The Martial Unity

"Our second demand is increased fiscal expenditure into gross fixed capital formation," Guildmaster Bradt answered, pushing another file to Rui, who promptly read through it.

"You're demanding a thousand-five-hundred-percent increase in gross fixed capital formation in public infrastructure?" Rui narrowed his eyes, turning to Guildmaster Bradt with a dubious expression.

"This is your demand, isn't it?"

Guildmaster Bradt didn't reply.

But his silence was deafening.

Gross fixed capital formation, or GFCF, was a macroeconomic concept that dealt with fixed capital or fixed assets. Things like state and public infrastructure, production facilities, and equipment were considered to be fixed capital.

GFCF, in turn, simply measured the increase in the net value of fixed capital.

The fact that the demand specified public infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and dedicated tracks for high-speed carriages, was enough for Rui to infer that this came from Guildmaster Bradt. His company, Bradt Distribution Service, desperately relied on such infrastructure to distribute goods, services, capital, and information.

After all, it was impossible to rely on carriages to transport capital when there weren't road tracks specifically designed to accommodate the rigors high-speed carriages.

Rui wasn't opposed to increasing fiscal expenditure on public infrastructure and gross fixed capital formation. These were important assets to the Kandrian Empire and would certainly nourish the economy.

"Still, a thousand-five-hundred-percent increase?" Rui raised an eyebrow. "That's a bit much for a demand, don't you think?"

"It's the bare minimum," Guildmaster Bradt simply replied. "The Kandrian Empire is extremely well-connected within its massive towns such as the town of Hajin, Vargard, and the port town of Farund. But interconnectivity between these towns and across the large nation is shoddy, at best. On top of that, many of the smaller towns, villages, and settlements are entirely disconnected from travel infrastructure, increasing the cost of transport to them. If not for the Kandrian Empire's powerful Martial economy and maritime exposure due to its exposure to the Great Name Ocean, these shortcomings would be critical."

Rui knew that his reasoning was unshakable and solid.

"Cut us some slack," he grumbled softly. "The Kandrian Empire has an enormous territory and a low population density. Thus, the increase in GDP caused by gross fixed capital formation is minimal. The incentive to connect a nation as enormous as the Kandrian Empire is not as strong as it is in other nations due to how expensive it is. On top of that, there are many topographical impediments such as the Great Jrava Mountain Range, among other things."

"It is true that the incentive is lesser than it would be in smaller nations with greater population density," The guildmaster remarked. "But regardless of degree, it is always beneficial. If you intend to liberalize the economy in ten years, then expanding on public infrastructure will benefit the Kandrian Empire, besides…"

His eyes narrowed. "This is not a suggestion; it is a demand in a potential agreement, which means we are willing to compensate you for fulfilling this demand."

"Hm, true; since we have gone over your two main demands, let us hear your compensation," Rui remarked. "These are not light demands. You guys better have come prepared."

Chairman Decker smirked as Guildmaster Bradt impassively placed a single document in front of Rui.

It was a cheque statement.

Rui's eyes widened with surprise as he beheld the amount. "…One billion Shionel gold coins?!"

"Hehehe…" Chairman Decker chuckled. "Each of the many members of our political venture capital guild chipped in a chunk. This is the amount we are willing to give you if you agree to our demands."

Rui heaved a deep breath.

He was feeling a little guilty at the moment. He didn't intend to ascend the throne, and yet he was getting billions of gold coins from prospective patrons.

How pissed off would these two be if they learned about Rui's true intentions?

"…Are you serious?"

"Indeed," Guildmaster Bradt calmly remarked.

"…I'm assuming you probably didn't make such an offer to Ranea."

"Not even a third of it."

"Then why…?" Rui raised an eyebrow.

"Because of our certainty in your victory," Guildmaster Bradt impassively remarked. "I've personally witnessed what you are capable of with your own personal power and mind. I am unable to conceive your defeat in the Kandrian Throne War now that you have earned the support of the Martial Union and have successfully eliminated your four opponents without anybody realizing."

Rui smiled wryly. "Successfully eliminate? I don't know what you're talking about. They just suddenly announced the forfeiture of their bid for the throne."

Guildmaster Bradt narrowed his eyes. "You may have fooled others with that, but I know what you are capable. I knew you were responsible for their exiting of the throne war. I don't know how you managed to accomplish it, but there's no doubt in my mind that you are responsible for it."

Rui shrugged with an amused smile. "I don't know what you're talking about. Anyway, I accept your offer. One billion gold coins, and I will guarantee significant liberalization of the Kandrian economy over a ten-year span and sixteen times the fiscal expenditure into GFCF. Deal?"

The two looked quite pleased with this outcome. "Deal."

"Great, I'll have my legal division whip up the contract as soon as possible," Rui remarked. "Stick around the Kandrian Empire until then."

"I have some personal business to attend to," Chairman Decker remarked.

"As do I," Guildmaster Bradt. "While this is our initial agreement, I hope you'll be open to additional arrangements in the future."

"Of course," Rui smiled. "I did have a favor to ask of you in particular, Guildmaster."

The man stared at Rui impassively.

"I seek any and all information on the human sages of human civilization that you have," Rui remarked. "I am aware that the Bradt Distribution Service engages in information distribution rather than information brokering, but I am sure you nonetheless have a very powerful intelligence-gathering capacity that is unique to you due to the nature of your business. Help me find the Scrier, the Marine, the Divine Doctor, the Beggar Sage, and the various other mythical humans who have left their mark in history."