Black Label Union #3(2)
"By any chance. If Ismail doesn't step forward and just watches, we shouldn't be treated like this. We're not some fools. We can't just stand by and watch those bastards doing business openly on our turf."
The Union representative, who had been relaxed about the Lyon Guild, seemed to change his mind as the visiting loan sharks informed him of the current situation.
"In Holant, they're openly increasing their number of soldiers. It seems they've predicted how you will react."
"Physically driving them out would be difficult, considering the surrounding circumstances. There's a high chance that the Chancellor would say something."
"Rumors say that the Guildmaster frequently meets with Chancellor Austin. It's pretty obvious what they would be talking about."
As the Chancellor's name came up, the Union representative's expression darkened.
'I don't really want to get involved with the Chancellor.'
Due to his past as a pirate, his relationship with the Chancellor wasn't particularly good.
Would it be appropriate to describe their relationship as that of a dog and a monkey?
'Although we have some agreements and keep a distance, if something goes wrong, he'll definitely side with them. Austin is that kind of person.'
"I've heard such stories. I don't really want to get involved with the Chancellor."
The loan sharks, who knew about the relationship between the Union representative and the Chancellor, looked slightly upset.
"That's why we're more worried. Union representative isn't particularly close with Chancellor Austin, is he?"
"If Chancellor Austin gets involved in this matter, it's obvious which side he'll take. He'll definitely support the Lyon guild over us."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
However, the Union representative shook his head, denying it.
"If Austin had any sense, he wouldn't openly support their side. Who am I? With just one word from me, the entire sea in front of us could turn into a sea of blood! Do you think the Chancellor wants that?"
It was because of him, the infamous pirate captain, that Black Label could develop into the empire's top trading port. He had stopped his looting and plundering activities and switched to extorting taxes from ships entering the harbor under the guise of protection fees.
"If I'm not here, no ship can safely dock at this harbor. What kind of guts does the Chancellor have to show me such hostility? If he had any sense, he'd be looking out for my mood. If he doesn't want to see the old days return."
The Union representative's words made sense, and some of the loan sharks agreed.
"That's true."
"At least in Black Label, the influence of Warren is so strong that the Chancellor probably can't do much."
"If the Chancellor also has to watch out for Warren, he might at least maintain neutrality. They're not on good terms anyway, right?"
The Union representative, who had been frowning in thought, suddenly had a whimsical idea.
'It's annoying, but should I just take the guys and sweep them all away? It seems like we could just push them out if we really put our minds to it.'
His contemplation on this was short-lived.
"How about taking this opportunity to sweep them all away?"
The suggestion split everyone in half.
Some agreed that if they could drive them out by force, they should, but they also had to consider the consequences if their plan failed.
"No, that approach is..."
"I'm in favor. It's not a bad idea to hire soldiers and push them all out at once, rather than letting our businesses be taken away like this."
"But if they hire more soldiers and attack us, what will we do then? If we attack first, we're giving them justification as well."
"Even if the chancellor remains passive, it will become a situation where we fight among ourselves. Eventually, the city will become chaotic, and the chancellor will have no choice but to intervene. Then, a few troublemakers will be caught and jailed as an example, and I don't particularly want to be among them."
"Isn't there any other way?"
The Union representative could only sigh at their weakness.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're all so weak. How can you protect your own interests like this?"
His scolding silenced the visiting moneylenders.
"What will you gain by acting like this? It's pathetic."
One of the moneylenders then expressed his concern.
"Even so, for us to directly hire mercenaries and start a fight... That seems a bit excessive. Maybe if it were outside the city, but fighting openly in the city would greatly irritate the chancellor. It's even doubtful whether he would condone such an act."
"So what will you do? Those bastards are openly doing business in our establishments, and you're just going to stand idly by and watch?"
"Why don't we go to Ismail and seek a definitive answer? After all, it was Ismail that Warren believed in, right?"
At this suggestion, the Union representative stroked his chin with an unenthusiastic expression.
He had no way of meeting with the Ismail family unless they themselves came due to a major incident in the past.
"If it's not directly from Ismail, there's no other way to meet them. Besides, it's not like Ismail wouldn't know about the situation here."
"Do you plan to keep waiting like this?"
"Sigh, stop pestering me and making my head hurt."
The Union representative scolded them.
"If you have a better idea, why don't you speak up? Why do you always bother me?"
At the request for a good idea,
One of them, who had been silent, suddenly began to speak.
"Lord Warren, how about this?"
All eyes turned to him.
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