Chapter 17
Beta: Worldbringer of Joseun
Cover: LousGndiner
Illya sighed atop the rooftop and lazily swung her legs to and fro, not seeing anything else to do at the moment.
As ironic as it was, she was bored.
She was tempted to call one of her guildmates, but she knew they were busy. Sakura was still in the pet store– she had been there for a solid hour and Illya had no idea why.
Rin and Lord El-Melloi II were working on something in the Arcadia, which was closed. Sooner or later, people were going to notice that it's been closed for a while, which she'd have to deal with at a later date.
Lastly, Shirou and Taiga had been everywhere, roaming the city like crazy. That woman must've been driving her brother nuts and, as much as she loved her brother, she wasn't willing to deal with her at the moment.
Being near Taiga sounded like it'd just cause a headache… which was already beginning to annoy her. Illya had dealt with worse, Einzbern experimentation being an obvious example, but the frequency of these migraines was just… troublesome.
Letting out a sigh, Illya looked for a distraction. Idly, she noted that the moon shined as bright as ever.
Some nights, Illya wondered if it was somehow brighter than it was back in their world, but just decided it was due to the lack of clouds. The moon was mesmerizing with how the empty night sky seemed to draw it to her attention. However, something about it was just… different, compared to that of their world.
She sincerely hoped that this moon didn't have something lurking on it, like a TYPE. They didn't have anything ready, like Zelretch at his prime, to deal with something like that.
Illya sighed and prepared to leave. Might as well take a nap in their guild room, after checking up on Sakura of course.
However, she found herself pausing in her rooftop perch.
There was movement down at Hamelin's usual spot. She had made a small bounded field that would inform her if someone was inside, it was a weak one that wouldn't be noticed in the slightest unless you knew about it. Illya had made it as a precaution and was glad that she did.
However, for the life of her, Illya couldn't figure out why it triggered. The Black Sword Knights had terminated their contract with them, and even Silver Sword had as well.
… Unless they double-crossed her and sought to purchase from both sides.
Illya narrowed her eyes briefly as she cast Engel Note and summoned a Zelle. The Ibis bird soared across the night sky, hiding its glow within the moonlight, and dived into the canopy below.
A few seconds later, she had her familiar come to a stop.
The open field which was supposed to be empty, was not.
The Assassin that she had discovered weeks ago was there. She stood, waiting, with her arms crossed. The Assassin's eyes were closed but Illya could tell she was just trying to calm herself.
She was nervous, but why?
No, the answer to that was simple. She was standing out in the open, out of her element, but this act was intentional. She wanted to be spotted and was clearly waiting for something.
Illya decided to wait for a minute, hoping to catch whatever meeting was going to take place. Whatever, she had time. So, she sat back down on her perch and got comfortable, making sure to sit her familiar down on a branch.
She eagerly watched through her familiar. However, as the minutes passed with nothing happening, she began to grow wary. Her mild excitement had faded and gave way for irate suspicion to settle.
The Assassin was just standing there, doing nothing but–
"You're there, aren't you?" the short Assassin called out. "I can feel you watching me."
Illya raised her brow.
"I have no intention of fighting, but it would please both me and my lord if you showed yourself."
… Interesting.
Illya waited to see if it was a bluff, but from the way her head turned in Zelle's direction, she couldn't say it was. This assassin was looking for her, but why?
Wary as she was, it didn't stop her from having her Zelle leave the treetop and fly towards the ninja-wannabe. Slowly though, Illya didn't want to make it seem like an attack and scare her off.
Zelle slowed to a hover before her, which the assassin took note of and bowed in greeting.
She wasn't waiting for someone. Far from it. It would seem that this assassin was seeking her out. Illya didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
However, now that she was this close, she could see her username. Akatsuki.
"Thank you for your time," the newly dubbed Akatsuki began in what appeared to be a respectful manner. "My lord has a message for you. I'm sure it will be worth your time."
She'll be the judge of that, but didn't bother voicing it out. Akatsuki, seeing no sign of response, shuffled her feet in unease, but steeled her expression as she relayed her message.
And what a message it was.
When the assassin finished, she left. Illya wasted no time destroying her familiar and opening her menu to recall the Emiya Family back to their guild room.
She couldn't afford to waste any time.
"The Tea Party's Strategist is requesting a meeting with us."
It was the first thing out of Illya's mouth once everyone had returned to the guild room. It was nearly ten at night, which was usually when they'd all be sleeping, but this was information she couldn't keep quiet. Not in the slightest.
As expected, nobody reacted openly. They internalized the information before asking anything.
"And who is this strategist?" Lord El-Melloi II asked.
At first, Illya wanted to stare in bafflement, but realized that the lord had been playing on the European servers and would have never heard of Shiroe before.
"Some Enchanter that Illya highly respects, for some reason," Rin answered for her.
Seeing the lord's silence as a prompt to explain, Illya did so. "Shiroe the Enchanter, the Tea Party's Strategist, and the Villain-in-Glasses. He's well known across the Japanese server as the most knowledgeable and skilled tactician."
"That's… bad?" Sakura tried.
"… I admit," Lord El-Melloi II muttered. "I still do not see this as cause for concern."
"He led a party of twenty-seven through every high-difficulty raid and succeeded," Illya continued. "Note that these raids usually require a hundred players to complete, but even then, it's an arduous task with a low success rate. It borderlines on impossible, it would require a lot of strategic expertise and the ability to work under that kind of immense pressure."
While her other guild members might not see it as impressive, they had yet to participate in a raid, let alone a full-raid. Each member of the party was indispensable, meaning they all had a role to complete. Like gears in a machine, if a single one fails then the whole contraption goes awry.
The Tea Party's Shiroe had maintained that contraption, fine-tuned it, and repaired the broken gears, all in real-time without breaking a sweat. It was as if his mind was a fine-tuned machine in and of itself.
From the frown on Lord El-Melloi's face, he realized the issue. Being capable of something like that was almost inhuman. He was not going to dismiss these feats simply because the man wasn't a magus… or was he?
Honestly, with the rumors surrounding him on online forums, Illya wouldn't be surprised. But no magus after The Root would've been spending as much time in a game as Shiroe. Not even Lord El-Melloi II, a huge gamer from what she could tell, was as hardcore as he was.
"… and such a person has ties to the Crescent Moon Alliance, who is the guild behind Crescent Burger," Illya continued. "The guild leader, Marielle, is not a bright enough person to have thought of this idea–" If impressions during the meeting of small guilds were any indication. "–but someone like Shiroe is. It's likely that he's behind it."
"Is there any reason why he'd seek us out?" Shirou, not Shiroe, asked.
Illya, admittedly, frowned and looked away.
"That may have been my fault," she admitted. "Shiroe has ties to the West Wind Brigade, a comparatively small but powerful raid guild. The guild master there and the Villain-in-Glasses were both a part of the Tea Party. I approached that guild earlier today to move on with our plan."
"You sold them EXP potions. In turn, the guild master there felt he needed to inform this Shiroe," Rin concluded.
Illya nodded. "Under normal circumstances, Soujirou wouldn't have accepted my offer, his moral compass is rock solid."
"So you offered one of the 'special' potions," Lord El-Melloi II muttered. "Thus, this Shiroe realizes we exist. In hindsight, we shouldn't have approached them."
Illya nodded with a sigh. "It slipped my mind. I'm not usually this thoughtless." Her Einzbern ancestors must be rolling in their graves. She blamed the headaches.
She regretted selling to the West Wind Brigade, but at the same time, she wasn't. Illya felt slightly indebted to them. They helped out Sakura that one time, so it put them in her good books.
"Was there a deadline and location for the meeting?" El-Melloi II asked as he cut straight to the point.
"Midnight as soon as possible, so tonight," Illya said, recalling what else Akatsuki had said before she left. Or at least what she thought she said. In hindsight, she should've paid more attention to the finer details rather than be slightly starstruck. "There's a broken-down train yard in the city that he wants to meet in. I'm tempted to send just a familiar."
"Which would be the safest option," Lord El-Melloi II admitted. "But would he find it insulting?" Sending a familiar to a meeting was… disrespectful in the Clock Tower, to say the least. He'd know.
"We can afford to be insulting," Illya said. "From how his messenger was acting, she was nervous. On the other hand, it's likely that she didn't want to insult us."
"–which could mean many things," El-Melloi II interjected. "It could be a trap, but we can deal with that via familiar. It could also mean he wishes to negotiate. This seems the most likely."
With death being a non-factor in this world, being wary of ambushes or traps was pointless, especially with the Royal Guard system in place. No player combat could occur with that there, unless they were traps designed to capture.
Illya was under no illusion that the Royal Guard system was infallible, every system had its loopholes. But again, even with a possible loophole, a possible abduction was easily foiled by sending a familiar instead.
"Then we're in agreement to send one of Illya's familiar's?" Rin asked to confirm. At the nods, she continued. "Then it's settled. Send one over, Illya."
"Have a few more survey the area too," Shirou added. "It can't hurt to keep an eye out."
Illya nodded and summoned several Zelle. Five in total filled the room. She opened the window and let them all fly out into the night.
There were two hours till midnight, but it certainly didn't feel that way.
Those two hours passed fast.
A quick dinner, feeding the monster that Sakura kept around, and they were all sitting by the dining table. Lord El-Melloi helped set up a small screen to share what her familiars were seeing so they could all see, which surprised her because this was the first time he'd seen her spell. He deconstructed it easily and then modified it.
She was glad they were allies, because seeing her Mysteries being 'solved' so easily… it was horrifying to see as a magus.
Once the train yard came into view, the Emiya Family sat in wait.
By the time midnight arrived, an adventurer walked into it.
Shiroe steeled his nerves.
His fingers clasped and unclasped his staff in worry. He hadn't expected a reply from Akatsuki so fast. Honestly, he felt that he'd have this meeting a day later. However, postponing it felt like a bad idea, especially with the promised meeting occurring just days later.
Even if he was unprepared, he'd have to wing it. The raids he and the Debauchery Tea Party went on were always planned ahead of time, but there were always unforeseen circumstances. A sudden death, a trap triggered, or a need to leave for real-life endeavors. He had always improvised at such times, this would be no different.
He hoped.
Naotsugu had wanted to accompany him, but Shiroe knew his natural disposition as a loudmouth would only be detrimental to the meeting. Nyanta also understood this and held his tongue from requesting the same.
The only one he had brought along with him was Akatsuki, and that was only because of her skills. A combination of Assassin and Tracker subclass skills made her nearly impossible for regular players to detect.
… Then again, from what she told him about those mysterious birds, they were anything but regular. They couldn't even see the owner's name as all summons would have. For example, his griffon being named 'Shiroe's Griffon' upon summoning.
It was as if it wasn't abiding by the system's rules…
Shiroe suppressed a shudder as he realized an implication.
If you could hypothetically craft potions as an Alchemist and cook food as a Chef, then what was stopping you from doing the same with more magically inclined subclasses?
… No, keep a steeled expression. There was no telling where those birds could be. Akatsuki had a hard time seeing them even when she actively looked. Only a wild baseless accusation and a lucky glance to the forest had prompted their appearance.
He just knew, somewhere deep down, that they were watching him.
So when he managed to arrive at the train yard, he calmed himself and glanced at the forest. Not in any particular direction, but he knew that Akatsuki was watching him too, so it let him relax just a bit.
"My lord."
Shiroe suppressed his reaction at the sudden telepathic message. He had opened up a connection to Akatsuki earlier so he wouldn't need to move his hands during the negotiation itself. She would provide him real-time information about the outskirts.
He also had hand gestures for her to look out for, mostly the tapping on his staff. If he spun his staff clockwise to readjust it, it meant she was to find a new hiding spot. As she was now, she was watching from afar with her spyglass. A counterclockwise spin meant she was to give him a status report, as things could change over the course of a few minutes. Finally, lowering the staff meant she was to flee and contact their guild.
Such a precaution against possible ambushes was, while superfluous, necessary. If this third party had tricks like an unknown summon up their sleeves, what else could they perform?
"There is more than one summon here," she informed him. "They are circling the area, so it's likely that they're also looking for signs of trickery."
Like Akatsuki.
He spun his staff clockwise, hoping she understood, and looked out to where Akatsuki was at. His map was already opened so he knew her location. Where Akatsuki was located, was also where those mysterious summons were.
"I called you here to discuss a rather important matter," he called to the silent trees. "I trust you do not wish to delay any further."
Silence greeted him, but he maintained a stern stare towards the open canopy.
Sure enough, a bird flew out of it.
Akatsuki and Soujirou's description of it was spot on. Ethereal white strings, that almost seemed to drink in the moonlight, entangled together to give the appearance of a bird. He'd have called it beautiful if it wasn't the source of immense worry for him.
And there were more in the forest.
"I'm surprised you managed to sense me," the summon spoke for its summoner with the voice of a young woman. Though, it might not be her true voice. "I thought that I concealed it well enough to escape you."
You did, but Shiroe did not voice it out. Instead, he turned his whole body to face it.
"I see that you decided to appear. I presume you know who I am?" He prompted.
"Shiroe, the Debauchery Tea Party's strategist," she replied with the expected answer. "For such a well-respected figure to seek a meeting with me. Of course I would accept."
Good. While he despised using his reputation, he knew better than to cast aside potential tools. He'd just have to swallow his pride and go for it.
"I am glad that you would see it as such," he replied. "Negotiations should always occur with mutual respect."
"Ideally, though that is not always the case," she added on. "Sometimes, they are done between unwilling parties."
Shiroe did not frown. Did the summoner attend this meeting begrudgingly? Not good, it meant that he or she could be prone to aggressive or dismissive reactions.
"Then it is good that we are not as such," he said with a smile. Establish a friendly demeanor, make then lower their guard. He could not read facial expressions as it was a bird, but silence was its own kind of tell.
He would need a reply prepared at any moment, but also need to guide the conversation to his liking. In order to do so, he'd need to fish for information.
… the fact that they were still in the greeting stages of the meeting meant that this adversary was also looking for information. Neither of them would let something unnecessary slip out of caution. But if that would end up occurring, then all it'd do was set themselves up for an endless loop of repetition unless he took the first step.
Not ideal, but compromises were also necessary. He called the meeting in the first place, so it was natural he'd have to take the lead.
Shiroe maintained that smile. A relaxed smile, hopefully not betraying the unease he felt crawling beneath. "Let us move onto the topic of this meeting, or rather why I have called you here."
"Yes, wasting time wouldn't be ideal," the bird relayed. "After all, it is already midnight."
Impatience. It was a subtle indicator but Shiroe did not let that past him.
"The topic of our negotiation is thus," he continued. "I know you realized the secret of this world in regards to subclasses."
Silence. Perhaps the summoner was deliberating?
"… A coincidental finding, true," she replied. "However, I see that you also know about it, if Crescent Burger was anything to go by."
"And why, perchance, do you think I had anything to do with that establishment?" Shiroe asked as he let the smile fade, but it was slow and gradual. It was a useless question, but it could help fish for information.
The bird seemed to scoff as the summoner spoke. "Online forums of our old world have noted your close relation to Marielle, the Crescent Moon Alliance's guild leader. While it is plausible she could have realized it herself, it seemed more likely to come from you."
"So a deduction from conjecture alone…" he muttered for it to hear. If he made it seem like he deliberated out in the open, then the summoner wouldn't be privy to his own inner thoughts. "I'm surprised. Not many would draw that conclusion."
The only thing they got wrong was that he didn't discover it, that honor went to the Chief, Nyanta. But that was unnecessary to mention and would only serve to make him look less competent.
"Not many would draw up a conclusion where I would know the subclass secret," she continued. "Now, how did you draw that conclusion I wonder? I already know you only discovered us because of the West Wind Brigade's guild leader, Soujirou. It must have something to do with my… incentive?"
… the amount of information the summoner was spreading was unnerving. Did she not see it as important… or rather she does, but doesn't see the need to withhold it? Information that both parties knew can't be kept secret, so she must've decided to not even bother to spare the effort.
He already knew everything she was implying. Soujirou's connection with him was given due to their past affiliations and the fact he'd show him the potion.
Question was, was it intentional to show it to him? Or was it like his past assumption, where they had already sold to the other guilds with promise of exclusivity.
From how Hamelin's been roaming the streets more haphazardly, it might be the most realistic assumption. But he did need confirmation.
"A brilliant deduction," he complimented, but it was an empty one. He doubted the summoner would care. "Since EXP potions were said to have never been, or will ever be, an option to craft or obtained via quest by the developers themselves. I could only assume you made it yourself. Or you have an Alchemist capable of making it."
They were airing out what they both knew. But in doing so it could let information leak. He would not be the first to do so.
"… The fact you deduced we had an Alchemist, did you not consider the possibility that we have an abundance of low-level players of our own?"
'We' and 'Our own'.
The summoner wasn't working alone. That was a given due to the scale of the operation they were hypothetically talking about, but now it was confirmed.
"The guild hall keeps a publicly accessible record of all the guilds registered within the city," he informed. "The only guild that could have such an abundance of low-leveled players is Hamelin, and no other. Being able to brew EXP potions by yourselves is the only other method available."
All true. The guildhall had a publicly available record, but it did not have players listed. It only had the guild's name, player count, and minimum level requirement. If it had all the player names, which it didn't, then he wouldn't have needed to send Akatsuki out on reconnaissance.
Hamelin had the largest player count, excluding D.D.D., in combination with the lowest player level requirement, at level one. Shiroe checked all other choices, and none existed. None with the scale to obtain as many potions as this summoner had. Not without brewing it themselves.
"I guess you caught me red-handed. Yes, we have an alchemist, one capable of brewing it," she said to confirm his fears. "I applaud your deductive skills. It was almost worthy enough to conceal the fact that it worries you."
Shiroe felt himself pale, but knew it was just an internal feeling. His face did not pale, but he felt it should have. "How so?"
"There would be no point to call this meeting otherwise," she said. "There was also the phrase, 'Negotiations should always occur with mutual respect'. However, negotiations only occur when there is something to gain or lose. Since this 'negotiation' was about the subclass secret, there's nothing to gain if we both know about it."
Shiroe couldn't help clenching his staff.
"We could've just gone about our business, with you and Crescent Burger, and us with our EXP potions… but that shouldn't happen in your eyes. Letting us be would interfere with something Crescent Burger aims to do, or rather what you aim to do."
He screwed up.
From the very beginning, he slipped up, and he never even noticed. He thought he had given a good enough impression so that they'd be on equal footing, but that wasn't so.
From the very beginning, they knew he was after something and they didn't need to oblige. The one with more 'weight' to their words… was no longer him. He couldn't lead the conversation now, not until he had 'weights' of his own.
They had control now.
But he couldn't let his worry or inner turmoil show, so he sighed with a smile. Showing he was caught red-handed but it didn't bother him.
"Well, that's true," he confirmed. "Your actions have me worried, as it pains me to admit."
He didn't say more. To do that would be to show desperation. Instead, he was showing resignation, but it was better than being desperate. He'd lose what little 'weight' his reputation had.
"In what way, exactly?" she continued. "Worrying over the fact we're selling EXP potions, that'd at least make sense if we were like those buffoons– Hamelin. But if we're legitimately producing them, there should be no cause for worry, no?"
He couldn't answer that. Not without revealing his plans. Luckily, he saw a way to redirect the conversation.
"Buffoons? Is your distaste of Hamelin something more than mere competition?" he asked with as much confusion and shock as possible. Any intrigue or eagerness in his voice could make them realize his ploy.
Luck was on his side as she replied. "Keeping low-level players trapped and taking EXP potions off of them daily, it's inefficient. Not to mention, barbaric. They settled into a nice and comfy pace without looking for a way to improve. Stagnation is one of humanity's follies, and they are excelling at it."
… it seems that he underestimated the scorn they had for Hamelin. It could just be the summoner that dislikes them to such a degree, but it was safer to assume the former.
"To be hated to such a degree," Shiroe mused. "If they're such an eyesore, then I trust you have precautions to deal with them?"
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
Hesitation from the summoner.
… this was an avenue.
He wouldn't let it past him.
Illya frowned at the looks she was getting from her fellow magi.
Sakura, Shirou, and Taiga were just listening without input. They weren't magi, so navigating this minefield called 'negotiations' wasn't something they were accustomed to.
However, there were two who were accustomed to it. The frown Rin sent her way paired with how Lord El-Melloi II was slowly rubbing his brow, Illya knew she screwed up.
She had control over the conversation since the beginning, making the Enchanter believe they were equals. However, she was caught lacking at the tail end. The targeted hate that Krentelfal warned her about having proved to be a mistake. Hamelin was a perfect outlet for her frustrations…
… but her rant on them was her undoing, and they all knew it.
"Keep it vague," Lord El-Melloi II advised. "Reply fast. Make it as if we have a plan in the works."
In order to maintain control of the conversation even as it was slipping from them.
"Yes, we have precautions against them," Illya replied with a begrudging frown. "It isn't concrete, but we do have a way to expel them from the city. Trash has to be thrown out, lest its rot spreads from within."
Illya was the only one speaking. Only she was linked to the familiar. While the others could see and hear, they could not reply in her stead. Instead, they offered advice as to how to proceed and pointed out flaws in his words.
A downside was, Illya couldn't talk with her guild, because whatever she said would be relayed by her familiar. If she muttered something under her breath, the familiar would repeat it audibly. An annoying flaw in her design, and one she intended to fix later on.
However, now wasn't a good time.
The Shiroe on their shared screen didn't react, save for pushing his glasses up.
"And how long will that take?"
Illya narrowed her eyes.
"… Give or take, a week or so," she answered with a broad estimate. "At worst, a month."
Rin was already listing ideas. In a negotiation, they'd have to honor their words. A single caught out lie meant all trust was out the window. Unless you kept it a secret of course.
Theoretically, they could lie all they want, but Illya had a feeling any potential lie they had would be caught out.
Shiroe the Enchanter did not speak like a regular player. He held himself in the complete opposite way to all the guild leaders she had spoken to before. Even Krusty of D.D.D. was more of an open book than this man, and she felt him to be more familiar with such matters.
Shiroe seemed to keep up the pace, even more so than some magi she knew.
That worried her.
"We could rewrite or edit the bounded field in this city," Rin added. "There's a bounded field here that keeps monsters out. It should be easy enough to modify, if the simplicity of the spells and magecraft in this world means anything. If we can't, then we could layer it with one of our own. It'll take a month, give or take."
Illya's broad estimate worked in her favor.
While Rin's plan was better than her own, which consisted of luring their members to a secluded part of the forest where they'd be trapped in a mental cage. Much more long-term too.
"What if I could offer you a way to get rid of them in a few days?"
All magi narrowed their eyes.
Unknown territory.
Since the bodies of adventurers were immortal, incapable of being trapped unless you killed yourself with specific items and skills to respawn at a Cathedral, it was near impossible to keep people out and away for long.
Shiroe was a player with no intricate knowledge of magecraft as they did. However, this sentence implied he knew something, likely a game mechanic or item, that would ensure Hamelin's ejection from Akihabara.
All within a few days.
"… As wondrous as that sounds," Illya said. "I can't help but be skeptical. It does not sound feasible."
If such an item or mechanic existed, it would greatly accelerate their plans. There was some merit in it, though she was pained to admit it.
From one sentence, they lost a lead in this conversation.
But that sentence was a risk, which Shiroe likely knew. He had knowledge that they didn't, and was drawing intrigue to it and away from something else. They shouldn't fall for it… but if this 'something' could threaten the ideal freedom that her family could have, then she'd have to take the bait.
If this unknown method could expel Hamelin in a few days, a guild that was not a slouch with its size, then how fast could it expel them?
"While I'm not able to go into detail," Shiroe explained. "I do have an undeniable way to erase them from Akihabara. They wouldn't want to come back to this city, for they'd have no reason to."
"He's bluffing," Rin muttered. "He's not being specific with his methods, so it's likely he has none."
"Or rather, he might indeed have one," Lord El-Melloi II advised. "However, he's not letting us realize what it is. It could be something obvious in hindsight, but… his demeanor does not speak of someone lying."
Shiroe was telling the truth about his method, or disillusioned enough to believe it would work.
Either way was dangerous to them. They'll need to prod further.
"Erase? Quite interesting…" Illya teased with a smile, even though she knew the strategist wouldn't be able to see it. "I feel as if you should go into detail."
She was appearing quite needy now, but they'd have to.
They had enough leverage over this conversation – being invited and highlighting his worry contributed to their leverage heavily – so they could afford to lose some to indulge in their curiosity.
"Eager for an answer are we…?" the strategist muttered. "Very well, I'll give you one. However, there are other matters I'd like to consult with you about first."
Rin sucked in through her teeth and sighed. "He's taking the reins."
"We already know. We're letting him have control of the conversation back, but it matters not," Lord El-Melloi II informed. "As long as we can remind him we do not need to accept his offer, we can regain it."
This meeting was called because the Debauchery Tea Party's strategist needed it. Bottom line, everything hinged on their words. Their final say was what he was after, acceptance.
They'd have to remind him that.
The words left him but instead of relief, he felt tense.
He had to keep them entranced with his words. Strong and dominant words had to be used, otherwise, they'd see through his facade. He was stressing the hell out but his facade showed the exact opposite.
Shiroe was regaining tract on the conversation and he needed to keep it.
"And, pray tell, what are these matters?" the bird finally relayed.
That tone… mild intrigue paired with a dismissive snap. They were annoyed that he was turning the conversational flow to his favor but begrudgingly allowed it.
He didn't want to up their irritation further, so he cut to the point. In doing so, he'd be hinting at some of his aims, but that was fine. He had to sacrifice some of his perspective, and against such a faceless group, it was a dangerous endeavor.
Like with hacker groups or underground organizations of Earth, letting yourself be known to them as a person of interest, was dangerous. Just by knowing your face, they could learn what connections you could possibly have, and how to systematically ruin you if you got on their bad side. Their anonymity is their greatest asset, and unless you got rid of it you'd be helpless, but even then it's an uphill battle.
"I know you haven't just sold to the West Wind Brigade, but to the other raid guilds as well, under an exclusivity deal. In doing so, you created a monopoly," he started. "While it isn't illegal in this world, I worry about your reason to do so. What purpose is there for this exclusivity deal? From my perspective, it appears you are securing the raid guilds as pieces to move at your will."
He awaited their reply. It became rather obvious that it was no longer just the summoner talking, but the whole faceless group, but it could also be a guild.
He maintained his grip on his staff; he didn't want to accidentally inform Akatsuki to do something. A single misstep could cost them everything.
"… You aren't wrong. We have sold to all the other guilds and ensured a mutual alliance. I suppose it would look like we're shadowy tendrils latching onto these guilds," she muttered.
Shadowy tendrils… very apt.
His method to remove Hamelin was by taking all their names and adding them to the blacklist of the guildhall. Then, they wouldn't be able to access any of the important features of the city, and thus would be forced to leave for another one.
However, it only worked on 'criminals' who had their username out in the open.
This was an organization without names.
They were a shadow.
They were a shadow that undermined everything Shiroe aimed to achieve. So long as they remained faceless, he wouldn't be able to keep them under control of a government.
"But what about it?" she asked. "Why would this worry you? If you were behind Crescent Burger, then realistically, you should only be worried about the Merchant guilds. Raid guilds don't care about potential profit, but Merchant guilds do. Crescent Burger, as a franchise, shouldn't be paying heed to raid guilds… ah."
Shiroe clenched his staff once more. He couldn't frown, but he wanted to.
What conclusion did they draw?
"Have you already dealt with the Merchant guilds?" it asked.
… in a way, he did.
He signed them all up and had them purchase the secret of good food, but only reveal it after the Round Table was formed. They could work on products utilizing the subclass secret on their own, but so long as they don't reveal it to the public, it wouldn't jeopardize his plan.
They had also paid a pretty penny to get that information. They wouldn't want to give it out for free, not before getting their money's worth. But even if they did, they had their names out in the open. Shiroe could threaten them with exile if they did. However, he couldn't do the same with this bunch.
Shiroe nodded. "We've come to an understanding, yes."
"You told them about the subclass secret. Didn't you?"
"… and how did you draw that particular conclusion?" he asked.
"Merchants and businessmen are greedy, and only profit would make them move," she muttered. "The only reason they aren't moving is because you gave them something highly profitable. I imagine you arranged a meeting with them much like we are now."
He wasn't the one who attended the meeting, that honor belonged to Marielle. However, he didn't correct them. He did arrange it, though. They were right about that.
"Red-handed, once again," Shiroe smiled in confirmation. "But that doesn't really answer why I'm worried about your 'shadowy tendrils' as it were."
"… admittedly, it doesn't," she muttered in annoyance. Not good, he needed to dial back the friendly snark. It appears that the summoner wasn't a fan of it. "However, it did reveal something else. You wanted control over the raid guilds too. While I don't know how you planned to achieve it, perhaps I'll pay the merchant guilds a visit later and see for myself."
Shiroe flinched. He couldn't hide that flinch, and grew frustrated that they surely noticed it.
He had forgotten that these summons were able to enter guilds without authorization, if what Soujirou mentioned was anything to go off by. There was no stopping this group from doing the same with the merchant guilds.
While they didn't know his plan, it was a no-brainer that this summon could enter one of them and simply listen. An invasion of privacy, which could lead to secrets spilling out, and finally, blackmail.
A threat.
… This was worse than he thought.
His metaphor for them being drug dealers was apt at the time, but now he thought differently. They were more akin to the ones controlling the drug dealers. The lords.
"… We've strayed off-topic," Shiroe brought to their attention. There was more force in his tone that he would've liked, but it was inevitable now. He couldn't hide that he reacted badly, so now he needed to show that he was as serious as he could be. "When I said I was worried about your ties with the raid guilds, I wasn't referring to a loss of control on my part. While that'd be ideal, I see that it isn't worth it."
Not worth it, in the slightest.
Not if this organization, whose intentions were still unknown, existed.
"What I'm worrying about, is the state of Akihabara," he said. "Your influence over the larger guilds is worrying because of it. With a word, you could make them do your bidding, lest they lose access to your potions. In doing so, they'll 'fall behind' in comparison to other raid guilds. It's as if you're going to use them to control the entire city."
That was the crux of Shiroe's worry.
A civil government controlled a city, much like a monarchy or a democracy. The Round Table wasn't going to be either of those things, but something in between. Perhaps something like an Oligarchy. However, that didn't exclude it from a common failing that all governing model's share.
Such a failing, was corruption.
That existed everywhere and nigh impossible to root out from its foundations. If the future Round Table could be compared to a building, and corruption as cracks, then this building would topple over easily. However, if there weren't any cracks in the foundation, then it would stand tall.
Even if there were cracks above, so long it isn't on the foundations, it could be repaired.
The Round Table wasn't even built yet and the cracks were slowly forming. That needed to go, now.
"And? How is that a bad thing?"
Shiroe found his stomach twisting into painful knots.
"Such a method of control would only inspire fear and hesitation," he replied. "The city is unstable as it is, such an act would only serve to worsen it."
The greetings in this meeting were long gone. The act of fishing for information stealthily, that was over. He needed to get this point across, lest they leave and everything would fall to ruin. If he did, his intentions would be out in the open, but so be it. If his intentions were revealed then he would do everything in his power to reveal theirs.
If he couldn't beat them with information, then he would triumph with an earnest clash of wills.
"Admirable," she said. "But naive. This place, this city, is drowned in adventurer apathy. Sooner or later they'll do something and it'll cause something else to retaliate. We need to reign them in now, otherwise, it'll be beyond repair."
"While I loathe to agree," Shiroe began. "The method is wrong. Ignoring the ethics of the idea, it is fallible. Your control would be temporary. The Raid Guilds will eventually reach the level cap and will have no more use for you or your products. They'll lash back at you like wolves finally free from their chains."
It would be like one of the many slave revolutions that happened in America. Or perhaps an even more brutal civil uprising. Whatever form of governing body they'd build up from this method would crumble under their control, and all that'd remain is a despair-filled desolate landscape.
"Yes, the idea will likely fail in a year or two," she admitted. However, the confidence in her voice did not leave. In fact, it remained as strong as ever. "However, you forget that a year is still a long time. We are not incapable of looking ahead to the future, and have planned our next steps accordingly. These EXP potions… they are but a means to an end."
"But what end is that?" Shiroe questioned.
"Do you think we'd impart it to you so readily?" she rebuked. "I'd call it naive, but you probably didn't expect an answer anyway."
True, but he didn't need one.
They were right that a year would give them a long time. It was long enough to correct the behavior of many, and to establish a governing body.
Adventurers would not accept a faceless leader, so the Raid Guilds would probably take the mantle whilst they controlled from the shadows. A puppet that they could move at will.
Issues will crop up, but they did not sound arrogant enough to ignore them. In a hopeful scenario, they'd help wherever they can and earn the population's forgiveness. It's likely that they'll still end up with a fearful populace at the start, but that fear would fade and soon be replaced with apathy.
It was like learning to live under a new monarchy after a war. Eventually, people won't care. Only those who were in previous positions of power would seek to retake it, or those loyal to the previous leaders.
However, in this scenario, there were no previous leaders so those issues did not exist. They were playing the long game as he was with his idea, but still… there were flaws.
Simply put, there was no concrete plan for punishment.
Every society had criminals, and Shiroe was not so naive to think there wouldn't be any here. The only feasible method of punishment they had, assuming they didn't have any more tricks up their sleeve, was by using the bigger guilds to force them out via repeatedly slaying them until they left the city.
That would not work in the long run.
"True, I have no need of an answer," Shiroe answered. "You acknowledged the fact that your plan will lose effectiveness in a year or so and you have plans for when that time comes. The question is, how would you keep in control?"
"And who said we'd want to remain in control?"
Shiroe paused.
… What?
"The measures are temporary, but that is because we have no wish to remain in control. If you thought otherwise then I'll cull it immediately," she amended. "We are faceless. We are unknown. And by the end of it all, we'll be able to live our lives in peace. This city? Not peaceful and, in fact, a wrong look away from devolving into chaos. We have our reasons for wanting to live here, and we plan to ensure we will be able to for a long time."
The summon spun in the air in a teasing manner. "Didn't that boy Soujirou tell you? All we wanted was their cooperation."
They didn't want to control the city?
Then… they just wanted a stable city to live in? Their methods didn't make a stable city, it created one that would be apathetic, filled with factions of guilds vying for supremacy. Those guild leaders will see an opening in power once they disappear, unless…
They said they'd disappear, but that doesn't mean completely. When they deem it necessary, they'll step back in and manipulate the larger guilds. However, without the EXP potions, it wouldn't be via mutual benefit.
Shiroe stared at the summon once more, and spun his staff counterclockwise.
"My lord. I count at least five familiars circling the location."
Yes, that made sense. The only way to keep such bigger guilds in power and control them would be that.
Blackmail.
Dirty secrets that adventurers, now immortal, would want to be hidden at all costs. Especially guild leaders. If a particular horrid secret got out, or a rumor that couldn't be disproved, they would lose all their power. Their guild members with a conscience, perhaps ones not particular to which guild they serve, would leave and join another guild.
The power balance would shift and ruin them. In a way, it was a promise of mutual destruction. Not exactly, though. The spread of rumors wouldn't affect them in the slightest, but it would bring their puppet leaders to ruin. Once a party was blackmailed, there would be blood in the water. In fear of it, the raid guilds won't do anything that could negatively influence their faceless leader.
It was dirty and underhanded, and would fill them all with fear and worry… but didn't their old-world work the same way?
The only reason they had relative peace on Earth was that nobody wanted to be the first to press the button.
"Fear and worry are irrelevant," she dismissed. "While it'd be ideal to have them gone, there is no other method. It is either we control them now, or this city takes a turn for the worse, and nobody will be able to live here."
The summon froze midair, likely under orders of the summoner, and spread its wings farther out than he thought possible.
"This is the most valid path we have found, and we intend to take it."
… If Shiroe totaled all of their plans and apparent schemes together, it spun a web that benefited the majority. Eventually, it'd make the city settle into a livable state for all.
Shiroe had to admit, the plan worked, even if it was shaky at first glance.
However…
As expected. It didn't sit well with him.
He was someone that always sought the best method. In another reality, had the knowledge he accumulated thus far was different, this could've been his ideal plan.
He hated taking the role of a leader.
He was not like his friend.
That person saw him as a lonely man, apathetic to the behaviors of people around him, so she dragged him on numerous adventures even when he protested. They gained companions and accomplished deeds that nobody else thought was possible. His friend had changed him in a fundamental way that nobody else had.
He looked back on those times fondly.
If he allowed this plan to go through… nobody in this city would be able to do the same. They were immortal, unable to die, and arguably no longer possessed a fundamental part that makes them human.
But they were still people, of humanity.
And no matter what, humanity would hope for a brighter future.
"Most valid path?" he muttered. "… You're implying that you looked for better– brighter alternatives. Is that so?"
The summoner scoffed once more.
"What do you take us for, fools? Of course, we looked. This was the only path that could firmly situate us in a powerful enough position to control the city, to mold it into something stable. There are no alternatives."
… If Shiroe had any doubts, there weren't any now.
This shadowy organization wanted the best for this city. While their methods differed radically to the degree it'd brought him great worry, it did not stray from his own goal.
They must have thought long and hard about how to succeed in this city. However, if they didn't know about the fact you could purchase buildings as he did, they'd never think of what he planned.
They'd never think of a government. They wouldn't know of a better path.
But he did.
Shiroe prodded his glasses back up.
"There is another way," he said. "And I can show it to you."
The time for secrets was over. He had their intentions, he knew their goals, and now he knew how to proceed, even if he had to step on a few toes along the way.
No matter what. For a brighter future.
Isn't that right, Kanami?
Illya paused.
The Emiya Family had paused.
In the middle of defending the plan she painstakingly worked over, all because Shirou and Sakura wanted to protect the Landers they've come to bond with, she did not realize how far they had gone with their debate.
Another way?
"Illya," Shirou finally spoke up. "Let's hear him out."
"He could be faking it," Rin warned.
"It doesn't seem like he is…?" Sakura tried adding.
"No, he saw how passionate we were in regards to our plans," Lord El-Melloi II informed. "He knows it is a volatile topic. If he lied here, then he knows that he'd be burning any bridges he could make. If it's a lie, it's a risky one. After all, we have connections we could use."
Risky was certainly one way to say it.
If this was a lie, then Illya's perception of the man would dwindle till nothing remained. Shiroe must know this. If caught lying here, then Illya would use her connections with the Raid Guilds to end him.
It'd be a war. Not one that either of them would like. Overkill? Perhaps, but if a man like Shiroe, of supreme intellect, was against them? Better safe than sorry.
"Basically a war," Rin muttered. "Not ideal, but we'd win with the Raid Guild's needing our products. Not even a contest. I know neither of you–" she said as she looked to Sakura and Shirou. "– want that to happen, but that's the reality of it."
Shirou sighed in acceptance. "… If it's a lie, that is."
Yes, but… if it wasn't a lie.
Illya frowned as she shut her eyes.
Another method… one that the Villain-in-Glasses himself proposed existed. Did that exist or was he truly lying? The more questions piled up in her mind, the more she wanted to know.
"… If it's a lie, we'll leave," –and bring about your ruin. "I'll hear you out, Shiroe the Enchanter."
The Shiroe on-screen smiled in earnest.
"As you know, I made an agreement with the merchant guilds," he said. "This is so I could obtain capital. Crescent Burger wasn't going to last forever, but it existed to draw their attention. In the end, I managed to acquire a fortune of four million in gold from them."
Illya choked.
Luckily, the familiar doesn't detect choking on spit.
It wasn't just her, everyone in the guild knew what a 'fucking load of money' was when they heard it. Especially now that they've gotten engrossed with the Landers. They had a solid idea of how much of a fortune it was.
"In doing so, I sold them the subclass secret," Shiroe continued. "They have agreed not to let the secret slip, because it cost them a fortune to obtain. They aren't going to let others know until they get their money's worth."
So now, they had a bunch of knock-offs of Crescent Burger's to deal with.
At least there would be variety. From now on.
"That still doesn't explain what this 'another way' is," Illya muttered impatiently.
"It is quite simple. It also explains how I can get rid of Hamelin in a few days' time," he said. "With the money, I purchased the guild building."
Illya blinked.
That's… That's–!
Then, she jumped and with a thunderous echo, slammed a fist on the table.
"Ill-Illya?" Shirou muttered in sheer confusion. "What's wrong?"
"Everything," Lord El-Melloi II said in her stead as he knew she couldn't speak aloud. The deeply set frown on his face rippled in irritation. "When you own a zone, you can modify every setting about it. Our guildmaster owns this guild room, which means she can do anything. Which includes, limiting who goes in or out of the zone."
Rin widened her eyes. "If he ever gets our names, we'll be forced out of the city."
They never even thought of buying something like that. Illya realized that, given enough time, she could've also purchased this building, but that would've required at least another month to stockpile the income.
This was outside their expectations.
One slip up, and they'd be forced out. Everything they worked to achieve, gone in a flash. In order to be able to stay in the city, they'd have to work from the shadows and keep their identities hidden.
… That was no different from how they lived before.
Back when they needed to conceal magecraft from the world. Back when Sakura's unique condition and Shirou's possible reality marble from the Mages Association. They'd need to live in secret again, so that this man did not get their names.
Live in secret, so that they don't do anything to draw attention.
Sure, their eventual plans would have them hide their identities, but they would've still been able to walk the streets free of worry. However, with this revelation, that wouldn't be the case. They could do so anyway, but in doing so, their usernames were out in the open.
Open to be seen and available to blacklist.
What Illya wanted once she appeared in this world, was to live freely. Away from the shackles of their past world and as free as any person. She worked towards a plan where she could, eventually, bring it to reality.
But this?
"... You're playing a very dangerous game, Villain-in-Glasses," Illya muttered after she calmed herself. "Was that not a threat just now? How worrying is it that you'd threaten those you wish to 'negotiate' with."
It was a jab, but one she felt indignant enough to give.
"And looking into the merchant guild's buildings wasn't a threat itself?" he countered. Illya didn't bother replying. "In essence, this is my method of getting rid of Hamelin as well. I've already obtained their names and should be able to boot them out with little issue."
"Then why haven't you done so?" she demanded.
It wasn't good to be demanding in a negotiation, but Illya couldn't give a rat's ass right now. They were staring at a man who had all the power in the city and couldn't do anything about it. Powerlessness… she hated feeling this way.
The bastard looks comfortable there. Villain-in-Glasses indeed, nobody else would've thought of that.
"There is timing I need to consider. I have players I wish to save from Hamelin," he said. "They are there unwillingly, and I seek to get them out. Once they are, I can assure you Hamelin will be gone. However…"
"What?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"This ties into why I was worried about your existence," he said. "Your plan is to control the raid guilds to make the other adventurers fall in line. This would work, but as I said, it is temporary and would bring fear and resentment. I have a method which ties everything I said together, including the better alternative."
He prodded his glasses once more.
"In short, I'm going to form a coalition, with several guilds at its head. A governing body to straighten out adventurers," he informed. "Had I formed this governing body with your 'shadowy tendrils' still attached, it would be a corrupt government. I have no intention of making that."
A coalition? But that would mean… ah.
… That's… a good plan.
It was better than her own, as begrudging as it was to admit. To a substantial degree.
Before, their plan was to build it up and let go, only intervening when necessary. However, from what she could gather, this was much more concrete. A solid foundation with little room for error, not like their own.
It all laid back to the threat he made with blacklisting their names. If done to criminals, it was a permanent way to deal with them. Also less emotionally traumatizing than constantly murdering an immortal. She didn't see the problem, Berserker seemed to handle that just fine.
It was a peaceful method that they didn't even think of. They didn't even realize that you could purchase buildings in this world. Illya thought it was just limited to specified player housings.
However, that brought up a question. If every building could be bought, then what about the Cathedral? They didn't know, and they would need time to look into it.
… However, after seeing this blatant display of power from the Villain-in-Glasses, it is likely he thought about that too and had countermeasures put into place.
They were cornered, and all it took was a single purchase.
"You surprise me, Villain-in-Glasses," Illya honestly said. "I don't think a regular player would think of something like that."
Not even a magus would think of forming a government. The Clock Tower only came about once magi argued with each other for centuries as magecraft dwindled, and even then, it was a late formation.
"Fine," Illya conceded. "It's a good plan. You have a deal, I won't be interfering with it. It achieves what we want anyway."
A free world to simply live out a life with her family. An ideal world. She just had to hand the reigns over to someone else…
No.
"However," Illya said. "I don't like being out of the loop. This city is where I live, where my family lives, so my guild will be a part of this coalition, or the deal is off."
Say what you want, but Illya didn't want her destiny controlled by anyone else. She had let Old Acht move her like a piece on the board, and in doing so she nearly lost the chance at family like she had now. Illya wasn't in control back then but now she had the chance to change that.
This was the Emiya family, and she wasn't going to let someone else affect their fate.
"Done," Shiroe said. "It'll take some explaining, but this is better than the alternative. Much better."
Just like that, the tension in the room faded. Rin slumped slightly and Lord El-Melloi II rested his head on the dining table. Shirou sighed and Sakura smiled, while keeping her mutt under control.
And Taiga… did a Taiga dance, which was mostly why they needed to keep that mutt under control in the first place. It could smell the excitement radiating off of her.
"I'm off to bed," Shirou said. "Everything's settled now, right?"
Rin stretched and let out a soft moan. "Yeah, I'll be there."
Lord El-Melloi II would've nodded, but it seemed he was already sleeping on the table. Taiga prodded him awake, much to his annoyance. Soon enough, they left.
It's over. The negotiations were done with and they came to an understanding. They managed to assure a spot to remain somewhat in control, not unlike a Lord of the Clock Tower, and that was honestly good enough.
Anonymity would be lost though, their greatest asset. However, that was when they didn't have a proper punishment system in place. Their idea would turn around and destroy them as soon as they were a known factor. Now? They could rely on this man to deal with it.
It seemed dangerous to do so with a man that was basically a stranger. However, a stranger he may be, his intentions were noble. His character was outstanding. This meeting showed it and even exemplified it.
This man was not the type to betray them. The fact that Lord El-Melloi II found it okay to take a mild nap was telling. Even he saw that trusting the Villain-in-Glasses was a reliable venture.
"You covered every other base, right?" Illya asked, just to make sure. Seeing as everyone else had left, she was wrapping everything up. Even though the meeting had come to a relative close, there were still loose ends she wanted to tie down.
"If you mean possible complications other than your existence, I believe so," Shiroe answered. "I'll explain the governing body more, but not today. I believe we are all tired, are you not?"
"I'm not sleeping until we cover the important matters," Illya said, even though she really wanted to. "You have considered the Landers, right?" He must have, if he considered buying the guild building then he ought to have considered the Landers.
"… in what way?"
"I know for a fact that, by the end of the month, if adventurers do not pull themselves together, we'll have a one-sided civil war in our hands," Illya informed. Now that they had a deal hashed out, there was no purpose to keep secrets. If she was a part of this coalition now, then she wanted it to succeed.
Shiroe's glasses tilted.
"… Pardon? A civil war– by the end of the month?"
Oh.
A quick explanation later, Shiroe nodded in worry. "I'll see what I can do. But this is worrying. By the sound of it, they're a powder keg about to go off."
"… There is also a very real chance that this coalition of yours could be the spark to light it. They said something about needing to be seen as important before all adventurers regain a sense of unity, but they haven't done that yet, hence the issue." Illya added. "I've been working to avoid it, and I have a solid idea as to how. Do you?"
"I'll think of something…" he muttered. "But, I'll defer to your judgment on that matter. I haven't interacted with Landers as much as I'd like to admit. While I do know they live and breathe in this world, whereas we are the invaders, I do not understand them. Not yet. I did plan to have laws regarding their wellbeing as well, but perhaps I'll need to expand on that section."
"Model it off the discrimination related laws of our old world as a base," Illya suggested. "Anyway, I'll end it here. It's already… two in the morning? Yeah, I'll unsummon my familiar. We should probably talk face-to-face if we want to establish a proper alliance."
"Yes, that'd be ideal," Shiroe informed. "The guild building's conference hall will be where a meeting will be held with all my chosen members of the coalition. I'll bring up a chair for you… but I do need to know your guild name beforehand."
"The Emiya Family," Illya said, knowing that there's no going back now. "That's our guild name, of which I am the guild leader."
"... Family. I see," he muttered with a knowing smile. Illya wanted to knock it off of him but felt way too drained to do so. "I'm sure the Emiya Family will be a wonderful addition to the Round Table coalition."
Illya blinked.
"Round Table?" she muttered before snickering. "How corny can you get?"
Shiroe buckled on-screen and frowned. "It's a fitting name. What, do you have a better one?"
Illya shook her head, even though he couldn't see it. "No, it's a good one. Farewell, Shiroe of the Debauchery Tea Party. And farewell to your Assassin, Akatsuki. She's cute, hiding behind that bush."
With that, Illya unsummoned her familiars, but she delayed it enough to catch the look of shock on his face.
Worth it.
Can't wait to tell Shirou that they're a part of the 'Round Table' now.
Maybe later, in the morning.
"… My lord, the summons have all disappeared."
Shiroe nodded to Akatsuki, who walked out of the shrubbery in shame. Oh, she was pouting. She didn't notice that she got noticed, but all that did was exemplify how frightening those summons were.
Shiroe sighed. "I suppose this means we're free to talk now…"
However, when the words left his mouth, he couldn't stop himself from sighing in exasperation and falling onto his back.
Stress! He was under so much stress and worry that it wasn't even funny! Everything had ended smoothly, but one wrong step could've spelled the end for him!
"The Emiya Family…" he muttered. "Yeah, a family seems much more apt than a drug lord."
Akatsuki just looked at him in curiosity. "My lord?"
A family, not unlike a mafioso or the Yakuza of their home country. It was a very fitting term to label them with. Especially if he got on their bad side. Law enforcement could deal with them, but that would end up with immeasurable losses on each side.
While they were immortal here, the same could be applied. The Raid Guilds would not touch them until they reached the level cap. At that time, they would not need them. But, who knows what other items and secrets they had under their sleeve? They could already make the impossible EXP potions, so what was stopping them from making game-breaking ones?
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
The power they had at their fingertips was astounding. Even if they became a threat large enough to warrant exile, they'd make sure it ended in mutual destruction.
Then there was the issue with the Landers… Gah! He didn't even realize that was going on!
He had plans for them, sure, but that was only taking the Capital into consideration once they saw Adventurers governing themselves. Worse, if they sent a spy in, after they'd hypothetically slaughtered the populace…
It'd end in war between Landers and Adventurers!
Oh, politics! How he hated politics! It was the same whether in a fantasy setting or in a modern one. Trying to one-up each other in a battle of wits and drawing information, not unlike the meeting just seconds prior. If he hadn't purchased the guild building as a countermeasure, he'd have lost that exchange!
Honestly, it was as if they were unnervingly experienced in it.
Ah… just thinking about politics and Landers was going to overload his mind. Seriously, how did he miss the recent behavioral shifts? If it wasn't pointed out to him before, he could've missed it.
… Well, there was the Lander district that no adventurer ever saw reason to go into. And the fact that Shiroe had barely interacted with them other than to confirm their status as the true 'humans' of this world.
Countermeasures would need to be made. Quickly, before the first Round Table meeting would commence.
Speaking of the Round Table meeting, he needed to justify why the Emiya Family would end up there. Shiroe himself was only allowed to such a grand setting because he was the host, the one who called the meeting. They already had three guilds to represent the smaller guilds, and having an additional one would be too lopsided.
… Unless…
Shiroe couldn't stop the laughter rising from within, much to Akatsuki's continued worry.
It was a perfect solution to ensure the Emiya Family never went bad, even if the possibility was low, it was still there.
"Akatsuki, look up everything on the Emiya Family," he ordered. "But not today. Maybe tomorrow. We're both tired, I assume?"
"This one hears and obeys, my lord," She nodded dutifully. Wow, she was really taking the role-play seriously. In some ways, he could respect that.
When he got on his feet and departed, he let himself relax.
At least for now.
A/N: There it is, the meeting between Shiroe and the Emiya family. How was it? Honestly, I'm nervous as hell to be posting this. The original draft was much worse, and I'm thankful to Worldbringer of Joseun for helping me out with it. He found some kinks that needed to be worked out, and I did just that.
As you can tell, I'm having the Emiya Family join the round table. This was always my plan but I needed a reason to put them in there. Having them full leveled, as a known element to the other adventurers of Akihabara, felt like a copout. This way, I can have some fun with the scenarios leading up to it. Not to mention, the following arc in the Eastal League of Free Cities. That'll have a bunch of politicking, but likely on a shorter and more spread out than in this chapter. I have no idea why I like these scenes in particular, but I guess that's why I fell in love with Log Horizon as a series. Happy that a season three is on the horizon, truly.
Just need to survive 'til then.
Onto other news, I have online summer classes. This means I need to wake up early to meet with my teacher and classmates on a video call. Not fun. at all. Especially because the programs I need to download are heavy on my laptop, and I nearly had a blue-screen-of-death scenario. I had to completely forgo one program, lest my laptop dies in a fire.
I can't really think of anything else important or related to this fic to say... other than FGO JP is getting a free SSR ticket. HAHA! SUCK IT WAVER! I CAN FINALLY GET YOUR OP FARMING ASS ONTO MY TEAM! MY SET OF OP SUPPORTS ARE FINALLY HERE!
*Cough*
Until next time,
Kappa
