Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight-Chapter 209

209. The Successor [2]

— The commercialization of the ‘Fixed Coordinate Portal’ magic is now just around the corner!

This is what Professor Lars recently said to me with a proud tone.

By the way, Professor Lars also added this remark.

— If what you say is true, then soon you too, like the Rivalin family, will become one of the wealthiest figures on the continent, no, in history!

The wealthiest.

It was truly a beautiful resonance and also a glimpse of the glorious future that awaited me.

Moreover, the beginning of this story.

Naturally, it originates from my first jurisdiction, Chaders.

***********

Chaders.

My first jurisdiction, obtained when I accompanied Grain on his knight promotion mission.

There are several main reasons for acquiring this place, but the biggest reason is undoubtedly the securing of vast funds.

In other words, it’s profitable.

Basically, the corpses of magical beasts and magic stones. Additionally, various materials from magical beasts are favored by blacksmiths. Derived equipment and enhancement items literally rot away here in Chaders.

This means the variety is so diverse and the quantity so vast that disposal is difficult, this naturally was a huge help to me, who had no foundational influence.

'It’s only natural. Considering the improvement of various qualitative resources, the advancement of high-level magic, and the gold inflation that will start in the late game, it’s necessary to amass vast wealth now and utilize it.’

It’s a natural thing.

From the olden times, games experience several types of inflation in the later stages.

The first is power inflation.

This refers to the progression in manga, games, novels, etc. Where increasingly stronger enemies continue to appear. While there are works or games that have a well-balanced power system from the start, most cases are not like that.

The reason is as follows.

'If the game succeeds? Naturally, the game’s lifespan lengthens, and the story inevitably becomes longer. Then, it’s only natural for stronger and more attractive villains to appear. Which means?’

Here, gamers should have one question.

This phenomenon can lead to a second type of inflation.

'The appearance of stronger enemies means that players should receive more gold and materials, that is, rewards.’

If you defeat a stronger enemy but earn fewer resources?

Naturally, the fun of the game is halved.

For this reason, in the later stages of a game, the player’s capital gradually accumulates. Even the high-grade items that were quite valuable in the early stages eventually become neglected.

Although it won’t lower the insane difficulty of the game Inner Lunatic, it’s true that if used wisely, it can improve the situation.

It’s also the same that we need to prepare in advance.

Suddenly, while I was deep in thought, Zitri, looking around, spoke up.

“We’ve arrived in Chaders as per your request, young master… but may I ask why you’ve visited this place? Following the academy’s curriculum is already quite challenging, and timing-wise, it doesn’t seem ideal.”

“Zitri. Do you have any idea what the true value of this land is?”

“Yes?”

Zitri’s eyes widened in surprise, but I remained expressionless and cautiously approached, grabbing the wooden fence. It was part of the village’s internal facilities that had recently been repaired.

I was now climbing a ladder at a construction site surrounded by walls, and the view of the completely transformed village below was quite thrilling.

Zitri hesitated before answering.

“Well… I dare not fully comprehend your intentions, young master”

She cautiously continued, somewhat reading the room.

“It’s certainly a land of gold. Indeed, you’ve amassed vast wealth from the gold earned here… and I have no objections to that part. But.”

“But?”

“Recently, I think it’s a bit different. Not only have you upgraded the walls and fences to the latest, but you’ve also taken care of the war victims and delivered substantial condolence payments to their families. Almost all the profits generated in Chaders recently have been reinvested…”

As expected of a maid with the [Genius Helper] trait.

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In fact, Zitri is right.

Initially, we gained quite a lot, but recently, almost all the profits from Chaders have been reinvested.

For the development of the village?

Of course, that reason cannot be denied either.

Even in this rotten world, I still can’t let go of the faint hope, close to an incomplete thread, sleeping inside me like a small ember.

As I’ve said before, this is not more than a meager line of virtue left as Yoochan.

But my obsession with Chaders isn’t just for that reason.

The reasons are as follows.

First.

This is the first stage of activity for the ruffian Nox.

If we slowly build a foundation, it will be more advantageous when facing the demons we will confront later.

Originally, this place was a military facility, and although Chaders was a poverty-stricken city that couldn’t even afford repairs, it was a place that once held back monster waves.

Its utility value is sufficient.

Is that all?

In the past, I not only cut off Taigan and Ron knight order corruptions that were eating away at Chaders but also dealt with the mid-high-level magical beast, the Griffin.

Thanks to that, Nox is now revered like a king in this place.

'Here, even Emperor Penelope wouldn’t be envied.’

Second.

This is an area connected to several allied nations and small cities.

This means that small and weak countries and cities rely on each other and barely maintain their form. Naturally, many of these weak nations have no intention of independence or politics.

If we can unite and gather them?

Naturally, it will be possible to expand our influence.

This will greatly help in extending the lifespan of the sunfish Nox.

Third.

What Professor Lars said. The popularization of portals.

This is actually the most important.

In fact, portals have existed for a long time.

Naturally, but the trend is slightly different from before. Portals are, of course, a means of transportation allowed only to a select few.

It was aristocratic——even using such an expression would be understandable given the outrageous costs required for portals in the past.

Haven’t I explained this before?

Because all knights and mages had to ride horses across battlefields, the Reinhaver family revered horses as sacred and considered them lifelong companions.

This reason also plays a part in the enormous portal usage fees.

'From now on, many things will really change. Chaders will become a new hub for international exchange. I will do my best to make it so.’

Finally, I smiled as I thought about the purpose of my arrival here. Now, Chaders will no longer be a fierce battleground between magical beasts and humans but one of the central trading hubs on this vast continent.

For this, I have just met a few necessary conditions.

“Just in time. It’s a strange duo, though.”

“Hey, Nox!”

“Nox von Reinhaver. What on earth made you call someone as busy as me? Well, not that I dislike it, but I’d like to know the reason…”

From a distance, I could see Grain and Eleanor, the head of the Rivalin merchant group. Her striking reddish brown hair, expensive accessories, and pale skin were still impressive.

Grain, being somewhat similar to Nox, can be understood as a slightly uglier version of Nox…

But the appearances of other characters are truly surprising every time I see them.

Besides. Eleanor, one of the heroines, talking about her would only tire my mouth.

“I want to talk business. You have a lot of money, right?”

As I looked around and brought up the topic, Eleanor’s eyes narrowed.

“….What business are you planning to get into this time? The sales rights for magical beast corpses and magic stone transactions were recently renegotiated and finalized. Are there other contracts to be signed in Chaders?”

“Perhaps.”

“…Even though I’ve received help from you, I am still a merchant. As the head of the Rivalin merchant group, I won’t accept any contracts that aren’t suitable.”

“Really?”

“….”

Eleanor was silent for a moment, but I decided to respect her pride as a merchant. I looked around nonchalantly and continued carefully.

“Right. I know. That’s why I’ve brought an offer you can’t refuse.”

“An offer I can’t refuse?”

For a moment, did she smell money? Eleanor’s eyes sparkled.

Wow, her radar is sharp.

“Oh ho, that’s interesting.”

Grain also chimed in.

Actually, I called him to manage the nearby area.

The title of knight, the huge justification of being the second son of the Reinhaver family. Moreover, albeit a bit cringe, being my elder brother made Grain the optimal choice for such troublesome matters.

Unaware of this, Grain now looks at me with almost reverent eyes. To the point where I feel a bit sorry.

…Of course, I’m not actually sorry at all.

After glancing at both of them for a moment, I took out a document from my pocket and unfolded it in front of them. It was a recent paper Professor Lars gave me about the popularization of portals.

Still unpublished, but…

What is my current position?

I’m Professor Lars’s top disciple.

If only this level, it’s easy to bring such things.

“Huh? Isn’t this Professor Lars’s… confidential document?”

When Eleanor looked at me with a hint of envy, I answered with a bit of pride.

“Yes. That’s right. As the top disciple, I can easily access such materials.”

“…You’re right, I have nothing to say.”

“My little brother has done it again. The popularization of portals… This will become a new source of revenue for the business world. Father will be pleased.”

Grain was the first to recognize its value and spoke excitedly.

Eleanor, with her arms crossed, continued.

“Right. If portals become popularized, the range of trade will extend much further… possibly even reaching the Western regions. That place has many hidden things, and the passage itself is tricky, making trade difficult.”

“Right. But to make money from the commercialization of portals, one thing is necessary.”

“A hub for trade… that is, a large piece of land for buildings and human resources. Workers. In other words, laborers will be needed.”

At Zitri’s words, I smiled and nodded.

“Right. As you know, Chaders is vast. Excluding the imperial family, it’s the place where the most money flows, aside from being dangerous. There are so many laborers that it’s almost a problem. But… Chaders has one undeniable big issue.”

“Magical beasts appear, and bandits occasionally raid merchants’ carriages?”

Eleanor was quick to understand. That’s why she’s a star in the business world.

I quickly added.

“Right. But here, if this city rapidly develops with vast funds? If we recruit and deploy knight orders, not only to handle magical beasts but also to manage the city’s security, most problems will be solved. Kushan from Tahalin Kingdom will also help… Then, the profits from defeating magical beasts will continue to increase, and bandits trying to cause trouble in the trade hub will disappear.”

Eleanor pondered for a moment and then nodded. She seemed to understand quite quickly.

“Alright. Let’s invest.”

“Good. The initial payment will be 3 billion gold……”

“10 billion gold.”

“…..?”

Without looking in a mirror, it’s hard to say for sure, but my current expression must be filled with shock. No, even so, burning 10 billion gold on a startup business?

Even for the head of the Rivalin family, this is a bit excessive.

“No… it’s better to hear the whole story before deciding…”

As I was unconsciously trying to dissuade her, Eleanor suddenly smiled like a fox and continued.

“There’s a bit of personal greed involved. Ah! Of course, it’s not about goods or money, but there’s something I want, so I’m trying to win your favor in advance?”

She wrote something on the contract she was holding and showed it to me.

“They say the more money, the better.”

Eleanor covered her mouth with her fingers for a moment and then removed it.

Then, as if she already knew the answer, she continued nonchalantly.

“How? You will accept my investment, right?”