Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Loans Can Be Discounted?

In no time, the Dragon Bank in the capital of Dawn had lines stretching out the door.

Freemen and merchants from the city all flocked to Dragon Bank.

If this were before, even if it was a bank opened by dragons, not many people would trust it. But recently, because of the auction, pretty much every notable person in the city had visited Dragon Bank, and this process was seen by many people and spread around. Especially on the day of the auction, when large numbers of great nobles lined up—that scene spread far and wide.

This undoubtedly made people trust Dragon Bank’s credibility even more... The Goddess of Magic, the God of Technology, and dragons—the three combined made the great nobles and supernatural beings trust Dragon Bank, and these great nobles and supernatural beings made ordinary people trust Dragon Bank.

"Sir, how much are you planning to borrow? What’s the purpose?"

In a VIP room at Dragon Bank, the bank’s service staff earnestly received each customer. "We have different quotas for different users, mainly considering your collateral and status. Of course, if the purpose of your loan is to engage in magic-tech industry or similar new companies, we can provide even better loan services."

"For example, reducing interest rates or increasing your credit line somewhat."

In the private room, the elegantly dressed great playwright Louis Auguste was also somewhat stunned when he heard the service staff’s words. "You’re saying that on the basis of 10%, you can adjust it down a bit more?"

"Yes, of course, this depends on a comprehensive review. For example, Viscount Roster borrowed tens of millions of golden dragon coins from our Dragon Bank, and the interest rate we gave him was 5.5% per year."

5.5%?!

Louis Auguste was shocked.

Doesn’t that mean borrowing 100 gold coins and after one year only needing to pay back 105.5 golden dragon coins? Dragon Bank is basically not making any money! Considering the risk they need to bear... how is this any different from charity?!

Though someone like Viscount Roster was probably the only one who could enjoy terms like that. Someone in his position probably couldn’t.

Honestly, even at 10%, considering the risk, he suspected Dragon Bank was just earning pocket change. After all, not every loan could be collected, and they still had to pay 5% interest to depositors!

"I’m Louis Auguste, major shareholder of the Auguste Grand Theater, and also one of the most famous playwrights in our capital. Many nobles enjoy watching my stage plays, including the Hand of the King, Finance Minister Roster, and others."

Louis Auguste quickly adjusted his mindset, took a deep breath, and laid out his identity and what he planned to do next. "However, the purpose of my loan isn’t for the Auguste Grand Theater, but because I plan to establish a new company... I’m calling it a film and television company. We’ll create a series of entertainment dramas customized for Magic Net videos."

"You should be able to understand that any completely new venture represents huge investment. I don’t have sufficient funds on hand, which is why I’m choosing to take out a loan."

From the first time he saw Magic Net videos, he’d been planning all this. But all along, he couldn’t find a profit point. He was certain that what he filmed would be very popular on Magic Net videos, but being very popular without being able to make money, with massive investment going down the drain—that was something he couldn’t bear.

But now, the situation was different. Publishing videos could let audiences give donations, could also insert some advertising, and could also put some film-related items in the storefront for sale. He believed that as long as his new drama was attractive enough, he could definitely recover the costs through these channels, maybe even make a killing.

This was a golden opportunity for both fame and fortune!

The service staff obviously hadn’t expected that the first customer they received who wanted a loan would be on such a wild track. It seemed like it met the preferential conditions, but also seemed to differ somewhat from what the higher-ups had planned...

After thinking it over, the service staff finally spoke up. "I understand your situation. I believe it’s relatively in line with the preferential conditions. I’ll go apply to my supervisor right now. Please wait a moment."

"Of course... please, go ahead." How could Louis Auguste not see the change in the service staff’s attitude? He could understand—after all, his new company probably differed somewhat from what most people understood.

Before long, a burly middle-aged man walked in from outside. If Ren were present, he’d be shocked—this person was clearly the controlled Golden City castellan’s... daughter in disguise.

The sole heir of the City of Gold, using magic items to disguise herself as a burly middle-aged man, coming to the capital of the Kingdom of Dawn in the northern continent—how could that not make people suspicious?

"We already know your conditions. We’re willing to give you some interest relief. Of course, I’m talking about the first year, because I’m not sure whether your investment will succeed."

The heir of the City of Gold, the Golden Princess, after briefly greeting him, cut straight to the point. "If you want to continue getting tax benefits afterward, you must achieve some success within this year..."

"Naturally." Louis Auguste was somewhat excited. "May I ask how much?"

10% interest was already very low—he hadn’t expected they could reduce it even more.

As for only being able to confirm the reduction for this year, with future years depending on his performance this year—that was perfectly normal. Nobody would unconditionally support a loser. Even if other merchants engaged in related new industries took out loans, it would probably be the same. At most, they just wouldn’t say it so bluntly.

"We’ve already verified your information. With the equity of the Auguste Grand Theater as collateral, we can loan you up to 200,000 golden dragon coins. If you’re certain you want to borrow that much, we’ll only charge 8% interest..."

Louis Auguste was very satisfied with this.

He even felt that both the gold coins he could get and the interest he’d need to pay were far below expectations. He immediately agreed.

After going through a series of fairly tedious procedures, his account already had an additional 200,000 gold coins, which he could withdraw at any Dragon Bank on the continent at any time.

When everything was complete and he walked out of the VIP room, Louis Auguste felt like his whole body was light as a feather. Just like that, he’d simply prepared the funds.

He was already fantasizing about his next plans... but soon, he froze.

The scene outside was completely different from when he’d gone in. Inside the huge Dragon Bank, things were clearly divided.

The deposit area was completely filled with freemen dressed pretty plainly. There were tons of them, lined up all the way outside. It seemed like the entire street was full of them. Everyone was excitedly holding the little bit of gold coins they’d saved up, faces full of excitement. Every minute, people were taking brand-new second-gen Magic Nets and activating them, opening accounts with the help of staff...

The loan area was mainly small and medium merchants and minor noble lords. They brought all kinds of documents to prove their assets, waiting for staff confirmation...

Some bigger clients, like himself, could show fairly high asset certificates and go to the VIP rooms to wait.

"What a thriving scene!" Auguste couldn’t help but sigh. Nobody believed more than him that a new era had arrived!