Chapter 174 - 174 Hot Spring Facility
Using water magic, Isabella came up with an idea to raise the stock price.
After school, she told Elizabeth and Michael the idea.
"Hey, how about we run a bathhouse at Fleming Trading Company?"
"A bathhouse?"
The two made puzzled faces.
"Yes. Not just any bathhouse. The beauty effects of hot springs, plus adding the scent of roses."
"Oh, that sounds nice. But can we do it?"
"Of course. I take baths in it all the time."
"Hey, why didn't you invite me?"
Elizabeth puffed out her cheeks.
Water attribute mages can create hot springs, so they are very popular among nobles.
This was an idea devised by Steve, and the Archibalt Territory has artificial hot springs that have also become a tourist spot. Naturally, his daughter Isabella can create hot spring water.
"Huh? Isabella can use magic?"
Michael was surprised, as he did not know that at first.
"Yes. I didn't mention it."
"Amazing. You're strong with a sword and can use magic, just like the Empire's Suit Knights."
Isabella could not say that her mother or aunt were like that, and Elizabeth could not help but let out a bitter smile.
Michael, unaware of this, continued.
"That's right. If we could add further value and sell it, it would be amazing."
"Added value?"
"Yes. For example, the favorite of His Excellency Dragon Head Medal."
"Oh."
The two understood what Michael said.
And while they understood that they could ask someone to do it, their desire to handle this market themselves meant there was no option to ask Steve.
As they wondered if there was anyone else, two candidates came to mind.
"The Witch of the West and the Witch of the East. How about getting the seal of approval from one of them?"
Elizabeth said this and looked at the two faces.
The Witch of the West was Aurora, and the Witch of the East was Evelyn. It was impossible to know what would happen if one called them witches right in front of them, but they were called that behind their backs.
Both were leaders of factions that gathered nobles in their respective regions, and their skillful management was so superhuman that they were called witches.
However, Evelyn was only imitating Aurora, yet even ordinary people found it difficult to imitate her, so it was thought to be Evelyn's talent.
Isabella and Elizabeth naturally knew each other, but they found them somewhat difficult to deal with. Michael was too far above them to even think of asking him.
"That's impossible."
"No, it's not impossible, but I'm just not good with them. But we can't afford to say such things."
Elizabeth made up her mind.
"I'll go for the East, Isabella please ask the West. Michael, persuade Baron Fleming to allow the operation of the hot springs."
"Understood. They should be in the Royal Capital."
Isabella prayed they were not there, but fortunately, Aurora was in the Royal Capital. She would find out after returning home. And an appointment was made immediately.
The next day, Isabella, resolved, met with Aurora.
Aurora met with her while working in her office. Her age was unknown, but she had skin so smooth one would believe she was in her thirties, and she possessed a bewitching allure that confused men. Harry, who had aged considerably, stood beside her.
"I'm sorry, but I'm working."
"No, we are the ones who asked for the trouble."
"So, what is the matter?"
Aurora asked, keeping her eyes on the documents.
"I thought we might buy the hot spring recipe."
"Recipe? But our mages can make various types enough."
"But you cannot add the scent of roses to hot springs, can you?"
At those words, Aurora finally raised her head.
"Let's hear the details."
Isabella felt that those eyes were like those of a bird of prey that had found its prey.
She explained that Fleming Trading Company was currently in the midst of recovery, and she had devised a hot spring facility as its flagship product, and that she wanted the seal of approval from a great noble.
"Can't your father, His Excellency, do it?"
"I do not want to use my father's name."
"I see. Also, your explanation is insufficient. It is not about recovering Fleming Trading Company, but aiming for a rise in stock price. Unless you explain that, it is insincere."
"Ugh."
Isabella did not want to tell Aurora about the current market manipulation, so she did not touch on that point, but Aurora naturally had that information.
"Well, I can understand that you feared I might try to sell it myself. You are probably troubled because 10,000 Dra is far away. I might try to bargain, is that okay?"
"If you bargain, then this conversation never happened."
Aurora was surprised by Isabella's firm declaration.
"Oh, is that okay?"
"Yes. This matter has also been taken to Her Excellency Dragon Wing Medal, so a contract there would be sufficient."
"To that woman, huh. You brought up quite a petty negotiation. That woman will not refuse either, out of rivalry with me."
Aurora seemed happy somewhere despite calling it petty. Isabella found this strange.
There was a reason Aurora seemed happy. She was sizing Isabella up. If it were just a request to give a seal of approval, it would be disappointing. She intended to cut her off as just that kind of person, but by bringing up Evelyn in the negotiation, she thought this might be worth watching.
"Very well. You are in a hurry, right? We will also cover the construction costs."
"Is that really okay?"
"An advance investment. If you become our adopted daughter, I will provide even more service."
"I will decline that."
"Oh, what a pity."
In terms of combat power, Isabella should have been overwhelmingly strong, but she simply could not feel she could win against this Aurora.
And since she wanted to leave here as soon as possible, she decided to end it here.
"Then, I will contact you once I persuade Baron Fleming and get permission for the hot spring operation."
"Even if that fails, I will take the recipe."
"Yes."
Saying that, she left the room, and Isabella let out a deep breath.
"Phew. This side seems to be handled somehow. What about Liz?"
She looked toward the Cleiman Estate.
Of course, she could not actually see anything, but she was worried about Elizabeth, who was negotiating with Evelyn in the same way.
The next day, she would learn the result of that negotiation.
Well, before learning that result, Isabella came to have another worry.
Since Arthur started acting together with her, the gazes from her classmates were painful.
Male students looked at her with curious eyes, and female students with resentful eyes. She had expected this, but for a pubescent Isabella, it was very painful.
Naturally, they were not together even in the toilet, so as soon as Arthur disappeared, female students immediately approached.
"You, don't get the wrong idea. Lord Arthur has no interest in women of the Empire."
She was told this and wanted to laugh, but she struggled to hold it back.
It was that female student who was mistaken. Isabella had no intention of marrying Arthur. In fact, they are siblings, so they cannot marry. In the Kingdom of Cascade, consanguineous marriage is not done unless there is a very special reason. Steve would not approve of it either. In the first place, she would never marry Arthur, whom she does not even see as a man.
But if one does not know the circumstances, they would not think so.
She was able to escape such curious eyes after class ended.
The three gathered in the room of the Economic Revolution Club as usual. Arthur was there as well.
Michael was unsettled by the presence of Arthur, Steve's son.
"Um, why is Lord Arthur here?"
"Oh, you can call me Arthur without the title. We are classmates. I am here because I am, well, a stakeholder."
Michael could not understand what Arthur said.
"A stakeholder?"
"I arranged for us to meet those witches immediately. The negotiations went well, perhaps because Arthur's name was involved."
Isabella explained the reason she had decided with Arthur in advance.
Michael believed it without doubt.
"Having a cousin is the best," Elizabeth also chimed in.
"So, that means we got the seal of approval?"
"Yes. But we have a problem."
"A problem?"
Michael was very curious about what problem Isabella was talking about. And Elizabeth seemed to know, and she sighed along with Isabella.
Then, Isabella explained from her mouth.
"Margrave Sowell and His Excellency Dragon Wing Medal both said they would handle the construction themselves. They seem to be competing fiercely. It's tough because I have to respect both of their faces."
By not putting a time difference in the negotiations of the two, both said they wanted to give the seal of approval and even said they would handle the construction.
They said they would mobilize mages and build it within a week, but they are competing over who takes the lead, and the site is in trouble.
"Hahaha."
Michael could only let out a dry laugh.
With such things, when the talk of operating the hot springs came up, the stock price began to rise again.
And the hot springs were completed.
On the first day, Aurora and Evelyn visited the facility with the wives and daughters of nobles belonging to their respective factions. Seeing the hot spring with the scent of roses prepared by Isabella, they let out cries of joy.
Only a small part of the nobility can hire water attribute mages, and those present today are not among them. With the prospect of enjoying hot springs in the Royal Capital, they were overjoyed.
Moreover, the water quality had the seal of approval from Aurora and Evelyn. It was natural that they would want to use it again.
On that day, on the opening day, the schedule was filled with reservations for six months ahead.
Due to this, the stock price rose again, and by the following week, it finally reached 9,500 Dra. While Isabella and the others rejoiced that it was almost there, there was a person waiting with a grin for this situation.
Count Cutter.
The market manipulation battle to avoid the bankruptcy of Fleming Trading Company was finally reaching its final stage.