*knock, knock*

[Mr. Dean!]

Argh...

My head feels terrible.

Who comes knocking this early in the morning?

[Mr. Dean? Sorry to wake you up but someone is waiting for downstairs-nya!]

Right... Must be that fletcher. Just how excited is he to come this early.

[Be right there Dora!] Me

*snore*

Even Billy was still deep in his sleep.

I'm too lazy to wake him up. I'll just ask Dora to wake him or just pay for his lunch if it's too late for breakfast.

Let's meet that fletcher and be done with it.

[Oh! Mr. Dean! I'm worried that you went to take a quest outside.] Old man

[I'm not that desperate to take a quest this early in the morning.] Me

[Huh?] Old man

[Mr. Dean!] Josh

[Ah, Mr. Dean. These kids are waiting for you since morning. I try to wake you up-nya but...] Dora

[EH?] Me

So I missed the breakfast...

Looking at it again, it sure very quiet in here. Just how long did I sleep? Even Billy still doze off quietly.

[But only Mr. Billy is awake-nya. So...] Dora

That brat! Why didn't he wake me up?!

Ahh... Is it karma paid in front? But it didn't like I won't wake him at all!

[But I already reheat your meal-nya!] Dora

[Ah, right. Thanks, Dora. Umm... Mr...] Me

[I'm Zeno. No need to add a Mister in front, Mr. Dean. Sorry to just introducing myself. Guess I was too excited yesterday, hahaha.] Zeno

[Right... Nice to meet you. Can I have a meal first, Zeno?] Me

[Please, Take your time Mr. Dean. There's still a lot of time before the Bank closes.] Zeno

[Thank you. Umm... Can you also prepare food for these kids Dora? I feel bad for them.] Me

[Right away-nya!] Dora

Josh's gangs are delighted of course. But sadly, they can't accompany us to the bank this time. It's because between all the shops that they can't get inside, the bank is the absolute area that they can't even get near. With that, I just told them to wait in the inn for Billy. We'll meet up with them in the information center after my business with Zeno is done.

[It's not that they can't get near the bank, Mr. Dean. It's because the bank is located in the inner walls where they can't even get inside the area.] Zeno

[Is that so?] Me

Zeno explained everything about the region distribution inside Romora. After the outmost wall, Romora has 2 inner walls. They called it the inner wall and center wall and it essentially serves as people classes division.

Inside the outer and inner wall is where most of the economic and social activity occurs. The difference is the inner wall is where the above-average people go. It still has a business establishment like an inn or even a blacksmith, but it's made towards the rich and noble alike.

Meanwhile, the center wall is more like a private housing area for nobles. It's reserve for the Earl, Viscount, and Barons cottage. It also serves as the area where all the noble retainers and knights reside. While the outer and inner walls can let you in with just a question, you can't expect to get inside the center wall without at least an invitation letter from one of the nobles inside.

[We are here, Mr. Dean.] Zeno

We arrived at the inner wall gate. It's not that much different than the outer walls except that it has a lot less queue.

Hmm?

And an additional guarded gate beside it. It's only big enough for one wagon to get through. Looks like it is reserved for the noble so they don't need to undergo this security check thing.

It makes me, didn't Princess Laniella also didn't use the main gate? Maybe the outer gate also has a dedicated gate for noble but it's just located far from the main gate.

[What's your business inside sir?] Guard

[Ah, I'm...] Me

[We're going to the bank to make a contract. Here's my membership card.] Zeno

The queue is moving faster than the outer gate that I didn't realize I've already in front of the line.

[Alright, you can come in. Please leave your weapon to that guard over there.] Guard

Eh?

This is new.

[Excuse me. I'm sorry, but I'm a mage. If you consider my magic tool as a weapon, then this is the only thing I carry.] Me

I showed the next guard my 1911 that I always carry in my holster. I can always say that I didn't carry any though, but I think it'll be a little bit suspicious if a mercenary didn't bring any weapon.

[Oh, wait a sec! There. Now you can take it.] Me

I'm making sure the safety is on and emptying the magazine. The evil inside me wants to give the gun as is and see something funny happening when they fiddle with it.

But no, no, even if it'll be hilarious, it's still dangerous and I don't want to deal with the responsibility especially in the era where a death sentence is probably common.

[I'm sorry, Mr. Dean. I forgot to tell you that you can't bring a weapon here.] Zeno

[Don't worry. I can understand the reason.] Me

That's because every noble inside the center wall are still come here now and then to buy something.

[So, where is the bank again?] Me

[Ah! it's over here.] Zeno

I can see from Zeno's face that he wants to ask me something so I divert his attention quickly. He probably wants to ask something about my 1911. Even if the guard didn't ask anything, a craftsman like him probably realizes my gun is not something easy to make. I need to tread carefully when showing any modern items in front of him. Even something like a small threaded bolt might easily excite him.

[It's here, Mr. Billy. Let's go inside immediately. I hope the line is not that long.] Zeno

I can see that this is a very busy establishment with all that chatter sounds. Moreover, just look at how this bank was built. I didn't realize just how far their technology is developed. Well, God is telling me that this world has enough knowledge to make a trebuchet. But how can they already have a glass but didn't know about the composite bow? And how about gunpowder? I can kinda understand about composite bow because even Romans are very late adopting that. But using glass as windows is still far from ever invented.

Hahh... Whatever...

There is no point to compare the timeline between Earth and this newly created World. Even the 'history' here is just something that is made up until like 2 weeks ago.

[Mr. Dean. I already get the permit. Let's go to the back room.] Zeno

[Ah, right... Okay.] Me

[Something wrong, Mr. Dean? You keep looking around since you coming here.] Zeno

I'm deep inside my mind and don't realize that Zeno already takes the queue and reaches the receptionist.

[No, no. I'm fine. Let's go.] Me

[Ahh... You must be amazed about the construction here. I can see that you never see an establishment like this] A Lady

[What? No, no. This man right here is a skilled craftsman! He probably thinking something like 'hmm... I can make this like this and that likes that'.] Zeno

[Oh my! is that so? I've been told about the contract that you want to be made. If you are that skilled of a craftsman, I can tell my boss to hire you, you know.] Lady

[No! Don't listen to this old man.] Me

[Hahaha... Now, now. Let's just go to the back and make your contract okay.] Lady

We're following the lady to one of the rooms in the back. It has three sofas circling a small square table and obviously designs to process a contract or at least to discuss some agreement with the Bank.

[Please, take your seat, Mr. Dean and Mr. Zeno.] Lady

[I'm Lina one of the deal brokers here in the Romora Bank. As you may know, I'm here to make the contract and also to mediate the deal between you two in the process. Now, I've been informed by my colleagues about what kind of contract needs to be made but let me confirmed it with you. It's about the right of use of Mr. Dean's invention by Mr. Zeno, is that correct?] Lina

[Umm... I...] Me

[Correct!] Zeno

What's correct? I thought it's about teaching you the process. Isn't this makes it a long-term contract?

[Is there a problem, Mr. Dean?] Lina

[Uhh... No, let's proceed.] Me

Hahh... Whatever...

[All rights, we already have a contract format for that, so let's just go with it.] Lina

[Now, how about the share for Mr. Dean? Do you already discuss that?] Lina

[Hmm... What do you think, Mr. Dean? I think I can give you a percentage for every product sells. But if you want to make it monthly or yearly payment of fixed amount then I'll oblige.] Zeno

[Nah... Sales percentage is fine.] Me

[All rights so the shares will be counted based on the sales. How much do you think it'll be?] Lina

[[50 percent!] Zeno, [10 percent is fine.] Me]

[[Eh]]

[[So little!] Zeno, [too high!] Me]

[No, no, Mr. Dean. I'll feel that I take your invention for granted if it's 10%!] Zeno

[Isn't it an ordinary amount for a right of invention use?] Me

[Umm... It usually starts from 30% Mr. Dean.] Lina

[Are you serious? But what if the product isn't even selling well?] Me

[That's for Mr. Zeno to determine. If he's willing to pay 50% then I'm sure he thinks that it'll do great in the market.] Lina

[See? That's why I told you that 50% is fine!] Zeno

We're doing back and forth for a while. Zeno still insists on 50%. Maybe he's right that it'll be selling well.

But what if that number is just because he's excited? Also, developing a new product need times you know. I think before he's mastering the technique, it'll not selling well for the first year or two. Especially when I can't teach him anything other than what I learn from books in my past life.

In the end, it decided on 20%. He still insists on a bigger number but I just say that I'll teach him nothing if we can't agree with 20%.

[All right, so 20% it is. What if someone also wants to borrow your invention, Mr. Dean?] Lina

[I'll give the right to Zeno. If he thinks it'll impede his business he has every right to reject the said person.] Me

[But Mr. De...] Zeno

I give Zeno a sharp gaze.

[Umm... Then for every person that I give the rights will be charged the same 20% and it'll go to Mr. Dean.] Zeno

[Wise. Add another 10% for Zeno. With this he'll have a save margin even if someone outsells Zeno's product.] Me

[Agree! Why did I'm not thinking about that?!] Zeno

See? You're too excited about this Zeno!

[Now, about collateral, if Mr. Zeno aren't able to fulfill his obligation, the bank will reimburse everything to Mr. Dean while also repossessed about 120% of the amount from Mr. Zeno.] Lina

Wow! That's something...

[Of course, if Mr. Zeno doesn't have enough possession to cover up the collateral then forced slavery will be applied!] Lina

Scary!

[Yes! Let's proceed!] Zeno

Don't just...! Hahh... I'm kinda hesitant to sign the contract now.

[Alright, if that's all, you can check the contents and sign here if there is nothing wrong. I'll do the final seal for the proof of legality from the bank.] Lina

She gives me three pieces of paper to sign. It's true when she said it's already formatted. It is practically just a form that you fill accordingly. Except in the custom note area where she writes the detail of 'right transfer' that we discussed earlier.

I hope nothing wrong happens after I sign this.

[Thank you! Here, Mr. Dean and Mr. Zeno. Please keep one each.] Lina

[On a final note, Mr. Dean. We know that you don't have a Kenari Bank account so we'll also make you one. Every share that is paid by Mr. Zeno will directly go into that accounts and you can withdraw it anytime in one of our branches. But I'm sorry that it might take weeks before your account is updated outside Romora.] Lina

I assumed they'll have some kind of magic tools to communicate with each branch, but it's not the case, huh?!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

After I received my membership card to access my bank account, we immediately go to Zeno's workshop.

I don't forget to take my 1911 of course. Even though imagining the guard reaction when that gun disappears because I can just summon it anywhere is quite hilarious, risking myself into forced slavery isn't funny. But I don't think they'll punish me that harshly, do they? Maybe try it later?

Hmm...

Ah, where were we? Oh right. Zeno's workshop, teaching him how to make a composite bow.

I explained how to make a traditional composite bow using horn or bone, wood, and sinew. I also explained the purpose of the recurved shape even though he already kinda guess everything anyway.

[Hmm... So your bow design is focused on giving more speed to the arrow...] Zeno

[Pretty much. The shape makes and construction method makes it more compact for the same performance. And overall, it's a far more efficient bow and will make the arrow fly faster.] Me

[Can I just make my ordinary bow stiffer to give it more speed then?] Zeno

[You can. But how much stiffer it needs to be to achieve the same speed? The best way to make the arrow faster is to make the draw length longer, not harder.] Me

[It's not like a harder draw won't help anything mind you. But we tend to make the limb heavier to make it stiffer and that will reduce the efficiency even more.] Me

[Hmm, so that's how it is. And this also applies to crossbow, right?] Zeno

[Yep. Your only focus in this is to fine-tune the balance between arrow weight and speed that your bow can launch. If you can improve both then you're pretty much golden. But if you can achieve only one, then maybe focus on the speed because it gives a lot more benefit.] Me

[Yosh! I'll immediately make a sample for you to approve Mr. Dean! There are just so many things to learn about this.] Zeno

[Sure! Just take your time. You can also make a cheaper version of that with only wood and sinew.] Me

[Then I'll make 2 of them for trial. Oh, before you go, Here is your order.] Zeno

He gave me a bundle of arrows matching that one modern arrow that I lend to him.

[Looking good, Zeno. How much is it again?] Me

[No, no. Please, take it. Tell me if that's not in your liking and I'll fix it later.] Zeno

Figured he'll say that. But I do convince him to take my payment for the next order because it won't feel right for me otherwise.

[Take care, Mr. Dean! Please be safe until I can show you my creation!]

With that, I finished my business today with Zeno and go straight to the information center building. I'm sure Billy and Josh's gang already waiting for me there.