Evan D. Sherden, Building on the Ground (1)
Evan, who had now returned to the mansion with the party, decided to bury the shocking news that the ghost who was possessing Shine had finally gotten a job, and received a report from Maybell about what had been going on.
One minor problem was that Maybell, who had been craving Evan's attention for the past two weeks, incessantly hugged him tightly in her arms and wasn't willing to let him go.
"Woah! I can't stand this feeling of energy charging up my empty body!"
"Tell me from a distance, Maybell!? I can't see the report you handed me."
There were also a couple of other reasons why he wanted her to be separated from him, but Evan couldn't even begin to tell her about them in his own words.
As he was getting closer to the age of 13, Evan was seriously contemplating the problem of reconciling his reasons and instincts. He sometimes made fun of Evan in the game because he knew exactly what would happen!
"It's not enough yet, Master. I want to keep hugging you for the next 24 hours."
"Get off of me after 24 seconds."
"Is that because you are also a shy person…?"
Evan pushed Maybell away exactly 24 seconds after having said that. After reading the report, Maybell left, regretting not being able to do anything. Evan immediately sighed with relief.
"Somehow, I will avoid the deficit."
"I think the horror of the word 'Mahwa' is tremendous. Both the Royal Family and the nobles were eager to get their hands on the medicine."
During the Mahwa outbreak, Evan, together with Bernard, had used up all of the Brotherhood Pharmacy's resources to develop medicines to prevent further infections from the Mahwa tribe.
Of course, it was due to the tremendous deficit, but a message had been sent from another group. That meant that there was a threat from the Mahwa people even after the temporary disruption of the situation.
Thanks to this, it was possible to make up for the deficit while also making a considerable profit. If only the remaining medicinal materials could be handled well, there would be no future losses.
"It's a good thing. It's also very good for the world's security… Any pharmacists who can afford to produce drugs should focus on this for the time being. Oh, and, did the butler who had gone on a business trip to Merdin come back?"
"He is still returning, but a few days ago, we delivered a report that he had left after finishing work in the field through a communication tool. You don't have to worry about it because you have supplied enough medicines and thorough education."
"Yes, I guess. Merdin's original defensive posture is strong."
The dungeon city was also a very important location for Baypeka, Sanguk. As such, the Merdin family, high-ranking nobles with history and tradition, ruled; in addition to them, countless other nobles were now paying close attention to the dungeon city.
In fact, during Yo-Ma Great Wars 3 and 4, the Sherden Dungeon and Pellati Dungeon were shaken over and over again by the assaults of the demons, and innumerable people were sacrificed.
'It was really incredibly hard. I did it because I was the heir to the city. Was it obviously Luden? It only appeared once in the main story… but the force was terrifying.'
There were occasional events in which the Dungeon Knights of the Merdin Dungeon dispatched their troops, but there was a lot of speculation that, if Yo-Ma Great War 5 came out, the Merdin Dungeon would be mainly dealt with.
From Evan's honest point of view, Merdin wanted to refrain from having more serious events such as Yo-Ma Great War 5 in the midst of death because it was difficult to handle Yo-Ma Great Wars 3 and 4, so Merdin thought that it would be good if he would just stay there.
"Woo, it seems that the royal and other branch offices of the Brotherhood Pharmacy are doing well."
"And this is the situation at the branch office of the Brotherhood Bathhouse. I simply tried to summarize the sales status."
"There is nothing to worry about this way."
"…So this is the general sales report this month."
Evan listened to a nicely organized report of the Brother Pharmacy, the Brotherhood Bathhouse, and the Brotherhood Skewers' total sales and profits.
"…"
Soon he felt his eyes widen. Net profit had increased by more than 30% compared to last month. It had grown to such a scary extent.
Evan became distant for a moment when he saw the report, which had an amount that would be comparable to the profits of the entirety of the top businesses being operated by the Marquis, but Maybell spoke calmly as if she had known this would happen.
"Don't be surprised, Master. It would have been more than this if there were no useless expenditures with the Mahwa outbreak. And it will increase more and more in the future… I have to think about how to roll the money that keeps accumulating in addition to operating expenses."
"What do you think about it?"
"…I think it's real."
Maybell took out the documents she had prepared and handed them over to Evan. There were five investments outside the dungeon city, including Pellati and the Royal City, and three business plans that they wanted to do inside the dungeon city.
"When did you prepare for all this?"
"I just prepare whatever I can think of. I also got some help from other people."
Evan smiled as he looked over the perfect business plan. He knew how much work she had to do to run a business on his behalf, but even so, she prepared something like this for him.
Even with this talent, in the main game, she was just an extra that stabbed a knife in Evan's stomach in a CGI.
With a sigh of admiration, he thought about why he shouldn't just rely on the knowledge of the game when Maybell began to ask in an anxious tone, her eyebrows scrunching together.
"How is it, Master? Will it be doable?? I just thought of it based on the knowledge I picked up here and there…?"
"Honestly, it'll be amazing if you do this. We will see profits!? However, it will be hard for you."
"I can handle that arrangement." Maybell clenched her fists, but Evan shook his head.
"I need to increase the number of people under you. Let's build a team."
"A team…?"
"It's about forming a team by gathering people who will work for you and help with external investments and internal operations, just like other merchants."
"Ah, then it seems like I will be able to do anything."
"It's already in your hands, Maybell. This is because you are the co-president of our Brotherhood Corporation."
"Brotherhood Corporation!? What is that!?"
"Our company name. I just came up with it."
At first, Evan thought of opening up a couple of projects to make the environment of the dungeon city better and to raise the necessary funds for his immortality project.
However, it quickly grew in scale due to the active cooperation of others as well as the blooming of Maybell's hidden talents. Of course, she may be satisfied with just what she had done so far, but if Maybell had a stronger will, it was Evan's job to support her.
Of course, there were no other members in the Brotherhood Corporation right now. It was just Evan and Maybell!
"First of all, if you have a lot of money, there is nothing bad about it."
"Yes, Master. With money, you can buy half of the things in the world. Oh, for reference, the other half of my world is the Master."
"I didn't want to hear that much."
Maybell, who was only an ordinary maid of the Marquis, realized that as she had come up with a large sum of money herself. The range of things she could do for herself was outrageously big.
But at this point, she was studying the dynamics of the businesses and clung to it more seriously, like most people who had great success in life's journey.
"Let's do it in earnest, Maybell. Oh, but discard this investment because it's a trap. And it would be nice to hand this over to the Marquis. Okay, you can do all the rest. We will be saving human lives from now on."
"Young Master…!"
"I need to arrange a ceremony for awarding you with this title. There is also a case of establishing a company so that it will be easier for you in the future when you have power."
"Young Master!"
Maybell screamed. Evan, who had known it would be like this, patted her with a bitter smile.
Of course, in his head, he was thinking, 'I'll get busier in the future, so my appearance will be scarce.'
"With this, I got one step closer to Master Evan!"
"No, it's burdensome, so please don't come any nearer!"
"You just need to stay still, and I'll be there!"
"Don't!"
This game genre was an RPG, but there were times when it felt like Maybell was playing an Evan-attack simulation game alone. What was even more frightening was the fact that it often felt like the final attack plan was proceeding step by step!
Then, he suddenly remembered that there was still one more thing to check.
"What about our building?"
"The worker has calculated everything. We can start anytime."
The building was meant to be the Dungeon Knights' headquarters, which was to be built right next to the Brotherhood Bathhouse.
In the past, when constructing the Brotherhood Bathhouse, the Marquis had lobbied for a large site. Evan came to think of building it there.
"We have prepared with only top-notch talent, so there is no need to be concerned. The construction material preparation is also perfect. I will build a better building than the grandest Brotherhood Bathhouse."
"Because it is the headquarters building of the Dungeon Knights, it should be nicer than the bathhouse!"
"But the Brotherhood Bathhouse has a reputation for being the most stylish and coolest building in the dungeon city of Sherden right now, doesn't it?"
"…Yes and no. That's only for now."
In fact, fashion was not a very important factor. The important thing was how helpful it was for the training of the rookies!
Evan had made a clear decision while visiting the dungeon this time. They would somehow make it their goal to at least complete the 5th floor or even the 10th floor before all the Rookie children reached their 10th birthday.
So, if possible, they had to teach everyone the Magi resistance skill too!
'In that case, I should prepare a way to practice my resistance.'
Fortunately, Magi resistance was an essential skill; therefore, a lot of tricks used to practice this skill were also developed by players. Three things came to Evan's mind right away.
"Then, the construction of the headquarters building will start tomorrow."
"…Oh no. Please."
In a moment, Maybell brought Evan, who had been struggling to do something else, to his sanity.
He made a brief note about Magi resistance and then turned to Maybell, who was busy creeping up on him.
"Stop this now. When it's over, go back to your business."
"Tsk, I thought you were good to go…"
Evan, who overcame Maybell's fierce love, ended up letting her out and sighed deeply.
As he looked at the mirror in the room, there was a reflection of a young boy who was still getting more handsome as the days passed, even if he saw himself every day.
His expression was slightly exhausted, and he seemed to be replaced with drowsiness mixed with elegance. As he looked upon himself, he realized that his beauty was at a concerning level.
Moreover, Evan was still young. Those who hung out with him were also young. However, as he got older here, temptations would invade him from here and there in earnest. Just like it did to Evan in the game.
Even Maybell's mischievousness had become exhausting, and what would happen when he got older? Due to his status, he would have a lot to meet other people, and half of them would be women.
'And the moment I get over there, a terrible death sign will be waiting for me. No, I can't.'
The invitation to the party that Maybell had left with the report on the table caught his eyes. He refused, again and again, never wanting to go. He knew that his time to act was coming soon.
This time, he would make another excuse to refuse.
"Evan!"
At that time, the door burst open. There was only one person in this mansion who could open the door so rudely without his permission. It was Leo Arpeta, who was still staying at the Marquis' mansion.
"You are finally back!? I heard that you have successfully attacked the 20th floor. Let's fight to see how strong you are!"
"…Yes, Grandpa Leo was there!"
"Huh? It felt unfamiliar to welcome you. I thought you would hate it more."
"A duel would be annoying, but I could use Grandpa Leo's name as an excuse not to go to the party…!"
"What is this guy…?"
Evan got up right away and made up his mind after greeting Leo. For the time being, he decided to refuse, answering all the letters to him, saying, "The hospitality on the guests is not wasted after all!"
Those who would soon come to know of who he was talking about, would no longer bother him!