Mr. Pantalone has no crazy plans today.

This is an unquestionable consensus among all the executors of the Fools.

This is especially true for those who have dealt with Pantalone before.

It's important to understand that even though "Doctor" is the second-in-command of the Fatui and does have the authority to apply for funds at this level, it doesn't mean that Pantalone is in a superior-subordinate relationship with "Doctor".

Although there are positions among the Fools' Executors, this does not mean that Executors with higher positions have the authority to command Executors with lower positions.

Even among the higher-ranking executives, apart from the "clown" who serves as the overseer and is relatively detached, there is no clear hierarchy among the Fools' executives.

Although the executives of the Fools belong to the same group, their areas of expertise do not overlap. In most cases, they are only responsible for and manage matters within their own area of ​​expertise.

As executives, they are all top figures in their respective fields, their abilities are beyond doubt, and they all have absolute authority in their respective areas.

The same applies to Pantalone, who is at the helm of the Northern Bank and the controller of the winter economy.

He holds a position that allows him to intervene in the affairs of other executives, and as the logistics controller of the Fools, Pantalone has the power to veto unreasonable requests for large sums of money and the allocation of funds.

Pantalone has the power to veto a funding application unless the necessity of the funds is explained at a meeting of the executive council.

Even the "Doctor," who is the second-in-command of the Fools, cannot arbitrarily use unreasonable funds, and Pantalone has already agreed to this allocation.

This would necessarily mean that he plays an unusual role in this plan, or that he is one of the proposers and implementers of this plan and project.

Otherwise, how could he possibly agree to this unreasonable allocation?

However, while some executives were paying attention to Pantalone's actions, many others remained indifferent, not caring what Pantalone was up to this time.

As long as Pantalone does not affect the winter economy or the funds for the Fatui's activities, as the person in charge of the Fatui's logistics and the head of the Northern Bank, Pantalone naturally has the right to decide what he wants to do.

No one understands the concept of wealth better than Pantalone, so he can create wealth whenever he wants, which is not difficult for him.

Although the requested amount of funding is quite large and may put some burden on the Northern Bank, it is not enough to cripple the bank.

Especially after the new policies implemented by Pantalone were passed, Pantalone accumulated even more wealth. As long as he could make up for the shortfall within the cycle, such fiscal expenditure would be as good as non-existent for him.

Pantalone has already proven its ability to achieve its current economic success, so no one has ever doubted whether it could actually do it.

Other executives remained indifferent and wait-and-see, but some executives who were not on good terms with Pantalone reacted after noticing Pantalone's actions.

Inside an office in a mansion under the management of the House of Hearthstone.

A tall woman with silver-white hair streaked with black and a black and red corsage pinned to her chest sat in a chair at her desk, reviewing the summary reports submitted by her subordinates.

It was none other than Arecino, the "servant" of the Fools' Executor.

After reviewing his subordinate's report, Arecino looked at the man who had submitted it and asked him a question.

Are you sure about that?

"Of course, I am quite certain of this, 'Servant' Alegino, and 'Rich Man' Pantarone seems to have recently formed a partnership with 'Doctor' Dotole, and they are currently attempting to screen individuals with 'imaginary energy' adaptability."

"This makes me suspect that Lord 'The Rich' Pantalone is involved in the latest project that Lord 'Doctor' Daughtore is involved in."

"Although I don't know exactly how the plan was carried out, I was able to deduce the answer from Lord 'The Rich' Pantalone's' actions and the intelligence I had gathered."

"Regarding that project that recently involved a huge investment, Lord 'The Rich' Pantarone and Lord 'Doctor' Dottore's plan seems to be related to the ley lines and the 'Void Dream Terminal'."

The subordinate was bowing his head to Arecino, reporting in great detail all the information he knew.

At this moment, his face was revealed in the cold light of the winter night. It was Ilya, a man who was originally an officer under Arecino and had pledged allegiance to Pantalone.

Arecino was not surprised by the presence of the man named Ilya in front of her.

Rather, it would be more accurate to say that the other party was a pawn she deliberately placed under Pantalone's command.

Since her previous failure, she changed her plans and schemes, handing the other party over to Pantalone and making him swear allegiance to Pantalone.

Of course, the other party's loyalty is not feigned.

The man named Ilya did indeed pledge his loyalty to Pantalone, but he never said that he had betrayed Arecino. He was simply passing on information to Arecino while wholeheartedly serving Pantalone.

After receiving the intelligence submitted by Ilya and confirming its authenticity, Arecino fell into deep thought, wondering what Pantalone was planning behind this series of schemes.

Looking at the report in his hand, which contained all the relevant reports about Pantalone that he had collected, he saw many actions that seemed meaningless.

However, she did not lower her guard against these seemingly meaningless actions of Pantalone, for these seemingly meaningless actions might conceal some deeper meaning regarding Pantalone's actions.

She and Pantalone have been at odds and fighting for so long, from when they weren't executives until they became executives, she knows Pantalone all too well.

No one understood Pantalone better than her; she knew him too well.

Although he sometimes acts foolishly, he always proves himself right in the end, and even now she has never been able to completely refute that man.

That man always managed to subtly incorporate his plans into seemingly insignificant actions, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and ultimately formulate his plans and objectives through a series of calculations.

Her numerous failed impeachments of Pantalone have already proven this point.

Whether her impeachment fails or succeeds, Pantalone is always part of his calculations.

As always, numerous failures made her more cautious in speculating about Pantalone's actions, which prevented her from drawing conclusions until she had thorough evidence.

She will not act on Pantalone's plans unless she has absolute certainty and evidence.

“He selected ‘optimized’ individuals with ‘imaginary energy’ adaptability, and who are related to the ‘Void Dream System’ and the ley lines. What exactly is he planning?”

Arecino muttered to herself while holding the project proposal in her hand.

He pondered what Pantalone was planning and preparing.