It wasn't long until Mazelan was on the screen. Isaac couldn't even finish his cigarette he had lit to pass his time.
-You bastard! What lies did you spout about me!
Mazelan peered through the screen with unmatched anger, almost as if he was ready to shatter it. Isaac replied to Mazelan with his typical leisurely tone.
"You shouldn't have made me wait after calling me over. That's poor manners. I'm a busy man too, you know."
Those words from Isaac put everyone at a loss for words, even the operators in the room. Shouldn't it be the other way around, where the subordinate waits if his superior asks for it?
Mazelan beat his chest to vent out his frustration.
-Dear me! I was a fool! To look after a crazy bastard like you!
Mazelan regretfully let out those words when a man appeared behind Mazelan in the screen, carefully approaching him with shaking voice.
-Um… Vice Commissioner.
-What!
-I have a message from your family. They are asking you to visit them immediately after work. They would like to know the story behind the rumours….
The blood in Mazelan's face drained from his face after hearing the man's message. Mazelan faltered as if he was about to faint, then quickly grabbed on to the monitor and shook it wildly as if he was holding on to Isaac himself.
-You, bastard! What have you done! The rumours have spread already!
"What are you so worried about. Just tell them it was a misunderstanding."
-Do you think those words will be enough to convince anyone!
"You will suffer from the rumours for some time, but I'm sure it will die down eventually."
-Do you have any idea how many people are trying to topple me over… I wouldn't even be this mad if I'd actually done it.
Frustrated, Mazelan sighed deeply. He was quite famous within the social network of the aristocrats in the Empire. There was his family line, status as Vice Commissioner at such a young age with the guarantee of becoming the future Commissioner, and most important of all, his single status. A pedigree like that was enough to make any parent dream of him as their son-in-law for their daughters. Plus, his actions have shown his slightly workaholic but gentlemanlike nature.
Mazelan's mother recently found a hobby of looking through the list of women whom a middleman would bring in hopes of marrying Mazelan. She would flick through the list, comparing and judging the girl's history and abilities. But if a rumour such as this was to spread now…
Mazelan's body shook when he imagined the scolding and questioning that was awaiting him once he got back home.
"Hey, at least you've learnt a lesson."
-What lesson?
"Um, don't make someone wait after you bring them over?"
People in the Communicator room could feel the anger from Mazelan whenever his body twitched. Mazelan's eyes flickered with wrath as if he were considering how to beat Isaac to the ground, yet Isaac pressed Mazelan unemotionally to ask why he was called.
"So what's the deal for me to talk to you personally? I doubt it's for some casual catch-up session."
How is this catch-up session? It was an accusation made of false information!
The operators began to see Isaac in a new light. Just the fact that he had a close tie with the Vice Commissioner of the Department of Supplies through a Sunbae-Hubae relationship was enough to make Isaac formidable to his subordinates.
-Sigh. I give up. It's my fault for trying to pull a prank on you.
Mazelan dropped his shoulder weakly but quickly shifted the expression on his face to a serious one. Play time was over now.
-Is there anyone who can overhear our conversation?
Isaac scanned his surrounding, and he could see all the operators swiftly turn their faces to avoid his eyes.
"There's about twenty of them."
-Why is there so many? Aren't you in a private room?
"They told me all of the private rooms were occupied and gave me a Communicator shoved in the corner of the room. My screen is open for everyone to see."
-Hm. That's amusing. I'm aware that Port City receives a high number of calls, but higher-ranking officials should be given priority with the Communicators in the city hall. Switch me over to the Communicator overseer.
Before Mazelan even finished his words, the overseer quickly ran over to Isaac as drops of cold sweat formed on his face.
"G, greetings your majesty. I am the overseer of…."
-Shut it. Did you receive the official document stating that due to delays regarding complete installation of Communicators in the Empire, all private-use Communicators should be prioritised in accordance to rank and the importance of the work? Have you read it?
"I, I have read it.'
-Then why is an Administrator using a Communicator intended for office use?
"I, it's because… All of the private rooms are occupied…"
-Are you making false reports now? You said you've read the document right? Don't you understand the phrase 'prioritised in accordance to rank'?
"I, I do understand."
-There should be at least ten private rooms installed in Port City. Even if all of the rooms are occupied right now, how many official ranks are above the Administrator of a city?
"T, that would be the mayor."
-So you're saying all of the rooms are taken by mayors and Administrators, now? Or is it because the Administrator of New Port City is a talentless, powerless, ambitionless scum of the earth who looks down on his Sunbae like a dog and would only visit whenever he is in need, and is shunned by the rest of the world, that you thought you could just throw him with the rest?
Mazelan pressured the Overseer close to his breaking point, but it was Isaac who saved him.
"Can you stop with the passive-aggressive insults and get to the point?"
-I'll be watching you.
"T, thank you. I will immediately lead him to one of the private rooms."
The Overseer looked to Isaac as if he had just saved his life. He repeatedly thanked Isaac and tried to lead him to the private rooms, but Isaac refused with an annoyed face.
"I don't know what this is about, but if the word is going to spread eventually, then just say it here."
Mazelan pondered for a moment, then sighed as he replied.
-Well. I guess everyone important already knows, so I guess it shouldn't matter. You know that Port City is in conflict with the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds because they are trying to establish a merchant guild of their own, right?
"I think I remember hearing about it."
-Long story short, the conflict from Port City's attempt at creating their own merchant guild isn't just a problem in the merchant world, but a smaller version of the political battles within the Empire's government. If Port City manages to form their own guild, it may force some of the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds into bankruptcy. The problem is that many people are involved with the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds.
"I thought that's the reason Port City can't make a merchant guild?"
-That's right. Even if Port City was to spend a fortune lobbying, the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds have connections of their own.
"Then what's the problem?"
-Count Milros's family has stepped in.
"Kainen's mother's family?"
-That's right. Count Milros' family has agreed to assist the formation of the guild if Port City were to help eliminate you.
"Do they really want to kill me that badly?"
-Removing you is just an added benefit. What they really want is a significant portion of the Port City Merchant Guild's shares. The profits it would entail are guaranteed as long as it is established.
"But wouldn't there be significant opposition against them?"
-That's why you are so important. Unless a noble family served in the business world, the Empire's law states that nobles with the rank of Count and above cannot invest or assist in forming merchant guilds. It'd be too easy for nobles with such power to go against the fair trade laws if they were to intervene. As the Taxation Branch of Department of Administration always says, wherever there is profit, there is a nasty fight underneath it.
"Hm, it's my first time hearing that."
-Well, that's why such powerful noble families try to get around the law by using their lesser vassal families, who are their relatives. But even that has been heavily restricted by law, so there aren't many families who succeed.
"So how does that relate to why I'm so important?"
-Count Milros's family have made many attempts to spread their influence into business just like Port City, and Baron Rondart has already managed to achieve half of the desired effect.
"And I'm the other half."
-That's right. Once you're gone, Count Milros will be able to start his business with a significant portion of Port City's shares. Well, other factions are well aware of this too, and that is why they will do everything to protect you. As long as you, the official heir to Rondart Family who has no ambitions, live, Count Milros will never obtain the Rondart Family.
The conclusion was that no matter how much Isaac struggled, Count Milros wanted him dead. That was the simplest solution without any future worries.
"Then shouldn't you have prevented this from happening in the first place?"
-That's the reason why Count Milros brought Port City into the conflict. Port City had been investing heavily into lobbying, but there hasn't been any progress. So the people who had been receiving the money are starting to feel guilty. But when Count Milros brought Port City in, he also mentioned you.
"Hm, wasn't it them who sent me to New Port City? What can they do at this point?"
-I've got good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?
"Let's hear the good news."
-You will receive an official decree soon. Once you've received it, Administrator Isaac Rondart, Rank 1 Knight, will have the power of authority which matches that of a Lord. New Port City will also be designated as a special financial district.
"…"
Isaac frowned at Mazelan's words while all of the operators in the room dropped their jaw in awe. They could only look at Isaac in shock; it was almost as if they'd been hit in the head.
"What's the bad news?"
-You have 3 years to reduce the unemployment rate or the crime rate to below 1% or raise the average earnings of the citizens to the Empire's average. If you fail to achieve this, you will lose all of your ranks, rights, and fortune along with your status as a graduate of the College. You will also be summoned back to your home.
"Hm, so basically you're telling me that I'm dead in 3 years, so enjoy that time living like a king."
-That's not what it… Hm, is that what it means?
Mazelan, who tried to argue against Isaac's conclusion at first, soon nodded reluctantly.
'I guess his straightforwardness hasn't changed either.'
Mazelan made a dry cough to change the mood.
-But if you succeed, you will be accepted as official heir to Rondart Family.
"So I'm fucked if I fail, but if I succeed, I will receive a reward that I don't want. That is one hell of an enticing mission you're handing me. Would you feel happy if you received a mission like this?"
Isaac had been singing about being transferred to a rural village ever since Mazelan met him. Even if Isaac were to succeed, Rondart Family wanted a dead Isaac, not a living, breathing one.
-There's nothing we can do. It was decided so suddenly. This is what Port City managed to scrape up all their lobbying. Since the Department of Administration officially decreed this order, even I have no way to alter it. But what the opposing factions managed to do was to give you power by turning you into a makeshift Lord. Not many people get to live like a king for 3 years, you know.
Isaac looked shot back at Mazelan's attempt at consolation with dumbfounded look.
"What's the point of giving out orders when there's no one willing to follow it? Don't you know a man who acts like a king without arms and legs will only earn the mockery of those around him?"
-…I'm sorry.
Mazelan smiled bitterly as he apologised. Isaac watched this and sighed alongside him.
"It's fine. I know what you've been through to help me out until now. So, how much power and authority does a Lord's representative have?"
-You may be a representative, but considering that no one will be transferred there as a Lord, you might as well consider yourself to be a Lord. Lords have the same power as a King.
But there were few restrictions. They were allowed to create, dissolve, and/or change all laws regarding the administration, legislations, and private laws, but if a mass of residents were to send a complaint to the Department of Administration and the Department of Administration deem the complaint to be acceptable, there would be a referendum aimed at the entirety of the population within that region.
Therefore, Lords are Kings who must watch out for their popularity and support from their subjects. But as long as the Lord doesn't place brutal laws, no amount of complaints will pass through the initial screening.
Another set of restrictions are aimed toward prevention of changes to the law that stop a complaint from going through, and one of the main restrictions is the freedom for the subjects to assemble openly. Any attempt at stopping these would be pivotal in passing through the screening.
After listening to Mazelan's explanation, Isaac nodded and spoke.
"So, a Lord is someone that can be changed if enough people call him an asshole and the government agrees that he is an asshole. But otherwise, the people are told to go fucking live somewhere else if it isn't so bad."
-That's a crude way to put it, but you are correct.
"Hm…"
Isaac folded his arms and began to think. Mazelan looked at him expectantly.
-Do you have some revolutionary method?
There are many cities that are in a similar situation as New Port City but were just not as bad. The battle against unemployment and crime rates is fought not by the Department of Administration but by all government bodies. If Isaac could come up with a newfound idea and change New Port City, other cities may also follow his example and turn their cities into a better place.
"No. I just found the situation I've gotten myself in to be funny. It was 5-year time limit back in Campus, and now it's 3 years in New Port City. What a limited life I'm living."
-Ha! Ah, sorry. I just found it funny. Limited life you say. Now that I hear it, it sounds very convincing. Kukuku, I think it suits you.
While Mazelan continued to chuckle, Isaac asked a question.
"So why am I still alive?"
Mazelan coughed wildly at the unexpected question. It seemed something got stuck in his throat and he coughed and wheezed for some time; when it finally settled down, he looked back with his face in pain.
-Kekek, what are you on about?
"I may be talentless, but I'm no fool."
-That's right. You're not a fool.
"…"
It seemed as if Mazelan was talking about a completely different subject, and Isaac lost his train of thought for some time. He scratched his cheek and continued.
"The first thing that came up to my mind when I received the College graduation certificate is what you were going to use me for."
-…
"I'm not innocent enough to think they gave me the College certificate for nothing. I should have been a Campus student until the end, but the fact you guys gave me that certificate meant I needed to have it for some reason. When I heard that I was transferred to New Port City, I understood everything. If a College graduate were to die in New Port City, Central will turn the world upside down, and you guys get to kill two birds with one stone. Very efficient."
-… You're mistaken.
"How could I be mistaken? I think one innocent soul is a small price to pay to fix up an entire city."
-Do you think I'd simply allow that to happen!
Mazelan stood up as he shouted, but Isaac simply shrugged.
"I know you're quite the bigshot, but I really don't think Central cares about getting on your bad side."
-…
"That's why I don't understand. Even until now, I have been waiting to see who would be sent to kill me, but there haven't been any visitors. Since I had all this time on my hand, I decided think. Am I really that important for Central to refrain from killing me?"
-So what's your conclusion?
"I'm asking you now because I don't know. Am I really worth more than a city?"
-Only you can make and improve your own worth.
"So basically, you don't know."
Mazelan moaned at Isaac's reply. After a brief series of whinges, he sighed and began to speak.
-Damn it, they told me to keep it a secret, but since you already figured it out, I guess it doesn't matter. In truth, Central is completely uninvolved in this incident. You're just goddamn unlucky.
"Those are sad words to hear. It's too bad I can't deny it."
Isaac nodded at Mazelan's confession.
-It started with the Milros Family. Headmaster Corduroy already prepared a nice rural village for you to live in peace. It may be rural, but the Administrator job is still a government occupation. It had to go through the Personnel Office eventually. And the largest faction within the Personnel Office is Count Milros's Family.
"Did they reject it?"
-That's not even close. Instead of rejecting, they tried to stop you from getting any government occupation outright. They were planning to deal with you by summoning you back home by any means necessary. But none of that could happen if you began work as government official.
"So why does that matter about getting a College degree?"
-It's not so simple to generalise the influence of the College and the Campus. If the Personnel Office were to reject an offer the Headmaster of College made, it would make it seem like the College is inferior to Personnel Office.
"So that's why they gave me a College degree? So that I had no choice but to be made a government official?"
-That's right. And as a counter, Count Milros put you in New Port City.
"So they played me in a bloody game of politics?"
-And it's still ongoing. The Personnel Office decided to suggest an impossible feat on you, because they couldn't stand the fact that you were doing so well in New Port City. New Port City is more complicated than you think. It's not just the Department of Administration; even the Department of Supplies and the Department of Law are involved. However most of it is still under the jurisdiction of the Department of Administration. But they got really angry when the Personnel Office, who had nothing to do with New Port City, decided to influence the city by bundling you with it. So they retaliated by accepting the Personnel Office's offer while giving you the greatest authority possible.
"It was the Personnel Office that told me to change New Port City into a normal one; since Department of Administration had no substance to reject it, they at least decided to make it easier for me to act?"
-That's right.
"…"
Irritation began to surface on Isaac's face. Mazelan noticed it quickly and tried to comfort Isaac the best he could.
-But there is still hope. They told you to make it happen, but not maintain it right? Basically, drop the unemployment and crime rate down on the last month of the time limit.
"You make it sound as if maintaining it for a month is easy. I can't even fathom how much money that single month would cost."
-I'm just telling you now so you can prepare for it. Just relax and don't worry too much. I'll figure out a way for you.
"Don't bother yourself with it. Since it's come to this, I'll do something about it."
-R, really?
Mazelan's face tensed up at Isaac's words. He had seen firsthand from start to finish how Isaac eliminated the bullies that had bothered him back in Campus.
"Yes. It pisses me off that they keep poking me from the sides, and it also annoys me that they are using me as their chess piece for their fight for power. It seems my retirement will only be comfortable when I remove this last name of mine."
-Huhu. Interesting. I'll do everything I can to help you.
"Yes. Then I'll contact you when needed. Ah. Is it problematic if everything you said were to be leaked into public?"
-Huh? Of course. It won't look nice if the word that the Empire's government bodies were fighting against each other.
"Well I think most of the people in the Communicator room heard all this, so do what you can to stop them from leaking it."
-Huh? Shit!
Mazelan's scream was the last thing that passed through the Communicator before Isaac disconnected. Some of the operators quickly looked at Isaac, then left to leak this urgent news to the rest of the City Hall. Isaac, however, was too deep in thought as he watched the invisible screen and tapping his finger.
"Annoying…"
Isaac wanted to officially forfeit his status as a heir once he graduated, but the factions against Count Milros were not only going to make that impossible, but also guarantee that he inherits his title in an attempt to weaken Count Milros' influence, according to Mazelan.
Isaac thought he was safe since the status as College graduate was going to protect him from assassination, and all of the administration back home was already run by the Baroness. He thought they would be satisfied with that fact but didn't know there were matters like these that affected him.
Thankfully, what's nice to hear is that the opposing faction has given Isaac some power just as Mazelan had said. If they told him to change New Port City with only the power of an Administrator, even Isaac would have to give up and throw both his hands into the air.
But no matter how he put it, he was just a bystander who got caught in a fight between giants, and the fact that he was getting kicked around as their pawn annoyed him greatly.
Basically he had to sort out this Rondart Family business. He had no wish to expose his neck to make it easy for them to guillotine him. Perhaps they will finally leave him in peace if he were to fix up this broken city, inherit his title as the Baron, then throw the title away to his younger brother and tell him to fuck off with that measly province.
"I'll do what you want. But, I'm doing it my way."
Isaac believed there were three mandatory requirements to become a ruler.
Strength, money, and manpower.
Strength is the physical embodiment of authority; essentially, authority that has lost its strength has already met its end. All powerful dictators have strength firmly in their grasps. There are plenty of examples that exhibit the quick and miserable fall from power once they've lost their strength.
If strength is a tool to protect power, money is the force that maintains it. If there is no money, one cannot maintain strength. Without strength, power crumbles. Power becomes stronger the more you collect and dole out money.
Manpower is the limb that act for power. One cannot do everything alone. The reason why dictators place inept but loyal subjects instead of capable ones is because that at least makes their lives easier. That is why nations ruled by dictatorships are always corrupt and cannot escape from their deplorable conditions.
There is a reason why the inner circle of a dictatorship clings on even as the dictators' power wanes. They know too well that they will die with the dictator as they have survived feeding off what the dictator had given to them, which is why they become desperate to maintain power. The problem is that Isaac had none of the three.
"I should sort out money first. Oi."
The operator who has already sinned against Isaac froze in place when Isaac spoke to him. He couldn't even breathe properly as he stiffly replied to Isaac.
"Yes! Just say your word!"
"Connect me to Rivolden Merchant Guild's Headquarters."
No matter how sudden this Communicator presented itself into the world, there was no way the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds wouldn't have a few of these revolutionary inventions already in hand.
-Hello. This is Rivolden Merchant Guild Headquarters. How may I help you?
As expected of one of the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds, the operator for Rivolden Merchant Guild was also a beauty that could match Amy from the Department of Supplies.
"I want to talk with Mr. Goldman."
-Do you mean Guild Master Goldman?
"Yes."
-I'm sorry to ask, but on whose name is this message from?
"Just tell him it's New Port City's Administrator Isaac."
-I'll send the message now.
While the operator in the screen restlessly got to work, the operators around Isaac looked at each other as if they couldn't believe what's happening once more. How does Isaac know not just the Vice Commissioner of Department of Supplies, but also the Guildmaster of Rivolden Merchant Guild?
Mazelan is very far-fetched but still plausible if you consider their Sunbae-Hubae relationship from the College, but how can he know the Guild Master of a Merchant Guild he should never have had an opportunity to be in touch with? The operators began to see Isaac in a new light, realising that perhaps he wasn't as secluded from the world as it first seemed.
-Oh! Isaac, it's been a while! How have you been?
Goldman warmly greeted Isaac with his handsome gentlemanlike appearance. He had the ability to ease everyone around him with his smile and aura, but in truth he was nicknamed 'greenhorn hunter': a man who had practiced manipulating those who recently joined in the business world to the point of enlightenment.
"It's been a while. I assume everything's fine?"
-Hahaha. Other than that one time I almost died, there hasn't been much.
"I would have assumed that with your skills, you wouldn't have simply settled on seeing off the North Bear Tribe but formed another trade deal with them."
-Hm? You already knew?
"Reisha told me about it."
-Huhu, I didn't mean the North Bear Tribe. Well, that was also quite problematic, but the real life-threatening situation was when that girl Kunette came here and destroyed this place, condemning me for giving away her honey.
"Huh? Kunette went there too? I'm surprised you're still alive."
-Hahaha! A true merchant always prepares for his future. I have already managed to procure elven honey through painstaking endeavours.
Goldman continued to tell his story like an epic. How Kunette, who barged into the office for its destruction, was appeased by a single bottle of elven honey and how he even managed to pet her head afterwards. Once the story was finished, Goldman shifted the conversation to the real topic of this call.
-So what is it? I assume you are planning to make an interesting offer if you've contacted me personally.
Goldman's eyes were twinkling as he questioned Isaac, yet Isaac spoke back with detached look.
"Why don't you invest in New Port City?"
-Hahaha, Isaac. I'm sorry to say, but investments are decided by the guild as a whole. No matter how close we are, I cannot decide on such topics on my own. Please understand.
Isaac wondered what close ties Goldman was even on about. The only time they'd even seen each other was when he was invited by Krent for a meal after graduation.
Isaac emotionlessly looked at Goldman as he spoke.
"If you're trying to test me, then I am quite sad to hear those words. But if this is because you are truly oblivious, then I'm very disappointed in the Rivolden Merchant Guild's information network."
Goldman laughed loudly at Isaac's words but soon wiped the smile off his face and replied back with a serious look.
-I think you misunderstand what I mean. I'm talking about the value in investing as a whole. No matter how much I try to look favourably, New Port City has nothing worth making an investment in.
"You are aware that Count Milros's Family has joined hands with Port City for their merchant guild right?"
-Hmm, I do admit; that issue has been trouble for us lately.
"I'll solve your problem in three years. As you know, I also have a reason to screw them over. Don't you think that's enough for an investment?"
-Hm. And your method?
"It's a secret. There are too many people watching. But, if it goes well, I will destroy Port City."
The operators were astonished at Isaac's words. Here he was, blatantly announcing that he would destroy Port City while he's in the Port City's Communicator room.
-Hm, I think I will need a meeting first. This isn't just a problem for Rivolden Merchant Guild. So how much investment do you want?
"1 million Giga."
-1 million. I guess it could be possible to convince some of the guilds for that much. We now have extra funds to use, since we don't need to spend on lobbying anymore.
A monthly wage for a middle class family is 70 to 80 Giga. The operators were surprised at Goldman, who nodded nonchalantly at the sound of 1 million, but they also found it amazing that Isaac had the guts to demand 1 million out of thin air.
-I will send someone to you later, so send me the plans as to how you're going to use the money.
"No."
-Hm?
"If it ever leaks out, the plan will fail. I want you to invest in me with no questions asked"
-Hm, it will be difficult to convince the shareholders that way…
"You just told me that the funds that were used to prevent Port City's attempts are leftovers now. If I fail, Port City will have a merchant guild in 3 years, so just think of it as using your lobbying funds on investment instead."
-I guess some of the guilds would take the gamble and invest in you.
"Then I would like to hear from you soon."
After the connection ended, Isaac pulled out a cigarette and got out of his chair.
"Now that money is sorted out, I need manpower and strength. How will I solve this?"
As he left the City Hall with the blank look from the operators behind him, Reisha approached Isaac with food held in both of her hands.
"You took longer than I thought."
"…"
"W, what?"
Reisha felt the nostalgic feeling through her spine as Isaac silently looked at her. The feeling was the same as back then, and she stuttered backwards at the approaching omen.
"Hm, maybe there's an unexpected way of solving this manpower issue."
Isaac brought Reisha to the renowned restaurant in Port City. The waiter immediately ran toward Isaac to greet him when he appeared, since they had no choice. But the waiter couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Reisha standing next to him.
It wasn't because she was an elf that surprised him. Port City is a well-known tourist destination; although not common, they do see some non-humans from time to time. What surprised the waiter was that the elf was following Isaac.
"W, welcome."
"Can I really eat anything I want?"
"Yes. Go right ahead."
"Wow! What's happened to you? Buying me a meal like this?"
"Ah, don't worry about it."
'It's not like I'm paying for this anyway.'
Isaac muttered those words as he handed the menu to her with a facade of generosity.
The Egrino Merchant Guild that owned this restaurant was preparing to take Isaac's incident to the court after what had happened. Instead, Isaac offered them a deal: allow him to use the restaurant for free, and he wouldn't press charges. The Egrino Merchant Guild accepted, thinking that it wasn't much of a price compared to how much the lawsuit would cost. So no matter how much Reisha ate, it had no impact on Isaac.
"Give me this too. Ah! This looks tasty as well!"
Reisha looked through the menu, ordering anything she had not seen before or looked tasty. It seemed the waiter was well aware of the elves' voracious appetite as the waiter kept calmly taking down the order.
"So what's the question you want to ask for you to buy me a meal like this?"
"It's nothing. I just need to do some work but I'm going to need some help for it."
"Huh? What work?"
Reisha quickly asked Isaac. Everything Isaac had been involved in was fun. Just the fact that she managed to sell goods to students in Campus made her famous within the elven society. Already there were families and relatives who had gathered at her home to listen to her adventures. If Isaac was planning something fun again, she was going to join in no matter what.
"I want to know more about elves and North Bear Tribes."
"Hm? What do you want to know about us?"
"Nothing. Things like their likes, dislikes, personality. That sort of stuff."
"Doesn't everyone already know about it?"
"It's different to listening from the person directly."
Reisha tilted her head but began explaining to Isaac about non-humans in detail.
Despite the world being ruled by humans, non-humans were treated as equals to humans. They didn't leave their reservations much, but they weren't restricted from doing so either.
They simply don't leave because there is no need to. They actively interact with humans when they have to, and races who sell their specialties travel across the continent and live in harmony with the humans.
However, dwarves, dragons, elves and beastmen, who are considered the main prominent types of non-humans, had personalities greatly differing from what Isaac had thought.
According to Reisha's heavily biased explanation, dragons are shut-ins, dwarves are boring old coots and the beastmen are perhaps the most likable of the non-humans to become friends with. And Reisha continued to depict elves as adventurous race that loves to make friends and doesn't shy away from experiencing new things, who loves humour and are very pleasant to be with. Isaac wasn't sure if he should be taking all of this with a grain of salt, but there was one thing which he found useful.
"You guys take experiencing different things as a hobby?"
"Rather than different, we prefer experiencing something which no one else has done before."
Remembering Reisha's actions back in Campus seemed to back this statement. She was so keen on performing the trade in Isaac's place when she was asked to, but the moment Rivelia stopped her from doing so with her tea parties, she tried to pull out from the whole thing immediately. Isaac thought it was just Reisha who was different, but if she says all the elves are like that, he'll have to trust it no matter how dubious this statement was considering her extremely biased explanation of every other race.
"So why do you guys want to experience things that no one ever has?"
Isaac thought whether elves ever had such strong personalities in reality. If it was according to the imagination from the old world, elves were beautiful race that lived in the forest and were expert archers, who were very guarded and didn't venture out into the human world.
"Having just one job throughout our long lives would be so boring. Having multiple jobs to experience new things is usually the case for us."
Isaac guessed that explains why they willingly let themselves be caught by the police.
Isaac's impression was that elves didn't just seek out new experiences but also found them as something they could boast about. It's just that Reisha is a tad more special than the rest of the elves. Well, it was a good thing for Isaac.
"So why don't you guys leave the Reservation?"
"Because we can experience most of the things offered by the human world back in our Reservation. There's no need for us to tire ourselves by leaving,"
"So you are free to move about in the Empire? It's not because there's a rule or dangers regarding leaving your Reservation?"
"Huh? Why would they stop us when we decide when to leave ourselves? And this is the first time I'm hearing that non-humans are vulnerable in human world."
According to Reisha's explanation, the Empire's law's policy regarding the non-humans were equivalent to 'just look over it because they were drunk,' except 'just look over it because they are non-humans.'
Plus if a human were to perform a crime against a non-human, the laws from the Empire and the Reservation would be weighted. There was a case of a very unlucky individual who got caught in the act of trying to pickpocket a non-human. According to Empire's laws, it was a crime which deserved 1 year of labour, but because of the Reservation's laws, his hand was cut off. Unless they held a significant grudge, no criminal had the heart to touch non-humans.
"So I can get a flock of volunteers as long as it's an experience you can't have in the Reservation?"
"What are you planning? Whatever it is, let me in!"
Reisha realised that Isaac was planning something by using the elves. There was no way she was going to be left out of this one.
"I think you should graduate first."
"Hing. I hate studying…"
"If you graduate fast enough, I'll give you an experience that'd make you the envy of all elves."
"Really? You promised!"
"Sure! It's something so great that no other elf will ever be able to experience it."
Reisha was too absorbed in having something to boast to her tribe to notice Isaac's muttering and calculating stare.
Isaac sent Reisha back to her Reservation after a lot of sweet talk. Then, he quickly headed to look for a Communicator for use. He didn't want to go back to City Hall again, so he decided to use the public Communicator instead. It seemed the rumours had spread already and people began noticing Isaac. They looked to him as they muttered to themselves and created a path for him. Isaac didn't even have to wait before his turn for the Communicator.
"Hello. I am Albert, head of the Communicator Service. I'll lead the way. "
Isaac spoke back to Albert, who maintained his professional attitude despite Isaac's notoriety.
"Ah, I just want to send some documents."
When they created Communicators for communications, they also created a system akin to fax to simplify document procedures.
"Come this way."
Albert led Isaac to a room in the corner of the Communicator room with a small desk. It seemed all Isaac had to do was write down what he wanted to fax and hand it to the operators.
Isaac pondered for a moment then wrote down something on two sheets of paper and handed them to Albert.
"Send this to the Campus and the Elven Reservation. Ah! Wait."
Isaac went back to thinking after finishing those words, and then he quietly muttered to himself 'It'll be worse if she gets angrier' before creating another document.
"Is that all?"
"Yeah. Just send them over to their destinations. You don't have to worry about who receives it."
"Yes sir."
"My business is done here. Goodbye."
"Yes. I'll make sure to send these now."
Isaac left the room without even bothering to see if Albert would send the documents properly.
Albert knew this wasn't a job the head of the Communicators should be doing, but decided to do so because Isaac had come here personally due to his special situation. He read through the documents as he faxed them and couldn't help himself from laughing at what was written.
"Now hiring? I can understand looking for employees but why are elves, beastmen and the Campus involved in this? Are any of them crazy enough to come there?"
The Elf Reservation was in quite a commotion when they received a single document from Port City.
Now Hiring
Are you looking for a new experience? Do you want to experience something no one else has ever had? Come to New Port City. I will make sure you will have an experience you can boast about for the rest of your life.
Pay: Adjusted after negotiation.
Work: Begins after a few months of training. Guaranteed 3 years of occupation.
A debate was opened where theories on what this work will entail ran wild, but when Reisha arrived home and told them of all the adventures she had had thanks to Isaac and boasted that he had promised 'something special just for me', many curious young elves and middle-aged elves who were bored of their current life decided to have a trip to New Port City.
Now Hiring
3 years of employment. Volunteers will have their pay decided after negotiation. Minimum 700 Giga monthly pay. Pay scaling with performance.
Work: Basic office work, can find work which will help gain experience for financing. Can be adjusted to fit your current studies.
Volunteers are to discuss with Sunbaes or professors who know of the current situation New Port City is in before volunteering.
I hope to see many skilled hubaes volunteer.
"Why would anyone from Campus come to New Port City to work? They must be insane to do so. But I must say that is quite a lot of pay."
The 700 Giga monthly pay was indeed quite the great payroll; even Albert was tempted. Albert had risen to his current rank by climbing from the bottom of his merchant guild, and as a middle management his monthly pay was only 300 Giga. Even this pay was enough to say he had a successful life and lived on without any envy of others.
But a new employee receiving 700 Giga? Albert would have volunteered immediately, but this document was aimed at the Campus. He wondered if any of the students would be desperate enough to volunteer just for the pay when they would be receiving offers from all over the Empire and already have a decent life of their own.
But there was one thing Isaac knew and Albert didn't: that the Campus has many commoner students from the poorest of families who study there.
Coming from their homes, they arrived at the Campus highly encouraged to study, but they soon realised they were just barely managing to pass or be average among the students of the Campus. Students like these have much less freedom when it came to looking for a job. But the 700 Giga pay and experience for their related subjects from Isaac was most definitely a great opportunity. Even just working as an office employee for 3 years would bring a small fortune. The only real problem was whether Isaac could pay the promised 700 Giga, but when word of the million-Giga investments from Seven Grand Merchant Guilds spread, all of the worries disappeared and the students immediately headed to New Port City after graduation in fear that there wouldn't be enough spaces.
Now hiring
One pot of honey every day. One pot of elven honey awarded to best employee every half a year.
Work: Basic labour
However, volunteers must receive permission from Kunette.
"No! No! I'm going alone!"
All of Kunette's families and tribesmen struggled to convince Kunette, who was still extremely mad at them, to give them permission. Kunette fought on however, thinking all of the elven honey would be hers if she went alone.
Being a center of trade and transportation meant that all money flowed through the region. If those goods were transported by water, controlling those waterways was sure to bring an insurmountable amount of money and power to its owners.
There were four incredibly powerful individuals in Port City whom even the mayor looked at in fear. There were Zeroman of the south, Rodney of the east, Niske of the west, and Harold of the north.
These four each owned the rights to one of the four canals which led out of Port City in their respective regions. And these canals have brought them wealth beyond measure simply by existing.
The Seven Grand Merchant Guilds have stopped them until now in forming their own merchant guild, but if they were to succeed, they could threaten the existence of the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds using their control over the canals. This was the reason why the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds blocked its inception with all their might, while it was the fours' lifetime goal to make it happen.
They've spent incredible sums of money on lobbying the government and bribes to high-ranking officials to the point where just remembering how much it had cost would make them gasp in horror. But despite their efforts, there had been very little progress thanks to the lobbying and connections from the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds. It seemed like the money had gone to waste, until the Milros Family approached them as their shining beacon of light.
"Did they really say that they will give a hand on making our merchant guild if we help them eliminate that brat Isaac?"
"Count Milros told us himself. This entire plot was constructed by them."
"I can only say that fortune is on our side. With the strength of Milros Family on our back, our dream may have yet see fruition."
"But we will have to give them a considerable number of shares."
"It will still be profitable for us. With their help, we will be able to fight back against the government and the Seven Grand Merchant Guild to some degree."
"And the Milros Family will be able to use Rondart Family to step foot into the business world. It's an excellent opportunity for them as well."
"And thanks to that we can finally see some progress on this ambition of ours."
"How likely is it to succeed?"
"How can we possibly fail? Even if he has the power of a Lord, what could he possibly do to make New Port City prosper?"
"What you say is true. Funny how we haven't been able to do anything against him because of that College title of his, but now it has shackled him to his own death."
"Huhu. And we get to shatter that insufferable pride and honour of College as a bonus. How many times have they tried to change New Port City? All they ever achieved was failure anyway."
"It seems the Seven Grand Merchant Guild has reached their end too. To think they'd hand out one million Giga to that brat."
"Haha, they must be incredibly desperate to do so."
"Now! Let us toast! To what will become the greatest Merchant Guild within the Empire!"
Strength, money, and manpower.
Just acquiring one of the three is a long and difficult process. But once you gain one of the three, the remaining two cease to be a challenge.
Everyone expected Isaac to take aggressive actions when they heard the rumours of Isaac's heightened authority as Lord and the investment of one million Giga from Seven Grand Merchant Guilds, but Isaac simply continued his leisurely behaviour like nothing changed.
Nothing was confirmed yet – not even the investment. If Isaac were to make an ambitious move now, he could end up getting backstabbed with a letter saying 'I'm sorry, but let's make that investment we talked about void.' It was very unlikely to happen, but Isaac wasn't foolish enough to play with money he didn't have yet.
The criminal syndicates were troubled by the sudden turn of events and worried about what Isaac would do. They sighed in relief when they saw that nothing had changed, but they continued to be on guard.
The first group to find him was Goldman and seven employees who were chosen as representatives of each guild in the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds.
"Haha, it doesn't even seem that long ago that we've seen each other face to face thanks to that Communicator."
Isaac was casually smoking a choyu leaf at the plaza when Goldman visited him. Isaac got on his feet and politely greeted Goldman.
"I didn't think you would come personally. But who are they?"
The group of men and women who followed Goldman seemed to be regretting their decision to come when they saw the state New Port City was in. They'd only heard about it in rumours, but seeing it with their own eyes made them realise that what they imagined in their heads wasn't even close to the situation at hand.
"Haha. They are here to help you with your work. We have selected the brightest individuals in all our guilds."
'They are here to watch me. I guess there's no way they'd simply hand out that million Giga with no strings attached.'
A million Giga had been invested, yet they had no idea what this money was going to be used on. If it weren't for the special situation they were in, no other guild would have made such a dangerous investment.
If Isaac was to simply take the money and run, betraying his declaration to make Port City fall, it would turn the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds into the laughing stocks of the Empire.
Even Milros Family would have second thoughts if Isaac were to try negotiating with that million Giga of his. The Seven Grand Merchant Guilds obviously didn't trust Isaac, and they couldn't be blamed for thinking that Isaac was trying to steal their money using Port City as an excuse. So they've sent their employees to watch and figure out exactly what their money was going to be used on.
"Well, it's a given that you'd want to watch how your money is being spent. I happened to need some hands anyway, so it's good for both of us."
Goldman flinched when Isaac immediately discerned their intentions, but he quickly regained his posture and changed the topic of the conversation as if he hadn't heard Isaac's words.
"So are we the first to arrive?"
"Yes. Personally, I thought the investment would arrive last. I guess the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds work on a different time schedule compared to the rest of the world."
"A merchant needs to be quick when opportunity arises. One million Giga may be a large sum of money, but it isn't so difficult if we share the burden. And the biggest reason for this investment is that this is insurance."
Even if the burden was shared among the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds, each guild was essentially required to pay around 150 thousand Giga in the investment. This 150 thousand Giga investment was a significant deposit, considering that the average income of one of the guilds is about 600 to 700 thousand Giga every year.
Isaac kept the question in his head for now and replied.
"Insurance. You want to distract Port City with that million Giga."
"Yes! You really are easy to talk with. Young ones these days aren't as sharp as you. Ah! If it weren't for the College, I would have hired you without a second thought. As long as you don't really abuse the funds, the Seven Grand Merchant Guild won't say anything against what you do."
"But you want to know exactly what the money is being used on?"
"We can't make too many concessions. No merchant would treat money like it grows on trees. So how long will you make us stand here?"
"You're going to stay here too?"
"No. I must go soon, but these guys are your subordinates now, are they not?"
Isaac spoke to the group with an annoyed expression when Goldman asked his question.
"Go back to Port City and stay in a hotel there until I call you guys."
The group looked at Isaac in confusion. They expected at least some form of a brief introduction and at least a notification of future projects to come. But telling them to stand by was an order they could not understand.
"Hm? Does this city not have a hotel of its own? It will be much easier for them to get to work if they can stay here, since it'll make their analysis much easier."
Goldman asked the question in place of everyone. Isaac snickered.
"You're going to sleep in New Port City? Shall we make a bet how many of those faces will still be alive by tomorrow?"
Everyone's faces turned pale. They had heard about the notoriety of New Port City from rumours, but hearing it firsthand from its Administrator who was now a Lord's Representative had slammed them with the cold reality of this place.
Once Goldman left, the group of seven who were selected from each guild of the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds situated themselves in Port City. It seemed Goldman wasn't lying when he said they were the most capable employees of each guild. They began working on their own after resting for one or two days.
They looked through every detail of New Port City's financial and administrative system. Once they were done, they could only wail despair. The city had been in a state of bankruptcy for a long time.
First of all, they received no funds from the provincial governing body. What's more is that the city doesn't have an administration body of its own. All of the basic documents required to be sent to the Capital were done by Port City. Responsibilities like surveys, taxes, education, medical care, residential and infrastructure, which are mandatory for a city to operate, were owned and run by the criminal syndicates.
This meant that taxes wouldn't be collected properly, and educational, medical and residential works were obviously in shambles. They didn't know where to start from.
But since they completed their investigation, they had to report on it; but, nobody wanted to enter New Port City again. They pushed the duty to one another, and Cordnell was eventually selected since he was from Rivolden Merchant Guild, which had some relation to Isaac.
"Huh? You actually came here on your volition?"
"…"
Cordnell could only sigh at Isaac's surprised reaction. It seemed Isaac was astonished that he came willingly when he was clearly ordered to quietly stay in Port City. Cordnell felt the effects of New Port City's notoriety once more when he looked for a bodyguard, but even the mercenary he hired refused to do the job alone, forcing Cordnell to hire multiple mercenaries just to get here.
"This is the report we've made after analysing the situation."
"Hm? I told you guys to rest, but you guys were working instead?"
"If you want to run this city, then you need to stabilise the administration of this city as soon as possible."
"It's fine. Don't worry about that stuff."
"How could we not care about it?"
"That's not what you guys are here for."
"Huh? Then what are you going to make us do…?"
"You will know when the time comes. Well, if you're that bored, I can give you work. Go find me experts on law, city planning and construction."
"Expert on law?"
A construction expert was easy enough to find. It was expected that construction was going to be a part of Isaac's project with that million Giga, so the Headstone Merchant Guild had sent a construction specialist as one of the supervisors. But needing an expert on law wasn't something they foresaw.
"I just have a few questions. Try bringing me one who specialises on the Empire's Law and laws regarding lordship."
"Yes sir."
Cordnell has come here with the promise of promotion and an incredible sum in his retirement fund if he managed to hold on for three years. No man would have been crazy enough to come here without such rewards on the line, but Cordnell had volunteered, believing this to be his life-changing opportunity. So all he had to do was follow the orders, no matter how little sense it made.
Just hang on for 3 years. Just hang on for 3 years.
It had just been over 2 days, yet Cordnell was repeating those words like a mantra to preserve his sanity.
The whole Empire was in turmoil when the rumour of the guilds' one million Giga investment into Isaac was confirmed to be true. Some praised Isaac for his ability to make one million Giga with his tongue alone, while others both praised and insulted the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds. Some admired the guilds' ability to make such a risky investment, while the rest reacted to this event as a sign that they had finally gone mad.
This news piqued the curiosity of those who were still oblivious about Isaac, and they sought to figure out the reason why the Seven Grand Merchant Guild decided to make such a large investment on him. This curiosity was answered by the words from recent Campus graduates, and the whole Empire soon knew who Isaac was.
All of the backstories about Isaac had been revealed. From the reason why the Department of Administration made a decision that was unheard of in history to the reason for the investments and even Isaac's birth and all the turmoil he had been through due to the complicated relationship between the Rondart and Milros Families. The majority of the public sided with Isaac, while the Rondart and Milros Families were looked upon as the antagonists. People also began to focus on what Isaac was scheming with the million-Giga investment, but their expectations were quickly betrayed by Isaac's deplorable behaviour.
"Hooh! I see they are having good business."
New Port City was the final destination for ships that transported goods. That meant this was the place the sailors got their pay and also the place to quell their desires. One of the main attractions directed at these sailors were the gambling dens.
A mob of drunk, rough grunts sit together on a table and bet their money. On one side you hear cheers and laughter while screams and despair fill the other side. Some laugh out loud in joy, some throw one insult after another as they are dragged out of the den, and some shake on the spot as they hesitated on what to do. This was the place to see men who have been consumed by greed express every emotions known to man. And in between them walk women with their revealing clothes, seducing the men to earn some tips.
'I expected a smoke-filled gambling den, but this is more of a casino.'
From the classic roulettes to card games and dice, this place had many games that were both new and familiar to Isaac. It piqued his interest, and he began prowling the area.
"Hm, maybe I'll play this?"
Isaac walked toward the roulette table, which only needed you to bet money thanks to its simple rules.
The manager of this gambling den who was watching Isaac ever since he entered quickly left the den to report this to his superiors while the dealers and employees of this den looked to each other, unsure of how they would deal with this situation.
"What? The bastard's in the gambling den?"
Soland, who have finally started making money after much effort, stood up thundering when he received report. Why the man who had shut himself in the City Hall has come out was unknown, but his mere existence was a problem to Soland.
"So? What is he doing?!"
"He's playing trumble."
"Why did he have to pick that out of everything?!"
Trumble was the game Isaac thought was similar to roulette. In fact, the game was very similar to roulette. The numbers ranged from 1 to 40, and there were hundreds of ways to make a bet; the earnings ranged from double to forty times the bet, making it a favourite for those who aimed for a large earning. Plus, the game didn't have a maximum bet, so you could instantly become penniless if you played carelessly.
Soland struggled to think of a way out of this predicament when another subordinate came to shout him the news.
"Boss, the Administrator already lost 100 thousand Giga."
Soland's legs collapsed and his face went pale.
"… How can that bastard lose 100 thousand in less than 30 minutes?"
"Well he started slow at first, but now he's betting a thousand Giga each on twenty numbers and said that winning was 50/50."
Soland facepalmed when he heard those words. He was betting twenty thousand Giga per round. Even if he were to bet on the winning number, he would only receive 40 thousand Giga. He would also need to exclude the 19 thousand bet, so basically his winning would only double his investment. If he'd already lost 100 thousand, even ten wins in a row wouldn't even make up for his loss, and it wasn't even counting the inevitability that he would also lose some rounds so as continued playing. Isaac would only lose more money.
"Tell the dealer to play as the situation calls for it!"
One of the reasons why gambling dens liked Trumble was because an experienced dealer could rig the game according to his needs. It's not to a point where they can make any number they want to win, but it was enough to make the ball fall in the general target area.
"Well… most of the dealers have given up."
"Sigh. Let's just go there now."
Soland moaned as he ordered his subordinate. The gambling den was aimed at the sailors. Having just a thousand Giga placed in a single bet made it an enormous game, and it was understandable that the dealers couldn't remain calm when a single game had 20 thousand Giga moving around.
He had to go there and settle the situation.
The thought of taking all of Isaac's million Giga investment crossed Soland's mind briefly, but if word of such a loss were to spread, there was no telling what the Seven Grand Merchant Guild was going to do.
Plus, gambling was illegal and Isaac was a Lord's Representative. The fact that a Lord was playing in an illegal gambling den was laughable enough as it was, but what Soland truly feared was what Isaac would do if he went mad after losing all of his money.
"T, the number is 36."
"Huh! Missed by a single number is it?"
The dealer's hand trembled as he took all of the chips placed on the board. All of the other games in the den were on hold as everyone's eyes were on Isaac's table. Where else could they see a game where 20 thousand Giga changed hands at once?
This was going to be a great story for the pubs no matter how it ended.
"Y, you've already lost 150 thousand Giga. May you should stop…"
"Huh? Do you know who I am?"
"I do, but…"
"I've got money."
"I know that, but…"
This isn't the place you should be spending that million Giga!
The manager despaired as he looked to the roof. The dens only kicked out people who cheated or someone who lost all of his money. There wasn't a single den who told someone who has lost a game to stop playing.
Not to mention the news of Isaac's investment was confirmed so they couldn't even refuse him with the excuse that his credit wasn't reliable. While the manager pranced around the den hopelessly, Isaac let out words that turned the situation for the worse.
"Shall we make the game more interesting? Let's bet 10 thousand per number."
"Hiiik!"
The guests in the den cheered and shouted in response, but the workers of the den could only scream in terror. They might be able to manage up to a thousand Giga, but 10 thousand? That was a problem whether Isaac won or not.
The winning ratio may be the same, but the difference was astronomical. If Isaac were to win now, Isaac would take 200 thousand Giga from the gambling den. The den's annual earnings for this gambling den were 70 to 80 thousand Giga. This was way beyond what they could cope with.
Just as the manager was about to beg to Isaac to leave the den with all of his losses paid for, the door suddenly opened and a group of police officers barged in.
"Don't move! You're all under arrest for illegal gambling."
"Huh?"
While Isaac looked at the situation dumbfounded, the other guests quickly retaliated with insults and picked up the chairs they were sitting on, threatening to use them as weapons. It seemed that their aggressive nature as sailors were in full swing, and blood was bound to be shed at this point.
Soland quickly entered the situation in this moment and smiled as he spoke to the officers.
"Hahaha. I think there was a misunderstanding. This lodge only provides entertainment that simulates gambling. There is no illegal transfer of money in this place."
"Is that so? Hm… Fine. I'll look over it this time. But, if I were to see illegal gambling taking place, I won't let you run free."
"Yes, I understand."
Like a horrible movie, Soland's horrendous act had sent the officers out of the den, and Soland began talking to the guests.
"Now! I think we will have to call it a day with this sudden visit. We will give back all of the money you've lost, so please head to the changing booth. Our lodge records exactly how much our guests have spent, so I hope there won't be any accidents for trying to trick my employees."
With that, a group of syndicate members entered the den as enforcers. They corralled the guests into a line, and without a choice, the guests quietly left the den, albeit with some grumbling.
Once all of the guests left, there was only silence. In the room were Isaac, Soland, and the employees. Soland approached Isaac, who sat with a smoke in his mouth, clearly entertained.
"You should have told me you were coming today. I would have shown you around. Did you enjoy our service?"
"No, not really. I think gambling is fun only when the money is really on the line. Knowing that I won't lose any money makes the entire thing a bore."
"Haha, but you still shouldn't gamble."
Soland smiled on the outside, but in his mind, his teeth were grinding.
'As expected, he never intended to pay for his losses.'
Soland realised while he was on the way that even if Isaac were to lose all of one million Giga, there was no way for him to take the money from Isaac. Even debt collection should be done while keeping in consideration who is owes the debt; doing it to a Lord's Representative is like asking to have your head chopped. So as his final method, Soland decided to void the fact that Isaac ever gambled here.
"Well, it was fun at the end. I didn't think you'd use the police force. I admit, it was very creative."
Isaac pat Soland's shoulder as he walked past him, and Soland could only ease his anger by gripping his fists.
"… Thank you."
Soland successfully protected Isaac's money, but at what cost? The gambling dens are one of major business run by the syndicates because people could come and go without a worry despite being illegal.
Once the rumour that police investigated this place spread, it was bound to reduce the number of guests who come here. It was especially important since the sailors, who were the main target of this business, would instantly become unemployed if they were arrested and missed the departure date. Even before all that, Soland had to make a significant deposit to gather the pathetic police force for this. Just a moment ago, he was happy that he was out of the red, but now he landed right back into it.
The news of Isaac's gambling spree spread quickly across the Empire as the sailors travelled the water, spicing up the story as they went on. The Seven Grand Merchant Guild quickly contemplated whether they should take back the investment and also began demanding results from the employees they've sent as watches while Port City belittled Isaac as they expected nothing less.
After two or so more visits to the gambling den, it seemed Isaac's curiosity had disappeared, making the lives of the Guild employees easier. But soon after, Isaac started visiting the brothels.
"Big sis, he said he doesn't like her too!"
Milena tried to hold her trembling anger as her little madam complained to her.
"So what's the problem this time?"
"It's because of a spot on her shoulder…"
"I ought to rip his balls off and shove it in his eye sockets as I make a sausage out of his entrails!"
Milena ended up destroying the flower garden she had been carefully growing as she let loose the insults she had learnt throughout her life in the brothels.
It had only been moments after laughing at the news of Soland that Isaac appeared in front of the brothels. But Milena was confident. No man hates women. Milena's belief was that all men, even in death, desired women, with the exception of certain preferences. This desire was simply camouflaged by their pride.
So Milena sent in her most beautiful girls when news of Isaac's arrival reached her. But Isaac made a commotion with each and every one of the girls after splurging on alcohol and having a few chats with them. With him constantly making a scene every single day, their business started to suffer.
Milena decided to take the challenge head on and started sending in a range of girls appealing to specific niches. From mature women to girls that would bring the FBI at the doors if this was the old world, she sent in every single girl she could manage. Yet, Isaac sent them all back with excuses like how their feet were too pretty, how her breasts were too nice, how their eyes were too beautiful. It wasn't certain if Isaac was trying to find the woman of his dreams here, but with him constantly complaining about their charming points, not one of the girls managed to succeed.
Out of desperation, Milena sent in a boy, but when that happened, Milena was immediately called over and Isaac proceeded to cut her hair with scissors so that her appearance fit her name as crazy bitch, destroying her pride.
Even so, Milena found dealing with Isaac to be a higher priority than regaining her reputation or pride, so she began buying girls from other brothels at a mind-boggling prices.
It seemed this new girl was holding on quite some time, but just as it had always been, she was rejected.
After a marathon of insults and curses, Milena spoke to her subordinate who had to suffer through it all.
"Where is that bastard now?"
"Well, he said he'll be back tomorrow after receiving our apology fund and headed to the gambling den."
"Ha, is this how he's going to strangle us to death?"
Isaac's recent activity was to patrol between the gambling dens and the brothels. These visits however, didn't use a single cent of his money.
Because of Isaac's continuous visits to the gambling den, one of the managers gave him an envelope of bribes for him to go somewhere else, and Isaac took the money without hesitation and moved on. Ever since then, it became mandatory to pay Isaac when he visited.
This wasn't the first time these gambling dens did this, but it was supposed to be corrupt police officers collecting 'protection fees', not the Administrator and the Lord's Representative of the city. Even these criminals began to wonder how a scum like Isaac managed to become their superior.
And so, Isaac would visit the gambling den to collect money to use in the brothels and vice versa. His nights were an endless loop of extravagance and pleasure, enjoying the darkest parts of the city like the boss of a criminal syndicate. People frowned and insulted Isaac for his actions, but it didn't deter Isaac in the slightest.
While Isaac lived like a hopeless son of a rich noble, Reisha visited Isaac, bringing thirty or so elves with her.
"Greetings. I am Lanburton from the Mist Elf Tribe."
The elf had aged gracefully, still maintaining his handsome figure. Isaac, who was suffering from a hangover from last night, couldn't even think as he blankly looked at the elf. He was so surprised at this visit that he even forgot about the cigarette he was smoking.
"Can I ask what your previous occupation was?"
"I represented the Mist Elves in the Elder Council of the Elves."
"Ah! Did you come here because you were worried that I would hire the elves to be used in illegal means?"
"No. I volunteered after hearing that you will give me an experience never seen or heard."
Insanity!
Isaac wanted to have a word with Reisha, but all he could do was sigh when his eyes saw that innocently stupid smile of hers.
In the elven society, each tribe of elves picked an elder who then represented the tribe in the Elder Council and acted as their leader. Therefore, Lanburton was a very important individual within the elven world. The fact that Isaac was supposed to treat him as his subordinate was laughable. Just thinking about that fact worsened his hangover.
"Haha. I understand what you're worried about, but elves don't care much about status unlike humans. Well, we may use our status as a weapon when our expectation is not met, but a man whom Reisha recommended so highly of would never disappoint us like that, right?"
And a casual blackmail as a bonus too.
Isaac grasped his aching head. Everyone who mentioned the elves drilled the image of a bunch of lunatics into Isaac's head, but Isaac could never fathom it, perhaps because of the image he had of elves back in the old world. But after seeing this group of elves, he realised that controlling them was going to be a problem.
Already these elves wandered throughout the plaza, some of them entering the brothels in the area out of curiosity.
"Sigh. So you are all here to work under me?"
"That is correct."
With those words from Lanburton, Isaac relaxed and pulled out a cigarette as he spoke.
"Then I will now treat you lot as employees who are working under me."
"Understood."
Despite the sudden shift of tone in Isaac's words, Lanburton flawlessly shifted his attitude accordingly, and this really put pressure on Isaac. His actions oozed with experience, which seemed to have been built throughout his long lifespan. It seemed like manipulating him like how he used Reisha was going to be a difficult task.
No, Isaac was sure Lanburton's experience would have easily discerned how Reisha had been used by him; he was most likely there in order to prevent the other elves from being used like how Reisha had been.
'Observers from all sides. Shit. Not one person actually believes in me. I guess only a fool would believe in me, considering I wouldn't trust myself if I was in their situation.'
"So when do we begin work?"
"There's a lot to learn, so it will take time. So just stay in Port City and enjoy yourselves. It's a famous tourist spot so there's entertainment in both scenery and food. If you need money, just ask one of the employees who were sent here from Seven Grand Merchant Guild for however much you need. Make sure you regularly visit the restaurant run by Egrino Merchant Guild, since you will get to eat for free as long as you mention my name."
"We have come here to work, not to play."
Lanburton's resolute answer forced Isaac back for a moment, and then he spoke again.
"I have one million Giga. Who wants to experience an extravagant lifestyle using all the money in the world?"
"Me, me!"
Not just Reisha, but all of the elves who were scattered around the plaza heard those words with their long sharp ears quickly gathered as they raised their hands.
"Ahem."
Even Lanburton coughed softly as he slowly raised his hands.
Isaac learned of a new way to deal with the elves.
A swarm of elves. They may be easy on the eyes, but the disasters they bring with them proved their crazy reputation. Like a bomb, the elves swept through Port City causing utter chaos, and city officials were in shambles as they struggled to deal with them.
Just this act was enough to convince the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds, who saw that their insurance had fulfilled its purpose flawlessly, to drop the idea of taking back the investment from Isaac for his continued abuse of the funds in gambling dens and brothels.
The situation was so bad for Port City that one of Vice Administrators from Port City personally visited Isaac begging him to take the elves back, but Isaac refused saying that he wasn't prepared yet. Meanwhile, the employees sent from Seven Grand Merchant Guilds didn't stay idle unlike the elves.
"What is this?"
Isaac, who was once again suffering from hangover, looked at the pile of documents Cordnell brought as he sipped on a soup to ease his burning stomach.
"These are the plans for redevelopment of New Port City."
Cordnell, who was voted unofficially to become Isaac's secretary, spoke with confidence as he demanded approval. This was a plan the seven of them had made after a long and arduous process. There had been many attempts to change New Port City in the past. The employees analysed each and every attempt and combined the advantages of each attempt into this plan. They were confident that this plan would succeed, but Isaac simply laughed after having a quick glimpse through the documents.
"Rejected."
"Huh?! Why! This plan would most definitely bring New Port City to new heights!"
This was the report he had poured his life and soul into through many sleepless nights. Cordnell didn't hesitate to show his displeasure at the sight of Isaac's immediate rejection. Isaac replied with an annoyed face.
"What, are you annoyed that I, someone you look down on, belittled the report you have so much confidence in?"
"T, that's…"
Cordnell flinched; those words hit right on the mark.
"You've got a million Giga for funds, and the only superior you have seems like a pushover. I understand that you guys want to change New Port City on your own for the fame and riches it would bring, but my life is on the line for this job. I have no interest in being swayed by your desires to gain fame, so shut up, don't act out, and do as you're told."
"So are you going to continue this deplorable lifestyle of yours?! I will not accept it! We will proceed with this plan on our own if it comes down to it!"
Isaac's eyes turned cold as Cordnell spoke those words.
"I guess you're taking New Port City lightly because you can enter this place without mercenaries anymore. They aren't leaving you alone because the police force is doing their job here. They're leaving you alone because they know dealing with me would only end in their loss. Otherwise, you wouldn't have even made it here on the first day. Shall we see what happens if I stated that your life is meaningless to me?"
Cordnell's face went pale. Just as Isaac had said, Cordnell made a ruckus on the first day trying to hire as many mercenaries he could, but there weren't any threats he had to deal with as he continued to enter and leave New Port City. Now he entered without any mercenaries and began to think New Port City wasn't as bad as he first thought, but those words from Isaac made him see New Port City in its true form.
"Then give us an order!"
"I've given you one already. Play."
"How is that an order?!"
Isaac briefly looked at Cordnell who shouted at him, then elbowed Cordnell's sides while sporting a cheesy smile.
"Hey, you should have spoken to me sooner. You're just jealous that I'm going out to play on my own right?"
"Huh?"
"Man. Why don't we go out together and have the best night of our lives? You haven't been to the brothels in New Port City yet right? Haha, I will show you heaven tonight. But don't you get too deep into it."
Cordnell tried to argue against Isaac, when his voice was buried by the thundering shout from the streets.
"Isaac!"
Cordnell turned to see where the shout came from, and there was a small shadow charging toward them on the main path that connected Port and New Port City.
"A teddy bear?"
It had an appearance of a teddy bear, but the expression it was making was rather threatening. Its sharp fangs were exposed every time it growled in anger, while its small arms swung in circles as if showing how much of a beating it was going to hand out. But the momentum behind those actions seemed so tremendous that Cordnell quickly got back as he quietly screamed.
"Hiik!"
"Tsk. Too bad."
"Sorry?"
"Play time's over. It's too bad you won't get to see the brothels, but get ready to work."
"Who said I was going there! B, but first you should avoid…"
Cordnell's fear intensified as the small bear came closer and closer. Isaac watched the bear for a moment then pulled out a small pot from his pockets.
"I'll hit you Isaac!"
"Here."
The bear, which was now at Isaac's side burning with fury, opened its jaws as if about to bite his leg. But when she caught the pot Isaac threw at her, she wilted and plopped onto the ground like an burnt wick, and all of her fury vanished.
"Have you been well?"
"… I'm angry."
"Yes yes. I'm sorry. I'll give you some more later."
"….. Okay."
Cordnell realised that the bear Isaac was patting on the head was Kunette, who was famous within his guild. He watched in awe as Kunette quietly accepted Isaac's hands.
'It's a good thing Reisha came first.'
Reisha teased Isaac during the scuffle to hand over the elven honey to Isaac, and Isaac retaliated by saying that Reisha was excluded from all the benefits elves were supposed to receive. After her pouts and tantrums, Isaac managed to snatch the honey from her.
Seeing how Kunette expressed her anger from afar, the entire act seemed like an empty threat and that she didn't mean any of it, but even so, if Kunette arrived first, Isaac would have had much difficulty in dealing with her anger.
"So did you come alone?"
For Kunette, it seemed that even talking back was too much of an annoyance. She was savouring the scent of honey as she opened the pot very slightly and licked each drop that fell from the pot. She simply pointed up.
"Hiik!'
"Ho? Since when where they there?"
Isaac's eyes met with one of the men who peered down from the rooftops.
"But you guys aren't bears?"
"This is our usual selves. Just staying in our beast form eats away at our mana."
A redheaded man with a gentle face approached Isaac after leaping off from the roof and answered Isaac's question.
"Hmm?"
Isaac immediately looked at Kunette after those words, and the man smiled as he talked again.
"Why is Kunette always in beast form you ask? Because using mana at all times also means that you can suppress your own mana. Have you not seen Kunette's true form yet? Wow! That's a shame! You have no idea how…"
"Shut up, Rizzly."
This was the first time Kunette spoke in such harsh way, but Isaac glossed over it without much thought.
Rizzly flinched at those words, but he soon noticed the pot she was holding on to.
"Is… is that an elven honey?"
"No! I won't give you any!"
Kunette found Rizzly's stare to be too intensive and quickly climbed up Isaac's leg and sat on his lap.
"Kunette willingly sat on someone else's lap? To a human, of all things?"
"What is that human?"
The men from North Bear Tribe spoke to each other, unable to believe Kunette's action.
Isaac looked down at Kunette's head as she sat on his lap, but brushed aside his interest as he spoke with a cigarette in his mouth.
"Now, you all know the conditions for working here right?"
Those words from Isaac triggered discontent in the men's face as they looked to Kunette. Isaac was curious as to why they behaved that way, and Rizzly stepped up to complain to Isaac as to why.
"Well, all of us have made a deal with Kunette. We must donate half of our paid honey to her, and whoever gets elven honey must share it with her."
Rizzly was clearing stating the unfairness of the deal and wanted something to be done on Kunette's part with every word he spoke. Isaac could feel Kunette's body freeze as she anticipated a scolding. Isaac smirked and patted Kunette once again.
"Yes. You've learnt well. Good job."
"… Yeah!"
Kunette nodded furiously at the praise from Isaac, while the tribesmen looked in despair as Isaac praised her instead of nullifying the deal.
"Now, why don't I go and play with Kunette? It's been a while right?"
Isaac lifted Kunette up by placing his hands under her armpits and placed her on the ground. The tribesmen's jaws dropped watching this sight.
For Kunette to not refuse the hands of someone else! She was so hostile to even her father, the chief of the tribe, when he tried to approach her!
"…. What are you planning?"
"It's nothing. There are just some people who keep bothering me."
Kunette looked up to meet Isaac's gaze.
"… Are you angry?"
"Angry? No, I'm just going to play with them."
"…. Then that's fine."
Kunette nodded as if she was giving approval. The tribesmen watched on, spiraling deeper in confusion as they struggled to comprehend what just happened with Kunette.
Isaac forced the elves and North Bears into Port City for two reasons. One was so they could get accustomed to living in a human world. The other was to buy him some time to refine his plan.
Changing New Port City in just three years was impossible, even if he had multiple lives to attempt at it. To rebuild this city by the book would require considerable support from the government, funds, and an army.
Well, Isaac never planned to change this city in a normal fashion. In fact, Isaac realised that New Port City held the potential to become a land where money rained from its skies as long as it was developed properly. This was way back when Isaac gathered information about New Port City when he was first assigned to this city. This possibility was neglected simply because he didn't have the authority, funds, or manpower to do it. But most important of all, he had no reason to do this bothersome task.
"Is it time to start it all?"
With the holidays over, Kunette and Reisha, who didn't want to go back to Campus were forcefully evicted from the city to be returned to Campus. Isaac then gathered Cordnell, Lanburton and Rizzly with the plans which detailed the future projects to some degree.
"What is this?"
Lanburton tilted his head to the side when he was given a sheet of paper from Isaac. Cordnell, on the other hand, quickly realised what it was after a single glimpse.
"It's an employment contract."
"Yeap. This kind of thing should be done properly.
"But we are already paid by the contracts made with our guilds."
"Even better. You'll make a small fortune after three years if you get paid from both here and your guilds."
Cordnell tilted his head, trying to process the situation. He then decided to sign the contract as the representative of all seven employees after concluding that there was nothing to lose from signing it.
Lanburton, on the other hand, handed the paper back to Isaac after watching Cordnell sign it.
"Elves do not form contracts. Every word we speak is an oath we make."
"I have no choice because of tax issues. If I don't have proof, I can't give your pay."
"Having a new experience is a pay we are more than content with."
"You're going to live for 3 years penniless? Well, that's good for me, but if people find out I've been working the elves without any pay, I'll be constantly harassed by Department of Law for tax evasion and exploitation of labour. I'd really like to avoid that situation if I can."
"I guess there's no choice then."
Once Lanburton signed his contract, Rizzly gathered the contracts and began comparing them with his. His voice quivered as he spoke.
"Um, what is this exception clause on our contract?"
"Ah, that? No matter how I think about it, I think the North Bears love honey too much. I can't trust you guys to resist bribes made of honey."
Both Cordnell and Lanburton nodded to Isaac's words. The martial prowess of the North Bear Tribe should make them one of the favourites for jobs regarding security or escort, but in truth, almost no one hired the North Bears.
The reason was because they could not refuse any request when honey was being given to them. A single pot of honey was all it took for a warehouse to be emptied or for them to desert in the middle of their mercenary contract.
"D, do you know what this means?"
Rizzly's body began to shake, unable to hold his emotions in check. Cordnell found Rizzly's reaction to be puzzling and decided to sneak a peek at Rizzly's contract.
"If the employee is offered honey from anyone who isn't the employer for requests in any shape and form, they have the duty to take the honey but ignore the request and report to the employer? Wow!"
"Ha! How creative."
"It still needs some changes, but this is truly a decisive clause."
Cordnell and Lanburton shouted out in admiration, and it was now Isaac who was puzzled by their reactions. He looked at them in confusion.
"What? Why are you guys so surprised?"
"This will become the key method to fix the problem that has been plaguing the North Bear Tribe!"
Rizzly shouted. Because of the damn honey, the men of North Bear Tribe were limited to a very narrow set of tasks. Many of them wished to travel out into the world, but because of the lack of job opportunities, they had to stay in their own tribe.
Even the men who followed Kunette out from the tribe were warriors of the tribe who possessed exceptional mental resilience to resist honey to some degree.
But now, the North Bear Tribe, which was forced to sustain itself on its own, could leave out into the outside world.
Isaac spoke with a baffled look at Rizzly's explanation.
"All I did was play around with some words, but nobody came up with this simple solution?"
"The North Bears have been stuck with the image that they will ruin their work at the sight of honey, nor was there any work that desperately required the North Bears. It was a difficult problem because of how simple it was. Ha! To think there was a solution like this. With this clause, the North Bears no longer have a reason to betray their employers and can receive the bribes without a problem. Hahaha, Sir Isaac, you have given a great gift to the North Bears."
Isaac looked to the three, who still seemed touched by this clause. He began to question if those three were making fun of him in his mind but decided that it was all good in the end. He finally had someone he can confidently claim is on his side in this hostile world filled with watchers.
"Then work hard for the next 3 years."
"We swear our loyalty to you!"
"I don't need your loyalty, just your contract. Now, shall we start?"
"Give us an order!"
Rizzly bowed his head as if proclaiming that he would give his life for Isaac, while Lanburton's and Cordnell's eyes flickered, who knew that things would finally be in motion.
"Can you tell us of your plan?"
Cordnell, who had been suffering from Isaac's leisurely behaviour until now, asked, and Isaac replied with a grin.
"I will make this city famous for tourism."
"… What?"
Cordnell was dumbfounded by this plan, which was so simple that anyone could come up with it. Lanburton tilted his head as if he couldn't understand. Rizzly clapped with his hands, not knowing what any of it meant; the plan had to be good if it was Isaac's.
"But first, we need to clean this place."
The Rose Inn was the cleanest and most modern building in the New Port City. Within the building's private room, three people sipped on their wines in silence. Suddenly, Dinozo stepped into the room, and three pairs of eyes turned to look at him.
"They told us not to cooperate with the Lord's Representative no matter what."
The three sighed in unison. Axlon spoke through the grit of his teeth.
"Did you sufficiently explain to them the situation we're in?"
"I did. They didn't even bother to listen."
"Shit! Do they think just giving out that order would sort out everything?!"
"This isn't the same as all the times before. With the authority he holds as the Lord's Representative, not one of us can guarantee our own safety."
"Just one word from him and the foundations of our power will vanish into thin air."
"Ha! You think I'll die with my thumb stuck in my ass? Tell those masters of ours this warning. If I'm going to die, I'll take the Administrator with me."
Dinozo's eyes narrowed at Axlon's threat.
"May I take that as a declaration that you no longer need the backing from Port City?"
"I would never have been able to say this in the past. It's thanks to those masters whom I've never seen the faces of that I managed to kill the previous boss and take his place as my own."
"Yes. Your previous boss was betrayed because he tried to cut ties with Port City and go on his own path. And you are trying to walk the same path he did."
Axlon snorted despite Dinozo's retaliation at his threat.
"Ha! I'm just saying that I'll take the rest of you with me when I fall. And betrayal, you say? Why don't you try? Let's see how many dumbasses want to become the leader of this crumbling syndicate."
Everyone in the room frowned at Axlon's adamant willingness to destroy everything. They have always been at odds with each other. The only reason they aren't in open conflict is because they didn't want Isaac to get involved.
"If anyone's losing their place, I'd be the first one."
Dinozo muttered those words, and even Axlon couldn't stop himself from feeling pity for him. In truth, it was Dinozo who was in most precarious situation after Isaac had received his newfound authority.
The captains of the police are appointed by the ruler of the city alone. Even the masters in Port City had no power to stop Isaac. So if Isaac were to ever say 'fuck off' to Dinozo, he had no choice but to fuck off.
"And you're already too late. You may have had the chance when he was alone, but do you have the confidence to kill him when there are so many non-humans guarding his life?"
"Kuuk!"
Axlon clicked his tongue with dissatisfaction. Dinozo's words were harsh but true. Even if he were to make a suicidal attempt at Isaac's life, he had to slip through both elven and the North Bears' security forces. It was impossible to distract them long enough to get at Isaac. It may be possible to distract the North Bears by luring them with honey, but that didn't apply to the elves.
"Maybe we should just give up. My master had told me. If I donate a certain amount to him, he will let me live in Port City."
Axlon turned to look at Milena as if she had offered the most pathetic solution.
"What the hell is in that head of yours? Why don't you think for once?"
"What!"
"Let's say that you can somehow transfer all of your wealth over to Port City! What are you going to do then? Are you going to sell your body there too? Or do some business? Don't you remember what happened to Foxt? Both you and I are convicted criminals in Port City."
"Then what do you have to propose?! You're just going to sit there as the sharks come at you? Do you have any idea how much money I've lost because of him?!"
Just as Axlon was about to retort to Milena's enraged scream, the door slammed open and a group of men poured through the entrance.
"Who is it?!"
"Stay still if you value your life."
The four stood up to resist against the sudden ambush, but they were quickly incapacitated; the back of their throats were firmly in the grasp of the group of men.
"Hey, I could hear your plotting all the way from City Hall so I decided to visit and help you guys out."
"Kuuk! Isaac…."
Axlon muttered those words as Isaac sleazily walked in to the room. Rizzly, who was holding Axlon, didn't hesitate to punch his ribs without a shred of mercy.
"Cough!"
Crack!
The bone-shattering noise was quickly followed by Axlon's body collapsing on the floor, his body twitching in pain. The other three could only stay silent after watching the sight.
"You are not worthy to speak his name so freely. Stay still if you don't want to die."
"…"
Isaac was starting to feel uneasy about the North Bears and Rizzly, who have suddenly become so loyal to him. Once Isaac sat at the head of the table, the North Bears forced the four to their chairs. Cordnell and Lanburton also found a seat of their own.
"It's nice to see that the prominent leaders of this city are working so hard for the sake of this city. The future of this city seems so bright. As the Lord's Representative, I am very proud of you all."
"…"
It wasn't just the four; even the North Bears looked to Isaac in confusion at his nonsensical phrases.
"I understand that business hasn't been doing so well for you guys?"
"…"
The fours' faces went red with anger. To think they would hear those words from the source of it all.
"So, I want to ask. Do you guys want to do business with me?"
"… Business, you say?"
"Yeah. I won't ask you to come under me. I, Isaac Rondart, a Rank 1 Knight of the Empire, College graduate, and the Lord's Representative of New Port City, can't have criminals as his subordinates."
"Wouldn't it be the same to become business partners with us?"
Isaac made a surprised face when Soland spoke those words.
"I just wanted to talk business with the leaders of New Port City. Were you guys criminals?"
"…"
That blatant attitude explained everything. Isaac was going to use them however he saw them fit, whether as criminals or as business partners.
"So what 'business' are you speaking of?"
"I'm going to make New Port City famous for tourism."
The four looked dumbfoundedly at Isaac. Here they were, expecting some revolutionary or creative idea, but what came out instead was bland and unoriginal.
Soland spoke with disappointment on his face.
"Who would come and visit New Port City when Port City is right next door?"
Isaac clicked his tongue at Soland's reply.
"Tsk tsk, this is why you guys can't become big. Why did the others before me fail? Because they had no funding, limited authority, and no one who cooperated; just maintaining the city would take up their entire lifetime. Most important of all, it's because you four have constantly sabotaged them at every corner. Now, let me ask you a question. What do I not have?"
"…"
Funding? He's got a million Giga. Authority? He's the Lord's Representative. Manpower? He has elves, North Bears and even the employees from Merchant Guilds. Sabotage? Just attempting it would make their heads roll. There was only one barrier left.
"No one would visit to look at the old and filthy streets of this city. You will need to renovate the city for tourism. If we use previous construction costs as a reference, a million Giga won't even be close to renovating the city as a whole."
Cordnell spoke those words monotonously; his voice carried the despair and disappoint that this was all Isaac could come up with after the deplorable lifestyle he had lived out for so long.
"Yeah, I know. That's why they are excluded."
"What?"
While Cordnell sat there unable to understand, Isaac ordered one of the North Bears to the side.
"Bring it here."
The North Bear brought a map of New Port City with its districts marked by a line.
Isaac pulled out a blue pen and began to draw a line starting from the bridge through the main street to the Ceta District before circling back. The shape he drew resembled the shape of a bottle with an extremely long neck.
He finished the drawing by pressing at the centre of New Port City, the City Hall, with his pen as he continued to speak.
"I will redevelop everything inside this blue line and leave the rest as it is."
"I guess that seems possible…"
Cordnell's words faltered, but Dinozo stepped in to speak his thoughts.
"No matter how elaborate you make the Ceta District, that alone won't bring people in to the city."
The reason why Port City was such a famous place for travel was because all of the goods and commodities gathered in the city. It allowed the people to experience food and specialties from all over the Empire, not to mention the lake next to the city. Redeveloping the Ceta District in New Port City was possible, but it held very little substance when comparing against Port City itself.
Isaac nodded to Dinozo's words, acknowledging that he'd made a very good point.
"That's right. We would only end up maintaining the status quo if we do the same things as other cities. We need something that only exists in New Port City in order to attract people here."
"Have you thought of something?"
Isaac grinned when Milena asked the question.
"As of now, New Port City will legalise gambling and prostitution. Any adults are allowed to gamble so long as they do so in City-approved casinos, and the city will set the prices for prostitution."
The non-humans in the room seemed apathetic to it all since they didn't know much about the human world, but every human being other than Isaac dropped their jaws in dismay at the shocking news.
"Y, you, you're going to officially run a gambling and prostitution institution?"
Cordnell stuttered as he shouted those words.
"Yeap. That's why I asked for advice from a law expert. Gambling and prostitution is punished with a fine by Empire's laws. But according to the Lordship Law, Lords have the power to determine how much is the fine. So I have placed a fine of 1 Mega to crimes regarding gambling and prostitution. That 1 Mega will be taken as an entry fee when they come to New Port City. Perfect solution, don't you think?"
"So the people pay 1 Mega for a crime they haven't even committed as entry fee, but they are also unrestricted by law and get to enjoy gambling and… women to their heart's content?"
"Yes. The only city in the Empire to indulge in gambling and women. What do you think? Don't you think this would bring the people here? It's true that casinos and prostitution will be the city's main source of income, but I have many other plans in mind."
Cordnell was at a loss for words. Isaac's declaration was beyond any logic he was even remotely familiar with, while the North Bears applauded with their hands despite failing to understand anything Isaac had explained.
Trade, transportation and tourism. These were the three attributes that made this region famous. But on one side, there stood the city of culture and trends, while on the other was a city of slums where vagabonds roamed the streets and the crime rate couldn't have been any higher.
When Isaac received his orders to change this city within three years from Mazelan, the first things that ran through his mind were Las Vegas and Macau, which were famous for their casinos and entertainment.
Using any of the more normal means would have taken both too much money and time, but most important of all, it would never succeed under the constant sabotage from Port City.
But what if it was a city specializing in gambling and entertainment?
The city was already situated in a position where people constantly traveled through for one reason or another. Even if the people didn't want to gamble, they could still visit the place for its grandiose buildings, women with the beauty to capture their hearts, and entertainment and events that lighting up every street in the city. And maybe, some of them may consider gambling out of curiosity.
Isaac didn't even need to put effort into trying to make those people open their wallets. All he had to do was copy and paste the marketing strategies used by Las Vegas and Macau.
He was well aware of how dangerous gambling is and how easily it can break a man. But so what? He wasn't one to care about someone else's life being ruined by gambling when his death was fast approaching.
He wasn't afraid of death. He would accept it if he were to die from an accident or a grudge he rightfully deserved. But what he couldn't stand was someone else profiting from his own death.
This is why he amassed the funds and manpower from the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds, learned about all the laws, and visited the gambling dens and brothels. It was to gather information and develop and improve upon his plan using the collected intelligence. Even if the public criticized him for carrying out his lazy and deplorable actions.
"The most pressing problem is the demolition and reconstruction of the aged buildings."
Within the room where the four syndicate bosses were held, Cordnell and his fellow employees from the merchant guilds, Lanburton representing the elves, and Rizzly, who represented the North Bears, discussed the plan Isaac had proposed.
"Even if you were only redeveloping the Ceta District, it'd still be difficult to open the casinos within this year if you consider the costs for materials and wages for the labourers."
"You must also consider the funds. You have a million Giga now, but there won't be much left once you finish redeveloping the Ceta District. If you include the construction of supporting buildings and lodges for the guests, we are guaranteed to go bankrupt before we finish the project. The Seven Grand Merchant Guilds has decided that they will not invest any more. Mr. Goldman from Rivolden Merchant Guild has said he could invest more due to his personal ties with you, but it'd be like trying to fill a faulty bucket with water with the sheer scale of the expected spending."
"You must also remember that your mission is to normalize New Port City within 3 years. Even if this project were to succeed, there won't be any point in this if the citizens of New Port City succumbed to gambling addictions too."
All of the employees seemed displeased by the proposed plan, as they didn't hesitate to make their arguments rejecting it in unison.
Isaac listened to the arguments from the employees as he quietly smoked his cigarette, and once they were done, he started countering them one by one.
"Wages? New Port City is a hive of unemployed labor. You're worried about their wages when there are people who would commit murder for a single meal?"
The employees' faces went pale when they heard of Isaac's words, while the four bosses nodded in agreement with Isaac.
"Materials? Are you really worried about gathering enough materials when we are the city itself that boasts of being a centre of transportation? And its costs? I'm sure the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds would be happy to provide me with all of the materials without any added costs other than its original price and transportation fee."
Pounden of the Headstone Merchant Guild began to sob when Isaac finished his words. It was the expected reaction from a merchant ordered to do work for something that has no profit on his side.
"Funds? I have no plan to reconstruct all of Ceta District from the start. We are making two casinos, one for commoners and one for nobles. The rest will be lodges. Most of the buildings in Ceta District already are pubs and brothels, so just changing its interior will do the trick for now. Well, this isn't something we need to discuss right now, but we'll talk about it again once our professional city planner finally gets here."
"Hm, it's true that the guests won't have any difficulties if they are divided by status."
Soland nodded as he made his remark. He has seen many occasions where nobles were forced to disguise themselves in order to gamble because of their pride. If one of the casinos was reserved for nobles, they wouldn't have to resort to such measures and enjoy gambling freely.
"And the citizens of New Port City, gambling? I guess you guys haven't understood what I meant. If any citizen who hasn't received approval from the city enters the Ceta District, they are fined ten thousand Giga. If they gambled, their hands will be amputated, and any who dared to use the prostitution service will be castrated. I've looked up all of this. This is all within my jurisdiction to decide."
"That's…."
Everyone was surprised by how harsh the punishments were. Isaac smirked at the sight, twisting the butt of his cigarette and lighting his next one.
"Too harsh, you say? My life is on the line. I wanted to make them all death sentences but it was out of my authority so I settled with that instead."
Everyone understood after hearing that explanation and nodded.
"Ah! Also, gambling and prostitution is still banned in all the districts other than Ceta District and will have the same punishments as what I've declared just now."
"Are you telling us to die?!"
Soland jumped off his chair to shout out those words before Rizzly quickly subdued him with a punch to his gut.
"Then shall I die instead? Do you all want to die now and watch me visit you guys in hell 3 years later?"
"… No sir."
No one had the courage to speak up against Isaac while Rizzly stood with a firm fist, ready to shatter the skulls of any dissidents. Their instincts and experience in the streets were warning them that Isaac was more than ready to make such orders.
"But I will give you means to survive."
"How so?"
"I'll be outsourcing. You have experience with running gambling dens, so you make sure my casinos run nice and smooth. If one ever goes in the red, you're dead."
Soland's face paled when he heard those words.
"The staff I have may somehow run the casinos for commoners, but it'd be impossible to run the casinos for nobles! The dealers and workers I have are used to dealing with the brutish sailors. They're bound to make an incident! Plus, I don't even have enough staff to run both casinos at once!"
"Yeah, I know. That's why I'm leaving you with management and education instead."
"Huh? Educate? Who?"
Soland asked with a perplexed look, and Isaac turned to look at Lanburton.
"Does working as a dealer in a casino sound interesting to you?"
"Hoh! To work in the casinos where one can see human greed at its greatest! Hahaha. I'm sure the elves will line up for the job."
"Being a dealer won't be the only thing I'll be asking you guys in the future, so you can look forward to it. But I need all of you to learn how to be a dealer in case some of them need to be replaced when they decide to move on to another job."
"Yes sir."
Lanburton politely lowered his head.
"Smartass, your job is to teach these elves the rules of gambling and what a dealer's job is."
"The elves?"
Despite the confusion, Soland could already feel the success that would entail from this delegation. To make the beautiful elves deal their games? That alone would pique enough curiosity from guests to play in the casinos.
While Soland felt both envious of the creative idea and depressed for not being able to think of it on his own, Isaac started speaking to Milena.
"Crazy bitch. You better pick the girls properly. I will not allow you to force the job to the girls. Make sure you pick volunteers who are prepared to sell their bodies to feed their families."
"Yes."
"And those arrogant nobles want women who can match their standard, so educate any smart girls if you ever see them. But you already knew that from running high class brothels right?"
"Hoho, you don't have to worry about that. But how shall we split the profit…"
"Profit? What profit? They get to keep whatever they earn by selling their bodies, so what do we even have to share? Just tell them to pay their taxes when it's due."
"Then what about me?"
Milena asked with a sobbing face when Isaac clearly stated his intention to make her income as a pimp to disappear.
"I won't stop you from receiving payments for the educating the volunteers. But, I will punish you if it's to the point of usury."
"Hing…"
Basically, she was tasked with running a school which gathered and taught women to work in the brothels. She had to prepare herself for a significantly reduced income and the loss of all the girls she had under her influence.
"We can work as dealers too!"
Rizzly stepped up and shouted out those words, feeling a sense of rivalry after seeing only the elves get work from Isaac.
"I will appoint the North Bears as the police for now. Rizzly, you are now Captain of New Port City's Ceta District Police Force."
Rizzly smiled as he thanked Isaac. The four, who were still in the dark regarding the contracts, looked to Isaac as if he was insane.
"It'd be very nice if you were to tell me what I should do now."
Dinozo spoke those words with a calm demeanor, as if he expected to lose his job anyway.
"You can take over what was Foxt's territory, which has been co-managed by all of you up to now."
"Does that mean you will leave all of the police work to North Bears alone? I know I'm not in the position to say this, but the North Bears won't be enough to maintain public order in all of New Port City."
"No. I'm only taking care of Ceta District. You guys deal with your districts yourself."
The four dropped their jaws after hearing such irresponsible words from Isaac's mouth. Isaac smirked once again at the sight.
"It looked like I was slowly strangling you guys to death right? Think about it. If people are working, it means they are earning money, right? If people earn money, they are bound to spend it. Then, where will that money go to?"
It was obviously going to go back to the syndicates that ruled the districts.
Therefore, all money spent by the citizens flowed directly into the pockets of the syndicate bosses. This was a measly sum when the employment rate was at rock bottom, but if it were to rise, the money that flowed in the market would rise with it.
"You think I only need dealers to run my district? I'm going to need restaurants, waiters, coachmen, labourers and so on. There are going to be many jobs, and their pay will be 50% higher than the Empire's average wage regarding their work."
Money was bound to congregate if casino began running. Instead of locking away all that money, releasing it back into the market was bound to make the market thrive.
"The most important fact is that I have no interest in collecting taxes other than Ceta District."
Those words were the final push. The profit they'd make if there wasn't any tax from the city would rise exponentially over time. It'd be even more massive than before Isaac had even arrived at New Port City.
With the four seemingly convinced, Isaac turned his eyes to Cordnell.
"You make sure to finish the survey on the city before the casinos' opening."
"Is that even possible?"
A proper survey was going to be impossible when they not only had so little time, but didn't even have any decent estimates on the total number of citizens.
"All work in New Port City is reserved for citizens of New Port City alone unless there is a special reason. The only way for outsiders to make money here is to gamble. Nothing else. If we ever find a non-citizen working in New Port City, all of their possessions will be confiscated, and they will be evicted out of the city."
"That seems too harsh of a restriction."
"My life is on the line here. I have no reason to look after the cry-babies for this decision. If they don't do as they're told, they'll be kicked out of the city penniless."
It seemed like Isaac was placing so many restrictions just because his life was on the line, but no one had any counter arguments. It was a line of reasoning which everyone could understand.
"Do we have to register too?"
Excluding the people of the slums, most of the people who lived in New Port City were criminals and convicts who came here for refuge. But their identities would be revealed once they filled out the surveys, which would naturally reveal the crimes they have committed. There was bound to be backlash from them.
Isaac looked with a cold glare to Milena and the other three.
"You see, I believe bastards who make people cry tears of blood don't deserve to live. That means you lot are people I should be killing, not working with."
Flinch!
The four immediately dropped their heads, since the man who held both the authority and the means to kill them spoke those words upfront.
"But the reason why I'm letting you guys live is because it's too much of a bother to deal with your districts. I won't tell you to become my subordinates. I had no intention of doing so in the first place. Just shove yourself into your own little corners, and I'll leave you alone. But, if you ever disobey or ignore my orders, I will personally clean your districts. Street. By. Street."
There was a long silence after Isaac left that before the four could finally speak.
"What do we do now?"
According to the orders from Port City, they must not cooperate with Isaac. But if they don't cooperate, Isaac wouldn't hesitate to kill them all.
Soland, who still clutched onto his stomach in pain, spoke to Milena.
"What else but to act as double agents."
"Double agents?"
"The Administrator won't care about what we do as long as we manage our own districts."
"Port City won't stay silent."
Soland laughed at Dinozo's words.
"That's why we have to be double agents. If you tell them we are only acting like we're cooperating to gather information, I'm sure our masters would understand."
"What if Port City orders us to sabotage Isaac's plans?"
"We will have to tell the Administrator of what we have been ordered to do and ask for his mercy to go ahead with our orders."
"Will it work?"
"This is the only way for us to survive. We are worms caught in a fight between giants."
The news of turning New Port City into a city of entertainment spread across all of the Empire, carving Isaac's name into everyone's minds. Whether it was in a good way or not depended on the morality of the listener.
As the commotion bubbled on outside, Brolen was reading a report in his office. He sighed and moved to the monitor that was placed in his office.
Central had been using the Communicator long before it was released to the public. They had the technology to connect directly without passing through the operators by dialling a specific code.
Once Brolen dialled the code, a voice began coming through the blank screen.
"A city of gambling and entertainment…"
Brolen quickly shuffled through his report after hearing those words from the monitor.
"It seems he's modelled it after Las Vegas and Macau. Not only is he building the casinos, he's also gathering famous chefs, artists, bands and actors through the connections of Seven Grand Merchant Guilds."
"Sounds like it's been confirmed then."
"Yes. But the problem is that the target has gathered too much attention from the world, and it'd be a problem for us whether he succeeds or not."
"Does it matter? I'm sure the options are still to either recruit or process the target."
"If the surveillance target succeeds, he will completely take over New Port City."
"So he'll be in a situation where we can't process him rashly if we fail to recruit him. Hm, and if he fails?"
"Project 401 will go out the window."
"The project the Directorate of Strategy initiated 10 years ago?"
"Yes. The goal was to take control of the city and its deplorable living conditions to gather manpower through the orphanages and raise funds and launder money using the gambling dens. It was a long-term project with a scheduled completion on the year 400 and later, and New Port City was chosen as the ideal candidate."
"I guess the men from the Directorate of Strategy are crying right about now."
"They told me they'll have some beer before coming up with some form of retaliation."
"I understand their need for alcohol when a project they've been working on for 10 years ends up in the rubbish bin. I'm also concerned that Duke Pendleton will make a commotion."
"I am prepared."
"This is why I've been telling them to cooperate with the Directorate of Strategy. Look at where we've landed ourselves in. So much blood has been spilled over a surveillance target that we aren't even sure whether he's type 3 or 4."
"It is my fault."
"You are dismissed from this project for now. Order the Directorate of Strategy to help the target succeed and move in a way that increases the probability that we can recruit him. If it's impossible, we will move instead."
"I am sorry for making you worry."
"No. In truth, I was very interested in Las Vegas and Macau when I first heard of it, so it wouldn't be so bad to visit the place for a vacation someday."
"The only problem is that the surveillance target's personality is too extreme."
"That could be managed through those at his sides. Actually, he's got quite the intimate relationship with Central. It's rare for a target to be an acquaintance of 5 agents."
"There's another agent from the Directorate of Strategy in the mix too."
"An agent from Directorate of Strategy?"
"Yes. The agent had been working on Project 401 as a local from New Port City ever since its inception. The agent was deployed to New Port City immediately after being recruited."
"Tsk. The agent must be quite distraught, knowing the project they've been working on for 10 years is vanishing into thin air. Give the agent a reward that matches their sacrifice."
"I'm sure the agent will be greatly pleased if you personally encouraged them face to face."
"Is that so? Then I shall have a meal with the agent some time."
"I will make the arrangements."
With the project announced and construction at work, Isaac started officially buying all the land in the Ceta District. Cordnell furiously opposed the idea, his mouth foaming with frustration. Even if buying land in New Port City cost pittance, there was already so much money needed elsewhere and he couldn't see any use in buying all the land. His efforts to save money were futile. In fact, Isaac encouraged those around him to buy land with him out of his so-called 'generosity.'
The employees from the guilds decided to buy the land around the bridge as a combined investment from all of them; it was only because they might be able to get most of the money back from these areas even if the project failed.
The elves found it interesting and used their own money to buy some land of their own, while North Bears firmly believed that anything Isaac proposed was trustworthy and contacted their own Reservation, buying as much land the tribe could afford as well as bringing any tribesmen who were still free.
As a result, the real estate ownership in the Ceta District was distributed in such a way where Isaac held 70%, the North Bears held 20%, the Elves held 9% and the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds' employees held 1%.
Most of the original landlords were citizens of Port City, but all it took was a blackmail regarding taxes and an offer double that of its market price for them to hand over the land unquestioningly.
With the real estate firmly in his grasp, Isaac sat on the rooftop of his City Hall residence. He sipped on a glass of wine and held a cigar in hand as the noise of the construction echoed around him. It was at this point that Cordnell approached Isaac with a pale face.
"We're in trouble."
"What is it?"
"We have no money."
"Why?"
"Why else! You used most of the funds to buy the stupid deeds to the land in the Ceta District! We'll be bankrupt at this rate! Just one month from now, we won't be able to pay the wages for our workers!"
Cordnell thumped up and down as he listed every single thing Isaac had spent money on. Watching him, Isaac spoke with an annoyed face.
"Are we really out of money?"
"Yes! How can we possibly continue spending like this when we have no income!"
"Why do we have no income? Isn't there a hotel being constructed by the Rivolden Merchant Guild?"
Isaac convinced Goldman, the Guild Master of the Rivolden Merchant Guild, to construct lodges near the casinos. Isaac advised Goldman to step into hotel business, claiming that legalising prostitution was good and all, but the city lacked lodges which the people could spend the night comfortably. Goldman used his power as the Guild Master to construct two hotels for commoners and one grand hotel reserved for nobles as an investment in New Port City.
"You sold the land to him at the same price we bought it, so we didn't make any money from him! We were never tasked with managing the costs for the construction of the hotels as well!"
Cordnell breathlessly rattled on as Isaac took out another cigar, annoyed by it all.
"I guess there's no choice. I wanted to use this as my final solution when my project failed, but I'll have to use this since I've got no money."
"Use what!"
Isaac calmly talked back to Cordnell, who was shouting as if he was making a last stand.
"Raise the tariffs."
"Huh?"
Cordnell looked to Isaac with his eyes wide open. Isaac poured a new glass of wine and handed it to him.
"I'm a Lord. I have the right to tax any commodities that enter New Port City. Institute the highest tax rate within my authority on all goods that are being stocked in the ports and warehouses."
Cordnell gulped down the wine Isaac handed to him, his mind baffled. Taxing certainly was within the authority of the Lord, but Lords usually set the lowest tax rate possible, so that more merchants would use their facilities and stabilise the prices of the goods in the city.
Port City was the same. Its position on the continent made it a natural place for goods to concentrate, but what really supported it was a practically non-existent tariff.
Most of the docks and warehouses in which the goods travel through were concentrated in New Port City, so the merchants had to adhere to New Port City's tax rate. Until some time ago when Port City still held all the authority over New Port City, the merchants paid minimal fees to use the warehouses. But if Isaac were to raise the tax rates to the maximum, the merchants would be forced to either pay the tax or turn their ships somewhere else. Both would cause massive deficits for the merchants, and it wouldn't be a surprise if a riot took place because of it.
"Do you really think the merchants will stay put if you hit them with such tax?"
Significant losses are expected if the merchants rebelled. All goods from commodities to food would no longer be supplied, which would make prices skyrocket.
"Even better. It was only helping out Port City, and they would be the ones who are hit hardest by it all."
"But the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds also use this place!"
"Ha, do you really think I'll tax your guilds at the same rate? I'll give a special deduction just for you guys."
Cordnell massaged his forehead when he heard those words from Isaac, unable to withstand the stress.
"Hey, don't you think it's strange that Port City is staying put, despite the fact that you can easily make them crumble by raising the tariffs?"
"Hm? You have a point."
"There's a Fair Trade Law. Giving special privileges to certain merchant guilds is illegal and it will invite an investigation and correction by force."
"So such laws existed. Then tell them to pay the same tax rate."
"The Seven Grand Merchant Guilds won't stand for it!"
"Ah! Damn, you're annoying. Are you really that stupid? Do you think my duty to repay their investment is just for show?"
"Th…."
Cordnell, who tried to retort back at Isaac's annoyed tone, suddenly stopped as a light bulb flickered in his head. Even if the tax was raised to its highest, the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds could have the tax returned under the pretense of repaying the loans while the rest of the merchant guilds were forced to pay the tax, making the difference in profit margins astronomical.
But the problem is that the merchants, who are ever so sensitive about money, would never be oblivious to this fact. Even if the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds were the most influential within the Empire, they would surely crumble if all the other merchant guilds joined forces against them. No, even if the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds didn't crumble, all their efforts would be futile if the other guilds began supporting Port City instead.
"I'll contact headquarters and request additional loans."
"No, I don't want it."
"Huh?"
"I received a loan of one million Giga because I didn't have money. I'm already forced to pay interest on that loan, and if I got even more loans, it will reduce my profit."
Cordnell's mouth gulped like that of a goldfish, unable to utter a single word.
"Just raise the tariffs. I'll make sure your investment is paid back in full."
"But that could cause the fall of Seven Grand Merchant Guilds!"
"That's none of my business."
Cordnell felt as if the sky was crumbling; Isaac would not budge on the increase of tariffs. His actions were just like a bully taking lunch money from his victim.
Cordnell's urgent report brought together all the guild masters from the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds; they insulted Isaac in their heart, but they still decided to make additional investments since they determined that only they would be at loss if the tariffs were raised.
They had prepared their refusal to make any future investments; it consisted of using their power to blackmail Isaac into submission, but even before they could blackmail him, Isaac stubbornly refused the additional investments, instead opting for the increase of tariffs.
Now, the fire was on the Seven Grand Merchant Guild's side, and instead of blackmailing, they began appeasing Isaac with additional investments. Only after they promised not to charge interest did they successfully convince Isaac and proceed with the investment. The Seven Grand Merchant Guilds also decided they couldn't be the only ones on the losing end and started bringing in all merchant guilds that used the canals to contribute to the investment fund.
Even Port City contributed the investment fund to avoid the uprising from merchants and to prevent the weaponization of tariffs despite Isaac's stubborn attitude. This incident helped Isaac gain fame as the greatest scammer within the Empire, taking money from not only his allies and forcing even his foes to demand that he take money from them.
With the issues regarding funds solved after much ruckus, Isaac continued to spend his time leisurely in the City Hall. The noise of the construction did bother him at first, but it felt like a lullaby once he got used to it. Once again, he was bathing in the sunlight on the rooftop when Cordnell hurriedly rushed over and woke Isaac from his sweet nap.
"What is it now?"
Isaac stared at Cordnell, frustrated that his sleep was disturbed, but Cordnell continued to pace around in panic with a pale face.
"Off with our abusive Lord!"
Isaac didn't even need to ask Cordnell. Isaac could hear those words being chanted in unison as he slowly eased himself toward the roof's edge. There were around a hundred men standing in the plaza facing the City Hall while other workers watched from the side, curious as to what was happening.
"There's our abusive Lord! Let us regain our rights!"
"Lower our work hours! Raise our wages!"
"The hell are they?"
Isaac leaned over the guard rails as he watched the riotous menace with a cigar in his mouth. As expected of the men from New Port City, all of their faces dripped with murderous intent; their words were crude and improvised weapons made of construction tools firmly in their hands.
"They've suddenly gathered after lunch time, stopping all progress on construction!"
"Is this the start of their sabotage?"
Isaac wasn't innocent enough to believe his project was going to set sail without any hindrances. It was obvious that both Count Milros and the neighboring Port City would try to harass him at every corner. Instead of surprise, he was reassured that what he had expected had finally occurred.
"Where's Rizzly?"
"The North Bears are currently policing City Hall."
"Call him over."
Just as Corndell was about to quickly move, Rizzly showed up with a cone-shaped tool in his hand.
"What's that?"
"It's a speaker. I thought you'd need it."
"Hm, you're rather sharp? But what's up with them all of a sudden?"
"Some of the workers have been complaining about why their wages are the same when Sir Isaac received additional investments and began inciting those around them. It didn't get much of a reaction from those around them. In fact, the other workers insulted them and tried to fight them, so we've been ignoring the issue. I never thought they'd make an incident like this."
Hahaha, all one can do is laugh.
Wages? Instead of the horrible wages they were used to, they received 1.5 times the wages other workers received in other cities and provided them with the opportunity to escape poverty and New Port City.
Food? Not only has Isaac been feeding their children every meal, he has also supplied the workers' meals. It was enough to make their starving stomachs burst.
Work hours? Isaac had instituted a regulation stating that all workers receive 1 day of paid vacation after every two weeks of work.
Where could they possibly find a better Lord!
It still seemed like justice was alive since not many people agreed with those rioters, but it still irked Isaac on the inside.
"When idiots receive good favour, they start to consider it to be a right. Tsk."
Isaac coldly clicked his tongue and took the speaker from Rizzly's hand and shouted toward the rioters.
"Ah ah! Listen, rioters. I am…"
"There is the abusive Lord who exploits us!"
"If you disperse now…"
"Off with the abusive Lord!"
"I will show mercy to the citizens of my own fiefdom…"
"Raise our wages now!"
Isaac sighed as he watched the man who kept interrupting Isaac's words and inciting the people like a fiery champion.
"That young brat keeps cutting off the words of his superior."
"Shall I kill him as an example?"
Rizzly nonchalantly spoke those words. Cordnell's face went pale while Isaac looked at Rizzly curiously.
"You sound like you've killed some people before?"
"The North Bears may be unpopular, but we still get some work from time to time. We occasionally face thugs and bandits who try to steal from the merchants when we are tasked as escorts."
"No! You can't kill someone! It'll just make the situation worse! We must negotiate with their representatives…"
Cordnell adamantly objected and recommended that they come to understanding through a negotiation.
"Negotiate?"
This, of course, wasn't a recommendation Isaac would even consider.
"They're pulling that bullshit when I already give them a good pay, feed them, and even make sure they have off days. What more can give them when negotiating?"
"If you use force to quell them, it will just increase the size of the riot."
"Tsk, fine. I'll negotiate. I'll show you how I negotiate, so you better watch and learn."
Isaac, who felt somewhat insulted by Cordnell's urging to lower their heads, walked up to the edge of the roof with one foot on the fence and shouted.
"I will give ten thousand Giga to whoever brings me the person that started this riot."
"…"
There was silence.
Ten thousand Giga. It was a fortune people from New Port City couldn't even dream of seeing. It was enough for them to leave the city and open a small shop to start a new life.
The atmosphere of the rioters quickly changed, while those who watched from afar slowly approached toward the rioters – the leaders of the riot, to be exact.
"E, everyone, don't fall for his lies! It's part of his dastardly scheme to fracture our unity!"
Sensing danger, the men who were inciting the mob attempted to counteract Isaac, unsure of his next move until Isaac followed up with additional conditions.
"You have until I finish my cigar. If you fail to bring me the leader of this riot, I'll fire not only the rioters, but everyone who was hired for this construction job! I have plenty more to hire from!"
Those words were final. The workers only participated out of greed to receive more pay, not to get fired. The workers who watched from the sides were even more aggressive. Isaac may have hired a large number of workers for the project, but the qualifications for the job were much harder than an average job in New Port City. They won the job after a fierce competition, and they weren't about to lose it now because some idiots decided to make an incident and bring them down together. They looked as if they were ready to kill not just the leader, but all of the rioters if they lost the job.
"There! Get him!"
Waaaah!
The mob quickly chased after the people who led the riot while the leaders of the said riot ran with a stumped look. Cordnell could only watch in silence as the game of cat and mouse played out in front of him. Isaac smirked toward Cordnell as he spoke.
"Did you see that? This is how you negotiate in New Port City."
It seemed more like causing dissent rather than negotiation, but at the end of the day, the riot was easily dealt with, contrary to Cordnell's expectations.
"H, how could it crumble so easily?"
Cordnell could not understand. The employees from the merchant guilds sometimes had riots of their own when they weren't satisfied about their treatment and and felt like their suggestions were dismissed. The riots Cordnell had been facing against had a firm unity since they were fellow colleagues who had worked together for a long time, so it would have been impossible to sabotage the riots using Isaac's method.
"Don't forget that this is a special case. You're in New Port City. Murder for a single meal is a common sight in this place. Paying their wages and feeding them is the best treatment I can offer to them. Anyone who wants more are unsalvageable trash and I don't need to make any considerations for them."
"You maggots!"
"Aak!"
Isaac saw the rare sight of a man kicked into the air. The people who chased after the leaders of the riot had their heads and arms broken.
"Come at us if you want to die!"
One of the leaders shouted menacingly, his show of force holding the mob back.
"It seems they can use mana."
"Idiots. I guess you'd need them to be somewhat strong and smart to use as a tool. I suspect they aren't citizens of this city, seeing how they can use mana."
"They seem like mercenaries. I've heard there was a band of mercenaries specialising in causing confusion by inciting unrest through rumours. It might be them."
"Hm. Was it Count Milros or Port City that sent them?"
"We'll find out once we catch them."
"Are you confident?"
Rizzly seemed hurt by Isaac's questioning.
"We North Bears may be insulted because of honey, but we are still considered one of the best."
"Then bring them here."
"Huhuhu, gladly."
Rizzly turned into a bear as he smiled, satisfied that he got to use his strength for once.
"Oh! That's pretty cool."
His body swelled in size, snow white fur rose from his skin, and his face turned into that of a bear. If Kunette had the appearance of a teddy bear, Rizzly had the form of a true polar bear.
Roar!
Rizzly leapt off the roof and roared at the mob around him, suppressing everyone. The mob cleared a path to the leaders and Rizzly walked up to them, his hand extending to one of them.
"Citizenship."
"What?"
"Give me your proof of citizenship."
"H, here."
The man quickly handed his identification over. Rizzly tilted his head. This wasn't what he had planned. He was thinking of arresting them all using their lack of identification as an excuse, but now he had no excuse to harm them.
After a quick ponder, Rizzly spoke to Isaac.
"He's got identification."
Isaac responded with a gesture of crumpling something in hand and throwing it away. Rizzly nodded and scrunched up the piece of paper in his hand and threw it away.
While everyone watched the paper ball fly away in a parabola, Rizzly asked his question once more.
"Identification."
"W, what the! You just threw it away!"
"Huh? When did I do that?"
"Everyone here saw it!"
"Really? Who exactly?"
Rizzly looked around him, and everyone acted as if they weren't watching or ducked their heads to avoid eye contact.
"Shit! We may as well just kill them all since we failed…."
Even before the man could finish his sentence, Rizzly grabbed onto the man's throat and lifted him up in the air.
"Huh? What was that?"
"Kekek!"
The man struggled against Rizzly's arm, unable to breath. The rest of his group seemed to have lost the will to fight and surrendered peacefully.
"He'll die if you keep that up."
Isaac spoke to Rizzly as he came down to the plaza himself, and Rizzly released the man from his grip. As the man crawled on the ground coughing, the rest of the inciters were rounded up next to him by other North Bears.
After catching his breath, the man begged to Isaac on his knees.
"Please let me live! I'll tell you everything, including who hired us and the reason behind it!"
"Huh? I don't need it. One person takes the lead and start inciting, while the rest of you help get more support. These clueless idiots got greedy even after the generous treatment they had received and followed you. It's obvious."
The man was at a loss for words for a moment after Isaac's explanation but regained the will to speak again.
"T, then I can at least tell who hired…"
"No. You don't have to tell me. If I find out, I'll need to get my revenge, but that's just annoying. Let's just bury it between us. Got it?"
"T, thank you!"
"No. The rest of you may thank me, but not you."
"What?"
Isaac smiled as the man looked to Isaac in confusion.
"New Port City's police force is hard at work defending its citizens from harm. The same applies for outsiders who have entered as guests."
"Yes… Thank you."
Ignoring the man's hesitant gratitude, Isaac walked back to the City Hall as he pointed toward the man.
"He isn't a citizen. Seems like he's an outsider without an invitation too. The police have no reason to protect that man."
It basically meant the people were free to do whatever they wanted from him.
Everyone's eyes turned violent as Isaac's words echoed into the air. That man had almost cost them their livelihoods. The people who were part of the riot were even more intense because of the guilt.
"Kuuk!"
Finally realising Isaac's intention, the man looked to his companions for help, but his unfaithful companions already had their identification out with apologetic looks on their faces as they disappeared into the crowd.
"You think I'll die that easily? Come at me if you dare!"
Noticing that Rizzly was away following Isaac, the man quickly made a grab for a shovel and swung it around with mana as he shouted. There was no way an average man could fight a mercenary who could use mana.
"You will die if you assault my citizens."
Those words meant that he should give up fighting and just run.
The man grit his teeth and looked to Isaac, then quickly turned around and started making his escape.
"Move! Move if you don't want to die!"
The man made an route by swinging the shovel in front of him, forcing the crowd to back away from him. The small gap was more than enough for the man to quickly gain speed and run away.
Isaac spoke as he watched the man's back disappear into the distance.
"The ten thousand Giga bounty is still valid."
"Waah! Get him!"
The crowd quickly chased after the man. He may have been a mercenary, but these citizens were hardened by the destitution of New Port City. The mob left the plaza like a storm, and the plaza turned deathly silent.
"I guess construction is at halt today."
Cordnell finally crawled out of the City Hall and sighed at the sight of the empty construction site.
"Give them their pay anyway."
Cordnell sighed even louder, knowing that money was being lost for no reason once more.
Rizzly tilted his head and asked Isaac a question.
"Why did you do that? No matter how many workers chase after him, they won't be able to catch him."
"I know. He's just an example. That should stop anyone else from trying to do the same again. Cordnell, let the workers know that I will give a ten thousand Giga bounty to anyone who reports any inciters. But warn them that if it's a false report, they will face the consequences of taking me lightly."
"Yes sir."
"Rizzly, send one of your men after that runner and find out where he goes. He most definitely didn't enter through the bridge, so he'll likely leave through the same hole he came from."
"Do you think one of the other districts sent them here?"
"There are many ways to infiltrate other than the bridge. The only hard part is slipping through the syndicate's watch."
"Shall I do a clean-up once I find out which district it was?"
"No. Let's just know about it for now. It's much easier to clear them all out in one go."
"Huhu, understood. I think it was the right choice to follow Kunette here. I didn't think it'd be so fun."
"Oh, it'll get better."
Isaac's scheme to identify which district allowed the outsiders to infiltrate the city without his permission was cut short before it even started. The ten thousand Giga bounty had motivated the syndicate members to action.
The commoners of New Port City are a group of exploited, weak individuals who earned just enough to survive another day. But the members of the syndicate were group thugs who were confident of their fighting capabilities. They spent their days fighting against mercenaries as sport to pass their time.
Isaac looked down at the corpse, wounds covering every inch of its body. He sighed and spoke to Cordnell.
"Give them their reward."
"Y, yes."
Cordnell nodded as he shuddered from the shock of seeing a dead body for the first time. Watching the group of thugs yell and scream with laughter around what is now a bag of meat had made Cordnell see for the first time the true nature of New Port City.
The syndicate members left with the corpse, stating that they will clean up the mess themselves. Cordnell left the area too, stating that he was feeling faint.
Isaac spoke to Rizzly.
"Where did he disappear to?"
"According to my scout, it seemed like he was going toward Soland's district. But he wasn't sure because of how fast that man was caught.
"He seemed pretty slippery on my end. How did they get him?"
"They threw tens of nets at him from the rooftops on both sides of the alleyway, pinning him on the spot. They swarmed at him afterwards. They never had intention of capturing him alive, opting to kill first instead."
"Well, I understand using that strategy considering they've fought against many mercenaries in the past. Maybe I should have just asked him."
"Shall we perform an investigation now?"
"No, don't bother. It's not like this will be their last time."
"True. It's doubtful they'll give up after just a single failure."
"This is starting to piss me off."
As someone who has earned the infamy of Crazy Terrorist with his guerrilla and urban warfare, sabotage was in the realm of his expertise.
The acts of sabotage from Port City and Count Milros were starting to stress out Isaac because of how childish their attempts were.
"Are they really oblivious or are they not doing it because they have a different objective?"
Their acts of sabotage included coaxing the workers to negligence, faulty construction, stealing building materials, inflating the construction cost via overuse of materials, delaying ships which carry the construction materials and ruining some of the materials through poor maintenance from the warehouses. It seemed like they were making continuous attempts at sabotage, but it wasn't effective enough and became even more futile when bosses of each syndicates would knock on his door and tell exactly what they were ordered to do, making it simple to retaliate.
"What is their goal?"
Isaac asked to Cordnell who was complaining about the increasing cost of the construction.
"It's obvious! We've spent so much of our investment on pointless expenses!"
"But the construction is almost over though?"
"We went over the budget long time ago."
"Still, what they've done is too weak…"
"This is weak? Then what would you do, Sir Isaac, if you were the ruler of Port City."
Isaac didn't even make a consideration before answering Cordnell's question.
"That's obvious. I'd cause arson on the warehouses containing our construction materials along with the construction site itself, burning it all to the ground. Not that pitiful little pranks they've been doing."
"Uhuh. Just thinking about that made my brain freeze. But wouldn't it be difficult if we increased security?"
"Plus I'd assassinate any who are co-operative to me. If that doesn't work, I'll start killing the workers at random. I'd be screwed if nobody wanted to work for me despite how much I was willing to pay."
A chill went up Cordnell's spine hearing Isaac's brutal method. It was something he'd never considered.
"Would they ever do that?"
"That's why I don't get it. That's exactly what I'd do."
One of the most extreme methods to achieve result was terrorism. And its effectiveness matched its brutality.
Isaac had no choice but to suspect Port City had something else in mind, not performing these extreme methods when it was clear they would be in trouble if this project were to ever finish.
"Well, just thinking about it won't bring up the answer, and I'm bound to find out in the future. What happened to the order I gave you by the way?"
Cordnell sobbed at Isaac's question.
"Well they are all quite famous in their field of work…"
"I don't need people that are that famous. They just need enough fame for people to think 'Ah! That guy!' when they hear their name. If that's too difficult, then you can bring in those that have fallen from their peak."
"But why do we need so many people? I understand bands and theatres but why are you inviting artists such as painters and sculptors too?"
"What are you going to tell the guests who got bored of gambling? Just tell them to go home and sleep?"
'I understand you're bringing in bands and theatres to hold the guests in the city but…"
"It's the same thing. I will sponsor artists in poverty with my money in return for the rights of their works. Once I have enough of their works, I'll open a museum or a gallery of my own for tourism."
"Heh, I didn't know you were so interested in such things, Sir Isaac. There are many noble who support artists but you'd be the first one to help the artists to this level."
"Hm? This isn't support but investment."
"Huh? How can it become investment?"
"If just one of the artists I've been supporting becomes famous, all of the works he had made previously will increase in price with him. Buy cheap and sell expensive. It's basic business."
"Do you realise how long that will take for your investment to pay off?"
"The Ceta District will continue to be mine even if I were to be relegated as the Lord's Representative. I'll just live rich for the rest of my life. Well, it doesn't matter even if none of them becomes famous. Just the reputation that I support poor artist will be enough to make it worth it. It's not bad to have the City of Art and Culture added to City of Gambling right?"
"That's true but that'd only happen if you succeed!"
"I'm saying it because I'm confident. No, it has to succeed."
"Che, I don't understand where you get that confidence from."
"You'll know if I'm right when the time comes. Just finish the construction and make sure you find the bands and theatres that will perform our opening ceremony and use the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds' connections to send invitations."
"Wouldn't it look rather shabby? The only things in construction are the casinos. The rest are still the same. We don't have the funds to construct hotels and theatres with what we have left."
"We can use the profit we earn from the casinos to build them in the future, and until then the guests will need to use Port City for those services. It's not even that far away. Just worry about the opening ceremony."
"Sigh, I don't even know anymore. I think it'll be easier if I just do as I'm told."
"Yeah. That's what it's usually like. It's easier once you give up."
"What? Really? I just sent it out of whim but they really came?"
Isaac looked with surprise at the report Cordnell handed to him. He never expected any of this year's graduates from Campus to apply for a job. With the graduation certificate from Campus, they were free to choose whatever job they wanted.
Not to mention Isaac suddenly became a student of College just before his graduation. The students of Campus were bound to show hatred toward him, but to think there were graduates who were willing to work under Isaac!
"How many are there?"
"There's three of them."
Even Cordnell seemed he couldn't believe this situation. He may be one of the higher staff members in his guild, but he was a graduate from a business school after his application was rejected by the Campus.
But to think he gets to work with those from the Campus!
Cordnell was feeling both excitement and fear. Fear that he will have all of his reputation he had built up in New Port City stolen to them.
"Bring them in for now."
Cordnell disappeared for a moment, and came back with two boys and a girl. None of them seemed too familiar to Isaac, since social life wasn't his priority during his Campus days.
"Hello Sunbaenim. It's been a while."
"… Hello."
"…"
In front of Isaac stood a boy with black hair and vibrant atmosphere, a red headed girl who seemed extremely shy and a boy who stared at Isaac with discontent as if he was trying to challenge him. Well, they all seemed to have a strong personality of their own.
"I'm sorry. This was much unexpected on my part. I just sent it on a whim but didn't think anyone would actually apply for it."
It was an unexpected profit. If it's graduates from Campus, they could instantly solve the lack of manpower in the administration department.
"Hm, don't feel too bad about the fact that I don't remember your faces. In truth, there are very few people whom I actually remember. I think I might know the girl though… Is your name perhaps Selia?"
The girl slightly nodded. Isaac remembered her as the extremely shy girl who continued to refuse all presents from Isaac when he was gifting all commoner girls presents to both help them and solidify his position as the supplier.
"Introduce yourselves."
"Yes, Sunbaenim. I am Kalden. This unhappy chap over here is Trentor, and this shy lady is Selia just as you said."
It seemed Kalden was either bold or very adaptive, as he started his long explanation of the situation they were in without hesitation.
All three of them came from households which weren't different from the slums of New Port City. They managed to attend the Campus without too much difficulty since there wasn't any enrolment fee, but it didn't change the fact that their houses were deep in poverty.
One of Kalden's family members was deathly sick, and the family had to borrow money for treatment. The medical fees ended up swelling the debt so much that Kalden found no hope of paying off the debt with an average pay even with his certificate from campus. This was the reason why he applied to New Port City, and he added the comment that he'd like his wages and any bonus on time with a snicker.
Trentor was in a similar situation as Kalden, and he was deep in debt even before he studied in Campus. His enrolment in Campus was the only thing holding his family together; otherwise his family would have shattered to pieces long ago.
Selina lived with an abusive father and a mother who was the main target of violence. She managed to enrol to Campus thanks to her excellent affinity to mana unlike Isaac. The moment Selina entered the Campus, her father used her as a warrant to borrow money for himself.
Basically, all three of them were desperate for money to not care about their pride.
"Hm. Cordnell. Investigate on their families and pay off all of their debt and give them their living expenses."
"Huk! Sunbaenim, you don't have to do that already…"
"Don't feel so pressured because this isn't out of good will. You can pay back portions of this with your wages. Just think of this as advance payment."
"Thank you!"
"But are you sure you guys don't want to visit your family?"
"I'm fine since I've seen their faces with the Communicator. Plus my family is too far away for me to visit and return back in time."
"Well, I won't force you if you don't want to. What about you two?"
"I don't mind either."
"…I don't want to go."
Whether it was Trentor whose displeasure was clearly on his face despite standing in front of his employer, Selina who seemed extremely shy at first but has the strong will to speak for herself or Kalden and his sociable nature, all three of them seemed not to be your average people. Perhaps they would never have applied to work under Isaac if they didn't have such personalities.
"So what do we do for our work?"
"Hm? You just graduated, so have some rest first. There's much to see in Port City and they host excellent food so rest well in there. I'll call you guys over when needed. Ah! You don't worry about expenses, just talk to Cordnell for it all. Cordnell, why don't you show them around Port City?"
"Yes, understood."
Isaac took out a cigarette and prepared himself to slack off again and Cordnell quickly lead the three down the stairs, who still seemed confused as to what was happening.
It seemed Trentor felt like he had been ignored and angrily spoke to Cordnell.
"I could see you guys have made many work to be done as I made my way here. Just give us a day to rest and we'll start work immediately. Just tell us what needs to be done."
Kalden nodded in agreement with Trentor.
"One day of rest is more than enough. Trentor and I majored in administration so leave all desk work and document processing to us. Ah, Selina is an expert in many areas of magic, so she'll do well in that area."
"… Leave it to me."
Cordnell stopped and quickly turned to face the three when they spoke out, replying with a serious face.
"I know this may sound like a joke to graduates of Campus, but I will speak these words as the man who has experienced work under Sir Isaac before you."
The three listened attentively because of how serious Cordnell looked.
"We will pay for all the expenses. So until Sir Isaac calls you over, live and play the most extravagant way possible, exceeding what you have ever dreamed of. Eat the best food, shop in the best shops and play to the point you begin to doubt whether you should really do this. Otherwise, the regret of not doing so will forever be etched into your bones."
…Just like me.
Cordnell cried on the inside as he stopped himself from speaking those last words, while the three were confused as to how they should take his words. It sounded like a joke but Cordnell seemed so serious about it.
Isaac's daily routine remained unchanged no matter what happened around him. The one thing that did change was he no longer stayed in the plaza in front of the city hall. City Hall Plaza was the only place large enough to accommodate all the workers during their meal times, and Isaac was keenly aware that the workers found his presence unnerving. So Isaac moved over to rooftop of City Hall instead.
It seemed that Port City had given up on their childish attempts at sabotage, as no news of it had been coming lately. Isaac gave minimal input regarding the construction itself, only giving out basic orders and leaving the rest of the work to his underlings, but the opening ceremony required much of Isaac's attention in order to be successful.
Even this was done with minimal effort on Isaac's part, since he never monitored the situation himself. He instead called over his employees for a meeting to check that everything he's ordered was underway and gave new orders whenever he thought of something he forgot to mention in the past or something new. All of his employees complained about the increasing size of their workload, but that wasn't going to stop Isaac's leisurely lifestyle.
Atop the city hall, which had been remodelled to become a makeshift meeting room, Isaac lied on his back with a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other when suddenly a group of people entered the area. They were all of the merchant guild's employees, Lanburton, Rizzly, all of the Syndicate Bosses and the Campus graduates, who were called in for the first time.
"Our workload has decreased since all of the major constructions are complete, and the only thing left is finishing the interior of the buildings."
"Doesn't matter. Your workload will increase again once we open for business. More importantly, how goes the training for the elves?"
Lanburton spoke out confidently to Isaac's question.
"We are just waiting for the opening day."
"I swear, no one would even dream of cheating elves as their dealers."
Isaac replied as if Soland's input was obvious.
"That's why I hired the elves in the first place. But don't let your guard down. Anything can happen when there's money on the line. Well, I won't blame you if you are tricked by something ingenious to the point of admiration."
The elves had a power called the 'Eyes of Truth', which allowed them to see through lies. No amount of trickery and lies were going to work against them, and the only way to win against them was through sheer luck and skill. The integrity of our casinos could never be doubted.
"How about the girls?"
Isaac asked Milena, and she also spoke with confidence.
"Hohoho. Our preparations have been made to perfection."
"The most important thing on your end is the STDs. Make sure you let all of your girls know that they must be checked for STDs every week in order for them to work."
"But isn't one week too short? The fees for the check-up aren't something you can scoff at…"
"Ah, haven't I told you guys this yet? Everyone in the city who holds citizenship can use any and all all medical services free of charge."
"What!"
Everyone let out their cries, and Cordnell who seemed to feel light-headed shouted out to Isaac as he faltered.
"T, then who's going to pay for the medical fees…"
"It's paid by the city, of course. Make sure the medical facilities and the treatments are up to date. It doesn't have to be the best in the Empire, but it better be at least above average. Ah! You said you had nothing to do right? Construct a hospital immediately."
"It's not something that comes into existence just by talking about it!"
Everyone mentally sent their condolences to Cordnell, who seemed like he was about to cry.
Just one sentence from Isaac had exponentially increased the workload of all of the employees. If anyone complained that it's impossible or impractical and refused, he would start blackmailing them into submission by mentioning the investment first, then his own life. There was no way to go against Isaac.
When they asked for some sort of a break or a holiday, Isaac would argue back that he had already given them the break when they first arrived.
"How goes the citizenship registration?"
This work was too difficult for the normal employees to handle, so it was left in the hands of the Syndicates instead. Since it was announced that registrations are accepted until the opening ceremony, the project must be reaching its end by this point.
"We will need more time for it to be completed."
"There are too many migrants from other cities entering, making it difficult to identify them. They also don't like the idea of registering."
"Many of them don't have proof of identification because they were abandoned as a child and lived on the streets ever since."
"Some also don't have a name or lost them, instead being called by nicknames they earned in the back alleys."
Isaac frowned, unhappy about the four's sobbing excuses.
"I'm not changing the deadline. Anyone who hasn't registered by the opening day will be kicked out from the city. Tell them that if you have a history you don't want to expose, use a fake name. If you don't have a name, use your nickname to register or make a new name. And make sure you register all the orphans and the elderly too."
"I understand the children, but why the elderly too?"
"It's all part of management. I'm going to advertise that some of the profits made by the casinos will be donated to the orphans and the elderly as charity. The number of guests are bound to increase when you give them the excuse that any loss they make will help those in need."
Everyone admired Isaac for this unprecedented idea.
"How do you come up with ideas like that?!"
Soland asked Isaac in admiration while Isaac replied emotionlessly.
"It'll come naturally to you too if you don't want to die in three years."
"…"
Soland firmly shut his mouth.
"But are you sure we should register them all without any evaluation? Citizenship is given immediately once they apply, so we may end up in a similar situation with mercenaries infiltrating us like last time."
"Doesn't matter. I'll leave any criminals without citizenship to you four to deal with. Either bury them somewhere or give them a tour under the lake."
The non-humans seemed unphased by Isaac's casual remark of murder, but the humans in the meeting room felt a chill crawl up their spine.
"And if they have citizenship?"
Isaac smirked at Milena's question.
"I will personally take any crimes committed by my citizens as attempted assassination attempts at my life when they know that one of my requirements is to lower the crime rate. They will be sent to forced labour, no exceptions. Axlon. I heard you've been complaining that you were shorthanded? Just wait, I'll send some lively ones to you."
Axlon couldn't hide his giddiness after hearing those words.
"Oh! Really? I look forward to it! Don't worry. I'll make sure none of them ever escape."
"7:3."
"What! That's too harsh. I need to make a living too. Let's make it fair. 5:5."
"You're really thinking of ripping me off when you're getting free labour? Fine, I'll be generous this time. 6:4. You know I'm 6 right?"
"Huhu, I don't have any complaints with that. My reputation was starting to falter because of all the setbacks on my quotas."
Isaac and Axlon happily discussed on how to make profits with convicted criminals, while the rest looked at them with disdain.
"I guess everyone will have no choice but to register with Isaac at the helm. But who's going to administer it all? It seems the employees from the guilds are at their limit already without adding this to their desks?"
Just as Dinozo said, all of the employees from the guilds hastily shook their heads with a pale face, showing their inability to receive the added work.
"Hm? Don't worry. I have talented individuals none of you can even compare to right here. They are my proud Hubaes."
Everyone's eyes naturally focused towards the Campus graduates.
"U, um… what's the population of New Port City?"
Kalden asked as cold sweat dripped from his head.
"I wonder? Probably about a hundred thousand?"
"We are expecting a rise in population from immigrants because of the rumour that we are giving citizenship to even outsiders."
Kalden's face went pale with panic at Isaac's reply and Soland's added input.
"A, and when do we have to finish it by?"
"Before the opening day."
"So we have about one to two months."
"You don't have to finish it too fast. Just take your time. Not many people like it when you guys show off your skills as Campus graduates, so take it easy and just try to at least work at their level."
The three graduates swore at Isaac in their minds. They finally understood what Cordnell meant when he told them to play to their hearts' content.
They took his advice to heart and lived the most luxurious lives until now, knowing that any money they spent would simply be deducted over time from their wages. They lived in the fanciest hotel in Port City, bought all the souvenirs for their families and toured the city visiting all the famous restaurants in between.
Now they had no excuse to refuse working. It was just as the saying went, 'Too much renown comes back as poison.' Even though it was clearly obvious that this was an impossible task, everyone seemed to look at the Campus graduates with admiration in their eyes, believing they could do it because of what Isaac said. The Campus graduates' pride stopped them from saying otherwise.
"Understood. We will finish it in time."
Isaac looked to Kalden with surprise. Even if they excluded those who were registered already, there was at least half of the city who had yet to register.
And the registration process was much more complex than just listing their name on the document after receiving their application. The reason Isaac made this unreasonable request was to break their pride as Campus graduates to make it easier for him to order them around in the future.
"Well, fine. I'll look forward to it. You don't have to report to me about anyone who complains to you. Just fuck them up. I don't care if they die."
"Do you really think it'll be possible with just the three of us?"
Trentor looked to Kalden with displeasure in his eyes as they walked to their lodge. He was unhappy that Kalden accepted the work without consulting with the rest.
"Of course not."
"Then why did you accept his work! You should have at least asked for more time!"
"He must have found out."
Both Trentor and Selia looked at Kalden with surprise.
"What! Impossible! How could he possibly find out!"
In truth, there were many graduates who wanted to work in New Port City because they were tempted by the high pay promised by Isaac. But they also found working under Isaac to be at the very least, bothersome. So the three of them were chosen to be the advance party and analyse the situation to see if this work was doable before calling the rest over to work together. Already, there were around ten or so other students who were delaying on accepting work from other places they've applied for just to wait for the three to send back their news.
"Are you really saying that after you've seen what Isaac's done in Campus? He spent one painstaking year to kick out those disgusting nobles. Those bastards who had been harassing Selia."
"I know. That's why we were chosen to see how the situation was like as scouts."
"That's exactly what I mean. Remember what Isaac said to us before? Just common sense is enough to realise that the three of us aren't enough to go through a hundred thousand people, which is still increasing by the second. But he told us to take our time. He knows that it's impossible with just three of us but it's possible if the rest of us joined in and split each district to finish the job."
"I see. You're right in saying that it will finish faster the more people work on it, since we don't really need to do background checks."
Trentor started to agree with Kalden, while Selia spoke out with worry.
"But, what do we tell them? I don't think they'd come if we speak the truth."
"Let's just tell them we've been playing around like kings and queen while we've been here and tell them to join us in the fun."
"Then we send them immediately into work? Hm, it's a good plan."
"Won't they get mad? We got to work after playing around for so long but…"
"Then what do you suggest? Shall we do it with just the three of us?"
Selia shook her head, firmly denying the possibility.
"Well, they'll badmouth us for some time but they can have their rest once this work is over."
'Will it be possible? I've heard what Mr. Cordnell had been complaining to me about, and it sounded a lot worse than I had imagined."
"That's why I'm saying it's not fair for just the three of us to suffer through it."
The three of them discussed with each other as they walked up the stairs leading to the bridge when a shadow peaked out of the alleyway. The shadow watched the three, and then mumbled to itself.
"What do you mean Isaac's found out. It's clearly obvious that he's just abusing you lot to make it easier to order you guys around. Tsk tsk. This is why new graduates aren't as smart as they think."
The shadow sighed deeply at the ground as it looked at the bridge.
"Sigh. What am I saying. I'm in no position to say any of this. I almost got myself involved because I felt so bad for my Hubaes."
"We're in trouble!"
As usual, Isaac irresponsibly pushed all duties to others and spent his time slacking around on the rooftop of the city hall when Cordnell hurriedly rushed over hurriedly. Isaac looked at him with a blank look.
"I'm starting to get really tired of hearing those words. What is it now?"
"The Department of Law! The Department of Law has made an announcement."
"Huh? Were there any taxes we missed?"
"Tax isn't the problem right now!"
Cordnell frustratingly showed a paper to Isaac. Isaac read the paper without much interest at first, but his eyes began to widen as he read on.
"During the reforms of punishment regarding crimes, the Department of Law has determined that an open and active trade regarding sex could lead to the worsening of morality and cause disorder in societies. Therefore, the Department of Law has determined it is right to change the category of prostitution from Misdemeanour to Felony and that its punishment can no longer be adjusted by the Lord? What the hell is this?"
"What else! We're screwed!"
"Hm, no matter how I see it, I think they've changed this law to target us."
"I've asked some of my friends in the capital. Even the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds have been stabbed in the back! Someone forced the Department of Law to ban the legalisation of prostitution. Now, anyone who has been caught regarding prostitution must be punished by what has been set by the Department of Law!"
Rivolden Merchant Guild had already built three hotels in New Port City on top of the many investments it made. If this project were to fail, it will be a devastating blow to the guild itself, and Goldman would need to take responsibility and step down from his position as the Guild Master.
The rest of the guild employees in New Port City weren't too concerned since they accepted the job with the expectation that it was going to fail; their pay already took that into account. But Cordnell was now at risk of being cut off from his guild along with Goldman, putting his livelihood in jeopardy.
"Ahahahaha!"
Isaac suddenly burst out in laughter, and Cordnell looked to him as if he had gone insane after his plan was destroyed even before it began.
After a long time snickering and chuckling, Isaac took out a cigarette and asked to himself.
"Ah, now this is something I haven't even thought of. They got me good. Is this what they call a 'difference in perspective'?"
When it came to harassing and sabotaging someone else, all Isaac could come up with was terrorism or assassination. Violence aimed directly at the target. He did so because it was quick and efficient, and it was his preferred method.
But those people came up with a completely different solution unlike everything Isaac had been thinking about. They would use the law to entangle their foe, pinning them into an endless struggle against the law until their foe withered to death.
It was not a barbaric method where a man could be injured or killed, but an elegant, bloodless method that was both cunning and slimy – befitting of nobles. Isaac felt refreshed by this unexpected turn of events.
"What do we do now?"
"Why are you even asking that? Just continue as we always have."
"We have no way to win! We should immediately negotiate with Port City to at least earn back part of the investment…"
"Are you telling me to die?"
"It's not like you are guaranteed to die after three years."
"Would you keep me alive if you were them?"
"But there's no other way…"
"What do you mean there's no other way? Who monitors and enforces the law in New Port City?"
"Are you going to just turn a blind eye at it?"
"Can I not?"
Cordnell hesitated for a moment and then replied.
"Well… the reason we could do business like that until now was because Port City had been protecting us. But now that Port City has become hostile, they'll get the Department of Law involved instead of defending us."
"Why's the Department of Law a problem?"
"Because the Department of Law has an investigative branch that will monitor and assess whether the Law is being upheld and punished fairly! If you were to turn a blind eye to a crime that is now considered a felony, you will give the Department of Law the right to remove the police force in the city and replace it with men from the Department of Law itself!"
"Tsk. How thorough of them. Doesn't matter. It's not easy to convict someone for prostitution. I've also read up on some of the law books myself. In order to prove prostitution was happening, they must catch it at the scene red handed. Do you think that's going to be easy?"
"What can you possibly do if they catch them while they're discussing about the price!"
"That's why the city will set the price instead. All the guest has to do is just choose the girl and head straight to the hotel without discussing about money. Can the government stop a man and a woman who have decided to spend a passionate night together in a hotel? Can they?"
"With the power the Department of Law's investigation branch holds, they can assault the hotels and immediately investigate for their identification. An excuse like that will never work when the two of them don't even know each other's names."
Isaac went into thought with Cordnell's refute.
"Huh? That is a problem. Hm… Fine, let's do this instead. Cordnell, go see my Hubaes and tell them to issue a work identification for our working girls.
"What is this 'work identification'?"
"Identification you use for work. What else? For their names, hm, let's make it fancy and make it 'Blue Rose' for all of them."
"That's not even a name."
"Did we ever take that as an issue before? This problem is a lot more sensitive than you think right now. Imagine if we unified it under the name of Milena instead. How would a commoner girl who has the name Milena feel if they ever found out?"
"They would be extremely displeased."
"If she's a noble?"
"I'd imagine she'd have a seizure."
"I don't want to see that happen."
"But why do we have to give the same name to all of them?"
"Because it's for work. When someone falls into a panic, they can't even think of the simplest things. But when everyone has the same name, you don't even have to worry."
"What about age? Even if you unified the name, you can't lie about your age."
"Just print the ages that seems to be the best fit. If it's right, you go over it without a problem. If it's wrong, then they can just argue with each other for lying about their age. It will be confusing at first to our male guests, so make sure you explain it thoroughly whenever they visit."
"This is just a childish prank where we cover each other's eyes!"
Cordnell shouted out with a befuddled look at Isaac, and Isaac replied with an expression that seemed to speak 'so what?'
"Does it have any legal issues?"
"…"
Isaac came from a world where all kinds of prostitution and sex trafficking took place. There were many methods to abuse the loopholes regarding prostitution.
Cordnell dropped both his head and shoulders, when suddenly Isaac spoke out as if he'd just had an epiphany.
"Ah! Make sure you tell Crazy Bitch this too. If she ever finds a guest who abuses our working girls, they are to be arrested regardless of their status, whether commoner or noble."
"That's going to be a problem on our end."
"How dare they treat the citizens of New Port City like a target for sexual relief? They must be punished according to the Empire's law for attempting prostitution."
Cordnell dropped his jaw in astonishment. For once, he found Isaac's shameless behaviour to be almost awe-inspiring.
The employees were skeptical about the orders Isaac had given out even as they worked on it, but Isaac was confident. It is a man's instinct to look at anything that resembles women. Buying sex with material had always been present. In truth, it wasn't just New Port City that was turning a blind eye to it, but most of the cities had brothels in secret where these acts happened commonly.
"I see that most of the work is done now."
Isaac peered over the rooftop of City Hall. The view showed the Sky Bridge and the long pathway that led to the centre of Ceta District.
Back when Isaac first came, even this place, which was supposedly the most furnished region, was in an abhorrent condition because there wasn't any administrative body in the city. This is why Isaac had to invest not only on the casinos but the city's infrastructure as well.
The road, which was once just a long straight lane made of uneven gravel, was now polished to the point where a race could be held on the road. It was made possible by the extremely expensive road work material which once again made Cordnell whinge.
The only thing was that the road showed no distinction between pedestrian walking and driveways since New Port City was already designed in a way that made it difficult for carriages or automobiles to enter.
Many businesses lined the streets on the sides of the road, brought in by not just the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds but other private businesses as well. The road was also decorated with outdoor cafes, fountains, colonnades, and benches for the guests to rest at.
"Now, all we need are some guests."
Alcohol, gambling, women.
These were the three things all the wise men in the past had warned against. It was because of how attractive they were to men, and when all three of them gathered to one spot, it was bound to bring in the people.
Isaac looked at the empty street with a smoke in his mouth, and then looked to Rizzly who stood at his side.
"Aren't you bored of just following me around all day? Don't you feel like you're being cheated? It seems the rest of your men are enjoying their time playing right now."
Rizzly showed a somewhat lukewarm reaction and scratched his cheek.
"It's common sense that the strongest man protects the employer, who is the most important person to us. I've also been threatened to do this too."
"Threatened?"
"You don't know how scary Kunette is, do you?"
"Kunette? Scary?"
Rizzly quickly shut his mouth, sporting an expression that screamed 'I made a big mistake' when Isaac spoke those words. Isaac narrowed his eyes and began to pressure Rizzly with silence. Cold sweat rose from Rizzly, but he was saved by someone who barged up onto the roof.
"We're in big trouble!"
"Is there any small trouble instead?"
"Huh?"
Cordnell's head blanked out at Isaac's horrible joke, but he quickly regained his posture and began stomping around in frustration.
"Now is not the time to make horrible jokes!"
"Hm, that hurt. I actually put some thought into that joke."
Isaac complained at Cordnell's reaction, when the rest of the guild employees, Isaac's Hubaes, and Lanburton rushed over to the rooftop as well, demonstrating how critical the situation was.
"I guess we really are in big trouble if all of you came out like that. So, what's the problem?"
Everyone shouted in unison at Isaac's apathetic reaction.
"Port City has opened a casino!"
This marks the end of Volume 2.
Volume 3
Even in the face of Port City's decisive blow, Isaac let out a single burst of laughter and continued his leisurely lifestyle on the city hall's rooftop, which has become the city's unofficial meeting room.
The rest however, couldn't maintain their composure like Isaac. The merchant employees, Lanburton, Rizzly, the syndicate bosses, and the Campus graduates tried to ink out whatever wisdom they had in their heads to retaliate against Port City.
"The problem is the general public's opinion of us. We don't stand a chance if we were to fight in the same field as Port City. We must find a solution now!"
It seemed Cordnell was taking this the hardest. His face was drenched in stress as he spoke out in despair. Milena tilted her head in response.
"But it's still a great merit for all men to visit the brothels without a worry. Won't that bring at least some people?"
Milena couldn't understand Cordnell's words. She has experienced many times, of how men talk of pride and reputation even though their junk is clearly standing. Her thought was that this would have little impact on the number of male guests that would visit, since they could use the brothels without worrying about any repercussions it would have on their reputation and pride.
"That's exactly the problem. Port City has already spread rumors in the higher echelons of noble society. Now that Port City has opened a Casino of their own, people visiting New Port City will be instantly labelled as those who have went there purely for the sake of using the brothel's services. It'll prevent anyone who cares about reputation from coming at all."
Milena realised how dire the situation was with Cordnell's explanation, and her expression also darkened with him. This time, it was Lanburton who asked a question.
"Even though the elves are working as dealers in our Casino?"
Cordnell bitterly shook his head.
"I won't lie that it will bring in the crowd at first out of curiosity. But it will be a temporary one, and we can't expect a long term profit from it alone."
The atmosphere was increasingly disheartening as Cordnell continued to reason his disapproval for all of the suggestions made by others. They needed to come up with a solution, but no one here ever had experiences similar to this before. Isaac, who should be most worried about it all, simply sipped away at his wine, and Cordnell, who was practically in charge of everything because of Isaac's slothful nature, came up with no answers. Everyone started to worry if this grand project of theirs was going to end before it began.
"Ahem, that is why we have come up with an idea."
Kalden, who attended this meeting as one of the three representatives of the Campus graduates, spoke up when he had noticed that the mood was excessively depressed.
In truth, he expected a much more critical role in this place because of his academic background, but all he ever did until now was simple grunt work and document processing. He also didn't like the fact that Cordnell, who wasn't a Campus graduate, seemed to be favoured by Isaac and unofficially took place as the second in command. So Kalden and the rest of the colleagues came up with an idea to improve their reputation within this clique.
"It is obvious to know that most of the guests in Port City will be nobles because of the high market prices of goods and services in the city. Rather than compete with Port City over the nobles, we should aim to attract as many commoners as possible to be our guests. Most commoners will find Port City's casino difficult to use because of its high-class atmosphere and mostly noble population. According to our recent survey, nobles find it difficult to enter New Port City because of the negative impact it has on their reputation, but commoners don't have such impressions. They will most definitely favour us as long as we guarantee their safety."
It was true that nobles weren't the only guests. Commoners were also free to travel. It was obvious that most would find New Port City to be more attractive because of lower costs and such.
Everyone's faces brightened as Kalden presented them with a glimmer of hope, yet Cordnell alone maintained his dark expression.
"Even if you were to attract as much commoners as possible, it will only manage to keep us out of the red."
"Why is that?"
"It's the difference in their total spending. A hundred commoners can't match how much a single noble would spend during their trip."
"That's why we must bring in as much commoners as possible to make up for it with numbers. If we start events and competitions along with cheaper prices for them to enjoy aspects of noble culture, it will surely bring in more commoners."
"I believe you will understand easily since you're a commoner yourself. How often do commoners around you travel in their off time?"
"…"
Traveling is a lifestyle that can only be maintained by those who are well off. There are many people who have never left their own town during their entire life. Those who do leave are usually those who are forced to because of work.
Although there have been more commoners traveling for their honeymoons or anniversaries thanks to developments in transportation and roads, traveling was still a significant decision for commoners.
"Commoners have it difficult enough just surviving. Traveling is an extravagance for them. Even if they do decide on traveling, paying for transportation alone will be a burden for them."
"We are also aware of that problem. So we have come up with a solution for that."
Kalden confidently argued against Cordnell's criticism. The Campus has always taught their students to consider all factors and variables to come up with the best solution. They had already come up with a counter to Cordnell's criticism regarding geographical and financial problems.
"We should use our geographical position as our advantage. The reason Port City gained its wealth is because of the waterways which stretch out into the rest of the Empire. We must also capitalise on that and start operating ferries."
"… Ferries as in?"
"There is no need for commoners to travel here on their own power. We should use the ferries to let the commoners travel here free of charge, like using ships to transport goods through the waterways."
That would mean that commoners only had to pay for their trip to the ships alone. Everyone seemed impressed and nodded, but Cordnell, along with other employees from the merchant guilds, smiled as they shook their heads.
"It's a nice suggestion, but there are many problems with it."
Kalden retorted, slightly uncomfortable talking back to Cordnell but dissatisfied by his unchanging rejection to the suggestions.
"I don't know what these problems are but I'm sure we can deal with it."
"First thing is the cost of operating it. Even if these commoners spend their nights in New Port City, it will be up to us to pay for the commoner's lodging and food while they are on the ships. The more commoners use it, the more we will need to pay to maintain it. And we are in no financial state to support such a project."
"…"
"Second is time and distance. Why do southern merchants trade in Port City alone when they could simply travel through and go to the northern provinces themselves to make more profit? Because they have deemed it is more efficient to trade in Port City rather than travel all the way to the other side; it's far more profitable in the long run."
"That only works for the goods. People and goods are completely different."
Cordnell sighed in his mind as Trentor spoke against him. He knew Trentor was from the Campus's School of Administration and that this wasn't his area of expertise, but Cordnell couldn't believe that he didn't even know the basics of business which should have been taught to him.
"Let me say this again. The problem is time and distance. Even if commoners wish to travel for their holidays, they won't be able to make it any longer than five days unless they quit their job."
"…"
"Let me use the citizens from Gabelin as an example, since they are much better off than others. It takes two days for ships to arrive here from Gabelin. It takes two days to arrive and two days to get back home in Gabelin. That means commoners will have stay a single day in New Port City. If we consider the first problem I mentioned before, it will definitely be a loss on our end. The only people who can come here in a single day are those that live at the centre of the Empire. The southern provinces which are close to us seem viable and so too do the western provinces thanks to Gabelin, but it will be impossible for those that live in the east or north. Meanwhile, the higher class citizens have all the time and money to travel here for their enjoyment. Therefore, the only people that will bring us money will be the upper echelons, being nobles."
"…"
"Lastly, this is the biggest problem. Is there a reason for commoners to come to New Port City despite the arduous procedure?"
"Why do you say that?"
"As I said before, it is a huge burden for the commoners to travel with their budget. So most of their travels are to commemorate the most meaningful time of their lives after saving for a very long time. They will also most likely be parents who have families to support because of how long it took, and they will travel as a family too. But what will this happy little family have available to do when they've come to the City of Sin and Gambling?"
"…"
"Yes, there will be commoners who do not have families and have financial stability on their own, but they would prefer to go to Port City for a chance at forming connections with the higher class and nobles instead."
Those were criticism they had never considered.
Kalden realised what he believed was the perfect plan was instead full of flaws, and sat back on his chair as he admit his inexperience. Trentor, on the other hand, tried to argue once more; whether it was because of his injured pride or as a last stand, only he knew.
"I admit, it was a flawed plan because it was a rushed one. But I believe we have a chance if we come up with solutions for all the problems you've listed and develop goods that can attract families!"
Cordnell nodded in assent. It is difficult to expect success for business like this in such a short time. It requires constant investment, advertisement, and customer service to maintain customers.
"But the problem is that time isn't on our side."
Cordnell glimpsed at Isaac, and everyone followed suit with him.
Isaac maintained his composure despite suddenly becoming the center of attention, and said his words after puffing out a cloud of smoke.
"We'll do as my Hubaes have suggested."
"What?"
Not only Cordnell, but even Kalden looked in surprise at Isaac's sudden decision. The plan has been butchered many times already for all the flaws it contained.
Cordnell stood up and shouted out immediately.
"We absolutely cannot!"
"Why?"
"What do you mean why? Haven't you been listening the whole time?"
Even Rizzly shrank at Cordnell's furious rant as his face turned bright red, yet Isaac continued to look at him as if he was pathetic.
"There is a saying that you must conquer children to open the parents' wallet. You must conquer women to make men open their wallets and to make women open their wallets, you must conquer their vanity."
"… I've never heard of such logic before."
"Of course you haven't. I just made it up now. But it does sound plausible right?"
"Kuaaak!"
Cordnell seemed to have taken Isaac's words as his attempt at making a joke and was about to burst into a frenzy. His fellow colleagues barely managed to stop him by holding him back.
After a moment of festering anger, Cordnell spoke out to Isaac as he massaged his temples which have been aching from anger.
"Seeing as you have the time to speak such things, I assume you've got a plan of your own?"
"If we don't have any properties that would attract commoners, we just need to make one. A city everyone wants to visit at least once in their lifetime. And after they visit once, it must be a city they want to visit again and again."
"So I'm asking how you're going to do that."
"Have you heard of escort services?"
Countless methods have been developed in a capitalistic society to incentivise spending on the general public. Las Vegas also transformed slowly from Sin City to a city of entertainment using the profit they've made from the casinos to attract not just gamblers but the general public as a whole.
Isaac also planned to follow Las Vegas' footsteps and transform New Port City into a city famous for tourism, but his plan had to be changed now that Port City was in open conflict with him by opening the casino before he did.
The biggest problem wasn't the casino itself but the image spread in the noble society. They have imprinted the image that the only reason to visit New Port City is to use the brothels, and this was surely going to impact his plans to attract female guests to the city.
There was probably no one more aware of the importance of image than Isaac himself. He has seen many corporations fall from its grace because of a drop in its reputation, so he had to proceed with the rough plan he had thought of before this negative image was set in stone throughout the Empire.
"How goes the 'escort service'?"
Cordnell responded with displeasure on his face.
"We've finished the basic training… But do we really have to go this far? This is bound to cause trouble later."
"Has there been anything before this that wasn't going to cause trouble?"
"You have a point but…"
"Stop with the whining and proceed."
"… I feel like it'd be bitter even if this were to succeed."
"Life's never fair the moment you're born."
Catastrophe!
That was what everyone who watched New Port City with keen interest thought after they had seen the disastrous record on its opening ceremony.
It had opened with the most extravagant opening ceremony, but there wasn't a single noteworthy participant in the ceremony. It was an obvious reaction, considering not even a single representative from the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds attended the ceremony.
The only people who welcomed this situation were the sailors. Now they could safely enjoy gambling without having to pay commissions to the illegal gambling dens or worry about having their skulls split after making a big winning. They could also pick on any woman on the street for an enjoyable night; plus, it wasn't inside a run-down crumbling house but a fancy hotel. New Port City had become heaven for sailors who wished to relax from their tiresome journey.
There was even a bet on how long it will take until New Port City went bankrupt. With everyone expecting New Port City's fall and the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds contemplating on taking back as much of their investment back as possible, a single piece of advertisement was spread across the Empire using the information network of the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds.
Are you in search of the soulmate of your dreams?
Come to New Port City. You will be treated with utmost care by the handsomest elves.
Myurena, the daughter of Baron Rogenic rolled on the floor, unable to hold her boredom in check. At one point in her life, she spent her days busy with financial work of her family's fiefdom after graduating from a private institution with flying colors. But after her sister Eliza graduated from the Campus and brought Philip over to the manor as her husband, all of the duties were taken over by them. It was nice that Myurena's brother-in-law held excellent grades regarding magic on top of having exceptional skills in managing the fiefdom. But the problem was that her father, Baron Rogenic, forced Myurena off from working, instead telling her to focus on getting married herself. She had been forced to study up on bridal lessons.
Unhappy with that decision, she forced herself out of the house by following her sister's honeymoon, but it only increased her father's interference ever since. She was now locked inside the manor, being taught how to be an excellent wife along with the manners and countenance she must have to be a noble's wife. Myurena refused to attend the Campus because of its constricted freedom, but this situation was no different to her.
"Hm, is this an invitation from Baron Vuderon? Um, this is Count Defuin's announcement, so I should leave this for my father to see. Huh?"
One of her few jobs left was to look through the letters and invitations sent to the manor, and she managed to spot a letter of invitation. The paper had golden background and fancy patterns drawn into it. The letter tried so hard to look elegant that it almost seemed distasteful. Surprisingly, this invitation was directed to her.
"What kind of a noble family would use such expensive letter?"
Myurena opened the letter to find the answer, and she couldn't help but snort after finding out.
"I mean, I knew they were desperate, but are they so desperate that they would send this to me, whom they only saw once in their lives?"
The invitation was from New Port City. To summarize, the invitation asked her to come over and play with all of her expenses paid for.
Myurena smiled, but it quickly turned cold and she muttered with a hint of anger.
"Now that I think of it, this is quite distasteful. Isn't New Port City what all the boys have been talking about lately? Are they asking me to come and gamble? Or…"
Myurena's face turned red and screamed as she made a ruckus in the room. In truth, Myurena was curious about Isaac and New Port City. She'd heard all the stories about him and even managed to see him in real life.
She really wanted to see how it would end the last time, but she had to leave because of constant pressure from her sister and brother-in-law.
Even after she had come back, one of the many topics discussed by the nobles in social events were New Port City and Isaac.
Of course, not one of them spoke well of it. And after accidentally overhearing the men talk with perverted eyes about New Port City's gambling and brothels, Myurena's impression of New Port City and Isaac had dropped to rock bottom and also killed off all of her interest about those topics. But the word of this new advertisement flowing around has caught her ears and she had no choice but to be curious once more.
"I've been rather bored lately. Maybe I should visit to pass some time?"
Port City was only a day away via sea travel. This made it very easy for her to sneak out after leaving a single letter to let her family know. She was curious about the fact that elves would be escorting her throughout the city. It was this damn curiosity of hers that was her problem.
Myurena made her decision and picked up a pen to reply that she will be attending. But the list that was on the letter formed a question in her head.
"But why are they asking me to write this before I come?"
The invitation had a number of blanks to fill, such as the date of arrival and how many days she'll be staying, but the strange part was choosing one of the many options below.
"The spy course? Knight in shining armour course? Queen of the social? What is all this?"
After questioning it, Myurena ticked the first option being the spy course without much thought. She placed the letter back in its package and placed it in the return box. After all, she could always stay in Port City instead if it turned to be boring. And so Myurena began plotting on her escape plan.
The manor shook with terror few days later with the disappearance of Myurena. For a grown lady to travel alone. Even if the security of the world had gotten much better lately, this was a perfect condition for bad rumours to be spread. Especially if she was a woman in her prime for marriage.
After finding Myurena's letter, Baron Rogenic grabbed the back of his neck as he screeched at Eliza and Philip to bring Myurena back to the manor, even if they had to break her legs to do so.
PR Note: The act of grabbing the back of the neck is a gesture that people do when stressed out or angry, particularly prominent in Korean culture (e.g. Korean dramas, etc.).
Eliza and Philip sighed. They were already so busy at work, and their sister had to add onto the work by causing an incident of her own. They searched as to where she may have set off to, and quickly found out that she had taken out some money from Empire Bank in Port City. They were relieved to hear this, since Port City was well known for its stable public order.
But a single message sent from another noble family, whose daughter was a close friend of Myurena, made Baron Rogenic faint.
The message contained the following. 'We are embarrassed to say this, but we managed to catch our daughter attempting to escape from our manor. The reason she did so was because she wanted to join Myurena after she had accepted the invitation sent from New Port City, and we are sending this message to check if your family is having any problems.'
This is when the two realised that New Port City was making its desperate last stand by using elves as its weapon for its business after the casinos has failed.
While her sister and brother-in-law sighed at the order to bring her back, Myurena was resting in Port City and prepared to head to New Port City. She has visited the casino during the night out of curiosity, and unlike her expectations of the place being full of men consumed by greed; it looked more like an elegant gathering of nobles and merchants chatting to each other as they enjoyed the games. The place had the best facilities and even the casino staff were so well trained that Myurena believed her own servants should learn a thing or two from them.
The only downside was that she couldn't play any of the games with the allowance she had received as a daughter of a Baron and could only watch from afar. But she started to ponder the dangerous thought that gambling might be fun to play once in a while as long as she didn't get so into it.
So she took out some of her savings to participate in some of the games in New Port City instead. With the Sky Bridge being both a tourist attraction and the only path into New Port City, the place was always booming with people. However this only extended to the top of the bridge. The entrance to New Port City was quite empty. That's what it was supposed to be like this time, but the situation had changed completely.
"Kyaa! So soft!"
"Dear me. Look how squishy it is!"
'Kya! He looked at me!"
"Ah! That cold expression of his is so charming!"
The security guards of the entrance were the centre of attention.
Myurena looked at the guards with her mouth open. With their giant bodies and small bead-like eyes, the two North Bears stood at the side in their bear form. It seemed they were quite the entertainers too, showing off their strength by lifting some of the women who approached them. On the table was an elf with a cold expression, who was also at the centre of attention.
Myurena was also mixed in with the group of women and rubbed her face against their fur and hung on to their arms and did everything she could do with the North Bears until she was pushed off by the other girls in line.
Realising how embarrassing she looked, her face blushed and approached the elf on the table who didn't budge like a doll. The elf talked without emotion to Myurena.
"You are now entering New Port City. After you've bought the entrance ticket, you must leave the premises immediately if you aren't going to use New Port City's facilities. The entrance fee is 1 Mega, no exceptions."
"I've come here because of the invitation."
Myurena took out her letter of invitation, and the cold expression on the elf disappeared, replaced with a bright smile as he stood up.
"Welcome to New Port City, dear guest. My name is Elain. I will lead you in personally. This way please."
Myurena was confused at the quick change of his welcome, and Elain politely extended his hand to her. Out of confusion, Myurena grabbed onto the elf's hand and Elain proceeded to lead her down the stairs.
With the elf now leading her before she could even react, Myurena could feel the envy from other women on the bridge and felt a strange sensation of victory in her.
The sudden hospitality from a handsome man made Myurena's tomboy-like personality to disappear, and she quickly transformed into a polite and shy lady.
Elain was very considerate of her as he led Myurena down the stairs one step at a time, and began to speak.
"We will go through some basic confirmations. Are you Lady Myurena from the Rogenic Family?"
"Yes, that's correct."
It seemed Elain managed to read through the letter in the short span of time, and he gave her a bright smile that made her heart skip a beat.
'Thank you for the confirmation. Once again, I thank you for replying to our letter and visiting New Port City."
Myurena could only nod and by then they have reached the bottom of the stairs. Elain opened the exit, and the clean street was shown into her view.
"If you ever need help, just call for my name and I'll help you with all I can."
"Ah, yes."
Myurena felt a sense of disappointment when Elain let go of her hand.
After some hesitation, Myurena stepped one foot outside and looked back at Elain, and he was seen bowing to her with a smile.
"I hope you make wonderful memories today."
It seemed Myurena was still quite confused, as she slowly disappeared into the street with her head tilted to the side. Once she was far enough Elain closed the door, and wiped the smile off his face at the same time. He quickly approached the cylinder at the side of the wall and shouted.
"Ah ah! The protagonist is here. I repeat. The protagonist is here. Prepare the stage."
"Is this really New Port City?"
The image of New Port City Myurena had was one of violence, corruption and filth befitting its infamy, but what stood in front of her seemed no different from any other urban district in the Empire. The street stretching out in front of her was clean and furnished with artists and musicians performing their craft and exhibiting their skills to the bypassers. People enjoyed meals and tea in the restaurants and merchants laid their goods in the streets as they attracted customers.
Most of the pedestrians were women, and they all had elves following behind them like a butler chasing after their master.
Myurena also wished to talk and eat with a handsome elf like the others, but could only look at others with envy since she had no clue as to where she was supposed to apply for the service. After looking through some of the shops, Myurena decided to enter a restaurant to ease her aching legs and appease her growling stomach.
Myurena finished her meal and washed it off with a cup of tea. But she felt alone. Everyone who sat around her were couples, radiating in happiness as they seemed to be in their own little world. Myurena's interest was quickly dropping. She began to consider leaving New Port City after this tea, when suddenly a push on her shoulder made her spill the tea she was holding.
"Kyaa!"
Myurena let out a scream and quickly stood up to look behind her. An elf could be seen standing behind her, his face showing a faint smile. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Myurena.
"I apologise. It seems I've made a mistake."
"Sigh, no it's fine. Be more careful next time."
In all honesty, Myurena's temper was urging her to make a scene. But her rational mind decided that being angry against an elf over such trivial thing wasn't worth the time and decided to accept his kindness and wiped at her pants.
"My name is Miller."
"Huh? Okay. I am Myurena of Rogenic Family."
"Hahaha. This must be my lucky day, to feast my eyes on such a beautiful woman."
Myurena paused on drying her pants after listening to Miller's words. His voice was off-tone and awkward. She wasn't sure what he was trying. The elves were famous for being oddballs, and she has a hint of suspicion that he knocked her shoulder to make a move on her. But this suspicion was let go quickly. There was no way he could attract anyone with that awkward act.
Myurena tried to give back the handkerchief after wiping off most of the tea, but Miller interrupted her with a wink.
"Dear me, I guess this is it for today. I'll see you later, pretty lady."
"Huh?"
Myurena stood dumbfounded by Miller's words, and he quickly turned around to make a run. Shouts could be heard from afar, chasing after Miller with their harsh, coarse voices.
"Found him! Over there!"
"Kyaa!"
"Uwaa!"
A mob of thugs could be seen chasing after Miller ferociously. Soon after, Miller was surrounded by them and began to fight through the mob using swift and elegant moves as expected of an elf. Civilians tried to run away from the scene as best they can while shops and tables were destroyed left and right as the fight continued on.
What was strange was that the people around Myurena weren't running away from the scene; instead, they were cheering like this was a fighting match. As if inspired by the cheers from the crowd, Miller, who knocked down the four thugs on their backs, kicked off the walls to stand on top of the building's roof.
"Get down here right now!"
While the thugs shouted out in outrage, Miller maintained his composure as he looked to Myurena. When their eyes met, he smiled gave a small wave before quickly disappearing. Meanwhile, Myurena was confused by everything that was happening. She couldn't understand the differing reactions she was seeing. On one side were the merchants and shop owners who crawled on the floor, scared by the mob of thugs, while around her stood pedestrians who seemed to enjoy what was happening.
'Huh? What's going on?'
One of the thugs quickly approached Myurena who was still confused at this sudden turn of events.
"Oi! You! You were with him before!"
"Sorry?"
"What were you speaking with him? Are you with him?"
"What was that?!"
Myurena's temper was a feisty one, one that wouldn't lose to anyone else in a fight. One glare from Myurena and the thug flinched, his threatening attitude vanished. It was instead replaced with urgency as he seemed unsure of what to do next, and Myurena fell deeper into confusion.
Why did the thug falter after a single glare when he was the one who started to threaten her?
What was even more confusing was the conversation they had with each other.
"C-captain, she's a guest. Calm down."
"I, I know."
"If the guest sends a complaint, it's us who gets the stick from the Lord's Representative."
"That's why I'm holding back now. H-Hey, you! Ahem, consider yourself lucky! And don't even think about seeing that man from before. It won't end pretty if you get mixed up again. Remember this!"
So many things seemed wrong with this threat. His unnatural posture and awkward tone didn't match his forbidding face. But even as he delivered this threat, his voice was trailing off and became a whimper by the end of it, and throughout the whole thing, he was slowing inching away from Myurena. This didn't seem like a threat no matter how she saw it.
"Sigh… What is all this?"
Myurena felt a wave of overwhelming regret in coming to New Port City. She immediately turned to leave New Port City, but the sight of the broken shops and the shopkeepers who cried in misery stopped her from moving on. What also infuriated her was how the women and elves laughed at the situation from the side. They could have at least given a look of pity or charity to them, yet they were enjoying this situation to the fullest.
Myurena thought that even if she was going to leave now, she should most definitely complain so that this would never happen again. She called out the waiter to pay for her meal and began to walk toward the City Hall.
As Myurena disappeared out of everyone's view, the cries from the shopkeepers began to quiet and then stop.
"Is she gone?"
"I think so?"
"Shh! Keep going until we get the order!"
"Cut! End of Act 1! Hurry up and move! Clean up the streets! All actors participating in Act 2 are to move to their designated place!"
Someone shouted aloud among the crowd, and everyone from the shopkeepers to the thugs who caused the scene quickly cleaned up the mess they made, while the onlookers applauded and cheered them on.
"Bravo! That was excellent acting!"
"Hohoho. The villains still seems awkward but the shopkeepers seemed so realistic."
"Hehehe. Thank you."
The women threw coins at them and flattered them with praise, and the shopkeepers and thugs showed their gratitude as they cleaned up the mess along with the coins littering the streets.
"Man, I know this is an order but what are we doing?"
"Who cares? As long as it pays well."
"I just feel sorry that we get paid for something like this."
"Hehe. Maybe we should become professionals."
Myurena entered the City Hall with the aim of turning it upside down, but she couldn't even manage to see Isaac. Instead, she was seen by one of the employees from the Civil Affairs Division. Myurena had no idea as to why a graduate from the Campus was working as just an employee of Civil Affairs, but she couldn't unleash her temper against someone who could be her sister or brother-in-law's acquaintance. She politely and calmly gave her complaint to the employee.
The employee's name was Trentor, and he apologised with a bow. The act seemed polite with a hint of awkwardness, but Myurena glossed over the fact thinking that it must be awkward for him to work in Civil Affairs Division after graduating from the Campus.
Myurena was about to leave after finishing her business, but Trentor gave away tickets to enjoy buffet and concerts performed by famous singers from Gabelin for free as an act of apology, which changed Myurena's mind.
She had gone to make a complaint, yet she was given free meals, tickets to concerts, discounts and souvenirs. It would be extremely rude for her to leave without at least using some of the gifts given to her. She thought it was their desperation to keep the customers in which forced him to do so, so she decided to stay the night in New Port City and booked a room run by Rivolden Merchant Guild. The hotel replied that they have received word from the City Hall and gave her a room spanning an entire floor, addingto on Myurena's feelings of guilt.
Baronesses were indeed higher-class citizens in the grand scheme of things, but they were the lowest of the low when considering the pyramid of aristocracy. The Rogenic Family was especially so with its short history and weak foundation. It was a title that was received by her grandfather, who was a rare case as someone who received a noble title without graduating from the Campus.
So although she lived a life of plenty, she never lived a life of luxury because of her family situation. And for the first time, Myurena witnessed what a luxurious room truly meant.
Myurena desperately tried to act calm out of her pride, thinking that she couldn't possibly make a fool of herself here and now. But the moment hotel employee left after moving all of her baggage, Myurena looked to see if anyone was around before throwing herself onto the bed with a squeal.
This room alone was enough to convince Myurena that the trip was worth it. Even the room her sister stayed in for her honeymoon wasn't at this level. Myurena was impressed by the room back then too, but compared to this room, it was nothing. She couldn't stop herself from laughing at the thought of bragging to all of her friends that she got to stay in this extravagant, astronomically expensive room.
'I bet they'll be deathly jealous. Ronette will have sleepless nights after hearing this.'
Myurena chuckled to herself as she imagined her friends' reactions of envy. She remained there on the bed, sinking deeper into its soft and comforting mattress. Just when she was about to fall asleep, she heard a loud bang and the door to her room was breached as a group of men rushed into the room.
"Kyaa! W, what is this!"
Myurena screamed and looked at the uninvited guests. Six or so men wore their black hoods over their heads, and the woman who seemed to be the leader stood at the front. For a group of people who barged into the room so confidently, they were oddly hesitant and looked to each other for a moment.
"Oh, hohoho. D, did you think you can trick us?"
"Huh?"
"I, if you hand over the goods, w, we will let you go. I, I mean, we'll let you live."
"What?"
Myurena was at a loss for words. Them invading into her room was one thing, but she could clearly see that woman whose face was bright red and stiff was repeating a line that was whispered to her by the group of men standing beside her.
At that moment, the window of her room shattered and Miller, who escaped before, entered the scene.
"Kyaa!"
"What?"
There was an awkward stare between Myurena and the woman. The woman screamed even before Myurena could react to the noise.
"…!"
Embarrassed, the woman quivered with her bright red face. Only when the man behind her nudged her on the side with a whisper did the woman regain her calm and began to speak at Miller.
"Blue Wind of New Port! I, I knew you'd come!"
"Eh?"
"Red Rose of New Port! I, I have already revealed all of your schemes!"
"Eh?"
"A-as expected of the Blue Wind! T-to see through our scheme! B-but if we destroy the evidence, I, it'll be our victory!"
"Eh?"
Myurena's head turned each time the invaders and the elf exchanged dialogue. The scene held so little tension and the actors were so pitiful in their skills. A play performed by the most amateurish of actors would have held more interest to Myurena. When she began to think why she had to suffer through this, her temper began to surface.
"What is it that you want with me?!"
The outburst from Myurena made everyone in the room flinch in fear. They all looked at her for a moment, and then turned back to each other.
"I've already hid the evidence."
"T, that woman probably holds the evidence!"
"Hey! Are you listening to me?"
"Huk! How did you know?"
"Oh, ohoh! It's a trivial matter with our information network!"
"Make haste and leave at this moment, pretty lady; I will stop them from chasing you with my life. You must hold on to the handkerchief I've given you no matter what."
"What is this bullshit?!"
"D-do you think I'll let you! G-get them!"
"Haap!"
Myurena's outbursts went to deaf ears, and the group ignored her completely as they talked to their own. Now they clashed at each other, but even with her untrained eyes she could see that it was poorly choreographed. The men jumped backward even before the punch landed and they continued to let out grunts as they acted, performing this awkward scene to their fullest.
Myurena reached the point that even being mad at this situation was too much of an effort, and decided to watch how it will end with folded arms. Miller approached her, gasping for air despite the fact that not a single drop of sweat was on his face. He seemed to make an expression of anger as best he could.
"Kuu! As expected, it isn't easy. We must run."
"H, hng! There is no place to run! Just surrender quietly!"
"Impossible!"
Miller rolled out from the group of men at the end of the woman's words.
"Shit!"
Myurena could feel her head throbbing when she saw the group of men make a path for Miller to roll through then let out words of praises such as 'he's fast!' and 'Amaizing'.
"Let us escape first, lady."
"Where do you think you're touching?!"
When Miller approached Myurena to grab onto her waist, she shouted out in irritation and swung her fist at his face. Everyone was surprised by the sudden turn of events. Miller grabbed onto his face as he made grunts of pain while the woman screamed.
"Kyaa! Why would you hit him!"
"Huh?"
"Ouch! That must've hurt."
"Is she really a noble lady? How could she resort to violence like that?"
Miller grabbed his face as he moaned in pain, while the woman pranced around constantly mumbling 'what do we do, what do we do' to herself. The men behind the woman whispered to each other, speaking ill of Myurena. Watching it all, Myurena felt she didn't deserve such treatment while at the same time felt a sense of guilt.
"T-that's why I've been asking what is going on!"
Myurena shouted, and everyone recoiled yet still hesitated to speak. But in the heat of the moment, the woman flinched and then pointed to the broken window which Miller entered from and spoke.
"T-they got away! Hurry, we must go after them!"
"Huh?"
"Damn! Let's go!"
"Huh?"
With a war cry, some of them escaped through the window while others left out the door they originally entered from. The group left the room like a storm and only Myurena and Miller were left in the desolate room.
"Ugh! How dare they ignore me like this."
Watching Myurena grind her teeth in anger, Miller was slowly distancing himself from her while he still clasped his face. But Myurena quickly noticed Miller's act, and their eyes met.
"You."
"Yes?"
"If you don't tell me exactly what this situation is all about, I will be the first noble lady to beat down an elf in history."
Crack!
Each and every pop of Myurena's knuckles was at best, horrifying.
"W, well…"
Miller stepped backwards with a stiff smile, but soon he found himself backed into a wall. Realising there was nowhere to run, he looked to see if there was any help, then sighed.
"Well… Alright. I'll explain to you what has been happening. I am an agent of Centural."
"…"
"I have been sent here to investigate when Centural received word of an evil organisation that has been trying to take over New Port City. I have been collecting intelligence in secret, and wrote down the names of all the bosses and lieutenants on a handkerchief …"
"Are you making a sick joke! Centural? What is that? All you've done is add a single letter on Central! What? An evil organisation? Taking over New Port City? What kind of an organisation would want to take over New Port City, which has been thoroughly taken over by criminals already! And why would you write down the names of secret organisation's leaders on a handkerchief!"
"T, that's what the script said so…"
"Script? What do you mean a script?"
"D, didn't you ask for the spy course?"
"Haa?"
Myurena could remember in the back of her mind that she did tick one of the courses without putting much thought into it.
"I, it's just that you came too early and the scenario wasn't exactly complete…"
"Scenario? What scenario? Was this all just an act?"
"Yes."
"… Seriously? Then even the fight in the street was all an act?"
"Yes."
"What kind stupid situation is this!"
Myurena's cry of frustration shook the hotel.
"The spy course reported that it has failed."
"I'd be amazed if it didn't, considering all of the actors have never watched a play in their entire lives. How about the other guests?"
"It is unexpectedly popular. Some have told us that they would like to experience other courses, while others wished to experience a scenario which is written by them."
"Go and see if you can hire famous playwrights and authors for the job. Everyone dreams of becoming the protagonist. It'll sell well."
Cordnell nodded with complicated feelings inside him.
"I didn't think such method would really work."
"Someone said this before. Women are beings that feed on dreams."
"But even if there is a rise in the number female guests, it'll still be difficult to expect an increase in the profit of our casinos. Most women tend not to gamble in the first place."
Isaac clicked his tongue at Cordnell, disappointed by his words.
"If women enter New Port City freely without any issues, men will also have no problems in visiting us too. Then the women can spend their time shopping and participating in the plays, while the men spend their time gambling. It's a win-win situation for both of them."
"I'm sorry to say this, but there aren't enough amenities in the city for all the women to enjoy their time here."
"What do you mean there aren't enough of them? All we have to do is make them. What do women like the most to spend their time with?"
"…"
"What, you don't know? You don't have a girlfriend, do you?"
Cordnell felt both sad and angry as he retorted back to Isaac's pitying eyes.
"… But you don't have one either."
"Do you think there's a woman out there that would like to have a relationship with someone whose future is uncertain at best and could die at any time?"
"…"
"Contact the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds and tell them to set up shop in New Port City. All of the goods sold by the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds will be sold in this place. All you need to do is place enough shops in this building so that it'd take an entire day to even visit every shop in the building."
"But we already have that in Port City."
"Even better. Tell them to pack up and move over to New Port City."
"That's impossible!"
"Tsk! Why do you even call yourself a merchant when you only look for safe ways to earn profit? All of the Ceta District is owned by me. If I succeed, all of the properties and land in Ceta District will rise in value with me. I'm giving it to you while it's cheap. I won't give any discounts later even if you cry at my feet."
"D, did you buy all that land with that already in mind?"
"When real estate makes a hit, it's always a home run."
Myurena felt cheated. There were a lot more visitors to New Port City than she had expected. Most were women, and they enjoyed their time as they went on dates with the handsome elves.
But unlike them, Myurena had to suffer through that mind boggling situation because she didn't apply for Escort service and replied to the letter without much thought. Leaving behind Miller who was sulking that he wouldn't be getting paid because of the failure, Myurena went to watch the famous band from Gabelin to ease her empty mind. From there, she saw more women who were victims of similar situation.
They exchanged the experiences they had with each other, and Myurena found out that this childish attempt of a play was unexpectedly popular. She was also impressed by Isaac, who came up with the idea to use the entire city as a stage to be sold to the public.
Myurena headed to the Sky Bridge to leave New Port City.
"Hm, I'll make sure to do it properly next time."
She spoke those words as she turned to look at New Port City for the last time, when suddenly…
Smack!
She felt a sharp blow at the back of her head.
"Ow! Sister!"
"What do you mean next time! I told you time and time again not to associate yourself with New Port City!"
"Hiik, brother-in-law!"
In an attempt to avoid Eliza's burning gaze, Myurena hid behind Philip's back, pleading for his help with tears in her eyes. Philip made an awkward smile at the difficult situation he was put in.
"Where do you think you're hiding! You'll get your punishment when we get back home!"
Eliza could only do so much despite her anger, as doing any more may tarnish her reputation. They were in the eyes of the public, and she couldn't show herself punishing her sister in the open. She resorted to only glaring at Myurena for now while Myurena dropped her shoulders and followed behind them like a criminal being led to prison. But even at this moment, she couldn't help but look back at New Port City quietly.
She had acquired some sense in business, and according to her own calculations, there could be significant profit to be made if she were to open a shop in New Port City, selling specialties from her own province. And if she became the manager of the shop, she would have the perfect excuse to visit New Port City every month and enjoy that strange play, that time as part of the audience.
"Hurry up this instance!"
"Hiing, I'm going."
Myurena tried to act as pitiful as possible to make sure her devious scheme isn't found out. It seems as though she will need to lay low for some time.
