THST - Chapter 23

Episode 23. Heroine Buff

“10 billion?”

"Yes."

“Do you have any debt?”

"No."

“So your hobby is gambling?”

“Not at all.”

Why on earth would this woman need 10 billion res? It was an absurd amount for Rose, who had no title, to pay.

'Are you trying to use some kind of ruse, like saying you'll serve me for the rest of your life if you can't pay me back?'

It also seemed like he intended to keep his relationship with her for the rest of his life. Rose scratched her cheek innocently at the Grand Duke of Artaeum's reaction, who seemed somewhat sullen. In fact, the money she really wanted wasn't 10 billion rew. That was a 'fake' for negotiation. She'd ask for a high amount at first, and then gradually lower it. That was the strategy to ultimately borrow the amount she wanted. What she really wanted was '3 billion won res'. It was a way to raise the bar so that 3 billion won seemed relatively cheap. If she had asked for 3 billion res from the beginning, he might refuse, but if she had asked for 10 billion res and gradually lowered it, she would be able to close the deal happily.

'Asking for a loan of 3 billion res from the beginning might seem like a lot.'

The Grand Duke of Artaeum will soon express his intention to refuse, saying that 10 billion is too much.

“10 billion.”

The Grand Duke's voice echoed softly. Rose steeled herself for negotiation and looked at him. However, the Grand Duke of Artaeum reacted quite differently than she had expected.

“Yes.”

“Yes, I also think it’s an excessive amount of money... Yes?!”

Rose couldn't believe her ears.

'So, Grand Duke Artaeum has accepted my proposal, right?'

She couldn't believe it, even after hearing it. It wasn't 100 million, or even 1 billion, but a whopping 10 billion res. And yet, he was lending that much money to Rose without asking for any conditions.

“Huh? You’re saying you’ll lend me 100 billion res?”

Rose's voice was astonished. Her eyes widened, ready to pop out at any moment, and she couldn't hide her surprise.“Didn’t you just ask me to lend it to you?”

“But, but.”

I didn't know you would lend it to me so easily...!

“You don’t think my life is worth less than that, do you?”

The Grand Duke of Arteum gave Rose a playful look. However,

'Wow, I'm scared.'

To Rose, his appearance was simply chilling. His chilling eyes and threatening tone were enough to frighten her.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

Rose answered hastily and shook her head sharply. Then, she fidgeted, trying to gauge the Grand Duke's mood. Rose stared at him with an anxious expression. Grand Duke Artaeum's voice pierced her ears.

“Then take it. My life won’t be worth less.”

Rose looked at Grand Duke Arteum with a bewildered expression.

‘This is totally... like catching a rat while backing away from a cow?’

Rose, who had intended to borrow 3 billion res, ended up borrowing 10 billion res. She felt as if her soul had left her, unable to come to her senses.

“Let me ask you something.”

“Yes, yes. Ask.”

Rose answered, still dazed. Her focus was as blurry as it could be.

“What on earth does Madam plan to do with that much money?”

The Grand Duke of Artaeum was curious. What would the woman before him do? What on earth would she do with the enormous sum of 10 billion Res? The soul that had vanished into thin air found its place. She gazed at the Grand Duke with clear eyes and explained gently.

“I’m thinking of starting a business.”

"Business?"

“Yes. I’d like to try the department store.”

"What is a department store?"

It was the first time he'd heard that word. He frowned at Rose's words and then asked again. In fact, before coming to the Grand Duke's mansion, Rose had already planned out quite a few items for her business. Women's clothing, makeup tools, and even the building owner she'd so desperately wanted in her previous life. If she had another career, she'd have to work tirelessly until she found her footing, but if she became a building owner, she'd be able to live and play without working for the rest of her life. Yes, being a building owner was the answer! The thought of perhaps realizing the dreams she couldn't achieve in her previous life in a novel thrilled her. 

However, this wasn't so easy. Even if she built a mansion and rented it out, it seemed like it would take a long time to recoup the investment. Buying land and building a house would cost about 10 million res. The annual rent here was about 200,000 res. It would take a whopping 50 years to recoup that 10 million res investment. And there was no guarantee of tenants for that long. She figured building a commercial building and renting it out would be a better option. Building a large building and housing multiple stores would generate significant monthly revenue. That's how the idea of ​​a "department store" came to mind. 

The concept of a "department store" didn't yet exist here. Shops were lined up in rows, and there were no convenient, all-in-one shopping complexes. Rose was certain. She had a hunch that if she could build the first department store here, she'd be on a roll. 　

"Department stores are complex shopping centers. They house multiple stores within a single building, enhancing customer convenience."

Initially, Rose envisioned a department store on the level of a neighborhood supermarket, tailored to the realities of the market. But with 10 billion res, she figured she could expand the scope a bit.

"I will give you a share of the stock, Your Highness. Of course, I will also pay you back the 10 billion res."

The Grand Duke had difficulty grasping exactly what she was trying to do, but he nodded at the confident tone in Rose's voice.

"But, how long will it take for you to repay my money by gathering all these stores? If the rent is ridiculously high, no one will want to open a store there."

Since she's borrowing 10 billion rea, she's probably going to build something quite luxurious. Naturally, the rent will go up, too. The Grand Duke asked pointed questions. He spoke his mind without hesitation, poking holes in Rose's plan.

"The average rent for high-end stores is 3 million res per year. Let's assume the rent for the department store you mentioned is double, or even triple, that of a conventional store. If 50 stores are located there, and the annual rent is 9 million res, even if you didn't spend a single penny of the money they paid, you wouldn't earn 10 billion res per year."

He continued talking, tapping his knee with his finger.

"But would they really pay more rent to move into the department store you mentioned? There are plenty of people who have already established themselves without having to move into a department store."

“They’ll want to come in. They’ll be anxious because they won’t be able to come in later.”

The most important thing in business is the commercial district. No matter how successful a business is, if a new infrastructure like a department store is established, the existing businesses will inevitably succumb. Rose continued, trying to point out the Grand Duke's misunderstanding.

“And I won’t charge them rent.”

“?!”

What on earth is this woman talking about? Rose's statement that she wouldn't collect rent filled the Grand Duke's head with question marks.

“You’re not going to charge rent?”

He asked back with a look of disbelief. The Grand Duke's mind was blank, as if he'd been struck by a hammer by Rose's words. "How can you possibly repay 10 billion rew without even collecting rent? It doesn't seem like you're trying to do charity work." What on earth could she possibly be planning?

“I will receive a commission on the sales proceeds, not rent.”

Only then did a smile appear on the Grand Duke's face, which had been filled with question marks. This woman was no ordinary woman.

'I never thought I'd come up with such an idea.'

The Grand Duke could not help but admire Rose's extraordinary plan.

“I’m thinking of a 30% commission.”

“So even if I sell just one ten-million-res item, it'll drop by 300.”

The nobles' consumption of luxury goods was quite brisk. So, selling just one item would net Rose a full three million res. The Grand Duke, who had been watching Rose with a look of surprise, slowly opened his mouth.

“What a brilliant idea.”

He began by praising Rose, then turned to serious concern.

"But this, too, is unwelcome for merchants. A typical store's annual rent is 3 million res. If you were asked to pay a 30 percent commission, would you really want to open a store? They could work comfortably for a year elsewhere for just 3 million res."

The Grand Duke added that it would be better to find another way, and added another word to her.

"No one would want to enter a business that's so unprofitable. And even if they're lured in by sweet promises, I don't want to tolerate the exploitation of the powerless."

The Grand Duke of Arteum was uncomfortable with Rose's plan. A 30 percent commission? Even if he were accused of being an unscrupulous employer, it was a figure he had to accept. Rose nodded in agreement with the Grand Duke of Arteum.

"That's surprising. I thought the Grand Duke didn't care about the lives of the people."

As expected, he is not as scary and evil as she thought.

'First, we need to clear up the misunderstanding.'

Rose explained in a whisper to the Grand Duke, who was looking at her with a worried look.

“To be precise, I intend to suck the spines out of the nobles, not them.”

A voice mixed with a hint of laughter resonated clearly throughout the meeting room.

"Products sold at department stores will initially be 30% more expensive than those sold at other stores. This will allow merchants to sell their goods without burden, and I can also make a significant profit."

Grand Duke Artaeum, who had been frowning, finally relaxed his expression.

"The aristocrats have enough money to last them a lifetime, so they'll choose a more comfortable and luxurious place even if it costs 30% more. Eventually, everyone will be unable to afford it, and there will be chaos."

Thinking back, it was truly a groundbreaking business idea.

'So that's why you were so confident.'

The Grand Duke felt that what she was saying was not just empty talk.

“Not a bad business.”

The sharp voice became more lenient.

‘...you have acknowledged my business.’

A wave of inexplicable emotion washed over her. Who knew being acknowledged by someone could be such a joy? Rose's cheeks flushed brightly. Her gently curved eyes betrayed her overwhelming joy. She wasn't without worry that the business might fail, but she had a strangely good feeling. Even though this was a high-stakes, run-down novel about endlessly scheming female protagonists, the female protagonist buff was always there.

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