Chapter 64 – The Mission (2)

The Royal Central Bank was located in the most bustling part of the Vallaran royal capital.

Their role was simple.

It was an institution that made a profit in the process of managing and investing the deposits of the citizens of the Kingdom of Vallaran, and also maintained and managed it so that any citizen of the kingdom could withdraw deposits from anywhere in Vallaran.

In the distant past, during a time when magic had not been developed, it was something that could not even be imagined, but currently, a branch of the central bank was situated in almost any region without fail.

“Magic is indeed a great technology. I am not saying this because you mages are watching my broadcast, but as a knight, it is a power that is beyond my imagination.”

Henry spoke with sincerity.

He was not talking about the grandeur of the building or the employees who were busy handling business inside.

If one thought about it, was it not natural?

A technology that could send dozens of kilograms of gold across the entire continent in an instant.

A technology that automatically calculated who deposited how much, how much they withdrew, and even how much interest they should be given.

The technologies that could be called the foundation of the central bank were all achievements made by outstanding mages.

“Thanks to that, I can also move around comfortably like this. First of all, what I have to do today is convert draft bills into cash, and keep that cash as it is. In my memory, there are several branches in the Heritz region as well.”

The distance to the eastern region was considerable.

There was no reason to carry a massive amount of cash around, nor was it possible to do so.

A huge sum of money, exceeding a whopping 10,000 gold.

Just in terms of weight, it was a tremendous amount.

“Also.”

The reason Henry visited the bank today was not simply because of money.

“I should also enjoy the benefits provided to me by the academy.”

Versailles Bergent, the dean of the Vallaran Royal Academy, had offered several benefits for Class A trainees.

Among the numerous benefits, there were two tasks managed by the Royal Central Bank.

Monthly activity funds of 100 gold.

Free rental of high-performance artifacts.

‘In fact, 100 gold was nothing special, and the artifact might be a trap. If it was true, he was a great merchant.’

“I am already looking at the dean with a narrow perspective. I have already judged in my mind that he is a vicious merchant. A human who only pursues profit, far from being an educator.”

[‘Malice’ lolol]

[Didn’t the other knights like the dean??]

[But if you think about it, there’s no loss for the trainees anyway. Isn’t that why?]

“You saw it accurately. Even if I lose the artifact, the one paying the price will be the family that takes me. But I do have a family, do I not?”

What if he made the decision to choose a specific family, or to enter the Royal Knights?

For Henry, it was none of his business how much his value jumped.

But wasn’t that not the case right now?

“It is my money, my money. It is money created by the precious grace bestowed by you mages. Unfortunately, the Camilton Viscounty does not have enough funds, and in the end, the money we are looking for now will go straight into that dean bastard’s pocket.”

So he could not help but be frustrated.

How much of the sponsorship money did he use to gather this money?

Of course, the amount Henry personally multiplied in the black market was also considerable, but anyway, with that sponsorship money, he could have bought at least one level 4 talent orb!

“To fulfill my duty as a knight, I must have strength, and I am more interested in developing my personal abilities than a few pennies. That way, I can repay for myself, for the family, and for the mages who placed their expectations on me.”

[Materialism?? Something like that??]

[But isn’t it seriously all-powerful? lolol]

[Sponsorship Shop (All-powerful)]

[Why is it real hahaha]

The viewers burst into laughter.

It was just as they said.

Even things that other trainees could not solve with money, Henry was capable of.

Of course, that money was not gold, but the currency used by the mages.

“Let’s go inside soon.”

Having finished the proper intro, Henry entered the Central Bank.

“Wow.”

The interior was as overwhelming as the splendid exterior.

As if to prove that it was a place where a massive amount of gold was exchanged, much of the bank’s interior decoration was made of gold.

[Just tearing this off and selling it would make money lol]

“All the facilities here are equipped with magic security devices. They cannot be removed, and if you touch them with impure intentions, you will be summoned to prison immediately. No joke, you really get summoned.”

Action first, investigation later.

They would detain you because you looked suspicious first, and hear the details in prison.

Thanks to that, there was even a rumor that the bank was the safest place in Vallaran except for the royal palace.

“There is a seat over there.”

Fortunately, there were not many people.

Henry approached a clerk.

“Nice to meet you. I am Katie of the Royal Central Bank. How may I help you?”

“Cashing drafts, using the vault, deposits, and withdrawals.”

“……I will help you with cashing them first.”

The clerk, who identified herself as Katie, gave an awkward smile.

It was because just hearing that business felt strange.

“Do you have a means to prove your identity?”

“Here it is. I am Henry Camilton of the Royal Knight Academy.”

“You were a trainee knight!”

Favorability was revealed in Katie’s smile.

This was a country of knights.

Since knights were beings respected by everyone.

In addition to that.

“……Oh, this card is.”

If one was a trainee belonging to Class A, they could receive a few more admiring looks.

“I belong to Class A.”

“You will need to move. A seat will be prepared for you inside, Lord Henry. You can follow the person behind me.”

Immediately, a man with an extremely friendly impression approached.

Without saying anything, he politely guided Henry to the inside of the bank.

Soon, a much more spacious area was revealed.

The total area was small, but unlike before, a separate space was set up for each individual customer.

Soft sofas and tables were placed so that they could enjoy refreshments comfortably, and on one side, musicians even played gentle music!

“It seems they are already starting to divide by social status. Even though I am still nothing more than a trainee.”

At a glance, this was a place prepared for nobles.

Or those equivalent to nobles.

The ‘semi-noble treatment’ the dean spoke of was not an empty promise.

“Lord Henry Camilton?”

“Yes.”

“I am Clarence. Your purpose for visiting today is cashing drafts, vault use, deposits, and withdrawals. Is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

“I will do my best to process it as quickly as possible. Are the vault use and withdrawals referring to the benefits provided by the academy?”

“That is correct.”

“I will assist you with the two tasks separately. First, starting with cashing and deposits…….”

The employee who identified himself as Clarence proceeded with the work in an instant.

A draft bill with the name of Lycos Parvuchi written on it.

Confirming the authenticity quickly just by a brief scan, it took less than five minutes for him to bring out a sack of gold coins.

Depositing was also instantaneous.

Though there probably was no reason to hesitate in the first place since his identity was clear.

“Now we will move to the vault.”

He did not show even a shred of interest in the massive amount of money.

Because the bank’s job was not to uncover the source of the money.

Soon, a heavy vault door was revealed.

This place was also bound to have numerous protective spells cast on it.

One would have to be an incredibly skilled person to break through secretly, but right now, a single gesture from Clarence was enough.

Clank!

The door opened, and the interior was revealed.

This time, even Henry could not hide his admiration.

“This is…… at a glance, they have gathered only things that look good. It is a detail from which I can guess how outstanding a merchant the dean is.”

“Please take your time looking around. The academy’s payment of 100 gold will be prepared shortly.”

Clarence was consistently kind.

Henry expressed his gratitude appropriately and checked the items.

“There is no need to use the information. Just looking at the state of the mana, it is certain that they are all outstanding items. There is not a single item filled in just to make up the numbers.”

[Is it that good??]

[How many can you take?]

[It really feels like they gathered only legendary items lol]

The viewers were also feeling a similar sentiment to Henry.

From all kinds of weapons and armor, even to accessories, they all contained an enormous amount of mana.

However.

“They are weaker than the dagger I gifted to Austin. Since the dagger was clearly S-rank, these should be around A-rank.”

This place was a treasure vault.

That was an undeniable fact.

But what Henry was looking for was not some halfway decent treasure.

“I must find the real treasure hidden within the treasure.”

The real treasure.

The object that boasted unrivaled ability and price even among these was precisely Henry’s goal.

Some time later.

In front of Clarence’s eyes, Henry lined up several items before him.

There were seven items in total.

Two swords, two pieces of armor, and three pieces of accessories including rings.

There were other things as well, but those gears were uncomfortable for Henry to use.

For instance, in the case of leather armor or a spear.

“Practically, this is about the extent of the items I can use. And that is only when compiling the highest quality goods.”

[Can we see the options?]

[Doesn’t it cost money?]

[It might be worth investing in?? But didn’t he say he would lose it anyway lol]

“I plan to lose it. But that won’t be right now. Since I have it, shouldn’t I enjoy the academy’s favor until it gets taken?”

It was certain that it would be taken anyway.

Even if he was confident in protecting it, Henry planned to let it go on purpose.

But that was not for now.

To some extent.

Because the dean would not touch it for at least enough time for Henry to feel gratitude toward the academy.

If incidents of losing things as soon as receiving them occurred repeatedly, who in the academy would willingly play the fool?

“Returning to the choice for now. I have no intention of changing swords immediately. I have become accustomed to the weapon I currently use, and I cannot use this item for the rest of my life anyway.”

Henry pushed the two swords aside.

“The armor is for a similar reason. Thinking about it being taken by the time I finally fit it to my body…….”

The armor was also the same.

In the end, what remained were three pieces of accessories.

Two rings and one necklace.

“Ultimately, I will have to choose among these…….”

He pondered for a moment whether to check the information, but it was a waste for that.

Since these were not Henry’s items in the end.

Right now, there was no ‘Mute’ in the chat window either.

Just as he was contemplating.

“Shall I tell you the effects?”

Clarence, who had approached at some point, spoke to him.

“……Excuse me? You know them?”

“Of course. I have compiled the effects of all the artifacts here.”

“…….”

Thinking about it, it was natural.

These were artifacts.

Items whose effects could not be known before using them.

There were bound to be hundreds of items placed in this vault right now, so on what basis could a mere trainee choose?

‘The other guys wouldn’t even have been able to see mana. I had become too accustomed to it. I had to be careful.’

“I will read it.”

“Would you like to check only the three items you selected?”

“Yes, that is enough.”

In the end, the price was what was important.

The effect was a secondary matter.

Soon, Clarence brought over the compiled effects.

“They are certainly good items.”

Henry had no choice but to acknowledge the quality.

One ring significantly increased resistance to fire, while the other was an item that slightly increased magic resistance across the board.

The necklace possessed the effect of transporting the user to a designated location at any time.

Although there was a restriction that it could only be used once a week, it was virtually no different from becoming able to use an incomplete teleportation magic.

“All three are not bad. Whichever I choose among these, it will be of sufficient help.”

Speaking to the viewers, Henry looked at Clarence.

“How much is the price?”

“……Pardon?”

“The price of the items.”

“The price…… since they are the property of the academy, you do not have to pay for them!”

“Just out of curiosity. Is is a secret?”

“It is not. Roughly speaking…….”

Clarence, who had looked flustered for a moment, quickly managed his expression.

“The rings are 8,700 gold and 11,300 gold respectively. The ring of fire resistance is 8,700 gold.”

“What about the necklace?”

“Since it has a permanent teleportation effect…… it is about 18,000 gold.”

The answer was decided.

To Clarence, who had a puzzled look, Henry spoke firmly.

“I will go with the necklace.”

BJ Swordmaster