The easiest methods I could think of to start a business would be transport related and just charging a fee. However if it was so simple my father would have already done so.
More likely, I would have to try producing a product in high demand locally since from what I knew our barony imported a lot of more complex products as it was focused on mining and produced just enough food to be able to export some excess. Meanwhile the ores mined, while some were processed into basic tools and weapons, most was exported to the nearby dukedom, Orlain where it was processed into muskets, trains, rails and other large and more complex machines.
The close cooperation with the Orlain dukedom also meant that my fathers barony had a rather good transport system and even a train that headed to the Orlain dukedom which had train tracks laid to the imperial capital and other major points in the empire.
I thought for a while trying to wonder what kind of business I could start and how it could earn 100 gold coins a month. I didn't have much of a concept of money in this world yet since while I had a monthly allowance of 10 gold coins, which had mostly been saved up, I hadn't gone outside willingly into the town surrounding the mansion to see the economical situation.
All I really knew was that the barony made around 2300 gold coins a month and that 1 gold coin was worth 100 mithril coins which were in turn worth 100 iron coins. Mythril was just a less common version of iron that was strong as steel and half the weight. Of the 4 mines my fathers barony had, one was a mythril mine while one was an iron, one was a copper and one was a zinc mine. All in all, I guessed that we were a very well off barony compared to others.
"Hmm…" I was in a dilemma, not knowing what kind of business I could start while having to constantly change my train of thought or rest due to the system's interference every 15 seconds.
In the end it seemed the best idea would be to not do anything groundbreaking or extraordinary and to just start a reliable business with my fathers help that virtually couldn't fail so long as even the slightest effort was put in.
The ideas I came up with in that regard were a workshop, which produced simple tools. A gambling house, which would use all the modern day tricks to scam the hell out of its customers. Or possibly a monopoly, buying out all of something from the supplier before bumping up the price and reselling it. It was evil, I admit, but I was frankly too lazy to care right now.
With my ambition set, I left my room early in the morning the next day, before even breakfast.
As I left though I noticed strange gazes and shocked expressions from the guards and servants.
"What's wrong?" I asked annoyedly when I received another shocked expression from someone.
"A-ah sorry young master Dirk. It's just that this is the first time any of us have seen you leave your room willingly…A-And this early in the morning too…" The servant soon explained and I was left dumbfounded.
'Do I really never leave my room willingly?' I wondered as I continued down the wooden halls to my fathers office.
Soon enough, I knocked on my fathers door and waited.
"Come in." He called out and I entered.
Inside my fathers office was him sitting with glasses behind a large desk filled with papers, reports and messages. Alongside other documents he had written as either reports to the imperial capital to be looked over by its ministers or orders to his subordinates on what to do.
"You don't usually come out of your own volition, son. What can I do for you?" My father asked, focused on his work and forgoing his usual constantly laughing attitude. Nowadays his orange hair and beard had grown wild and were only barely maintained, making him look like an orange lion.
"I want to start a small business to support my lazy life in the future." I said plainly and honestly, just as my elder sister usually spoke.
"..."
My father looked up at me in shock for a moment before giving an exasperated sigh and leaning on the desk.
"I was almost fooled into thinking you actually wanted to do something for the family. I should have known my son better." My father sighed again as he spoke.
"Alright… Very well. What kind of business are you wanting to start?" My father asked, leaning back into his chair.
"Something small and reliable. Something like a workshop or gambling." I answered to my father who seemed both disappointed yet expectant.
"A gambling house? I've heard of those in some of the empire's major cities. Are you really going to follow in those scheming people's footsteps to rig games in order to win money?" My father asked.
"No one's forcing them to play, just like no ones forcing them to buy food or tools." I answered.
"It's not the same." My father answered.
"The other argument is that the main purpose is enjoyment and the thrill. You're not paying to win but for the enjoyment and thrill." I mentioned, evidently my father was rather against such rigged gambling.
"Hmm. Fine. You can try. So I assume you told me since you need money. How much do you think you'll need?" My father asked.
"Like 100 gold. Starting a small workshop shouldn't take much capital. What do you think dad?" I asked, afterall he was more experienced than me.
"Will you be using civilian or slave labor?"
"Whatever you recommend, father." I answered.
"Slave labor. For small scale, buy up 5 or 7 slaves, hire a craftsman and manager. Find where to source your materials. If you really want to be lazy, perhaps it's time for you to find some attendants as well."
"Oh. You're actually gonna help me be even more lazy?" I asked.
"No. In fact, don't bother. I'll find an attendant for you. One that can catch up to you when you run away and who has the judgement for when to listen to you and when to drag you out of bed with force." My father clarified.
"It's fine father. You're clearly busy. I'll find one myself." I assured him.
"No, it's no trouble at all, you don't have to worry about it." My father insisted.
"Well I guess I'll go look around town to find a workshop for sale or something."
"Are you going to bring some guards?"
"No need. If my sister can beat groups of guards here then they won't help even if I am attacked." I told him.
"I thought you had no talent in swordsmanship?" My father asked.
"Don't need any. My core has energy to spare and I'm good at physical enhancement. I can just overwhelm them in raw strength or run away." I explained.
"Well if you're confident it's fine. So long as you don't leave the town's walls you should be safe." My father agreed.
I then headed to my room to continue sleeping. I would go out… Tomorrow…