Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem

Dukiel, Anerias, and Violina were skeptical of Zach's plan. They weren't sure about making people the talismans for personal use. They also weren't sure people would actually buy them when they weren't an immediate cure. Regardless of who bought them, they still only alleviated their symptoms by calming down the underworld energy in their bodies.

The trio also wasn't sure about fooling people.

Although Zach claimed he could make better talismans, that didn't mean he would sell them.

The plan was to sell exclusive talismans to wealthier patients and talismans that were no better than the free prototypes that the city got to less fortunate citizens.

That was Zach's self-proclaimed genius marketing plan.

The truth was that there wouldn't be much of a difference between the various types of talismans aside from their appearance.

"Leave the details to me." Nessa nodded confidently as she asked Zach to trust her. She believed in Zach's plan.

It had a lot of kinks and minor issues to work out. But the general idea would work. Just like Zach, she had seen people go almost crazy for the right thing.

People who lived for their status would do anything—pay anything to highlight and secure that status. For both rich merchants and nobles, status was everything.

Even with Nessa's wholehearted support of the plan, the others remained skeptical.

But there wasn't anything they could do but agree to it.

After all, their pockets weren't any deeper than any of their custom—patients' pockets, which meant they couldn't fund Zach's research or the procurement of ingredients. An additional source of financial power was necessary.

Zach had created such a source. As dubious as it was, it was their only hope of finishing the city's treatment before the end of the school year.

Now it was just a matter of implementing it.

Nessa pointed at Zach.

"You get started on making a whole heap of talismans with what materials you have. If you can make them with different categories of appearance, that's great. But it's not necessary. We can just toss on some glitter or something afterward." She turned to the other three.

"I need someone to start swapping out the talismans around the city. Make sure to complain about their quality. Don't be too obvious, but make sure people hear that they are far from perfect.

"We also need to get money flowing. Right now, the food in the city is spoiled and rotten, and everyone is a patient, so they're relying on handouts mostly. Start getting merchants moving from other cities. Start getting people to secure their assets still inside the city. Although it's safe, it's even safer if they wear a special, high-density talisman. Something like that.

We'll have to work on the name.

"We can provide temporary, free-use talisman to people helping clean up the city. If they do a good job, they get better talismans and they get to keep them. The talismans work, even if they're in the city. So, working with one on inside the city is better than being without one outside the city."

Nessa unloaded on them with things to do. It was a little surprising. But she had been bedridden for a week or so. She had a lot of pent-up energy. She also had a need for distraction, so she dove into work.

She turned to Zach.

"Zach, how do you feel about exchanging talismans for materials?"

"That works. But it sounds like it will be easy to get a talisman with these methods. Won't we flood the market, so to speak?"

"Pshh. No way. Our market is the entirety of Basilia. If we play our cards right, we can even get outsiders to help with the cleanup or to buy the talismans. Last I checked, there were at least several thousand residents in the city. Let me know when you've made a hundred talismans and we'll talk about the possibility of flooding the market before the underworld energy is gone."

"...Right." Zach nodded meekly, a little surprised and overwhelmed by Nessa's momentum.

"Wow, Nessa, you sound like you've done this before," Anerias pointed out, amazed.

Nessa shrugged.

"My parents aren't exactly rich, so I've helped them with the finances a few times. And, to be honest, I also made use of Zach's library access to study up on things like that. It's boring, and I would prefer to do not think about money but now…" Nessa glanced at where her arm was supposed to be. "I may have to consider my future a little more."

The others also looked at Nessa's empty shoulder before awkwardly looking away. Any comforting words would sound hollow.

"Well, it's a great help. If you ever turn out to be a wuss who lets a scratch decide your fate, I'll make sure to set you and your family up back home if you ever need it, Nessa."

"Hey, don't poach her like that! Her parents are my parents' vassals. If she is going to make use of her talent anywhere, it's going to be in Systine."

Nessa held up a hand and stopped them before they could continue.

"If I do decide to pursue a career in finance, I'm going to the royal family. They have the best benefits—"

"I'll do them one better!" Violina interrupted Nessa before she could finish.

"And I'll do her two better!" Zach piled on.

Nessa held up a hand and silenced them again.

"Violina, the Systines are in a constant battle against pirates. No thanks." She turned to Zach.

"The Evandiels aren't much better with the barbarians to the east threatening to declare war annually. If, and this is a big if, I ever decide to give up my dreams and work in finance, it will be because I want stability. That means the royal family in the capital."

Zach and Violina exchanged looks. The royal family didn't mean stability. But that was akin to a state secret, and airing out the royal family's dirty laundry was akin to treason. There also wasn't a need to tell Nessa anything about it.

If she ended up there sometime in the far future, they could come to her rescue. After suffering she would realize how peaceful life at the border or how beautiful life at the coast could be.

"Well, what is everyone waiting for? Get to work!" Nessa shooed everyone into action.