Chapter 220 - Chapter 220: Selection of Successor Candidates
Thus Samura cooperated with Balt and the other Big Bear Empire agents, arranging parts necessary for cannon creation.
For that transport, a shipping company with Sowell family capital was used.
That is how it was conveyed to Aurora.
Furthermore, when Aurora investigated, it was confirmed that the Big Bear Empire was providing research funds to Dr. Bell.
Furthermore, contact between Samura, the sales manager of Archibalt Steel, and the agents was also confirmed.
It was known that the sales department was involved in parts procurement, but it turned out the orders were issued by the manager.
Here, Aurora first gathered the members of her clan.
They were mainly her grandchildren.
Among them was Alexa Tess Sowell, the de facto successor.
She is Aurora's granddaughter, supporting the aged Aurora, and commanding the territory and related companies.
Before such grandchildren, Aurora declared.
"In a few days from now, Archibalt Steel's irregularities will come to light.
Handling this well, the one who produces the greatest profit will be the successor."
At that declaration, the grandchildren murmured.
It was thought that Alexa was the successor and would inherit the vast Sowell family assets, but words denying that came from Aurora.
Everyone thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Except for Alexa.
And, everyone thought that against Alexa, who was passive compared to Aurora, Aurora was losing patience and trying to select another successor.
That Alexa furrowed her brow and asked Aurora.
"My Lady, what kind of irregularities are those?"
"Illegal weapon exports.
Export destination is the Big Bear Empire.
Weapon exports requiring national permission, exported under the guise of general parts.
There was a request from the shipping company we invested in, and the destination was a military-related warehouse of the Big Bear Empire, so when I investigated, it turned out the sales manager of Archibalt Steel was deeply involved in illegal exports.
I will report these facts to the National Security Committee.
They will be arrested immediately and become news, won't they?"
At that moment, everyone thought this counted as insider trading.
Insider trading is when insiders use undisclosed information to conduct advantageous transactions against outsiders who do not possess the information.
In the Kingdom of Cascade, stock trading using undisclosed information was illegal.
In this case, knowing the sales manager's irregularities of Archibalt Steel before disclosure, and knowing that information, selling held stocks before disclosure or short selling is made illegal.
However, Aurora says to use this well.
So what came to mind was that she was testing the courage to evade detection using power.
The grandchildren naturally saw Aurora's strong-handedness.
They thought it meant overcoming insider trading regulations even applied to nobles.
"I will report this from now on.
The remaining time is short."
When Aurora said that, the gathering was dismissed.
And, the grandchildren headed toward the brokers one after another.
However, only Alexa did not do so.
That Alexa, as usual, faced the desk and glanced through documents.
However, feeling as though her heart was elsewhere, her hand pressing the settlement seal was stopped.
Is it really that simple?
Thinking about Aurora's words.
Brothers and cousins seemed to think to use that for insider trading, but experience was ringing warnings that it was not that simple.
Before she took this position herself, having seen how parents and uncles and aunts were treated by Aurora, she knew that deciding the position to inherit the Sowell family was not something where one simply overcomes an easy task.
What is required is excellence like the people of the House Archibalt.
It is not just strength.
Both cunning that goes behind others' thoughts and courage to put it into action are required.
Thinking like that, the stopped time became long.
Seeing that, the butler who was worried spoke up.
"Young Lady, if you do not feel well, perhaps you should rest today."
With those words, Alexa came to her senses.
And she asked the butler.
"Hey, what do you think one must do to sit in this seat I am sitting in?"
"It would be something Your Excellency approves, wouldn't it?"
"That's right.
Even saying it myself, that isn't simple, is it?"
"Yes.
It seems impossible for an ordinary person."
At the word 'ordinary person', Alexa's eyebrows moved.
Yes, with something everyone could think of at that time, Aurora should not recognize her as a successor.
Alexa chewed over Aurora's words.
"In a few days from now, Archibalt Steel's irregularities will come to light.
Handling this well, the one who produces the greatest profit will be the successor.
What is profit?
Does it mean there is something other than money?"