Chapter 167: Clementine’s Appointment

The Battle of Willis came swiftly and ended just as quickly.

At a glance, apart from the severe damage to the farmlands outside Willis City, the Empire seemed to have suffered no other losses.

Yet, no one knew the unprecedented impact this sudden war had on the Internet Bank.

When the Undead Corps gathered outside Willis City, the Willis branch of the Internet Bank was almost overwhelmed by panicked citizens.

The panic even spread to other cities, amplified by the Internet.

The young Internet Bank faced an unprecedented challenge.

During this trial, Clementine was not concerned about the progress of the battle. She had one goal—preserve the Internet Bank! It was her platform to achieve her ambition and prove her worth.

Through the Internet Bank’s backend, she checked cash reserves in each city and decisively mobilized the magic power wells of the Magic Towers in each city to transport cash and ensure the cash supply in the most frantic Willis City.

At the same time, she secretly ordered each branch to delay the withdrawal speed, strictly enforcing the withdrawal process to buy time.

Under her unified coordination, the major branches of the Internet Bank did not run out of cash until the end of the Willis war.

It was a narrowly avoided crisis!

“Mr. Ajef, you overpraise me. This is what I should do!” Clementine quickly said modestly.

“No! You did very well. No need to be modest,” Yu Sheng’an insisted on affirming.

During this run crisis, what Clementine did seemed unimpressive.

But that was not the case.

This is entirely a hindsight commentary on her.

You must know, when Willis was besieged by the Underworld God, she neither panicked nor absconded with funds. These two points alone show she was quite remarkable.

Often, the expectations of superiors for subordinates are quite low; not failing at critical moments is already quite good.

Additionally, even the high-ranking members of the Internet God system did not have high hopes for Yu Sheng’an. Could Clementine, a royal family member, not know these judgments? Of course, she knew! Even knowing that the Internet God had a low chance of success, she still faithfully fulfilled her duties, mobilized the teleportation arrays of the Magic Towers in each city to transport cash, and even withstood the pressure for aristocratic priority withdrawals. It is these seemingly inconspicuous highlights that are the root reasons for Yu Sheng’an’s appreciation of Clementine.

He even thought, if he had recruited a lower-level lady-in-waiting at that time, the situation might have been worse.

Because when he was not favored, all power came from his lower-level lady-in-waiting. Wanting to mobilize the teleportation arrays of the Magic Towers across cities would definitely not have gone as smoothly as yesterday!

Also, if it were a lower-level lady-in-waiting, could she withstand the pressure from the nobles? Yu Sheng’an didn’t know.

But he knew he indeed stumbled upon a treasure.

Although Clementine was quite young, her royal background gave her high insight, quickly understanding many things and saving him a lot of effort.

Moreover, Clementine herself also had considerable influence, greatly benefiting his Internet Bank.

Especially during this run crisis, she really helped him a lot.

“I called you back this time because the [Conquest Sub-Dimension] is about to open a faction system!”

After a brief introduction to the faction system, Yu Sheng’an continued:

“This multiverse melee is both a crisis and an opportunity. The cost of intervening in the Gods’ preaching area is too high, but if we gradually erode it through financial power, the cost is undoubtedly much lower and much more covert.”

“So, I deliberately set the payment currency as Source Essence and magic power. The gods will certainly be very resistant, but if you want to use a common currency, it must have an evaluation agency. This is precisely the opportunity for the expansion of the Internet Bank, and this is one of the reasons why I called you back. Are you ready?”

With these words, Clementine’s bright eyes suddenly burst into intense light.

She stood up abruptly, placed her hand on her chest, and saluted: “Clementine is ready to answer your call at any time!”

“Very good!”

Yu Sheng’an nodded, waved his hand, and a row of colorful paper slips suddenly flashed across the table in front of Clementine.

“What is this?” Clementine asked in confusion.

“Banknotes!” Yu Sheng’an introduced, “You can think of them as IOUs, withdrawal vouchers, paper gold.”

Looking at the banknotes of different denominations in front of her, Clementine was suddenly enlightened: “Lord Ajef, do you plan to replace gold coins with banknotes?”

“Smart!” Yu Sheng’an squinted his eyes: “You also saw this run crisis. There is extreme pressure on cash. If currency is gradually replaced with banknotes, then we can print as much as we like. There will be no such thing as a run crisis.”

“This…” Clementine was dumbfounded, her mind buzzing loudly. “Will the public accept it?”

“Did the public initially accept the Internet Bank?”

Yu Sheng’an’s rhetorical question left Clementine surprised.

“Any new thing will go through a stage of doubt and distrust, but that’s not a reason for us to stop.”

“From today, when withdrawing cash at any branch, give customers two options. Do they want metal currency? Or banknotes? Don’t force them to choose banknotes; let them choose freely.”

“As long as the Internet Bank acknowledges the banknotes and they can be exchanged for metal currency at any time, time will prove the benefits of banknotes! One day, the public will accept banknotes, and banknotes will fully replace metal currency.”

Listening to Lord Ajef’s eloquent speech, Clementine was struck as if by lightning, her spine chilled and her scalp tingled!

She realized that when the day comes when banknotes fully replace metal currency.

The Internet Bank, which has the right to mint and very low minting costs, will control the wealth of the multiverse!

No wonder Lord Ajef called her back for a personal conversation!

It was indeed not a simple matter.

But then what Lord Ajef took out completely stunned Clementine, who had seen many treasures.

Lord Ajef suddenly opened his right hand, and an indescribable light shone faintly in his palm.

“Clang!”

Clementine stood up with a whoosh, and because of her violent movements, she even knocked over the high-backed chair.

But she completely ignored this rude detail. Her attention was entirely on Ajef’s hand, and her beautiful face was full of astonishment and greed.

Even though she had never seen a Divine Spark, she instantly recognized it at this moment.

“Pledge your loyalty to me, and I will grant you a subordinate divine position!”

“Loyalty?”

Clementine was briefly stunned, eyes wide as she suddenly looked at Ajef’s face. A flash of inspiration crossed her mind. She wanted to scream, but royal education suppressed her impulse.

Her voice became distorted: “Are you… are you the Internet God?”

Yu Sheng’an nodded.

Clementine nearly bit her tongue, her expression suddenly turning to both fright and shock.

Her heart was in turmoil! Lord Ajef was actually the Internet God?

So it was!

No wonder brother didn’t let her get close to him back then!

No wonder his magical accomplishments were so terrifying! No wonder his knowledge and wisdom were so profound!

Who other than a god could accomplish such things?

But… but this is also too absurd, too unbelievable, isn’t it?

Who would have thought that the amiable Lord Ajef, who occasionally tasted humble offal noodle soup in the imperial capital, was actually… a god walking among humans? “Ms. Clementine, I must remind you, my patience is quite limited, okay?”

Yu Sheng’an reminded, looking at the dazed Clementine.

“Clang!”

Clementine finally woke up as if from a dream. She decisively bypassed the corner of the table, knelt on one knee, and made a pledge of loyalty: “Great Internet God, Clementine is willing to serve and be loyal to you forever!”

Yu Sheng’an looked at the highly ceremonial scene of Clementine, unable to help but mutter. Was it too hasty to give this virtual Divine Spark? Should there be a coronation ceremony with a multiverse broadcast?

Forget it, it’s too flamboyant!

Keeping a sense of mystery is better! Upon thinking this, a contract floated in front of Clementine, and Clementine hesitated before intuitively seeping out soul power and signing her name on the master-servant contract.

As the contract transformed into three streams of light, Yu Sheng’an sent out the virtual Light Elemental Divine Spark from his hand.

The future of the Internet Bank will become increasingly important!

He must ensure the survival rate of the high-level bank staff to prevent enemy decapitation tactics.

Granting a Divine Spark, endowing them with near-divine power, is the most efficient method! Although this move is likely to expose weaknesses in the Divine Spark, his Divine Spark has been exchanged many times, yet the authority he controls has actually increased.

With the sudden acquisition of the virtual Divine Spark, Clementine felt a torrent of information, even overwhelming Source Essence, and this powerful force filled her soul, making her intoxicated and obsessed! After a long while, she gradually regained her senses.

“Remember, do not expose your subordinate divine identity unless necessary. If exposed, you will lose a normal life. Do you understand?”

Yu Sheng’an handed over a Forbidden God Magical Tool and instructed.

The Forbidden God Magical Tool can block observations from God’s Perspective.

Of course, this is on the condition that divine power is not used.

Also, do not approach churches, stay away from gods, otherwise, you have a high chance of being exposed.

“Yes!” Clementine nodded. Her mind was jumping quickly, and she couldn’t help but ask: “Will the God of Contract expose this incident?”