[Current Balance: £11,244,680 11s. 8d.](359,829,779R)
---
Night came as Alaric stood in the massive vault beneath the Kenway mansion. This vault was his own creation, designed during the mansion's construction.
The space spanned roughly two hundred square meters.
Its walls, floors, and ceilings were forged from condensed metal through Alaric's "Vulkan," making it impenetrable and resistant even to firearms, explosives, and theoretical nuclear weapons.
Despite its purpose, the vault was surprisingly spacious and featured multiple rooms.
Each room served to separate the earnings from various businesses and individuals.
For example, one room was dedicated to the Kenway Farm, filled with chests of uncollected money and an organized ledger.
Leonard and Eleanor shared a room for their private funds and collections, while Bernard and Linette had a similar setup.
Alaric had his own room as well, though it was often empty since his wealth was stored within his System.
Alaric stepped into his room to find a letter placed atop a chest of coins.
He opened it to read:
'January - April Profit: £7,700. Alaric's Share: £2,310.'
[+ £2,310]
[Current Balance: £11,246,990 11s. 8d.](359,903,699R)
Alaric smiled at the earnings. "£7,700 within four months? That's our farm's annual profit last year..."
'Now that I think about it... I can create gold with my Vulkan.'
Activating his EMS, Alaric summoned "Vulkan." A shining 24k gold bar appeared in his hand.
Curious, he opened his System Interface.
[Buy] [Sell]
Selecting [Sell], he offered the gold bar.
"..."
"As I thought," Alaric sighed before heading to the 'For Emergency' room. Inside were a few chests filled with money, nothing more.
He placed the gold bar on the long table and activated Vulkan once again, producing several more gold bars. 'Hmm... that should be enough.'
Clearing his thoughts, Alaric walked out and secured the vault with a small yet powerful lock forged from compressed metal. Despite its size, it ensured absolute security.
His eyes drifted to the opposite wall of the underground chamber.
'Now... as to why I'm here.'
Smirking, he unsheathed his Kusanagi, channeling chakra into the blade. Multiple slashes tore through the wall and everything behind it.
To stabilize the structure, Alaric performed a single hand seal, summoning sturdy wooden beams that stretched from floor to ceiling. With that, he continued carving his way forward for a full twenty minutes until he finally stopped.
Realizing the darkness surrounding him, Alaric flicked his finger, igniting a floating flame that expanded to illuminate the area.
'Earth Release: I Don't Know What You're Called, But Compress!' He performed a series of hand seals, compressing all the loose dirt into a small cube.
Curious, he touched it and sold it to the System.
[+ £2]
[Current Balance: £11,246,992 11s. 8d.](359,903,763R)
"Well... that's fine."
With a few more seals, Alaric raised thick wooden walls to line the corners and edges of his surroundings. Wood also spread across the ceiling and floor.
'This wood release is fire-resistant and stronger than steel, no corrosion too... this is a much better idea.'
Opening the System Interface, Alaric navigated to [Buy].
'Anything that provides light,' he thought.
It didn't even take a seconds as the System displayed numerous options.
[Lantern - It's a lantern - 2d.]
[Wall Lantern - It's a wall lantern - 2d.]
[Chandelier Beesewax Candles (Large) - 1s.]
[...]
Sighing, Alaric purchased multiple lanterns and positioned them throughout the massive room.
[Wall Lantern (160) - £1 6s. 7d.]
[Lantern (40) - 6s. 7d.]
[Chandelier Beesewax Candles (20) - £1]
[- £2 13s. 2d.]
[Current Balance: £11,246,989 18s. 6d.]
With his new lighting secured, Alaric surveyed the vast 112m x 112m space. The sheer size of it made him pause, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
"Not bad..." he muttered.
Rubbing his hands together, Alaric got to work. He began crafting wooden crates using his wood release. Each crate formed smoothly, piece by piece, filling the space steadily.
---Hours Later---
Rows of thousands of crates were now neatly stacked and arranged. Each crate contained well-organized stock:
Celestial Salve: 250 pieces per crate... 10,000 crates.
Ramen: 500 pieces per big crate... 10,000 big crates.
Hot Sauce: 300 pieces per crate... 10,000 crates.
Beauty Mask: 10,000 pieces per crate... 7,000 crates.
Celestial Tea: 200 pieces per crate... 10,000 crates.
"Hehehehe... damn... that was expensive," Alaric chuckled, grinning at the sight. 'Since I'm using Penn's name, this amount of Celestial Salves might be okay... it's not like we're selling them all in one day. I'll also sell them with the same price as Penn's...'
'If all of this sells out... how much would it be...'
"..."
"..."
After calculating for several minutes, Alaric's eyes widened.
"DAMN! About £262 million!!??? Who has that kind of money anyway!?"
"..."
"..."
"Damn... I mean damn..."
"At least... I can pay the £250,000 annual tax after the four-year period... or I could just gift 'some' money towards Royal Palace to avoid taxes and everyone's happy."
[Hyuga Clan Secret Ointment (2,500,000x) - £156250 0s. 0d.]
[Ichiraku Ramen Instant Noodle Cups (5,000,000x) - £4166 13s. 3d.]
[Uchiha Fire & Spice Hot Sauce (3,000,000x) - £87,500]
[Kunoichi Beauty Mask (5,000,000x) - £7,875,000]
[Sage's Herbal Infusion Tea Bags (5,000,000x) - £75,000]
[- £8,197,916 13s. 3d.]
[Current Balance: £3,049,073 18s. 6d.](97,570,365R)
---
Morning came as Alaric did his usual routine. He did a lot of push-ups and used "Suiton: Full Bathing Jutsu" to automatically bath himself, using his "Shampoo + Conditioner" and "Liquid Bathing Soap". He then headed towards his office, greeting the staff he came across on the way.
He knew there were people in the library, so he just opened the door to reveal Reuben, Thulani, and Jonathan, having a conversation.
"Yeah, I don't thi- Ah... 'Laric" Reuben, who was holding a teacup, stopped his sentence mid-way as soon as he saw the blonde. "We were discussing 'bout the news this mornin'."
"Oh?" Alaric's brow raised as he walked towards them and sat on the sofa. "Celestial Tea's aroma is definitely alluring."
"I agree... anyways," Reuben nodded his head then grabbed the newspaper that was on the coffee table and handed it to Alaric. "Read the front page."
"Hm..."
'BROADSHEET REPORT – BRISTOL, 1712
In an occurrence that has sent tremors through our fair city, Mr. Edward Colston was discovered lifeless in his private bedchamber. Authorities report that the venerable merchant's estate now lies in a state of profound disarray.
Nearly two hundred of his loyal guards were found scattered about the grounds—silent sentinels whose service appears to have ended in a most untimely manner.
Local constables have been summoned, and preliminary inquiries suggest that the events transpired with little warning. Residents whisper that an eerie quiet descended upon the estate, leaving no trace of the force responsible for this calamity.
Magistrates have vowed a thorough investigation, and the people of Bristol await further declarations with both trepidation and a demand for justice.
In these troubling times, the fall of Mr. Colston, once a pillar of commerce and society, has cast a long shadow over the community, inviting speculation and sorrow in equal measure.
Furthermore, city officials have declared that any individual offering reliable testimony identifying the assailant shall be granted a reward of £10, to be dispensed upon the formal confirmation of the accused culprit.'
"...Well, that's boring... and William's the pillar of commerce in this city, not him," Alaric sighed as he grabbed a teacup and a kettle, pouring some warm water on the cup. "Does any of you have some Celestial Tea bag?"
Reuben sighed and rummaged his pockets as Alaric made a stinky face.
"Ah... never mind," The blonde sighed as he sip some warm water.
"...I have some, though..." Reuben raised a brow but was left speechless as he finally understood why Alaric made that face. "Damn... you've become such a snob."
Acting as if he heard nothing, Alaric continued to sip warm some more while 'admiring' the design of his office.
"Ehem..." Thulani cleared his throat as he stared at Alaric. "We're because of... the payment."
"...Payment?" Alaric's brow raised as he confusingly looked at Thulani. "You need to pay someone?"
"I mean you," Thulani awkwardly said, not knowing what to say. "O-Our mission has finished... right?"
The blonde could only chuckle as he placed the teacup on the table.
"Yep... you've looted the ship, right? Like how Reuben and Jonathan looted their targets too," Alaric replied while Reuben was now the one 'admiring' Alaric's office, while Jonathan was genuinely confused.
"Umm... is there anything I should know about, Master?" The Assassin asked the blonde while glancing at Thulani and Reuben.
"..."
"Okay, geez... why're you guys so bent on coins?" Alaric chuckled as he shook his head and hid his hands behind the sofa.
[- £400]
[- £400]
[- £400]
[- £1,200]
[Current Balance: £3,047,873 18s. 6d.]
The blonde then lifted his hands to reveal three large pouches that were threatening to burst from the contents inside. He then puts them on the table.
"Each of you, take one... you deserve it," Alaric smiled as the three of them widened their eyes.
Reuben even opened his mouth slightly, as Thulani's heart pounded. Jonathan was confused but thankful at the same time.
"I'll be out of service for a while," Reuben was the first to get up and walked towards the door.
Alaric then turned his head towards Thulani. "How 'bout you, Thulani? You asked for Aveline's hand yet?"
"W-What? N-No!" Thulani widened his eyes and stuttered like a child. "I-I'm to unworthy of her."
"..."
"..."
"Come on, lad," Alaric replied, staring at Thulani's eyes that were full of guilt. "You probably don't know the story of the Scott family. Emmett Scott was an abusive father and husband. Did you forget how he disowned Caroline because she married Edward?"
"...Still... I don't deserve her, I am a former slave..."
"Ah come on... interracial is normal!" Alaric grinned as he stood up and made his way behind his desk, sitting on his chair. "Besides... Emmett's gone, and Elizabeth, having endured years of hardship under his domineering ways, now values personal happiness above social expectations. She's always believed that true love transcends wealth, status, or race... as long as her children are happy, she is too."
"..."
"Ah... and Elizabeth ain't racist."
"Also, I'll financially suppo-"
"Fine! I'll do it!" Thulani grit his teeth and glared at Alaric. He clenched his fists tightly, determination surging through him. "I'll do it tomorrow!"
"Huh!?" The blonde exclaimed. "Why not today!?"
Jonathan, who was feeling left out, glanced at the others with a forced smile. He dismissed himself with a smooth excuse. "I have to attend to the male staff in this house, if you would excuse me..."
Alaric shook his head and looks down on a paper that was sitting on top of his desk. Giving it a little read, he smirked and motioned for Thulani to near him.
"Yes?"
"Read it," Alaric gave the paper to the former slave, as the latter began reading.
"..."
"...Okay, Caroline wants me to accompany her to Bedminster?" Thulani's brows raised as he took his gaze from the paper towards Alaric. "Why did she specify my name? I can't walk around freely..."
"Who knows?" Alaric shrugged with a smirk tug on his lips. "And here..."
Alaric reached for his pocket and took out a few rolled paper that left undamaged, giving it to Thulani.
"That's your official documents to prove that you're a freeman from now on," The blonde smiled as Thulani widened his eyes. "The other papers are for our friends back at the farm..."
"It's hard to give the others the freeman status as they aren't fluent with the english language," He continued. "That's why you'll be busy teaching them what to do and what not to do 'round here."
"...I don't know what to say," Thulani mumured as locked his eyes on the paper. "Thanks..."
"No problem. I'm still going to abolish slavery... at least in Bristol. As to when that will happen... I don't know."
"Your thoughts and efforts are enough," Thulani replied as he smiled towards Alaric. "I'll always be proud to call you my friend."
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