Log Horizon - Shiroe's sister

Chapter 43

"Conversation~"

Thinking thoughts

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Shiroe has been sitting on his bed since he is back in his destinated room.

It was almost dawn, and the dark empty room was silent.

The curtains were drawn, so even the starlight could not shine through. The room was in darkness, there was no difference in opening or closing the eyes.

Shiroe reviewed his day in the dark.

Based on today's meeting and Rinne's memo, it is as predicted, the nobles of the League of Freedom Cities Eastal had contacted members of the Round Table Council individually with a variety of requests. Most of them hoped for military aid, the loan of technology, or wanted to sign trade treaties. They were more cunning and smart than Shiroe's group imagined.

If the Adventurers sent out an army, they could easily disrupt the balance of power between the cities. The nobles understood they could not lose this balance, and quite a number of them knew about Oceanic Systems, The Rodrick Firm, and 8th District Shopping Center pooling their resources to make a steam engine ship prototype. Shiroe was surprised by this, and he could tell from Akatsuki's report that the nobles had a lot of spies in Akiba.

Furthermore, there are several times, Michitaka asking for Rinne for help in answering either delivery method for trades or steam-powered ship project. Even though he is a guild leader of a production guild, there is a limit in controlling the conversation with the noble when there is a lack of experience in it. Luckily, Crusty had asked Rinne to join in this banquet. Otherwise, they would be more troubled on how to handle this confusing and cunning conversation flow. The nobles are trying to lead the conversation to their benefits and finding any loopholes to control us, the Adventurers. After all, it would benefit them a lot in many ways.

We were the centre of attention... Shiroe thought.

Akiba did not classify any of the information from the public's eyes, so it was easy to gather intelligence from them. There were no real secrets at this phase, but the technology of building a steam engine and the related technical expertise required high-level Blacksmith and Mechanic subclasses. Even if they leaked the information they were creating something, the other countries wouldn't be able to emulate them any time soon.

Shiroe, Michitaka, and Crusty held a meeting and communicated with the other members of the Round Table Council via telepathy to discuss working with the League. Signing a free trade agreement for food should not have any cons.

Akiba could not provide enough food for themselves, and they were lacking in rice, wheat, potatoes, taro, and all types of beans. Signing a contract to open a trade route was advantageous to Akiba. On the other hand, Akiba would be exporting seasonings in the food category.

Salt, sugar, and all types of spices were the speciality of Akiba, but the processed seasoning products like soy sauce and other sauces could be made using knowledge of the old world by the subclass brewers.

Some of the requests of the nobles could only be accepted with additional conditions, or they would be kept in mind for further discussion. The number of rejections was several times that of the accepted requests. This was a necessary process for Akiba to draw the line on where they stood on the numerous requests and issues.

However, compared to the meetings with the nobles of the League, the conversation with ReGan had much more impact on Shiroe.

I can't calm down... Shiroe lay on his bed and thought before he heard a knock from his assigned bedroom door.