Arc 6. A seemingly endless loss
Road to a Hero:
Three Chances in Another World
Chapter 11. A business decision
Rupert: “I’ll make this quick, it’ll be better for everyone. I wanna make a deal, you help us we help you type a deal. Protect my shipments, help out my men, and I’ll make sure you have a great time here.”
Gray moves out of his seat, swapping with Soku. His understanding of Soku’s ability to read people, negotiate, and anything revolving around things like this is far better than his and anybody in the rooms, other than Julius.
Soku: “So, you want us to work for you?”
Rupert: “Not forever, I just need some muscle. And my friends beside me here are good at that, but I need more people. My shipments have been getting hit by gangs, they want to monopolize my things.”
Soku: “And we get what?”
Rupert: “Notoriety, connections, payment, and even some of the supply”
Rupert sits up, pulls out a cigar, and lights it with a flame crystal. He takes a puff of it in Soku's face, showing a level of disrespect she hasn't felt in a while. She uses her wind magic to blow a small gust of wind out of the mouth, blowing the smoke of his cigar right in his face and putting out the cigar. Rupert scoffs at her, her age and stature would give anybody the impression that she’s trying too hard. But with his experience and skill in the subject, he can tell hers as well. But their level is still vastly different. Howeverh he does show a bit of respect by putting them in the ashtray.
Soku: “I know about you and your company, I know you have connections with criminals, high-ranking ones at that. I’ve been in the gutter, and I’ve heard about you there. But I don’t think you’re evil, but I don’t think you’re being upfront.”
This statement from her gives him a surprise. His value in the criminal underworld is unknown by most, but for somebody with as high status and connections as Soku, it could be an issue. Strangely enough, Julius doesn't react to this information as if he already knew it. On the other hand, Gray and the others are surprised by the reveal, but it’s understandable. Rupert: “Okay then, I guess you know more than you’re leading onto. I want the protection of Walgonia’s Heros, and I’ll make sure nothing I do makes it to Walgonia. I’ll stay here, overseas, in the two Ever-Forests and the Ever-Desert. The Red Barons have been hitting me, even some no-name crooks have been trying to disrupt my business. You help me, I help you.”
Soku: “What’s the first job, then I’ll answer.”
Rupert looks at Chester and Orson, then glances at everyone before answering.
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Rupert: “Spend today resting, tomorrow we'll open the grand railway up, and later that day you’ll go out to the Everspirit forest and take out a Baron camp."
Soku looks at Gray, then Edward, then Rosemary, gets a nod back from everyone, and then answers.
Soku: “Alright, we’ll do it, but I want full knowledge about what you're doing."
Rupert: "Alright, we ship metals, crystals, food, and weapons mainly. But the barons have started moving fairy dust, an incredibly illegal substance."
Soku: "And I can trust you how?"
Rupert: "Don't get the wrong idea, we do not so good things but we aren't evil. We're a business, one known and trusted, we wouldn't do anything that could make us look worse than the government. But we want to stay in business."
Soku: "Seems reasonable, but don't want our names anywhere near this. We're doing this to help the people affected by the barons, not to help you."
Rupert: "Understood, now go do whatever while we set up. Have fun kids."
Everyone stands up and walks out of the dirty decrepit room and begins walking towards the castle’s exit.
Gray: “What was that about? We see you again and you make us talk to some criminals.”
Julius: “Those “criminals” are benefactors that have been fixing this country for years. I just sold them the castle and they’re going to turn it into an orphanage. They have been doing things like this since the “Incident”, building schools, homes, streets, and anything the capital may need. He’s done the same for smaller towns and villages to make sure we stay near the top.”
Edward stares at his feet, unable to conclude what he should do. Helping criminals stop other criminals so that they can prosper.
Edward: “Soku, why did you agree to this?”
Soku: “ME!? I looked at you guys first! And whatever, the name isn’t attached and we get some people in our pocket. It’s a win-win.”
Rosemary: “I’m indifferent about it. His people were who gave the Golden Knights weapons, food, and armor, they were our life support and we kept them safe. I don’t think they’re unbelievably evil but they aren’t all good either.”
Gray: “It’s whatever honestly. So what do we do now?”
Julius: “There is a carriage outside that’ll lead you to the Inn you’ll be staying at. And I want somebody to come with you.”
Soku: “What, like a guard or something?”
Julius: “No, a little more important of a person than that.”
They continue walking through the castle, trying to avoid stepping on or touching anything molded, wet, muddy, or growing. Once Julius forces the main door open they see a teenage boy standing in front of their carriage.
Gray: “Who’s this guy?”
Julius: “Introduce yourself please.”
A young boy with pale skin, black hair spiked back, and a mole by his lip dressed in an aristocrats outfit. And he's seemingly annoyed with the entire ordeal.
Lance: “Names Lance, I’m Cornelius kid or whatever. So when do we get goin’?”
Lance taps his foot on the ground, waiting to leave. He seems agitated until he lays his eyes on Soku, and he’s immediately happy to get going. His attraction to her is felt by everyone, causing Soku to feel awkward. He brushes his short black hair back, picks food out of his teeth, and begins approaching her.
Julius: "Secret child, or more so, lesser none. For safety reasons and by word from King Cornelius himself."
Lance pays to mind to Julius introduction for himself and instead continues doing whatever he feels like.
Lance: “Hey, I heard you’ve never been here before. I can show you around.”
Soku backs up, incredibly uncomfortable. Rosemary is about to step in but is beaten to the chase by somebody who hasn’t said a word since they got here.
Peter: “Step off dude, you can go get in the carriage.”
Lance begins chuckling, unable to control himself. He sighs, shoves Peter’s shoulder, and begins walking to the carriage. Peter turns to Soku, hoping for anything, but she glances at him and begins walking with everyone else. Peter balls up his hand and follows far behind everyone else.
END OF Chapter Eleven