Chapter 173: The Symbol of Dictatorship (2)
Chapter 173: The Symbol of Dictatorship (2)
Currency reform is a precarious undertaking.
It can completely upend an existing system and bring about immense complications.
If that reform involves creating an entirely new currency separate from the established order, the potential for disaster is significant.
Actually, disaster is guaranteed.
Without fail.
"Everyone is losing their minds the moment I announced the plan for Ruji Coin."
I wonder if this is how the person who first created cryptocurrency felt.
"They don't even know what Ruji Coin is used for yet, and they're already making such a fuss. Honestly."
"Ultimately, isn't this intended to be more than just a local currency for Fermaton? Isn't it meant to be the global currency once you've conquered the world, Young Lord?"
"...Heh, you're as sharp as ever, Yurdias."
Yurdias had seen right through my plan.
"Exactly. Ultimately, Ruji Coin will become the 'Gold' of this world. Existing gold will be reduced to mere 'copper coins,' and Ruji Coin will be the new standard unit of currency. In... maybe fifty years?"
Perhaps even sooner if things go well.
"One Ruji Coin is worth 100 gold. It'll take time to settle within Fermaton, and for it to spread across the globe, Fermaton needs to possess a corresponding level of influence."
"You are thinking very far into the future, Young Lord."
"Of course. You have to lay the foundation now to ensure a golden future later, don't you? Hehehe."
An era where Ruji Coin becomes the reserve currency.
To be honest, the reason I wanted to create such an era was simple.
Calculating gold units is a pain in the ass.
As a Korean, I was far too accustomed to units of ten thousand won.
Ever since becoming Ruji Fermaton, I always had to calculate things by thinking, '100 gold is 10,000 won, 1 gold is 100 won,' and it was starting to get annoying.
So, I boldly decided to set '1 Ruji Coin = 10,000 won.'
Given the nature of coins, I could use denominations like 0.00001 Ruji Coin, but that was too complicated.
Simple is best.
To put it simply, a world will come where you can buy a whole fried chicken for 2 Ruji Coins.
Someday.
"Yurdias. If you suddenly had about 200 Ruji Coins, what would you do with them?"
"Wouldn't that depend on what I could actually do with them?"
Yurdias skimmed through the draft I had written for public distribution.
"For now, I don't see any specific use for them other than at the Dream Factory."
"True. For now. But gradually, Ruji Coin will become the accepted currency within Fermaton."
I didn't need the heavy-handed dictatorship of 'Use it or die.'
"We just need to expand its utility step by step. In about a year, an era will arrive where you can buy beef with Ruji Coin."
"Beef is quite an expensive luxury for ordinary farmers, Young Lord."
"I know. But we have the Infinite Labyrinth, don't we?"
I felt a bit bad for Shiro, who was probably busy milking Mana Milk right now, but the purebred Minotaurs of the Infinite Labyrinth fetched a very high price.
If people felt a sense of repulsion because they were demons or humanoids, there was nothing I could do about that.
Once they tasted a Minotaur brisket steak, the only repulsion they'd feel would be toward the price.
"The sex stores started with the succubi are just the beginning. As we expand our businesses one by one through the Infinite Labyrinth, we'll make people feel the necessity of the coin by offering discounts whenever they pay with Ruji Coin."
"How much of a discount are we talking about?"
"Hmm, maybe 20...? No, let's just go all the way to 30%."
"That is a terrifying discount rate."
Yurdias folded and unfolded her fingers, her body trembling slightly.
"If it's ingrained in people's minds that they can buy the exact same product 30% cheaper—not a clearance item, but the same quality—it will make their stomachs turn with envy."
"10% is one thing, but 30% is massive."
Existing gold can be used anywhere.
Ruji Coin has limited use even within Fermaton, but it allows you to buy things 30% cheaper than gold.
The choice is up to the individual.
"You see, humans sometimes don't care at all about political issues if it benefits them personally. Even if Ruji Coin ends up having a negative impact on the Kingdom and the Empire."
Because eventually, everyone will have no choice but to use Ruji Coin.
"100 gold for 1 Ruji Coin. That's the standard. But here, we perform one more bit of magic."
"...A 20% discount on the initial purchase?"
"Exactly."
When we officially start selling Ruji Coin, the initial purchase price will be 80 gold for 1 Ruji Coin.
If they then use that to buy something with a 30% discount, they can effectively generate 100 gold worth of value for only 56 gold by maximizing all discounts.
So, who takes the 44 gold loss?
Fermaton does, obviously.
A situation continues to arise where I, Ruji Fermaton, have to compensate for that 44 gold loss.
However.
"There is no loss for Fermaton."
Surprisingly, Fermaton loses nothing.
This wasn't some 'mental victory' like 'it's a loss now but it'll be a gain in the future' or 'we lost money but we gained people.'
Show. Me. The. Money.
I'm using a money cheat; what does it matter if I take a little loss?
The capital and funding to overwhelmingly cover that loss are being duplicated as we speak.
"We have two Mythstones. One that you brought, and another that Charlotte brought."
Through these two Mythstones, we can mass-produce magic stones infinitely.
"One will focus on producing magic stones for the existing system, including Breast-Shaped Magic Stones."
"For export, then."
"Right."
High-grade magic stones to be sent to the Kingdom and the Empire.
Through this, we will earn—and are already earning—massive amounts of gold.
"The other one will be used to mint Ruji Coins."
And these Ruji Coins right here are the new currency that will circulate within our Fermaton.
"Minting money costs money too. But Ruji Coin isn't a problem at all. Do you know why?"
"Because Ruji Coin is a 'magic stone'-based currency."
"Exactly. Hehehe."
What exactly is a Ruji Coin?
Its shape is like an ordinary gold coin.
Its color is white, with my face embossed in the center.
"Ruji Coin isn't just a token used in the Dream Factory. If you don't want to use it as currency, you can just use it as a magic stone."
In reality, it is a 'magic stone' that exists on a completely different spectrum from the norm.
Just as gold coins are made from gold.
I simply made Ruji Coins out of magic stones.
"If Ruji Coin fails, we can just use them as magic stones. We lose nothing under any circumstances."
Ruji Fermaton never enters a losing trade.
Unless it's a strategic move to secure a virgin for sex, I never take a loss in these situations.
"However, if anyone appears who tries to interfere with my progress, I will deal with them mercilessly. Yurdias. Bring me the list."
"Here it is."
True to her background in the underworld, Yurdias immediately produced the data I had requested.
"I've been eyeing them for a while. I was thinking I'd have to clear them out eventually, and this is the perfect opportunity."
The list was, of course, the pimps of Fermaton.
The ones who dared to turn the virgins I should be taking into common prostitutes.
And the ones who might use the 'aphrodisiacs' we're about to produce to commit crimes against my women.
"As the Lord of Fermaton, I'm going to wipe out all the parasites infesting this city once and for all."
Filth must be sanitized.
"Yurdias. Don't you think it's time to expand the guild a bit?"
"We may be a Thief Guild, but if you give the order, Young Lord, we can begin restructuring immediately."
"It's just managing people within Fermaton, but you can handle that, right?"
"If we couldn't even do that, we wouldn't deserve to live as members of your guild or as part of Fermaton's subordinate organizations."
Their lives as mere petty thieves ended the moment they became my people.
"My guild members know as well. They know that if they follow Ruji Fermaton, they can at least hold the hand of a virgin succubus."
"And maybe even have sex with one later?"
"Everyone is allowed to dream, aren't they?"
"Well said. After all, the succubi can't work there forever."
As they gain seniority, they'll have to retire, and as they bond with humans over time, they might even develop feelings for them.
"Now that the things that started with the Dream Factory are taking shape, the big picture is finally coming together."
I tapped the list lightly.
"Separate, scattered puzzle pieces. But the moment you bring them together and join them, they become a single image."
The Dream Factory.
Yoanna joining us.
Burning magic stones.
Dream Powder.
And the 'Red-Light District.'
"Human libido is infinite. And that infinite libido will become 'demand,' which will grow our capital. Forever."
The driving forces making all of this possible are the Mythstones, the Black Flame, and my own bottomless lust.
"We are taking over the brothels of Fermaton."
Turning the red-light district into public brothels.
"And the only currency accepted there will be Ruji Coin."
To be honest.
"I finally have a place to handle the non-virgin succubi. Hehehe."
Better than worn-out human women.
"What about the Bitch Collars for the public brothel succubi?"
"We have secured over 100. All that remains is the capture and 'mental training.'"
"Coordinate that with Charlotte. She's good at handling slaves."
As long as safety is guaranteed, having sex with a succubus would be much better.
"Who wouldn't buy Ruji Coin if they could spend a hot night with a succubus for just 5 Ruji Coins?"