Chapter 281 - Chapter 248: Breaking Through
"Hey there. It wasn't my fault."
I preemptively told Bell-buchou and Seth (Miki) when they arrived at the `Virtual Club Room`.
The `Smoking Room` was properly built, and I had logged out to wait until Saturday noon.
Lately, it had become routine to log out after coming to the club room, so I didn't think they were here specifically to check on me.
"Alas, the culprit is already known, Brother."
"I think it's exactly who you two are imagining."
Both of them said this as they took their seats.
Then, it's as I thought…
Is it Argenta-san?
"Indeed. It appears things have become quite interesting."
Princess Anshia's territory, in the southeastern `Republic`, was apparently seeing a full-scale increase in trade across the large river separating it from the `Demon Kingdom`.
At the trading post built on this side (the `Republic` side) of the river, Princess Anshia's guild, `[Unmelting Six Petals]`, was acting as an intermediary for transactions.
"It seems to be like a flea market site, where you tell them what you want to sell and your desired price, then leave it with them."
"They go through so much trouble. Is it all done by hand?"
"It's easy enough to hire NPCs, and many of Princess Anshia's fans enjoy that kind of thing…"
Ah, right, that's true.
I remember hearing that some retired corporate executives or something were among her supporters.
Does that have anything to do with the current situation?
"The cities in the `Republic` that were previously the gateway to the `Demon Kingdom` would suffer from reduced trade, wouldn't they?"
"Ah, so they're trying to regain ground? But making it possible to enter the `Demon Kingdom` should be up to their side, shouldn't it?"
"The same goes for the `Demon Kingdom`'s gateway cities. Bell-dono, could you bring up the map?"
"Yes, the 'some areas' mentioned in the `World Announcement` are, on the map…"
Bell-buchou brought up the official map and started explaining, but I barely understood anything about the continental affairs.
Is this the border?
"That's right. That big gate seems to be it."
On the eastern side of the `Republic`, there was a large, ruin-like gate, which apparently served as the border with the `Demon Kingdom`.
Both the `Republic` and the `Demon Kingdom` had a rule along the lines of, "If an army crosses that gate, it means war!", and there were immigration checks on either side.
"It's the `Niage Town` near this great gate, and `Werabo Town` further northeast from there."
"The fact that they are connected by only a single road must also be a factor in allowing free passage."
Is it because the flow of people is easy to monitor, and if anything happens, they can contain it there?
"Hmm? But the `Demon Kingdom` as a nation approved this, right? It's not just a regional decision."
"Indeed. The current `Demon King` is said to be part of the `Open-Country Faction`. Princess Anshia's trade going so smoothly is likely due to that."
`Open-Country Faction`…
Images of the Edo Shogunate and the arrival of the Black Ships flashed in my mind, and I quickly dispelled them.
Uhm… Bell-buchou, Seth (Miki), how are you both so well-informed? Even looking at the forum now, no one is talking about this…
"Eh?"
Mion asked, puzzled. Seth (Miki) let out a chuunibyou-like "Kukuku" laugh, and Bell-buchou continued with a slightly exasperated expression.
"The very first people to enter the `Demon Kingdom` after passage became possible were Marie-san and Season-san."
"Oh, wow…"
I couldn't help but hold my head.
Marie (Mashiro) Nee did say something like that…
So, everything we'd been discussing until now was probably information Season-san had investigated.
"I knew Marie Nee wanted to go to the `Demon Kingdom`, but is Princess Anshia involved in that?"
"It seems the reason Marie-san and Season-san were able to go first was because Princess Anshia was working behind the scenes."
""Huh?""
I didn't understand at all… What did that mean?
I looked at Seth (Miki), who smirked and began to explain.
"That self-proclaimed strategist requested our aid through my sister and Season-dono. She wants us to break the `Necropolis` monopoly."
Huh? The `Necropolis`? Not the `Demon Kingdom`?
I was completely lost…
"If you cut through the forest northwest from `Werabo Town` in the back, you'll reach the southeastern side of the `Necropolis`. The plan is to establish a frontline base there for its conquest."
"What!?"
Is it alright to do that without permission?
"The `Demon Kingdom` side has already begun preparations."
"Eh? Does that mean `Demon Kingdom` NPCs will take the lead in conquering the `Necropolis`…?"
"Indeed. 'Who decided that only players can conquer `World Quests`?' That's the gist of it."
Seriously…
But if that's the case, I feel like the monopoly would break anyway without having to ask my sister-in-law or Season-san…
"Then it would be a situation where the NPCs reap the benefits, wouldn't it?"
"That's right. But this time, it's more of a message to me and Leona-san. It's an invitation to cooperate, you know?"
Bell-buchou gave a wry but seemingly pleased smile.
They might compete sometimes, but the three of them are good friends after all.
Still, I had a nagging feeling there was something more going on behind the scenes.
In times like these, it's best to ask Seth (Miki)'s opinion.
"What do you think?"
"It should be fine. Regarding the current `World Quest`, it's either completely ignore it or participate when the timing is right. Relying on Princess Anshia for supply lines is somewhat of a concern, but I have my own ideas. Kukuku…"
Seth (Miki) was in full chuunibyou mode.
"Anyway, we'll discuss it with the guild members and Leona-san tomorrow. I need to tell them I'll be away next week."
"Ah, that's right."
But by the time I return from the school trip, will the conquest just be starting?
"Seth (Miki), I'm counting on you with Marie (Mashiro) Nee…"
"Indeed, leave it to me!"
Having Seth (Miki) there would act as a stopper in many ways.
What about the `Mage's Tower`?
"That just reached a good stopping point today. We managed to collect all the `Applied Magicology` books!"
"Oh!"
Congratulations!
Apparently, the found `Grimoires` would be copied and sold to other player guilds.
Considering the value of the items, I expected a hefty price, but they were being offered at cost, which was very generous.
Well, if that's the case, can I reveal everything I found in my Saturday live stream?
"'Reached a good stopping point' means you made it to the top floor?"
"No, that's where it said, 'Insufficient Authority' again…"
Ah, right, that one… That's the kind that needs a ring with administrator privileges…