I couldn't help but smile whenever I imagine some of the adventures we'll encounter waiting for us inside NOIM. If only Alice would agree to join. I get it that she's not well-versed in fighting, and guild management. That she doesn't want to be a burden and would rather go at her own pace.
But... Sigh...
I've really grown overly attached to my best friend.
Still.
I hope Edizon and William will be able to convince her.
-Isabella Kingsman
Chapter 7 | Cafe Orathoria
Cafe Orathoria...
Arriving at the Coffee Shop, we were eventually led to a private room. With a large table at its center. A short glance at the place quickly helped me determine that this shop is at a level of its own. Not that I doubt the man that even my father respects, but still, isn't this a bit too developed for someone a shop this new in the industry?
Not to mention, the staff in this place... I can't put a word to it but, they give out a feeling that makes me a bit... too comfortable.
Like they're a hidden threat to me.
...
Several minutes later, Edizon finally arrived. I saw him earlier discussing something with the Zhao's. It didn't came as a surprise if the kings of the food industry were interested in the establishment.
What's surprising is that even the heiress was there. Looks like she's finally entering the business circle. Just the thought of it made me laugh. I often get mentioned along with Zhao Mei due to our 'special case'.
Usually children of noblemen are raised to develop interest in business and development in order to succeed their inheritance. Me and Zhao Mei however were a bit more 'doted on' by our parents enough that the media started calling us "Princesses."
Of course, that all stopped after me and Zhao Mei reached a certain ranking in the World Arena. As coincidence met again, there came upon our forced rivalry.
*Heh*
Not to brag, but I'm still ahead by 10 spots if I recall correctly.
--- Break ---
"Why don't you hire me to take over the guild affairs for you then?"
"Excuse me?" As smart and cunning Edizon is, I still couldn't help but question his decision sometimes.
In an attempt to convince Alice, I decided to share our current dilema with Edizon. Contrary to all of the praise I gave him, he suggested a rather questionable deciscion.
Rather than suggesting to create a vassal guild, or creating a system that would free us more time, Edizon simply offered his services as an acting Guild Master.
Not only it would be rude to consider an outsider for such an important position. It would create chaos within the internal affairs of the family's business.
Unless he's planning to...
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"No I'm not planning into marrying into your family." Edizon chukled.
"Aren't you bitting more than you can chew?" I rolled my eyes at him. The long years of vague hints we've sent to each other has really taken it's toll on our friendship. It's been quite some time since I've set myself some boundaries when dealing with him.
The attraction is still there admittedly. But I've long stopped waiting.
"Hire me as an advisor instead. That would save us a lot of trouble as you know."
I. Should. Really. Stop. Waiting.
"Do you really think I'll allow you to play around our Guild's affairs?" I cracked my hands at him.
“I understand that you’re wary, but we’re friends Bella.”
My heart sank upon hearing that line. Only we knew how cunning and cruel is. Intelligent and for others even unfathomable but even so, in fact, he never really tried to hide anything from us. He treated us as… as his friends…
‘Am I afraid of Edizon?’
It’s funny how I asked Alice that very question myself.
…
… …
“I ah…”
He cut me off before I could say anything.
“It’s fine.”
And then he smiled. As if, people being afraid of him is the most common thing in the world. Maybe that’s why there’s this division between us. Unlike William, we…
I took a deep breath as boxed away those thoughts. This isn’t the time for this. It was true that dad has been planning to recruit Edizon as well as William. And this will only help convince William easier-
"Unfortunately it’s only the three of us this time.”
His smile suddenly wearily.
Before I could respond, the door opened and William entered the room. He’s wearing that same old genuine smile he always does.
Alices, sleepy face suddenly brightened. WIth her arms on her hips, she then muttered.
“What do you mean you’re not joining us?”
William ofcourse, gave Alice an overbearing bear hug, before glaring at Edizon.
“What do you mean I’m not?”
And that’s when the long meeting began.
We talked about those nightmares,
The incident where William and Edizon almost stabbed each other,
And then about NOIM,
What they’re planning to do with it and why.
With a hypothetical ‘What If’ larger threat upon us, all of those Guild matters I was looking to hand off at some point became simple enough. Edizon covered more than the avenues the three of us could think off.
Alice asked, “What if it doesn’t come all along?”
In which William just answered, “And what’s so bad about that?”
“Having too much Power doesn’t seem too bad.”
Edizon sat comfortably as he reached out to the sky.
We all laughed. Only Edizon would be greedy enough for such control.
…
… …
After some assurances from me and Edizon as well as some well timed teasing from William that ‘shell squeal from jealousy from missing out’, Alice finally agreed to move her career with my family’s Guild. It took a lot of courage for her to switch from being a successful well known pro player to something unknown. Not to mention the upcoming frustration and effort from training her body from scratch.
But she’s decided. And I have no question that she’ll be able to pull through. She’s Alice after all.
‘All in or nothing.’ As she always says.
…
… …
William in the end, really did end up signing for a mercenary position in preparation of the fun little game were looking to play. Of course, it conveniently had a ‘Non aggression pact between the Kingsman Conglormerate and Zhao Clan.
In which they reluctantly agreed to after a dozen of revisions from their clan’s Legal department. In return for providing William certain freedom within the clan, the Madame greedily extorted for the right to build two whole branches of the cafe, in which Edizon just shrugged and signed a contract for it.
The exchange was so absurd that my head started to ache. In the pursue of continuous improvement, the World Government not only requires a certain uniqueness for each branch of franchises, but World Contribution Points as well.
In which you can only gain by creating new studies that would help develop the quality of life, or in exact words ‘Help the world become substantially better’ by making a study publicly available for others to study. Long came the time where businesses expanded throughout the world making money by selling the same product from different places.
‘Land, Buildings and even, Space itself’ Is strictly controlled by the World Government.
Even businesses that amounts to Millions, are lucky enough if they control around 4 Industrial buildings. And that’s if they chose to. Tactically, even some of the most prestigious brands occupy only one building, unwilling to divulge too much of their trade secret to the public.
As such these right for these studies amounts to over billions of credits in underground auctions. There’s also the requirement for the study to be in the same ‘industry’ to be able to expand your business. Which only increases the premium of it all.
Disregarding how the madame knew that Edizon has gathered such studies, just how much has Edizon developed this cafe to be able to easily shell out knowledge equivalent for another two Industrial tier buildings?
And as to who won the trade? I’ll be damned if I know. Given how grand the scheme Edizon is looking to play, this would probably just be a small amount of change for him.
Still, even with how complicated and scary all of this is turning out to be. I could only feel genuine intent from Edizon. He must have carefully developed all of this, upon observing William.
Inviting us this exact date, the Zhao Clan coming in at the right time and place.
Of course, it was never simple.
We may not be as close to him as William, but he didn’t deceive us. He treated us as his friends. Just like back then.
Nothing really changed, It’s just we know him better now.
…
… …
To be continued.