Log Horizon Web chapter 56

1


"Shiroe, your guest is here."

Shiroe stuff the maps and documents into his magic bag before Naotsugu bring in the guest.

He is already expecting the guest and have prepared tea and cups near the fireplace.

Naotsugu looks baffled when he returns, wondering will Shiroe be surprised. Although the guest is contrary to Shiroe's prediction, it is one of the possible candidates.

"Please take a seat."

It is rude to ignore Naotsugu, but Shiroe keep his priority, ushering him to the solid wooden chair.

"It's been a bit of a challenge to hike up this snowy mountain."

He adjusted his robe with standing collars that shows no sign of snow flakes. The young man with purple eye pupils, Kinjyou of the Kunie clan.


"Have you been doing well?"

"Things are going that smoothly."

Shiroe smiles at Kinjyou's reply. He sigh in his heart, knowing that this is going to be tough.

Shiroe has been waiting in this desolated cabin to meet the representative of the Kunie to negotiate. There are several reasons he chose this out of place mountain, one of them being that it is close to the base of operation for the Kunie (by his estimation).

(... So it is this man.)

Shiroe feels that this is going to be difficult.

Shiroe came to know about this mysterious clan when he was doing his bank transactions. The banking service is one of the functions that exist in Elder Tales that provide convenient service for the adventurers. It provides storage facilities for the safekeeping of cash and items. There is no need to go to a specific bank for withdrawal, you can make your withdrawal at any banking outlet in Yamato.

This teleportation technology that differs from the spell Call of Home or the inter-city transport gate was not solely used for banking transaction for the banks.

It is also implemented for personal mail and small package delivery service. It is also used in the bazaar that is open to public. The security system that are installed on most streets also belongs to the Kunie.

The players of Elder Tales, or rather the players after the Apocalypse, take these services for granted and treat them as public utility. When the Round Table Council was formed, Shiroe said that 'Adventurer's need the People of the land to survive". He was already aware of the existence of such a clan.

But he didn't know back then that the services was provided by the mysterious Kunie clan.

After the formation of the Round Table Council, the council led by Shiroe made contact with the Kunie clan. This was accomplished easily. Shiroe met Kinjyou who is in charge of the kunie clan in the Akiba region at that point. But there has been no progress after that.

He found out that the Kunie clan provides all sorts of service in the Yamato region. And they are all crucial facilities that adventurers cannot do without. Shiroe has also met their representative for Akiba, Kinjyou. But that is all. The strength of this clan, the knowledge they holds, their base of operation, ideals, goals... He is unable to gather further intelligence from Kinjyou.

Although he did not bluntly ignore or display hostility, Kinjyou manages to keep all of Shiroe's advances at bay with his steady smile and words.

And the fact is not far from what Shiroe imagined. Adventurers cannot live on without the People of the land, but the People of the land will be able to scrape by without the adventurers. They might not be able to prosper like earth with savage monsters roaming the land, but they can survive with the use of no-combat zone and magic technology. And the clan that has the power to do so is the Kunie clan.

For the Kunie clan, adventurers are unnecessary. This has limited almost all the cards Shiroe can play.

But Shiroe has strived on and collected intelligence to build up his cards. But his opponent is Kinjyou, the young man with an experienced profile. Kinjyou has probably sensed what Shiroe is plotting and sealed off all information related to the Kunie. Almost all the intelligence Shiroe has of the Kunie clan are provided by Re Gun.

"This is Sage Re Gun, you must have heard about him."

"Of course. First time we met. I am Kinjyou, I manages the counter for the Kunie."

"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you. It is an honor to meet with the Kunie clan."

Re Gun waves his hands cheerfully.

Kinjyou is also all smiles.

"It is a rare day indeed. Representing the adventurers is 'the Archmage of the tea party', Master Shiroe of Log Horizon. I even get to meet Master Re Gun, the sage of Mirror Lake. It is a great honor to be invited to such a historically meaningful conference. Very few in the history of the Kunie was able to receive such honor. My ancestors would never have expected such a day to come."

Shiroe is troubled by Kinjyou's reply.

This young man named Kinjyou bears no hostility towards Shiroe or the adventurers. He is not taciturn either, and definitely understands the things we are saying. He is simply not disclosing information, and is keeping it under wraps with his silver tongue.

Shiroe sighs at the though of the coming negotiation. He has hoped to speak with the representative of the Kunie. He has conveyed his request personally through the Akiba branch leader of the Kunie, which is Kinjyou. He didn't expect Kunie to be the one to travel to this desolated cabin.

But Shiroe sensed that this could open up other possibilities. But just as Shiroe was about to test it out, Re Gun has started to converse enthusiastically with Kinjyou.

"You have made this conference more honorable with your presence. Kunie... a mysterious clan. And the head of the clan Sir Kinjyou. I am brimming with anticipation."

"Anticipation?"

"That's right, Master Shiroe here is an existence akin to a Jack in the box."

"Fufu, Is that so?"

Just stop the show already.

Shiroe injected his emotions into his glare at Re Gun, who continues to smile with curiosity. He was not oblivious. This humorous people of the land sage did not plan to help Shiroe anyway.

"So..."

"Fufufu."

Shiroe glares at Re Gun with a smile and start the negotiation.

"The things I hope to discuss with Mr Kinjyou is as stated in the letter."

"You want to talk about financing, specifically loans, correct?"

Block out other thoughts.

Just focus on getting the money.


"Since we are going straight to the point, this will save a lot of trouble."

"Correct, we will save a lot of trouble."

"Thank you for accommodating me."

Shiroe was hoping to hold the negotiation in Akiba. The core members of the Round Table Council is on a campaign to raid the Citadel of 7 falls right now, leaving Akiba vulnerable to attacks. He sense that something is going to happen. Even though Soujiro is around to hold the fort, Shiroe is still reluctant to leave Akiba.

He is holding the conference here because of the way Kinjyou is stonewalling him. Although Kinjyou did not outright reject him. He is simply kept at bay with meaningless talks, the topics being kicked around like a ball. In terms of negotiation experience, Shiroe with his graduate student level has no chance against this professional old timer.

But Kinjyou is diving straight into the point this round, surprising Shiroe and earning his gratitude.


"No, please don't mind me. Saving the trouble is also important. For the Kunie, this is a matter of grave importance."

"Ha..."

"Since you are here, that means you have some level of understanding about the Kunie."

"That's right. I heard about from Mr Re Gun."

"Ah. I am impressed that this is in the records of Mirror Lake."

"It is only polite to keep notes."

Shiroe reply with a bitter face.

This is not being polite.

According to Re Gun's research of his ancient texts, the knowledge that the Kunie clan is based in this zone has become a card for Shiroe to negotiate. 'I know where your home base is', a move that is threatening by nature. Shiroe knows this borders on being malicious. He does not forbid or hesitate in doing this, but Shiroe definitely didn't decide to do this gleefully.

He has been frustrated with the Round Table Council.

He is on the verge of lecturing the major guilds who are ignoring these obvious issues. He is so frustrated that he don't even care about using intimidation to get his way.

But the Kunie clan did not give up the duty they inherited since ancient times. At least they didn't plan to.

"Although I really hope to provide assistance to Master Shiroe of the Round Table Council, but please allow me to reject."

"Why?"

"Because this goes against our obligations to our ancestors."

Shiroe sigh.

Shiroe knew from the beginning that this is going to be hard. That's why he invited Re Gun and did all sorts of investigation to prepare for this. Their finding concludes that there are no records of the Kunie banking service providing loans, investing or financing any business. They simply provide cash deposit and withdrawal facilities.

Shiroe recalls the previous meeting he had with Kinjyou. Equity ratio, credit, trust fund... terms that are common sense for earthlings like Shiroe are foreign concepts for Kinjyou. If Shiroe explains them, Kinjyou will be able to understand what these phrases mean, but that is it.

The entity known as banks in Akiba are not the same thing as banks on earth. That is the conclusion Shiroe and the others has drawn. It is closer to a storage facility, not a financial organization.

That is amazing.

Real banks don't exist in this world. But the inability to obtain loan is too unnatural. Shiroe is not a professional so he is not too sure, but the act of borrowing money should have a long history. On further thought, Shiroe remembers that the Romans do loan money. Rome exist in the BC era. For this world that seems to be in the middle ages, the progress of civilization seems too slow if the concept of loan do not exist.

Shiroe can't get a straight answer from Re Gun when he explain all of this to him. Going by the account of the people of the land Elissa, it is very rare to see the act of borrowing money between the nobles and the peasants.

She have not seen such acts of loans between peasants either.

That's why the merchants does not hold much authority in this world. Basically all trades are done between the aristocrats, the merchants just execute the trade and deliver the goods. People of the land that is half noble and half merchant exist.

Also, the credibility of the currency does not lies with the nobles and royals. The aristocrats... who are the rulers, do not create the currency for market use. The currency are all 'discovered' when they defeat monsters. The money supply will increase if they continue defeating the monsters. The currency in circulation in a country on earth is created and made legal tender by the government, but this concept does not apply here.

The credibility of the currency lies in it's universality.

There is only one currency in circulation in this world. Gold, half gold, quarter gold are the units, there are no name for money. This is different from earth where USD and Euros are in circulation together, there is only one currency here. There is no need to give it a name. They are simply called gold, nuggets or coins. Shiroe thinks that the currency is not limited to the Yamato server, and is applicable world wide, making it legal tender in the whole world.

This means that it has the credibility of 'not turning into junk no matter where you go.' The credibility has nothing to do with the military might of countries, it is simply because there are no other forms of currencies. In a sense, it is more credible then the currency of earth which might lose its value if the country distributing it goes bankrupt. Even if the league of freedom cities Eastal or the Holy Empire Westlande crumbles, the gold in Maihama will still retain its value.

On the other hand, the rare metal the currency is made from holds values as well. But Shiroe is convinced that the main source of credibility for this currency still lies in its universality.

There are issues with the Kunie's bank as well. Although they are no different than a safebox, but its security is top notch. The money you deposit are guaranteed to be safe. Most of the bank is situated in it's own unique zone, and guards are a common sight. The bank also have unknown ID authentication technology. It is entirely possible to deposit cash in one bank and withdraw from another branch immediately. It also includes the sale of zones and the collection of upkeep cost. All these convenient services are available by adopting gold as your currency of choice.

This system is too convenient and self autonomous to not take advantage of. But there are other reasons why the governors did not create their own forms of currency.


"We can get gold when we defeat monsters right, Mr Kinjyou?"

"Yes, you are right."

Shiroe dive into straight into the point.

"We can obtain hundreds of gold by looting chest in the dungeons."

"Fortune favors the brave."

"Where is the person distributing the gold, can you give it to me before distributing it out?"



2


Re Gun is excited.

He befriended Shiroe of Log Horizon in the palace of ethernal ice, and is here on his invitation. Shiroe is like the arrival of a hurricane, bringing the house down.

Re Gun holds high regards for the young man with eyes that seems to gaze both into the past and into the future. Just like the time when Re Gun raised the temperature in the library as he explains the findings he devoted his whole life to, World Fraction. This young man managed to grasp all of this in one night, a rare talented Archmage.

Re Gun watches Shiroe's profile so intense he seems to have forgotten how to breathe.

Shiroe, the young man who introduced himself to be from Log Horizon, is an adventurer who make his living through the use of magic. Adventurers are strong. They are entities that can overwhelm people of the land. Be it warriors, scouts, healing magic, mages, adventurers are genius at whatever they do.

All adventurers are elites, but there are only a select few who are worthy of the title of Archmage. Although adventurers are powerful,   their abilities are often too specialized for use in other aspects other then battle. For the knowleageable mages who explores the mysteries of the world, magic used for fighting are nothing more than parlour tricks. Shiroe is one of the few adventurers who deserve the title of Archmage.


Re Gun thinks that there are 4 path to sagehood in this world.

All these routes are independent and do not intercept.

In this feudal era, technology and knowledge are secrets not to be divulged. The knowledge are then passed down as secrets, which are not made known publicly by those who inherits it.

The knowledge of this world are retained in this manner, and there are 4 ways to reach the pinnacle of knowledge.

First of this would be the path of research as a people of the land, which Re Gun belongs to.

The options to study openly is available through the academy of Tsukuba, to research in the shadows would be the way of the Mirror Lake. As a sage of Mirror Lake, he keep watch over the 'Forgotten lake of books', also known as the Mirror Lake. They are students who challenges our known perception of the world.

The second way is the adventurers. As the mage of Mirror Lake, Re Gun thinks the magic and knowledge of adventurers are totally different from people of the land. Their magic are powerful, but are essentially similar to people of the land. But even so, their knowledge seems to have a source that is out of this world.

Did the adventurers seal a part of their soul in an alternate world? Re Gun believes that there are signs that shows this. And this alternate world might be linked with the golden era. After the Apocalypse, the adventurers came up with all sorts of miraculous discoveries and inventions. It is already common knowledge to the mages of Tsukuba and Re Gun that these discoveries are linked to the super technology of golden era.

The third method is to use the powers of the Ancients. Just like adventurers, the Ancients are heroes that are beyond the understanding of the people of the land. Those who are on the same level as the people of the land are humans, elves, dwarves, half alv, werecat, wolf fang, fox tail and race of ceremony. The ones who can easily attain powers beyond the limits of the people of the land are adventurers and people of the land.

The Ancients also inherits secrets from days of old, a close society that protects the world as bands of knights.


The last way available would be the path of the Kunie clan.

They are shrouded in too much mysteries, so the contents of Re Gun's knowledge about them are all speculations. Although they are people of the land, but they are not academics like Tsukuba academy or Mirror Lake. Inheriting the technology passed them for countless eons, their influence goes beyond Yamato and affects continents beyond the ocean.

They have similarities with Mirror Lake who collects and studies the knowledge of the past, but the Kunie does not make these knowledge available to others. The key difference from the researchers of Tsukuba and Mirror Lake is their lock down of information. They do not actively engage people of the land or conducts research. They have no curiosity, a clan that shy away from contact.

Mirror Lake which focus on all types of knowledge has attempted to contact the Kunie clan dozens of times. But there has been zero records of success in terms of information exchange.

A member of the Kunie, Log Horizon's Shiroe and Re Gun being seated at the same table is a cause of excitement for Re Gun.


Shiroe's words has a shocked the Kunie's leader. Kinjyou let out a deep breath, wearing his emotionless mask once again in silence. He stayed that way for a long time.

"Master Shiroe, did you really think this is possible?"

After hearing the long awaited reply from Kinyou, Shiroe gave a small nod after stealing a glance at Re Gun.

It's about time for me to step in, Re Gun thought as he suppress his emotions in order to speak.

"Shiroe has brought up a point that has never been mentioned before. But speaking of which, this is one of the unexplained mysteries of this world. This is a view point that will complement the Spirit theory. The monsters are ever spawning. But where do their gold and loot come from? There must be some system in place that grants the monsters with these treasures. This is a new perspective that do not exist in the library of books in Mirror Lake. I am sure, I have browse through all of them."

Re Gun pushed the circlet with purple crystals on his head out of habit. This magic items gives Re Gun a great sense of insight and memory retention. But it is still a metallic headgear, Re Gun still can't get use to this circlet that has been passed down through the generations no matter how long he wore it.

But it will not be possible to complete the investigation this round without the aid of the magic circlet. Even with the circlet, there won't be able to make any headway without the records left by Re Gun's predecessor.


"The base of the Kunie that Shiroe mentioned was found in the records. It also revealed to us about the gold that the Kunie supervises."

"..."

Kinjyou kept up his emotionless mask up.

Re Gun is simply probing. That has always been the case. The men of Mirror Lake collates knowledge. New questions arises from the result of the collated knowledge. More information is needed to answer these queries. Working hard to answer these new questions, repeating this endless cycle.

"The logs states that there is a whirlpool of gold at the lowest level of the depths of Palm. Gold appears out of nowhere and dissapear to nothingness, a winding river of gold and the graves of vanquished monsters. The Dead Spirit King raised an army of undead in order to seize the gold for himself. Records of this incident are still available. One of the defenders was the Sage of Mirror Lake 15 generations ago who sealed the passage in the depths of Palm."

This is a common request for the sage of Mirror Lake.

The sage of Mirror Lake stands to gain all sorts of knowledge and magical items by taking on such jobs. They usually have to handle cursed items and equipments that is extremely dangerous if used in the wrong way. The owners of such relics... mostly nobles, hopes that Mirror Lake will be able to seal them away safely.

The reputation of the Mirror Lake grew because they are able to fulfill such requests, and they are happy to take on the task in order to collate more knowledge. Even if they are unable to learn anything new, getting their hands on such items means that they have more experimental material. Mirror Lake has a vested interest in learning sealing skills. Their techniques applies to both items as well as zones.


"I received the 'key of eternal darkness' during my adventuring of the 9 prisons of Helios. This was something made by Mirror Lake."

Re Gun hands the floor back to Shiroe when he hears Shiroe speak.

"According to the key, we have obtained the rights to challenge the 9 prisons of Helios. This area was sealed by Mirror Lake's... I'm not sure how long, but it was definitely the predecessors of Re Gun. And there are also several danger zones. We have confirmed their location."

Kinjyou was taken aback by Shiroe's statement.

Re Gun's combat magic are very weak. Although he won't lose to the knights of minor lords, but it is only at the level of the people of the land, he can't match the powers of adventurers.

And so Re Gun was escorted to the depths of the dungeon under the escort of Shiroe and his friend Naotsugu.

The records of Mirror Lake only mentioned that they were requested to seal the area, but did not explain the details of how it was done and what things they came across. When they reach the place, they found the giant bronze door and Re Gun knows how to deactivate the seals with his deep sealing knowledge of Mirror Lake.

Although he does not really understand what Shiroe means by 'unreleased zones', Re Gun understood from this expetition that there are such sealed off areas all over the world. Not all of them are sealed by Mirror Lake, and these zones are areas and facilities with restricted access.


"You intend to borrow the money from the golden whirlpool?"

"That's right."

You think it is related to the Kunie?"

"You are correct."

Kinjyou seems to have recovered his composure as he converse with Shiroe.

"... So you are going to plunder the gold from that place? You intend to rob us, man from the Round Table?"

Kinjyou's says with a cold voice without any trace of doubt.

Everything is clear.

There is a whirlpool of gold in the depths of Palm. And that place is related to the Kunie. There are no confirmation on this data, and the Kunie might has nothing to do with this. Re Gun discussed this possibility with Shiroe, but has made contact with the Kunie on Shiroe's advice anyway.

This has confirmed a query he had.

The Kunie clan has something to do with the Spirit Theory.

There are no hard evidence, but judging from Kinjyou's reaction, it can't be too far from the truth. The secret of the Kunie holds the answer to the intricate workings of this world. Re Gun is overjoyed with this revealation. He is on the verge of literally jumping with joy. The Spirit Theory is the most important research that Re Gun is working on. He feels like giving a toast, even though he cannot drink wine.

But Shiroe's voice is bitter.


"That is why we wish to meet you here. We do not wish to be enemies with the Kunie. The Kunie are very important. Even if we want to use the money, we can't make any headway without the assistance of your clan."

"Why are you doing this? No, what do you intend to do with the gold, Master Shiroe?"

"If I explain, will there be any chance that you will help us?"

"I am sorry. The ancestors will is to be followed."

"... Mr Kinjyou."

Re Gun glance at Shiroe who is biting his lips and seems to be holding something back, grasping onto any available possibility.

"Mr Kinjyou. I understand about the will of your ancestors. Although this is just the adventurer's way of thinking, I know this is an iron clad rule since time ancient. We are not asking you to break them. We don't intend to ask you to do anything forbidden. And that is why we need to know the limits of the rules."

"..."

"That's right. The Apocalypse changed the rules. This is a new age. It cannot be stopped. There must be..."

Kinjyou close his eyes, looking just like a iron bust.

Shiroe's explantion did not seem to reach Kinjyou's heart.

Re Gun's happiness has faded just like the setting sun. He don't understand what is happening before his eyes. Re Gun who has been schooled in magic since birth can feel that some matters that he don't understand is crumbling. It is probably a thing known as negotiation. But Re Gun thinks that something that cannot be expressed by the simple term negotiation is shattering.

3 of the 4 sages in this world are just gathered here, nothing more.

Re Gun clenches his fist unconsiously.



3


An icy atmosphere drifts in this room heated by a fireplace.

Naotsugu watches the back of Shiroe as he add wood into the fireplace. The tables has been shifted aside to make space for their sleeping bags.

This is the cabin in the mountains where their conference with Kinjyou ended fruitlessly.

What a lifeless back, Naotsugu thought.

Shiroe's worries.

He stirs the flame with a stick. They are sleeping soon, that's why he is nursing the fire so carefully. But he looks helpless, as if he is being made to go round and round in circles.

Naotsugu speculates that Shiroe must be thinking about complicated stuff and unable to rest. From the discussion in the conference earlier, Shiroe appears to be at a deadend. This seems to be tougher than that time when they were forming the Round Table Council.

"Hey Shiroe."

"Yeah?"

"Enough, get some sleep."

"Yeah."

Shiroe shuffles to his sleeping bag and sat with his legs cross.

The sleeping bag on earth are made from excellent materials, that's why it tends to be thin and convenient to carry. But such advanced insulation materials has not been invented yet, so the sleeping bags here are made from wool. It's insulation capability are much lower and is uncomfortable to sleep in because of its thickness. But when combined with carpets made with long fur, it is comfortable to sit on.

"Shiroe, you want to drink some?"

Naotsugu shows Shiroe the warm sake he is pouring into his mug. Shiroe attempts to block out the smell by blowing air out of his nose and replied "No thanks, I'm good."

Naotsugu thought that things wil be easier to deal with if he have a drink, but he did not force the issue.

If it was up to Naotsugu, he will just drink the sake, spawl out on the floor and sleep. But this s not Shiroe's style, and Naotsugu knows that he will pick himself up even if you leave him alone. There is no need to intervene in this.


"So it didn't work..."

"Yeah."

Shiroe answers with a troubled expression.

Naotsugu don't think this is a loss. He doesn't know the details, but it seems like Shiroe needs a huge amount of cash. It is not an amount that can be raised by adventurers. The means and source of such an amount is very limited.

From the dialogue session with Kinjyou of the Kunie clan, Naotsugu has a good idea of what the plan is.

Shiroe wants to exploit the settings of Elder Tales that was in place when it was just a game.

Adventurers can loot gold from the bodies of the demihumans they defeated. They are humanoid in appearance and possess a basic level of intellect, so that is nothing special. But gold can be looted from feral creatures such as wild dogs and large boars as well.

There is no real explanation as to why this is so. Elder Tales is a game, it is structured to reward players with gold and items when they defeat monsters, that's why monsters drop loot. In simple terms, this is expected of a game.

But a game will not be interesting if the game world mechanics does not make sense. Background lore are then added in order to make the mechanics logical. The settings used to explain is 'A powerful ancient relic implants gold into the spirit of the monsters when they respawn'.

A nonsense setting. But since it is a fact that monsters will drop loot, there must be a reason why. When Shiroe sees the fact lying before him, he decided to take advantage of it.

He is not giving up, Naotsugu thought.

... Well then, let us meet again. In that place where 'gold appears out of nowhere and dissapear to nothingness, a winding river of gold and the graves of vanquished monsters.'

... But you will need many warriors. How would you make your way to the source at the deepest level? The Kunie's answer will be dependent on the result of your challenge, Master Shiroe.

This is the final words the boss of the Kunie, Kinjyou left behind.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Shiroe knows there is a huge amount of gold in the depths of an unknown region. Collecting evidence, site visit, undo the seals and investigating the feasibility of raiding the place.

They will probably face off with the owner of the zone, the Kunie clan.

Shiroe is already successful theoretically when he achieve these goals. To be honest, Naotsugu feels that there is no need for Shiroe to contact the Kunie clan in the first place.

The targetted treasures are in the underground zone and they even have the means to access it. They just need to simply go there and bring the gold home to achieve amazing wealth.

(Hmmm... That's mean there is another reason why Shiroe is so depressed.)

When he thinks about it, the answer is obvious.

This troublesome friends of his converse with the Kunie even though there is no need to do so... and did so with practical no plan in mind. He is simply begging. Willing to do whatever it takes to win.

That's what he said before negotiating with the Kunie.

At that point, his friend is just saying in a humble manner unique to him that 'I don't have any plans'.

And he really didn't have anything in mind, Naotsugu thought. What a useless fellow, Naotsugu laughed.

In order to succeed, Shiroe will plan ahead and consider all possibilities. He seems to have spent quite a bit of time this time round.  Naotsugu took part in the scouting visit to the deepest part of Palm, but he heard from Re Gun that preparations were made a long while ago. The long nights Shiroe spent studying and researching in the study room is all for this conference.

Shiroe did so much preparatory work in order to gain all this money. And his hard work is rewarded with the confirmation straight form the mouth of the Kunie clan. now they just need to venture into this new zone and grab the money.

But Shiroe has other plans in mind.

Shiroe won't make intricate plans if he wants to make friends with someone. He can only speak the truth ust like an idiot. Shiroe do not want to rob the place by force, take the Kunie clan by surprise or lie about it. This means he wants to befriend the Kunie and is feeling down because he failed.

Naotsugu understands this and can only sigh, it can't be helped.


"Speaking of which, you are not acting like yourself back there."

"Well."

"It's like you can't speak your mind. It won't become a festival, festival is meaningless too." <TL: No idea>

"Is that so."

Naotsugu wants to trash things out with Shiroe to clear the air, but Shireo's answer is vague and half hearted.

"He's holding back again." Naotsugu sighed.

The negotiation today was definitely going to fail.

The Kunie clan observes a policy of extreme secrecy. And Shiroe withheld the crucial point of how the funds are going to be used. They didn't discuss or made any compromise either. Both side are withholding too much information.

That's why the negotiations did not make any headway. Having worked in the corporate world for a year, Naotsugu understands this will not work.

Just like the purchasing he did before, just sell a kg of pepper for 2450 yen. Get the purchase order from the client and submit it to the supply department. There is no need for conversations. But suggesting new products and negotiating long term contracts are another matter. You need to understand the situation of the other side. You need to convey the constraints you face on your side as well. You have to consider the issues for both parties and not simply keep pushing for your own agenda. These are the prerequisite, the rest is sincerity. In order to move forward, both sides will definitely need to compromise.

With the way secretive manner Shiroe and Kinjyou handled the negotiations, the talks were doomed from the beginning.

Naotsugu doesn't know what cards both of them are holding in reserve.

He don't know what Shiroe intends to do with all that money too.

Or why Shiroe seems so troubled.

Shiroe is being too considerate again.


"What are you thinking about Shiroe?"

"..."

"This is just the beginning, so spit everything that is troubling you out."

Troubling things troubling things, Shiroe chants like a incantation. He lay down with moan.

"Hey Naotsugu."

"Yeah."

"Kinjyou mentioned that we need many warriors right?"

"Ah."

Naotsugu was wondering what was troubling Shiroe and replied without thinking. The path to get the fund is clear, so the problem is how to get on the good side of the Kunie. Isn't that the main issue? Shiroe faced the confused Naotsugu and continues.

"No matter how you interpret it, he is hinting at a raid battle. No, this is the only possibility. But this is really troubling."

"Why?"

"We lack the manpower."

"Eh?"

Naotsugu don't get it. He knows that a fight is inevitable. If you find a mysterious zone in the depths of the dungeon, there is a high chance there will be a raid battle. But he is confident they will prevail. Adventurers are immortal, and the Shiroe can tap on the manpower of the Round Table Council. It might take some time, but they will eventually make it through.

"All the guilds in the Round Table Councils are under surveilance. We are being led by the nose here, unable to get away from supervision. I don't want Minami to know this."

Naotsugu is taken aback.

Not using the resources of the Round Table Council. Don't want Minami to find out about this operation. And he is withholding the final objective. What kind of handicap play is this? Naotsugu's mouth stays open. There is probably a time limit too. Since Shiroe don't want Minami to catch wind of this, they can't stay too long. Naotsugu who sneaked out of Akiba in secret understands. Except for the members of Log Horizon, other people probably thinks that Shiroe is holed up in the Guild building hard at work. Since they want to complete the mission before others knows about it, there will be a time limit.

"Shiroe you masochist."

Shiroe who is lying down replied "I'm not. I just want to live happily everyday."

That doesn't look like what he wants to do, but Shiroe is not lying. Naotsugu knows very well.

This is Shiroe's true wish. He has been this way since the Debauchery Tea Party days. Shiroe has always been striving for the easiest method with highest chance of success. When the method seems winding and troublesome, it means the problem is twisted and hard.

Naotsugu's friend does not compromise on his target.

That is why Shiroe works so hard and is burdened with so much.

(Although most of this troubles are created by Shiroe himself. There are many people who can assist Shiroe with his problems.)

"Well, I guess there is no other way."

Naotsugu statement contradicts his heart.

Shiroe is a man who will get it in the end. He is not someone who will lose sight of his goal. If he is someone who loses track of his objective, Shiroe should bash his own head in who a brick.

Shiroe seems troubled right now, but he will accept the reality of the situation with time. Not just Shiroe, all men are like that. Naotsugu blushes when he thinks about this. He recalls the incident where someone's stubborness brought a ton of trouble to others. but Naotsugu thinks that it is necessary.

It is the same for everyone, and probably applies to Shiroe too.

He might be heralded as a strategist and intellect, but Shiroe is actually clumsy by nature. The clumsy Shiroe requires time to think things through.

And it will be great if Shiroe lets him in during this period of time.

Even if Naotsugu leaves him alone, Shiroe will work hard in order to accept the reality of things. That's the kind of man Naotsugu's friend is. He gives everything he has in the things he does.

"There is no other way. Let's go solicit member for the raid. Don't worry, it will work out in the end."

When Shiroe mumbled hesistantly, Naotsugu kicked Shiroe optimistically and added "It will be fine." Everything can be repaired and mended, Naotsugu thought, but he didn't convey it verbally.


End