Chapter 189: Aurum Alley's Hustle and Bustle 『 Part Four 』
〜Baki World〜
"Apologize? You want me to apologize to this kind of scum?!"
Retsu Kaioh, consumed by righteous fury, slammed his palm onto the tea table. The terrifying force of the blow shattered the furniture into splinters on the spot.
"Miss Sushang, why waste breath reasoning with him? You should simply strike him down and teach him a lesson he will never forget!"
"Retsu, maintain your composure,"
Kaku Kaioh said from the side, his voice placid.
"We are, after all, guests in Mr. Tokugawa's residence."
"…My deepest apologies. I lost control."
"Pay it no mind, Retsu Kaioh."
Tokugawa raised his eyes toward Miyamoto Musashi, who sat beside Retsu.
"Musashi, I'm curious. If it were you, would you apologize to such a petty man?"
"Me?"
Miyamoto Musashi took a slow sip of tea. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke with absolute certainty:
"If it were me, I would undoubtedly apologize."
"However… once the apology is finished… I should be able to cut him down, correct?"
—
「 Sushang gritted her teeth, her fists clenching with a sickening crunch. With extreme reluctance, she forced the words out: "…I-I'm sorry."
Skottspread his hands, basking in triumph. "Whatever. Just consider it a rehearsal. For something like an apology, once is hardly enough, hahahaha."
Accompanied by the laughter of a victor, Skott's silhouette gradually faded into the depths of Aurum Alley.
As for Sushang, she was practically catatonic with rage. That 'I'm sorry' felt like a glowing coal forced through her throat, searing her insides until she trembled uncontrollably.
"Ughhh… NNGGHHH…!!"
Mingxi wore a look of shame.
"I apologize. I couldn't even get a word in."
"My mother told me that as long as I mastered my martial arts, people would be willing to listen to reason…" Sushang, having passed the peak of her anger, now looked pitifully aggrieved. "…It seems my skills just aren't good enough yet."
Mingxi agreed that their current approach was insufficient; they needed to learn the art of debate—of verbal combat. Thus, they sought out Lianyan. The latter not only instructed them in the techniques of negotiation and rhetoric but also handed over critical 'ammunition'.
This included income and expenditure records for a key figure, Afeng. As for the source of this intelligence… Lianyan mysteriously implied that the Guild Master had her own methods.
Armed with these materials, Stelle successfully outmaneuvered the dockworker Afeng in a debate, forcing him to voluntarily confess that he had accepted bribes to sabotage operations.
With this confession, combined with the two previous pieces of evidence, Stelle was brimming with confidence. She decided it was time for a confrontation with the IPC. 」
「 ..... 」
〜Chainsaw Man World〜
Inside the dim, amber-lit café, Makima's fingertips gently tapped the rim of her cup, the bitter aroma of black coffee drifting through the air.
"Aki-kun, don't you think Skott is a very interesting person?"
Her voice was soft, her emotions impossible to decipher.
"Perhaps… Public Safety needs someone just like him."
"Heh. That kind of man only stains Public Safety's reputation."
Aki Hayakawa stared at the latte in front of him, which had long since gone cold, his gaze filled with disgust.
"Then, Aki-kun… what do you think distinguishes Stelle, the 'good person,' from Skott, the 'bad person'?"
One was warm-hearted and dedicated to revitalizing Aurum Alley; the other used underhanded tricks without scruple. Aki answered without hesitation:
"…Morality, obviously."
It was the expected answer.
Makima smiled and gently shook her head.
"No. It is efficiency."
Outside the window, an ambulance screamed past, its piercing siren tearing through the silence of the sunset.
"Good people follow the rules. Bad people exploit the rules."
She stirred her coffee lightly, the black vortex swirling slowly in the cup.
"And the world always rewards the side with the highest efficiency."
Aki's gaze turned cold.
"So, you believe Skott's methods are efficient?"
"Hmm. In my view, he was simply a bit unlucky to have run into Stelle."
Makima leaned forward slightly, her hair brushing the tabletop.
"If Stelle hadn't been there, and it was just that little secretary… I'm afraid Aurum Alley would have already been devoured by Skott, don't you think?"
"Of course, it would have been better if he were a little smarter—if he packaged himself a bit more. One shouldn't be so obviously evil. After all, even Devils know to disguise themselves as Angels to better achieve their goals."
—
「 Mingxi notified the Corporation and requested Miss Xikui from the Sky-Faring Commission to serve as the notary.
Before long, all three parties gathered at the dock.
Xikui stood between the opposing sides. "I, representing the Sky-Faring Commission, shall mediate the lease dispute between the Interastral Peace Corporation and the Aurum Alley Merchant Guild."
"Does this really require mediation? I'll be blunt—the Guild should have rolled out of Aurum Alley long ago." Skottmaintained his consistent performance, his opening remarks immediately inciting the urge to punch him.
Sushang was speechless. "Can't the IPC send a normal person to negotiate?"
Skottonce again feigned deafness, leaning his ear forward just as he had before. "Ha...? Speak up, I can't quite hear you."
But this time, Sushang did not indulge him. Taking a deep breath, she unleashed a roar that pierced straight through Skott's skull: "I SAID, DOES —THE— COMPANY —HAVE — NO —ONE — ELSE?!!!" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Frieren: Beyond Journey's End World〜
"—HISS!!"
Accompanied by an exaggerated female voice amplified countless times by the firmament, shaking the trees until birds scattered in a panic, Stark flinched violently. His axe dropped with a heavy CLANG onto the bridge of his foot, causing him to bare his teeth in agony.
That was scarier than a thunderclap… Fern, recovering from the shock, still felt her brain vibrating.
"Hey, look at that—"
Frieren pointed ahead. In the distance, the Red Dragon they were about to subjugate was flapping its wings, fleeing clumsily in terror.
"…Ah. Sushang scared away our dinner."
Frieren made a small, teary face.
——
「 "Oww… ah!" Skottclutched his ears, grimacing. "That little girl's lungs are astonishing; my eardrums are about to perforate. Phew, I hope when you apologize to me in front of everyone later, you'll be just as loud."
"As the commercial representative of the IPC, my presence at this negotiation is legal, reasonable, and justified! Who does the Aurum Alley Merchant Guild intend to field? A passing Cloud Knight? The Guild Master who is hiding in the shadows?"
"Or perhaps this little girl, who was dragged here temporarily and looks like someone owes her fifty credits?"
He extended a hand, pointing at Stelle.
Hearing Skott's snide, sarcastic remarks, Xikui interrupted with evident displeasure. "Enough, Representative Skott. Please state the Corporation's demands."
Skottquickly entered his zone. "The Corporation leased the operating rights to the Aurum Alley Merchant Guild specifically to seek mutual development. However, the Guild refused to cooperate with the major shops of Aurum Alley, causing the once-prosperous docks to become deserted."
"Objection!" Stelle raised her hand, pointing accusingly at Skott. "The Guild has never refused to cooperate with the shops!"
"Never refused?" Skottlet out a cold snort. "Then let me ask you: right now, how many shops have actually joined your logistics network?" 」
「 ..... 」