Luther Magnus, one of Columbia’s Top Ten Outstanding Entrepreneurs of the Year, had taken over as president of Magnus Bank at the age of forty-three.
He had aggressively promoted cooperation between the bank and the Columbian military, invested in numerous industrial zones, and led Magnus Bank to rise above its competitors within just three years.
It eventually surpassed William Smith International Bank to become the most profitable banking enterprise of the year.
As a result, he was hailed as “the rising star of Columbia’s banking industry” and “a beacon for the younger generation.”
Setting aside the glowing description from Enciodes’ letter, the man standing before Ernest now looked rather ordinary.
A typical middle-aged Feline with a noticeable beer belly, a monocle over his right eye whose purpose was unclear, and a black suit that seemed entirely inadequate for the cold.
Together, these formed Ernest’s first impression of him.
A man who cared a bit too much about appearances.
“Prime Minister, isn’t Mr.
Magnus cold?
He looks like he’s shivering.”
Standing just behind Ernest, Lara whispered softly.
Her hands were neatly folded at her abdomen, her posture straight and elegant.
Clearly, her time studying in Columbia had given her far more refinement than Ernest had worried about.
Then why are you so careless in the office, bumping into me all the time?
Ernest cast her a mildly resentful glance, suspecting she did it on purpose, though he had no proof.
He simply signaled for her to say less.
Luther, however, seemed to notice their silent exchange.
A faint smile appeared on his slightly flushed face as he quickened his pace, stepping ahead of Enciodes and extending his hand to Ernest.
“You must be Kjerag’s new Prime Minister, Mr.
Ernest Silverash.
So young.
Truly impressive, impressive.”
Ernest instantly switched into the polished demeanor of his past life as a civil servant, returning the handshake with a professional smile.
“You flatter me.
It’s only thanks to the support of the people of Kjerag that I’ve been able to take this position.
As for you, Mr.
Magnus, your strength and broad-mindedness are remarkable.
I was worried Mr.
Enciodes might have forgotten to warn you about Kjerag’s weather, but it seems even our cold winds are nothing to you.”
As he spoke, Ernest gave Magnus’ hand a firm, repeated shake, his expression full of admiration.
It left Luther momentarily at a loss for words.
He had intended to flatter Ernest first, thinking the young man would be easier to handle in negotiations.
Instead, the situation had reversed, and now he himself was being propped up.
This made it awkward to complain about not being properly prepared for the cold.
After all, he had just been praised for his resilience.
Admitting he was freezing would be a blow to his pride.
‘This kid may look young, but he’s tough to deal with.’
“It’s truly an honor for you to visit Kjerag in person, Mr.
Magnus.
I won’t waste time with formalities.
The government has prepared a welcoming luncheon for everyone.
Please join us and sample some of Kjerag’s traditional cuisine.
We can talk business over the meal.
What do you think?”
Once again, Luther’s words were swallowed before he could speak.
He studied Ernest with a hint of surprise, then nodded.
“Very well.
We’ll follow Prime Minister Ernest’s arrangement.”
Ernest smiled and nodded, then turned slightly and lowered his voice to Lara, giving her instructions.
“Take them to the Turicum Grand Hotel.
Order a table of Kjerag specialties.”
Before Lara could leave, Ernest caught her hand and lowered his voice even further.
“Pick the cheaper dishes.
We don’t have the budget.”
Lara blinked, as if she wanted to protest.
“But…”
“No ‘buts.’ Just go.”
With no choice, Lara cast a sympathetic glance at the Magnus delegation.
“This way, please.”
As soon as they left, Ernest leaned toward Enciodes, frowning.
“Why didn’t you tell them to dress warmer?”
Enciodes shot him a sidelong look, that faint smile saying everything without a word.
Clearly, it was a small act of retaliation—for Ernest’s little stunt against Kjerag Trade the moment he took office.
Letting Magnus and his people freeze a bit would sour their first impression of Ernest and Kjerag, but in the grand scheme of things, it was harmless.
“You know how important this is to me, right?” Ernest said.
“I do,” Enciodes replied.
“But this is your endeavor, not mine.”
Even if Ernest chose not to borrow—or swindle—any money, and simply sat in the prime minister’s seat as a puppet for years, Enciodes wouldn’t care.
His own plans would remain unaffected.
In fact, Ernest’s attempts to actively change things might introduce unnecessary variables.
The only reason Enciodes hadn’t stopped him—or sabotaged the plan outright—was because he could accept someone else striving for Kjerag’s future in their own way.
After all, that was what he himself was doing.
Especially not before Ernest had produced any real results.
You got one over on me, I return the favor.
Now we’re even.
When it comes to shaping this country’s future, we cooperate when needed, but we are always competitors.
Seeing Enciodes’ calm, almost teasing expression, Ernest let out a small huff and changed the subject.
“Can you reimburse me for this meal?”
Enciodes blinked at the abrupt shift.
“Why?”
“The government is broke.”
“I’m broke too,” Enciodes shot back.
But Ernest waved it off, completely serious.
“It’s fine.
Business expenses are reimbursable.
Just come to my office later and collect.”
“You just said the government has no money.”
“It will—once the deal goes through.”
‘And if it doesn’t?’
Enciodes stared at his younger brother, speechless.
When it came to spinning grand schemes and manipulating a Columbian bank, Ernest spoke like a master strategist.
Yet the moment real money was involved, he turned into a meticulous penny-pincher.
“Trying to sell me dreams now?
If you’re going to lie, you might as well say you know Kjeragandr and can make me the next Saint for fifty coins.”
…Wait, that didn’t sound quite right.
Enciodes shook off the stray thought and said flatly, “I’m not covering anything expensive.”
Ernest waved his hand.
“Relax.
I told Lara to order the cheap specialties.
Won’t cost much.”
A brief silence followed.
Then Enciodes covered his face.
“You’re asking me to reimburse this?
Since when did you get this stingy?
Anyone listening would think I starved you all as kids.”
If anything, Ernest only had one defense:
“Saving money isn’t shameful.”
In a place like Kjerag, where there’s barely any room even for corruption, if you don’t count every money, where are you supposed to get funds?
Life is tough.
Chairman SilverAsh, be a good big brother and loosen that purse a little.