The Winner of the Whale Fight is the Shrimp

The place where the research director and families arrived was a villa built in the forest’s heart.

There, Sallio warmly welcomed the research director.

“Hello. I’m Sallio, Named’s deputy guild leader.”

“I’m Research Director Gizel. I’ve heard much about you.”

Following guild members Pernok introduced while coming here, he heard explanations of Named’s rapid growth over the past few years.

Reassuring, but on the other hand, doubtful thoughts overlapped.

Why did Pernok become in hostile relations with Rezhen’s 1st Prince?

“This is a safe house where the guild leader paid special attention to security. Since food and necessities are all sufficiently stocked, don’t worry about anything and rest comfortably.”

“How long must we stay here?”

“While the guild leader finishes outside work, we’re arranging safer zones. However, you probably can’t live as Rezhen’s citizens.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

“Just say what you need. The guild leader asked us to cooperate as much as possible.”

“Then I have one curiosity.”

“Please speak.”

Gizel brought Sallio to a place separated from researchers and asked.

“Why exactly did a guild of this scale raise a banner against the 1st Prince?”

“There’s sensitive content, so it’s hard to explain.”

“Didn’t you say you need power to fight the nation? I’m already prepared.”

“If you hear, you won’t be able to easily withdraw your foot—is that acceptable?”

“Even if a blade comes to my neck, I’ll definitely keep faith, so please tell me.”

Sallio spoke carefully as if troubled.

“Actually, our guild leader is an Illumina Kingdom throne succession candidate.”

“…!”

“Though a bastard’s status, Illumina Kingdom law also guarantees he has throne succession qualifications. But Illumina’s 1st Prince and Rezhen’s 1st Prince joined hands. Naturally the guild leader couldn’t overlook this fact. Thus, he’s placed in the difficult position of somehow having to weaken Rezhen’s 1st Prince.”

Gizel nodded with a heavy expression.

“Don’t the guild leader and director’s interests align? The guild leader’s will is to join hands briefly to check a common enemy, and when everything becomes peaceful, help you all live in a safe world again.”

“You walk a difficult path.”

“Yes. But we won’t extort, oppress, and threaten those here like the 1st Prince. I repeat—safely hosting everyone is top priority, and next is seeking cooperation.”

“Since you rescued my family, I’ll also devise all necessary means.”

“Thank you. And this is my personal greed. If the director wants to make his name known to the world, choose the guild leader.”

“What does that mean?”

“The reason Named could grow to this degree in a short time is entirely thanks to the guild leader’s ability. That person will definitely accomplish great things, and is broad and remarkable enough to embrace even free-spirited mercenaries.”

Sallio whispered covertly.

“Don’t think there’s no place to retreat. Perhaps the director is facing the opportunity of a lifetime before your eyes. Think slowly until cooperation period with us ends.”

Sallio who withdrew grinned.

“By all means, you must take this conversation to the grave.”

“Thank you for speaking candidly. But if this is opportunity as you say, I think it’s a matter to discuss closely with researchers.”

“That’s…”

“I’m in a positive stance. No, rather I’m ready to actively persuade them.”

Gizel became resolute.

“We now have nowhere to go. If you fairly pay prices according to ability, I’ll do my best so all research helps the guild leader.”

“Don’t worry about that. The guild leader tries to raise even people without talent somehow. Since he loves talent more than anyone, he’ll accept your joining as a gift, not burden.”

“Then there’s something I’d like to request immediately.”

“What?”

Murderous intent rose in Gizel’s eyes.

“Either way, if we fight Rezhen’s 1st Prince, we must clash with many soldiers. I’ll further improve the Mana Flash Cannon. I’ll make weapons to overturn inferior forces in one stroke.”

“What do you need?”

“Improved flash cannons will greatly increase convenience of activating by charging mana. So, I need special ore to contain mana.”

“Ore?”

“Not known to the world. We also learned through recent research.”

Gizel approached researchers and requested something.

Researchers pulled out jet-black fragments from pockets.

Gizel received the jet-black fragments and showed them before Sallio.

Sallio’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t this Galun?”

“You know it?”

“I learned about it while taking mine escort missions in my youth. Then, I remember miners definitely saying Galun is useless ore.”

When Gizel applied force to his finger, Galun crumbled with a pop.

“As you see, it’s ore processed into about decorations because hardness is very weak. But we learned the fact that when this receives certain level or more mana, it can be processed into solid cores. And those cores can contain considerable mana.”

“…!”

“Galun is ore traded dirt cheap. Only the guild leader should know.”

Sallio barely suppressed his rising lips.

“The director’s knowledge greatly helps us.”

“Please secure as much Galun as possible. And deploy high-level mages to immediately enter processing work.”

Gizel twisted his lips.

“If the guild leader just gives the signal, I’ll make flash cannons to sweep away that cursed Rezhen royal family.”

“Thank you. But please think of researchers’ safety first. Absolutely, you mustn’t do excessive research.”

“I appreciate the consideration. Then may we also go inside and rest?”

“Yes. Just tell guild members over there what’s lacking.”

Gizel bowed then returned to family and researchers.

Gizel, who first sent family inside the villa, seemed to discuss future matters with researchers.

‘The guild leader properly hooked them.’

Pernok said wanderers with nowhere to return would come back to a safe resting place.

He was also confident those who worked with honor and conviction would rise once more when provided similar environments.

The conditions presented to the research director were all exactly the contents written in correspondence Pernok sent.

What wasn’t expected is that ore Galun treated as waste grade in markets has tremendous utility.

‘Galun is even known to only come from Rezhen…’

As traded dirt cheap, few places mine Galun.

It was merely ore to make into children’s decorations, and this nation where war clouds swirl emphasized iron ore.

‘…First, I should consult with Rio.’

Rio is fattening the 4th Prince’s belly while proceeding with various work for the guild.

Sending all miscellaneous work to Rio, he handles it on his own.

Sallio sent correspondence to Rio.

And before long, a reply arrived.

[Buy large quantities of Galun on markets so merchants’ unnecessary attention doesn’t concentrate, and purchase only appropriate amounts in small quantities.

And I’ll buy up all Galun mining sites in time.]

Monopolizing Galun.

Though he doesn’t know details, Rio said it’s possible.

‘He’ll handle it well.’

Pernok also said to fully cooperate with work Rio says is possible.

Pernok’s judgment has never been wrong until now.

Sallio replied to Rio and faced Gizel.

Whether he deeply pondered future whereabouts for days, terrible dark circles settled under his eyes.

But his eyes alone sparkled more clearly than when first arriving.

“Please ask the guild leader whether I should call him Your Highness going forward.”

Sallio laughed loudly and offered a handshake.

“Welcome. Use whatever title is comfortable.”

Gizel, burning with motivation, firmly grasped Sallio’s hand.

* * *

When Pernok returned, Salavan welcomed him with a smile.

‘He already knows all the secret lab’s situations.’

Leisure overflowed from Salavan.

“I’m a bit late.”

“Not at all. You handled great work very safely.”

“Did you attach people?”

“I just confirmed by seeing my enraged brother’s expression. If people attach and actions are discovered, wouldn’t the guild leader be troubled? I’m curious how you handled the work.”

Pernok answered clearly.

“There were bothersome bastards, so I eliminated them at once. Neutralizing just the security network meant additional forces didn’t come from outside. I destroyed the building itself so traces wouldn’t be discovered.”

Salavan nodded.

“And I collected this.”

Salavan’s eyes showed interest.

“It’s theory developing flash cannons in various forms.”

Examining fake blueprints, Salavan held a satisfied smile.

“Really clean work handling.”

Not only breaking through tight security to completely destroy and damage one of the 1st Prince’s core facilities, he even brought results he’d built up.

Greed arose in Salavan’s eyes.

Desire to somehow bind Pernok more.

“I think I can make very good deals with brother using this.”

“Won’t Your Highness use that?”

“It’ll belong to the kingdom anyway. Then wouldn’t using it as a good negotiation card be more efficient?”

Mana cannons are Rezhen Kingdom’s treasures. Everyone will view the 1st Prince who hid the fact he arbitrarily modified and reconstructed them unfavorably.

Salavan planned to use these blueprints to politically pressure the 1st Prince, plus establish his position by achieving merit of developing mana cannons.

‘Not a blockhead.’

Hiding his expression, Pernok spoke.

“There are no survivors at the research lab.”

“Now only you and I know the final results.”

“My mouth will be heavy even after exclusive contracts end, so be assured.”

“Hahaha, would I really oppress and threaten ‘my person’?”

Even if he becomes king, he’ll support Pernok who’ll command the S-rank guild.

Since such nuance was contained, Pernok responded with a smile.

“It’s truly regrettable. Why did I meet someone like the guild leader only now?”

Salavan tapped the table with his finger as if pondering something, then soon smiled brightly and rose.

“Guild Leader Pernok, can you spare some time for me tomorrow?”

Salavan made some great resolution.

At the unusual words, Pernok nodded.

“Please treat me comfortably. I’m Your Highness’s blade.”

“I have no intention of leaving the guild leader as a mere swordsman. Capable talent needs appropriate treatment.”

Salavan grinned.

“Prepare formal attire. Wear it and go to Duke Ludmila’s house by lunch.”

Pernok suppressed his rising smile.

Duke Ludmila is Salavan’s greatest supporter, a Magus counted in Rezhen Kingdom, and the supreme commander commanding the military.

He’s a real power among real powers in the kingdom, where rumors occasionally circulate he might enter S2 in a few years.

Arranging a seat with Salavan’s greatest supporter means he’ll properly push Pernok.

‘Higher-grade jobs than flash cannons will pour out.’

Perhaps he’ll receive unexpected gifts from the 2nd Prince faction who valued Pernok highly.

‘The research lab matter was quite big.’

Salavan looked like a golden goose that grasped delicious treasures easy to eat.

Pernok bowed and grinned.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Today rest comfortably eating alcohol and food.”

Salavan brought in prepared alcohol and food and left the room.

Pernok tilted a drink cup after a while.

The alcohol flowing down his throat felt very sweet.