Chapter 70: The Shadow Conglomerate
Notice. Salvage of 42 Imperial Magitanks completed. Notice. Magisteel purity exceeds local standards by 18%. Assessment. Salvage value provides sufficient capital for Labyrinth expansion Floors 96-100.
I stand in the courtyard of the Obsidian Vault, my silver-white hair catching the moonlight. The ridge where I liquidated the Imperial vanguard is miles away, but the scent of scorched ozone still lingers in my sub-routines. Vesper stands behind me, her silver-glass clipboard glowing as she tallies the intake.
The Empire didn't send a survey team; they sent a litmus test, I think, my internal persona mentally filing away the blue-haired girl's scream. They wanted to see if the 'Rich Slime' had teeth. Now they know. Teeth are expensive, and I've got the best dental plan in the Octagram.
"The salvage is archived, Lord Shinji," Vesper says, her voice a sharp, clinical melody. "However, a messenger from the central district has arrived. Lord Rimuru is currently being audited by the Council of the West regarding the 'Masayuki Incident.' They are questioning the legality of the Dungeon's betting pools."
"The Council is trying to regulate a market they don't understand," I respond, my voice porcelain-cold. "They see the profit margins and mistake it for a crime. Vesper, fetch our new 'Executive Consultant' from the holding cells. It's time she earned her stay."
Vesper bows and vanishes. Moments later, she returns, leading the blue-haired Otherworlder general from the vanguard. Her spirit is currently suppressed by a [Transaction Domain] collar, and her eyes are a mixture of cold fury and genuine terror.
"You... you killed them all," she rasps, her voice trembling. "Gadora escaped, but the rest... you just erased them."
"I liquidated an uncalculated risk," I say, turning to face her. My [Dragon Spirit Haki] is a low, oppressive hum. "Now, you have a choice. I can process your soul via [Soul Eater], which has a 100% efficiency rate, or you can sign a labor contract. I need an executive who understands Imperial logistics to manage the salvage factory."
"Labor... contract?" she blinks, her arrogance finally replaced by a desperate, ROI-driven confusion.
"Shinji."
Rimuru walks into the courtyard, looking exhausted. He stops when he sees the girl in the Imperial uniform. "Is this who I think it is? Fuze is in my office practically vibrating with panic. He says the Empire is at our gates."
"The Empire was at our gates, Rimuru. Now they are raw materials," I state, my expression remaining a mask of clinical composure. "I am currently in the process of acquiring a new specialist. Her insight into the East's military-industrial complex is a high-value asset."
"Shinji, we talked about this," Rimuru sighs, rubbing his temples. "You can't just 'acquire' people like furniture. The Council is already breathing down my neck because you've turned the Founder's Festival into a gambling den."
"I've turned it into a self-sustaining economy, Rimuru," I retort. I look at him, acknowledging the golden aura that marks him as my safety anchor. "My current architecture is stable, but not sufficient for my long-term vision of this nation's defense. If the Council is worried about betting pools, it's because they haven't seen the dividends yet. I'll handle the audit. You handle the harmony."
Notice. [Croesus] Stage 1: Query. Individual 'Rimuru' is prioritizing social stability over profit. Notice. Strategic deviation detected.
"Fine," Rimuru says, looking at the Imperial girl. "But if she tries anything, it's on your head. And seriously, Shinji... 'The Obsidian Vault'? People are starting to call it the 'Shadow Capital'."
"A brand is only as strong as its perception," I say, adjusting my obsidian gloves.
As Rimuru leaves, the girl looks at me with a new, sharper kind of fear. "You talk to the Demon Lord as if he's your accountant."
"He's my partner," I say, my sea-grey eyes locking onto hers. "Now, sign the contract. Vesper will show you your quarters in the specialist wing. Try not to break anything; the deductible is higher than your life expectancy."
Current Magicule Reserves: Infinite (Linked). Location: The Obsidian Vault. Status: New Executive Acquired. Empire Salvage: Operational. Soul Capacity: 38%.
Azathoth, initiate a deep-scan of the girl's memory law fragments. I want the exact coordinates of the Empire's nearest supply hub. If they want a war, I want to be the one who owns the supply lines.
Chapter End.