Chapter 137

Chapter 137

#137. Level Max Omnimaster’s Soft Power Cultivation (3)

The noisy racket of the stadium greatly diminished as soon as they stepped into the VIP Room.

“Money sure is nice, huh?”

The VIP Room was great—temperature, noise level, atmosphere, interior design… everything.

The cheers that had been deafening were now just loud enough to keep the excitement going.

Instead of a complete soundproofing enchantment, it seemed like noise-reducing enchantments were applied to the windows, walls, and doors.

In the center of the room, expensive teas, wines, and desserts were constantly replenished.

The ceiling held a warm magical device that emitted a soft glow, soothing those unaccustomed to the cold of the northern regions.

“Yo! Violet! What brings you here? Perfect timing!”

As she entered the VIP Room, a man in his thirties greeted her first.

His appearance and vibe were slightly different from the northerners, suggesting he was an imperial native like Violet. He too wore the Arad Capital uniform.

“Baker-san, are you here again? You should just set up an office here like Holland-san.”

“I’m seriously considering it. Half my results happen here, especially when paired with horse race number recommendations—it’s been really effective.”

“…”

Violet’s somewhat sarcastic comment was met with Baker flashing his gold tooth confidently.

“Hmm, you seem like an imperial woman. Quite impressive for someone from the empire, let alone a woman, to be here in this freezing land. Could you introduce her?”

Listening to Baker and Violet’s conversation, another person in the VIP Room showed interest.

“Hahahaha! Sure thing. This lady is Violet—an extraordinary woman if there ever was one. Cardinal Marcus.”

Cardinal Marcus dressed more like a regular noble than a religious figure, likely due to the setting.

“Indeed, she has a commanding presence. Oh? Are you married, Lady? No ring on your hand?”

“That’s correct. She’s unmarried.”

Baker answered promptly, seemingly having just pitched something to the cardinal.

“What does she do?”

“She works at Arad Bank.”

“Bank? Like Sir Richard over there?”

Marcus looked toward one corner of the expansive VIP Room.

“Go! Go! GOOOOO!”

There sat a middle-aged man in his fifties, also wearing the Arad Capital uniform. In his hands were several glittering golden and silver betting tickets.

“…”

He was clearly the most genuine enthusiast among the Arad Capital employees present.

“Sir Richard manages the Lenslet Central Bank.”

After momentarily losing his words while staring at Richard, Baker quickly regained his composure and addressed the Imperial Church Cardinal.

“Anything else?”

“Yes. While both banks, their roles differ significantly. Incidentally, Cardinal Marcus, your area of interest lies with what Lady Violet handles.”

“Oh! Is that so?”

With Baker’s closing statement, the meeting between Violet and Cardinal Marcus naturally commenced.

“Greetings, Cardinal. I am Violet, currently working at Arad Bank.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Violet. Meeting someone from home in this harsh land feels oddly comforting.”

“It’s an honor to meet a high-ranking clergyman of the esteemed church.”

“How delightful to hear my presence brings peace to your soul.”

“So why did you seek me out…?”

“Right to business after introductions? Hahahaha! Lady, you’re almost a northerner yourself.”

“My apologies if it offended you. It’s just my impatient nature…”

“No, I prefer it this way.”

Of course, Violet already knew why Cardinal Marcus sought her out.

‘The church’s slush fund. They want to store it somewhere beyond the reach of the royal family and the Archbishop.’

This related to the order she received earlier at the post office.

“I’ve heard there’s a place in the northern lands where things can be stored safely and discreetly, which is why I’m here.”

“In that case, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll finalize details verbally here today, then prepare documents at the bank the day after tomorrow.”

“I cannot personally visit due to prying eyes and ears.”

“In that case, we’ll send someone from our side. We’ll collect the items then.”

“Since it’s not an ordinary item, I’m a bit uneasy.”

“Our company’s security personnel will accompany the transfer.”

“Arad’s security team, you say?”

“Yes, former knights from Frosthaven and High City.”

“At that level, I can rest assured.”

Given both parties already knew the general outline beforehand, the detailed discussion passed by swiftly.

“But can we trust discussing such matters here?”

Just as Marcus glanced around the VIP Room with concern,

WAHHHHHHH!

The roar of the racetrack drowned out any need for soundproofing magic.

Their conversation could only be heard from close proximity.

“Besides, who would imagine banking operations happening at a racetrack? Unless it’s the immoral act of lending money and collecting interest…”

At Violet’s remark, Cardinal Marcus glanced slyly elsewhere in the VIP Room while teasing her.

Not far from where Richard had been, stood a sign reading “Arad Capital Loan Consultation,” accompanied by five desks and staff in Arad Capital uniforms.

“Hohohohoho… Still, our interest rates are quite reasonable.”

Violet laughed awkwardly, feeling somewhat embarrassed under the cardinal’s gaze.

‘Holland really has no tact. Sure, this place might be an endless goldmine, but does he have to act like this even in front of an imperial cardinal? Baker should’ve stopped him.’

She subtly questioned Baker with her eyes.

‘It’s fine, fine. Cardinal Marcus is just pretending to be uncomfortable. Actually, he briefly took interest because the annual interest rate is only 20%.’

Instead of Holland, Baker shrugged nonchalantly upon sensing Violet’s inquiry.

Whether aware or not of these two’s thoughts,

Holland continued cheerfully conducting loan consultations at the front desk.

‘Ugh.’

Deciding to abandon Holland, Violet refocused her attention on the cardinal.

The cardinal also refrained from further comments about Holland’s loan business.

“Thanks to Lady Violet, the matter was resolved quicker and easier than expected.”

“You flatter me.”

“The recommendation from Baron Orland proved timely. Both of you made this arduous journey worthwhile.”

Cardinal Marcus nodded satisfactorily while looking at Violet and Baker.

“Baker sir, personally, I have high expectations for the stocks you recommended.”

“I’ll strive to meet them.”

“I heard Baron Orland and the nobles’ council profited immensely.”

Incidentally, the mentioned Baron Orland was the individual who previously came to the north to entrust the slush funds of the nobles’ council.

“You’ll find them equally enjoyable, Cardinal. Perhaps even more so than this horse racing.”

Baker pointed toward the window.

Currently, the racetrack was in its 30-minute break, quieter than before.

‘Didn’t you sell those stocks already?’

Upon hearing Baker and the cardinal’s conversation, Violet nudged Baker’s side.

‘Of course. This isn’t ordinary slush fund money. These are funds secretly accumulated by high-ranking priests of the imperial church without the knowledge of the Archbishop and the Emperor. Something Arad Bank alone can’t handle.’

Baker, Holland, and Richard, who work at Arad Capital, are also outsiders who moved from the empire to the north like Violet.

When Arad initially attempted to start a comprehensive financial service in the north, he faced a shortage of skilled talent. So he asked Bishop Entaire for help.

And Bishop Entaire, upon receiving Arad’s request, scoured the entire empire to barely gather these four individuals.

‘And anything that hinders the empire and the royal family works, right?’

‘That’s correct.’

Meaning, these three men, like Entaire and Violet, harbored ill feelings toward the empire and the royal family.

Like Violet, who once worked as a Sigma agent managing the royal family’s slush funds but lost everything after being framed for evidence destruction, they carried similar backstories.

[Attention. The next race will begin shortly. Once again, the next race will begin shortly.]

The 30-minute break ended, and the announcement signaling the start of the next race echoed throughout.

“…”

Upon hearing the broadcast, Violet pulled out a golden betting ticket she’d been holding.

“Violet, are you betting on this race?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Violet’s solitary golden ticket, Baker cautiously inquired.

“On which number?”

“Number 7.”

“Single bet? Combo bet?”

“Single bet.”

“Wait… Did you bet all 200 rens on just one horse, number 7?”

“Why?”

At this, Richard, who had been engrossed in the races until now, showed interest.

“Isn’t number 7 the horse with the lowest winning probability?”

Even Cardinal Marcus, who had finished his business and was now ready to enjoy the races purely, became intrigued by the golden ticket Violet held.

“That’s correct. It’s a top-tier horse with excellent stamina and speed, but it’s notoriously unruly, completing races successfully only a handful of times.”

“Whoa~! Violet, 200 rens isn’t pocket change. Do you urgently need a large sum of money? How about I lend it to you?”

“Enough already!”

Additionally, Holland, who had just finished handling loans, interjected during his brief downtime.

‘Anyway, none of these guys are ordinary foxes.’

Watching the antics of Baker, Richard, and Holland—excluding Marcus—Violet inwardly sighed.

They were aware she had received activity funds alongside her current assignment since they occasionally received orders through Entaire as well.

Knowing this yet reacting like this was predictable.

“Lending out money… Do you know how much interest you’ll pay?”

“Ah! Yes, Cardinal. Around twenty percent is what I had in mind.”

Instantly biting the bait, Cardinal Marcus and Holland smirking subtly.

“By the way, what happens if someone borrows money and leaves the north without repaying?”

“Many imperial nobles deposit their money in Arad Bank. And I work at Arad Capital.”

“Don’t people who borrow money usually drain their deposits first?”

“Yes, Cardinal. That’s why we require collateral.”

“If they can’t repay, you deduct from the guarantor’s deposit… Scary stuff. But aren’t guarantors rare?”

“Almost nonexistent. So we usually offer loans even without a guarantor.”

“If they don’t repay and flee back to the empire?”

“In that case, we outsource to Bishop Company.”

“You actually have plans in place.”

“Hahahaha…”

“Things must be this way to earn trust. Then, may I also take out a loan?”

“Cardinal… Why would you…?”

Holanda’s bewildered gaze: Why take a loan when you have so many slush funds?

“Because they’re not mine to use freely.”

To which Marcus replied earnestly, gazing excitedly at the racetrack.

“I intend to use it personally. Something feels good, you know?”

“Ahh! Of course!”

“And what collateral will you accept? By the way, that’s not allowed.”

Here, ‘that’ referred to the high-ranking priests’ slush funds destined for Arad Bank.

“Naturally. Even this lowly Holland knows basic decorum.”

“Pleasing to see we can communicate reasonably.”

“So, how about this as collateral?”

“Go on.”

“I heard you bought some stocks from Mr. Baker earlier.”

“Those stocks are problematic. Some I purchased with my own money, but most belong to others.”

“How about using the dividends from those stocks as collateral?”

“…”

Violet, Baker, Richard, and Holland.

The official mission of these four expatriates from the empire is comprehensive financial services at Arad Capital.

However, their real task involves quietly siphoning capital from the empire under the watchful neglect of High City and the Arad Group.

Typically, this includes safeguarding slush funds of imperial nobles akin to Earth’s Swiss banks or recommending lucrative stocks.

Ultimately, their goal is to intertwine the destinies of the north and the empire’s privileged classes.