Raising the Northern Grand Duchy as a Max-Level All-Master

97. Growth and Redistribution (3)

The North, once filled with vagrants due to a lack of jobs, no longer suffered from such conditions.

Now, the real issue was the severe shortage of a productive population, especially those who were educated.

These problems couldn’t be resolved with money or technology alone. They required a considerable amount of time.

“That’s why we’re heavily promoting childbirth and selling Medi-Kits at nearly no cost. We’re also implementing mandatory education to ensure every Northerner can read.”

“Isn’t that excessive? Increasing the population is one thing, but educating all those people…”

“Talent is precious in the North. We have to make the most of our small population.”

“Why not simply bring in the poor wandering across the continent? I can help you with that.”

“No, thank you.”

“No?”

Welcoming immigrants to the North wasn’t an option.

“Even if we brought them here, they wouldn’t be able to adapt. Most wouldn’t even want to come due to their preconceived notions about the North.”

The fact that the North was extremely cold and dangerous was something even Northerners readily admitted.

“More importantly, it wouldn’t be beneficial to Bishop Company either.”

Which monarch or noble in any nation would happily watch their population leave for another land?

“It wouldn’t benefit the Northerners either. A massive influx of immigrants would cause significant chaos in the North, intensifying conflicts with the locals.”

“I see…”

Though perceptions of the North had improved somewhat recently, deeply ingrained prejudices still persisted.

Exceptions to the disdain for Northerners were rare—limited to figures like Her Highness the Grand Duchess Arina, Balzac, the high-ranking knights of Renslet, and the Northern wizard, Arad Jin.

Most Northerners were still viewed as cursed, barbaric half-humans.

Now imagine outsiders moving to the North. Few would want to settle there, but even if they did, the resulting chaos and conflict would be inevitable.

“So… what is it that you want?”

“What do I want?”

“Yes, what do you truly want?”

With the discussion about immigration concluded, Entir moved the conversation to the main point.

“You suddenly showed me this and finalized a contract right before I was about to leave for the Empire. There must be a reason, no?”

“Indeed. I was just about to get to that.”

“Hahaha! That puts my mind at ease.”

“Could you bring in some talent for the financial sector?”

“Financial sector?”

Despite Arad’s recent declaration against immigration, both men maintained excellent poker faces.

“Yes, people with experience in banking or money-lending whom I can trust.”

“Certainly, the North alone can’t address financial matters immediately.”

“Exactly. So, even if we accept immigrants, we’ll prioritize skilled professionals or specialists.”

Arad continued.

“By ‘trustworthy,’ I mean…”

“People with a background like mine. Bankers or money-lenders who hate the imperial family… That won’t be easy to find.”

“It doesn’t have to be the imperial family. Anyone pushed out by competition or intrigue will do. Few are as motivated as those who view success as revenge.”

“I’ll prioritize that as soon as I return. By the way, it seems you’re planning to establish a bank soon. Considering the North’s growth, it does feel overdue.”

As Entir spoke, he subtly made a proposal.

“Or, how about a bank run by the Bishop Company?”

Arad immediately declined the suggestion.

“A bank operated by imperial merchants? No Northerner would use it.”

Historically, most Northerners were too poor to save enough to deposit in a bank.

That lack of savings explained why the North had no banks, though the Empire had them.

Even when a few Northerners had the means, they avoided imperial banks. Their deposits were often stolen outright simply because they were Northerners.

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Prejudice works both ways.”

Of course, all of these were just convenient excuses.

Even if Bishop Company was an imperial entity, Northerners would trust it if Arad Jin vouched for them.

In a world without financial regulations, I’d be no businessman if I missed this opportunity!

But Arad had no intention of letting Bishop run a bank in the North; he planned to establish and operate his own.

“I trust you’ll expedite this matter.”

“And if I can’t find the talent you need?”

“In that case, I’ll send some of my staff to train at banks operated by Bishop Company.”

“That would be most welcome.”

Entir’s eyes gleamed at Arad’s response.

“By the way, I’ve heard that you teach administration, business management, and accounting in addition to magical engineering at the academy.”

“Yes, which is why I’ve been so overwhelmed lately.”

“You’re practically omnipotent, yet you don’t know about banking?”

“Even I can’t know everything. And I’m far too busy already. If I had to personally teach or manage banking operations, I’d probably die from overwork.”

“In that case, we’d be happy to share our expertise. Why not establish a Bishop Bank branch in Renslet?”

“I may not know the details, but I understand the basics.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Exactly.”

“…”

“…”

The two exchanged a moment of silent, wordless communication through their gazes.

So stubborn. If he’s that resolute, there’s no helping it.

If you’ve understood, just focus on doing what I asked. Don’t get greedy here.

Ultimately, Entir had no choice but to let go of his ambitions.

Arad was always the one in control.

What will a Northerner-run bank look like?

Having quickly abandoned his hopes, Entir began imagining the bank that would rise in the frigid, magical lands of the North.

“Is that all you need from me?”

Swallowing both his excitement and disappointment, Entir asked Arad.

“For now.”

“Feel free to make more challenging requests. By the way, is there any chance I could purchase even a small amount of the Bluetooth series, cameras, magical communicators, or subspace bags?”

“As I’ve said before, those four items can already be produced by the Empire’s Magic Tower.”

“They can, sure. But you know how stubborn and proud Magic Tower mages are. Try introducing factory-style division of labor, and they’ll throw a fit.”

Entir let out a deep sigh, lamenting his predicament.