The Merchant’s Visit

It’s common to find tedious, repetitive sections, often called “grinding,” while playing games.

The process is boring, but the end is sweet.

‘I’ve never started with this much money, except with cheats, probably?’

The fixed event, “The Merchant’s Visit,” occurs only once when two conditions are met simultaneously: 7 days after the game starts and possessing assets of 50,000 gold or more.

‘In the game, the reward is a remote warehouse/bank, but…’

“Lord Scarl. A person from the imperial bank has arrived.”

After checking, it turned out the soundproofing in the office wasn’t very good.

It would be great if Luna came in at the right moment…

“Let them in and wait in the hallway, Luna.”

“Yes.”

The initial funds secured by mortgaging the Bernatore Territory were 10,000 gold.

Of course, more money was needed to live in the capital.

It was raised according to the textbook money-grinding method from [Regret and Obsessive Hero].

‘I executed the optimal investment route, not allowing even the slightest loss.’

Based on the assets that had increased hundreds of times, I sent a letter to the imperial bank last night.

“Welcome, Baron Scarl Bernatore. I am Kasha, dispatched from the imperial bank.”

‘Long time no see.’

Banker Kasha, as she was more commonly known, was the user-exclusive bank/warehouse NPC in the game.

I always liked her confident attitude and lines.

‘Sorry, Kasha.’

I raised my head and spoke in an overbearing tone.

“Yes, Kasha. It’s not like I’m in a position to visit you directly anymore!”

‘If I speak this loudly, Luna outside will definitely hear.’

My position at the imperial bank has changed.

‘From customer to big spender.’

With the money I earned, I not only paid off all my debts but also bought up imperial bank bonds indiscriminately.

“…You are as cool as I’ve heard. Of course. The imperial bank always has employees like me ready for the best customers like Baron Scarl.”

I was annoyed by the unnecessary face-saving.

“Who’s the customer?”

They must still think I’m borrowing money.

They’re making interest with my money.

“Yes, customer.”

I wanted to ruin that smiling face quickly.

‘I’ve become Scarl, too.’

“Do you help with nighttime duties too?”

I preferred her serious expression now.

The doorknob of the office rattled slightly.

‘Not yet, Luna.’

“…I absolutely do not do anything outside of banking duties.”

“That’s a shame. Then I’ll give you instructions for your duties.”

“I am not Baron Scarl’s subordinate.”

Trash Scarl doesn’t know things like that.

“Buy the most expensive mansion in the east of the capital under my name. I will entrust the Bernatore Territory to an agent selected by the imperial bank.”

“…I am not your subordinate.”

My lips curled up and then down at Kasha’s inability to understand.

‘From here, lower your voice.’

“Kneel.”

“…Pardon?”

Her first sign of embarrassment.

Why doesn’t a visiting banker who only deals with imperial bank VIPs have any sense?

“I said kneel.”

“…?”

That look in her eyes that said, ‘Is he crazy?’

For Luna’s sake, Kasha has to be a sacrifice.

“Who is your customer?”

“…Baron Scarl is.”

You know it well, don’t you?

“Who is your master?”

“…I am not a slave but a commoner.”

Why doesn’t she understand?

Everyone knew this where I used to live.

“Let me correct that. I asked who gives you money, Kasha.”

“?”

She’s so stupid.

“I’ll have to tell them to send a staff member who understands people. Get out.”

“!”

Kasha’s face turned red with humiliation.

In my current position, firing an employee is easier than eating a piece of cake.

‘The imperial bank bonds I have must be more than 2% of the total.’

In addition to what I scraped together from various places, the assets that are still growing are enormous.

I guess they sent a spirited and interesting friend like Kasha to someone whose total assets, which even I can’t estimate, are so high.

I just need to terminate the extension of the imperial bank bonds and withdraw all the money I’ve entrusted.

Unlike in the game, there isn’t just one bank in reality, and Kasha will bear the brunt of the damage.

“Then, as a customer, I’ll give you one last message.”

I’ll give her a hint as a benevolent creditor.

“…Please speak, customer Scarl.”

As expected of an NPC from [Regret and Obsessive Hero], she doesn’t give in until the end.

I whispered facts that Luna shouldn’t know into Kasha’s ear.

“My trust in the imperial bank has fallen. Prepare 200 times the amount I borrowed by tomorrow.”

“!!!”

A one-time withdrawal of 2 million gold would shake even the imperial bank’s headquarters.

There’s still one bullet left.

“And I’ll have you sell all the remaining bank bonds I have at a bargain price.”

Did they think I was just a young noble with a measly 50,000 gold?

Where did her arrogant attitude from just now go? She kneels.

Her head is bowed, and she’s trembling. It’s quite a sight.

“I, I’m sorry…”

“What? This stupid customer can’t hear you very well?”

Not knowing who holds her lifeline…

‘Now. It’s now, Luna.’

Bang!

The Hero of Justice has arrived.

“Lord Scarl.”

She sniffed and replied.

“…What’s wrong, Luna.”

‘I created this scene, but…’

A woman kneeling and crying, a villain standing in front of her, and a Hero in a maid outfit.

“I will follow your wishes.”

“What?”

“I will go to the capital with you.”

Luna finally said she would go on her own.

‘Luna has taken her first step.’

A smile naturally appeared.

“I’m in a good mood, so I’ll let it go today. If you do what I instructed you to do, I won’t make an issue of it anymore.”

The woman who was crying crawled over.

“Th, thank you. Master Scarl.”

I lifted my foot and pushed away Kasha’s head as she tried to kiss my instep.

Luna seemed quite shocked by her persistent approach.

“Take her out, Luna.”

“Understood, Lord Scarl.”

“…Thank you. Thank you.”

After sending off Kasha, who kept bowing, I sighed.

‘Now I can go.’

And a week passed.

I also found an agent through the imperial bank.

Kasha became an exclusive employee, a good girl who knew who her master was and listened well.

‘When should I give this to her?’

I fiddled with the dagger in my arms.

I thought it would be a good time to give it to her when we arrived in the capital, but Luna, once broken, was like cracked porcelain and needed careful attention.

‘If I just show her saving Kasha, I think I can give it to her soon.’

And when this is in my hand, it makes her feel like it’s an unspoken promise not to call me at night.

‘Honestly, it’s hard to pay attention during the day too.’

The agent will manage the Bernatore Territory from tomorrow.

From the perspective of the territory’s residents, the trash lord abandoned his family and territory and chose to go to the capital to live a life of extravagance.

‘Isn’t that the only Bernatore-like choice left?’

Thanks to Kasha’s hard work, I easily flexed and bought the most expensive mansion in the capital.

The money had grown and become overflowing in the meantime, but the numbers on the documents didn’t evoke any emotion.

‘Luna doesn’t know exactly why Kasha comes every day either.’

She seems to think that because I’m a noble, a commoner banker comes to see me…

‘I can’t show her my bank account now.’

There’s no one to surprise, so what’s the point of making a lot of money alone?

A first-class seat on the train.

I recommended the window seat.

“Sit on the inside.”

Instead of an answer, contempt returned.

‘I wanted her to see the scenery…’

Luna hasn’t been outside once since entering the mansion.

“…Excuse me.”

The wound healed quickly.

It wasn’t a wound that would heal in ten days, but neither she nor I cared.

“Wake me up when we arrive in 5 hours.”

I couldn’t sleep because I was working so hard to organize the territory’s useless businesses and land, separate from the investment work that Kasha was helping with.

Using the train’s regular whistle as a lullaby, I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.

“We have arrived, Scarl, sir.”

“Let’s go to the new mansion.”

It was a matter of course, but I only brought Luna to the capital.

“…”

Luna’s eyes, upon seeing the size and splendor of the mansion, flashed with astonishment, then poured out with contempt.

I was secretly upset that she didn’t appreciate my efforts, but I arrogantly spread my arms.

“Even stupid territory residents are sometimes helpful, aren’t they?”

“…You piece of trash.”

Luna’s insults when we were alone had become quite familiar.

I smiled and pointed my chin at the butler who was walking out.

“Go inside and learn what your job is, Luna.”

“Welcome, our new master and head maid.”

The room was spacious and luxurious.

The large bed and modern items were the reason I wanted to escape the territory, but Luna, who was next to me, showed no reaction to the latest civilization in the capital.

‘My excitement is fading.’

“Don’t you like our new home? It’s a happy day, so take this.”

I took out the dagger from my arms and gave it to her.

Luna snatched it away as if it were natural.

“…Have you been waiting for this day?”

“Nobles have the aesthetics of waiting that commoners don’t have. Put on one of the clothes I bought you right now and come downstairs.”

“…Understood.”

“Leave.”

Alone in the room.

I checked every corner of the place, which wasn’t much different from modern times.

‘Capital check, hot water check, water pressure check, good bed, toilet flushes well… everything is worth the expensive price.’

Everything was exactly as it was in the game.

“Now it looks like a room where people live.”

I lay sprawled on the bed, looking at the ceiling with its ornate patterns.

Money was definitely better the more you had.

The monumental first meal at the mansion in the capital was set up for just Luna and me.

What would people think if the new Head Maid sat in front of the master from the first day?

Moreover, the eyes of the servants looking at Luna, who was wearing an expensive dress, would definitely not be kind, even though she was still a maid.

‘Obviously. An elopement. Or an affair.’

I wondered which our relationship would seem closer to in the minds of the mansion’s maids.