LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 256.2
Chapter 256.2. Hakata Market
Otomo Sorin gave a small nod, and the others followed suit. They had unlocked the B-rank items. Among them, the [Stone Golem Creation Staff] seemed to have caught their interest.
Ten meters in height. A squat and bulky golem with limbs growing out of a stone mass. It can be created with the [Stone Golem Creation Staff]. The golem is equipped with slender fingers for detailed tasks, full of power, and tireless. The staff gives instructions to clear rubble. It’s perfect for the rubble-filled Hakata City.
Though it looks rough and strong, it’s meant for labor. It has a top speed of 3 km/h and can easily carry loads of 10 tons, a powerhouse golem. Its effect lasts until it is destroyed or its condition deteriorates, usually about three years. It’s a rare item that occasionally appears in a silver box in a B-rank dungeon chest.
If you’re excited to use it in battle, it has the fragility to be destroyed by just a few spells from a Goblin Shaman, which is a pleasant feature of dungeon-made items. As expected from a dungeon, many items seem useful for combat at first glance.
It can be exchanged for ten B-rank cores. The other items are as follows. By the way, my commission is about 30%. The transaction fee for the equivalent exchange store is also about 30%.
[Stone Golem Creation Staff: 10 Monster Core B]
[Scarecrow of Fertility: 3 Monster Core B: Increases crop growth speed and negates crop rotation issues for one year]
[Magical Gold Powder: 3 Monster Core B: Increases hardness and magic resistance when mixed with metals, reduces weight by half]
[Springwater Azure Stone: 10 Monster Core B: Generates springwater for one year]
[Blessing Candy (24 pieces): 3 Monster Core B: Slightly improves the health of the eater]
It’s been a long time since we’ve had such a major lineup upgrade. The Kuki generals knew about this, so they eagerly left.
Among them, the Blessing Candy is particularly troublesome. It’s identical in effect to the Blessed Silver Cup I acquired earlier. Lord Ōtomo probably doesn’t know the effect, but the powerbrokers in the inner districts of Tokyo should have picked up on it by now. I imagine they are desperately trying to collect B-rank Monster Cores.
Like the virtual coins that were once all the rage, this could quickly skyrocket in price, with no ceiling in sight. Lord Ōtomo will soon realize this. In fact, he’s likely expecting the price to rise even now.
So what do we do? How can we prevent the price from skyrocketing? The fact is, B-rank cores are difficult to obtain. Even the strongest soldiers sent to clear dungeons will end up dead. The enemies are simply too strong. A large army, including tanks, would be required to defeat them.
How can we prevent the price from rising while consistently obtaining B-rank cores? The answer should be clear. The method to steadily acquire the cores is right in front of us.
“For now, I’ll give you 1,000 B-rank cores from the ones I’ve acquired, for verification purposes. You’ll need to test the other items as well.”
I’ll push a little further. Lord Ōtomo probably doesn’t have many B-rank cores yet. The market price is 10 billion yen. It’s almost like the price of wheat flour. Is it the same as bribery, I wonder?
“Very well. Then, the tax rate will be 19%. How does that sound? With this, I’ll allow the Adventurer’s Guild to exclusively buy cores.”
“I understand. I think it’s a good deal. Thank you. I’m sure we’ll meet your expectations.”
He smiled and extended his hand for a handshake. I didn’t ask where the 4% would disappear to, since I’m not a child. In any case, it looks like we can set up the Adventurer’s Guild. I’m relieved.
[Master… doesn’t this look like a deal between bad people?]
[You’re too naïve, Yukihana. It’s not just “doesn’t this look like a deal”? It is a deal between bad people. It’s not so simple that we can force the conversation through.]
Yukihana, with her cheeks puffed in displeasure, sent me an exasperated thought. I chuckled and sent a mischievous laugh in return.
Running a city is tough. In this day and age, shouting to save everyone with pure policies will only lead to ruin. Lord Ōtomo may be a villain, but he’s preventing the city from collapsing. Unfortunately, we couldn’t save the people of the ruins… that’s regrettable.
[Indeed. It’s not about necessary evil.]
[It’s better not to simplify things, Yukihana-chan. Most things should be kept in the gray area.]
It seems Yukihana understood, as Shizuku’s thought came through. She’s right. In politics, there’s no need to get involved with the standards of good and evil. They don’t exist.
“The discussion with the Adventurer’s Guild seems to be settled. As for the request from the Clown Knight Brigade, it’s a transfer of military positions under Lord Ōtomo’s jurisdiction. You can’t hold both the top political and military positions, you know? The military top will be dispatched from Tokyo, split among the army, navy, and air force.”
Konoha, who asked for things unrelated to the Clown Knight Brigade, seemed to have finished talking with the three prominent families.
“So the three families are stepping in… Is there room for negotiation?”
“There is none. Also, I request your support for the lower-income people. I’ve heard that many from the ruined districts are evacuating to Hakata’s outer city.”
Konoha glared at Lord Ōtomo. Hmm, the people from the ruined districts were evacuating. But judging by Konoha’s expression, it doesn’t look like they’re living well.
Sei and Fuuka’s faces subtly changed in distress. It seems this wasn’t part of the discussion.
But this request will probably pass. Hmm, this girl is fairly good-hearted. I’ve changed my mind about her.
…By the way, I’m paying everything with cores because I don’t have any cash on hand. I should have become quite wealthy, but… I don’t get it.