ushernet Chapter 137
Chapter 137
137. Building Soft Power as a Max-Level All-Master (3)
The deafening noise of the racetrack diminished significantly as Violet stepped into the VIP suite.
“Money really is amazing.”
The VIP suite was luxurious in every sense—its temperature, soundproofing, ambiance, and interior design were all impeccable.
The previously grating cheers now sounded like a gentle hum of excitement, adding to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it.
While not completely soundproofed, the enchantments on the windows, walls, and doors effectively dampened the noise.
At the suite’s center, an assortment of expensive teas, wines, and desserts were frequently replenished.
Above, a magical heating device emitted a soft glow, providing comfort to those unaccustomed to the North’s harsh cold.
“Yo, Violet! What brings you here? Great timing!”
A man who appeared to be in his thirties greeted her energetically as soon as she entered.
With a slightly different demeanor and appearance from the Northerners, he, like Violet, seemed to be from the Empire. He was also wearing the uniform of Arad Capital.
“Mr. Baker, here again? Why not just set up an office here like Mr. Holland?”
“Believe me, I’ve been seriously considering it lately. Half of my results come from this place. Combining work with racing tips has been surprisingly effective.”
“......”
Half-joking, Violet’s tone didn’t faze Baker, who flashed a confident grin, revealing a gold tooth.
“Looks like an Imperial lady. To be in this frozen land, and a woman at that—impressive. Care to introduce her?”
Another voice chimed in, belonging to a man Violet hadn’t yet noticed in the suite.
“Hahaha! Of course! This lady here is Violet, quite an exceptional woman. Cardinal Marcus.”
The man addressed as Marcus looked more like a noble than a cleric, his attire reflecting the racetrack’s formal setting rather than the church’s sanctity.
“Indeed, you seem to be a strong-willed lady. Oh? Are you a lady? I didn’t see a ring on your finger.”
“You’re correct. She’s unmarried,” Baker answered on Violet’s behalf, seemingly in the middle of discussing business with the cardinal.
“What line of work is she in?”
“She works at Arad Bank.”
“A bank? Like Sir Richard over there?”
Marcus gestured toward another corner of the spacious VIP suite, where a middle-aged man, likely in his fifties, stood.
“Run! Run! Ruuun!!”
The man, also dressed in an Arad Capital uniform, clutched several glittering gold and silver betting slips in both hands, fully immersed in the thrill of the races. ṙaɴỐʙЕŚ
“......”
He was easily the most enthusiastic about horse racing among the Arad Capital employees present.
“...Richard oversees Renslet Central Bank.”
Baker, momentarily speechless as he watched Richard’s antics, quickly regained his composure and clarified for the cardinal.
“So it’s different?”
“Yes. Same institution, but entirely different roles. Incidentally, what might interest you, Cardinal Marcus, falls under Lady Violet’s purview.”
“Oh! Is that so?”
With Baker’s introduction, the conversation naturally shifted toward Violet and the Imperial Cardinal.
“Greetings, Your Eminence. I am Violet, currently employed at Arad Bank.”
“A pleasure, Lady Violet. Meeting a fellow Imperial in this harsh, unfamiliar land feels strangely reassuring.”
“I feel a profound peace of spirit to meet a high cleric of the esteemed church.”
“It gladdens me to bring you such peace of spirit.”
“May I ask what brings you to me?”
“Straight to the point as soon as we meet? Hahaha! You’re practically a Northerner now.”
“Forgive me if I offended you. I tend to be rather impatient.”
“No offense taken. I actually prefer it this way.”
Of course, Violet already knew why the cardinal sought her out.
‘The slush funds of high-ranking clergy. She’s here to store them where neither the Imperial Court nor the archbishop can reach.’
The directive she received at the post office was directly related to the woman standing before her.
“I heard that there’s a place in the North where valuables can be stored securely and discreetly. I came to find it.”
“Then you’ve come to the right place. We can discuss the details verbally here, and in two days, finalize the paperwork at the bank.”
“There are too many eyes and ears on me for me to visit personally.”
“Yes.”
Baker noticed her single, gleaming gold slip and cautiously asked, “Which horse did you bet on?”
“Number 7.”
“Single-win or multiple-win?”
“Single-win.”
“Wait... Are you telling me you bet 200 Ren on just Horse 7?”
“Why?”
At that, Richard, who had been absorbed in the races, turned his attention to their conversation.
“Horse 7? Isn’t that the one with the lowest odds of winning?”
Even Cardinal Marcus, now more interested in enjoying the races after concluding his business, grew curious about Violet’s golden ticket.
“Yes, that’s the one. It’s a thoroughbred with excellent stamina and speed, but it’s notorious for being unruly. It’s completed races properly only a handful of times,” Baker explained.
“Wow! Violet, 200 Ren isn’t exactly pocket change. Are you in desperate need of a big payout? Want a loan from me instead?” Holland chimed in, temporarily stepping away from his loan desk to join the conversation.
“No, thank you!” Violet snapped, brushing off his offer.
‘These guys are all smooth operators.’
Violet couldn’t help but inwardly sigh at the antics of the three men—Baker, Richard, and Holland.
The trio knew she had received operational funds alongside her directive, yet they still feigned ignorance to tease her. After all, they were also occasionally assigned tasks through Entir Bishop.
“Lending money at a low rate, huh? How low are we talking?” Marcus asked, leaning into the conversation.
“Oh, about 20% annually,” Holland replied smoothly, flashing a sly smile.
“Low, indeed,” Marcus remarked with an approving nod, earning an even broader grin from Holland.
“But what if someone from outside the North borrows money and then flees without repaying it?”
“Many Imperial nobles entrust their wealth to Arad Bank. And I work for Arad Capital,” Violet interjected, explaining the system.
“Usually, borrowers are those who have already squandered their savings, right?”
“Yes, Your Eminence. In such cases, we require a guarantor,” Holland added with practiced ease.
“So if they can’t repay, you take the guarantor’s savings instead. That’s... intimidating. But how common are guarantors?”
“They’re quite rare, which is why we often grant loans even without one.”
“And if they don’t repay and flee back to the Empire?”
“In that case, we outsource the recovery to Bishop Company.”
“Ah, so there’s a system in place,” Marcus remarked, nodding thoughtfully.
“Hahaha... Of course,” Holland replied with a confident laugh.
“Such measures inspire trust. On that note, could I take out a loan as well?”
“Y-Your Eminence? Why...?”
Holland’s eyes widened, wondering why a cardinal with access to vast slush funds would need a loan.
“Because that money isn’t mine. I can’t spend it freely,” Marcus said, his gaze fixed on the racetrack, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
“I want to use it for personal purposes. Something... something feels promising about this.”
“Oh, absolutely!” Holland agreed enthusiastically.
“And what collateral would you require? Not that,” Marcus clarified, referring to the clergy’s slush funds earmarked for Arad Bank.
“Of course not. Holland may be shameless, but he knows the basics,” Baker interjected with a chuckle.
“It’s refreshing to meet someone so reasonable,” Marcus replied, seemingly reassured.
“Then how about this for collateral?”
“Let’s hear it.”
“I heard from Baker that you’ve recently purchased some stocks.”
“Those stocks are problematic. While some were bought with my money, most were not.”
“How about the dividends from those stocks? Could we use a portion of them as collateral?”
“?!”
Violet, Baker, Richard, and Holland—all four from the Empire—paused momentarily at the bold suggestion.
Their official roles in Arad Capital revolved around comprehensive financial operations.
But their real mission? To quietly siphon Imperial capital with the tacit approval of the High Tower and Arad Group.
Whether it was safeguarding slush funds like a Northern Swiss bank or recommending lucrative stocks, their ultimate goal was to bind Northern and Imperial elites into a shared destiny.