Chapter 960 960 Fine Details
Once breakfast was done, the Nobles and the Continental Representatives retired to the meeting room above the restaurant in the spire. It was the most convenient, and with this particular group, nobody was particularly worried about security.
“Welcome everyone. Representatives, Nobles, King Petros. It’s kind of you all to take time to be here so promptly. We have found a need to redo the peace treaty with the Fallen Empire, and the hope is to expand it from just the Magi Clans to the entire planet.” Wolfe began, reiterating the basics in case someone was not already aware.
“It won’t cover your lands in the Demon Realms, that will have to be sorted out separately, as it has come to our attention that some of the Wrath Demons don’t really mind getting attacked.”
The Wrath Demons in the room gave a short burst of laughter at Wolfe’s joke, while the human Nobles sighed and shook their heads.
“Alright, that part will take another hour or two, while the legal teams from both sides hammer out the phrasing. So, let’s move on to the trade deal that I’m certain everyone in the room is interested in.” Wolfe announced.
Petros nodded. “I believe that the first issue we will come across is the issue with currency. We use a gold-based currency, and you have Earth Magic users who can just create tonnes of it at will. However, we have none of your mana-based currency, and it is not easily transferrable to our system.”
Wolfe nodded. “And if you take in the mages from the world you are currently assimilating, counterfeiting is going to become a massive issue with your currency stock. Even a Rank Two mage with an affinity for Earth Magic can convert precious metals. At Rank Three, they can make them out of pure mana. The integration of that world will collapse your entire financial system, there is no two ways about it.”
“Alright, so we will have to update our currency to something more closely resembling the ones that your world and the Demon Realms use. I can begin on that process when I get home, but there are multiple worlds to consider, and switching them all is no small feat, even for the King.
So, in the meantime, we are going to have to come up with an equitable method that will allow the purchase of goods and services that we require.” King Petros decided.
The Elven Prince looked over at the other Continental Representatives with a smile, then turned back to Petros when they nodded in silent agreement with his unspoken plan.
“Well, your world’s magical items still hold significant value. We price based on the time and mana used to create an item, so it will be possible to sell items for currency, or trade them directly for items or services of equivalent value in bulk.” The Prince suggested.
Baron Southland, who had accompanied one of the Dukes to the meeting, frowned. “Are you suggesting that we set up a vendor stall here to obtain local currency? I don’t see why that couldn’t work. I have a rather large market in my hometown, and opening a second location here today is a feasible option.
I carry a number of spatial pouches with me, in case there is money to be made, and one of them contains a fully stocked stall of magical trinkets.”
Wolfe smiled and shrugged. “There is no rule stating you can’t. There are rules on where you can set up the shop, but I believe I can still get you a decent spot for the weekend.”
The Baron nodded happily, and Wolfe gestured to one of the errand Bunnies standing by the door, waiting for someone to make a request.
“Of course, Patriarch. I have the list of stalls with me right now, and there are a few reserved spots still open. They’re in the main concourse by the stage, so they’re really loud at night, but they’re still in the main market, not outside the walls.” He suggested.
“Set it up for Baron Southland. Baron, if you can provide our assistant with your stall they can set it up for your assistants to run.”
The Baron laughed. “Today, I am the assistant. Duke Copland, if I may be excused from the day’s proceedings?”
The Duke waved him away, and the portly merchant chased after the bunny, prepared to sell his market’s wares here in Forest Grove and be the first of his world’s Nobles to make a profit on this deal, which wasn’t even finalized yet.
“What is the currency exchange rate?” One of the other business-minded Nobles asked.
“I have a chart here, made up by the local merchants. It includes both basic pricing, which is open to negotiation, and a fair salary chart, which is much less open to negotiation. Our workers expect a certain standard of pay for their work, and while those at the Higher Ranks make much more, they also often require higher rank resources, so it does tend to avoid excessive imbalance.” Wolfe explained.
The Nobles nodded.
“That is true for our world as well. The more you’re making, the more you’re spending, so while you end up with more profit, it’s a small margin overall. Especially now that we’ve got all these ideas about infrastructure improvements in mind.” One of the older men joked, referring to the work that Wolfe had done for Countess Dewinter.
“We have artisans here that can do the same. For a price, that is. Such high ranked magic might not be cheaper than having local workers do the improvements for you, but in some cases it might be the only way to get the results that you want.” Wolfe agreed.
King Petros smirked. “So, you are open to allowing the hiring of local workers for foreign contracts?”
Wolfe nodded. “With some conditions. Nothing military, not combat duties or weapons creation, and they must be free to return at will. No holding foreign workers hostage. That will go both ways in the final deal, naturally.”
“In that case, we will need to speak to your Witches after the deal is finalized. The Capital and the Royal Palace could both use a new physician’s office, sponsored by the state.”
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