Volume 2 Chapter 7 [Alliance SIDE] The Delusion of a Future of Monopoly
"Hehe, good, good. Looks like the alliance is getting bigger."
Cedal is in an office in a building on the outskirts of Jewel City Lapis, grinning as he looks over some documents.
"That's right, Sir Cedal. If we keep expanding like this, we'll become an organization that can monopolize the profits of Jewel City Lapis."
"Exactly, exactly. Alvaro, keep pushing for expansion behind the scenes."
"Understood."
The man named Alvaro, with brown hair and dressed in a suit, bows his head.
"Jewel City Lapis is a place where you can get rare ores and excellent weapons, but there are some drawbacks for Adventurers."
"Drawbacks?"
"Yes. If you get metal from that dungeon, you have to deliver all of it. But Adventurers without permission can't enter the 'mid-floor' or 'deep-floor' where the rare metals are found."
"I see."
"Mainly, soldiers from the Dragonstone Kingdom go deeper for combat experience and to secure ores, and they get the good stuff, which flows into the market... or so you'd think. But first, it goes to the 'Rare Stone Market' that only citizens can access, and only the leftovers finally make it to the general market."
"That's true."
"For Adventurers, only those who have been in the Great Mine of Gold World (Kinsekai) for years, delivering many ores and earning trust, get 'permission.' If merchants or blacksmiths with little connection to the Dragonstone Kingdom want to use 'deep-floor' metals, they have no choice but to rely on those Adventurers, and since there aren't many, the supply doesn't meet the demand."
Cedal looked down at the town from the window.
...Well, since it's the outskirts, there aren't many people around.
"In short, they're just pretending to loosen things up a bit, but it's basically a 'monopoly' by the Dragonstone Kingdom. This is way too unfair."
"It is indeed unfair. Dungeons should be open for everyone."
"Yeah, and the ores we get from the dungeon everyone can enter, we're gonna monopolize them!"
"It's a double standard to bash inequality while pushing for monopoly, but for those who live by 'selfish principles', this is just normal."
"What we need for this monopoly plan is numbers. There are plenty of Adventurers, merchants, and blacksmiths who are unhappy with the current state of the Great Mine of Gold World (Kinsekai). We gather them up and create a huge organization. With that power, we'll make the Dragonstone Kingdom submit."
"Make the kingdom submit, huh?"
"Exactly! It's wrong for such a weak country to monopolize that dungeon! Becoming the de facto ruler who monopolizes the profits of Jewel City Lapis is just correcting that wrong."
"It's pretty 'disjointed' what's coming out, but basically, 'Cedal's ultimate goal' is to monopolize the profits of Jewel City Lapis."
"Yeah, no matter how you think about it, controlling the Great Mine of Gold World (Kinsekai) means monopolizing most of the revenue that Jewel City Lapis gets from the metals it produces."
...At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Huh? Who is it? Whatever. Come in."
The door opened, and a group of 5 walked in.
"Oh, you guys... wait, why do you look so beat up?"
"Listen, Cedal! We went to the guild branch and said, 'We're in charge now,' and they fought back!"
S-rank guild 'Excalibur'
They became part of the Cedal Alliance... and their leader just got beaten up by Tracy.
"What!? I'm part of an S-rank guild! The top alliance I'm in should have the power to control the guild branch. How did this happen?!"
"I don't know! Damn it, that brat and the violent receptionist, I'm not letting this slide. I'll make that branch pay!"
"Yeah, they've smeared mud on our face. I won't forgive them! ...By the way, who are the brat and the receptionist?"
"A little girl, maybe ten years old, and a receptionist with brown hair, huh? They're looking down on us, the S-rank guild. Damn it!"
"I see. Yeah, it's like a kid and a receptionist are daring to go against me. But that receptionist... I heard there was one who used to be an Adventurer. Whatever. Let's make a plan and corner them."
"I'm counting on you, Cedal."
"Don't worry. Leave it all to me."
"...Understood. I'll leave it to you, Cedal."
Saying that, the 5 from Excalibur left the room.
...Somehow, it feels like there isn't much 'difference' between Cedal and 'Excalibur', but maybe it's because 'Excalibur' knows Cedal has money and power, but isn't that strong, really.
Of course, Cedal's title as a 'B-rank Adventurer' isn't nothing.
But he's not good enough to do anything about what's happening this time.
"Hmph, you thugs. You can't even take over the branch, how pathetic."
"That's what it means to be that kind of guild. The title of S-rank guild is all thanks to the achievements of the previous top."
"Yeah, I guess so. Whatever. They still made me look bad."
Grinning, Cedal drinks his wine.
What kind of fantasies are going on in his head, is another story...
...But, if there's one thing to point out, it's that Ellie knows that the organization known as the Cedal Alliance is on the path of 'expansion' and is gathering people like them.
And then, Rangella says 'Bring me everyone who wants to cause trouble' and uses the world conference, while Ellie says 'Hold off on dealing with the Cedal Alliance.'
Aren't they both in love with the idea of 'wiping them all out'?
That's the kind of rough guess.
"...The trash can seems to be doing well, huh?"
On the top floor of the mansion, someone muttered that.
No, wait, let's talk about the real basics.
Let's talk about the basic stuff first.
Taking control of the metals you get from the Great Mine of Gold World (Kinsekai) means... you're getting in Horace's way.
What kind of retribution will come, even the girl they call 'devil' doesn't know.
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