In Rushmarsh's study, the fireplace had dwindled to a faint glow, with only dark-red embers barely clinging to life.
The voice of Olivier, Chief of Staff of the Governor-General's Cabinet, echoed through the dim light, steady and devoid of emotion.
"My lord, the Monopoly Guild's accounts have been preliminarily sorted out."
"The lords and guilds in every region have all gained astonishing profits."
"The guild expects to fully repay the twenty thousand Gold Dragons you originally lent them within half a year."
He turned a page of parchment.
"At the same time, they will be able to pay the ten thousand Gold Dragons they owed from their previous acquisition of the Governor-General's industries."
"At the current pace, the guild will become fully profitable in a year, begin paying taxes to the Governor-General, and provide donations for Oldstones' reconstruction."
Olivier paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"However, Boke Hewen's methods are becoming increasingly extreme."
"This man remembers kindness deeply, and grudges just as deeply. He repays favors with tremendous generosity, taking everyone who has ever helped him into his family."
"Even for the favor of a single meal, he repays it with twenty Gold Dragons."
"But when he takes revenge, he shows no mercy. He takes even the smallest matters to heart. Over personal grudges, he has brought charges, killed people, and destroyed families no fewer than seventeen times on the lands of various lords in the East Riverlands."
"What merchant's rise to wealth can stand close scrutiny? As long as he wants to look, he can always find a charge."
"More and more merchants have been driven to their deaths by him."
Olivier sighed and said no more.
He did not understand why Lord Suleiman was in such a hurry, but he knew what Lord Suleiman was doing.
Under the dual