The Warden of The Witches-Chapter 272:

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256="">Chapter 272: Financial Report</ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Evening, Rose Iron Prison.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden sat in his office. Before him was the familiar long table adorned with jack-o'-lanterns, surrounded by the five Archwitches wreathed in grey mist—the Archwitch token projected Abigail's summoning space before his eyes. He was meeting with the Witches' Coven today to report on the first week's market performance of their joint venture.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"—In summary, as we initially anticipated, the new product's market reception has been excellent," Aiden concluded. "Although currently limited to the high-end market due to costs, comparing horizontally, no similar product poses a competitive threat to ours. I already have a backlog of orders from distributors... At least for the next full year, we won't have to worry about sales."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Very good," Abigail, seated at the head of the long table, nodded. "Then, our share..."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Of course, it will be settled according to the previously agreed-upon split. I will convert the money into cash for you; you can come collect it at your convenience. I will handle taxes and other procedures. Naturally, the money will be listed solely as material costs," Aiden replied calmly.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Normally, just charging for raw materials wouldn't warrant giving away half the profits. But considering the product's core value lay almost entirely in the absorbent material provided by Vera, this split actually favored Rose Iron Prison. If Vera could patent this material and hire factories for production, she could very well become a formidable female capitalist in this era.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Your Excellency is truly reliable," qimora voice held amusement. "Shall I pay a visit in the next few days then?"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Please use the main entrance. Do not break into the prison randomly, thank you," Aiden emphasized.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"I'll try my best," Kikimora chuckled.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"A fifty-fifty split of net profit... means after deducting all costs?" Hasbinis started nitpicking. "These costs are basically calculated by your side. How do we know you haven't manipulated the cost figures?"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Why would I do something so despicable? That's precisely why I prepared detailed accounts for you to review. All specifics are listed," Aiden held up the open ledger and waved it slightly.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The witches looked at each other.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Don't tell me none of you can read accounts?" Aiden frowned.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Silence.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->They were the witches most dedicated to researching the arcane arts; finances weren't their primary concern. Income and expenses were basically handled by finding ways to earn money when needed, then reinvesting it into research. Moreover, their earnings rarely came through legitimate channels... So, deciphering relatively professional income statements and charts indeed required considerable effort for them.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Suddenly it seems very easy to deceive you... Anyway, the cost accounting section is all here. Every production expense is clearly listed. Feel free to raise any questions; I can go through it line by line with you," Aiden took out a pen and specifically highlighted the cost accounting section for the witches. "In the future, I'll provide a dedicated cost accounting statement for you. That should be sufficient, right?"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Since Your Excellency has put it this way, we naturally have no doubts," Abigail stated, settling the matter.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"The labor cost is quite low," Vera noted, scanning the accounts.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Prison-organized labor is for rehabilitating inmates. How could we possibly pay them wages? Otherwise, everyone who can't find work outside would want to get into prison. This money is just their remuneration and allowance."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Every drop is the blood and sweat of prisoners. Seems running a prison is truly profitable," Hasbinis remarked with her usual sharp tongue.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"The construction and maintenance costs of the prison can hardly be covered by the work these inmates do, Miss Hasbinis. With your level of common sense, I worry you might not even be able to read numbers," Aiden retorted without hesitation.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Got guts? Don't leave when your shift ends today! I'll wait for you at your workplace entrance!!" Hasbinis slammed the table, challenging him to a fight.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"You're a wanted fugitive..." Lamia reminded her from the side.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"I'll remember to reserve an empty room for you," Aiden smiled.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden felt he was increasingly adapting to the atmosphere of these gatherings. Through this business partnership, the distance between him and the Archwitches had narrowed somewhat. Even Vera, who had initially been hostile due to the incidents involving Dailey and Priscilla, had noticeably softened her attitude. Only Hasbinis still picked fights with him at every turn—though she treated everyone with similar bluntness.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Regardless, we truly owe Your Excellency our thanks this time," Abigail spoke, moving past their pointless bickering. "On behalf of the Witches' Coven, I express our gratitude."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"No need for thanks. I should thank you as well, for allowing this prison to achieve financial independence," Aiden replied.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Then we look forward to the end-of-month financial report," Abigail said. "Let's adjourn."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The grey mist swirled, and the scene before Aiden switched back to his office. He put away the Archwitch token and leaned back in his chair to rest. His relationship with the Witches' Coven was now quite stable. Although their fundamental ideological opposition remained unchanged, their shared business venture now firmly bound their interests together. The Witches' Coven was gradually recovering the massive losses incurred due to the Bountiful Mother Cult, while Rose Iron Prison finally had the means to overcome its chronic funding shortages through its own efforts.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Their partnership was based purely on mutual benefit, but in a way, relationships built on interests were often the most reliable. As long as this common interest existed and held sufficient value, the cooperating parties were unlikely to completely fall out. For now, he didn't need to worry too much about the Witches' Coven posing a threat. Abigail clearly wasn't foolish enough to sabotage her business partner while openly doing business with them.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The new production project was successfully on track. Now, the main task he needed to focus on was the quest to explore the powers of the Authorities. However, two weeks ago, when he visited Melissa's shop on Mephilia advice, Melissa had given him a very strange divination result: "For now, you just need to guard the prison and wait quietly. The Authority you desire will come to you automatically."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->It sounded effortless at first, but Aiden sensed danger—if the power of an Authority were to appear within the prison, the impact would be immeasurable. Yet, no matter how he asked, Melissa refused to reveal another word, merely repeating, "True prophecy and hints stop at revealing just enough."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden sat in his office thinking for a while, finally deciding to put this clueless matter aside for now.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"First, the usual... patrol the cell blocks," he thought, standing up, putting on his hat, and leaving the office.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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