Osten, Capital City of Troca Union.
Four months after Xander’s Senate Hearing, inside a room of the Union Council building, leaders of the Troca Union are discussing the new development in Xander.
“Our spies are saying that Xander won't need any more whale oil after this new ‘infrastructure project’ of the Crown Prince. Every city in Xander is constructing something.” said one of the merchant nobles.
“If this news is true, then we have a big problem on our hands. Xander is one of our biggest clients. If we lose them, our oil business will take a nosedive, and prices will get lower.” said another one.
“We won’t just lose money. The oil industry itself would die. Think about it! If Xander can create an alternative to whale oil, other countries will flock to them to buy whatever this ‘invention’ of theirs will be.” said another merchant.
“Are you all really going to believe in this nonsense? Their Crown Prince built one invention, and now all of you think he can do anything. He is just a little boy who's making toys. We have nothing to worry about! There is no alternative to whale oil because if there were, we would already be selling it.” said the third-richest merchant noble in the Troca Union, Richmond Kobe, with arrogance.
“What do you think, My Lord?” asked the arrogant merchant.
Head of the Union Council, the wealthiest merchant in Troca Union, and possibly the richest man in the Azelia Continent, Astar Wolcott, spoke his mind, “We know for sure that something is going on because their whole country is undergoing massive construction. Also, they are paying more money for oil instead of giving us the ‘plans’ for bicycle production. And don’t underestimate someone because of their age! That ‘little boy’s latest toy’ is the hottest item on the market!
Kobe lowered his eyes in embarrassment.
Now, I have decided to take a business tour to figure all this out. Anyone interested is welcome to join me.”
“I will go with you, My Lord!” said a 17-year-old girl, Adelyn Crain. Head of the second-richest family of the Troca Union.
Kobe scoffd in his mind. Of course, you want to go, Crain! You little bitch! I wouldn’t have so many problems if you had just died with your parents in that fire.
“Anyone else? ….. Then, this meeting is over. We will travel next week.” Lord Wolcott said with a commanding voice.
***
Minister Illiana D’Fleur was walking through the palace halls and noticed Drakkar Vandran, the King’s Spymaster leaving the Crown Prince’s study. The Spymaster saw the minister and bowed his head down. Illiana did the same, but when she picked her head up, there was nothing but thin air in his place.
Well, that was usual. Why does he always do that?
A 22-year-old man came out of the study and approached the minister, “My Lady, he is waiting for you.”
“Ohh! Yes, of course!” Illiana said in a sort of startled manner.
“Ahh! Minister D’Fleur, please take a seat. Oscar, some refreshments, please!” Castiel said to the 22-year-old man.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I have been waiting for this meeting.”
“I know, and please forgive me for not meeting you before. The new project is taking all my time.”
“Ohh! Please, Highness! Do not apologize. We all know how busy you have been. But this cannot wait any longer. Something urgent has come up.”
“Hmm, the visit from the Troca Union?”
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Illiana asked, not so surprisingly, “Lord Vandran, I presume?”
“Yes, he told me a couple of days ago, and my answer is NO!”
“I know you don’t like them, Highness. None of us do! But the head of a country wishes to meet with you, and as the Crown Prince of this nation, you have certain duties you simply cannot avoid.”
Castiel looks away from her and replies with slight annoyance, “Aarrgh! Fine!”
“Ok! That was fast.” Illiana says, surprisingly.
Castiel knew there was no way out of this situation, but he still tried. Oscar came with drinks while Castiel listened to the reports about the increasing trade in Xander because of the better quality potions, the sale of bicycles, and the bigger version of its tire, which he was really pleased to hear. Then Castiel told her about his plan for a new currency system.
"Paper Currency! Highness? Surely you jest!" Illiana said with a humorous tone.
Castiel called for Oscar, and he brought two trays, one of which had six denominations of notes of the same size: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 2000. and another had three stainless steel coins: 1, 2, 5, each in a different size.
“Ohh my. They do look good in red, though. But, as they are made of paper and steel, wouldn't counterfeiting be easy? And what if someone tries to destroy them by tearing them apart or burning them.”
“No! Counterfeiting either the notes or the coins is impossible because….. Aah… Forgive me, the fewer people know about how it is done, the better. Destroying them is impossible too because both are enchanted to be resistant to water, fire, and tear damage. Also, the printing and minting process will only be known by a few hand-picked people.”
The printing plates and the minting press were made by Castiel using rune-smithing to add an extra layer of security to them, which made the paper and the steel change color to red. Only the printers and minters will know this little secret.
“I want to completely stop the use of gold, silver, and copper coins as money in this country. It’s a massive waste of those resources, and our gold mines are almost empty, so this solves that problem. We will also need to set up currency exchange offices at every border entry point of Xander. The new notes and coins will only be circulated through the banks. Merchant guilds will have no authority in this matter.” Castile put down his plan for a better economy.
“Hmm, this is very well thought out, Highness. The implementation will take some time, of course. And I can see the benefits of this plan. This will definitely help boost our economy.”
“Then I suggest you propose this plan to the senate in the next hearing.”
“Of course, I will start making preparations right away.”
Illiana's heart swelled with an inexplicable joy. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, reflecting the glimmer of hope that had settled upon the kingdom. The mere thought of Xander's revolutionary plans for a new currency system sent a ripple of excitement through her veins.
The promise of a brighter future hung in the air like a tantalizing secret, whispered among the winds of change. Illiana could feel the weight of the nation's dreams merging with her own, weaving a tapestry of optimism that painted the world around her in vibrant hues.
A soft sigh escaped her lips, laden with gratitude for the leader who dared to dream, for the ruler who envisioned a realm where prosperity was not just a distant fantasy but a tangible reality. In that moment, as the sun cast its golden glow upon the kingdom, Illiana stood on the precipice of a new era, her heart dancing to the rhythm of a hopeful tomorrow.
***
Far-West of Xander, The Lawless City-State of Raden
A spy from the Zodian Federation is waiting for a man from Xander in a tavern. The tavern doors opened, and a couple of people entered, but the Xanderian was nowhere to be seen. Then a man wearing a hood entered, looked around the tavern, and then took a seat beside the spy. The man ordered a glass of water with three cubes of ice. This was the password for the Zodian spy to identify the Xanderian.
“You are late,” The spy whispers.
“I am here, aren’t I?” Answered the Xanderian.
“Come on, let’s get this over with.” The spy says and takes a file from the Xanderian.
A man sitting in the corner of the tavern holding a mug of ale whispers to himself, “The meeting is on”
He gets an answer in his earpiece, “Let the meeting happen as planned and then kill the Zodian Spy!”
“Understood.”
The man with the earpiece is an assassin who works for Lord Vandran. A kill order by Lord Vandran has been issued for the spy. The traitor here is a minor noble who works with the ministry of defense. He has been passing military secrets to the Zodian Federation for a year now. But as the traitor is a citizen and a noble, they cannot outright kill him. So the meeting must happen to prove his guilt in front of a Justiciar. Also, to help with the mission, Castiel sent a little care package.
After the exchange happened, the Zodian spy left the tavern and then the traitor. The spy was walking towards his horse when he heard someone creeping behind him. He turns to see, and a silent flash happens. A bullet goes through his head and he drops dead, blood pouring out of the bullet hole.
The Assassin looks at the weapon in his hand, “Damn!”