The Martial Unity

In a world where a network like the Internet had not taken hold yet, communication and distribution were vital and scarcer services for business and commerce. While communication technology did exist, it was not enough to facilitate large-scale mass communication over great distances. Satellite technology, that on Earth allowed for communication from one end of the planet, did not exist in this world. Thus all communication had significant bandwidth and range limitations.

In such circumstances, how was one supposed to conduct extensive international trade over a large number of foreign markets?

That was where the need for communication services allowed one to be able to connect to a market that is extremely distant without necessarily having to invest an impractically huge sum of capital into building one's own network and power base in an entirely different nation.

These services functioned by building a deeply entrenched communication network in the form of media promotion, showrooms, factory outlets as well as more informal manners of promotion.

The distribution services followed after building a demand for a certain brand or goods and services, allowing for a smooth transfer of funds and goods and services between the market and suppliers and service providers.

Bradt Patrick had come to dominate this sector with a gigantic communication and distribution empire oligopoly that was unrivaled within the market in the geographic vicinity of the Shionel Confederation. This was one of the reasons that he was able to see

"Ok, but what does that have to do with the Bradt Patrick and the Shionel Dungeon contributing to the loss of stability in his power?" Kane wondered, scratching his head in confusion.

"The reveal of the Shionel Dungeon has been good for everybody," Rui began saying. "Most sectors and industries benefitted from it, some more than others. And some, far more than others."

He turned towards Kane. "Guildmaster Patrick's business and trade falls into the category that hasn't benefitted as much as, say, raw esoteric suppliers and the manufacturing sector."

Of course, the increase in the sheer number of goods and services flowing inside the Shionel Confederation was definitely something that significantly benefitted his trade, however, not as significantly as the industries and sectors centered around the trade.

"Mercurite and Whitemane Powder, two of the esoteric substances ubiquitously found in the Shionel Dungeon, are valuable esoteric substances in the esoteric technology sector. The prior scarcity of it meant that the industries and sectors surrounding it were malnourished, but now that that is no longer true, these industries and sectors have undergone a great rebirth," Rui explained. "Unfortunately for Guildmaster Bradt, one of his political rivals runs a conglomerate centered around esoteric technology development and manufacture. He's dealing with a rival that has basically gotten a steroid injection or the equivalent Squire evolution breakthrough, and is growing 'stronger' every day."

"I see," Kane finally realized. "So Bradt Patrick, whose position used to be very secure and dominant, is now in trouble of losing his power due to the increasing growth in power of his rivals'?"

"Correct," Rui nodded. "In such circumstances, if I were him, I'd be looking for any variable that could break the current ongoing trends, or come to the next election, he could very lose his position as Guildmaster. He would do anything to avoid that."

Rui smiled as Kane's eyes widened when he fully understood Rui's intentions. And he had to admit, the plan was insane but could work. Though he had no idea about how Rui intended to execute that.

"Leave the details to me, like I said, I have this under control," Rui explained. "Remember what I said about the map?"

"Right," Kane nodded. "The Shionel Merchant Guild intends to commercialize the free real estate that would be left over after the Shionel Dungeon is completely cleared."

"Correct," Rui nodded. "And one of the many things needed to successfully embark on such an endeavor is a map, which I can provide… But also, it most certainly requires a highly robust distribution and communication network to establish the infrastructure and a flow of capital and goods and services from within and out."

"I see.." Kane understood. "So that means that Bradt Patrick will also be highly invested in ensuring that the commercialization of the cleared dungeon in the form of real estate is a successful endeavor."

"That's right," Rui nodded, grinning. "Now, I have to get to work, enough time has probably passed."

"Enough time for what?"

"For the search to have hit a dead-end," Rui explained.

"The investigation has only been around for a few days, correct?" Kane frowned.

"That's right, however, the prospects of finding the culprit become evidently clear at the beginning of the investigation," Rui explained. "There is a large window for the possible entry and exit of the culprit from their point of view, the suspect pool is large, and the means of smuggling the yields are unclear as well. They basically have no way to narrow down the suspects. They cannot engage in search warrants for all possible Martial Squires because that would piss off all the nations partaking in the Shionel Dungeon exploration, and as annoying as the theft is, making an enemy out of all the surrounding nations that contribute to business and are markets and clients of the Shionel Confederation is an infinitely worse outcome that could go as far as causing a recession in the economy."

"Right…" Kane tried following all of that. "So you're saying that you intend to deal with them after it has become evidently clear to them that they have very little hope of catching you in the act?"

"Correct," Rui nodded. "With that out of the way, I only need to provide them with a strong incentive to cooperate with me, or rather, him. As long as I can do that, I've won. And the two of us can go as all-out as possible with the clearing of the Shionel Dungeon. I have a lot of preparations to make before I can go ahead with that, thus I'll probably be busy for a day or two."