Chapter 273: Money War (3)

Chapter 273: Money War (3)

A fresh rumor was making waves in the business world.

"Did you hear? Colosseo Academy has a bunch of young geniuses."

"You mean the ones who did so well in the recent mock investment competition?"

"The crazy thing is, they weren't 'mocking,' they were playing with real money."

"Huh? Those ridiculous rates of return mean were real?"

"Why, of course. That's probably why everyone accepted the invitation today."

Oracle. An investment club that earns ridiculous real-world profits in mock investment competitions held by the Bourgeois Family.

Not much is known about their identity.

However, it is known that they are students at the prestigious Colosseo Academy, and their identities are certain.

As such, many in the financial world were curious about the "party invitation" from Oracle.

It was common knowledge that the largest and most ornate hall in the Imperial Capital had changed hands.

The new owner had paid all cash for the building and left a huge 10% tip.

Furthermore, the rumor that the new owner immediately started renovating the exterior and interior of the big, fancy hall as soon as he bought it also freaked people out.

What's the point of building an extension on such a huge and gorgeous hall?

Therefore, not only the general public but also some of the most prominent figures in the business world were paying attention to Oracle's actions.

And then.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.

May Xth. Time for the nine bells of the public square clock.

It was the date and time written on the invitation sent from Oracle.

The wealthy from all over the Capital, or provinces, gathered at the party hall in response to the Oracle's invitation.

A hundred people at most, but more than three thousand with their attendants.

Then.

"What? Who's that?"

"Oh my. I can't believe he accepted the invitation."

"This is the first time I've seen him in person."

"Someone big is at the party."

The old gentlemen and ladies of the business world stepped aside.

A carriage drove majestically through the center of the hall.

The family crest was a white triangle on a black background.

This was the mark of the 'Sinan' family, which was famous for being wealthy in the north.

And in the carriage was a person who caught the attention of business figures.

Viscount Sinan Saltsail, also known as the Salt Merchant.

He was the leader of the Sinan family, one of Don Quixote's maternal families.

Saltsail is a famous nobleman and a wealthy merchant who is considered one of the most important merchants in the North.

His wealth, accumulated by transporting 60,000 tons of salt across the empire, is almost unrivaled in the north.

"Hehehe – yes. Let's see what kind of extravagant party you've brought people all the way to the imperial capital."

Saltsail stroked his mustache and looked out of the carriage.

Then.

"...!"

Saltsail's carriage stopped.

A strange figure stood in front of him, blocking his path.

Saltsail was at first inclined to give in to the offer of a cheap cape.

However, in his opinion, the cape offered was very valuable, so he was quite satisfied.

The cape was also lightly enchanted, so there was no reason not to take it, as it would keep food and alcohol off of him and keep him warm.

"Would you like to have a cocktail on the way to the party?"

Cat in Boots politely held out a glass.

Red liquor and clear ice cubes floated in the clear glass.

Saltsail took the glass and grunted.

"I don't know much about alcohol. This stuff just makes me want to pee."

"Is that so?"

Cat in Boots nodded toward Saltsail, who was complaining but was still thirsty as he poured down his cocktail.

Then.

They passed through a dark hallway into a bright, spacious room.

Saltsail's eyes widened slightly.

"Oh, this is...."

An ornate interior greeted SaltSail.

The floors were marble from southern Jasmunhald, and the ceiling was hung with a chandelier of canned rubies from the Western Red Fang Castle.

The walls were painted with red stone pigment, one of the rarest and scarcest of the rare minerals, and for some reason there was a golden sink in the center.

There are also statues carved from expensive coral, and duck down rugs on the floor.

The walls were lined with purple silk curtains and dotted with well-dressed maids holding bottles of perfume.

Even Saltail, who didn't even snort at the luxury and pleasure, nodded in approval.

"...That's nice."

Saltsail glanced back at Cat in Boots standing in the distance.

"Beautiful main building. Someone in the Imperial Capital has some taste. It rivals the main building of my mansion."

Saltsail nodded with a satisfied expression, as if he had found a good match for his wealth and luxury.

... but.

"What do you mean?"

Despite Saltsail's praise, Cat in Boots could only shake his head.

Then Saltsail also tilted his head.

"What I mean is, I said the main building was nicely decorated... Hmm?"

Something wasn't right.

Instead of talking, Saltsail looked around.

Sure enough, all the guests who had come with him when he entered had disappeared, leaving him alone.

Except for Cat in Boots and the maids with the perfume bottles, he was the only one here.

Saltsail said.

"No, where are all the people at the party, and why is the main hall so empty? I don't think they've all gone to the bathroom."

Cat in Boots opened his mouth as if to say, What are you talking about?

"Of course, all the other guests are in the main building."

"...What?"

Saltsail's expression turned puzzled.

If the main building is somewhere else, then what is this place?

To Saltsail's puzzled look, Cat in Boots told him the truth.

"This is the restroom, not the main building."