Chapter 224: Future Markets 『 Part Thirteen 』
「 "A philosophy of long-term development… one that transcends time, and even life itself. That Lady Rand was truly a great woman," Topaz exclaimed with genuine admiration. "And the 'Rand' standing before me now… is every bit her equal."
"Thank you for your validation, though I haven't actually done much," Bronya smiled sheepishly. "I merely rallied the people of Belobog together and told them that our hard-won freedom was once again facing a colossal threat."
"To preserve this freedom, we had to act. We had to prove to those skeptical eyes that we have the will—and the ability—to take control of our own destiny."
"You've seen the results of that mobilization. The children of Belobog have made their choice; they wish to [Preserve] this home with their own hands."
Topaz's gaze lowered slightly. "Such a massive surprise… I truly never could have predicted this, no matter how hard I tried."
She bowed her head, lost in silent contemplation for a moment. Watching Numby nuzzle against her leg, a flicker of melancholy passed through Topaz's eyes. But finally, she steeled her resolve and looked up at Bronya. "…I will fight to win this chance for you. Conflating your circumstances with my own childhood experiences… that was a grave error on my part."
A shade of regret surfaced on Topaz's face; her own homeworld had never produced a leader with a will as ironclad as Bronya's.
Seeing the shift in her previously unyielding stance, Bronya hurriedly asked, "Does this mean you are willing to retract your previous decision? As for the debt, we will certainly find a way to repay it slowly. It will just take time…"
"…Unfortunately, the acquisition of Jarilo-VI was a strategic decision greenlit by the IPC's higher-ups. Even if I intend to overturn it, persuading the people above will be incredibly difficult. Unless…"
At this point, both of their gazes instinctively turned toward Himeko.
Himeko pursed her lips in a faint smile and took a step forward. "Rest assured, Miss Topaz. I am willing to represent the Astral Express and stake the reputation of all Nameless to vouch for this world." 」
「 .....」
〜DanMachi World〜
"To dare make such a guarantee… it seems the Astral Express not only has excellent credit but quite the deep pockets too!"
Hestia rested her chin in her hands, lying prone on the tavern counter, her eyes fixed intently on the trio from the Express crew.
"They don't seem to have regular jobs, so where do their Credits come from?"
"Eh? Maybe they have some secret means of making money?"
Bell, who was wiping down his weapon, looked up.
"I noticed March 7th's room was decorated pretty luxuriously, so the Express's income must be decent. But they don't seem to have much obsession with money, so… I guess they aren't exactly at the level where they can just squander it freely."
"Then, Bell-kun, do you think they could use that method to make money?"
"Hmm? Which method?"
Hestia narrowed her eyes, tapping her chin in mock thought.
"Aren't they close with Kafka and Blade from the Stellaron Hunters? Could the Express crew intentionally hand Blade over to the IPC, claim that bounty worth 8.13 billion… and then turn around and let Sam and Silver Wolf break him out?"
"Back on the Xianzhou, Kafka said Silver Wolf and Sam could bust them out of the Shackling Prison, so the IPC shouldn't be a problem, right? Then they split the bounty earnings… fifty-fifty with the Stellaron Hunters!"
"The key is that this trick is recyclable! It advertises the Astral Express's strength to the IPC, and you don't have to worry about Blade dying! And if Blade does actually die, well, he gets his wish anyway. How about it? How about it? Bell-kun, isn't this plan perfect?"
"Uh…"
"Hmm? Bell-kun, do you think it's unreliable?"
Hestia scooted right up next to Bell, blinking her lake-blue eyes.
"Goddess, it's not that it's unreliable… It's just… uh, if Blade found out that a share of the bounty traded for his life was going to Dan Heng, he'd probably get so angry his Mara-Struck symptoms would flare up on the spot, wouldn't he?"
—
「 "Wonderful! That should work. As for the reporting process and any subsequent accountability…" Topaz recovered quickly from her gloom, offering a faint smile. "…I will take full responsibility."
Stelle was actually quite worried that Topaz might get her pay docked for this, though the woman in question seemed entirely indifferent. "Let them dock it~ I passed the stage of working purely for money a long time ago."
With the dust finally settled, Stelle planned to head back to the Goethe Hotel for a good sleep, though she felt a twinge of regret thinking about how she hadn't properly experienced the Solwarm Festival yet.
Meanwhile, in the snowy plains on the other side of Belobog, Topaz was conversing with someone over her earpiece.
Mysterious Voice: "In summary, Topaz, the department will impose the following disciplinary actions upon you—"
"Rank demotion: adjusted from P-45 down to P-44, with a corresponding adjustment to base salary. Cancellation of all incentive plans for one cycle, including stock options and performance bonuses."
"Regarding this incident, you are required to submit an additional report to [Diamond]. If you have objections, you may file an appeal in writing." 」
「 .....」
〜Zenless Zone Zero World〜
"I remember in that IPC promotional ad, P-47 was supposedly the highest position a normal human could hold, right?"
Asaba Harumasa recalled.
"Looking at it that way, this Miss Topaz holds a shockingly high rank within the corporation."
Although Topaz was addressed as "Director" by her team leader, Harumasa hadn't expected her rank to be that high. It was no wonder she claimed to be financially free and no longer needing to work for money.
"As a faction that follows Qlipoth, and the largest commercial power in the galaxy, the IPC definitely has Emanators of 「Preservation」 within its ranks. I wonder if P-46 and P-47 positions can be held by Preservation Emanators."
"P-46 is impossible. P-47 might have a chance…"
Tsukishiro Yanagi thought for a moment. "
Emanators are extremely rare existences. Even looking at the entire Xianzhou Alliance, there are only seven Emanators, including the six Generals and the Marshal. Let's look at it from another angle: if you were a Preservation Emanator, Harumasa, where do you think it would be reasonable for the IPC to place you?"
"Hmm, at least P 47… Although P 46 is only one step away from the peak for normal people, you'd still be suppressed by a P-47. Honestly, I can't imagine a scene where the Emanators of 「Preservation」 are subordinate to someone else within the IPC. Unless the superior is also an Emanator of 「Preservation」, otherwise it feels a bit… like the hierarchy is upside down."
"Mhm."
Tsukishiro Yanagi nodded.
"Above P-47 is the IPC's Board of Directors… that is where the Emanators of Preservation should exist."
—
( Translator-kun: hmmm.... I also wonder where they get their credits from? And Hestia Idea is a win-win situation. )