Chapter 207. Gensokyo Paradise Plan
"Pokémon Park?"
"Mhm. Using the Pokémon IP as the core to build a world-class theme park!"
Clenching her fists, Theresa's eyes all but blazed.
"I get the idea. What made Academy Head Theresa bring this up all of a sudden?"
Turning virtual into physical—whether in the previous life or this one—it's a plan with a hundred benefits and not a single drawback.
Never mind Homu still going strong in today's world; just look at that certain mouse-eared company from the last life. Profits from its theme parks already more than doubled its box office income.
Revenue is one thing; the way it strengthens IP operations is another.
Whether it's incubating new IPs or sustaining older ones, the boost is obvious.
Look at all the fresh merch in those park shops—without that famous logo, how many people would actually care?
With the most recognizable IP as the operating core and the others branching off to reinforce it, intertwining into a vast, flourishing tree—he'd already sketched out this plan back when he founded Gensokyo.
He just hadn't expected Theresa to bring it up before he even took concrete steps.
"Because don't you think now is a perfect chance?"
A few days ago, when Theresa wheedled grandpa for funds and vacuumed his private stash, Otto quietly gave her a tip.
"Oh? Let's hear the details."
"Ahem."
Theresa cleared her throat and said seriously, "The Pokémon World Championships co-hosted by Anti-Entropy and St. Freya in the second half of this year is the most perfect opportunity."
"You mean the World Championships?"
Seeing Theresa's slightly smug look, Xander Masato stroked his chin, thinking aloud, "That… really does sound promising."
Before Theresa could continue, Xander kept going: "Judging from the online hype around the Pokémon World Championships, this could rival the Olympics. Riding that momentum to launch Pokémon Park would naturally maximize publicity. As long as we integrate the IP well, it's guaranteed to catch fire."
"So grandpa was right—you only need a nudge to figure out the rest…"
She muttered under her breath, lips quirking as her chance to show off slipped away.
"Academy Head, what was that?"
"Nothing, nothing."
Not dwelling on it, Xander smiled. "I actually had a contingency plan for this. The moment you mentioned it, I knew what to do."
"Oh? So you agree?"
"I never said no, did I?"
He'd originally planned to float it a few years later, but now really was a great window.
And… looking at Theresa, raring to go—he even had a hands-on pathfinder eager to take point. All the less reason to refuse.
Let Theresa take the early lumps, then scale the park afterward. With Pokémon's heat as the engine, Theresa's play would be a sure-profit, no-loss deal. Everyone wins.
"However…"
His tone shifted, instantly cooling Theresa's excitement. She frowned at him.
"Just a Pokémon Park—doesn't that feel a bit too narrow?"
"Too narrow?"
"Yeah."
Spreading his hands, Xander said with a smile, "Besides Pokémon, Gensokyo still has Plants vs. Zombies, Hollow Knight, and a whole slate of quality IPs. Don't you think it's a waste to leave them on the shelf?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it drifted into Theresa's ears and quickened her breathing. "You—you mean…?"
"Exactly what you're thinking. Why use only one IP?"
Planting both palms on the desk, Xander leaned closer and met her eyes. "Why not unite all of Gensokyo's IPs and build a theme park that belongs to Gensokyo? And as Gensokyo keeps launching new games, those IPs get added in step, so the park never loses freshness or heat. The IPs can also complement one another and spark even more vitality…"
"Th-this…"
Judging by Gensokyo's trajectory, if they really bundled every future IP together…
Sss—
She didn't even dare imagine how irresistible that park would be. She knew she couldn't refuse.
"Well then, Academy Head—can I entrust this to you?"
Unwittingly, offense and defense had swapped. Theresa, who'd come seeking a partnership, found herself being recruited by Xander instead. The initiative had quietly changed hands.
Theresa forced down the thrill surging in her chest and took a few steadying breaths. She looked at Xander and promised, "Of course. About five kilometers from St. Freya there's an undeveloped area of nearly a thousand hectares. It's coastal, with a private dock that leads by boat to a private island a short distance away that's also several hundred hectares. Grandpa gave me all this years ago when he heard I wanted to build St. Freya. Now it's finally useful."
Gave…
Theresa herself didn't notice, but everyone else in the office winced.
That much prime coastal land, just—gifted. So this is Schicksal-level flexing?
She sounded kind of Versailles about it…
As a local, Kaguya felt it even more keenly. In a small country like this, top-tier land is insanely expensive. Back when the Moon Capital Group tried to secure just a few hundred hectares, they had to grease every rung and burn endless effort. Over at Schicksal it's just… gifted?
Can't compete. Simply can't.
"How's the transportation there?"
Swallowing the thoughts, Xander asked.
"It's linked to the city's trunk road. Buses and the subway are both very convenient."
"Good—that's excellent."
He nodded, then added with a smile, "Even if it weren't, we could always have a little chat with the local 'honorable' councilors. Once the park is built, it'll support over ten thousand jobs. I doubt those 'elites' in the legislature would object to putting in a dedicated transit line."
Knowing all too well how the politicians here operate, Theresa smiled and nodded. "You're not wrong."
Then, as if remembering something, she scratched her cheek, a bit embarrassed. "Since I'm providing the land, the construction side…"
She blinked at him. Her wallet was far too light for that kind of bill!!
If it were just Pokémon, staking the land would be enough. But if it's all of Gensokyo's IPs, then…
But she simply couldn't turn down that big, juicy cut dangling right in front of her. If this worked, St. Freya would never lack funding again!
"That's fine. Even if you hadn't said it, construction should fall to us and Anti-Entropy. Anti-Entropy already has experience with a Homu Park; they're the natural fit, aren't they?"
Besides, he was creating a massive pool of jobs for the region. Shouldn't the local government be subsidizing him by the hundreds of millions, with tax breaks on top? If it hurts them—what's that got to do with Xander or Anti-Entropy?
Xander's tone shifted again. "One thing up front, Academy Head—our partnership is limited to this park. Any future expansion to other locations will be our own business."
"No problem."
When expansion reaches other cities, Theresa won't be contributing, so she has no claim to a cut. She understood that much.
And one theme park would already keep him busy. Even if they collaborated again later, that would be between grandpa's side—Schicksal—and Anti-Entropy.
This first park would be a pilot run for both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy. Everyone's eyes would be on this fat piece of meat.
Hearing that, Xander laughed and held out his hand. "Since we're aligned, let the professionals hammer out the details. Here's to a good partnership."
"Mhm—happy cooperation~"
Theresa grinned too.
Big matters get settled in small meetings; small matters in big ones. The most important decisions are often clinched in just a few lines like this.
With the top-level intent set, it was the negotiators' turn.
Profit splits and percentages—that's for the folks down the ladder to spit at each other about. It wouldn't touch Xander and Theresa's relationship. He'd hand the matter off to Cocolia—no way she'd let her kid get shortchanged.
And the "political achievement" from building a theme park would let her swim even more freely within the Group.
Once they wrapped, Theresa didn't linger. She hurried back to St. Freya to have her grandpa send people over.
Back in the office, Bronya finally spoke after holding it in for a long time. "It's decided… just like that?"
"What else? It sounded great, so we set it."
"I—I feel like it's a bit too casual. Shouldn't you at least consult with Mom Cocolia?"
She hesitated. Xander chuckled. "Maybe it was a little casual, but the Championships are only half a year away. If we don't decide now, time won't wait. Do you think this is good or bad?"
"It should… be a good thing?"
Bronya knit her brows, thinking.
"Right? If it's good, then why not decide quickly? Dithering isn't my style. And even if we fail, so what? It's not like we don't have the capital to absorb mistakes."
Losing interest in work for the moment, he tugged his little secretary into his arms, hand wandering over smooth white stockings to play.
Good mood, time to "privately mentor" the secretary~
"…You're right. I'm the one hesitating."
She shook her head, amused. They couldn't run to Mom Cocolia for every decision. In day-to-day work Bronya was stricter than Xander, but when it came to big calls, she could never be as decisive as he was.
But she didn't need to be. She just had to keep a firm hold on that figure ahead of her, pinching his sleeve and never letting go.
Thinking that, she'd just turned with a slightly admiring gaze when she caught sight of Seele, cheeks flushed, biting her lip as she tried to stifle her moans. Bronya's smile went black in an instant; the admiration curdled into disdain.
Why can this guy never stay serious for more than three seconds…
Watching Seele's eyes grow hazy and her body arch again and again, Bronya rubbed her thighs together, heat rising under her skin.
Tsk. The more I think about it, the madder I get. I can't stand this!
She snapped upright with a rustle, face dark, and strode toward Xander.
Seeing this, Kaguya sighed and stood as well. She didn't join them, though—she went to the office door and quietly locked it.
"Keep it down~"
Turning back, she smiled at the three of them.
...
It wasn't until close to quitting time that the staff noticed their boss come out of the office. Seeing the slight weariness on his face, they silently admired his dedication.
With achievements like his, and he still worked so hard—what right did they have to complain?
With that thought, they dove back into their grind all the more enthusiastically.
He first pulled a quick huddle with a few Yu-Gi-Oh! project leads, then swung by to discuss the game community buildout with Sugisaki Ken. After confirming every project was moving in good order, he finally clocked out and headed home with Bronya and the others.
"Xander, you really should've rested at home today. Look at your eyes—you look exhausted."
Walking shoulder to shoulder with Xander, Kiana spoke with genuine concern.
"Nah, it's fine. Work doesn't do itself."
Xander answered naturally. Seele and Bronya walked arm in arm, faces red and silent; Kaguya shot him a glare.
"It's not like you have to do everything yourself. Can't you delegate?"
"Routine stuff, sure. But today's couldn't."
His mouth twitched. With that kind of task, of course he had to handle it personally!
"Today's? What task?"
"Don't worry. You'll find out in a few days."
Kiana puffed her cheeks. "Oh, wow. You're even keeping me in the dark? Some 'good bro'… good friend, huh!"
"Because you're my good bro, I'm not telling you. Gotta protect the surprise."
"You always have an excuse."
Bickering just enough to be playful, Kiana savored the walk. Before she knew it, they were at their front gate.
Elysia was fully sobered up and greeted them brimming with energy. Back home, Kiana couldn't get a word in before Rain was swept off by Elysia, clinging to his arm and whispering who-knows-what.
Must be nice…
Watching, a little envious, she firmed up the resolve for what she planned next.
No more delays. Tonight. Tonight!
After dinner, Elysia headed to Eden's place to chat as usual. Sirin went upstairs to stream; Griseo returned to her painting; Seele and Mei experimented with new desserts in the kitchen. Kiana had been scheming how to shoo Bronya and Kaguya away—only to notice they'd both gone upstairs, leaving Xander alone in the living room.
What can you say—Kiana really was ridiculously lucky. Luck played its part.
Because of the afternoon's "business," Bronya and Kaguya had a lot of work piled up, so they decided to head upstairs for some overtime, handing Kiana a perfect opening on a silver platter.
She took a deep breath and sidled up to Xander, giving a little cough.
"What's up, Kiana?"
"W-well, we're free anyway, so… want to go out for a walk?"
Her gaze skittered left and right as she extended a nervous invitation.
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