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“This is the relationship map of Investment Company ABC.”
Inside the office of the Landa Security Agency.
City official Paul Carver was speaking.
Behind Carver, there was a screen, displaying a complex intertwining investment map.
Oliver, who could easily read any medical or magic book, was at a loss as to where to focus his attention due to the different complexity he had experienced so far.
Fortunately, Carver quickly identified the center using a mana-powered pointer.
“First, please look at the center here.”
The center that Carver was talking about was none other than ABC Investment Company.
The square named ABC at the center of the relationship map was intertwined with everything by arrows.
It was much like the center of a spider’s web.
Oliver carefully read each name stationed around ABC.
‘Individual investors, major investors, banks, ABC agents? …… Stocks, real estate, bonds, paper companies……’
At first glance, it looked like they were scattered without order, but Oliver soon realized that wasn’t the case.
The relationship map was divided quite systematically based on its own criteria.
The strangely orderly arrows were evidence of this.
Still, the complexity was due to the overall complexity of the chart. One should commend Carver’s skill in organizing it to such an extent considering his young age…
However, Carver calmly continued to explain without hesitation.
“The top part here represents the sources of capital that put money into ABC. There are four major categories: individual investors, major investors, banks, and agents.”
“What are agents?”
A man in a robe, leaning against a wall in the office that was neither too narrow nor too wide, asked the question.
He was a wizard from the Moirai School.
As Forrest had predicted, the city cooperated with the Moirai School for this matter.
“They’re representatives hired by Shamus. Some are local representatives of ABC, attracting investment as far as Greenland and Northland. Among them, there are even those who set up their own investment companies to invest in ABC.”
Establishing an investment company to invest in another investment company.
Because Oliver wasn’t familiar with this kind of talk, it sounded a bit strange to him.
However, Oliver didn’t raise his hand to ask a question.
As he didn’t know much and wasn’t particularly interested in this area, he preferred to keep his mouth shut and his ears open.
‘Moreover, Mr. Forrest told me not to be surprised by all the strange forms prevalent in the investment world. Otherwise, it would never end.’
While Oliver was sorting out his thoughts, Carver continued his explanation.
“…That’s why the funds coming from agents are not negligible. No, it’s rather more dangerous. If ABC causes a problem, it’s like a fuse spreading its impact to the surroundings.”
Carver moved his mana pointer downwards.
The arrows converge into a single point like a funnel spread out to stocks, real estate, bonds, and paper companies after passing through ABC.
“ABC is currently investing in these four areas. Although it’s an investment company, it’s not only in the stock market, but also involved in Landa’s redevelopment projects and various bonds. However, what we should pay attention to is none other than these paper companies here.”
Carver pointed to the paper companies that were separately singled out.
As Carver spoke, the screen image changed.
On the screen, instead of simple shapes, actual buildings with signs were displayed.
“Companies like Koll International Trading Company, Gail Herbal Distribution Company, McClusky Security Company, and so on. They seem unrelated, but all are run by Shamus.”
People were slightly surprised by the fact that Shamus, known for his flamboyance in dress, car, and behavior, was the owner of such humble companies.
When someone pointed out this fact, Carver nodded and replied.
“That’s why it’s so impressive. Whether it’s intentional or not, it’s not easy to think of the connection between Shamus and these companies. In fact, on paper, Shamus has no direct connection, except with McClusky Security Company.”
“Ah… then, he must be indirectly running them through McClusky Security Company.”
City Security Chief, Arthur, said. He was a retired soldier, a former solver, who had once taken on the mission to capture Willes with Oliver.
He was the only team leader from the Special Security Agency who volunteered to participate in this Carver mission.
“That’s right, Mr. Arthur. Essentially, Shamus runs the other companies too. He just put puppet CEOs in place and operates them through his subordinates. Of course, these aren’t legitimate businesses.”
The image on the screen changed again.
There was footage of a large number of firearms and various heavy weapons entering Koll International Trading Company.
“Koll International Trading Company, taking advantage of its location on the Landa border, purchases weapons from factories outside Landa and sells them in Northland, Central Continent, and New Continent.”
“Is that even possible? The money is good, but the risk must be enormous.”
“In normal cases, it would be difficult. But it has been confirmed that the weapon factory they trade with is entangled in a debt relationship with Shamus. Also, the agencies that should oversee them also have a connection with Shamus.”
“Gosh, that’s quite a pain.”
One of Arthur’s colleagues muttered in admiration. Oliver agreed.
He had heard several times about the savvy of Shamus, who had transformed from a solver to a businessman, but he never thought that Shamus could extend his influence beyond Landa.
Regardless of right or wrong, it was anticipated that a lot of effort had been put in.
“And that’s not the end. Gail Herbal Distribution Company is a drug factory that separately distributes herbs with lax regulations, mixes them outside of Landa, and supplies low-cost drugs to Galos and Eastern countries, and the other companies are no different.”
The black businesses that each company was operating passed through the screen in turn.
“All these companies were initially just small businesses under Leaf Loan, but with the launch of ABC, they expanded their business scale with huge capital and are now making a huge profit. We need to dig from here.”
Carver talked about the direction of the operation. Oliver, who had been quietly listening, raised his hand for the first time.
“May I ask why?”
“Of course. There are three main reasons. Firstly, the paper companies are ABC’s biggest source of income. Currently, ABC is also generating profits from stocks, redevelopment, and bonds, but the biggest income is estimated to be from these paper companies. That is, if the paper companies falter, it is highly likely that ABC’s true colors will be revealed.”
He roughly understood what was being said.
The plan was to cut off the income from the paper companies, tangle up ABC’s cash flow, and put the brakes on their investment stream.
It was risky as a slight mistake could cause a dangerous situation, but it could be better than leaving a pile of bombs unchecked.
“Secondly, it’s the best point to attack ABC. As you all know, ABC is under the protection of some city council members and public officials. If we go directly after ABC, we’d be the ones to suffer the backlash.”
“But, arms smuggling, drugs, illegal foreign exchange transactions, etc. It wouldn’t be a problem if we were targeting illegal businesses. On the contrary, we should be commended. That’s the duty of the Security Agency.”
Arthur, who was a team leader at the Security Agency and a key player in this case, added alongside Carver.
In other words, they were saying that because targeting ABC directly was too risky, they would start with the weaker links and work their way up.
“That’s right. But the biggest reason is the third one……”
Carver switched the screen with his pointer.
The image of McClusky Security Company, located deep within the forests on the outskirts of Landa, appeared.
The building itself wasn’t particularly notable due to its rustic appearance, but there was one peculiar thing.
A tree was growing in the center of the building.
“The goal is to steal the World Tree information from here at McClusky Security Company. We’ve detected several signs of Shamus conducting suspicious activities around this World Tree. So, our goal is to raid McClusky Security Company, the central control tower of the paper companies that are ABC’s cash cows, find evidence of illegal activities from other paper companies, and find out what Shamus has been doing here.”
After the briefing, everyone left.
Oliver was about to leave too, but stayed behind at Carver’s request.
“Thank you for waiting.”
“Not at all. May I ask why you wanted me to stay behind?”
“Firstly, I wanted to thank you. I’m grateful that you accepted my ludicrous offer.”
“I’m personally quite satisfied with the deal, so there’s no need for thanks.”
“Well, that’s a relief. In fact, Arthur insisted that we must hire you, Mr. Dave. I was quite worried about it, but I’m relieved now…… Do you have any questions about this mission?”
“Hmm… Am I the only solver you’ve hired?”
Oliver, who had looked around the office upon arrival, asked to confirm.
Apart from the four Net Navigators dispatched from the Moirai School and Oliver, there were no external forces involved in this operation.
The rest of the team were all members of the Security Agency, led by Arthur.
So, Oliver was essentially the only solver.
“Yes, and that’s quite natural.”
“Why so?”
“Security is paramount for this mission. We need someone who wouldn’t be bought off by Shamus. So, aside from you, Mr. Dave, we didn’t hire any other solvers.”
“Ah… Thank you for your trust.”
“No, I shouldn’t be the one receiving thanks. Trust is determined by the actions of the person.”
Carver’s words weren’t mere lip service but genuine sincerity. He opened his mouth to speak again.
“So, I should show the trust that matches it. I’ve heard through Mr. Forrest what you want, Mr. Dave. Could you tell me whose personal information in the Parter Church you are curious about? I’ll find out for you as part of the advance payment.”
“Ah, thank you……. It’s a woman named Joanna.”
“Joanna?”
Carver repeated the name, furrowing his brow.
“Um…… Could it be, Paladin Joanna?”
“Yes, that’s right. Paladin Joanna. She was transferred somewhere else, do you know where she went?”
Carver accepted Oliver’s request without any further comment.
He seemed very curious, but he didn’t ask any questions.
Oliver trusted him and waited, and in the meantime, the call for the operation came.
Oliver moved to the meeting place indicated on his pager, the outermost edge of Landa.
It was a dense forest, almost bordering the restricted development area.
“Impressive.”
Oliver commented, looking at the temporary camp surrounded by a magic barrier.
Unlike a typical magic barrier used for defense, this one was for concealment, not only implementing camouflage but also hiding presence, emotion, and Life-force.
Although it was visible to Oliver’s eyes, it was undeniably of high quality.
“Ha-! That’s the power of money. The Security Agency gets its budget from the city, so they can use equipment that can’t even be compared to what we had when I was a solver.”
Arthur, who was commanding from within the magic barrier surrounding the camp, approached Oliver and spoke.
He was smiling at Oliver, his joy at seeing him again evident.
“Long time no see, Mr. Arthur.”
“Yes, it’s been quite a while. Seeing you like this, I’m really glad, indeed.”
“Thank you for your warm welcome.”
“The thanks are mine. I did ask to include you, but I really didn’t expect you to accept. Your reputation has soared, after all.”
“I liked Mr. Carver’s terms.”
“Well, I’m glad…… So, shall we get started? There’s a lot I’d like to discuss, but the mission comes first.”