Interest on deposits was a very unfamiliar concept to those who had been dealing with the Black Label Union.
"What? They give interest? Why would they give interest? Originally, we should be the ones to give storage fee, right?"
"Well, it's not like that. If we deposit money, they seem to give interest in return. It's a system of giving interest because we lent them money."
Bob doubted the unusual story.
"Isn't that a scam? What do you mean they give interest? Who would give interest if they weren't crazy?"
He continued to speak.
"Usually, when you deposit gold coins in a bank, they charge a storage fee and don't give interest."
"What kind of scam! Haven't you heard who's doing business there?"
At Bel's question, Bob began to talk about the rumors he had heard.
"I heard it's some kind of guild leader?"
"That's right, you know it well."
"No, is it really the guild leader? I thought it was just a scammer opening a bank here because I didn't know some crazy guy opened a bank here."
"No, it's the Lyon guild leader! Don't you know the Lyon guild leader?"
"No, I know. Why wouldn't I know that person? I've seen him once before."
"He's the one doing business here now?"
"Really? But why? No, if it's the Lyon guild leader, it's enough to do business in Lyon, why did he come here?"
"I don't know. How would I know that?"
"Isn't it really a scam?"
"No, it's really the guild leader. This is all confirmed information. Not just me, but many people seem to have gone to check, and they say it's really the guild leader."
"Is it really the Lyon guild leader?"
Unable to shake off his doubts, he went straight to the rumored bank, looked at the store owner's face, and immediately came out.
Then, he raised his voice to Bel, the clothing store owner who had followed him.
"Hey, you! I know the guild leader's face, and that's not him. These people are all scammed, they're scammed."
"What? What are you talking about? Hapto and Chris both said it was right."
"Hey, that's just Hapto and Chris getting it wrong. The guild leader I know doesn't look like that. He's not such a greenhorn."
"Are you talking about the previous guild leader who committed suicide?"
"What? What are you talking about? The previous guild leader committed suicide?"
"You! If you're talking about the previous guild leader, he committed suicide a long time ago! He's already dead and not in this world."
"Did he really commit suicide? When did that happen?"
"I don't know exactly, but it seems like it's been a while since he committed suicide? Since the current guild leader is doing so well, it seems that the previous guild leader couldn't stand the shame and committed suicide. That's what I heard."
"Is that so? But what happened to the Lyon guild? How can such a greenhorn be a guild leader?"
"Well, it seems like he's doing a great job. I heard that the income increased significantly after the guild leader changed."
"What kind of skill does he have to make it work?"
"I don't know. How would we, ordinary people, know anything about bank business?"
"Huh...."
Then he suddenly had this question.
"Wait, if that guy is really the guild leader, what kind of guts does he have to do business here? Isn't it impossible to do business here unless you're a banker affiliated with the Black Label Union?"
"That's why he's doing business there. He can't enter Ranstadt."
"Is he trying to openly fight the Black Label Union?"
"Probably. Why else would a guild leader come all the way here to do business?"
"Haha... His guts seem too incredible, don't they?"
"What does that have to do with us? Anyway, I heard he gives interest if you deposit money. So, Chris seems to have deposited money with the intention of at least earning interest before the guild leader gets kicked out."
"What? He deposited money there?"
"Yes, if they give interest for depositing money, there's no reason not to. Honestly, who would deposit money in Ranstadt when all you get is a storage fee? Everyone will deposit here."
The two conversing soon began to think as Rockefeller wanted them to.
"Well, if he's the guild leader, his credibility must be solid. Even if he gets kicked out of here, the money deposited will be taken care of by the Lyon Guild, right?"
"That's why Chris boldly deposited his money. He'll be able to find the deposited money somehow."
"Ha... What are you going to do then?"
"I'm considering it. I came to discuss with you about what to do."
"Getting interest... It's too wasteful to miss out on this, right?"
"In Lyon, unlike here, everyone seems to get interest. No, I heard that all banks affiliated with the Lyon Guild give interest. It's completely different from here."
Their dilemma didn't last long.
Bob, the owner of the shoe store, asked again as if to confirm his decision.
"Is he really the guild leader?"
"Yes, he is. How many times do I have to tell you? And apparently, bankers affiliated with the Lyon Guild are planning to come over here en masse soon. That's the hot rumor."
"Really? Hmm..."
"Why? Are you thinking of depositing some money?"
"No, if he's really the guild leader, there's no reason not to deposit, right? There's no need to let the money rot when he's even giving interest."
"That's true..."
"Let's deposit a little and see for ourselves later if he really gives interest."
So, the two gathered a small amount of money and went straight to Rockefeller's store.
When they returned, they found Rockefeller talking with a customer who had arrived earlier.
The customer they saw was someone they knew.
He was a nobleman who was running a rather large business in this place, Holant.
"I don't mind not going all the way to Lyon. But aren't you doing business too boldly, Mr. Rockefeller? The world is so dangerous."
As the customer, who was depositing a much larger sum than the two shopkeepers, asked Rockefeller, he simply responded with a smile.
"Nowhere in the imperial law does it say we cannot do business here. In that sense, what problem would there be if we decided to do business here?"
"I'm not worried about my money since your guild guarantees it, but I am worried about you. Isn't this place under the jurisdiction of the Ismail family? You must know about the Ismail family, Mr. Rockefeller."
"I fully understand your concern, Lord Frederick."
Rockefeller then continued with a confident tone.
"But have you ever thought this? That our very act of doing business here already has the implicit approval of the Ismail family?"
It was a surprisingly persuasive argument.
So, the customer who had come began to nod in agreement.
"If that's the case..."
"Don't worry too much, and I plan to stay here for a while. If you need anything, feel free to come find me."
"I will support you."
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Getting really interesting!
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