Mixed Blessing System



"About that, the Ritter Motor Company is developing farming machine models. But they differ greatly from cars, buses, and trucks. So it will take some time before they are launched." The attendant answered, drawing the attention of other customers shopping there.

"Farming machine?" A local nobleman became interested, "What's that about?"

The young woman from Lewerenz answered in place of that store attendant. "These machines are similar items to the Ritter Motor Company vehicles but will be useful in planting and harvesting. According to Lothur, they could make farming much easier, increasing the area planted and the families' returns."

"Oh? That sounds promising!"

"Yes, that would revolutionize farming throughout Leopoldine! With machines like that, I'm afraid we could greatly increase the number of acres planted, using the number of people we currently have!"

"Girl, isn't it possible for me to place my order for the agricultural machines already?" An old individual there to buy cars asked, interested in putting his name first on the waiting list.

Other people there showed interest in doing the same since virtually every family in Linn Province had some involvement in the farming business.

"Unfortunately, we can't make reservations for a vehicle we don't even have information about yet..." That woman lamented as more and more customers started talking about it.

Such was the commotion of these people that one of the store managers had to come out of his office to explain to the customers.

"Dear customers of the Ritter Motor Company, don't worry. We will have more detailed information about the farm machinery in 1 month. At that time, we will have a probable date for the launch of these vehicles." A middle-aged man said.

The customers shopping there were not happy to hear such a thing, but with no alternative, they could only conform and continue to buy their cars or trucks.

...

Mid-afternoon...

Lothur had left the academy to go and settle some matters related to his recent ventures.

First, he stopped by the Becker family headquarters. He received some coin pouches totaling 1 million bronze coins, the first result of the sales of his special gloves.

After this, he bought some materials for his routine training and production of pills, potions, and some poison mixtures.

Then he stopped by the factory of the Ritter Motor Company to check the progress of his personnel in the production of vehicles and the development of new products. Currently, the production of cars is increasing little by little. In the next five days, Lothur expected his factory to reach the daily mark of 15 cars, 2 minibusses, and 2 trucks.

As for farming machines, they were being developed, but the progress of Lothur's staff was at less than 10% on those projects he had designed.

Only the developments of the bus and the larger truck were to be finished in a short time, as they were already more than 70% progressed.

Lothur then moved on to his company's second factory. This place was still being built, but construction was advanced, and the people who would work there were already being trained at the first factory.

When this second location was ready, Lothur's group could quickly begin vehicle production at this second location!

After settling these less problematic matters, Lothur went to the Koch family headquarters, where he had something relevant to do now.

...

"Mister Ritter, the patriarch is waiting for you this way." A guard said to Lothur as he directed him through the interior of the Koch family estate.

Lothur quietly followed that man, saying nothing as he was there for one of his most important plans that were in progress.

He continued his way through the basement of that area, reaching the top level of the Koch family headquarters, a place completely made on his orders for something revolutionary in this world.

About 100 meters below ground level was ample space, about 500 square meters, with low general lighting, so the place seemed to be in shadow.

There were large formations in the ceiling that kept the ventilation there adequate for humans to stay indefinitely, all piping for the water troughs and the bathrooms.

There were eight bathrooms in the surroundings of this large square space, which was mostly subdivided into 400 small 1-meter-square compartments and a few corridors.

In each of these 1-meter-square compartments was a table, a chair, and the necessary formations for the operation that would develop to its full potential in this place in the future.

Lothur walked through this area, observing the realization of his interests as he followed the level 14 man guiding him.

He finally arrived at where the Koch patriarch and some of the men of this family were working at this very moment.

[Car 45, Becker family: hello, patriarch, we have a problem with the store selling gloves in Lewerenz]

[Car 09, Gomeric Becker: send a group to Lewerenz...]

[Car 99, August Klossner: ask the Holland Province coroner's group for equipment...]

[Car 102, Chris Waldeaur: send people to the Baier family and make it clear that we are severing relations with those bastards...]

Several voices emerged from around the side cabins where Lothur had just stopped, near where the Koch patriarch stood, waiting for him.

"Lothur, I learned about the launch of the trucks.... It looks like these vehicles will be successful as well." Patriarch Koch said, smiling.

"Yes, it is as expected." Lothur greeted that man before going straight to the subject of his visit. "So, how is the development of our spy network?"

With the release of vehicles with communication formations and useful transmitters to increase the range of such items, Lothur would not waste the opportunity at hand.

He had promptly made a deal with the Koch family weeks ago without telling any other allies, initiating the plan to spy on the local leaders.

The Koch family specialized in doing things like this, so Lothur had chosen these people to help him develop these operations that could give him access to crucial information.

On the other hand, the Koch family loved the possibility of starting this initiative, with their patriarch and members readily agreeing to sign Blood Contracts with Lothur according to his demands.

Because of this, this family built this place and began to spy on the first individuals to receive their vehicles.

The Koch patriarch then said. "So far, we haven't had any problems. We haven't heard anything worrisome either...

But I must say, your idea was genius.

With the popularization of cars, it won't be long before we have relevant information from every family in the province and maybe even the empire!"

Information was worth gold, and whoever had it usually held the reins of the situation, usually being the dominant power.

By agreeing to subordinate themselves to Lothur, this family had chosen to become the power holder within this state, something that could easily prevent or cause revolutions if they so chose!

Lothur knew the potential of this and smiled. "No wonder I am selling my cars even to my enemies..."