Chapter 71 - Paving Forward
Two days later Shiroe went to Susukino with his party and was tagged along by Ainz and Ray halfway through.
Inside the beautiful floating miniature Camelot palace created by Morgan, Ray gathered a few relevant people such as Shiroe, Ainz, Rimuru and Tanya to discuss the future.
In his cat form, Ray sat on the black and blue marble round table with the people he gathered, sitting around listening to his discussion.
"I assume that all of you have already noticed just how terrible the situation in Akiba has become. Rampant PK in the hunting field around Akiba targeted the weak player, hogging the hunting ground, blatant kidnapping and exploitation of gullible players."
Everyone nodded and especially Shiroe who tightened his hand into a fist, holding back his anger and disgust.
"But what can we do? There is no law to stop them and nothing that can enforce the laws even if we establish them to stop these crimes."
"Indeed, they are doing this precisely because they think this is just a game and there will be no repercussions to their actions." Ainz agrees and adds. "That's why we need to establish the laws and a way to enforce them. Thankfully, senpai already has suggestions on how to solve this issue."
"Oh, what is the suggestion then?" Shiroe wonders and so does the others as they focus their eyes on Ainz and Ray.
Ray is the one opening his mouth to answer. "It's simpler. What do you think is the most indispensable to any player?"
"The cathedral?" Rimuru guessed.
"The Guild Building." Tanya replied confidently.
"Well, both are correct. The most important thing is the facilities. Without them. They might as well be cripples." Ray nods satisfied with their answers.
"The one that controls the facilities of Akiba will control the players especially when teleportation gates are disabled and traveling between cities is simply not an feasible option." Ray points out and Shiroe immediately opens his eyes wide in realization as he finally figured out what Ray is up to, especially after listening to his explanation last time that this world is a real world and not just a game.
"But to actually buy out and maintain these facilities will cost a lot of money, right? If I am not mistaken, it costs roughly 1.5 Billion Gold to buy all the facilities and areas within Akiba." Shiroe said while making his signature move, pushing up his glasses to reflect light.
"1… 1.5 B-Billion Gold?" Tanya was monetarily shocked by the amount of money needed. "The gold I earned grinding the past two days only amounted to a few thousands. That's not yet accounting for the cost of consumables and repairing equipment."
"Indeed. It's regrettably to say but earning 1.5 Billion Gold within a few months is impossible. Maybe not within a year. However, we only need to buy out the important facilities. Not all the facilities and areas." Ainz pointed out and corrected Shiroe.
"Ah, if that's the case. We probably only need around 300 Million Golds. Still a lot. But it should be a manageable amount if we have a few months of time." Shiroe said.
"But you forgot about something. The people of Akiba cannot wait that long. There are people trapped, abused and exploited. We cannot afford to wait months." Rimuru interjected after staying silent from the start.
"Indeed. I heard too many unsavory acts made towards the low level players and also the clear division between the players. If this is allowed to continue. I fear conflict will become inevitable in the future to secure the interest between guilds which now represents the authority in Akiba." Shiroe said.
"Well, for that reason we are gathered here." Ray said before he turned to Shiroe. "You should already have a plan in mind right? To monopolize the information on the rules of this world."
Shiroe nodded in reply.
"Good. Ainz has already made preparations and will offer cooperation. Through the knowledge of creating proper food. We will start collecting funds and also luring in the other guilds. Our final goal is to establish a government and order back into Akiba." Ray said decisively before ending the meeting with everyone pledging their effort to bring his plan into fruition.
———
For the next few days, Shiroe with his associate, Ainz with his guild and the rest of the Chat Group members worked together and finally revealed the real food with actual taste and sold them to the people of Akiba.
Only a minority of them is manning the actual shop, most being Shiroe's associate while the others work on the logistics.
From hunting monsters and collecting other raw ingredients to preparation and cooking and finally packaging and distribution. With Ainz, help and expertise in efficiency. He streamlined the logistical route and created the most efficient path from the start to end of the food making process.
It didn't help that the food really sold well and the never ending stream of customers poured in non stop. Ainz who is incharge of the operation have to cycle in people to keep the shop running for at least 12 hours. From morning to afternoon to night. Selling food nonstop during the first few days.
While that is happening, the other guild is scrambling to learn the secrets of the production method of the food. Especially the craftsman guilds that didn't want to lose out on the pies considering economy is their only way to make money unlike combat guilds that hunt monsters.
Shiroe is handling the craftsman guilds and tasked with the job of recruiting them to his side.
Tanya, who expressed her wish to create an independent guild and being an informant to profit from conflicts, has been tasked with the job of locating and identifying the guild, guild members and anyone involved with the exploitation of the low level players. With her are a few others who are capable in reconnaissance like Akatsuki.
As for Ray, the board had been created. The pieces had been arranged. What's left is to sit still and watch how fate would play this board.
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