper advertising, it can be launched immediately. I believe these have that much appeal. It's also a good thing that the target demographic has already been established."

"Thank you. Since that is the case, Isa. I would like for you be my hands and feet and help me open up a market outlet where this commodity can be sold."

"…Me? Although it might be forward of me to say this, wouldn't Eda be a better choice…?"

"Eda will be involved with the establishment of the bank I spoke of earlier. I consider that he is the right person for the job because negotiations must be made with the Commerce Guild one way or another. Besides, with the nobility being the targeted demographic, it would be better if someone like you, who is working in the Hall House, to be in charge of this, and you'll also be able to respond quickly."

"…I respectfully obey. I will do my best to answer to your expectations."

"With that, it is settled. We will now focus on how we will get this commodity out in the market on the right track. First things first, Sebastian. Please draw up a contract with the village harvesting the cacao beans. Also, Ryle and Fest report back to Deacon, please tell him to think about how many people will be necessary to secure the transportation from the village to the mansion and give me a report when he comes back to you. I'm sure you remember the roads we passed through when we did our inspection, right?"

They nodded

"Make sure he also knows those roads."

"I understand. I will start on it immediately."

It took no time for the Chocolate to become popular as a "Very Sweets" branch store opened up here and started to them then. The nobles were overly excited as they had either heard of taste the delicious of the "Very Sweets" store.

Having the East trade company has the back-up, and then the Mercs and Bodyguards for protection made Glass very satisfied. Although she could have very well used most of the money supplied by the east trade Company, she had wanted the province to rise to its two feet nearly on its own. With some support, you could also say.

Reaching their goal didn't even take a while of a month as noble beloved the new sweet. So, establishing a bank was nest to come. So later on, when she meet with Eda again.

"Eda please purchase a building that will be used for the bank. After that, please use my name to arrange a meeting with the Guild Master of the Commerce Guild, Presidents of important business and Merchants of any type."

"I understand."

After that, the next several weeks of efforts were spent preparing for the establishment of the bank, such as ensuring the building and securing the equipment… As usual, there is a mountain load of things to be done.

"Now then, everyone. Thank you for taking time off of your busy schedules to gather here today." Glass said calmly in front of the group.

"No, not at all." the Guild Master of the Commerce Guild said he was genuinely curious as well as many other who should up here why the Duke's daughter called them for a meeting.

"To get straight to the point, I am the founder to East trade company.y"

The room froze entirely as they had all turned serious

"Now that I have gotten your attention, let's begin, I would like to establish a bank in this province. By all means, I would like everyone to use it."

"…A bank, is it?"

"Yes."

"Excuse my impoliteness, but what exactly is it?"

"To put it simply, it is a developed version of the repository services provided by the Commerce Guild. Its main purposes are depository services, money order services, and financing services."

"Depository services? Financing… services? I've never heard of those before… What kind of significance do they have?"

"Let's start with the depository services. It is similar to the services that the Commerce Guild has been providing, where a business can entrust their funds. Those kinds of services will also be conducted in the bank. The funds the people part of the Commerce Guild spend to hire escorts constantly will no longer be necessary. Don't you think it'll be an advantage for the Commerce Guild? Furthermore, you can settle transactions between accounts with the bank. For example, if mutual parties deposit funds in the bank, cash reserves can be moved between accounts and thus will not have to carry cash with them. User will care an ID provided by the bank which will serve as proof that that person's ID does indeed belong to them, there would be a stamp on the back."

"…I see. However, I wonder if that will be safe? After all, they are important funds. There must not be any risk."

"Of course, Such thing will be provided by the East trade Company and the Mercs and Bodyguards guild. As well as a contract established for extra protection for both you and the bank that's both fair and Non-partial"

"Hmmm. Then what about financing services?"

"As for financing services, it lends out the collected funds… In other words, money lending. Of course, strict conditions will be imposed… And if one can meet the requirements, they will be able to borrow capital. For example, funds to start up a new business?"

"That is interesting."

"You can entrust your money at any given time and only withdraw the necessary amount. Transactions will be easier to settle. In addition, if you need capital, you can borrow them when necessary. East Trade Company as well as the Hall house is more than capable of providing the funds and its safety …What do you think? "

"In exchange for that, what will you be demanding from us?"

"As for establishing the bank, I do not have any request in mind. Because the most important is to return the money of the province to the province to develop it."

"As for our guild, since we have always been in a deficit in this area, we will be more than happy with the takeover… So if it's only that much, it will be our p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to cooperate."

Alright, the prospect of establishing the bank is looking bright.