"In the end, only about half of the business signed with us. Will that be okay with our plan, miss? We are also running low on funds on our side."

Mary asked as she looked at all the contracts they had to keep track of.

For the past few days, she had been in charge of storing and ensuring these contracts were not harmed, and Mary had carefully tossed them in her storage space.

"I expected this. Some people in this world would choose to be cautious rather than impatient. But the result of what we accomplished is better than what I expected."

Layla had expected more people to be careful. As a businessman dealing with money and sensitive stuff, she expected more people to read the proposed terms.

It was better for her that not many did, but it was still disappointing to see how underestimated she was just because she happened to be a kid.

She was warping up her work when Raziel entered the room. He had been out all day collecting the information he needed, and now he looked flushed and tired.

"The rebellions have started to move, and the winds have started to change. Soon, the traffic would shift toward smaller businesses, and people would start buying from them in hoards."

Port Osmos had an established business culture, and people had fixed stores from which they bought things. It was tough to make someone change their preferred store.

However, with this much difference in the price of some items, it would be impossible for people not to feel the need to try the small business.

"We played our part. Now, it is time for us to head back. My break is about to end, and I do not want to be absent any more during the semester. I need that recommendation letter at all costs."

Layla knew that it was time for her to head back. She would give these businesses a month to settle down before she sent someone after them to repay the debt.

Just because the interest was low did not mean it wouldn't accumulate. Soon, the profits from her seeds would start growing, and Layla wouldn't have to worry about money anymore.

...

"Hmm, the port is flourishing much better than I expected. But isn't…there less traffic on these roads compared to before? It used to be filled so heavily that there was no room to stand.

Did something happen while I was not here?"

Minister Calam looked at his aid when he asked this question. Most of the businesses on these streets were ones he had sponsored, so he felt a need to know all about it.

His air looked flushed before he gathered his courage to answer the question.

"A-According to my study, there has been a significant increase in traffic in the lower areas because shopkeepers there have been selling their stuff for cheap. That sale is attracting more and more attention. Should we do something about this?

This has not caused any significant damage to our side yet, but I am afraid that we will-"

The secretary started detailing what he felt was wrong, but Minister Calam raised his hand to stop the secretary. He was not interested in knowing more.

"It's fine! I understand the situation. But there is no need for us to be worried about it. This is just a passing fancy.

There is no way those businesses could keep their prices low for long. We should see a change in the trends soon. On that note, what happened to all these businesses? Don't they look a little…different? Did they all remodel their shops?"

Minister Calam looked at the fronts of the businesses, which seemed very different from how he remembered them.

They all looked far too fancy, and this was the kind of fancy that could only be achieved by spending a lot of money.

His secretary gulped in nervousness once more before he answered his master.

"A-About that. From the reports, I can only summarize that this happened because of the new development in the loan secretary. I heard these people got their loans approved simultaneously from the same place.

The repayment option was relatively cheap, so almost everyone got one and remodeled the street."

The secretary told the minister, and Minister Calam felt his heart grow cold after hearing this news.

"All of this business took a loan from someone who was not me? How dare they do that! Don't they know I am the only one with their interest at heart?"

Minister Calam looked enraged at the betrayal, and his secretary did not tell him the main reason behind this was his greed as a businessman.

As a loan lender, Minister Calam's terms were diabolical. He imposed a heavy return-rate policy on his goods. He was also tenacious in handling things and would kill anyone who opposed him.

These traits were not admirable, and most people felt afraid of him to speak up.

So, when presented with another option, most of these people would take it, especially since there were almost no legal terms involved and the lender was an ignorant kid who knew little about the world.

"Shall we visit one of these businesses to see how they are doing? I am very interested in knowing who this 'mysterious' lender is. I should talk with this person and gently tell them to take their business elsewhere."

The minister had an imperial backing, and he was not afraid of offending anyone. The only one he had to be wary of was Duke Lockhart, but he had already blocked the duke's ward from being able to do anything here.

The port was his territory, and he would ensure no one else could take it from him.

His secretary rubbed his forehead, and he said nothing else. He knew that his master had made up his mind, and there would be no stopping him now.

'Should I take a loan and run away as well? It might suit me the best.'