A/N:-Memorize has been taken down because official english version is coming.
In the remote and tranquil region of Sedona City, life unfolded at a leisurely pace, a stark contrast to the treacherous intrigues and power struggles that plagued the royal capital. Here, far from the scheming nobles and their endless games of deception, the days passed with a serene simplicity that was almost idyllic. The common folk, unburdened by the complexities of court politics, went about their daily routines with a quiet diligence, their lives governed by the rhythms of nature rather than the whims of the powerful.
As winter began to loosen its icy grip, signs of the approaching spring were already evident. Some of the commoners had started to bring out their farming tools, inspecting them for wear and tear and making necessary repairs. Others, more industrious still, had spent the entire winter meticulously grinding stones, shaping them into new tools to be used in the fields. With spring just around the corner, the villagers were already preparing for the sowing season, their minds focused on the promise of a bountiful harvest. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation, a quiet optimism that permeated the community as they looked forward to the renewal of the land.
Inside the castle, in a warmly lit study that served as the heart of Sedona City's administration, Lucas sat at a large oak desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he pored over a stack of financial reports. The documents, neatly written in precise, flowing script, detailed the city's fiscal transactions, offering a comprehensive overview of its economic health. The gold coins he had brought back from Pentos City had proven to be a lifeline, significantly alleviating the financial strain that had threatened to cripple Sedona City's development. As he flipped through the pages, his sharp eyes scanned the numbers, his mind calculating and analyzing the implications of each entry.
"Hmm? The bank has this many depositors already?" Lucas murmured, his voice tinged with surprise as he studied the report on the bank's savings accounts. The figures were far higher than he had anticipated, a testament to the growing trust the common folk placed in this new institution.
Standing nearby, her head bowed as she meticulously reviewed another set of financial documents, Nicole looked up and offered a gentle smile. "Young Master, the commoners of Sedona City have seen an increase in their coin holdings lately. Many of them feel that keeping their money at home is unsafe, so they've started depositing it in the bank for safekeeping."
Nicole had spent the past few days immersed in the city's financial affairs, cross-checking the accounts of various shops and gaining a deep understanding of the spending habits of Sedona City's residents. Her diligence and attention to detail had proven invaluable, and Lucas relied heavily on her expertise to keep the city's economy running smoothly.
"Oh? They're already willing to entrust their coins to the bank? That's excellent news," Lucas said, the corners of his mouth lifting into a satisfied smile. This development was a significant step forward in his plans to modernize the city's economy. The more people deposited their money in the bank, the more capital he would have at his disposal to fund infrastructure projects, stimulate commerce, and improve the lives of his citizens.
In truth, if this trend had started earlier, Lucas might not have needed to travel to Pentos City to participate in the auction. A well-funded bank meant greater financial flexibility, allowing him to mobilize resources more effectively. However, he knew that the city's fiscal deficit could not be ignored for long—delays in addressing it could jeopardize his long-term goals. For now, though, the growing number of depositors was a promising sign, a foundation upon which he could build a more prosperous future.
"Hehe… We owe much of this success to Annie, Helen, and Ayesha," Nicole said with a light chuckle, her voice soft and conspiratorial. "They were the ones who took the lead in depositing their coins, which encouraged others to follow suit." She cast a quick glance at the fox-eared girl slumped over a nearby table, her head resting on her arms as she dozed off. "Poor Annie… She must have stayed up too late playing games again. No wonder she's so tired this early in the morning."
"I see," Lucas said, nodding thoughtfully as he turned his attention to the bank report, his eyes scanning the list of depositors. At the top of the list was Annie's name, followed by several familiar names—Bryan, Ryan, Max, and Chris, among others. These were people he knew well, trusted allies and loyal citizens who had embraced his vision for Sedona City.
In total, there were more than five hundred depositors, a modest number compared to the city's population of roughly ten thousand. But Lucas understood that those who deposited money in the bank were the ones with surplus funds—merchants, skilled craftsmen, and a few well-off farmers. The bank, at this stage, was designed to serve this segment of the population, providing them with a secure place to store their wealth while also laying the groundwork for broader economic reforms.
The bank was a key component of Lucas's grand plan, and he had ambitious designs to expand its reach beyond Sedona City. His goal was to establish branches in neighboring cities, starting with those closest to Sedona, and to promote the use of steel coins as a standardized currency. Steel coins, unlike the copper and silver coins commonly used, were a novel concept in this world, and Lucas saw them as a tool to stimulate economic activity and modernize trade.
However, achieving this vision was fraught with challenges, and Lucas had identified two major obstacles that needed to be overcome. The first was the issue of opening new bank branches. No city lord or noble would easily allow an institution that stored and managed money to operate within their domain. The aristocracy, in particular, viewed banks with suspicion, preferring to hoard their wealth in private vaults where they could maintain absolute control. Convincing them to accept the presence of a bank would require careful negotiation, strategic alliances, and, if necessary, a degree of economic coercion. Lucas knew that by controlling the flow of money, he could gain leverage over the nobles, making them hesitant to act against him. Alternatively, he could entice them to deposit their own coins in the bank, thereby giving him a foothold in their financial affairs and positioning himself as an indispensable player in the region's economy.
The second challenge was the production of steel coins. The steel coins Lucas had introduced were a marvel of craftsmanship, their intricate designs and uniform weight setting them apart from the crude, hand-forged coins of this era. However, producing them on a large scale was a daunting task. With the technology available in this world, mass production was virtually impossible, and even if it were feasible, the cost would be prohibitively high—several times more expensive than producing traditional copper coins. For Lucas, the purpose of steel coins was not merely to serve as currency but to stimulate consumption. By introducing a smaller denomination, he aimed to make goods more affordable, allowing people to purchase items in installments and encouraging the circulation of money throughout the economy.
The only place capable of producing steel coins was Lucas's mint, a heavily guarded facility shrouded in secrecy. The workers there lived and worked within its walls, their movements strictly monitored to prevent leaks. The mint's operations were known to only a handful of trusted individuals, and its existence was a closely guarded secret, even among Lucas's inner circle.
At the heart of the mint's operations was a piece of technology Lucas had brought from Earth—a mechanical stamping press. This device, powered by animal labor, used a series of rotating sleeves to apply immense pressure to a small, palm-sized area, stamping out perfectly formed steel coins with each cycle. The precision and efficiency of the press were unmatched in this world, but its components were subject to significant wear and tear, requiring frequent maintenance and replacement.
"Nicole, how many parts of the stamping press have broken down at the mint?" Lucas asked, turning to face her, his expression serious.
Nicole, one of the five people privy to the mint's existence, was responsible for overseeing its operations and coordinating with the workers. She lowered her voice, mindful of the sensitive nature of the topic, and replied, "Young Master, approximately one hundred parts have worn out, and we have only thirty spares left in stock."
"And how many steel coins have we produced so far?" Lucas asked, his brow furrowing in concern. He knew he would need to return to Earth soon to order more parts—the strain of the stamping process was taking a heavy toll on the machinery.
"Over thirty thousand steel coins," Nicole answered softly, her eyes glancing briefly at the other two people in the room—and the bear-like creature lounging in the corner.
"That's not enough. It's far too few," Lucas said, shaking his head in frustration. Thirty thousand coins were barely sufficient to meet the needs of Sedona City alone, let alone support his plans for regional expansion.
"Young Master, perhaps we should consider adding another stamping press?" Nicole suggested, her tone tentative but thoughtful. She was aware of the broader scope of Lucas's plans and understood that the current pace of coin production was insufficient to keep up with his ambitions.
"That's a good idea," Lucas agreed, pausing for a moment to consider the logistics. "Select a group of trustworthy individuals—people whose backgrounds have been thoroughly vetted. We'll need five teams to operate the new presses."
He made a mental note to return to Earth that evening to place an order for five additional stamping presses. While the presses would initially rely on animal power, he planned to transition to water-powered machinery once winter ended, a change that would dramatically increase production capacity. For now, though, they would have to make do with the resources at hand, pushing the limits of their current setup to meet the growing demand.
"Understood," Nicole said, nodding earnestly. She knew she would need to consult with Mina, another of the five individuals aware of the mint's existence, to ensure the selection process was handled with the utmost care.
"Nicole, while you're at it, identify a few sharp-witted girls from the castle staff and begin training them in printing and typesetting," Lucas added, his voice measured but firm. "When we open a bank branch in Riverden City, we'll need capable personnel to manage the operations."
In Lucas's mind, two cities stood out as prime candidates for new bank branches: Sakura City and Riverden City. Sakura City, with its strategic location and established trade routes, was a long-term goal, but Riverden City, with its impoverished population and desperate need for economic development, was the more immediate priority. Lucas believed that poor communities were often the most receptive to new ideas, and he planned to leverage this by using the bank to distribute salaries and other payments, thereby integrating it into the daily lives of the city's residents.
"Yes, Young Master," Nicole replied, jotting down the instructions in her notebook. Her mind was already racing, considering which of the castle's girls would be best suited for the task—those who were honest, reliable, and quick to learn.
"Annie…" Lucas's gaze shifted to the fox-eared girl, who was now fast asleep at the table, her head resting on her folded arms. A small puddle of drool had formed beneath her cheek, and her fluffy ears twitched occasionally as she dreamed. Lucas couldn't help but smile at the sight, shaking his head in amusement. Turning back to Nicole, he said, "Ask Aiden to select five veteran soldiers and train them in the bank's security protocols. They'll accompany the staff to Riverden City to ensure the branch's safety."
"Of course," Nicole said, a faint smile playing on her lips as she noted the instructions.
"Really, sleeping like this… She's going to catch a cold," Lucas muttered, his tone affectionate as he rose from his chair. He reached for a coat hanging on a nearby rack and gently draped it over Annie's shoulders, careful not to wake her.
Leaning down, he studied her sleeping face, noting the way her nose wrinkled slightly and her lips parted as she let out a soft, contented snore. "She must have stayed up late playing cards again," He said, chuckling softly to himself. "I should have known better than to teach her that new poker game."
The previous evening, in a moment of whimsy, Lucas had introduced Annie and the other beast-eared girls to a card game from Earth called "Turtle Flip." What had started as a lighthearted diversion had quickly escalated into a raucous, hours-long competition, with Annie proving to be an enthusiastic—if somewhat reckless—player. Lucas shook his head, a wry smile on his lips as he reflected on the chaos he had unwittingly unleashed. "Next time, I'll stick to teaching them something less addictive," He muttered, though he knew deep down that he wouldn't have it any other way.
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