MBD | Chapter 10

Just like the terms Industrial Revolution and IT Revolution, the Magic Stone Tech Revolution in this reincarnated world will also become a pivotal moment in history.

“If it really happens, the world will change. No, the way we make money itself will change. Especially in the military…”

The dynamics of war will change. My ultimate goal was war, but Graf would see the profits and numbers resulting from it. For now, that was enough.

“It’s an absurd story, but I must be crazy for not thinking it’s absurd.”

“You must have invested quite a bit in Magic Stone Tech too, right?”

“I thought it would work, but I didn’t expect it to be this much. This shakes the very foundation of industry.”

If things went as Everhart said, it would be an enormous event that could affect not just industries but entire countries or continents.

“What will you do if I refuse?”

“It would be unfortunate, but I’d have to find someone else just as talented.”

“Is there anyone else who would do something this crazy besides me?”

“They might not be as good as you, but they’d do as much as they’re paid.”

Recruiting Graf was the best option, but Everhart’s plan wouldn’t fall apart without him. Graf was slightly taken aback by Everhart’s feigned nonchalance.

Soon, Graf realized that Everhart was confident about something.

“I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“Your plan is certainly groundbreaking. But that’s all it is.”

Usually, when presenting a vision, people tend to boast about the next steps. And those plans are mostly absurd hopes.

“Why does that matter?”

“Is there something beyond that?”

Everhart deliberately only shared the necessary information for Graf to notice. Graf strongly felt that Everhart was hiding something.

Instead of answering, Everhart just smirked. It was as if he was saying, “It’s up to you to figure it out.”

Graf took it as a positive sign.

“I only share my next steps with my people.”

At the right moment, Everhart threw in a line, and Graf spoke up, feeling provoked.

“I’ll do it. Let’s sign the contract. What should I call you from now on?”

“For now, just call me CEO.”

“Eventually, you’ll be Chairman.”

Of course, I don’t plan to be satisfied with just one company, EberTech. Do you know how massive the money and resources needed for war are?

This won’t be enough to handle a money-eating monster.

‘This is where Karl Heinrich’s biggest flaw comes out.’

To weaken the power of the five great families, he tore the industry apart too much. You can’t do that if you want to wage war.

‘Eventually, I’ll absorb all the institutional industries run by the five great families into the Friedrich family.’

By then, the Everhart family won’t be just a family; it’ll be the Everhart conglomerate.

‘Heh, if I hold all the institutional industries, Karl Heinrich won’t be able to kill me easily.’

And if I offer it to him and secure a position by his side, and then win the war, wouldn’t it be a happy ending for everyone?

Leonard Graf signed the contract without a moment’s hesitation.

“Congratulations on becoming the CEO of EberTech.”

“Thank you.”

Everhart ordered the most expensive champagne via room service and shared it with Graf.

“It may be modest now, but it’ll be different later.”

“Champagne from the CEO is more than enough. What more do I need? By the way, can I see the materials related to EberTech?”

“Of course.”

Everhart handed over all the materials and future plans related to EberTech to Graf, as he had anticipated.

“You’ve organized it like military documents.”

“Well… haha.”

How well could Kang Woojin, a military man, write a general report?

Graf reviewed the documents and discussed various things, including what needed to be revised. As expected, he was undoubtedly a workaholic, diving straight into work discussions.

“I understand. I can handle everything else, but there’s a major flaw in this plan.”

“A flaw?”

“Capital.”

“What? It’s 20 million gold.”

This 20 million gold was the money that could barely be raised by disposing of the shares of Adelheid Textiles, the shares Everhart owned in companies under the Friedrich family, and all the land and assets in his name.

20 million gold meant an initial capital of 6 billion, and now it’s not enough? Really?

“Yes. It’s far from enough to execute the plan.”

“Roughly how much more?”

Everhart asked Graf, sweating nervously. This was unexpected.

“I need to calculate it precisely, but roughly 10 million Ardenrian Gold should be the minimum.”

10 million Ardenrian Gold?

He’s talking recklessly about someone else’s money.

Where am I supposed to suddenly get 3 billion?

I can’t even borrow…

Should I try borrowing?

A thought crossed Everhart’s mind.

Around this time, there’s an incident where young Bergent and the nobles are extorted for a massive amount of money.

The so-called ‘Dawn’s Light Cult Incident.’

Since they haven’t started their activities in earnest yet, I thought maybe I could use it to get 10 million gold.

To be precise, it’s not extortion, but support, but in any case, it’s borrowing in a good way.

Of course, 20 million gold didn’t just spring up from the ground. Everhart had already maxed out loans from the Eisenwald Central Bank and the Continental Bank, using shares and assets as collateral to raise this money.

No joke, there’s no more money to be found.

“With 20 million gold, how much of this plan can be executed?”

“About 70% seems possible. However, the profits will decrease accordingly.”

“Would it be difficult to raise it within a year?”

“As you know, investment is about timing. If you miss this opportunity, it might be difficult to achieve the expected profits.”

It wasn’t a small amount, but Graf explained that it was insufficient for achieving the goals outlined in the plan and for initial maintenance.

‘I didn’t expect this.’

When I anticipated 20 million gold, I didn’t think it would be lacking, or at most, it would be more than enough.

I never imagined it would be short by as much as 10 million gold.

Even though Kang Woojin was an expert in the military field, he didn’t have detailed knowledge in management.

And in the novel, it just worked out?

Huh? Everyone just said it would work if you did it like this?

Detailed process?

What is that, isn’t it something you eat?

…It might have been a novel for Kang Woojin, but it was reality for Everhart.

Everhart, deep in thought, took a drag on his cigarette.

‘70% is far from enough.’

Considering future plans, even if I invest all the money I earn, it won’t be enough, and I have no intention of stumbling from the start.

I completely agreed with Graf’s point that I shouldn’t miss this opportunity.

“Let’s start with the idea of 30 million.”

“If you do that, you’ll suffer from a lack of funds.”

“I’ll raise 10 million gold within this year.”

“Where do you plan to get the money when you’ve already maxed out loans?”

“You knew that and still asked for 10 million more?”

“Reality is reality.”

As expected of an eccentric, Graf was uncompromising when it came to money matters.

“I’ll get it. If not, I’ll sell Friedrich family land to make it, so don’t worry. There will be no changes to the plan.”

“Hmm, understood. Well, being from one of the five great families, you must have some hidden black money.”

“I have nothing to say if you put it so bluntly.”

“It doesn’t matter now, but once you establish yourself, you’ll have to disclose everything related to you, down to the last crumb.”

“Isn’t that an invasion of privacy? Even a wife wouldn’t do that much!”

“Even money your wife doesn’t know about is included. But haven’t you not married yet?”

“At my age, marriage… Oh. Or not. Anyway, have you?”

“My daughter is five years old.”

“…Well, good for you.”

So he’s married.

The original work didn’t mention personal matters, so there was no way to know.

“I’ll arrange it and let you know.”

“If it’s black money, you must let me know. We need to launder it.”

“It shouldn’t be that bad, but okay.”

Perhaps thinking they were on the same boat, Graf’s words and actions were certainly unrestrained.

Everhart handed Graf another briefcase.

“These are the bank accounts, passwords, and seals set up for the company.”

Graf checked each of the bankbooks.

“You’ve distributed them well. If the amount is too large, the authorities will investigate.”

“I-I have a plan.”

In reality, it was just that while pulling money from here and there, the accounts became multiple, and I couldn’t consolidate them.

But knowing that it wouldn’t be cool, Everhart acted as if it was deliberate. Yes, a man has his pride.

“I have one question.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t you think I might run away with this money?”

The 20 million gold entrusted to Graf was no small amount.

In Korean currency, it’s about 6 billion won. Everhart answered calmly.

“If you run away, it just means my judgment of people was that poor. But even if that money disappears, the Friedrich family won’t go bankrupt.”

This money was only created in Everhart’s name.

Including assets that Everhart didn’t know about or were difficult to estimate, 20 million gold was nothing.

“If you plan to run away, I recommend not returning to Eisenwald.”

“Well, I guess I can’t run away even if I want to.”

“Are you really going to take the money and run?”