## Chapter 194 – Contest
Inside the banquet hall, there was a special space.
Inside it, a round table was placed, and chairs were arranged all around the round table.
It was quite large, so many chairs were placed in a circle.
“Please, sit.”
At the head of the family’s gesture, people began to take their seats one by one.
“Welcome. Young members of the family. And outsiders. I am Gerard Rougegard, the head of the Rougegard family.”
At his introduction, people responded with brief nods. I also exchanged glances with him and nodded slightly.
The head of the family’s gaze lingered on me for about a second longer than on others, but I didn’t mind.
It was only natural for a grandfather to be concerned about the man his granddaughter brought.
“Then, as it’s getting late, let’s get straight to the competition.”
The Rougegard head immediately turned his gaze to the center of the round table. Naturally, people’s attention also turned to the center of the round table.
‘A map?’
A world map was prominently placed on the round table.
“We are currently living in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, virtual reality, aerospace, etc. Some have already made significant progress, while others are still in their infancy.”
Artificial intelligence, for example, was developing rapidly, but aerospace was progressing very slowly.
The amount of capital required and the tangible effects that emerged were also different.
Some say that the cost of launching a single spacecraft is over 1 trillion won.
Even reusing a spacecraft once used costs 100 billion won.
In other words, space engineering was like burning money to fuel propulsion.
Compared to things like artificial intelligence, it was relatively slow to develop.
“In other words, all fields are still opportunities. Therefore, many countries and companies are trying to become the main players in the new era. To become the second Microsoft, the second Apple. Our Rougegard is the same.”
The head of the family looked around and asked.
“However, there is an inevitable task to be solved in order to do so. Young members of the family. Does anyone know what that is?”
A brown-haired woman raised her hand. It was Vivienne, one of the leading candidates.
“Securing resources.”
“Excellent.”
The head of the family checked something in his notebook and said.
“Some may say it’s talent, but without materials, you can’t even start research. Until we can freely extract resources from space, the resource war will become even more intense.”
In other words, securing resources stably is itself a competitive advantage and a factor that can put you ahead of others.
“But there are still many places on Earth where resources remain. Does anyone know where?”
This time, a green-haired girl answered.
“The sea.”
“That’s right. Audrey, do you know the next one?”
“Yes. The Arctic and Antarctic.”
Nod.
The head of the family moved the pen on the notebook again.
And around this time, I could understand the head of the family’s intention in bringing up this topic.
Also, the area he would ultimately point to.
“But the Arctic and Antarctic have practical limitations in extracting natural resources. Especially minerals.”
I scribbled letters on Isabel’s hand. And Isabel, having received the answer from me, answered confidently without any doubt.
“Africa.”
“That’s correct.”
Again, the pen moved.
In fact, this one was easy to answer, and everyone around let out sighs of regret.
The head of the family closed the notebook and pointed to Africa with a laser pointer.
“The Antarctic is practically impossible. But Africa is different. The continent, which is larger than Russia and Canada combined, still has many resources buried in it.”
The laser pointer hovered over central and southern Africa.
“Especially minerals. 30% of the world’s mineral resources are buried in sub-Saharan Africa.”
The head of the family raised his head and looked at each of the candidates one by one.
“The future is the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The fate of our family depends on how quickly we get ahead in that era.”
“…….”
“Therefore, if someone goes into that area ‘directly’, secures a contract to receive minerals, establishes a stable infrastructure, and brings the first shipment… that person will become the head of the family.”
“!!”
Finally, the competition theme was decided.
Going into Africa, competing for and securing contracts for minerals that many countries and companies are already eyeing, and bringing them out safely.
“Ugh.”
The people who heard the competition theme frowned and groaned.
Their faces were full of worry.
That’s because it’s Africa.
Currently, Africa is a conflict zone. Most countries are divided into government forces and rebels, fighting from time to time, and countries that are not are busy fighting among tribes.
In addition, it was a lawless zone where various armed groups smelling money came in and roamed around, so you could be hit by a stray bullet while walking down the street.
Even the safest countries had street robbers who could threaten you with guns in the street.
“Isn’t the place too dangerous?”
“I think so too.”
“This is a bit…”
Someone asked the head of the family.
“Can we just secure the contract directly and leave the rest to others?”
“Of course. It’s foolish to go around digging with shovels to expand the infrastructure. You don’t have to do that kind of work yourself.”
Only then did people’s faces brighten.
“However, let me say again, this is a matter of the family’s fate. I believe that a responsible leader would not neglect the management and supervision of a matter involving the family’s fate.”
In short, you don’t have to dig the ground with a shovel yourself, but it meant that you shouldn’t think about leaving Africa until the first harvest.
The faces of the people who had been relieved hardened in an instant.
They exchanged meaningful glances with each other.
‘Look at these guys?’
Then they said in unison.
“I don’t think this kind of competition is a good idea.”
“I also agree.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
People unanimously exercised their veto power.
In short, if everyone refused, there would be no candidates, so they were trying to use tricks to have the competition held in a different area other than Africa.
‘Anyway, these guys are full of tricks.’
Perhaps this was the situation that the current Rougegard was facing.
Whenever the head of the family tried to do something, they would join forces in that way and only move when it benefited them.
Of course, seeing that, I immediately nudged Isabel.
Isabel, understanding what I meant, said.
“You’re all cowards. Are you even members of the Rougegard family?”
“What?”
“What is that girl saying?”
Some glared with their eyes wide open, and some with quick wits showed uneasy expressions.
“Isabel, don’t tell me.”
Isabel shouted loudly.
“Oh my, I’m so embarrassed. If you’re scared, don’t do it. I’ll do it.”
“!!”
Then, as if waiting for it, the head of the family also smiled and said.
“As Isabel said. Those who don’t want to do it don’t have to. But then the position of head of the family will go to Isabel.”
“…….”
“What are you doing? I’m telling those who don’t want to do it that they can leave now.”
Ugh. Everyone just groaned and no one went outside.
I heard a small curse from the side.
“Stupid guys. They don’t know how dangerous Africa is now. Do they think they’ll be free from bullets?”
Of course not. How could they be free from bullets flying at a speed of about 1,000m/s?
But if you buy a [Nano Suit] from the [Shop Window] and wear it, those bullets would be no problem at all.
‘But not for them.’
They wouldn’t be able to walk around the streets properly for fear of being shot and killed anytime, anywhere.
For them, Africa was the worst land.
But not for us. For us, who could perfectly defend against threats, it was, on the contrary, a land of opportunity.
“Haha. Young blood is good. To willingly go to that dangerous land for the sake of the family.”
“…….”
People immediately frowned at the head of the family’s admiration, but still no one said they would quit.
Becoming the owner of the Rougegard family meant wielding the power to rule the world in the future.
They judged that it was worth gambling their lives on at least once.
“Then my story ends here. Now all that’s left is to choose. Think about which country to go to.”
Hearing the head of the family’s words, the Rougegard members began to discuss with their helpers.
Isabel also pulled her chair close to me and asked.
“Woojin, where are we going?”
“Hmm.”
It was decided to go to Africa, and there were a total of six major countries there that could be traded with.
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, South Africa.
Except for South Africa, Madagascar, and Tanzania, the other three countries had severe conflicts, so if foreigners entered, there was a high probability of being shot or robbed on the street.
Therefore, the 13 teams had to divide and enter those three countries.
In short, dividing into groups.
And surprisingly, the group assignments were made quickly.
“We’ll go to Madagascar.”
“I’ll go to South Africa.”
“Then we’ll go to Madagascar too.”
“Us too.”
Six candidates flocked to Madagascar, which had the best security.
There were 4 teams in Tanzania.
Surprisingly, only 2 teams flocked to South Africa, and the reason was simple.
William, the strongest candidate, chose South Africa.
I tilted my head, looking at the triumphant William and Scarlett.
“But why did he choose South Africa?”
If you only think about safety, you should choose Madagascar, but when given the choice, William chose South Africa before anyone else.
As if there was no value in even thinking about it.
“I heard that William’s grandfather’s subsidiary company is already operating in South Africa.”
In short, he already knew the leaders there, so it was easy to secure contracts and establish infrastructure.
Depending on the case, he could be protected nationally.
Is that why?
‘He’s completely convinced that he’s won this competition.’
Well, we’ll see.
“So Woojin. Where are we going?”
I looked down at the nameplates of the people being placed on the map of Africa in real time.
They were divided into groups by country, but the groups were not cooperating with each other.
On the contrary, they were competitors.
Perhaps only one of them would be able to secure a contract from that country and survive.
It meant that if you were unlucky, the rest could be eliminated early.
“So, would it be better to go to Tanzania, where there are fewer people?”
“No.”
Isabel looked at me, and I smiled and shrugged.
“We’re going to Madagascar.”
“Why?”
Isabel looked at me and the competitors in Madagascar for a moment, then smiled as if she understood.
“There are a lot of prey.”
For reference, Madagascar, where 6 people flocked, had 5 women. On the other hand, there were no women anywhere else.
So it was a choice that didn’t even need to be considered.
‘If I plant my baby in her womb and make Isabel and the other women my support, it will help me take over Rougegard in the future.’
Then, when Isabel has enough control over the family, I’ll mix my seed into the Rougegard family, which is a noble lineage.
Turning the white family into a mixed-race family.
Hmm! That would be quite fun.
‘Okay, let’s think about how to work on them.’
