Chapter 272: Chapter 272 Financial Report_1
In the evening, at Rose Iron Prison.
Aiden sat in his office, before him was the long table he was familiar with, adorned with pumpkin lamps, and the five Great Witches shrouded in gray mist—the credentials of the Great Witch projected the space summoned by Abigail right before his eyes.
He had come today to meet with the assembly of witches to report on the market status of their collaborative project in its first week since launch.
"—In conclusion, just as we had initially anticipated, the response to our new product’s launch has been very positive," Aiden summarized. "Although currently, due to cost reasons, we can only target the high-end market, in a horizontal comparison, not a single competing product poses a threat to our merchandise. I’ve already got a pile of orders from sales merchants... We won’t have to worry about not being able to sell our products for at least the whole next year."
"Very well," Abigail, who sat at the end of the long table, nodded. "Then as for our share of the profits..."
"Of course, it will be settled according to the previously agreed upon division. I will convert the money into cash for you to pick up at your leisure. I will find a way to deal with the taxes and other procedures. Naturally, the money will be listed as material costs," Aiden replied calmly.
Normally, handing over half of the profits just for the raw materials would be unnecessary.
But considering that the core value of the product almost entirely lies in the water-absorbent material provided by Vila, such a division of profits actually ends up benefitting Rose Iron Prison.
If Vila could patent this material and then hire factories to produce it, she would have the opportunity to become a prominent female capitalist in this era.
"Your Excellency is very reliable," Qiqimora said with a hint of laughter in her voice. "Shall I visit in a few days?"
"Please make sure to use the main entrance and do not break into the prison at will, thank you," Aiden emphasized again.
"I’ll try my best," Qiqimora chuckled.
"The agreed net profit split is fifty-fifty after deducting all costs, right?" Habanis began to pick at details. "The costs are basically calculated by you, how do we know you haven’t fiddled with the numbers?"
"Why would I do such a foolish thing? That’s why I’ve prepared a detailed account for you to see. Every item has been listed," Aiden said, shaking the spread-out ledger.
The witches looked at each other.
"Don’t tell me none of you understands the accounts?" Aiden frowned.
Silence fell.
They were among the witches who were most keen on delving into the arcane arts, and finances were not their forte. In terms of income and expenses, it usually boiled down to finding ways to make money when funds were low and then reinvesting it into research. Moreover, the money was generally not earned through legitimate means... As a result, the professional nature of the financial ledgers and charts was indeed challenging for them to comprehend.
"Suddenly, cheating you all seems like it could be very easy... Anyway, the cost accounting section is all here. I’ve written each production expense clearly, and you can address any concerns; I can go over each item with you," Aiden said as he pointed out the cost accounting section with a pen. "In the future, I will create a specific cost accounting spreadsheet for you. Is that satisfactory?"
"Since Your Excellency has explained it to this extent, of course, we won’t have suspicions," Abigail stated.
"The labor cost is very low," Vila glanced at the accounts.
"Prison labor is organized to rehabilitate the prisoners; how can we possibly give them a salary? Otherwise, people who can’t find jobs outside would all want to go to prison. The money is just a form of compensation and subsidy for them."
"Every drop of it is the blood and sweat of the prisoners; it seems running a prison really is an extremely profitable business." Habanis spoke with her usual foul mouth.
"The cost of building and maintaining a prison can’t be covered just by making these criminals work a bit, Miss Habanis. With that level of common sense, I worry you might not even be able to understand numbers," Aiden snapped back without hesitation.
"If you’ve got the guts, don’t leave after work today! I’ll be waiting for you at the gates of your workplace!!" Habanis banged the table to challenge him to a fight.
"But you are a wanted criminal..." Lamia reminded her from the side.
"I’ll remember to keep a room empty for you," Aiden smiled.
Aiden now felt that he was increasingly becoming accustomed to the atmosphere of these gatherings. Through this business collaboration, he had managed to close the distance with the Great Witch somewhat. Even Vila, who had been quite hostile towards him from the beginning because of the issues with Daili and Presia, seemed to have softened her attitude considerably.
Only Habanis still constantly picked on him—even though she was just as rude to everyone else.
"Nevertheless, we truly are indebted to you this time," Abigail started speaking, glossing over the pointless argument between the two, "I extend my thanks to you on behalf of the organizer of the Witch Assembly."
"No need to be polite, I should also thank you for allowing the prison to achieve financial autonomy," Aiden replied.
"Then we’ll look forward to the financial report at the end of the month," Abigail said, "Let’s adjourn the meeting."
The grey mist swirled up, and the scene before Aiden’s eyes once again switched back to his own office.
He safely stored the Great Witch’s voucher, leaned back in his chair, and rested.
His relationship with the Witch Assembly had stabilized, although the fundamental opposition of stance had never changed. But now the joint business venture was firmly binding their interests together.
The Witch Assembly was slowly recuperating the huge losses caused by the Harvest Mother Cult, and Rose Iron Prison now had a means to extricate itself from the perennial shortage of funds.
Their cooperative relationship was purely based on mutual benefit, but in a sense, a relationship built on interests was the sturdiest. As long as this mutual interest existed and was of sufficient value, the cooperative partners would not fall out completely.
For now, he didn’t have to worry too much about the Witches Assembly posing a threat. Clearly, Abigail wasn’t the sort of fool who would sabotage their partner while doing business.
The new production project had successfully gotten on track. Now, the primary concern for Aiden was to pursue the main task of uncovering the power of authority.
However, two weeks ago, when he visited Melissa following Melifilia’s suggestion, Melissa gave him a very strange prophecy, "At present, as long as you quietly wait in your prison, the authority you seek will present itself to you."
At first glance, it sounded easy, but Aiden sensed a crisis—if the power of authority appeared in the prison, its impact on the prison was utterly immeasurable.
No matter how much he asked, Melissa refused to divulge another word, only insisting, "A true prophecy and hint are supposed to be brief."
Aiden sat in his office and thought for a moment before deciding to put the matter, which was without any clue, aside for now.
"Let’s start with the usual... a tour of the cells." Thinking this, he stood up, donned his hat, and left the office.
