"Since Lord Oppa is in such a hurry to return, I wouldn't dare keep you. Have a safe journey, Lord Oppa."
Oppa sneered and departed in his carriage.
In Oppa's view, even if Sophie wasn't out of control now, she couldn't be far from it. After all, she had been in service for six years.
Sophie didn't understand why Lian would lie. But directly removing the collar from her neck, along with the bracelets and anklets, was reckless. What if her Magic Power suddenly went out of control?
All of that equipment served to control her Magic Power.
The three ministers were also terrified by Lian's actions.
They didn't believe Lian's story for a second. If the Witch really wasn't Bordering on Loss of Control, why had he fled with his family?
But they all had the composure of actors and couldn't show fear in front of an external enemy. Right now, they were all forcing themselves to look calm.
After seeing off the Empire Venerable, Lian led the Bank Envoy, Mr. Emran, and his three bodyguards into the conference room to begin negotiations regarding the bank debt.
Annie brewed a cup of Green Shade Territory's special-reserve coffee for both Lian and Emran. Its rich aroma was fragrant and invigorating.
"Mr. Emran, the coffee from Green Shade Territory is quite good. You must try some."
Lian said with a smile.
The Bank Envoy, Mr. Emran, looked at him with a stern expression.
"I'm in no mood for coffee right now. Let's talk about the debt. When are you going to pay it back?"
"Mr. Emran, please watch your tone. You are speaking to our esteemed Lord. Green Shade Territory has a population of two million and an army of 200,000. That's not something a paltry Debt Collection Army of 10,000 can stand against."
Minister Alex Pool's gentle demeanor vanished. He stared at Emran with a sharp gaze, his self-righteous expression practically screaming that the debtor was the one in charge here.
Even Lian was taken aback. He hadn't expected the petite Minister of Foreign Affairs to be so confrontational from the get-go. His attitude toward the debt collector was completely different from how he'd treated the Empire Venerable.
'As expected of Green Shade Territory's finest diplomat.'
The portly Minister of Finance and the effeminate-looking Minister of Internal Affairs also widened their eyes, coordinating with Alex Pool. Their united hostility gave Emran the distinct impression that he was surrounded by wolves.
Emran had no desire to burn bridges. His purpose here was to collect the debt. He operated on a simple principle: if the other party was weak, he'd be firm; if they were firm, he'd be flexible. He had to get the money back. Thus, he cautiously apologized to Lian.
"My apologies, Lord. I was too hasty. I apologize for my inappropriate words just now."
"It's quite all right. We are sitting here today to solve problems, after all."
Lian acted magnanimously, forgiving Emran for his harsh words. He was even beginning to appreciate the man's adaptable nature.
"Anna, the map."
He glanced back at the maid, Anna, who had the [Spy] tag above her head. Anna immediately brought him a complete map of the Green Shade Territory.
Just when everyone thought Lian was about to offer up land as compensation, Lian asked,
"Mr. Emran, what do you see?"
"Land, mines, and mountains. Are you planning to use these as payment?"
Mr. Emran looked at Lian skeptically. Ceding land to the bank was indeed the first choice for many indebted lords, but it was also the most foolish.
"No. Your vision is too narrow. I see a burgeoning Green Shade Territory. Look! Every one of these plots of land will be turned into gold."
"Gold? What do you plan to do?"
"I will build the world's tallest and most luxurious building right here, attracting all the nobles to become neighbors. We'll form an exclusive circle of top-tier nobility. Anyone who lives in this building will enjoy some of Green Shade Territory's special privileges, making them feel like they're at the top of the food chain."
"Near the main tower, we'll build townhouses and sell them to wealthy merchants who aspire to get close to the nobility and become nobles themselves. This will create a high-end circle of the rich. Merchants living here will have a better chance of arranging marriages with noble families, marrying their children into the aristocracy, and turning their next generation into nobles."
"Next to the townhouses, we'll build high-end residential complexes and sell them to the middle class who crave proximity to power and wealth. This will form an upper-middle-class circle."
"Near the high-end complexes, we'll build 'Sunlight' communities and sell them to commoners who aspire to be near the middle class. This will form a circle of well-off commoners."
"This place will become the new city center of Green Shade Territory. All wealth will converge here. We'll build clubs, amusement parks, noble academies, and high-end hospitals. This land *is* gold."
When Lian finished, everyone was stunned.
A peculiar light flashed in Anna's eyes.
The Minister of Finance, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs could almost see a brand-new, rising Green Shade Territory.
Omari Hani gave a thumbs-up. "Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."
He was very familiar with the situation in Green Shade Territory. There was no shortage of wealthy farmers, workshop owners, and commoners with some money. They lacked noble status but longed to break into aristocratic circles. As long as these properties were cleverly marketed and built within the inner city, they would definitely attract a great many people.
Mr. Emran couldn't help but swallow.
People strive to climb higher. Most want to live better lives and get closer to the upper class.
Lian was exploiting this exact psychology, using social stratification to attract subjects who yearned for power and status.
However, Emran still had some questions.
"Green Shade Territory is out of money. In fact, it's deep in debt. What money are you going to use to build this world's tallest and most luxurious building?"
Emran asked.
"Good question, Mr. Emran. I plan to take out a loan from a bank."
Lian said with a smile.
"A loan? You already owe the bank a loan of 300 million gold. We can't possibly lend you any more."
Emran refused flatly.
"Who said I was going to borrow from the Empire Bank? I'll be borrowing from the Green Shade Territory Bank."
Lian said.
Everyone was stunned again. 'The Green Shade Territory Bank? When was that established? How come we don't know about it?'
"Green Shade Territory has a bank?"
Emran asked.
"Of course. The Green Shade Territory Bank will be established within a month. Then I'll have the money to build the world's tallest and most luxurious building."
"After that, I'll sell off all the surrounding land for the purpose of housing construction, with buying and selling permitted. Won't savvy merchants come knocking on my door to buy up all this land?"
"And once I've sold the surrounding land, will I not have the money to repay the bank's loan?"
"Establishing a bank also requires money—at least 1 million gold coins. Where will that come from? And managing a bank requires professional talent. Does a place like Green Shade Territory have anyone like that?"
Emran asked sternly.
"The startup capital, of course, will be provided by the Green Shade Territory Bank's original shareholders. As for professional talent... aren't you it?"
Lian smiled at Emran. "Would you be willing to be the president of the Green Shade Territory Bank?"
Although this was the first time Lian had met Emran, the tags above his head had already revealed everything about him.
[Humble Origins] [Financial Talent] [Unappreciated Genius]
Because of his humble birth, even though Emran was highly capable, he had remained a mere debt collector for the Empire Bank for twenty years, day in and day out. He had no way of touching the core of power.
Forget being a bank president; he wouldn't even be considered for a department head position.
Hearing Lian's offer, Emran froze completely.
An indescribable feeling surged in his chest.
This was a challenge, but also an opportunity.
'If I choose to follow Lian, it means giving up everything at the Empire Bank and starting over from scratch in Green Shade Territory.'
'Though, this starting point is something I've only dreamed of—Bank President!'
'But the price might be perishing along with Green Shade Territory.'
"You don't need to worry. I will pay back the Empire Bank's 300 million gold, and the Green Shade Territory Bank will not be without a future. Because the future is in the hands of people like you and me."
Lian looked at Emran and said in an almost bewitching voice,
"Are you really content with being a debt collector for the Empire Bank for the rest of your life?"
"Are you content with always being looked down upon?"
"Or is it that you don't trust your own abilities? You don't believe you can guide the Green Shade Territory Bank to success, just like the noble-born president of the Empire Bank?"
"No. My only concern right now is that you'll be unable to repay the debt to the Empire Bank. If that happens, everything in Green Shade Territory will be repossessed by them, and all your plans will come to nothing."
Emran sat up straight, his eyes shining brightly as he spoke.
"Can you really produce 300 million gold in a short period of time?"
Lian knew Emran was tempted. His only hesitation now was the issue of Green Shade Territory's debt.
"You're right, I can't produce 300 million gold in the short term. Which is why I've come up with a good idea."
Everyone's eyes focused on Lian once more. He had them all completely tuned to his wavelength.
Lian took a sip of coffee and said unhurriedly,
"Installment payments."
"What do you mean?"
Emran asked.
"Green Shade Territory is willing to repay the bank's 300 million gold loan in installments. We'll pay it off over five years, divided into 60 installments, at an interest rate of 5%."
"The first payment will be 570,000 gold, with monthly payments of 5,661,370 Gold Coins. The cumulative repayment will be 339,682,205.59 Gold Coins, including 39,682,205.59 in interest. This way, the bank can earn over 39 million Gold Coins, which should also count towards your performance metrics."
"If we were to repay it early, you wouldn't get this much interest. What do you think?"
Emran was tempted. Interest of over 39 million Gold Coins was no joke. Even if he only got a 1% commission, that would be 390,000 gold for him!
Most importantly, this would alleviate Green Shade Territory's financial pressure and allow them to go big on real estate. Once the economy developed, they would naturally have the ability to repay the subsequent debt.
It was a win-win situation.
The only problem was that the bank had never handled installment-based debt repayment before. And even so, Green Shade Territory would need collateral.
"What will you use as collateral?"
Emran asked.
Lian glanced at the maid, Anna.
Anna brought out a golden tray, upon which rested the Lord's Seal, the Inheritance Document, and a set of keys to the Lord's Mansion.
"In addition to these, I'll add the head of my esteemed father, Lord Moria. If the debt cannot be repaid, Green Shade Territory is willing to give up everything."
Lian said with an expression of deep and bitter hatred.
Emran put down his coffee cup and stood up. "This matter is too significant for me to decide on my own. But I will try to go back and persuade the higher-ups at the Empire Bank. Please wait for my response."
"Mr. Emran, I look forward to you becoming the president of the Green Shade Territory Bank when you return. I will set aside 10% of the initial shares for you as a sign of my sincerity."
"Please, you must wait for my return before holding the shareholders' meeting."
Emran made up his mind. He would seize this chance to change his destiny.
'If this goes well, unimaginable riches await me. If it goes badly, all my efforts will be for nothing.'
This was a gambler's play! But Emran hadn't left himself completely without a way out.
If he returned and found that Lian hadn't raised the capital to establish the bank, he could still choose to continue his work as a debt collector for the Empire Bank.
Lian saw off the bustling Debt Collection Army and let out a long sigh of relief.
The three ministers' legs instantly went weak, and they collapsed onto the floor, forgetting all about their decorum.
Sophie immediately put the Magic Power-controlling bracelets, anklets, and Collar back on.
The maids Anna and Annie exchanged a look, their eyes filled with profound interest.
'The new Lord, it seems, is going to bring us a lot of surprises.'