Shariel Raphael, along with the second and fourth princes, landed on the island once again.
The Siren smiled and said, "Both princes have come, it seems. I’ve shown my sincerity. If that’s not enough, I’m willing to find the other two."
The fourth prince said in a deep voice, "We still haven’t received any reply from the third brother and fifth brother."
The Siren sighed, "Even Old Turtle can’t claim to understand the Sea of Creation; the dangers within are unpredictable. But the more it is so, the more I should search. Would the two princes kindly point me in a direction?"
The two princes exchanged glances.
Shariel and Raphael instantly saw through their little schemes. After all, the fewer princes, the better. It wouldn’t be bad at all if they can’t be found. But they couldn’t not search.
The fourth prince said modestly, "Second brother, you decide, I will follow your lead."
The second prince said, "I recall the last time I kept in touch with the third brother, he was five kilometers northeast of me, and then he seemed to enter another branch of the Dark Sea and lost contact. Lady Guardian, could you provide a specific chart of the Dark Sea routes?"
Behind the scenes, Chun’s heart tightened. The prince actually wanted the Dark Sea route! But if he said no, it would seem completely lacking in sincerity. Should he make a trade?
As expected, the Siren inquired on the guild channel, "City Lord, what should we do?"
Chun gritted his teeth, "Give it! Prepare to discuss the conditions under which we open a bank!"
"Understood."
So, the Siren sighed, "I can provide several main Dark Sea routes. But I’m worried that the Empire might not forgive me and use the Dark Sea to attack. I’m really worried and scared."
The second prince paused for a moment, "We promise not to hand the chart over to the Empire."
Shariel and Raphael immediately felt the time was ripe, "We have a proposal that will absolutely reassure the goddess and your highness!"
Chun was taken aback at what the Ten Lords were up to.
The Siren said in surprise, "Let’s hear from the Sage."
Raphael said, "Just now, the banking services on the island left a deep impression on me. I believe the island can certainly establish an Imperial Bank where both your highness hold half of the bank’s shares. This deepens our ties, and Lady Guardian wouldn’t have to worry about the Empire attacking."
Chun was shocked to his core, Holy Shit! The Ten Lords were thinking along the same lines as me! And they thought even further, using vested interests to ensure safety!!! Even if I yield half the shares, it would still be a huge profit compared to the current pretense of business that’s all just playing house!
The fourth prince was stunned, "But this is the isolated Evil Spirit Island. Even if an Imperial Bank is opened, no merchants would reach the island, leaving it without business prospects!"
Raphael got excited, "Your Highness, the next move is to open a Shadow Bank connecting Evil Spirit Island with the forces of Hell. This way, Evil Spirit Island becomes the secret trading point for Imperial and Hell financial connectivity. Being isolated and flexible is actually Shadow Bank’s greatest advantage!"
Shariel said, "That’s right, the island is full of evil spirits; gaining Hell’s trust is not a problem! As long as we establish the Imperial Bank first, Hell will definitely want to join in once they see it, and by then, the intermediary profits will be yours, Your Highness!"
Holy Shit!!
Chun was absolutely stunned! Shadow Banking!? The Ten Lords are too thorough, delving much deeper than I imagined. After all, what use is a navy route exchange for a bank on its own? Should the Empire turn hostile, they can sever the bank at any time.
But now, as long as the Hell Bank is also established and the princes have this layer of vested interest, the Empire won’t easily cut ties. Even if they do, at least the connection to Hell remains, and that’s still a legitimate bank.
But the two princes were shocked, "Shadow Bank? What if it’s discovered..."
The Siren smiled, "I promise not to tell!"
Raphael emphasized, "If Your Highness give us a little share too, we’ll be bound by interest and absolutely won’t speak of it."
Shariel also said, "You must also give Lord Helen of the Divine Throne shares, that way she won’t speak either!"
The prince was stunned, "Give her?"
Shariel became anxious, "Divine Throne Helen is very luxurious and ambitious. Wouldn’t it be reasonable for her to want shares?"
Once more, the Siren smiled, "If the princes and that Divine Throne agree to tie interests and ensure our island’s safety, I also assure you I will stop plundering the Empire’s cargo ships in the future."
The fourth prince frowned, "Sure you won’t plunder anymore?"
The Siren sighed, "Actually, when a mouse steals grain, it doesn’t know it’s stealing, it just believes it’s necessary for survival. When I was plundering the Empire’s warships, I too didn’t think I was plundering. Back then, I had the mindset of a small mouse. Now I’ve progressed and won’t do it. That’s why I’ve invited you here for a friendly visit."
The second prince asked, "Fourth brother, what do you think?"
The fourth prince humbly said, "If second brother says go ahead, I’ll follow along!"
"Alright!"
Thus, the second prince said, "Lady Guardian, connecting to the Imperial Bank is pretty straightforward. I’ll dismantle the banking ATM machine system from our warship and install it in your bank!"
Holy Shit!?
The Siren was a bit stunned, "There are banks on the ship?"
The second prince said, "Normally, ships don’t have them, but this ship is actually an armed luxury cruise. Of course, it has banking functions."
The Siren was delighted, "Great, I also have Old Curly the lawyer here, ready to sign a contract! How about a 50% share?"
The second prince nodded, "Alright, let’s dismantle the machines first. Although dismantling is simple, this banking system’s operation is quite complex. While I understand it to some extent, so let me personally train your bank’s staff."
The Siren beamed, "Thank you so much, Your Highness!"