Bear School Astartes

Although the conflicts among the female warlocks are filled with tension, they are not yet a cause for concern.

In Lann’s analogy from his homeland, these pioneering women of the Magic Middle Ages are somewhat like outstanding female executives in large corporations.

Dominant, ambitious, with a fierce and unabashed desire for power and profit.

However, this unabashed dominance and desire doesn’t make them feel embarrassed; instead, it makes them even more dazzling in this era.

The public perception of female warlocks as venomous creatures is somewhat accurate, but mostly it stems from the instinctive resistance of ordinary people towards those in power.

Those who can recklessly display their desires and pursue power are always a minority.

The female warlocks are often very proactive; however, since they haven’t reached the point of clashing with magic, it means their conflicts are only at the level of ordinary people’s ’squabbles’.

Though Lann is not worried, he still spends his time elsewhere due to an awkward feeling.

During this period, he met with Shilton Giancardi a few times.

This red-bearded dwarf professional manager in charge of the Valerian Steel Merchants Association now looks radiant, feeling like Lann’s reputation is a roasting fire.

But in Shilton’s perspective, it feels like mountains of gold and silver are being hurled at him!

The success in business excites him so much that Lann even suspected whether he was on some potion when they first met.

But undoubtedly, this friend who once helped Lann find the dwarf settlement in the Amel Mountains is still diligently and loyally performing his duties.

He handed the association’s accounts to Lann for review, and with Mentos’s computational sorting, these accounts showed no major issues.

The demand is rising, and the market share of Valerian Steel is also increasing.

According to professionals from Giancardi Bank, with the current trend, Valyrian Steel weapons and equipment will quickly invade the existing high-end weapon market.

After all, this material is just basic steel; further unique blacksmith techniques or rune enchantments can be layered on the steel.

It acts like an integrated platform where anyone can innovate.

”We’re raking in money every day!”

Shilton said cheerfully, while also snatching a gift box from the coffee table in the lounge.

This time the gift box contained a magic elixir, reportedly called ’Hair Growth Spirit’. However, Lann doubted its efficacy, considering the many wealthy merchants and nobles facing baldness crises.

The fact that these people are still bald indicates that despite their wealth and power, they haven’t found a truly effective ’Hair Growth Spirit’.

”But I still have to warn you as a friend, buddy.”

Shilton suggested to Lann while stroking his red beard.

”Our business is doing well, but your personal assets need some management.”

”What do you mean?”

Lann was indeed not very knowledgeable in this area, so Shilton, who used to work in a bank, began explaining to the demon hunter.

”You now have a large amount of liquid assets, which to most people is an unattainable good thing, but for the assets themselves, it’s not necessarily the case.”

”Excess liquidity or scarcity of liquidity are both considered unhealthy in the financial sector. You should consider purchasing some properties and putting your funds to work.”

Lann raised his eyebrows while flipping through the financial statements and said.

”Are you suggesting... I should have a foundation to manage my assets?”

”Leaving so much money unattended is essentially falling into a state of self-consumption, which is a huge waste.”

Shilton shrugged.

”What a hassle,” Lann grumbled with a frown.

If Lann were a person who pursued wealth as a life goal, then managing assets would be an enjoyment, especially when the assets grow under his management.

However, he hardly cares or pays attention to money now.

Considering the cost of the Niflgaard Army he defeated at Sodden Mountain, selling off some small Northern Territory countries wouldn’t suffice. Not to mention the long-term maintenance costs.

Hence, he only finds the money games akin to playing a real-life business simulation to be troublesome.

Wouldn’t it be better to spend the time on some research projects?

”Can I entrust Giancardi Bank with asset management?”

Shilton responded cautiously with a hint: ”Then I think... you better let it be. Although your relationship with us at Giancardi is good, banking operations involve many people. Since you tend to be hands-off, who knows which step might go awry... you understand, right?”

Lann understood Shilton’s unfinished meaning very well.

Even if Giancardi has no designs on his wealth, with so many people handling the assets, who knows if someone might take a dip?

No matter who benefits in the end, Lann would only think Giancardi Bank is incompetent. To protect his bank’s reputation in Lann’s eyes, Shilton doesn’t really want to take this business.

Then the demon hunter’s eyes shifted to the red-bearded dwarf.

”Would you be interested in expanding your business?”

Lann leaned forward towards Shilton.

”Besides being the professional manager of the Valerian Steel Merchants Association, could you be my personal fund manager?”

”Huh?” Shilton was startled at first, then his eyes drifted to the side, appearing thoughtful.

”It seems... there shouldn’t be a problem?”

He’s an ambitious dwarf, otherwise, he wouldn’t have left the family bank when he foresaw Valerian Steel’s prospects.

Managing more money and projects is enjoyable for him.

As for Lann’s financial security... after all, his accounts are transparent, and he focuses on his career.

Preparing a separate financial account for Lann’s personal fund won’t be a hassle.

No matter whether the investment projects profit or lose, as long as he doesn’t dip into the assets, even if it’s a loss, it’s just a business failure, and the person remains blameless.

And given Shilton’s understanding of Lann, he esteems ’innocence’ perhaps more than ’profit.’

With nothing to hesitate about,

”I will draft a contract soon and create a fund account for you.”

After confirming he can manage this somewhat onerous task for Lann, Shilton immediately proceeded with advancing the project.

The red-bearded dwarf smiled at the demon hunter.

”I see you don’t seem like a boss who would frequently question the fund investment directions... haha! A fund with creative freedom is bound to be interesting!”

”Don’t be too obsessed with growth rate.”

Lann waved his hand.

”I just want to keep the money moving.”

Shilton, having secured new business, left even more exhilarated, and perhaps due to happiness, he secretly took more small gifts this time compared to before.

Leaving Lann a bit speechless.