Chapter 99

Chapter 99

#99 Growth and Distribution (5)

An oppressive silence filled the royal court, interrupted only by the sound of swallowing.

“……”

“……”

Everyone, including Duke Ariana, stared intently at the list of Arad Group subsidiaries and their target regions as if memorizing it.

‘I’d like to expand into more cities and territories, but given the current northern situation, even this is ambitious.’

The main cities and territories listed in the presentation totaled seven, including High City. Excluding my own territory, Jin Viscountcy, there were six real targets.

In the harsh northern region plagued by cold and monsters, transportation of goods and manpower was severely restricted beyond these six locations.

“Hang on…?”

Suddenly, one of the ministers staring blankly at the subsidiary list tilted his head in confusion.

“Cheonsen? Could it really be the same Cheonsen from Jin Viscountcy and Narvik that builds ships?”

The voice came from Minister Roc Cadan, who had previously been swindled and cried tears of blood.

“That’s correct.”

I nodded in response to his question.

“There’s no ice-free port in the north. The sea in front of Jin Viscountcy is covered with ice all year round.”

“It is now.”

“Hmm… I think I understand Mr. Jin’s thinking. But can we really achieve that with a greenhouse barrier?”

“We can’t rely solely on trade with the empire forever. We need to find some way. The greenhouse barrier is just one of many options.”

If an ice-free port proves impossible, we’ll use airships. If airships don’t work, we’ll go to war with the empire if necessary to secure a port.

“Mr. Arad’s words are absolutely correct.”

“We can’t let the empire control our lifeline indefinitely.”

At my words, the officials including Minister Roc nodded.

It’s still in the planning stages. But since I’ve personally guaranteed it, they probably trust it will work out somehow.

“Why establish a shipyard in Narvik? I understand for Jin Viscountcy territory, but why there?”

“Narvik has the largest forest in the north.”

“True, you’d need a lot of wood to build ships. And it’s not too far from Jin territory.”

“The problem is that forest borders the Magic Realm in the Great Forest…”

“The Great Forest will have to be developed eventually. Lumber consumption is skyrocketing these days.”

“Indeed, trying once won’t hurt.”

The atmosphere in the royal court, now transformed into a presentation setting, was solemn yet warm.

Look at the 17 Arad Company subsidiaries displayed on the white wall.

They show how solid the future of the north will be.

We’re even building this brilliant vision together.

Who could fail to be moved?

“The subsidiaries will gradually relocate or expand over the next three to five years. However, due to a shortage of magicians to assist with construction, many areas will have to rely solely on manual labor.”

Looking at the assembled officials, especially those representing key northern cities and territories, I continued.

“So, what should we do?”

Fiery determination burned brightly in everyone’s eyes.

“Please secure the sites for the new workshops in advance. Make sure nothing like last time happens – prepare thoroughly.”

“Hem hem! Of course!”

“Cough cough!”

Coughs echoed around the room.

“I have something to say.”

Cutting through the coughs, a cold remark from Grand Duchess Ariana of the North rang out.

“Any attempts to obstruct government enterprises for personal gain or profit will result in capital punishment, no excuses.”

Thud!

Gulp! Gulp!

The coughing stopped abruptly, replaced by sporadic gulps echoing through the hall.

‘Development dictatorship FTW!’

Seeing Her Highness delivering timely support fire, I cheered internally.

Having introduced the Arad Group subsidiaries and their target regions,

Before moving to the next slide, I looked around the court and asked just in case.

“Any other questions?”

Flash!

Immediately after my question, a hand shot up from somewhere.

It was Prime Minister Haytai from the cabinet office.

“There are over fifty factories forming an industrial park in High City currently. What will happen to the existing factories when relocation begins?”

“Some businesses will completely move, others partially.”

“So empty factories will be filled with businesses that aren’t fully relocating?”

“That’s right. Our product demand will only increase, never decrease.”

“So the number of factories in High City won’t increase further?”

“Yes, for the High City Arad Industrial Park, we’ll likely only be doing renovations and maintenance on existing facilities.”

Satisfied with my explanation, Prime Minister Haytai and the other ministers nodded.

Meanwhile, Grand Duchess Ariana seated on the white throne had maintained her poker face throughout the meeting.

Being a ruler must be exhausting.

Click! Tss-

Suddenly, the sound of a camera went off in the corner of the court.

Glancing over, I saw a palace attendant from the Royal Household Department photographing the proceedings.

Since no one objected, it seemed this was done on orders from Isabel, who oversees both the Royal Household and Magic Ministries.

‘Yeah, each of these moments becomes part of historical records.’

Hem hem! I unconsciously straightened my tie.

Not just me, the ministers also sat up straighter, and even the clerks waiting behind them smoothed their hair and adjusted their clothes.

Click! Tss-

The camera clicked again.

Our current appearance might end up in history textbooks someday. Or perhaps in another world version of Surprised.

With such thoughts, I continued the presentation.

“Next, regarding the shareholding structure of the Arad Group.”

Thanks to Development Dictator Rune, there were no particular issues regarding shares either.

“The original share structure of Arad Company had 20% owned by me, Jin, 70% by Her Highness the Duchess, and 10% by the Lenslet Mage Guild.”

Technically 20% and 10%, but in reality, it’s all effectively owned by Ariana as a government enterprise.

Since I’m planning to return to Earth eventually anyway, maintaining operational control is enough.

Besides, Arad Company started as a government-backed merchant house, so talk of shares was meaningless from the beginning.

Thinking about it, this is a real corporate state.

“But now that we’ve split into the Arad Group of subsidiaries, the stock and share structure will change. Arad Company shares will convert to Arad Holdings, while each subsidiary…”

Still, explanations and disclosures are necessary.

This kind of process helps indirectly educate the Lensretians, who know almost nothing about finance, about securities.

‘Stock talk elicits polar opposite reactions.’

Half the people in the court looked bored, mostly knights.

The other half, consisting of bureaucrats and magicians, had bright shining eyes.

This was due to the additional matters that would follow after this presentation.

* * *

The presentation, long or short depending on perspective, finally concluded.

I also finished giving minor advice on administrative restructuring requested earlier by the prime minister.

Lensretians (northerners) prefer practical, short and quick affairs, so we managed to wrap up around sunset.

Had this been an empire or kingdom, we’d have been stuck until morning with endless praise speeches, banquets, and diplomatic rhetoric.

“My throat’s sore from all the talking.”

“Here, have some water.”

“Thank you.”

Leaving the court, I entered another prepared room in the palace.

I rested there drinking water served by Mary.

“You’re here early, Mr. Jin.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Jin!”

Relaxing there, people began arriving one by one.

“From now on, call me Chairman, not Manager.”

Just because we left the court and gave various guidelines to the ministers of High City led by the prime minister doesn’t mean my work is done.

‘The core of growth and distribution is planting seeds.’

The people entering the new room were diverse.

Some ministers and magicians from the earlier court session were there.

Also some new faces arriving on schedule.

“Greetings, Chairman Jin.”

“Ah, Mrs. Shapiro.”

Among them was Maria Shapiro, wife of Director Te and second daughter of the prime minister.

She visited the inner palace with her postpartum belly lightly corseted.

“Is the baby healthy?”

“Yes, my husband should be home from work seeing the child now.”

Maria had given birth to a son.

Though she says her husband is taking care of the child, in reality the nanny is likely handling it while the housekeeper manages the household.

“This is embarrassing, I haven’t let your husband come home much lately.”

“But separate from that, may I request a raise?”

My apology was met with Maria’s slightly pointed response.

“Huh…? We always give bonuses though?”

Confused by Maria’s comment, I tilted my head and responded without much thought.

“Uh?”

“Eh?”

“…”

“Ah…”

Seemed like I made a huge mistake.

Tsk tsk…

A short tongue click from nearby Mary. Whose side was that tongue click on?

“Sorry, Director Te.”

I briefly prayed for Director Te’s wellbeing and family peace in my heart.

“Hem hem! Everyone’s gathered! Hahaha…”

Ignoring Maria’s suddenly cold demeanor, I hurriedly began the final task of the day.

“You all know the purpose of this gathering.”

Distribution isn’t just about dispersing subsidiaries and factories to different regions.

“Welcome. The second and third Arad Companies.”

No matter how octopus-like the Arad Group gets, resembling a corporate state, relying solely on that risks turning the north into a super-concentrated capital like certain failed Earth nations.

“Arad Group, under the auspices of Her Highness the Duchess of High City, will help realize and nurture your dreams.”

For a nation, society, and families to be healthy, small and medium-sized enterprises must be strong.

“I’ll spare no support in investment, equipment sales, and technology transfer. Of course, you must match that with passion and returns on investment.”

The eyes of witches, bureaucrats, and educated Lensretians like Maria burned brightly.

“The first industries we’ll cooperate on are ceramics, printing, clothing, construction, art, logging, mining, and alchemy.”

Even with the numerous large factories of the Arad Group employing massive numbers, there are limits.

The current Arad Industrial Park alone can’t meet the demands of not just the north, but the entire continent.

Therefore, we’ve decided to generously share business opportunities distant from magic engineering but with high demand.

“For art, construction, logging, and mining, we’ll only provide investment support as you’re already doing well.”

My gaze turned toward the Lensretian merchants involved in mining, logging, construction, and art industries.

Without any special guidance from me, they’ve already pioneered these fields ahead of others.

“The stonework and mining industries of the north have long been highly skilled. Honestly, the construction technology here surprised me most when I arrived.”

Would you believe the walls of High City and the Great Northern Wall are built with reinforced concrete? Even more incredible, they incorporate spirit arts magic.

This isn’t a world where great walls can be casually erected like the Great Wall of China.

Even with the legacy of a golden age and magical assistance, impressive things remain impressive.

“Use the invested funds to grow your businesses at least tenfold. Demand for magic stones, minerals, and timber will only increase, never decrease. Buildings and roads go without saying.”

Therefore, there’s no need for me to micromanage these sectors.

Of course, I could pass on master-level expertise in logging, mining, and construction.

But I’ve decided to hold back. People shouldn’t become overly dependent on me across all fields.

‘Maybe commission some explosive magic stones or something.’

Considering that, I shifted my gaze elsewhere.

“Printing, clothing, ceramics, and alchemy will require our assistance.”

Whereas the previous logging, mining, and construction industries were weeds, these require careful nurturing like flowers.

“Starting four days from now, report to the industrial park. You’ll learn the basics there before receiving investment, equipment, and technical support.”

Saying this, I looked at Maria.

“Next, publishing and printing.”

“Yes.”

“This will proceed in a new direction.”

“A new direction?”

“Media business.”

“?!”

At my words, Maria and others planning to enter publishing tilted their heads in confusion.