“Chairman Mac Clancy, regarding that matter…”
In response to my question, I, Mac Clancy, the de facto ruler of the Proxia Republic, heard Lightman, the director of the Department of Technology, hesitate.
“What’s wrong, Lightman? Can’t you answer my question? I’m only asking about the analysis results of that ‘magic item’…”
“Th-that’s just it, we couldn’t…”
“What? Even with the full resources of the Department of Technology?!”
“Y-yes… The moment we open the casing of the ‘Aurora Gang’s’ magic items, no matter which model, they self-destruct and turn to dust.”
Unbelievable…!
This isn’t an analysis—it’s a disaster!
“I recognize the Department of Technology as a competent organization that has managed to analyze and mass-produce the ‘Collar of Sealing Magic’ from the Adon Magocratic State’s magic items. And yet, you can’t analyze the Aurora Gang’s products?”
“…Honestly speaking, as a technician, the difference between the Aurora Gang’s products and the Adon Magocratic State’s magic items is like the difference between heaven and earth… No, it’s even greater!”
At the director’s words, the members of parliament began to murmur.
“Ridiculous!”
“How can that be?!”
“Our opponent is a twelve-year-old brat… no, a mere child! Are you saying our nation’s technology can’t compete with some kid’s toy?!”
I understand their reaction. I feel the same.
A genius child—I can accept that.
But we are merchants.
To rise this high, we needed more than just intelligence, physical strength, or luck. We required a variety of methods, good lineage… everything.
Everyone here knows the world isn’t so simple that “talent” alone can accomplish anything.
And furthermore, no one can achieve anything by themselves…
Even against the Kingdom of Biltria with its mighty military or the Adon Magocratic State with its advanced technology, we can stand our ground with the merchant’s power—wisdom, wealth, and cooperation. That’s our philosophy, our national policy, and our pride.
No matter how powerful or talented, an individual is powerless in the face of the masses. That’s the natural order of things.
But this boy?
He was born from a lowly background, grew up in poor conditions, and wasn’t taught by anyone notable. He came into the world with nothing special, envied, dragged down, and hated by others… I’ve heard even the nobility and royalty reject him!
On top of that, he’s younger than my grandson—just a brat!
And yet, how… how has he come this far…?!
“Hoh hoh ho, everyone, please wait a moment.”
Hm…
It’s Manson Bouban, the Minister of Finance…
“At present, it’s clear the Aurora Gang’s technology is superior to ours. Let’s admit that.”
Indeed, that’s true.
“…However, we are merchants. Therefore, we simply need to beat them with the power of commerce!”
…I see?
“And what exactly do you propose?”
“There are many methods we can use. For example, gourmet food, alcohol, women… We possess what that boy desires, do we not? We trade those things for his technology… That’s the essence of commerce.”
“And if he refuses?”
“That would be even easier. No matter how much of a genius he is, drug him to sleep or seduce him with women, and we can easily control him. After all, he’s just an inexperienced child…”
“Hmm… Then I’ll leave the negotiations with the Aurora Gang to you, Manson.”
“Agreed!” “Agreed!” “Agreed!”
One month later, the day after Manson brought the Aurora Gang to our country…
Manson lost everything and took his own life…
“Impossible!”
“Unbelievable!”
“Would they kill him just because they didn’t like him?!”
“Using brute force for domination…!!”
We urgently gathered the parliament and began a meeting.
This sort of thing must never be allowed!
Even if it’s in name only, how can the emissary we sent to apologize and negotiate be driven to suicide by the very country he was sent to? It’s unforgivable!
What are they thinking?!
But in the middle of the meeting…
“S-sir, it’s an emergency!”
The guards of our country rushed into the assembly hall, their faces pale with fear!
“What is it?! Why are the guards interrupting our meeting?!”
I shouted, and the guard replied:
“Look outside! Please, look outside!”
Outside…?
“♪ Waiting in a dream, Aurora
A land of new discoveries and wonder ♪
♪ Aurora, the shining mall
A shopping paradise that excites the heart ♪
♪ Fashion trends, new self, joy abound
In Aurora’s wonderland ♪”
W-what is that…?!
A colossal tower… A tower reaching the heavens, like the legendary Tower of Babel!
Blasting a frivolous song, a rainbow appears at its peak, and the rainbow spells out: Aurora Mall, Proxia Republic Branch, Grand Opening!
“…Aurora Mall? …Is this their doing?!”
How dare they…!
Are they seriously planning to do business in this country?!
“W-what shall we do, Chairman? Shall I order the guards to drive them out…?”
“Fool! This is a challenge to us!”
Yes, it’s a challenge!
“S-so, what does that mean?”
“They must know we mock the nobility of the Kingdom of Biltria as ‘pig knights with golden leashes.’ And now, those very nobles are opening a shop in this country, asking us: ‘Will you lose to the golden leashes in commerce?'”
If we were to issue a forced closure on Aurora’s shop, they would publicly declare, ‘The Republic of Proxia, the land of commerce, fled because they were afraid of losing in business!’
This is a nation of commerce! Even if we lose in other areas, we must not lose in commerce!
And if we, who claim to have an open market, were to chase out a shop because it might make more profit than us before even starting business…
Merchants would abandon us, commercial activity in the city would shrink, and we would be finished!!!
…We have no choice.
“Everyone! This is war! We will show Aurora our true power in commerce!”
We must win this battle in business, or we have no future!
