Chapter 3 Pre-investment

  After seeing off Raymond, the luxurious cabin fell silent. Reed held a glass of wine and stood by the porthole, watching as the "Cangyun" slowly sailed away.

  At this point, the young assistant named Emil couldn't help but say: "Your Excellency, please forgive me for speaking directly, why did you give Haidington's letter of appeal to a person who met for the first time?"

  It seemed as if he had expected him to ask that question. Reed didn't even turn around and said, "Emil, I'll ask you first, what do you think of that young man named Raymond?"

  Emil was taken aback, and then murmured: "Hmmm... although it was just a coincidence, he indeed helped us out of a big trouble. Besides, this person looks polite, but I always feel that he won't be a man who follows the rules."

  Reid turned back with a smile of approval: "Not bad, your observation has improved a lot. I often tell you that to be a successful businessman, integrity, adventurous spirit and accurate vision are all indispensable."

  "Yes." Emile lowered his head: "But I still can't understand, you agreed to his request to establish business ties as a thank you for ruining the pirate plan, that's normal. But this letter from Haidington is a great opportunity for you to enter the Veronica continent and strike at the Lavierte Trade Federation, even if you don't want to get involved due to some considerations, you shouldn't just give it away to those people with unknown backgrounds."

  "Oh, you mean Raymund can't handle Haidingtown?" Reed asked with interest.

  Emile said, "I never doubted your insight. But this time... I'm suspicious that those people aren't really a group of merchants, they probably don't have the ability to solve Haidington's current predicament. In the end, it will only lead to Haidington falling back into the hands of the Lavierte Federation."

  Ried nodded and said, "Emil, you're absolutely right. They can be anyone, but they'll never be some honest businessmen. But that's exactly why I'm going to hand over Haidington's distress signal to Raymond. Do you really think the reason for Haidington's current situation is just some business reasons?"

  Emil was taken aback: "Isn't it? The trade route is blocked, leading to a complete cut-off of imports and exports. For a town that relies on trade for survival, it's absolutely fatal..."

  However, before he could finish speaking, Reed interrupted him: "How many times have I taught you? You can't just look at the surface of things. Haidington's current situation must be due to human factors, it's just that I don't know who the other party is or what their purpose is for the time being."

  "Now we and the Ravidian Federation are at a very delicate moment in our trade war. In unclear circumstances, I will not rashly intervene in their internal affairs, lest I fall into trouble. Before our plan is fully prepared, limiting our struggle with them to a purely commercial level is the wisest choice."

  "But no matter what, those people..." Emile still seemed somewhat dissatisfied with his appearance.

  Ryd stood in the sunlight, gently swaying the transparent liquid in his cup: "Do you still remember what I said? To solve Haidington's problem, apart from business means, we also need some unconventional methods. In this regard, Raymond may have an unexpected performance."

  "Moreover, apart from this reason, there is another thing that made me make up my mind."

  "What is it?" Emil hastily asked.

  Reid didn't answer, but instead asked back: "By the way, did you notice Raymond's sword?"

  "A sword?" Emile was taken aback.

  "Alright, I've always treated you as a pure businessman, so it's not your fault that you didn't notice these details. However, this is the last time; from now on, when observing someone, you can't miss any detail. Otherwise, do you think I spent a fortune to get those appraisers from the Adventurer's Guild to teach you appraisal classes for nothing?"

  At last Reid's tone turned severe for the first time. Emil saw a faint cold sweat on his forehead, and hastily lowered his head to show he understood.

  "Then Reid turned to the silent bodyguard and said: 'Horst, you tell him.'"

  The man called Horst spoke up for the first time: "That's the captain's sword."

  "What, Mr. Kress? How is that possible." Emil frowned, but he immediately seemed to remember something: "No, wait, could it be..."

  Reed said, "That's right. That sword is the only successful replica of Kres' sword that Manson made at a great cost."

  "But that sword was sold a long time ago, how could it be on him?"

  Ride nodded: "That's right, when Manson made this sword at the beginning, he was very fond of it. Even if General Gaine came to buy it in person, he wouldn't sell it. However, I remember that one year, several beastmen from the northern wilderness came to the territory and also took a liking to this sword. Of course, Manson wouldn't sell."

  "But strangely, those beastmen went to see the lord afterwards, and the next day the lord had Manson sell the sword to them. To this day, I still don't understand what happened. Now that this sword has appeared in Raymond's hands, it's really a very strange thing."

  "Was it bought or stolen?" Emile speculated, "Could he have some connection with the beastmen of the northern wilderness? Isn't there a catman attendant by his side?"

  "It's hard to say," Reid said thoughtfully. "Since the last war, the Beastmen have almost completely closed themselves off, and we really don't get much intelligence from that side anymore."

  "Since that's so, why didn't you ask at the time?"

  Ride shook his head: "I don't want him to know yet, I've developed a great interest in him because of that sword. It's better to maintain a purely business partnership for now."

  "But one thing is certain, that is, no matter what means he uses to obtain that sword, this person has extraordinary means. Therefore, I am convinced that he is a worthy investment object."

  "An investment?"

  Rid laughed and patted Emile: "Of course, in my opinion, this man named Raymond, although his background is unknown, is a worthy object to befriend and assist. I will introduce him to Haidington, can't it be considered as an initial investment?"

  Here is the translation:

  "Up to this point, Reed sighed and walked to the window: "The current situation in Dinar is not good at all. The king has been suppressing Lowell from all sides, and the four major merchant guilds are also pressing step by step. Our territory seems prosperous on the surface, but it's actually facing a huge crisis. So for the sake of Lord, I must find a new way out."

  Emil said with a reverent expression: "I believe that as long as you are here, those greedy guys in the imperial family will never succeed."

  Ride let out a wry smile and shook his head, "It's not that simple. In short, I'm extending my hand to the Veronica continent in hopes of preserving as much of our territory as possible for Lord Master in case something happens. However, the influence of the Ravite Trade Federation runs deep on the Veronica continent, and we've been locked in a stalemate with them for so long."

  "This time with Haidington, although it seems like a turning point, I always feel that things are not so simple. Since we can't intervene and can't just sit back and do nothing, I'll just pass this hot potato to Raymond. This seemingly impulsive investment may bring us unimaginable huge returns in the future."

  Emil suddenly realized: "So you have such a long-term consideration."

  As he spoke, he hesitated and said: "However, getting people who have nothing to do with this matter involved, isn't that a bit inappropriate? After all, these people..."

  Ryder took a light sip of the liquid in his cup and coldly said, "I, Ryder, have only believed in two things my whole life: loyalty to Lord-sama, and the power of money. To resolve the crisis in Lovell, I can do anything."

  As he spoke, his tone slightly softened: "What I did, although a bit unkind, but after all, what in this world doesn't come with risk? I opened a door for them to enter the Veronica continent, as for the road ahead, it's up to those people themselves to walk."

  "Remember, we are businessmen. While we must follow the constraints of ethics, the most basic principle of doing business is that while you bring benefits to the other party, you also need to gain corresponding benefits for yourself. One-sided giving is what philanthropists do, got it?"

  Emil bowed deeply: "Understood, I will remember your teachings."

  At this time, Reed said again: "In addition, with the scale and strength of our fleet, Kure would never dare to look for trouble. This time he risked everything, did he know in advance that there were important goods on our ship? This point must not be ignored, and we must investigate where the leaked information came from."

  "Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of this as soon as possible."

  Reid nodded in satisfaction, gazing out the porthole at the endless sea and sighed: "Next, let's see what variables this group of people will bring to the chaotic continent of Veronica."