Chapter 72 - The Meeting Between Guilds Representative

"Not bad. Within three days, we managed to rake in around 100k Gold due to our large production capacity." Shiroe read out the report in the meeting and credited Ainz for his excellent leadership on selling the food to the people.

"Indeed. However, we cannot keep this production up indefinitely. People will get tired and there are also our competitors spying on us to learn our secrets." Ainz revealed with a frown and his arms crossed. Everyone agreed and nodded.

"Well, the good news is we managed to obtain the funds through the investment from Marine Organisation, Shopping District 8 and The Roderick Firm. Each of them contributed 2.5 Million Gold each." Shiroe said and then announced. "With the money we pooled and the investment, we finally have enough money to buy the Guild Building and begin the final phase of the plan."

Calling it investments is an understatement in Ray's opinion. Shiroe basically swindled the three big craftsman guilds' money. But that didn't matter as the objective can finally be fulfilled.

But unlike in the original story, Ray has to improvise. A mere council of guilds representatives isn't enough. He who knows the future, knows that only by making Akiba an independent state can they truly survive the troubles in the future. Akiba needs a standing army and a deterrent that will make any nation think twice before messing with them. However, the existing king wouldn't acknowledge Akiba's independence just like no one would acknowledge when you suddenly demanded their home.

But Ray has a plan and a rather easy one to fix that problem. A fool proof one that can possibly resolve everything without him even lifting a finger. Rather than it not being a quest. He made the task of creating a government an actual questline and the quest giver is him, the god and the king.

Although mostly it will be king in name only since Morgan is gonna be the one running the place since she wanted it that much.

———

During the conference, the next day.

In the Guild Building conference room, all representatives have arrived and Shiroe is handling the meeting as in the original story. But the exception is the presence of Ainz who is also a representative because his Guild although only has half a dozen Lv 90, they are all strong and very powerful. Powerful enough to rival a bigger guild. Or so, that's what Shiroe introduced them as.

Ray is also present although hiding using invisibility while waiting for the right time.

Once the introduction part is completed. Shiroe paused and left the spotlight as Ray appeared and took his place.

"Hello, people from another world. Or should I call you all as players?" Ray appeared in his feline form, sitting on the table while scanning his eyes through every face.

Everyone looked at him in awe and shock for a valid reason. After all, his subclass is God. Normally, for NPC. Subclass is their occupation. Farmer, housewife, knight, feudal lord, king, etc. As for Ray, his Subclass which stated 'God', has a very obvious meaning. That he is a god.

Everyone couldn't contain their doubt. However Ray silenced them verbally and magically.

"You all must have wondered what I am and if I am really a god." Ray shapeshifted into his child form and sat on the table cross-legged and supporting his chin with one hand propped on his thigh.

"Well, if there are any volunteers. I am very eager to display my power. But let's do that another time because right now I have something important to tell you, the representative chosen by the people of Akiba.You must be confused or wondering why you are trapped in the game. What is the cause and how to return." Ray said with a semi enthusiastic voice. "Worry not as I am here to tell you exactly everything"

The silenced crowd nodded in agreement as they were indeed curious and wanted to know what happened to them to be trapped here.

"Firstly, the player or Adventurer is not a native species of this world. This world is also not a game. For the people here they live like normal and their life is not dictated by the game's system. On the contrary, for players. They live by the game's rules. For example, incapability to cook without appropriate skill."

"What I am trying to say is. Stop thinking of this world as a game because it isn't anymore." Ray said with the voice of ultimatum and causing quite a lot in the conference room to frown.

Almost everyone is whispering with one another. They simply couldn't accept the sudden change of their perspective. They had been treating NPC as NPC. They hadn't gone out and talked to the People of the Land to discover that they are not NPC. However, Shiroe stood up and pointed out that if they had taken the time to speak with the people, they would understand that the ordinary people are not NPC. They are actually people that have memories, ambitions and wishes. Marielle and Ainz also added that nearly 40% of their customers had been the People of the Land.

"If the People of the Land aren't human. Then how could they be interested in our food? They enjoyed the food we served. They expressed their curiosity to learn about the dishes. Do you all still think they are just mindless NPCs?" Marielle slammed her fists on the table and passionately argued her points to the representatives.

Given such a sound argument, they cannot even argue and soon agreed when Krusty, the Guild Leader of D.D.D., the Battle Guild with the highest members and highest number of Lv 90 players. His opinion holds quite the sway and influence that once he agreed. Most also did. Except for the Silver Sword guild which like in the original story, expresses their disinterest with the matter before they fucked off to Susukino.

"I am glad that we all can reach an agreement. Now, it's time we speak about the true purpose of this meeting." Ray said and eyed Shiroe who nodded firmly in reply. The other representatives also unconsciously straightened their back and listened more carefully with a serious expression on each of their faces.

"As you may already know. Since this is a real world, the country is also real. The king and the nobilities all have their own agenda and motives. Conflicting interests is an inevitable outcome in the future."

"Are you proposing that there's a possibility of war?" Krusty immediately caught on and so did the others with a grim look on their faces.

While the ordinary people are weak, there are those who are strong. For example the Izumo Knight Order and the Ancients that will defend the land and the people.

"Indeed. War is not just a possibility. But an inevitable conclusion. I had foreseen it and it was due to the true enemy, the people who are responsible for The Catastrophe. Due to that, Akiba and the other player-controlled city must be independent and free from the grasp of the nations of this land. To achieve that, you will need influence, military strength and a deterrent."

"Thankfully, I got all three covered." Ray said before looking at the crown. "That is if you are all able to form a council and agree to become the vassal state of the Winter Queen, Morgan."

"Who else is a better backer for Akiba other than me, the god." Ray stood up straight and opened his arms wide before his power flared up, engulfing the entire conference room and the participants into the ominous black and red realm where lines appeared and split into gigantic eyes and mouths.

Everyone can feel the immense pressure crashing down at them. Just a brief glance at the eyes is enough to drown them with enough debuff to make them weaker than a toddler.

Those that still have doubts about Ray and his words immediately changed their mind and take his words very seriously.

Then with the sound of a snapping finger, everyone finds themselves back to the conference room, collapsing to the table or ground after such a traumatic experience.

"Now, that I had already said what I wanted to say." Ray looks at Shiroe and gives him a nod before Ray steps down and lets Shiroe take the stage again while Ray leaves the conference room through Shadow Warp.

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