LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 256.1
Chapter 256.1. Hakata Market
The reason I came here, of course, was to save the Kyushu region, but my second purpose was to establish a branch of the Adventurer’s Guild and open a branch of Amatsugahara Corporation. The Earth Federation Army? That’s just an afterthought. Currently, I’m exploring with my familiar. Once I find them, I intend to eliminate them.
If someone points out that my “second reason” is the real one, I’ll just say that appearances are important.
It’s about time we expanded branches from the Kanto region to various locations. I’ll use Hakata as a test case, and set up similar branches in other cities. By using Hakata as an example, I hope to use it as leverage to persuade other cities.
After all, the exclusive purchasing of cores would undoubtedly violate antitrust laws in the past. To push this through, I need some form of track record. Japanese officials have a wonderful habit of blindly following precedents. If Tokyo, Hakata, and a few other cities accept the Adventurer’s Guild, other cities will follow suit.
As for foreign countries, I don’t know what will happen. There will likely be more countries that don’t accept it, but that’s not something to worry about right now. There aren’t any core stores set up abroad yet.
I’m also concerned about the Earth Federation Army’s schemes, but politics and business are necessary to save the world. A world governed solely by military force won’t improve. When money circulates, smiles increase. A booming economy gives people some breathing room. Well, I’m not saying money is everything, though.
So, for the people’s sake, I’ll get the exclusive rights to the cores for the Adventurer’s Guild. People are free to use them as they wish, but large-scale purchases will go through the Adventurer’s Guild. Of course, there will be those who buy them behind the scenes, but that’s where the big players show their strength. Just like a small secondhand bookstore can’t compete with a large chain.
And I have my trump card, of course. Hearing the number of cores I’m offering, Otomo Sorin and the others hesitate. Well, that’s natural. Once the war with the dungeons ends, a normal distribution system will be possible. Monopolizing won’t be necessary, and even a monkey would understand that it’s not beneficial in the long run.
But unequal treaties are made precisely in times like these. Watching Otomo Sorin and the others exchange uneasy glances, I place a monster core on the table with a thud.
“I understand you don’t want the Adventurer’s Guild to monopolize the cores. You believe they’re too important a resource for that, right?”
“Exactly, Amano-dono. We must handle the cores carefully. Even if you were to offer us a hundred million monster cores, we couldn’t readily agree to a monopoly.”
Otomo Sorin responds with an earnest expression, but it’s obvious he’s thinking about the profits the cores will bring. However, given the current situation, with soldiers who can barely obtain C-rank cores, he likely sees little reason to fuss.
In short, he’s saying, “Give us conditions we can agree to.” His words reflect concern for the people in the struggling cities—quite fitting for a mayor. I’m impressed.
Perhaps I’m overthinking it. Maybe I imagined too much about his intentions. It’d be rude if he’s genuinely a benevolent leader, so I reconsidered my assessment of Otomo Sorin, but he continued the conversation.
“I believe we also need to inspect the cores. We would like to consider our response based on the number of cores provided by the Adventurer’s Guild for inspection.”
I take it back; I wasn’t overthinking it. It’s still about money. When he saw my gift for General Kuki, he loosened his mouth, thinking, “Give us some, too.”
Well, well. Clear waters indeed have no fish. I’d like him to emulate the rockfish or sweetfish a bit more. I actually prefer the Tanuma era myself. I heard a famous haiku or something is saying it was better.
“Yes, the issue is how much revenue will be generated. What’s the current population?”
“Our Hakata City has doubled since before the dungeon outbreaks. Survivors from all over Kyushu have gathered here. The population is close to 500,000. Now that we’re dealing with monster cores, we anticipate substantial revenue. Thanks to the support, dungeons have also decreased.”
Otomo Sorin smiles proudly. Hmm, do all mayors in provincial cities act like this? … I guess it’s the same everywhere. I’m surprised at how quickly they bounced back from the crisis. Normally, wouldn’t they thump their chest and say, “Thank you for saving us. Whatever you need, we’ll do it to the best of our ability”?
Reality is harsh. I truly feel that way. If they had said that, I would have modestly asked, “Just make the Adventurer’s Guild and Amatsugahara Corporation tax-exempt forever,” while smiling. Too bad.
I regain my composure and resume my pitch. I continue to explain the benefits of the Adventurer’s Guild.
“The Adventurer’s Guild will also support future dungeon conquests. We will supply weapons to adventurers and create new magic tools using monster materials.”
“That sounds promising. To be honest, many volunteers gathered in our city to counter the stampedes. Now that the monsters have been cleared, they’ll be moved to reserve status, but many will likely join the Adventurer’s Guild.”
I’m inwardly impressed by Otomo Sorin’s calm demeanor as he casually announces that many soldiers will be dismissed. It’s a classic two-birds-one-stone approach. Introducing personnel to me while also cutting soldiers. Plus, with their experience as adventurers, they could become excellent volunteers if another stampede occurs.
When people are simply dismissed, they get angry and revolt, as history shows. But this time, the Adventurer’s Guild serves as a safety net. They’re capable and bothersome.
Since I have no intention of disclosing precise revenue figures, I keep dodging the topic, thinking about how to get my way. I’m sure they’re considering similar things. Both of us maintain our smiles, but now, what should I do?
At that moment, Konoha provided supporting fire.
“The tax rate for the Adventurer’s Guild is a normal 15%. The number of cores for inspection depends on the rank, doesn’t it? For B-rank cores, it’d be better for the Adventurer’s Guild to have a monopoly to stabilize the price and prevent inflation.”
“Hmm… inflation, you say… With the lineup of the core store expanding yesterday, inflation is indeed possible.”
Otomo Sorin hesitates, furrowing his brows at Konoha’s bold words. Indeed. The newly released products in the core store are primarily B-rank. Strange, isn’t it?
Yesterday, Sei nonchalantly clasped his hands together, saying, “I’m glad the core store’s research is going smoothly,” but it had no particular significance.
“We are currently buying B-rank monster cores at 3 million yen. Considering recent inflation, we think that’s reasonable.”
As I clasp my hands, flashing my elite salaryman Sakimori smile, Otomo Sorin and the others furrow their brows.
“As for the new lineup. How much are you planning to sell the [Staff of Stone Golem Creation] for?”
“We plan to sell it for 100 million yen. I assume you’re interested in the [Staff of Stone Golem Creation], Otomo-sama?”
“Yes. I saw the real thing yesterday. I am convinced it has many applications.”