If you were to grab a random passerby and ask them to name a few rich people?
This one name would definitely be included.
Wooheuk.
Some claimed his wealth exceeded that of the Imperial Family.
After all, 30% of our galaxy’s logistics moved through his hands. If you considered the derivative businesses he operated based on that, your jaw would drop.
That was why every Marshal tried to avoid making an enemy of him. If they maintained a close relationship, he would even invest in the center of that Marshal’s territory. Most Marshals wouldn’t even dare to present their business cards to him.
That legendary figure had visited our Lucifer System. Even though we hadn’t invited him.
“Welcome to the Lucifer System.”
“The Lord himself coming out to greet me? I don’t know what to do with myself,” Wooheuk replied.
He was of the Cow race, looking roughly like a fat Minotaur.
His fur was black. His physique was substantial, but his manners were refined. He hunched his body slightly to avoid appearing intimidating, and his tone was quite polite.
“By any chance, is the man beside you the rising hero of Sector 16, Sir Pak Yu?”
The Marshal’s office had advertised me excessively. Thanks to that, I had become a little bit famous. Now, walking through the space station drew everyone’s attention.
“A hero? You flatter me. Rather, it is thanks to you, Sir Wooheuk, that so many people in these troubled times are living long enough to die of old age.”
In this world, the movement of logistics was vital. This was precisely because of the longevity drugs.
The main ingredient was honey, but it was so expensive that commoners couldn’t even dream of seeing it. For it to be processed into an affordable, mass-market version, many local specialties were required.
For reference, without longevity drugs, most races would find it difficult to survive past 200 years old.
“Hahaha. You’re putting a gold leaf on this old man’s face. I’m just a lowly porter, nothing special.”
Wooheuk’s estimated age was over 900 years old. He probably ate royal jelly like it was rice. I was jealous.
“Shall we have a meal first?”
Father and I treated Wooheuk with the utmost hospitality. This man was the lifeline of the Pak family. One way or another, we had to dump this land onto him.
To someone like Wooheuk, this land wouldn’t be much of a burden. Marshals didn’t want to get on his bad side.
However, would he actually want to buy this place? In the game, Wooheuk had always desired the Lucifer System.
“By any chance, Sir Wooheuk, would you be interested in this land?”
Father broached the subject while we were having tea after the meal. Since we were the ones in a hurry.
And more important than the price was the timing. If he wanted, we could even give it to him for free. No, I felt like I’d even pay him to take it.
“Our Woo family has never once coveted a territory. That will remain true in the future as well.”
What? Why was he backing off? Was he trying to lowball the price? I said I was willing to give it away for free.
“Sir Wooheuk. How about building a logistics center here? There is no place better than this, as it is a crossroads in all directions.”
Father tried to tempt him with something he might find appealing. He emphasized that it was an attractive location for other competitors as well.
“Hahaha. This truly is an attractive land for a logistics businessman. However, the family motto of our Woo clan is to never get involved in politics.”
At that moment, a chill ran down my spine.
‘What? Why is this different from the game?’
Common knowledge from the game was the only thing I could rely on in this world I had suddenly dropped into. This realization came to me as a wave of immense terror. It felt like my navigation system had broken down in an unfamiliar place.
“Is… is that so?”
Father also looked flustered. He must have judged that we had a winning chance.
“Oh, right. I heard you requested an auction for ant eggs at our Woo family’s branch.”
He seemed intent on changing the subject.
“Yes. Please take good care of it.”
Father and I smiled bitterly. We had to find another way now.
However.
“I have purchased all of that stock myself for ten times the price.”
The maximum auction price was ten times the starting price. In reality, getting even three times the starting price was considered a success. But the organizers had bought it all before the auction even began.
“Do you happen to have more stock?”
“Yes. I divided them up to put them in other auctions as well.”
“I will buy those items for ten times the starting price as well.”
Was there ever such a sucker? The fortune I had squandered on buying the battleship had tripled several times over. But that wasn’t what was important.
‘So that was it.’
A flash went off in my head. I finally understood why this man had wanted Lucifer.
Thinking back, a logistics hub? The business ran well enough even without one. His real interest lay in the Ant race.
In other words.
Since I had already subjugated the Ant Queen.
He no longer had a reason to be interested in this land.
‘It’s me again.’
Things had changed because of me. But it was still a relief. At least my common knowledge wasn’t wrong.
“I will hand over all the stock to you, Sir Wooheuk.”
“Hahaha! The Pak family is quite bold. I cannot lose to that. Since you gave me the monopoly, I will buy them at fifteen times the starting price.”
He raised the price himself. The true king of suckers had descended upon this world.
It was an amount of money that couldn’t be made even if we sold the Lucifer System several times over. But both Father and I felt sick to our stomachs.
***
“Whew…”
The two of us were dejected. The plan to sell off the Lucifer System was a total failure.
“Your father is fine. Take the money and leave. With this much, you can start anew anywhere.”
“Are you planning to make me an unfilial son?”
“What are you talking about now? The world already knows you as an unfilial son.”
I had no words for that. Honestly, if this were a game, I would have shouted for joy and left.
But here? I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t lose my parents again.
Was it the pull of blood? I already felt like the man in front of me was my father. I could never abandon him and leave.
“Even so, I am staying.”
“You really are unfilial. Troubling your father until the very end.”
“Yes. Then, I suppose I am an unfilial son.”
I stood up from my seat. I walked to the window and looked down at the planet below. The clouds looked ominous.
“We just have to make it past this typhoon.”
“Even if the war ends, nothing will change. No one will want to buy this place.”
The corners of my mouth curled up. I had thought of a backup plan.
“We just have to hand it over to Marshal Imperium at a low price.”
“They have no reason to buy it when they can just take it. And even if they did buy it, we belong to Marshal Humildas’s command. Handing it over to them is no different from surrendering.”
“No. When the war is over, everyone will understand even if we sell the territory.”
Instead, we had to drain Marshal Imperium’s strength as much as possible during this war. To the point where they would rather pay for it than use force.
To do that, we had to bring in outside forces. Marshal Humildas alone could never stop Marshal Imperium.
*Thud!*
Just then, the butler rushed into the room.
“Lord! Young Master! An urgent report from the Marshal’s office!”
I had just seen a high-speed ship entering the station. It must have been a messenger from the Marshal.
“Here. It is a letter.”
Father opened the letter.
“It is indeed Marshal Humildas’s own handwriting.”
Special parchment retains the force of the writer. It could be verified in several ways.
“What does it say?”
“Tsk. It’s news that Marshal Imperium’s main force has disappeared from their center.”
The real war had begun.
“And they are telling us to call in reinforcements from other Marshals.”
“Which other Marshal are they talking about?”
“They say it doesn’t matter who it is.”
This was a crossroads area. It was a good place to access other Marshal systems.
“That’s perfect. I will go.”
“Is there any faction that would help our Marshal’s office?”
“Yes. There probably is.”