Chapter 1009 – #242_Magic University Tycoon (4)
#1003
1.
Let me say this in advance.
The dirty method isn’t some absurd operation like ‘seducing all the key figures of the Emerald Tablet to defect.’
There are three major problems with this operation, which I don’t even know where to begin pointing out.
First, it’s a terrible thing to do to lovers who only have eyes for Siwoo.
Second, it’s just not realistic no matter how you look at it.
Lastly, it’s too easy to counter.
Count Cagliostro isn’t a fool, and neither are the high-ranking officials of the Emerald Tablet.
Frankly, wouldn’t it be a flimsy operation that would fall apart with just a public notice saying, ‘Be careful, as Shin Siwoo is trying to scout members with a ridiculous honey trap,’ and a little circumstantial evidence?
Rather, such a shallow trick would make Siwoo a laughingstock and bring the ‘Shin Siwoo is a horny dog’ rumor, which had been quieted down, back to the surface.
Therefore, the chosen method is to seduce only one helper.
Compared to the Truth and Enlightenment Society, the Emerald Tablet has more external exchanges and looser regulations within the academic community, but as a large academic society, it is thorough in information management.
When you actually try to look into its internal affairs, you often find only superficial content.
You can tell just by looking at how they built a castle in the city called ‘Castle’ and how tightly knit they are.
What was needed was a pipeline to obtain internal information, and the suitable person was Baron Moierty.
He has a moderate liking for Siwoo, and although he is not at the center of power, he is a key figure in the society, so he is well-informed about internal affairs.
Moreover, his mansion is outside the Castle, so he can secretly come and go without being under strict surveillance, making him the best of the best.
I gained insights today that I couldn’t have obtained through personal investigation.
“I feel a bit sorry…”
In fact, I don’t think it’s a good way to gain profit by using other people’s emotions.
If it were Takasho, he would say, ‘Isn’t it righteous since you’re giving them fresh feelings of love and excitement that money can’t buy?’ but Siwoo doesn’t think that way.
But what can I do?
If things continue like this, the academic society, which was established with an investment of trillions, will either become a dud or someone else’s honey pot.
I’ll have to give him a good position later.
I only need to get small bits of information from Baron Moierty, and I don’t plan to dig too deeply, so let’s put aside the guilt for now.
Now is the time to move.
First, let’s summarize the information I got from Baron Moierty.
‘As Siwoo-ssi might guess, the academic societies of Gehenna are connected by small and large links. The Emerald Tablet, in particular, is intertwined with various academic societies and small and large interests.’
‘Especially, small alchemy-related societies often finance themselves through various magic tool-related businesses, and there are many cases where Castle’s subcontracting is involved. A letter from the dean and a suitable reward are enough to get them to grant most requests.’
Even if it’s not an alchemy-related society, the influence of the Emerald Tablet throughout Gehenna is enormous.
Magic power is essential for various magic research, and the Emerald Tablet is the largest alchemy school in Gehenna, producing SSS-grade magic power.
‘That’s not all. I see the purpose and goals of the Hesed Society positively, but there are many witches who don’t. Yes, even if it’s not the Truth and Enlightenment Society, small societies are also closed off. There are many places that don’t even reveal their membership requirements.’
‘There will also be places that feel threatened that the Hesed Society’s ideology will take away their rice bowls.’
‘If a large supermarket opens, the traditional market will oppose it? I’m sorry, I’ve never been out in the modern world…’
I didn’t realize that the magic university I proposed for the Hesed Society would attract this much aggro.
It’s a part I didn’t consider.
Fortunately, I also got the information I needed right away.
‘A small society with a solid foundation but little influence from the Emerald Tablet?’
That’s it.
I don’t know how far Auntie Cali has gone with her schemes, but the more Siwoo resists, the stronger the tackles will be.
In other words, I need to do efficient scouting based on the information I got from Baron Moierty in the early stages when there is loose pressure on each small society.
‘Hmm… the Blue Moon Royal Society and…’
First, let’s exclude the Blue Moon Royal Society.
It has over 200 members and excellent research results, and it’s full of great witches, but as you can guess from the name ‘Royal Society,’ it’s a pure-blooded traditionalist witch group.
Moreover, it was also a society where the influence of the Truth and Enlightenment Society was strong instead of the Castle.
‘The Golden Flame Pilgrims, and if we narrow it down further…’
Next is the Golden Flame Pilgrims.
A society with 170 members, boasting unique technology in multi-magic.
This is also a bit ambiguous.
Multi-magic refers to a methodology in which several witches combine their powers to use magic at a higher level.
Since it’s important for several people to move as one, the bond between members is stronger than that of any gang.
It’s not a group that can be moved by just seducing one person.
‘It would be the Forget-Me-Not Garden.’
The only one left is the Forget-Me-Not Garden.
It’s a club-level society with only 7 members, and it’s even an alchemy-related society that studies the transformation of magic power.
Then how does the Forget-Me-Not Garden receive little influence from Castle, the head of the alchemy society?
This is because the core capabilities and subcontracting provided by the Forget-Me-Not Garden are essential for the Emerald Tablet.
‘You know that the process of making magic power involves collection, refinement, activation, adjustment, and fixation, right?’
‘Adjustment is the process of changing the form of activated magic power to suit its purpose.’
‘The Forget-Me-Not Garden is the unrivaled leader in the ‘adjustment’ part.’
‘Especially in the ‘adjustment’ field of medium-purity magic power and ultra-high-purity magic power.’
Magic power is everywhere in Gehenna, so it might seem like an easy item to make, but the production of precision magic power used in serious magic research is closer to a magical semiconductor process.
It’s a high value-added product produced from a primitive magic source using precision technology.
It requires astronomical costs for production facilities.
It requires highly concentrated technology and know-how in the production process.
It is essential for various magic research and industries.
Therefore, the Forget-Me-Not Garden, which has its own unique technology, can be free from the influence of other societies.
It won’t be easy, but if I can persuade the head of that society, Siwoo will also have some power to resist.
Without the subcontracting of the Forget-Me-Not Garden, there will be a disruption in the production of medium-purity and ultra-high-purity magic power.
“It’s too late now…”
I’m dying to meet them right away, but even so, 5 a.m. is too early.
I’ll send a letter requesting a secret meeting around teatime and try to finish the rest of the work before that.
The first person I looked for was Metis Gremory, the librarian of the Valentinus Secretary Office.
I knew she was a morning witch, and when I requested an audience, I was able to meet her alone shortly after.
It was to secure the ‘information sharing agreement’ that is usually signed between the society and the secretary office.
The role of the agreement is literally mutual information exchange, and originally there was no need to secure it, but it seemed better to get a definite answer since both Castle and the academic society were displeased with Siwoo.
Countess Gremory opened her mouth with her usual indifferent expression.
“It’s not a difficult matter. The knowledge of the secretary office is not mine alone.”
“It’s a question that could be rude in that it questions the sincerity of the Valentinus Secretary Office, but is there any possibility that the agreement could be affected by external pressure?”
“No. The secretary office always maintains political neutrality. However, if the research results allocated each year are not met, we may unilaterally terminate the agreement, so please keep that in mind. New founding societies have a grace period of 3 years, so I recommend that you complete your preparations before then.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Baron Shin Siwoo.”
As I was about to bow and leave, Metis called out to Siwoo.
“The Valentinus Secretary Office is politically neutral, but I personally support the Hesed Society. I hope you will show great results.”
“Then, would you overlook it even if I don’t meet the quota?”
“No, principles are principles.”
I smiled for the first time in a while and bowed to her, who took my joke without a hint of laughter.
Librarian Metis was a good person, so much so that I felt sorry for thinking she was a stubborn old witch at first.
Next was Takasho, who was looking after the store early in the morning.
You might wonder what use Takasho is in this plan, but there is.
“Madam, I feel like I’m always asking for favors, so I’ve filled up a ‘sincerity’ generously. Take it.”
“Oh my, Baron, what are you doing with all this…! This Takasho didn’t do this to receive such things.”
“Oh, just take it. It’s clean stuff.”
“Oh my, oh my, Baron…! How can I ever thank you for this…! I’ll give you a reaction of gratitude! Takasho’s fountain show!”
I asked for something while putting on a skit in front of a box filled with gold coins.
That was ‘information gathering’ and ‘public opinion formation.’
Rose Glass, which has now become the best comprehensive entertainment company in Gehenna, beyond just a high-end host bar.
It has 250 employees, many of whom are in close contact with high-ranking witches.
I’m not trying to ask for pillow talk or anything like that.
However, if you drink in front of a handsome man who is good at matching your mood, even a witch will become loose-lipped.
This is how they get high-level information little by little, which is ‘information gathering.’
It’s not for nothing that the madams of high-end room salons in Gangnam, where the high-ranking people of the political and business world gather, are making a killing with investments.
At the same time, they form a positive public opinion about Shin Siwoo.
For example, ‘Wow! Baron Shin Siwoo! You know him! He’s a hot topic these days. I heard a rumor that the Emerald Tablet imposed unfair sanctions. I don’t know much about it, but wouldn’t it be good if more witches could study magic more easily?’
As you can see from the scandal caused by Dandelion, the public opinion of Gehenna has a power that is on a different level from the public opinion of mere ‘voters.’
The relationship between hosts and guests that Rose Glass pursues is not just a sexual relationship, but a relationship that provides emotional bonds.
With such a relationship, wouldn’t it be possible to intervene in public opinion to some extent? It’s a kind of insurance.
“I felt it before, but you’ve changed a lot?”
“I’ll be ruined if the Hesed Society fails. That money isn’t even mine.”
“I’ll give you a job if it fails.”
Takasho, who put the gold coins in the store’s safe, chuckled as he listened to Siwoo’s desperate situation.
After delivering the message to Takasho, I went to see my little mother-in-law to confirm the priority supply contract for magic tools, magic crops, and processed goods… but.
I received an unexpected proposal.
“I was going to talk about that anyway. Have you ever thought about running it yourself, Siwoo-gun?”
“Pardon?”
The biggest challenge of my life, the academic society tycoon quest.
The to-do list keeps growing.
Takasho still best waifu