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Sigmarzeit-25-Sommerzeit -15,2490 IC

"At least the payment was decent… because damn, I really did get myself into trouble for following fucking orders," I said, as my men began filling the treasury with my share.

What a shitty plan from the Emperor… I mean, it's good… it would have worked perfectly if they had told me what was going on, but none of that happened to me. On top of that, I was invited to yet another party with the Emperor. I had to go to Altdorf to celebrate the fact that I'd secured him enormous amounts of gold to finance the campaign in Bretonnia, which he would skillfully use to buy his son the Emperor's throne.

But one thing certainly caught my attention… all of this was for one thing: a loan… a damn loan that made the Emperor move his pieces and unleash me like a dog on a defenseless prey to get financial gain. So the banking business must be profitable.

Clearly, I had no idea, since unlike my father I had never taken out a loan. Risking money that wasn't mine was something I was never willing to do; I didn't even want to think about how abusive the interest rates might be, since I couldn't remember ever reading about limitations on such percentages.

But if a war nearly broke out over securing lower interest rates, I have to imagine that a bank's profits must be immense.

And that, honestly, left me thinking for a long time whether I should open a bank or continue with my idea of controlling the entire local market so no one could challenge my influence in the city… because, in a way, if I started issuing local loans I'd be helping my subjects grow or improve, which could easily make them less dependent on me.

But earning gold simply for lending it was tempting. On several occasions, like now, I had far more gold than I would spend in a year, and it would just sit there doing nothing while I waited to use it for labor or resources needed to keep expanding my cities.

So I didn't hesitate much before calling a friend to discuss business.

"Duran, thank you so much for coming on such sh....hurried notice. I know you must be very busy with everything going on in your karak now that hundreds or thousands of dawi arrive every month to seek their fortunes in the domains of your clan," I said to Duran, who had come as soon as he received the message for a meeting in my laboratory.

"Not at all, dawongi. Tell me, what do you need me for?" asked the kindly dawi, shaking my hand.

"I intend to open a bank in Reinsfeld, since it seems the local lending market is quite lucrative. And well, every bank must be a masterpiece of security. I can't think of anyone better than a dawi to build such a work, so I need your best workers and runesmiths to construct it. Well… actually two: one in Reinsfeld and another in Merxheim, since that's where all the monetary movement happens," I told the dawi, who began stroking his beard, which seemed to be growing thicker.

"I'm glad we were the first ones you thought of, dawongi… of course we can take on that job. You tell us where you want it built, and I'll mobilize all the available runesmiths from the clans under my protection. We'll complete what you ask as soon as possible," said Duran with confidence.

"I'm glad to hear that… I was thinking of building it on the south side of my old castle, since that area is still not urbanized and is used as pastureland for the cows usually slaughtered for my meals. So I can easily move them and make sure everything's fine. The one in Merxheim should be as close to the river as possible to catch the merchants' eye," I told Duran.

"Alright, I'll send my engineers to make the necessary calculations for the runic vaults so your entire fortune is secured in those locations," said Duran.

Meanwhile, I had to prepare to go to Altdorf, as once again I had to make an appearance at those damn capital parties. With my whole escort ready, we took a boat to Altdorf and I stayed in my city residence, occasionally trying to find out what had happened with the Kesselheim family.

Talking to the local witch hunters, who didn't look at me suspiciously once they found out who I was, it seemed my magical items distracted them enough.

The reason the Kesselheims had been punished was that they owned many magical items that weren't registered anywhere and couldn't explain where they had come from. That's why the witch hunters' theory that the Kesselheims had a secret wizard gained so much traction.

Meanwhile, the magisters from the Colleges said they could only determine it was the work of a very powerful wizard… or a group of wizards. So, even though the magisters tried to clear their colleagues' name, it was heavily tarnished in the eyes of the Cult of Sigmar. In this case, the idea that there was an uncertified wizard so close to Altdorf, or even several unknown wizards, was one of the worst pieces of news the Colleges could receive, as it meant they had failed in their mission to detect hidden wizards in the city.

That's why they were punished so severely, since every magical item must be registered or inspected by priests. My elven amulet must remain an absolute secret so I don't become the next target, because if they were punished so harshly over a wizard that never existed, I don't want to imagine what would happen if they discovered I am actually a wizard and, worse still, that I've used Sigmar's name falsely. Burning me would be the least of it.

I took the opportunity to move about the city, now more confident in my own magical control, though I stayed away from the north side, where all the Colleges of Magic are. In the south side I could move freely, and it was there that I ran into the group of Verena's judges, the same ones who had accepted thousands of crowns in bribes. I saw them while strolling near the palaces of justice, where they had publicly executed several peasants for theft. I had to attend some trials so the lawsuits filed against me by certain artisans and guilds as a result of the trade blockade would be dismissed.

With those matters settled, I had to attend yet another of the Emperor's parties. To my headache, there were more nobles than ever, including several electors. The Emperor had probably already sweet-talked them with his gold to secure their support in gathering men for the Bretonnian war effort.

Three reception halls had been arranged simultaneously to host different Imperial political groups, since some electors had grudges and could not even stand each other. I was assigned to the hall where numerous Sigmarite nobles from Reikland, Averland, and Wissenland gathered. Luckily, with so many important figures present, not all attention was focused on me.

"Then, Graf… it would be a great honor for my family if you could attend this event," said one of the many nobles still trying to flatter me.

"I'm busy. I have many things to do—unfortunately, I won't be able to attend," I replied, looking away and thinking about how to rid myself of this group of sycophants.

"Honorable Graf, I would be honored if you accompanied me to the next dance," said a young lady, curtseying and lifting her dress slightly.

"Do you think I can dance wearing all this steel, my lady?" I answered, showing her my gauntleted hands.

"Graf Albrecht, I'd like to speak with you about some of your dyes… my family owns dye works, and we would be more than happy to receive your pigments to adorn the clothing of the court nobles," another noble interjected, approaching patiently.

"And how much do I get out of it?" I asked, fixing my gaze on him.

"If you supply us with the dyes, we can offer you thirty percent of the profits," replied the noble with a confident smile.

"No… that's not economically viable. It's easier to just buy the shop from an artisan than to do that," I replied after making the mental calculations.

This went on for several minutes, until I noticed a strong escort approaching, pushing aside all the flattering nobles and surrounding my own guards. Among them, a flamboyant noble made his way forward, smiling at me.

"Greetings, Graf Albrecht… I am Konstantin von Liebwitz," he said, firmly shaking my gauntleted hand.

"The Elector Count of Wissenland… to what do I owe the honor?" I replied, looking him in the eye.

"Oh, I see you know me, I'm glad. As you may know, the Emperor has granted me the authority to chair the commission that will decide the next model of firearm to be used in the State regiments. And I know very well that you possess a small but steady production of arms, as well as good relations with our Dwarf allies. So it would be prudent of me to cordially invite you to this event to be held in Nuln," said the Elector Count.

"So you need me to send weapons to be tested?" I asked.

"Indeed, Graf. Consider that I would be delighted for your weaponry to become the Imperial standard. I've heard your muskets are among the best… some nobles from Middeland spoke wonders of their effectiveness against the beastmen. I would be very pleased to receive some samples to study at the University of Nuln," the Elector Count replied enthusiastically.

"Certainly, being the Empire's arms supplier sounds tempting… but wouldn't it also be your goal, Elector Count, to select your own industry's production as the winner of the event?" I questioned.

"What kind of man would I be if I denied the best gunsmith the opportunity to earn the prestige and honor of supplying the finest weapon to the Empire? Denying technological progress would be unworthy of my position at the University of Nuln," he assured me, visibly excited.

"I'm glad to hear that, but I regret to say I have none of my weapons at hand. My personal guard doesn't use them, and I'd need time to send you one as a gift. Besides, I'm changing the model to a better one and plan to head to Drakwald again, so I need everything I have," I replied.

"Oh… so improvements, then. Could you explain what this new improvement consists of? It would help me get a mental picture of your creation," he asked with interest.

"I don't know the technical concept of my weapons, Elector Count Konstantin. I only know how to use them in combat, not make them. I'm afraid I can't give you more details," I answered, keeping my weapon secrets to myself.

"Oh… I see," said the noble with a slight look of disappointment, until someone behind him caught his attention. "My apologies… Graf Albrecht, allow me to introduce my daughter, Emmanuelle von Liebwitz, and my son, Leos von Liebwitz," he added, pointing to a young girl in extravagant clothes—probably at exorbitant cost—and to a… boy?

He had no Adam's apple. Maybe due to his age, but his appearance was far too androgynous for a male.

Perhaps… could he be corrupted by some cult of Slaanesh?

"Is something wrong, Graf?" the Count asked.

"Nothing… I was just remembering past battles," I replied.

"Ah yes, your fight with Marienburg. I would like to hear details about the Republic's firearms," said the Elector Count, regaining his smile.

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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.

Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.

I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.

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