"How dare you place us on the same floor as these commoners?!" the noblewoman shouted, pointing at the commoners eating inside the Filly Restaurant. "You, the owner, should know better! They are not on the same level as us!"
"Yeah! I won't eat with these filthy people around me!"
"You're ruining your reputation by letting them eat here!"
"Why not give us the entire floor? That would be good for your business!"
The noblewoman's entourage chimed in, their faces filled with disgust as they glanced at the commoners. They didn't bother to lower their voices, clearly mocking the regular patrons.
The commoners, on the other hand, were furious but could only bow their heads in shame. Those inside the restaurant, eating their meals, heard the nobles' harsh words through the open doors. Their hands trembled, and they lost their appetite.
Filly, the restaurant owner, stared at the noblewoman and recognized her. It was the same woman who had come in a few days earlier, saying similar things.
"Commoners or not, anyone who eats in my restaurant is a customer, regardless of their status. Everyone will receive equal treatment," Filly declared firmly, her gaze cold as it fixed on the nobles, especially the one leading them.
"Oh, really? You're going to stick to that?" the woman sneered. "What do you think will happen when the other nobles find out about this?"
"And what will you do?" Filly challenged, raising an eyebrow.
"We're nobles. We have power, and more importantly, we have connections," the woman said confidently. "What do you think will happen to your supply of meat if we cut it off?"
Filly's eyes widened, her face flushing with anger, and her fists clenched tightly. After a few deep breaths, she managed to calm herself.
"Do what you want," Filly said, smiling, though it was clear the smile was forced.
"Oh? Hahaha! Don't blame us when you're left selling nothing but bread!" the woman laughed, joined by the other nobles. As they left, they shot glares at Filly and the commoners but avoided making eye contact with the woman standing behind Filly.
"Do you want me to deal with them?" Gail asked, her eyes tracking the nobles as they walked away, her killing intent leaking out intermittently.
"No need," Filly sighed, shaking her head. "It's not worth stooping to their level. Besides, this situation made me realize something."
"What's that?" Gail asked.
Filly was about to answer when she noticed someone out of the corner of her eye. A smile spread across her face as she turned to greet the person. "Hello, Mr. Beggar."
"Oh, hello," Apollo responded. It felt strange talking to Filly after acting as Can Deez. Hmm, not that he had changed much—just his voice, not his behavior.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that scene," Filly said with a bitter smile.
"Hello," Gail greeted as well, bowing her head.
Apollo nodded at her before turning back to Filly. "Don't worry about it. That's pretty normal, if you ask me."
"Well, I guess you're right," Filly said. In the world of business, there will always be people trying to drag you down. They're like hungry wolves, tearing each other apart. Challenges and tribulations—business is a different kind of battlefield.
"But have you thought of a plan?" Apollo asked.
Hearing the question, Filly realized Mr. Beggar was asking out of concern. Is he going to help me? This thought made her eyes light up. "Yes, I've thought of something, but I don't know if it's going to work."
"Tell me," Apollo said. Having gotten used to food being delivered to his 'doorstep,' he couldn't just let the restaurant next to him go bankrupt. If that happened, he'd either be stuck eating bland bread or be forced to use his precious Alm Points just to get decent food.
"They'll definitely follow through on their threats," Filly said. "They're the type to use their family connections to oppress others."
"You can do the same, but in a different way," Apollo smiled, glancing at Gail, who stood beside the restaurant owner.
He knows. He's definitely not just a regular beggar, Gail thought, confirming that Mr. Beggar was indeed a wanderer. His words suggested he knew her profession.
"Yeah, I could just show them that I'm better than them," Filly nodded, though she clearly didn't grasp his full meaning. "I'm planning to start my own Monster Meat Distribution, specifically for my restaurant."
"That's a good idea. That way, they won't be able to cut off your supply," Apollo agreed, before glancing at the Skyline Savory branch nearby. "But I don't think your opponents will let you do that so easily."
Filly and Gail followed his gaze and noticed the branch manager hurriedly looking away, pretending to be busy.
Suddenly, Gail had a realization. "Is he the one orchestrating all of this?"
Being sharp in business, Filly immediately understood what Gail was implying. "Possibly."
"Do you have any suggestions?" Filly turned to Mr. Beggar with pleading eyes.
"Well…" Apollo scratched his cheek. If it were his business, he'd only need a day or two to shut down the Skyline Savory branch overnight. "Just fight back with everything you've got. Use your connections, and don't hold back on your strategies. That's all. Bye."
Apollo was too lazy to offer more advice. If things got worse, he'd just eat plain bread or save up his Alms to eat at other restaurants. Hopefully, they'd accept a beggar.
"Wa—" Filly couldn't finish her words as the beggar had already returned to his spot beside the restaurant. Letting out a sigh, she turned to Gail. "What do you think?"
"Hmm," Gail thought for a moment before nodding. "I think Mr. Beggar is right. We can't let them bully us. You handle the Meat Distribution, and I'll handle the bullies."
"Alright then," Filly agreed after a moment of thought. "But no killing, okay?"
"Don't worry," Gail smiled mysteriously.
Filly stared at her friend for a moment before sighing and heading back into the restaurant. "Let's go."