So unlucky local companies found themselves in the red. Their farms experienced an unprecedented blight, destroying all of their crops in a single night. Their mineshafts collapsed with neither an earthquake nor explosion. And their carriage convoys suddenly disappeared without warning during their journey.
With how competitive New Sparta was, this kind of setback was incredibly perilous. If they wanted to recover, then they'd have to go into debt. But even then, their progress would be incredibly delayed compared to their peers. And once they did get back to their feet, there was no guarantee they'd be able to succeed. And by then, they won't be able to get themselves out of debt, forcing them to be bankrupt.
But 'miraculously', so Upper Echelons ca in as their 'savior'. They reached out their hand towards these unlucky local companies and offered them so help. They ca with the promise of giving them a huge lump sum of money, in exchange for their loyalty.
And most of them took it. Not only were they offered life-changing money, but they were also given the chance to beco a sub-company for an Upper Echelon! So would say this would be the best thing to have happened to them.
But of course, so knew the dangers of such an offer. They saw through the sinister smile of those Upper Echelons and chose to slap their hands away. They chose to fight.
However, how could they fight against the elite? Not only were they stronger, richer, and more influential, but now they had automobiles in their possession. It enabled them to spread their advantages far out into the Lower Queens region, suppressing the local companies like a plague.
The only ones who were able to stave off the Upper Echelons were those from the tropolis faction. They had automobiles longer than anyone, so they weren't as vulnerable to their expansion than others.
So as it stood, it seed that the Upper Echelons would soon make the Lower Queens region into their own territory.
They began swallowing or defeating local companies at a comnsurate rate.
That was until one specific day.
That day, the Reborn company announced sothing in New Sparta.
The creation of the Reborn Automobile New Sparta Dealership!
Now, anyone could purchase their own automobiles from the Reborn headquarters just outside of New Sparta's walls!
When people entered the Reborn camp, they saw automobiles displayed in grand stages, with neat bows tied on top as if they were gifts on Christmas morning.
"Welco to Reborn automotive dealership! How can I help you?"
A leader from a local company stumbled in his words. "I… uh…"
"Would you like to purchase an automobile of your own?" asked the Rebornian Lamia.
The man shook his head. "No, no! I was just curious. We can't afford to buy an automobile just yet, haha."
The Lamia didn't jeer or make fun of him. Instead, she led him towards one of the tables.
"Please take a seat here and we can talk about our automobiles," she said.
The man couldn't even say anything before she led him to a seat. Then, as soon as he took a seat, he was served a cold beverage and so bread snacks to eat.
"Here are so of our pamphlets. You can see here that we have two options for automobiles, a sedan and a four-wheel truck. Both of those have two options as well, one where the chassis is made out of special steel. The other, on the other hand, are made out of Damascus Steel."
The man's eyes glistened with yearning as he looked at the Damascus-lined truck.
He wanted to buy this automobile. In fact, just seeing it displayed just a few ters away from him made his heart ache with heartbreak.
But its price…
100,000 Sand Dollars.
He could have bought a normal automobile, one that only cost using gold coins. But that was not viable in this very hectic ti. He'd heard of so companies buying these normal automobiles and suddenly getting ambushed in the middle of nowhere by so 'bandits'. Though, he didn't know of any bandits who had multiple high-leveled Maugnetics under their employ.
Anyway, if he wanted to compete in the harsh market of New Sparta, he needed an automobile that could actually compete.
But unfortunately, it seed that it was not for him.
"Sorry, I don't think I belong here," he said, leaving his seat.
The Lamia stood up and bowed to him. "Alright, dear custor. If you have any interest in buying our automobiles in the future, then our dealership will be happy to help!"
The man started to walk out.
"Or if you want to buy an automobile today, then we can help you out as well! It doesn't matter if you can afford it right now."
He stopped in his tracks. "Really?"
The Lamia smiled. "Yes, dear custor. The Reborn company is well aware of the fact that not everyone can afford their own automobile. That is why we have co up with a new paynt plan! Here are the details of our automobile loan!"
She handed him another pamphlet containing the general details of the loan, as well as an easy-to-understand table grid.
The man studied it for a few minutes in total silence.
"You're saying that I only have to pay 1000 Sand Dollars today, and I can take ho my own automobile?"
The Rebornian attendant nodded. "That is correct! You only need a downpaynt of 5000 Sand Dollars and a monthly installnt of 2000 Sand Dollars for four years in total to buy an automobile!"
The man's eyes widened. That was such a good deal! If he only had to pay 5000 Sand Dollars today, then he'd be able to use the rest of his money to invest back into his company! Plus, he'd have his own automobile to hasten their progress like the Upper Echelons!
"Sign up!" he imdiately shouted.
The Rebornian Lamia smiled and nodded. "Alright! Please look over the details one more ti before we finalize the contract!"
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