Earth With Dungeon: Saving the World With an Economic Boom

Chapter 204. Half-Truth

Ashikaga Takauji exhaled deeply after seeing off the departing guards. He frowned, staring at the ripples forming in the sake poured into his cup.

“It’s better not to think too much~. If you keep frowning, you’ll get even more wrinkles~.”

A relaxed female voice reached his ears, making him snicker as he downed the sake in one gulp.

The clear taste lingered in his mouth, the slight burn in his throat causing him to place the cup back on the table with a bored expression.

“This sake is too clean. It’s from the era when there was a ‘special grade.’ It’s so light and uninteresting.”

“I wasn’t even born in that era, Takauji-chan.”

“In the past, sake was clearly categorized by grades like special grade, not by taste but by the amount of tax paid.”

A beautiful woman of appropriate age sat in the chair where the guard had been, across from Takauji, who was now folding his arms and closing his eyes.

“Oh, what a good era it was, where money guaranteed taste. It’s simple and good.”

The woman, amused by Takauji’s explanation, said. Her long, straight, lustrous blonde hair reached her waist. Her gentle-looking eyes and relaxed demeanor could make a first-time acquaintance mistake her for a kind person.

Her name was Taira Masako, the female head of the Taira family, one of the three ruling families of the inner city. Takauji opened his eyes, his mouth curving into a slight smile at her relaxed response that belied her appearance.

“This era is all about money and violence. Don’t you think so?”

“Yes, it’s a tough world for the wealthy. Though we can’t complain, having taken over the country in a coup~.”

Takauji chuckled, waving his hand to ask what was on his mind, and Masako lightly waved hers in return.

[Scrambler]

The space around Masako distorted like ripples, spreading outwards. When her skill ended, she crossed her legs with a seductive smile.

“Now, no surveillance device or skill should be working. Even if the guards try to peek, they can’t~.”

Masako’s unique skill made all surveillance ineffective and greatly reduced the activation rate of magic. Its drawback was that it also applied to herself, hindering her other skills.

“It’s a useful skill. Sometimes I wish I had it. So, what do you think?”

Takauji glared at Masako, who shrugged her slender shoulders, responding in her usual laid-back tone.

“Which one do you mean? The guard who said they handed over the skill crystal machine to Narashino City, or the lying Takauji-chan who only gave them ten A-rank cores? What’s with that? You have more than enough cores. You must have at least a thousand.”

Japan had been at war with dungeons for nearly thirty years. Initially, only A-rank monsters appeared. Missiles destroyed them, but the government gathered cores and bodies, searching for any use.

Ultimately, they found no use, and these items became waste. However, the government officials, fearing backlash for discarding them if a use was later discovered, hoarded a massive number of cores in warehouses. The three ruling families were the first to distribute the hoarded cores with the emergence of the Core Store.

“I’m not lying. It depends on the criteria. By my standards, it’s far from enough.”

“If they find out, the guard will kill you~?”

“No, he’s the type to blame the deceived rather than the deceiver, so he won’t complain later.”

Based on the gathered information and his impression from meeting him, Takauji judged the guard to be dangerous but reasonable. The deal was ambiguous enough to allow multiple interpretations, so he wasn’t too worried.

“I’d like to get acquainted with him too~. He seems dangerous, but also a good man.”

“Your family gets along well with someone named Rei, buying skill potions preferentially.”

“I’m afraid the emergence of skill crystals will drive up the prices of skill potions. Even low-level ones could become valuable if skills become widespread. You understand, right?”

Masako smiled, tilting her head slightly. Takauji, amused, reached for the now cold food.

“Don’t raise the prices too much. So, what do you think about the skill crystal story?”

The guard’s story was dubious. Does Amatsugahara Corporation really lack the technology to produce skill crystals?

“Well… I’m also skeptical~. I didn’t think Core Store’s research had advanced that much, but it suddenly did. It’s clear they developed it with Narashino City’s technical cooperation. Can’t you get information from Narashino City, Takauji-chan?”

“I know some people, but only Seiichi Yuki is allowed in the lab. Those who offered to help with the research disappeared.”

Takauji, having lost several valuable agents, clicked his tongue and munched on the salad.

“It’s the same for us. Everyone disappeared. We even lost valuable contacts with concealment skills… such a pity~.”

Masako, pretending to lament the missing people, showed no real concern. Takauji nodded, realizing they faced the same outcome.

“It can’t be helped. Let’s wait and see for a while. Until then, let’s cooperate.”

“Hehe, it’s rare for the Taira and Ashikaga to join hands.”

“Like in the Three Kingdoms, we keep each other in check. It’d be troublesome if Amatsugahara Corporation manipulates us too much.”

With a sly smile, Takauji poured sake into his cup. Seeing him, Masako raised her hand, ordering the waiter to bring another cup. It seemed she intended to join him for a drink.

The Ashikaga and Taira clans had teamed up, leaving the Minamoto clan out. No one would imagine us joining forces… or so I’d like to think, but the sharp ones might have predicted it. Well, even if we smile while shaking hands, there’s a knife hidden in our sleeves. We could betray each other at any moment.

It’s just like the Three Kingdoms. Form an alliance to defeat the remaining enemies, then quickly turn against each other. But unlike Wei, I don’t intend to be destroyed by Jin. This alliance is to solidify our positions and remain cautious. The Taira clan must feel the same, hoping to part ways amicably when the time comes. Though it’s just a hope, things could still turn nasty.

“The Minamoto clan surpasses us in financial power. The initial oil shares were huge.”

“We only have about ten skill crystals worth one hundred million each. It feels a bit lonely~.”

Masako gently placed a hand on her cheek, tilting her head in an elegant manner that suited her well.

Nodding slightly, Takauji leaned back in his chair. The amount wasn’t significant compared to the Minamoto clan’s oil revenue.

But it wasn’t about the money. He took a skill crystal from the trunk and rolled it in his hand.

“If you’re tired of this meager business, you can transfer the potion sales rights to me. I can exchange them for a few of my companies. I’m kind-hearted, you know. I still want to support the younger generation.”

In this cutthroat world, I pretended to be a good-natured old man, only for Masako to scoff at me. If only she kept up her demure act a little longer. Good grief.

“No amount of money can buy influence. I wouldn’t give it up. You’re funny, you know. I could let you handle skill crystal sales~.”

Her gaze turned cunning, revealing Taira Masako’s true nature.

Influence. That power is hard to acquire, even with a vast fortune. After all, it’s the inner city full of monsters. Gaining influence over the entire area is difficult.

The world will change drastically from here. I’m certain. It’s not about money.

“Skill crystals are currently only for combat. But if they extend to production… the world will change. High-level craft skills can create incredible things, like Kamishiro Serika.”

That albino girl. In a short time, she rose to become one of the top families, just below the three ruling families.

“Yes. Like oil or rare metals, skill crystals will become important~. Same with skill potions. Controlling these two ensures the future. The Kamishiro girl is troublesome not only because of her craft skills but her intelligence and cunning. But even more troublesome is Amatsugahara Corporation. Are its members still unknown~?”

Masako’s tone turned languid as she poked her food with a fork. Takauji snorted in boredom.

“If we knew, we’d take action immediately. But no one can shake Amatsugahara Corporation. It’s troublesome due to the lack of information, and of course, Amano Sakimori.”

“That man is troublesome… How did no one stop him from expanding his influence? If I had known, I’d have recruited him.”

“His moves always made it seem like he had a powerful backer. While we were wary and checking each other, he solidified his base. Now he’s the king of the special zone, monopolizing what we desire, partnering with Kamishiro Serika, and probably controlling Narashino City. He’s the most powerful in this country.”

His strategy was masterful. In hindsight, it’s clear Sakimori had no backer. He was manipulating the three families. He had been cunningly operating since his gang days, and now, we can only tip our hats to him.

His true danger lies not in his skill power but in his intelligence. By the time we realized the threat and the resources and technology he possessed, it was too late to act. He’s a monster. I couldn’t have operated so cunningly at his age.

“Yes… We’ll have to approach from a different angle. We should target Rei. I don’t think she’s backed by Amano Sakimori. Her free actions and the method of selling skill potions feel off. Maybe she’s separate from Sakimori’s faction.”

Masako’s gentle expression turned into a cunning smile. She must be plotting something unpleasant.

“The Earth Federation Army is also a mystery. They’ve been quite noisy lately.”

Well, good luck to them, Takauji thought with a faint, dark smile. Young people are too impatient. Here, we should stay calm and observe. It would be a joy to see the Taira clan lose power.

We’ve grown closer, so I’ll make sure to pick up their bones.