Earth Dungeon 72.2

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Chapter 72.2. The Beginning

"So, Shingen-dono, how much D-rank loot did you collect from this dungeon conquest?"

"I haven't counted yet, but it's close to a thousand."

"Then that would be around 9 tons of ale, right?"

Numata leaned forward and asked, and I answered, but Numata's expression grew troubled. Something seemed to be wrong.

"The quantity isn't the issue. Ale is popular in the outer town. They'll consume it in 2 or 3 days. Only Amatsugahara Corporation can buy ale in such quantities."

D-rank monsters are dangerous. Sometimes people forget that, but it's tough for them to defeat them. Plus, when they lead squads, they have to use guns. Normally.

So, the purchase of ale is exclusive to Amatsugahara Corporation. The people in the inner city will probably convert the dungeon's loot into ale, but the quantity is different.

"Did something happen? What's going on?"

I asked, and Numata's expression became pained.

"It seems like we're making too much money. The union in the outer town has set its sights on us. They've allied and are giving us a hard time."

"...I see. Tell me more."

I could tell from Numata's serious expression that it wasn't just simple harassment, so I listened attentively.

Numata sighed as if exhausted, and Baba snorted and sat on the sofa. Apparently, Baba had been listening to Numata's story. It felt uneasy

"Do you know the prices for alcohol?"

"Yes, for pure ale in the outer city, it's 700 yen, right?"

In the Amatsugahara market, it's 500 yen for pure ale. That's to attract people to the market by offering different prices. And Numata's profit is also included in that price. But when it comes to the prices of alcoholic beverages in the outer town...

"Yes, that's right. Other pure alcoholic beverages in the outer town cost 2,400 yen. Mixed drinks are 800 yen. At this point, weak and unpleasant alcoholic beverages are not competitive."

"When you look at the prices, it makes sense. There would naturally be friction. So, the alcohol union is giving you a hard time because of this?"

It might indeed be an excessive move. It's only natural that the union of alcohol makers in this area would decide to harass them. But is it something to worry about?

"It's supposed to be our territory. We'll have to deal with some friction, right?"

"No, I expected it, but it's terrible. They've reached out to the bread union and clothing union and are conducting sales in our territory. They're selling pure ale and hard bread cheaper than us."

It was an unexpected turn of events, and I was also surprised. Ale and hard bread are popular because they're cheap. To compete by lowering prices like this, They're selling genuine products. Is that sane?

"They must not be covering their costs, right? What's with that price? They're definitely in the red."

They're purchasing alcohol and wheat flour from the inner town. Even though the quality is poor, they're subject to heavy taxes, and the cost price is likely set at the price in the inner city. Isn't it below cost?

"Huh! You're being too soft. It's because of that attitude that they're taking advantage of you. You should be firm, and strong. If they see our attitude, they'll stop such actions."

Baba stared at Numata with contempt. The people from the outer town have been abusing them for a while, and most of the people in the abandoned town, who used to envy their prosperity, are now eager to regain their power and show the people from the outer town that they can't take advantage of. 

Baba had gathered the people from the abandoned city who shared similar thoughts to demonstrate their strength.

In other words, they belong to the Shingen faction. Shingen's son, Katsuyori, is in charge of both alcoholic beverages and food items, so factions like the alcohol faction and the crop faction are beginning to form. It's troublesome. But it's a natural progression, and there's probably no way to change it.

When people gather and start dealing with something, unions or factions will inevitably emerge. However, the recent actions in the outer town are extremely troublesome for the Shingen faction.

I haven't taken any action myself. What did Takeda Shingen do during the Warring States period? He said something like, "Some people are stones, and some people are castles.", but people aren't inanimate objects, so they act on their own.

"Let's sell at a lower price as well. Profit is still there, so we have a significant advantage. If it's a price competition, our victory with lower production costs is guaranteed."

Baba thought it was a good idea and patted his chest while smiling.

"Yeah... that makes sense. What do you think, Katsuyori?"

I asked my son as I removed his helmet and scratched my head. Katsuyori, who was good with calculations, narrowed his eyes and replied.

Given the significant difference in production costs, we might win in a price competition. We have revenue from supplying the inner town. The ones who'll be hurt are the others...

"Well said! Let's sell at a lower price."

Baba enthusiastically clapped his hands and celebrated, but Katsuyori stopped him with a gesture.

"We should go ask the president for his opinion. With his cunning mind, he might come up with a plan."

"That's true. That man will surely come up with a clever scheme."

It's a complicated matter, but if it's Sakimori, he'll think of something that benefits us and use his cunning. With a sly smile, they decided to head to the headquarters together.

And so, they went to the president's office, but...

"Leave it be. If Numata's black market thrives, we might profit in the future. Customers might come to us as well. Let's take it easy."

Sakimori informed me that he had told Numata and the others to gather customers for them. 

He did so with a sinister expression.