Ishura - Volume 8 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2- Centripetal

The battles in the Sixways Exhibition began before the actual matches themselves.

To Hiroto the Paradox and Zigita Zogi the Thousandth—one pair among the shura who used their machinations as weapons—it went without saying that four small months before the start of the first match was nothing but a single moment in a massive plan that had begun even earlier.

Once Hiroto became active inside Aureatia, the first thing he required was a reception room. An office built in an upscale residential district in Aureatia, not very big, but not too small either. Special attention was given to the quality of the sofa and furniture his guests would come in direct contact with, and a reserve of tea and snacks was provided to ensure they never ran out—that was the extent of the accommodations.

As Zigita Zogi assembled the tactics he would apply to the Sixways Exhibition, Hiroto, with greedy enthusiasm, intermingled with various social classes, from high-level government officials to the owners of small shops, and poured his energy into establishing cooperative relationships in this role, regardless of how much fruit they bore.

“Master Hiroto the Paradox. Thank you very much for your invitation.”

“I am honored to make your acquaintance as well, Katara the Crimson Water, Director-General of Elpcoza Peddler’s Union.”

Compared to the bald-headed elderly gentleman, Hiroto, welcoming him in, was young. His appearance would have been described, even at the highest estimates, as that of a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boy. However, with his attire, tailored to resemble the suits from the Beyond, he strangely didn’t compare all that unfavorably to the elderly gentleman, even when side-by-side.

“The name of the Gray-Haired Child was a great legend among us merchants. We wondered if he actually existed, what sort of technology he must possess… I can’t help feeling a bit strange that someone like me would have the chance to actually meet you.”

“If we’re mentioning legends, you deserve that moniker yourself, Katara. Pioneering a trade route to the Arboreal Sky Spire the way you did must have been no ordinary feat. Personally speaking, I’ve been cheering on your efforts for a while.”

“Goodness. You are familiar with me?”

“If anything, I’m absolutely shocked! I never thought a newcomer like myself would have a chance to talk to with you like this! It seems that Elpcoza Peddler’s Union has great expectations for our business negotiations, then. In which case, I do hope our bargaining will be productive.”

Using very natural and sometimes exaggerated emotional expressions, Hiroto opened up the heart of those he confronted.

He had investigated the reputation and career of Katara the Crimson Water beforehand, but this was a wholly common matter to him as automatic as breathing. As long as Hiroto was able to predict their inevitable meeting, then giving his everything for such an encounter was a purely matter of course.

“You would be General Dant, of Aureatia’s Twenty-Nine Officials, yes? I look forward to speaking today.”

In response to the elderly man’s greeting, the shaven-headed man, sitting slightly removed from where they were, responded. “Yes, I am Aureatia’s Twenty-Fourth General, Dant the Heath Furrow… I may be in the way here, but I’ll be sitting in on these negotiations.”

“Of course, I don’t mind at all.”

“Hiroto the Paradox is a crucial party to my hero candidate. Supposing there is any foul play regarding the match, it would be a detriment to them both. Hope you’ll see me here as trying to nip that in the bud.”

“Yes. I ask you to be a fair judge, then.” The elderly man calmly answered, but inwardly, he couldn’t have been too happy.

For such a big negotiation, it was possible that its success or failure would ultimately be influenced by legislative acts or changes in standards on the Assembly’s side of things. There weren’t any merchants who wanted the Aureatia Assembly to know about an important decision on the spot.

However, Hiroto didn’t feel any weight to Dant’s surveillance. More than that, he was even using it in negotiation to his advantage.

By having Aureatia’s Twenty-Fourth General present for, Dant could give the impression that Hiroto’s existence had been acknowledged by the Assembly.

“…in short, we are able to provide a workforce that is far more flexible than before. There is certain to be a sudden increase in manpower requirements with the advent of the Sixways Exhibition. However, as I am sure you are aware, this period of prosperity will not necessarily continue after the conclusion of the tournament… Should you contract with us, it will allow you to make plans that necessitate an increase in manpower.”

“Quite. Being able to mobilize a labor force on a scale that the normal labor guilds can’t match is an advantage. It would essentially be a labor guild the size of a small city—that said, what of their proficiency? Such skills cannot be taught overnight.”

“That, too, is no cause of concern. I can guarantee the skills of our proud goblins, and I believe it will also be possible to dispatch laborers from the Free City of Okafu with an adequate foundational skillset. They administered a whole city themselves, after all. There will be experienced workers from any industry in their ranks.”

“I see—you’re absolutely right. If we can form a contract for the price you have presented me with, I believe it would be an amicable deal for us. That said, I will take this matter back to the Union for the time being… If you could kindly set up another meeting at a later date, then.”

“Yes, of course. These negotiations were productive. I truly wish for your success in your Union’s business.”

From idle chitchat to business deals—Hiroto had spoken with a wide range of people, without any rest, even before the start of the Sixways Exhibition. Of course, the person on the other side of the negotiations wasn’t always this civil. There were some who tried to take advantage of Hiroto’s weak position to force disadvantageous conditions on him, and others who tried to manipulate the Gray-Haired Child with false trickery. Hiroto patiently kept his relations even with these people, too.

As he continued such taxing work, day in and day out, he didn’t tire. It could be said that Hiroto had almost zero aptitude for combat or physical exercise, but when it came to negotiations, he could keep them going for a full day. Hiroto had the vitality of a teenage boy.

The bodies of visitors never deteriorated.

It was when one went to battle a mighty power that they truly needed to accumulate bonds and trust.

“Hello, Mr. Hiroto! You’ll offer me another juicy story today, right?”

“Of course! It’s my privilege to meet your expectations. There are several things we have discovered on our end regarding the hero candidates. I believe this will serve as an extremely profitable item for the Melmark Detective Agency.”

For Hiroto’s camp, the connection with the visitor journalist Yukiharu the Twilight Diver was a powerful advantage. As long as the person he dealt with needed the information—anything from the contents of the Aureatia Assembly’s plans, investigating the movements of major players, or breaking news on disputes, accidents, and incidents—Hiroto would share it with them without seeking much payment in return.

When there wasn’t any particular need to keep a meeting confidential, Hiroto would act like himself, without using his reception room.

—For example, when meeting with the hero candidate, Kuze the Passing Disaster.

“So, that’s the whole reason why you gave me this information for free, eh?”

“With our strength, it’s possible to trace the whereabouts of every single child in the Order across every region in the land. We are already fully aware of several pieces of information regarding your organization.”

—For example, when meeting with Cayon the Sky Thunder, Aureatia’s Twenty-Fifth General.

“I have no intention of changing the arena for the seventh match, thank you. I’ll make it happen at the Mali Wastes… Though, to make sure things end up that way, I want to get rumors out there that suggest it’ll be held at the Dogae Basin.”

“Fair enough. If it’s held in the Dogae Basin, the merchants will suffer big losses and sense an incoming crisis. You see, everyone has started preparing under the assumption it would be held at the Mali Wastes.”

“I’ll offer up as much collateral as I can. I might also be able to bring some flexibility to the decision on whether to get Mele involved or not.

“If you would allow me to ask that much of you, Lord Cayon, then I gladly accept. However, I will need to let this rumor spread in a way that ensures it won’t disadvantage anyone else…”

Hiroto’s way of fighting was different from the styles of both Linaris the Obsidian and Rosclay the Absolute.

His fight wasn’t behind the scenes. It was among the people, a battle to openly build trust.

The construction of the widest possible network of interpersonal relationships that could prove beneficial in some way, somewhere down the line. Hiroto the Paradox believed that was truly the greatest trump card to have up his sleeve.