Chapter 34: Cola Is Just the Beginning (1)
Chapter 34: Cola Is Just the Beginning (1)
Translation: Godtl
Cola had flooded the market.
The price was set at 2 pence per 355ml bottle.
It could be purchased at the Cola Wholesale Outlet in the Nortaris Central Station warehouse branch, with a purchase limit of 100 bottles per person.
Among the upper-class social circles where nobles mingled, news traveled fast.
Though the timing varied, high society had anticipated "mass production of cola" even before the factory was built.
From that moment on, they swiftly removed the cola bottles they had proudly displayed in their hat boxes, handbags, or wine cellars.
Cola, now accessible to anyone, had lost all its value.
"Cola? That was fun for a while. But honestly, it was about time the novelty wore off, don't you think?"
"I always thought the cola craze was strange from the beginning."
"Let's be reasonable—a single bottle of drink being traded for dozens of crowns at its peak was absurd. This is just the market correcting itself."
"Human folly, truly fleeting."
The same socialites who had once been obsessed with cola now transformed into the most rational intellectuals, harshly criticizing and self-reflecting on the grotesque trend-chasing phenomenon—as if they had never been part of it themselves.
The "Who Can Hoard the Most Cola" game was officially over.
But while cola had been just a game for some, for others, it had been an investment.
And they were the ones who suffered direct losses from its mass production.
"What do you mean they're mass-producing cola?! Why would they do something so idiotic?! Then what about all the cola I bought at inflated prices?!"
"I don't understand it either. If they'd just left things as they were, they could've made hundreds of crowns effortlessly."
"Tsk tsk, what would a spoiled little lady know? She probably thinks money just rolls in the moment you slap a factory sign up."
Among them, the loudest voice of condemnation came from Baronet Vance, a first-generation noble from Shanglian.
"Outrageous!"
His goat-like beard quivered as he ranted.
"All this time, while making absurd profits from cola, she was secretly plotting to screw me over behind my back, wasn't she?"
Those around him gave knowing looks.
"That's just how investments go."
"But didn't you make a tidy sum along the way?"
He was a man who had risen to a baronetcy through shrewd hoarding strategies, but...
This time, the outcome hadn't been favorable.
He had started stockpiling cola the moment the trend began, only for Penelope to suddenly announce factory production, wiping out his entire fortune.
"That Penelope wench targeted me on purpose! Why else would she sell dozens of bottles to me while only giving others two or three?!"
"Baronet Vance, isn't that a bit too far-fetched?"
"Shouldn't you have sold when you had the chance? I get that losing money stings, but you made your own choices."
Regardless of others' reactions, Vance was utterly convinced.
Because, you see, Baronet Vance had made a habit of badmouthing Penelope whenever he got bored.
What did it matter if he insulted her? She was just the daughter of the Rosemore Count Family—no consequences for him!
For Vance, who harbored deep-seated inferiority about his origins, Penelope had been the perfect punching bag—a stress reliever and a cheap source of superiority.
This cola incident was undoubtedly Penelope's calculated revenge.
"I'm telling you... Penelope set me up on purpose..."
"Good grief, this man is insufferable."
The half-hearted comforters were visibly growing annoyed with him.
What the fuck are we supposed to do about it?
Baronet Vance is really scraping the bottom of the barrel now.
Whining like a damn brat. Are we his wet nurses or something?
The only reason Baronet Vance had been tolerated in high society was his wealth.
Now that he'd lost his fortune and was wailing about it to anyone who'd listen, he had no value left.
"Look, there she is now. If you're so wronged, why don't you go confront her properly?"
Following the pointing finger, sure enough, Penelope was passing by.
"Miss Penelope! I have something to say to you!"
Vance, who'd been stewing in resentment, strode toward her with heavy steps.
Though his face wore a smile, his insides were twisted with rage.
How dare this green little brat play such tricks on me!
Recent rumors in the black notebooks claimed she'd been hiding her true capabilities, that she was the shadow power manipulating the Grey Council—but Vance dismissed them as nonsense.
That same girl who couldn't even squeak when people openly mocked her behind her back?
The same novice who'd come begging for his help not long ago, stamping her feet and asking, "How should I sell the cola?"
Utterly ridiculous.
"Miss Penelope, let's have a word. I have something to say about the cola matter."
Penelope, who'd stopped and waited calmly for Vance to approach, tossed out a single line.
"Who are you again?"
Her tone made it clear he wasn't even worth her notice.
Suppressing his fury, Vance forced a genial smile.
"Now, now, why so cold? Don't you remember? I bought three whole crates of cola from you."
"Ah, I remember now."
"Didn't I roll up my sleeves to help when you said you were struggling with cola distribution? And then you suddenly reopened the factory and stabbed me in the back? This is a clear breach of contract!"
"So?"
"'So?' That's not— Hah... It seems Miss Penelope is still too young to understand how serious contract violations are. Your unilateral decision caused me significant damages. I demand proper compensation."
Penelope let out a faint, derisive laugh.
"Did I ask you to hoard my cola with your entire fortune? Or did I threaten you into it?"
"Th-that wasn't hoarding! It was supply control to maintain scarcity! Don't you understand basic business? We were supposed to prosper together!"
"My, I had no idea you cared so deeply for my well-being..."
Trailing off, Penelope's gaze pierced through Baronet Vance like a blade.
"Actually, you have always thought about me quite a lot, haven't you, Viscount?"
Her voice was icy, stripped of all pretense.
Even as her crimson eyes maintained a polite smile, something terrifying glinted within them.
Vance felt his chest tighten.
Unless he was mistaken, those eyes belonged to a hunter staring down prey caught in a snare.
"Wh-what do you mean by that?"
"I believe Baronet Vance knows far better than I do."
So she did know the truth.
Which meant his suspicions were correct—she'd flooded the market with cola purely for revenge.
Normally, having his theory confirmed would call for celebration...
Yet Vance couldn't muster an ounce of triumph.
"H-how much do you actually—"
"Rather than how much I know... shouldn't you be more concerned about who you're speaking to right now, and what you're saying to them? Don't you agree?"
Everything had been a lie—deception, falsehood, fabrication.
The Penelope standing before Baronet Vance now was an entirely different person from the one he'd known until this moment.
A newspaper headline flashed through Baronet Vance's mind:
'Edwin Brighton, CEO of Polar Suns, Found Hanged at Company Headquarters.'
Perhaps the follow-up article might read: 'Baronet Vance, Who Habitually Insulted the Young Lady of House Rosemore, Found Hanged at His Residence.'
As Baronet Vance's legs trembled uncontrollably, Penelope smiled sweetly and asked:
"Was there anything else? I must be going to receive an investment proposal now."
Baronet Vance—and indeed everyone witnessing this scene—understood one thing clearly.
Here stood a person who could bury her political enemies without batting an eye.
That person was Penelope Rosemore.
Nortaris Central Station, the northern landmark built with steel arches and glass domes.
Since Nortaris was both the largest city and primary food production hub of the north, every railway line crossing the northern territories passed through this station.
Consequently, the old-fashioned concourse was always packed with travelers in thick coats and merchants moving between regions, gaining equal notoriety for its pickpockets.
But today, it was deserted enough to hear flies buzzing.
Because all attention and foot traffic had been sucked toward one particular wholesale beverage store near the station.
The famous Nortaris specialty that Bellaby adored.
The drink nobles would grovel to obtain even a single bottle of.
Cola had officially gone on sale.
"Move aside! I was here first!"
"What nonsense! I've been waiting here since 3 AM with my tent—get lost!"
The converted warehouse serving as the direct sales venue was packed shoulder to shoulder.
A passerby who didn't understand the commotion grabbed someone and asked:
"Tsk tsk, don't people have anything better to do? What kind of drink could possibly make them line up like this? Are they selling some elixir of immortality?"
"Don't speak of what you don't know... It's cola. They're selling cola."
"What?! Cola? Can I still get in line now?"
"I'm not sure, but just get behind me for now."
The line stretched endlessly, and even waiting all day didn't guarantee securing cola—yet.
Instead of irritation or complaints, people's faces shone with anticipation.
"Oho, I'll finally get to taste that cola..."
"Don't tell me this is your first time trying cola?"
"Of course! How could someone like me have tasted such a rarity?"
"I drank some when they sold it at the End of the Galley. Ah... I should've saved it to resell instead of drinking it..."
"Oh? So what's it taste like?"
"Absolute perfection."
The beverage Bellaby had praised to the skies.
So precious afterward that even haughty nobles groveled to obtain a single bottle.
The extravagant drink that had traded hands for dozens of crowns per bottle could now be tasted for mere two pennies.
Though high society's interest had waned, the 'brand' value they'd gilded onto cola still shone with undiminished halo.
"Going exactly as planned."
Jurgen watched the scene contentedly from the wholesale store's second floor.
This was it.
The exact vision he'd imagined since commissioning Bellaby to promote cola.
The masses harbor ambivalent feelings toward high society—pointing fingers while secretly yearning.
They try to mimic, imitate, and recreate upper-class culture.
History offers countless examples.
After the French Revolution, when aristocratic chefs opened restaurants, the bourgeoisie formed a 'fine dining' culture around them.
How luxury hotel packages costing hundreds per night or omakase meals priced at thousands became packaged as 'special experiences' and gained popularity.
The fact that 'luxury goods' with absurdly high prices primarily target the middle class proves this point.
To reiterate, consumers purchase the image of a product.
Who could possibly say now, "Cola? Isn't that just a cheap drink for the lower classes?"
At the very least, Cola's brand is firmly established within Nortaris.
This craze won't die down until every one of them has tasted Cola at least once.
However.
This is merely the starting point.
The goal is to spread this fervor throughout the entire North, and eventually, the entire kingdom.
To achieve that, money is needed.
A great deal of money.
"Jurgen, are you here?"
Penelope had come upstairs from below.
She must have returned from the afternoon tea party at the 'Tiffany Salon.'
"What's all this? Why are there so many people? I had trouble even getting in."
As soon as she returned and saw the long queue stretching outside, a smug smile spread across Penelope's lips.
Though she grumbled outwardly, her flushed cheeks betrayed an irrepressible sense of accomplishment and passion.
"Welcome back, Miss Penelope. Did you enjoy the tea party?"
With his characteristic mischievous grin, he sauntered over.
"You wouldn't be so nonchalant if you knew what I've brought back."
Penelope pulled out a stack of documents and fanned them out like a hand fan.
"What's that?"
"Investment proposals. Seems like everyone's gotten worked up."
Penelope wasn't just idly sipping tea for no reason.
In Britannia, business runs not only on money but also on status, connections, and the networks derived from them.
High society is a web of intertwined opportunities where all these elements converge.
"I weeded out all the worthless offers and picked the decent ones. Care to take a look? I figured it's best to discuss them with you."
"Show me."
The prospects for the Cola business are bright.
Naturally, there were plenty of good offers.
"First, there's the proposal from Marquess Ashford. He's a member of the city council's upper house and moves in the central political circles of the House of Lords. His business is mining—it's no exaggeration to say every shiny rock in the North passes through his hands."
"What are the investment terms?"
"An immediate cash investment of 1,000 Crowns and a conditional loan of 2,000 Crowns. He demands 10% equity and a royalty of 0.1 pence per bottle, equivalent to four times the loan amount."
At first glance, it seems like a greedy attempt to grab a large stake and royalties for minimal investment.
Yet, this is a proposal worth serious consideration.
The mere rumor that "Marquess Ashford has invested" would grant Y&P Trading Company significant social credibility.
Moreover, his stake means that as Cola grows, so does his share.
He would serve as a political shield against the inevitable barrage of troubles and opposition.
He knows this—that's why he made such a hard bargain.
"The Merchant Union proposed a 10,000 Crown investment for a 15% stake. But the condition is that all future Cola distribution must go through their affiliated transport guild."
This isn't bad either.
Outsourcing the necessary distribution network means we could build several more Cola factories right away.
"Next is Countess Rambouillet. She offers 5,000 Crowns for a 7% stake. Though her other condition is a bit bothersome..."
"What's the condition?"
"She wants Y&P to officially sponsor charity parties at every central event. Honestly, it's not a bad deal. Countess Rambouillet is quite influential in central high society."
Penelope was subtly hopeful.
She expected something like, "Wow! Thanks to you, Miss Penelope, our company is thriving!"
But.
Jurgen, stroking his chin, gave an answer Penelope hadn't anticipated.
"Miss Penelope, I'd like to decline all these investments."