NABC Page 487
Page 487
They are the market development department, and behind them stands a behemoth like the Interstellar Peace Corporation. How dare a civilization that can't even break out of the atmosphere put on such an act?
Of course, there were other thoughts as well. Having finally gotten a chance to go on a business trip with my boss, how could I not make the most of it?
If he could secure a promotion recommendation at the end of the year, his mortgage of over fifty years might be reduced to less than 30%.
Even if I get a promotion and a raise, it would be good if my year-end bonus could cover two more months of mortgage payments.
"Shut up."
Bryce neither agreed nor refused, but simply spoke softly.
The two team leaders immediately fell silent, and then they saw Jepard take out his phone and contact the Great Guardian.
Upon seeing this, the two team leaders' eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of surprise and confusion. They exchanged glances and then looked at the boss in unison.
To their surprise, Jepard was using a mobile phone, the latest model released by Interstellar Peace Corporation, and it was the top-of-the-line version!
It's considered a luxury item; most ordinary people in interstellar civilizations wouldn't buy it, and they simply couldn't get their hands on this latest model. How could the military commander here have it?
Bryce stared at the young officer with an unchanged expression.
Jepard's report did not take much time:
"Please follow me, guests. The Great Guardian is waiting for you at Crepper Castle."
Having received permission, Jepard gestured for Bryce to proceed, and Bryce smiled and nodded.
As a senior executive in the market development department, Bryce has dealt with all sorts of people in his work and can almost see through Jepard's personality at a glance.
Therefore, he didn't beat around the bush and directly asked about his doubts regarding the latest mobile phone model.
"The cell phone? It was a gift from a friend, an influencer of Belloberg, and also our Great Guardian's fiancé."
"An unnamed passenger from the Star Train?"
"Yes."
Jepard nodded in agreement.
These are common knowledge, and there's no need to hide them. Given Qiong's reputation in Belloborg, even a child could pronounce "Star Train."
"I see."
Jepard's answer was exactly what Bryce expected.
Arillow was plagued by the star core for seven hundred years, and was only spared extinction thanks to the intervention of pioneering forces. It is quite normal for them to give their friends here a mobile phone as a gift.
Led by Jepard, Bryce and his group arrived at the administrative district.
Despite being assertive, basic courtesy must still be shown before any negotiations take place.
Bryce left his armed guards outside and, with two trusted subordinates, followed the Grand Guardian's secretary, Pelagia, into the fortress named after the Guardian God, symbolizing the supreme ruler of Beloborg.
Jepard then recruited an armed guard.
"Please follow me."
Pera, with her round face, wore a professional smile, polite yet serious.
Two team leaders, Bryce followed the secretary into the Great Guardian's Palace, which was more like an administrative hall than a palace.
The walls are lined with bookshelves, adorned with potted plants, and a large desk sits on a semi-circular arched platform, covered with numerous terminal devices and paper documents.
As the office of the highest ruler of a country, this place is a bit too simple.
This is how Bryce thought about it.
The layout and decoration here are not even a fraction as luxurious as his office, which is to be expected for a civilization that has weathered seven hundred years of wind and snow.
"Great Guardian, this is Mr. Bryce, an executive from the Market Development Department of Interstellar Peace Corporation."
Pera offered to introduce himself.
"Hello, Mr. Bryce, I am Bronya Rand, the Great Guardian of Beloborg, and I am here to hear your purpose."
"Hello, Miss Bronya..."
Bryce smiled and exchanged some pleasantries with the beautiful and dignified Great Guardian before him, then glanced at the several figures to the side.
A pink-haired girl with bright, lively eyes; a gray-haired beauty with silver-gray curly hair who looks exactly like the Great Guardian—it's hard to tell if she's a sibling or a brother; they must be the Great Guardian's twins.
"These must be the nameless guests who saved Yalilo. I have long admired the Star Train, and it is an honor to meet you all here today."
They treated the nameless Bryce with great courtesy, as their superior, Oswald, had once been a nameless person himself, and they had to give him face in order to expand their influence.
"Honored, honored."
Qiong grinned, seemingly oblivious to the seriousness of the atmosphere, and exchanged a few polite words with Bryce.
"I am here today purely from a personal standpoint as Bronya's fiancé, and I do not represent the train crew."
"Oh? Is that so?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Bryce's narrowed eyes.
Does Mr. Qiong mean that the Starry Sky Train has no intention of interfering in Yalilo's affairs?
A very wise choice!
Bryce was quite satisfied.
What room for resistance does Belloberg have left?
Are those gunpowder weapons that a few mechs from those companies can easily deal with, or is it the so-called Great Guardian's fiancé?
Judging from the silly gray-haired girl sitting on the trash can swinging her legs, and the fact that her supposedly great guardian fiancé is fighting with her over the trash, it seems like both of them have some serious mental illness.
"Miss Bronya is very busy with official duties, so I will get straight to the point about why I am here."
After exchanging pleasantries, Bryce got straight to the point, activating his portable terminal, and a holographic image appeared in the hall:
"This is the company's loan record, dating back 725 years. Before leaving, the company's representative in Arillo VI left behind a large sum of money, totaling..."
The holographic imagery, along with 700 years of video and audio recordings, combined with corresponding records found in the Belleberg History Book, is sufficient to prove the authenticity of the debt.
Of course, collecting the debt is not the main purpose, because the other party is unlikely to be able to repay it.
The real purpose was to acquire Belloberg and obtain the entire planet.
"Since Belloberg has survived as an independent polity to this day, this debt cannot be written off as a bad debt."
“If Yalilo-VI wants to rebuild its connection with the stars of the galaxy in the future, your credit record with the company will be of paramount importance.”
Upon learning that the Star Train would not intervene, Bryce's attitude became even more forceful, but soon, a hint of eeriness crept into his toughness.
Because the gray-haired man sitting next to the Great Guardian nodded along with his narration, looking like he was saying, "Yes, yes, yes, you're right."
"Is Mr. Qiong planning to help Belloberg repay this debt from 700 years ago?"
Bryce couldn't help but ask.
"Of course not, I'm just a gigolo kept by a rich woman, where would I get that much money?"
Qiong waved her hand amidst the envious and jealous gazes of Bryce's two accompanying subordinates.
"Moreover, on the path of pioneering, we have always been fair, selfless, and upright; paying back debts is a matter of course!"
Qiong slammed the table down with a loud clatter.
On March 7th, with dead fish eyes and an open and honest demeanor, who is selling mothers in Luofu?
"...?"
Bryce was puzzled and typed a question mark.
You really want to pay it back?
And you compromised so easily?
Is this gray-haired guy out of his mind?
"Since you two acknowledge the debt in this case, please sign this debt confirmation form."
Bryce suppressed his doubts for the time being and waved his hand, sending an electronically projected confirmation to Bronya.
He didn't care whether Qiong was acting strangely or how Belberg would repay the debt.
Once you sign the document, your goal will be achieved.
Whether the money is repaid or the planets are used as collateral, the company will not lose money.
Five minutes later, seeing that Bronya hadn't signed yet but was instead examining the contents of the confirmation form, Bryce asked:
"Miss Bronya, is there something you don't understand? If so, I can explain it to you."
"The terms on the confirmation letter are clear and reasonable, and I can understand them all."
Bronya shook her head and said, "But Mr. Bryce seems to have forgotten to include the issue of your company's repayment of the related expenses to Belloberg?"
"Ok?"
Bryce's brow furrowed slightly: "Repay the fees related to Belloberg?"
"That's right!"
Qiong snapped her fingers and called out to her secretary, "Sister Pera~ Sister~"
The child's voice calling her "sister" made the tense atmosphere slightly awkward. Pera blushed with embarrassment at being called that by Qiong, but considering that they were discussing serious matters, she couldn't bring herself to reprimand the other person.
Pera handed the terminal in her hand to Qiong.
“Mr. Bryce, none of the evidence you provided mentioned that this money was a loan from the company to the builders. Of course, don’t rush to conclusions, this does not mean that Belloberg does not need to repay the money.”
"The company's actions are more like an investment than a loan, hoping to maximize the company's economic benefits. Mr. Bryce is an elite member of the company and will surely understand what I'm saying."
Qiong opened Pera's terminal and displayed the files within:
"At that time, Belloborg received the money, and the builders used it to construct Belloborg, building some defensive fortresses and a large number of city walls. Those documents are all property certificates for the city walls, the owner companies."
Bryce's smile had vanished.
“In fact, Belloberg has helped the company safeguard and maintain its assets for seven hundred years. According to Galaxy Law, the company needs to provide Belloberg with a small amount of safekeeping and maintenance fees—this is the annual maintenance cost, and finally the comprehensive fee.”
As Qiong spoke, Bryce's expression completely vanished. The two employees behind him, seeing the holographic screen Qiong pushed towards them, couldn't help but gasp in surprise:
"Maintenance cost: 1793.14 trillion credits!!!"
The calculation method is the same as for corporate debt, which is compound interest, and the maintenance cost is greater than the company's operating interest rate.
"Uh-huh."
Qiong nodded lightly: "After deducting Belloberg's debt, the company only needs to repay Belloberg 1145.14 trillion credit points. Considering the company's initial investment, we can waive the difference."
I learned this trick from a financial industry content creator on a pink app before I transmigrated.
"Since Mr. Bryce is a senior executive in the market development department, he doesn't need me to explain the relevant laws, does he?"
These were never the point.
"Therefore, Mr. Bryce, please report this to company headquarters."
Qiong grinned and slapped the holographic confirmation slip over: "Give me my money back!"
Bryce stared at the holographic projection displaying the maintenance costs, his gaze deep and cold.
He was well aware that the other party's actions were legal, but how dare you do that?
This debt is not entirely reasonable; the company calculates it using compound interest, and the target of their debt collection efforts is the planet Arillow.
Essentially, they're just bullying you because they have bigger fists!
But now you dare to turn the tables and accuse me?!
"I'm sorry, Mr. Qiong, this is not in accordance with company regulations."
Bryce said coldly.
"Oh? So the company is planning to default on its debt?"
Qiong was still smiling.
PS:
Chapter 463 It's time for Yue'er to make her appearance again.