Chapter 72: Thayer Consortia

Chapter 72: Thayer Consortia

Calrin despondently surveyed the various reports strewn about his table. Twenty thousand years of heritage teetered on the brink of destruction, all under his watch. He knew that he was partly to blame for the situation, but others were far more culpable.

Greed is the fuel which push us forward. Honor is the compass which keeps the course.

That was the creed inlaid under the painting of his ancestor, hung behind him in an ornate frame. He didnt need to turn around to know the words, or to remember every single detail of their ancestors face. The slight upward tug of his mouth, the ever-present Ancient Empire coin in his hand, ceaselessly whirling between his fingers. The mischievous light in his eyes that seemed to see through all lies and posturing.

Almarillo Thayer was born a beggar in a lowly E-graded word on decline. He had no family, no education, and no prospects, but through his intellect and drive he managed to become an assistant to a shop-clerk. From there he gained the Assistant class, the first step which ended with him founding the [Thayer Consortia], a System-sanctioned mercantile corporation with branches in hundreds of worlds, and its headquarters located on a bustling C-Ranked continent.

Those awe-inspiring offices were long pawned off, even before Calrin Thayer was born. For the last five hundred years, the company had been in a steady decline. Calrin, with his quick wits and solid business acumen, was chosen to steer the company back on course and was given the chairman position at the young age of 80. But all he accomplished was the reduction of branches from 26 to one last struggling location.

He knew the cause wasnt only himself. His family remembered the first half of their founders creed perfectly well, but the second half had gotten blurred over the years. Shady and short-sighted business practices made them lose a few branches and simultaneously made them quite a few enemies. A few family members even betrayed the Thayer name for personal wealth, and even if they were eventually found out the damage was already done.

But the downfall started for real roughly 25 years ago. The great Tsarun Clan had turned their avaricious gazes toward the Thayer Consortia. Or rather, at the Mercantile License their founder gained all those years ago. The license was something awarded by the system, and not something that could be forced away or stolen. Even eradicating the whole Thayer family wouldnt do any good, and would even result in a punishment by the System.

But a business license could be seized through business. Normally it should be almost impossible to snatch a license from a sanctioned corporation, and it would be far easier to try to gain one through normal means. But between the Thayer Consortia being in tatters and the Tsarun Clans vast connections and wealth, they actually managed to incrementally bring down their corporation, one world at a time.

If they lost their last branch as well the System would void the Thayer Consortias license, and revoke access to the multi-verse Mercantile System, rendering them completely and utterly powerless. The merchants protection they currently enjoyed would disappear as well, and Tsarun clan would begin a wholesale slaughter of the remaining family members. No need to risk a come-back, after all.

Calrin desperately tried to open up new branches to keep the situation afloat. He had tried every means, such as lowering the requirements or offering great rates on various common resources. He even tried bribing various fledgling city lords, but nothing worked. Between the machinations of the Tsaruns elders and the awful reputation his consortia had amassed due to multiple scandals no one would place their branches in their cities. And if they did it would soon be closed after a visit from a Tsarun clan emissary.

His intellect strained to find some way out, but the numbers in the reports were clear. In 3 days their last branch would be declared defunct, and he would have to flee for his life.

After who knows how long Zac was awakened by a loud sound. Immediately alert he jumped to his feet, axe at the ready. Soon he relaxed though as he saw the now familiar face of the demon outside his array. Ogras seemed content to just stand there and idle about, so Zac ventured outside to meet up with him.

What are you doing?

Basic etiquette not to enter someones array without permission. Its an easy way to get your head cut off, the demon answered off-handedly. By the way, impressive work with the little demoness. Shes growing a third horn now in her forehead, he added with a snicker.

Well, tell her Im sorry about that. Couldnt have her scream after I left. Anyways, I need to ask you something, Zac answered with a shrug, and proceeded to share the window of the Thayer Consortia while explaining his concerns.

Hmm Very interesting. You dont have to worry about them being raiders, as The Ruthless Heavens place extremely strict restrictions on those who use the Mercantile System. Even if a shop-clerk turned out to be an A-Ranker Hegemon in disguise he wouldnt be able to do anything to you. Ogras explained.

So, isnt this a great opportunity then? They demand quite a bit of space, but that shouldnt be a problem. Zac eagerly asked.

Well, they are merchants for certain, but there is something wrong with them wanting to come here. They likely are escaping something. Its almost impossible to find a baby world except by going through an incursion, so they are excellent places to hide out in. So if you accept them youll likely have a bunch of refugees rather than well-stocked merchants. Ogras explained.

So kind of like you demons then? Zac retorted gruffly, annoyed that the golden opportunity didnt turn out so golden after all.

Cough... well, something like that. The thing is that if they are forced to flee here, they will likely be barely stocked at all with items and crystals, and will have an abysmal support system for acquiring treasures in the multi-verse. Only moving their headquarters here might completely clean them out. So even if you wanted to task them with finding some specific item theyd probably not be able to help you out.

So which should I buy? The system-run store or this Thayer Corporation? Zac didnt understand how the so-called Mercantile System worked, and could only ask for directions for now.

You should get the headquarters. They are likely desperate for sanctuary, and will be extremely weak in negotiations, Ogras said with a ruthless grin. After all, since you will pretty much be their only customer for a while you can single-handedly run them out of business if they dont comply.

Zac felt a bit of sympathy for this Thayer company that was forced to escape some unknown hardship, only to be exploited here on Demon Island. Well, he didnt really have a good time being stuck here, so why should anyone else?