—Either pledge allegiance to the Commercial Federation, or be crushed by the Commercial Federation. This was the principle for businessmen in Kazimierz.
Complete monopoly led to rampant trade protectionism. Rhine Lab, an organization that had sold invention patents in various countries, only had a branch in the capital of Kazimierz—foreign businessmen were not welcome here.
And the National Assembly and Surveillance Court, representing the citizens, did not oppose this; in fact, for decades, they tacitly allowed the rise of such a behemoth.
The reason was simple—they wanted to loudly rebuke, but the Commercial Federation paid too much.
Who would dislike money? As long as enough taxes were paid, some things could be overlooked and forgotten.
Although Kazimierz is not yet a giant corporation, it is clear to all discerning eyes that the tide of history is unstoppable. With more and more young people joining the National Assembly and Surveillance Court, the Commercial Federation is likely to control the country in the future.
Of course, for the Commercial Federation, they naturally could not abandon the foundation of their rise, which was their biggest cash cow.
—Tournament Knights.
"It's a pleasure, Nona Margaret Nearl. Please allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Chiarne, Assistant Manager of the Promotion Department at Allens Choice. You may call me Chiarne."
The door opened, and a gray-haired Kuranta male in a suit and leather shoes, with elegant and composed steps, walked into the courtyard.
Chiarne maintained a proper smile, his gaze sweeping over the few people in the courtyard.
Chiarne was an active corporate employee. As the Assistant Manager of the Promotion Department at Allens Choice, he was always responsible for recruiting promising club knights that the company valued.
This time, the Chairman, who rarely appeared before employees, personally issued an order, demanding that the new contestant who had garnered much attention—Margaret Nearl—be brought in.
Whether it was to gain the Chairman's favor, oust the annoying manager above him, or serve as a stepping stone to his next company, he had to complete this recruitment mission.
"Heh, these youngsters born with a silver spoon truly treat the Knight Tournament as a game."
Looking at Margaret's youthful appearance and recalling the information he had previously investigated about the Nearl Family, Chiarne felt that this job was mostly done.
However, Chiarne hadn't anticipated the male beside her, nor the female who had appeared in the room earlier—the Nearl Family was always known for its simplicity, but it seemed that was just talk, as this Nona was still accompanied by a male servant and female maid.
"It seems I was misled by the dilapidated scene outside the courtyard. This small courtyard is truly unique; your landscape designer seems to have quite an artistic flair."
Hearing this, Goki couldn't help but nod. Although it was a compliment, he was quite confident in his gardening skills.
Even in Yharnam, where even plants were twisted into strange forms, Goki meticulously cared for the luminous trees in Hunters Dream and moved in many other uncorrupted plants.
However, while Margaret was grateful to Goki and Skadi for tidying the courtyard, she didn't care about others' opinions of her living environment.
"Mr. Chiarne, I can guess your purpose in coming here. I don't know where you obtained my home address—but no matter if it's you, or anyone else coming here, my answer will only be refusal."
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Margaret's expression was incredibly firm; she had already decided on this answer even before becoming a Tournament Knight.
"I will not become a vassal or Puppet of the Commercial Federation, or any enterprise. I only wish to be a pure, independent Knight. Don't waste your breath, Mr. Chiarne—my friends and I still need to dine."
Her gaze, unlike the humble and powerful one she directed at Goki, was sharp and piercing. Margaret seemed particularly displeased with the person in front of her.
Goki knew this was normal.
Just as residents don't like door-to-door salespeople, Margaret not directly throwing out this acquaintance of Goki already showed her good upbringing.
As a star, idol, athlete, and gladiator, the value created by a top Tournament Knight is immeasurable. The company that signs and sponsors that Tournament Knight also reaps immense profits.
Signed merchandise, advertising endorsements, live streaming sales, appearance fees, and the economic benefits brought by millions of fans make the profit from successfully cultivating a famous Knight far greater than building a large factory.
If a Knight Tournament champion emerges, that company will immediately take off, its stock price soaring. Such a frantic surge is unimaginable to any financial expert.
Therefore, companies in Kazimierz, in addition to their main business, will always have a Knight Club attached.
More accurately, a "Knight Order."
Every year during the Knight Tournament, countless talented knights are absorbed into it. The useful ones stay, the useless ones are kicked out. The cruelty is even more intense than idol agencies on Earth.
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