ALL NOVEL Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Sorry Luck, but Game is Game.
Narrator's POV
"Trust me, father, this project deserves funding!!" Langris declared while handing over the feasibility study of his idea.
"This project is doable, but... it's just too expensive and I'm not sure other nobles will tolerate such a thing," he said nervously.
Langris knew his father's words weren't unfounded: Clover's nobles wouldn't appreciate a magic academy meant for commoners.
But it was still frustrating for him to witness his father's cowardice.
There was a palpable tension in the air as father and son stared at each other for an indefinite time before Langris finally gave in.
"Ok, I'll fund the magic academy project myself," he said while walking toward the office exit.
"Langris!!" His father's worried voice froze him as he was about to open the door.
"Your influence is growing too quickly in Clover's capital... can't you slow down a bit??"
Langris knew what Ledior Vaude was talking about, but he couldn't grant this request, despite the difficulties ahead.
"No, I have too much to do for the Vaude family," he replied firmly in a tone that didn't match his young age, before leaving.
If only he could become slightly more like... Finral. Ledior quickly pushed that thought from his mind.
Although he had disagreed with Langris several times recently, he remained his pride, given the changes brought to his domain.
...
Langris's POV
"13 years old... time passes extremely quickly."
It's been three years since my meeting with my friend and artistic rival, named Rill Boismortier.
During this period, my schedule became extremely busy for several reasons.
Among these reasons was the creation of my tavern and inn chain in Clover's capital and some neighboring towns.
Of course, it wasn't easy to accomplish.
I had to start with just two at first, since I didn't have Ledior Vaude's help in this "born from whim" project.
I spent a few weeks analyzing the clientele of taverns and inns frequented by common folk, to understand the desires and complaints of future customers.
Finally, I was able to create a new type of "inn" and "tavern."
In this revisited version of tavern and inn, the receptionist is just a young girl selected not for previous administrative experience, but simply because she's cute...
It's the same for the waitresses, who don't really have experience.
I had to waste my time giving them "training" and explaining how to treat customers.
The menu of each tavern is simple from my perspective, but it's tasty for people of this universe, particularly commoners.
So yeah, I got honest Clover citizens addicted to junk food.
I also took charge of hiring former manor guards, now retired, to calm down troublemakers in my first establishments.
This whole operation took me three months total, and the construction of the taverns and inns took six months.
It could have been faster, but I couldn't spend more by hiring experts, so I made do with locals at the time.
My first installations (revisited inns and taverns) were a monstrous success.
Hence, over time, I created a chain of taverns and inns in the capital and other surrounding towns.
This was only possible thanks to the initial success, but also to the monstrous investment from the Vaude family.
They realized that my "born from whim" project is extremely profitable.
Thus, I have enormous amounts of money, and the Vaude family's influence has increased among commoners.
Unfortunately, happiness never lasts long.
The nobles who manage certain towns where my businesses are located have started increasing the taxes that managers must pay.
Some have even started opening taverns and inns similar to mine.
In short, I have competition, and my money source is threatened by leeches.
"Oh Langris, I was just looking for you," Finral's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"Need something?" I couldn't help but glance at his Black Bulls cape.
Yes, Finral recently turned 15.
He's already participated in the grimoire awarding ceremony and joined a magic knights company.
Father was extremely disappointed in him after discovering he's a Black Bull.
"Uh... yeah, I wanted to know if you can give me more 'special tickets for free meals.' And, if possible, I'd also like ones for a night at the inn," he said while scratching the back of his head.
There was a strange silence between us before I sighed and opened a portal to provide him with some special tickets, valid for all Vaude taverns and restaurants.
Yes, I used my family name as a brand name.
I wanted to prevent some idiot from causing disorder in my commercial enterprises.
For now, it has indeed worked with commoners.
You'd have to be crazy to offend a noble without being one.
"Thanks, bro, and I promise I'll introduce you to some nice girls!!" Finral escaped before I could ask him something about Vanessa.
Although this universe has reversed libido, Finral is the only guy in my circle actively seeking women.
Of course, he's not interested in just any of them.
He just likes being the center of attention.
This is probably due to our parents, who never recognize his efforts and keep comparing him to me.
"It's weird having a brother extremely active in that department..."
I quickly pushed Finral's case from my mind and went out for some air.
I need to find an idea to amass enough funds to create a magic academy in Clover, aiming to prepare people for the complex future ahead.
...
"Young master!!!" A blonde woman rushed toward me once I got out of the carriage.
(Image)
I could use a broom or spatial portal to travel, but I prefer taking my time on the road to think about my problems.
"Hi Lucy, can you give me a summary of summaries of this week's situation while I inspect the premises?" The woman nodded before starting to explain the situation.
This beautiful woman with sapphire-like blue eyes is Lucy Voltia, mother of Luck Voltia from Yvon village.
Although I want to find talented people, I don't want to "too much" affect canon events.
Of course, it's almost impossible for the future to remain identical with my existence, but I don't want to accidentally kill a canon character because of a modification too early in this timeline.
That's why I haven't interfered with certain characters' stories, except those close to me, and certainly not in other countries like Mars.
I tried to intervene for Gauche and his sister, but there were too many noble plots in their case.
Thus, I settled for helping Luck with his family problems.
At first, Lucy wasn't cooperative because of my noble status, but her delicate financial situation played in my favor.
This woman has a complicated history with nobility, but since she never brought up her past, I didn't dig into her affairs.
For now, she works as my personal secretary.
Why have her work as my secretary when I just wanted to help Luck initially?
Well... This milf looks exactly like Violet Evergarden in appearance. So, I couldn't help but dress her like Violet and keep her around.
Sorry Luck, but "Game is Game," as they say.
"That's pretty much the whole situation. Do you have any idea how to solve this problem?" she said, a bit impatient.
"For now, I haven't found a direct way to get rid of the problem itself."
My words made Lucy's expression slightly frustrated.
"But, I have an idea to create unfair competition and offer services at an absurd price."
I started explaining to Lucy the concepts of home delivery, as well as my strategy for buying food products at prices well below those practiced in the capital.
"Young master, that's tax evasion!!!" she said without hiding her shock.
"Yes, and so what? The kingdom did nothing when other nobles copied our services, even though they're registered as Vaude house specialties."
Yes, there are patents on products and services in this reality.
Unfortunately, they're not really respected, and they have many legal loopholes.
"Don't worry, I won't get caught buying food products in bulk from remote areas like Hage village," I said while patting Lucy's head.
Of course, she was reluctant at first, but she hadn't resisted it.
She must have seen it as a strange act from a peculiar young child.
"Well, time to execute my plan," I said while removing my hand from her blonde hair.
As my friend Machiavelli on Earth so well explained:
'Laws are made to frighten those who are weak, and weapons to frighten those who are strong.'
I played by the Kingdom of Clover's rules, but it doesn't bring in enough money.