After escaping through her room, leaving the gardener stunned once again, Ai and Envy headed towards the nearest city from the mansion.
"What are we going to do this time, boss?"
"We're going to sell these jewels and some other things." Some of these jewels are gifts for me, while the rest belonged to my mother. In her absence, they've been forgotten in the mansion. I didn't use mine either, as I didn't usually go out much, and gifts are usually tried on once presented formally to the person in question in society, which won't happen for a few years. It's better to call it an investment.
"I understand. In that case, hold on tight." Envy leaps over 10 meters in the direction of the capital.
"KYAAA! Envy!" Ai's hat is blown away.
On the way to the city, multiple farmers and people could be seen looking towards a plain that wasn't visible before. Envy would notice the people's curiosity and break the silence during the journey.
"There's a giant crater to the south of the estate. Have you seen it, boss?"
"Eh? Is it new?"
"Yes. It wasn't there a few days ago, and no one understands what happened."
"Ho..." Ai looks towards the plain to inspect it better.
Certainly, it looks like the crater I left during my training...
Ai thought, unable to comprehend that she had shaped the terrain to the point of becoming unrecognizable. She also didn't understand that this crater didn't seem like, it WAS from her training a few days ago.
— After a few minutes, in the city center.
Envy stops right in front of a famous jewelry house in the center of Courtenay estate.
"We've arrived, boss!" Ai is almost unconscious and her eyes are teary.
"Yes..." She gets off and starts trying to fix her hair as best as she can.
Laughter can be heard from the people as they see little Ai with her hair all over the place, courtesy of Envy's high speed.
"Ahh... This will have to do, I guess. Let's go."
Ai enters the store with Envy and approaches the counter.
"Hello..."
"Welcome to House Roche. What are you looking for?"
"We're looking to sell these items." Ai takes out the box and places it on the counter, then opens it.
Multiple jewels can be seen, especially chains and earrings.
"I understand, let me examine them for a moment..." The clerk goes to the back and fetches various tools to inspect the jewels and their conditions.
He starts looking at each one, and after a few minutes...
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"I've examined them... I think it's a fair price to offer you 50,000 imperials for all of them."
"What!? That's a rip-off!" People inside the store would start looking at Ai, who had raised her voice in anger.
"Ahem... Excuse me. As I was saying, ten of them are worth 80,000 and they're all in perfect condition, I haven't even used them. Give me at least 120,000. If not, I'll have to come with my father next time."
The clerk forces a fake smile.
This brat... As if I care who her fathe-
"Boss, there are more jewelry stores in your estate, we could try another one."
Your estate!? So she...?
Understanding the situation, the clerk would quickly change his approach towards the girl.
"I-i understand, but the market is very volatile... We don't know how much we'll be able to get for them. I can give you 80,000 for all of them."
"I see... I have no intention of negotiating, I'll give them to you for 90,000 imperials. If not, I'll take them somewhere else, it's my final offer."
"85,000?"
...
"Sigh... Alright, I'll buy them for 90,000 imperials."
Ai looks happily at Envy.
The man hands them 90 gold coins and a receipt, and they leave the store.
"Whew, I guess it's a fair price. Now we have to go to the Beauchamp bank." The Beauchamp bank, one of the most private banks in the empire. Accused multiple times of being involved in money laundering or tax evasion cases. A bank that decided to side with the clients rather than politics, and because of that, has gained great popularity among aristocratic customers.
— Inside the Beauchamp bank.
Ai approaches the counter with Envy.
"Hello, I'd like to open an account."
"Oh? How old are you, little girl?" The cashier expresses himself in an adorable manner and looks cheerful.
"Does that matter?"
... People look at Ai for a moment, surprised.
"I-understand, excuse my eccentricity... The Beauchamp bank is known for keeping their clients' safety as much as possible." The man starts pulling some papers from under the counter as he speaks and puts them on the table.
"To open an account, please complete this form and make an initial deposit of 10,000 imperials." He hands Ai the form.
Ai fills out the form.
"Hm? What's this?" Ai notices a rectangle with strange scribbles at the end of the form.
"You should place your thumbprint in that area, that way it will be engraved with magic. When you want to withdraw your money, your identity will be validated this way. It's not necessary to be the owner of the account to deposit money."
How interesting, undoubtedly it would be great in the modern era to prevent counterfeits...
Ai finishes filling out the form.
"Here you go." Ai hands over the completed form and 60 gold coins.
"Please deposit it all in my account."
"Mmm..." The man checks the form.
"Everything seems to be in order. Congratulations, you're now a part of Beauchamp bank! I'll deposit the 60,000 imperials... In the meantime, I'll remind you that you'll need to pay 2,000 imperials annually to keep your account active, and the minimum deposits are one gold coin, that is, 1,000 imperials." The man hands her a deposit receipt.
"Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
"Yes. What investments do you have for clients?"
"Investments? What do you mean?"
"Do you have any system where the deposited money generates benefits?"
"I don't understand what you mean, miss. Once the money enters our vault, it doesn't leave for any reason, unless it's the client or to pay the annual fee."
So fixed deposits still don't exist... What a shame.
"I see, excuse the question. Thank you for everything."
Ai leaves the place with Envy.
"Now hop on, I'll take you back, boss." Envy signals for Ai to get on her back, bending her knees.
"Wait, there's still something else."
"Really?"
"Yes... Now we're going to look for a place for our first business! Hehehehe." I'll give these bastards a taste of futuristic technology. I'll recreate their tastes and comforts.
Ai thought this while making her perverted face again, which embarrassed Envy.
After that, they walked through the city and checked multiple settlements without finding anything interesting.
"Sigh... We've been looking at rentals for over two hours and still haven't found anything."
"Don't worry, boss. Don't get discouraged! We can continue searching tomorrow."
"You're right, Envy, there's no need to worry-"
Ai looks behind Envy. The corner of one of the main streets. It would have an old, broken-down and abandoned bar, as well as several beggars sitting outside of it.
"That place? Is it for sale?"
Envy looks at it unpleasantly.
"I don't think it's a good idea, ma'am..."
You're wrong, Envy. The place is on a highly eye-catching corner, the flow of people is huge, and being in that state, its rent is probably cheap... It's a steal!
Or so I thought.