Chapter 150: Seventeenth Episode: Chapter 5 (2/2)

”I didn't ask you! Shut up!” bellowed Oscar who proceeded to wave his hand. ”Both of you keep your distance. You make me sick.”

It was evident that Irut was infuriated. When had he ever received such humiliation?

”Answer my question Mr. Irut. What are both of you doing here?” Oscar resumed his composed manner. He wanted to see how the Manzonola brothers would explain the matter.

”We are inspecting our family's properties. All the stores along this street are our properties.” Old Irut spat out between gritted teeth, fuming with rage.

”Ola! Really? It seems that you're quite a huge merchant!” Oscar clapped his hands, feigned excitement and turned to face the Division Head of the Military Intelligence behind him. ”Seal up all the stores along this street. The assassins may still be here, hurry!”

Baron Messier delightedly gave a brief response and then turned around and descended the stairs.

”Wait!”

The Baron stopped in his tracks.

With a wry smile, Oscar assessed old Irut's unconcerned face, ”I've almost forgotten. You're a huge merchant, so why would you care about a few tailors' shops? How about we do it like this. Messier, how much do you know about the Manzonola Family's properties?”

Messier once again turned around. ”We have a clear grasp about it. The Manzonola Family possesses four streets of lots in Vielonna. In Burton Province, they have a ranch, three large-scale farms, seven manual workshops of processed meat products and gold and silver utensils. In Rylie Province, there are two vacation manors, a quarry, and nineteen flour factories. However, these properties in other provinces were purchased under an alias.”

Oscar contemplated and made his decision.

”From now onwards, deploy guards to be stationed in all the properties of the Manzonola Family. Search everyone who is suspicious, arrest the ruffians who resist and contradict the guards.”

”Our family has never had any ruffians!” Old Irut had already jumped up from his seat.

Oscar shrugged, ”who knows? We've just killed three and captured four. It goes without saying that as eyewitnesses of a brutal assassination incident, we would have to trouble both of you to aid in the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau's investigation! Guards... take them away!”

”Your Highness, please hold on!” The younger Manzonola brother suddenly dashed in front of his brother. Old Irut stared at Huber in astonishment. Huber Manzonola absolutely did not see that he was already kneeling with one knee by the youngster's legs. He then used his forehead to touch the prince's boots. Now, this was the etiquette that one should have toward an Imperial Household member.

”Your Highness, I can guarantee you that my brother and I are only coincidentally sitting here!”

”Is it like that?” Oscar spun to face old Irut who was standing there imperiously.

Irut shook off his brother's hand. He initially wanted to argue but in the end, he only snorted angrily.

Oscar sighed in exasperation. This pair of siblings weren't completely useless, but if the elder brother is in a hurry to descend into hell, it seemed that no one could stop him.

”Okay, let it be like this!” The prince stood up, having even omitted the farewell. Towards this extremely opinionated old dog, he didn't have to say anything else.

”Your Highness... Your Highness...” The younger Manzonola brother still seemed to want to explain something, but the young prince already disappeared on the patio. Soon afterward, the sound of a carriage leaving came from outside the door.

Although news about the celebrated Highness Prince's encounter with the assassins circulated within the city, the world still went on as usual. Just like the numbers that continued to jump on the ”Broken Dream Stone” of the Vielonna Trading Hall, it seemed that nothing could prevent business from going on.

As the Titan Empire's financial trading center, the Vielonna Trading Hall was a pride. This was because it possessed leadership positions of all industries and a massive treasury that could compare to that of the Empire's.

This giant treasury was located in a dark tunnel at a depth of fifty meters beneath the trading hall and occupied four hundred squares. It only had one door that can be used to enter and exit. People would say, isn't this just nonsense? Who would leave a backdoor or a skylight for a treasury?

The treasury of the Vielonna Trading Hall has a very overbearing name, which was, ”Peter Dynasty”! Peter the great was the first ruler of the holy Roman Empire. We need not care about His Greatness' glorious feats, but only the wealth that he possessed. It was said that the gold of Peter the Great could completely fill Caesar Palace. The servants of His Greatness could sweep out a sack of golden powder from the palace each day.

Now ”Peter Dynasty” indeed verified this legend. The passing of time could indeed grind the gold bricks into golden powder. The workers of the Vielonna Trading Hall have to clean up at the start of every month. Although the golden powder swept out weren't that much, it was enough to cause those who have never seen the world to go into shock.

To enter ”Peter Dynasty”, one has to go through four doors. The first one was on the ground. Beside the door, there was only one work counter and inside the counter was an elderly office employee. This chap, who was as blind as a bat, would only recognize the access pass but not the people. Usually, he would use a magnifying glass to scrutinize your access pass for a protracted period of time before stamping on a red crest onto it.

By holding the access pass that bears a red crest, you could open the first door that led to ”Peter Dynasty”. This huge door was at the end of the corridor at one of the floors of the trading hall. It appeared very ordinary and altar lamps hung on either side of the huge doors.

Knocking on the brass knocker, a window will pop up on the door. After sliding in the access pass and waiting for a brief moment, the huge doors will sound three times and open inwards. You will then enter the office of ”Peter Dynasty”.

The clamor in the office of ”Peter Dynasty”, when compared to the silence of the corridor, was practically unbearable to the people. The office worker would shout out all sorts of numbers like mad. To one side, a recorder would fill in all kinds of forms with the breakneck speed of worker bees. Lastly were the treasurers who filled in the settlement records for the general counter. The figures on the record were staggeringly huge. Each time, cooperation from several treasurers was required to complete the task.

The office that occupied not more than forty to fifty squares operated under this tense and bustling atmosphere. This place was in charge of managing all the funds that went in and out of the treasury. All these funds will then be summarized into a report form that is as long as an ancient religious scroll. Those who hold the access pass together with this summarized record will lastly be respectfully invited to the second door that led to the underground by an office employee.

Upon opening the second door, one would be greeted by a spacious scene. The space beyond the door was a little stuffy because it has no windows, merely the mouth of two chutes constructed of steel. The mouth of the chute on the left was for receiving while that on the right was to deliver out.

Here, the office employees would receive your transaction records immediately. They only looked at the last figure. ”Man! Depositing a hundred and nineteen thousand golden Tis!”

The office worker would ring the bronze bell beside the mouth of the chute. The bronze bell was directed connected to the bank outside the wall. The banker would after listening to the bell, slide down golden Tis from the other side of the chute. Each bag contained ten thousand golden Tis. The total would be nineteen heavy bags of gold for you to inspect. If there aren't any incidents, you would definitely answer with ”that's right!” Yes, this is ”Peter Dynasty” and up until now, there hadn't been any serious errors in ”Peter Dynasty”.

Since there isn't any error, then very well... you may proceed to the third door that leads to the underground treasury together with the hundred and ninety thousand golden Tis. Don't be afraid, for a burly bodyguard who harbors absolutely no ill intention towards you or your golden Tis, will accompany you from behind. In fact, once you've passed through the first door, you're already under the tightest protection. You wouldn't know just how many paladins are blending in with the office employees, but they indeed exist!

The amount handed in by the Vielonna Trading Hall to the Imperial Tax Bureau annually was one seventh of what the Morisette Dynasty received. Referring to this place as the national treasury wasn't an exaggeration. In order to protect the Empire's largest group of taxpayers, the Southern Army Group allocated the tightest and most elite guarding force for the trading hall's treasury.

So have no doubt, those who follow you and your golden Tis through the third door are all the noblest of paladins. They have no interest whatever in your gold and only cared about the order there and the mission on their shoulders.

After the third door is the cool underground space. Here there is a flight of steps that lead down into the abyss and a slide to transport the golden coins. The metal slide emanates a gentle glow under the light of the torches. Bag after bag of gold coins would slide down smoothly, producing a beautiful sound.

This sound was just too pleasant! It signifies that your hundred and ninety thousand golden Tis have arrived in the most secure place in the world.

Of course, you haven't seen the last door that leads to the treasury so it's still a little early. The true massive doors of the underground treasury are one with a diameter of two meters, a thickness of forty-nine centimeters, a metal chunk that is a mix of steel and aluminum. This metal chunk was successfully refined by chance after scrapping numerous raw materials.

To open the last door, we require three keys because ”Peter Dynasty” has three gatekeepers. They live in three different areas of the city and each receives protection from thirty over kick-ass hired soldiers. Every day around this time, about two to three in the afternoon, the three gatekeepers would hurry to the trading hall from different locations. If anyone discovers that the gatekeepers are gathered together at any other time other than that hour, then the key of the treasury would be handed over to another for safekeeping

After all the gatekeepers have arrived, they would enter the lowest level of the treasury together with a crowd of paladin guards and carry out their once daily inventory duty. This job was actually pretty effortless because the amount that was to be deposited and to be withdrawn have all been settled by the office after the first door.

So... the three gatekeepers start their work. They would insert the key that hung before their chest into three keyholes in three different directions simultaneously and turns the keys at the same time until the alloy gate lets out the booming friction sound of metal.

Behind the three gatekeepers is a strip of fine red line and it carries the same meaning as that on the front lines of the battlefield. If anyone crosses the red line while the gatekeepers are opening the door, the paladins that were standing guard around would immediately kill the person. Before you enter the third door, there would be an office employee who would explain the rules here to you. It was said that up until now, no one dared challenge the rules of ”Peter Dynasty”.

After the door opens, the paladins are still guarding the front line. The gatekeepers aren't in a hurry to start work. At this time, you could smoke a packet of cigarettes or snort some opium. Anyway, no one cares what you did, you just have to wait.

To clarify, waiting is necessary. This was because ”Peter Dynasty” has a mechanism that was unmatched in the world! This mechanism could convert the inner treasury into a deadly place with scarce oxygen within fifteen minutes. In other words, it would be a near vacuum.

No one knew the principle behind this mechanism. They only knew that there was an opening that linked the treasury to a vein of groundwater. Perhaps it was the water conservatory operating system or perhaps a mystical incantation, in short, the theories differ, but the fact was still evident, all the robbers under the sun regarded the treasury of the Vielonna Trading Hall as a virgin land. Although they have successfully entered the treasury, they would all choke to death without exception.

So, to the mister who is depositing a hundred and ninety thousand golden Tis, please bear in mind that each day, the treasury is only open for an hour. Then it would become a sacred area for the gold and a tomb for the living.

”So... Your Highness, aren't we just having wishful thinking?” Baron Messier De Quixote said while wiping the beads of sweat on his forehead. ”We have a Special Combat Brigade! Since it is a robbery, I think only taking it by storm will work!”

”Then go and gather the manpower!” Oscar shot a glare at the Division Head of the Military Intelligence. ”Don't forget to bring along our military flag, otherwise the people wouldn't know who did it.”

Messier could only hang his head. The prince's cutting remarks weren't pleasant to hear, but they were indeed facts. Using the Special Combat Brigade to storm the Vielonna Trading Hall? That was equal to declaring, ”Our Military Intelligence Bureau is robbing! Those related or not related, stand aside and blood won't be splashed on you!”

”Is there really no other way?”

The young prince's voice interrupted the Baron's fantasy. Messier promptly snapped out of it but still didn't have any ideas.

Oscar held a quill pen in his mouth and wasn't even aware of the ink staining his mouth. He repeatedly assessed the construction plan of ”Peter Dynasty” that was piled onto the table.

The blueprint of the construction plan has the words of the Empire's top secret distinctly printed onto it. This was gotten hold of by Oscar from the Empire's Confidential Department using his authority. It was said that there was only this one blueprint in the whole world. Aside from that architect who was able to make a lucky escape a hundred over years ago, all the workers who participated in the treasury project were silenced.

”Just what is this all about?” Oscar opened up a blueprint. On it was the operating result schematic of the vacuum mechanism.

As expected, Messier shook his head.

”Aren't you just annoying!” Oscar finally lost his temper! ”Mes, you see? I need help, but you keep standing there shaking your head. Can't you do any other action?”

Messier nodded but in the end, shook his head with a bitter smile.

”Your Highness, I am powerless! Truly, even you've seen it! This place is guarded by a group of elite and dauntless hired soldiers and also forty-five paladins deployed by the Southern Army Group! Aside from storming...”

”Forget it! Forget it!” Oscar waved aside the blueprint on the table and settled down into the sofa. ”I now only know why the Southern Army Group has so few paladins. So it turns out that they've all been sent to Vielonna to stand guard for the merchants!”

”Hehe!” the Division Head of the Military Intelligence seemed to have broken into a laugh to please him. ”Of course they'd want to guard this treasury, my boy! Don't you already know? The average deposit daily is 37360000 golden Tis. And this hasn't taken into account the 769 boxes of precious stones and 110 famous paintings. If we...”

”Don't you feel bothered?” Oscar interjected. ”Just listening to these figures I feel frustrated. I'm absolutely sick of it! Let us not talk about how we're going to enter, but even if we manage to get in, how will we carry away our spoils?”

”Have you calculated how heavy 37360000 golden Tis is? Have you calculated just how much surface it takes up if this money were spread out on the ground?” Oscar suddenly stopped for he just remembered that it was his own idea of robbing the treasury.

”This is bad, I really did engage in wishful thinking!” O'Neil Andrew Morisette cursed continuously. It seemed that even the robbers have their own difficulties.

***************

”Okay, okay! Now you can relax!” RuPaul Roy's voice suddenly traveled out.

Georgio Verones promptly headed towards the scoundrel in his eyes, ”Oh la la! Uncle Roy, thanks to your kindness, Marquis Janin settled all the deposits an hour ago!” Geo exclaimed while turning towards a noble lord beside him that was dressed oddly. As soon as the Lord spoke, it was in a string of rapid West Percy language and RuPaul Roy could only bend down and nod repeatedly.

”Marquis Janin says he will definitely remember the kindness of this Titan friend of yours!”

”Tell the Marquis that being able to be of service to him is the honor of this Titan friend!” RuPaul Roy was like a pug that came from the Far East, sticking his tongue out.

Master Geo accurately translated the old dog's words in the West Percy language and as a result, Marquis Janin broke into a joyful laugh. The red beard on his face quivered momentarily.

”I'm going to attend our country's Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette's court banquet. I shall take my leave! I'll leave matters here to you both!”

Geo conveyed the Marquis' words to RuPaul Roy at once. The old dog immediately straightened. He summoned an attendant from the door. ”Prepare the carriage for Marquis Janin!”

Geo waved his hand at the old codger. ”No need, His Excellency rode in the carriage allocated by the Kingdom of West Percy to Vielonna's consulate.”

The old man parted regretfully with the foreign Marquis who came from afar at the entrance of the trading hall. When the carriage of the ”Red Bearded Pirate” (a derogatory term for the West Persians) left his line of sight, only then did he pull Georgio to a secluded corner.

”Just what is that man's interest?” Blinking his distrustful eyes, the old dog sized up the young noble.

”Uncle RuPaul, I'm not too sure as well; it's my father who introduced him to me. I only know that that fellow brings with him several purchasing contracts from the government of the Kingdom of West Percy. They need ten thousand over sailcloths because if their large sailboats don't have sails, then they can't go out to sea! It is said that they are about to go to war again with the Engels abroad! All of West Percy's shipyards are rushing their work!”

”Mm!” RuPaul Roy nodded, ”My friends in West Percy has indeed brought up this matter. Their timber business can make anyone envious once they see it. As long as the things are used in shipbuilding, their prices were rocketing. You're saying... that Marquis Janin is purchasing Titan sailcloth for his kingdom?”

”Yes, that's right! Moreover, it's urgent! He even gave me the cash deposit! Isn't that already in the treasury?” Georgio Verones trembled with excitement. A hundred and ninety thousand golden Tis! Oh gosh, his father could finally build his own castle!

Just how many years has the old dog, RuPaul Roy been involved in the financial market? He could see through all the greed of the youngsters.

”Why did you look for me?”

Master Geo cried out a silent ”Damn you old fox”, but his face already had a sincere smile.

”My Uncle Roy, I should also be able to handle this!”

”This is indeed the truth!” RuPaul Roy gave a hollow laugh. ”If it really is the nation's contract and the cash deposit is really a hundred and ninety thousand golden Tis... times ten once more according to custom, heh heh! Young chap, you still don't have the qualifications to make the business of a 190 thousand golden Tis a reality.”

”So that's why, Uncle Roy, I referred Narquis Janin to you. You can use your connections to investigate where this Marquis is coming from... to be honest with you, although this Marquis stays in the West Percy consulate, I still can't trust him. This is because he keeps pressing us to purchase but I have never seen him actually come up with the 190 thousand golden Tis!”

”Idiot!” RuPaul Roy spat. ”Will anyone let you see the money before he has seen the cloth? The West Persian merchants are known for their astute. They have never suffered losses in their maritime trade. Will they let a fool like you receive the benefit?”

”Heh heh heh! Wouldn't it do if I take three-tenths of this business? I indeed followed the rules entirely!” Geo smiled apologetically and scratched his head unconsciously.

”Tomorrow I will personally make a visit to the West Percy consulate. Wait for my news!” RuPaul Roy appeared to be reluctant to continue the conversation with the youngster. He simply waved his hand and headed towards the main door.

”Hmph! As if I'm afraid that you won't take the bait?” Geo spat heavily towards the old man's back.

***************

Marquis Janin sat in the carriage with a dignified air and by his side were two of his followers.

”That's enough Janin, take off that ridiculous beard of yours!”

”Yes, sir!” Marquis Janin, oh sorry, it's the fourth group under the first operation squad of Titan Empire's Military Intelligence Bureau southern sub-bureau's special operation subdivision's... gah, whatever! To make it simple, Marquis Janin who came from the Kingdom of West Percy was actually a special agent of the Military Intelligence.

”Tell us, how is it inside?” Brigade Commander Luke Citel sized up the old special agent who had worked for years in the secret service field.

”How do I say it? To describe it... I can only say that it is exactly the same as the arrangement in the blueprint!”

Although Major Janin's words weren't helpful, Luke Citel and his leader of the commandos still nodded.

”Big worm” Blasky cursed under his breath, ”The splendid errand arranged by His Highness! Over a hundred or so years, just how many have tried to take advantage of the trading hall and in the end still failed? Could it be that we can actually succeed?”

Luke Citel shot a look at his subordinate. Grumbling about the Commander was not a good sign.

”It's not that no one has succeeded, otherwise, how else would the people know that someone had died in the treasury? How did those who died in the treasury get inside?”

”No one knows!” Blasky shook his head. ”I've seen the case files that year. The investigations of more ten forensic experts didn't yield any conclusions. Since the people were all dead, the matter was ultimately inconclusive!”

”Reporting, commander!” Major Janin suddenly interrupted.

”I think... I already know the way to get in!”