Episode 68. Rose's Abilities
Rose's reaction was quite different from that of the Grand Duke of Artaeum, who had supported Rose's business.
Rose's eyes shook like aspen leaves at Gwen's words.
"...Did I make a mistake?"
For the first time since deciding to start the business, Rose felt regret.
But she quickly pulled herself together.
"No, what if I'm wavering too? I need to be strong."
She shook her head, trying to shake off her distracting thoughts.
Gwen smiled at Rose's appearance.
"Still, when I say you're amazing, it's not an empty promise," he said, comforting the dazed Rose.
"What I meant to say is that business isn't easy, so be strong."
Gwen's words didn't easily calm Rose's pounding heart.
"In business, skill is important, but luck is also crucial."
Rose nodded, trembling at Gwen's words.
"You've been lucky from the start, Rose. You secured 10 billion res in business funds and won me over."
In truth, winning someone's heart wasn't luck.
That, too, was Rose's ability.
There was no guarantee that you could win someone's heart through hard work.
Considering this, Rose was a natural fit for business.
'...Rose has a strange charm that draws people in.'
Gwen stared intently at Rose, who sat in front of him.
As he grew older, he developed a certain ability to judge people.
In Gwen's eyes, Rose was different from ordinary people. Although she seemed ordinary on the outside.
"Did you say you were going to be introduced to the CEOs of the stores you'll be opening at the Princess's birthday banquet?"
"To be precise, I need to meet the Princess and ask for her help."
Gwen nodded in response to Rose's feeble voice.
"I'm sure it'll work out."
"Yes?"
Gwen, who had just moments ago been telling Rose that she would end up in debt, was saying something like this?
Rose tilted her head, puzzled by his confident demeanor.
“Because it’s Rose.”
Gwen didn’t give a clear reason, only a vague answer.
However, his words didn’t sound bad. For some reason, Rose felt confident in Gwen’s words.
“The basic plan isn’t bad. We can gradually improve it, so building a department store would be a priority.”
Rose nodded.
“I’m thinking of something around approximately 80,000 sq ft.”
Rose began drawing a blueprint in front of Gwen. It wasn’t a high-quality drawing, as she wasn’t a specialist, but it was enough to understand.
“I want to build an underpass under the site and install a stable.”
“A stable?”
Rose’s words made Gwen’s eyes widen.
“Yes. I think that would be a more reasonable use of the land. It would be aesthetically pleasing, and customers would appreciate the convenience of having carriages in the basement and going up to the shopping center.”
“It would be incredibly convenient if it were actually commercialized.”
It was a rather novel idea. However, Gwen disagreed with Rose’s opinion.
Gwen first agreed with Rose’s opinion and then shared his own thoughts.
“First of all, stables are prone to fire. In fact, most fire accidents occur in stables. If a stable were built underground and a fire broke out, not only would it cause enormous damage, but if not handled properly, it could even lead to terrifying casualties.”
Rose nodded, but didn’t waver.
“You’re right. That’s why we’re planning to build the stables out of stone, not wood.”
“Are you saying we’re going to build them out of stone?”
“Yes. And I’m planning to build the department store in the Arteum territory. I heard the ground here is relatively soft. It’ll take less time than building a stable elsewhere.”
“That’s true, but...”
Gwen trailed off.
“I don’t think the Arteum territory is suitable for building a shopping center.”
“The land in the Arteum territory is cheap. 10 billion res is enough to build a department store and expand the roads leading to the capital.”
“There’s a reason it’s cheap. If you build a department store in the Arteum territory, there’s a high probability of incurring a huge loss.”
Building a shopping center in the capital would be the most profitable.
All the wealthy central nobles had gathered there, and it was the most developed area.
Rose knew that very well.
"The capital's commercial district is good now, but the Artaeum Territory is also quite competitive. It's underdeveloped and undervalued, but it's a transportation hub."
The Artaeum Territory bordered other empires, so it was once a frequent site of wars of aggression. Now, with the war over and a peaceful era unfolding, it's a key trade hub.
If the department store succeeds, it could target not only the empire's nobles but also those of other nations.
Rose calmly expressed her opinion to Gwen.
"If we build a department store in the Artaeum Territory, many nobles from other nations will visit. The underground stables might feel unfamiliar at first, but everyone will find them convenient, and it will undoubtedly be successful."
Rose argued strongly, drawing on her experience in Korea.
"One, Rose, there's a crucial issue. If we build stables underground, the air will be stale due to poor ventilation, and a terrible smell will inevitably permeate the area. I doubt the high-ranking nobles would want to keep their carriages underground, exposed to the stale air."
“We won’t be spending much time in the underground stable anyway, but there’s a clear solution to that problem: install ventilation shafts.”
“Ventilation?”
“Yes. We’ll install a central ventilation shaft vertically in the underground parking lot.”
Rose drew a long, circular ventilation shaft on the drawing.
“And we’ll install auxiliary ventilation shafts connected to the central ventilation shaft to ensure air circulation even underground. We’ll need at least thirty ventilation shafts.”
Gwen couldn’t help but be astonished at Rose’s fluent speech.
“...How on earth did you get this information?”
Rose’s words were truly astonishing.
A groundbreaking solution that no one had ever attempted before. All of this came from Rose’s brain.
Rose smiled meaningfully at Gwen’s words.
'It was worth watching the mysterious TV show Amaze every Sunday morning.'
Actually, she had seen something about an underground city.
They had discovered a massive underground city capable of accommodating countless people. It was said that the underground city, resembling an anthill, contained not only a school, but also a stable, a bakery, and even a chapel.
'It was so amazing, it was engraved in my mind, but I never thought I’d use it.'
Rose gave a vague explanation to Gwen, whose jaw was hanging open.
“I happened to be reading an ancient document, and I saw it there.”
Gwen simply nodded at Rose’s words.
“Gwen, you said it wouldn’t work, but would you mind taking a tour of the Artaeum estate with me?”
Rose had the general outline, but Gwen could probably see the details accurately. He was that experienced.
Gwen slowly opened his mouth at Rose’s words.
“If that’s what you think, Rose, then I should follow.”
Gwen stood up and looked at Rose.
“Then shall we go right now?”
“Of course.”
Rose showed her white teeth and smiled brightly at Gwen’s words.
Rose and Gwen busily walked around the approximately 80,000 sq ft estate.
The sun was slowly setting, but ‘This is it!’ They hadn't found a particular property they were looking for.
The real estate agent, Rose, and Gwen were both extremely exhausted.
"Hahaha. There's only one property left."
The real estate agent dabbed the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and looked at Rose with weary eyes.
Rose, too, was quite worn out, so she nodded without much anticipation.
"Gwen, I don't think we can sign a contract today."
"I agree. It would be best to wrap things up for today and plan for another time."
Rose and Gwen, who had been following the real estate agent without much anticipation, were wide-eyed when they saw the last remaining property.
Not only was the lot wide and flat, but it was also close to the capital. The access road was still narrow, but this could be expanded through construction.
"Haha. It's not great because there aren't any residential areas nearby, but it's quiet and nice."
It was better not to have an old residential complex nearby. It would only have interfered with the road expansion.
Rose tapped Gwen next to her as she spoke.
"Gwen, don't you think this place is okay?"
"It seems okay. However, I don't recommend deciding on a site in one day. You'll definitely regret it."
"No, it's okay. I really want to do it here."
The moment she set foot there, she felt an inexplicable thrill.
The completed department store loomed before Rose's eyes.
This was the first time she'd seen the department store of her dreams so clearly.
An unknown confidence welled up in her.
When Rose looked at Gwen with sparkling eyes, Gwen sighed and smiled.
"The land itself isn't bad, so if you want, you can buy it today."
Rose signed a contract for the department store site for a tenth of the price of land in the capital.
By the time she signed the contract and left, it was pitch black. Rose said goodbye to Gwen and returned to the Arteum mansion.
Gwen trudged along under the pitch-black night sky, devoid of any lights.
It was quite late, and even the shops were closed. A little further on, there was a carriage stop. As he walked slowly, Gwen caught sight of a street vendor.
He seemed to be returning home after finishing his business, and his cart was littered with odds and ends.
"Wait. If those flowers aren't sold yet, I'd like to buy them."
Gwen, who had been gazing at the cart with curiosity, called out to the man. The man pointed to a bouquet of flowers on his cart and said,
"This one?"
"Yes."
The man, who was heading home with a tired look, quickly changed his expression and wore a capitalist smile. He then handed the flowers to Gwen.
“They were originally 4,000 Res, but I’ll give you a discount. Just 3,500 Res.”
The man subtly added 500 to the 3,000 Res bouquet and smiled brightly. Gwen, who handed over the money, took in the fragrant bouquet and smiled faintly.
“My wife will love it.”
He thought of his wife, who would be delighted with the bouquet, and decided to hurry back to the capital.
Unfortunately, Gwen was unable to give the bouquet to her wife.
“Ugh, ugh!”
Someone appeared from the darkness and gagged her mouth and dragged her away.
“Ugh!”
He struggled, but it was no use.
Not only was he unable to free himself from the man’s grip, but his eyes were slowly closing. A handkerchief soaked in anesthetic flowed into Gwen's respiratory tract.
"No... no."
The mysterious man quickly put Gwen in a luxurious carriage and left. Gwen thought of his wife until the moment he was dragged away.
The place where the commotion had occurred was eerily quiet, as if nothing had happened in the first place.
In the place where not even a single ant was present, only a bouquet of flowers for his wife lay there.
Rose's eyes shook like aspen leaves at Gwen's words.
"...Did I make a mistake?"
For the first time since deciding to start the business, Rose felt regret.
But she quickly pulled herself together.
"No, what if I'm wavering too? I need to be strong."
She shook her head, trying to shake off her distracting thoughts.
Gwen smiled at Rose's appearance.
"Still, when I say you're amazing, it's not an empty promise," he said, comforting the dazed Rose.
"What I meant to say is that business isn't easy, so be strong."
Gwen's words didn't easily calm Rose's pounding heart.
"In business, skill is important, but luck is also crucial."
Rose nodded, trembling at Gwen's words.
"You've been lucky from the start, Rose. You secured 10 billion res in business funds and won me over."
In truth, winning someone's heart wasn't luck.
That, too, was Rose's ability.
There was no guarantee that you could win someone's heart through hard work.
Considering this, Rose was a natural fit for business.
'...Rose has a strange charm that draws people in.'
Gwen stared intently at Rose, who sat in front of him.
As he grew older, he developed a certain ability to judge people.
In Gwen's eyes, Rose was different from ordinary people. Although she seemed ordinary on the outside.
"Did you say you were going to be introduced to the CEOs of the stores you'll be opening at the Princess's birthday banquet?"
"To be precise, I need to meet the Princess and ask for her help."
Gwen nodded in response to Rose's feeble voice.
"I'm sure it'll work out."
"Yes?"
Gwen, who had just moments ago been telling Rose that she would end up in debt, was saying something like this?
Rose tilted her head, puzzled by his confident demeanor.
“Because it’s Rose.”
Gwen didn’t give a clear reason, only a vague answer.
However, his words didn’t sound bad. For some reason, Rose felt confident in Gwen’s words.
“The basic plan isn’t bad. We can gradually improve it, so building a department store would be a priority.”
Rose nodded.
“I’m thinking of something around approximately 80,000 sq ft.”
Rose began drawing a blueprint in front of Gwen. It wasn’t a high-quality drawing, as she wasn’t a specialist, but it was enough to understand.
“I want to build an underpass under the site and install a stable.”
“A stable?”
Rose’s words made Gwen’s eyes widen.
“Yes. I think that would be a more reasonable use of the land. It would be aesthetically pleasing, and customers would appreciate the convenience of having carriages in the basement and going up to the shopping center.”
“It would be incredibly convenient if it were actually commercialized.”
It was a rather novel idea. However, Gwen disagreed with Rose’s opinion.
Gwen first agreed with Rose’s opinion and then shared his own thoughts.
“First of all, stables are prone to fire. In fact, most fire accidents occur in stables. If a stable were built underground and a fire broke out, not only would it cause enormous damage, but if not handled properly, it could even lead to terrifying casualties.”
Rose nodded, but didn’t waver.
“You’re right. That’s why we’re planning to build the stables out of stone, not wood.”
“Are you saying we’re going to build them out of stone?”
“Yes. And I’m planning to build the department store in the Arteum territory. I heard the ground here is relatively soft. It’ll take less time than building a stable elsewhere.”
“That’s true, but...”
Gwen trailed off.
“I don’t think the Arteum territory is suitable for building a shopping center.”
“The land in the Arteum territory is cheap. 10 billion res is enough to build a department store and expand the roads leading to the capital.”
“There’s a reason it’s cheap. If you build a department store in the Arteum territory, there’s a high probability of incurring a huge loss.”
Building a shopping center in the capital would be the most profitable.
All the wealthy central nobles had gathered there, and it was the most developed area.
Rose knew that very well.
"The capital's commercial district is good now, but the Artaeum Territory is also quite competitive. It's underdeveloped and undervalued, but it's a transportation hub."
The Artaeum Territory bordered other empires, so it was once a frequent site of wars of aggression. Now, with the war over and a peaceful era unfolding, it's a key trade hub.
If the department store succeeds, it could target not only the empire's nobles but also those of other nations.
Rose calmly expressed her opinion to Gwen.
"If we build a department store in the Artaeum Territory, many nobles from other nations will visit. The underground stables might feel unfamiliar at first, but everyone will find them convenient, and it will undoubtedly be successful."
Rose argued strongly, drawing on her experience in Korea.
"One, Rose, there's a crucial issue. If we build stables underground, the air will be stale due to poor ventilation, and a terrible smell will inevitably permeate the area. I doubt the high-ranking nobles would want to keep their carriages underground, exposed to the stale air."
“We won’t be spending much time in the underground stable anyway, but there’s a clear solution to that problem: install ventilation shafts.”
“Ventilation?”
“Yes. We’ll install a central ventilation shaft vertically in the underground parking lot.”
Rose drew a long, circular ventilation shaft on the drawing.
“And we’ll install auxiliary ventilation shafts connected to the central ventilation shaft to ensure air circulation even underground. We’ll need at least thirty ventilation shafts.”
Gwen couldn’t help but be astonished at Rose’s fluent speech.
“...How on earth did you get this information?”
Rose’s words were truly astonishing.
A groundbreaking solution that no one had ever attempted before. All of this came from Rose’s brain.
Rose smiled meaningfully at Gwen’s words.
'It was worth watching the mysterious TV show Amaze every Sunday morning.'
Actually, she had seen something about an underground city.
They had discovered a massive underground city capable of accommodating countless people. It was said that the underground city, resembling an anthill, contained not only a school, but also a stable, a bakery, and even a chapel.
'It was so amazing, it was engraved in my mind, but I never thought I’d use it.'
Rose gave a vague explanation to Gwen, whose jaw was hanging open.
“I happened to be reading an ancient document, and I saw it there.”
Gwen simply nodded at Rose’s words.
“Gwen, you said it wouldn’t work, but would you mind taking a tour of the Artaeum estate with me?”
Rose had the general outline, but Gwen could probably see the details accurately. He was that experienced.
Gwen slowly opened his mouth at Rose’s words.
“If that’s what you think, Rose, then I should follow.”
Gwen stood up and looked at Rose.
“Then shall we go right now?”
“Of course.”
Rose showed her white teeth and smiled brightly at Gwen’s words.
***
Rose and Gwen busily walked around the approximately 80,000 sq ft estate.
The sun was slowly setting, but ‘This is it!’ They hadn't found a particular property they were looking for.
The real estate agent, Rose, and Gwen were both extremely exhausted.
"Hahaha. There's only one property left."
The real estate agent dabbed the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and looked at Rose with weary eyes.
Rose, too, was quite worn out, so she nodded without much anticipation.
"Gwen, I don't think we can sign a contract today."
"I agree. It would be best to wrap things up for today and plan for another time."
Rose and Gwen, who had been following the real estate agent without much anticipation, were wide-eyed when they saw the last remaining property.
Not only was the lot wide and flat, but it was also close to the capital. The access road was still narrow, but this could be expanded through construction.
"Haha. It's not great because there aren't any residential areas nearby, but it's quiet and nice."
It was better not to have an old residential complex nearby. It would only have interfered with the road expansion.
Rose tapped Gwen next to her as she spoke.
"Gwen, don't you think this place is okay?"
"It seems okay. However, I don't recommend deciding on a site in one day. You'll definitely regret it."
"No, it's okay. I really want to do it here."
The moment she set foot there, she felt an inexplicable thrill.
The completed department store loomed before Rose's eyes.
This was the first time she'd seen the department store of her dreams so clearly.
An unknown confidence welled up in her.
When Rose looked at Gwen with sparkling eyes, Gwen sighed and smiled.
"The land itself isn't bad, so if you want, you can buy it today."
Rose signed a contract for the department store site for a tenth of the price of land in the capital.
By the time she signed the contract and left, it was pitch black. Rose said goodbye to Gwen and returned to the Arteum mansion.
Gwen trudged along under the pitch-black night sky, devoid of any lights.
It was quite late, and even the shops were closed. A little further on, there was a carriage stop. As he walked slowly, Gwen caught sight of a street vendor.
He seemed to be returning home after finishing his business, and his cart was littered with odds and ends.
"Wait. If those flowers aren't sold yet, I'd like to buy them."
Gwen, who had been gazing at the cart with curiosity, called out to the man. The man pointed to a bouquet of flowers on his cart and said,
"This one?"
"Yes."
The man, who was heading home with a tired look, quickly changed his expression and wore a capitalist smile. He then handed the flowers to Gwen.
“They were originally 4,000 Res, but I’ll give you a discount. Just 3,500 Res.”
The man subtly added 500 to the 3,000 Res bouquet and smiled brightly. Gwen, who handed over the money, took in the fragrant bouquet and smiled faintly.
“My wife will love it.”
He thought of his wife, who would be delighted with the bouquet, and decided to hurry back to the capital.
Unfortunately, Gwen was unable to give the bouquet to her wife.
“Ugh, ugh!”
Someone appeared from the darkness and gagged her mouth and dragged her away.
“Ugh!”
He struggled, but it was no use.
Not only was he unable to free himself from the man’s grip, but his eyes were slowly closing. A handkerchief soaked in anesthetic flowed into Gwen's respiratory tract.
"No... no."
The mysterious man quickly put Gwen in a luxurious carriage and left. Gwen thought of his wife until the moment he was dragged away.
The place where the commotion had occurred was eerily quiet, as if nothing had happened in the first place.
In the place where not even a single ant was present, only a bouquet of flowers for his wife lay there.
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