Translator: Kazumi
Editor: Silavin
After concluding his brief discussion with Gazeran and Schmidt about Gazenran Tower, Kousuke received a piece of paper from Eku.
“What is this?” Kousuke asked, examining the document.
The paper contained a comprehensive list of names and their corresponding affiliations, arranged in order of importance according to their positions within Seichun’s hierarchy.
“This is everyone who has requested a meeting with Kousuke-sama since the Crown rumors began circulating.” Eku explained.
Kousuke’s expression grew troubled as he scanned the extensive list. The sheer number of names made individual meetings with each person virtually impossible.
Observing Kousuke’s reaction, Eku asked with a slight laugh, “You have been rather evasive in your previous responses. Are you planning to decline all of these requests?”
Kousuke almost answered ‘Yes’ immediately but caught himself. He recognized an opportunity to leverage his current situation strategically.
“For now, I will mark them in order of priority. Please arrange meetings according to that sequence.” he decided.
Though Eku could not discern Kousuke’s underlying strategy, she nodded without hesitation. “I am honored to arrange this. I will handle the scheduling immediately.”
“Okay. Thanks. Now, regarding why I am going with this approach…” Kousuke proceeded to explain his detailed plan. Those present responded with understanding, finding his logic thoroughly convincing.
…
Barbro, the representative of the Tower Conquest Guild, sat stunned by Kousuke’s unexpected response. He had come to Wolf Fang seeking confirmation of the rumors circulating throughout Seichun, though he had anticipated the usual evasive tactics or vague responses that characterized previous encounters.
Instead, Kousuke sat across from Barbro and delivered a startlingly direct answer: the rumors spreading through Seichun were entirely accurate.
“Does this mean Wolf Fang will eventually become a Crown branch?” Alta, who had accompanied Barbro, recovered first and posed the critical question.
Her words seemed to snap Barbro from his shock, prompting him to study Kousuke’s expression more carefully. Despite noticing Barbro’s intense scrutiny, Kousuke nodded without displaying any particular concern.
“You may consider it so. We intend to make an official announcement within the next few days.”
“What!?” one of the accompanying executives exclaimed in surprise.
The meeting had been deliberately kept small, with only these three representatives from the Tower Conquest Guild present. Across from them sat Kousuke flanked by Eku on his right and Schmidt on his left.
The executive half-rose from his seat, his expression reflecting genuine shock. “Do you understand the implications of this decision?”
Kousuke merely tilted his head in response. “What do you mean?”
Barbro raised his right hand, silencing the executive who appeared ready to continue his outburst. The executive’s loss of composure actually helped Barbro regain his own grounding.
“Everyone knows that Crown operates according to the wishes of Razequa Amamiya, or at minimum, the Central Continent. Do you truly believe we will permit such an organization to establish their influence here?” Barbro asked, meeting Kousuke’s gaze directly.
Kousuke’s expression softened as he regarded Barbro’s serious demeanor. “I believe you will accept it.”
“What?” Barbro was taken aback by the casual confidence of this response.
Given their previous encounters, Barbro had expected a more calculated behavior from Kousuke. The apparent simplicity of his answer left Barbro struggling to understand the underlying reasoning, his confusion evident in his expression.
Kousuke continued with a smile. “We have already secured permission from the Minail Merchant Guild, as well as from Anessa and Battle.”
The faces of the Tower Conquest Guild members changed dramatically as Kousuke mentioned each major merchant guild in succession. These three organizations represented the commercial interests of the three nations surrounding Seichun.
“That is impossible,” the executive muttered in disbelief.
Barbro shared this sentiment, finding himself confused by what seemed like an impossible reversal from the three merchant guilds.
While Barbro and his companions processed this information, Kousuke reached into his pocket and placed an object on the table with a deliberate sound.
When Barbro looked questioningly at the item, unable to immediately identify its significance, Kousuke provided an immediate explanation.
“This is Aeris Water.”
Rather than surprise, Barbro’s reaction was one of grudging admiration. “You have already discovered its origins. No, considering Crown’s rumored capabilities, you might even possess the ability to analyze it completely.”
As he spoke, Barbro began to understand why the three merchant guilds had agreed to collaborate with Wolf Fang. Aeris Water represented a potential catalyst for significant upheaval among the three nations. Crown had demonstrated the organizational capability to locate and identify Aeris Water, which appeared indistinguishable from ordinary water, within a remarkably short timeframe. The merchant guilds had undoubtedly recognized this capability when negotiating their agreements.
As this realization crystallized, Barbro suddenly grasped another crucial point: why had they been summoned here?
The question and its answer emerged simultaneously in his mind. Barbro looked at Kousuke with renewed alarm, and Kousuke smiled knowingly.
“I believe that matches your conclusion.”
“No! That cannot be possible!” Barbro finally lost his composure entirely, while the executives looked on in confusion.
Alta had reached the same understanding, her face pale with the implications.
“What else?” Kousuke acknowledged, reaching into his pocket once more to produce what appeared to be a card.
Barbro, now wary of Kousuke’s revelations, picked up the card with visible hesitation. Initially puzzled, his confusion transformed to comprehension as he read the text inscribed upon it.
If his assessment proved correct, this development would fundamentally undermine the Tower Conquest Guild’s position.
Kousuke smiled, apparently unconcerned with Barbro’s internal struggle. “You are quite perceptive regarding matters that concern you directly. Unlike the merchant guilds, you are able to quickly grasp what this implies.”
Barbro naturally perceived that smile as distinctly menacing.
The card Kousuke had presented possessed identical functionality to those being developed by the Tower Conquest Guild. While still incomplete and unsuitable for mass production, given sufficient time and resources, Crown could certainly achieve comparable results. The accumulated knowledge from conquering Gazenran Tower would prove invaluable for this purpose.
When Kousuke explained the card’s capabilities without specifying its origins or development timeline, everyone except Barbro finally grasped the severity of their situation.
This card demonstration served as the decisive factor, compelling the Tower Conquest Guild to agree to Crown’s branch establishment. Though only a verbal agreement, the condition stipulated that card development would cease immediately.
The Tower Conquest Guild recognized that Kousuke had not personally created the card. However, they also understood that should they violate their agreement and oppose the Crown branch establishment, development could resume, and effortlessly at that.
Conversely, the Tower Conquest Guild remained skeptical that Crown would halt card development based solely on this verbal commitment. Both parties understood these underlying dynamics clearly.
This discussion resulted in the Tower Conquest Guild’s promise to refrain from opposition, significantly accelerating the Crown branch launch timeline.