How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 175

Before recapturing Elte Company (4)

– ‘I’m thinking of taking down the deputy manager of Lortel at the level of the trade association and reorganizing the power structure within the trade association.’

– ‘Actress Lortel, the adopted daughter of the previous lord, Elte Kecheln, is a remnant of the old era, and has been stamped as a person who should be erased within the company.’

Lienna’s secretary, who had come to me with documents, had presented a proposal for negotiations hesitantly.

“…”

As I walked along the corridor of the company, the employees looked sideways at me wearing a robe with the logo of the company.

I have visited the Sylvania branch of the Elte Corporation quite a few times, so most of them are old friends. All the employees of the store, with whom I exchanged greetings from time to time, were all looking at me with one eye.

After working close to Lortel, there were a lot of times when the employees of the store became noticeably kinder or talked to her.

It’s only now that I can see myself naturally sticking to Dune, so it feels like more attention is drawn to it.

It might have been impressive to them that he parted ways with Lortel, whom he had been so close to.

Of course, I can’t hear the voices saying that it’s trash in the world or how it can be like that.

First of all, the reason why Dune can confront Lortel to such an extent is because Dune’s voice has grown to a certain extent within the Chamber of Commerce.

The employees of the merchant association are also merchants to the core. They are people who can stick anywhere according to the trend of the leadership and the flow of power.

The environment in which Lortel had lived since childhood had always been this way.

“You know, Lortel is not the kind of person who can be solved by tying her arms like that.”

Dune, who was walking side by side, smiled and replied.

“You wouldn’t say that you ate one of the Sylvania branches of Elte Co., and you completely subdued Lortel, who is treated as the person in power even at the Elte Co. head office, right?”

“Yes, of course. I never move unless I have some certainty.”

Beyond the Sanghoe distribution warehouse exuding vitality, I went up the stairs and passed through the offices of the employees.

“There was some kind of movement from the head office of Elte Firm to push away the manager of Lortel. Of course, the manager himself went down and subdued them all while taking advantage of the vacation, but in the meantime, our Sylvania branch was out of sight, so we were able to move freely.”

“How are you going to subdue Lortel, who can’t even do it at the head office?

The Dune Gregs character never moves without grounds. It was a comment directly given by Lortel Kecheln, who had been a subordinate for several years.

He did small embezzlement and shrewdly took advantage, but never crossed the line… he said it was close to a small person.

The reason why such a dune shows such a radical movement is probably because it has a back stomach.

“Soon the vacation will be over, and a new semester will begin in Sylvania. Until then, it will be resolved if the deputy director Lortel Hoe-ju doesn’t do anything.”

“If I know what you believe in, I will be able to deal with it.”

When I said that, Dune turned around and smiled coyly while looking at me.

“If you watch, you will know.”

It’s a story that I won’t tell you.

Even after signing the agreement and declaring that I shot you in the back right in front of Lortel’s nose, Dune didn’t believe me to the end.

In any case, merchants do not easily trust people. That’s why I don’t like merchants that much.

“I didn’t expect Mr. Ed to join me so quickly. I’m quite close with Assistant Manager Lortel Hoe-ju, so I thought I’d take some time to persuade him.”

“I’ll stick anywhere if the conditions are good.”

Graduating early is definitely a mouth-watering proposition for me, who means a lot to Sylvania’s diploma.

“However, I have to guarantee the guarantees. Whether you can really subdue Lortel properly, and how you, a member of a merchant, can graduate early.”

I walked along the dunes and then stood still in the hallway.

Dune, who had been going all the way down the corridor by himself, turned around and looked at me.

“If you don’t have that confidence, there is no cooperative relationship. If the terms of the contract aren’t kept, there’s no reason for me to hang on to the contract.”

“…”

“Don’t just talk in words, give me confidence. Otherwise I won’t be able to cooperate any more.”

From my point of view, that is a sufficient demand.

“You know how risky it is to break the contact with Lortel Kecheln with my own hands, right? I showed my sincerity.”

“…”

“If you continue to want my cooperation, give me a reasonable guarantee.”

Dune observed my expression for a while, then smiled and opened one of the doors in the hallway.

It is an office space that Dune used personally.

When I went inside, I couldn’t help but stick out my tongue.

A large work table in a space of about five or six pyeong, a bulletin board that can be used like a blackboard, and a pile of papers.

If you look at the documents that are attached to all kinds of walls and furniture, from the documents indicating the distribution of the company’s logistics to the macroscopic changes in the power structure, it was analyzed.

It is not the amount of data accumulated in one or two months of effort. He spent almost several years rotting in this place, studying the flow of power in the upper chamber and the entire continent.

Such things are not something that can be realized simply by studying them in the corner of a room. It is a job that can be done only by running on one’s feet and going in and out of the site, wasting time and labor.

“It’s already been more than 5 years since I’ve been attached to Elte Co., aiming for the right time to succeed.”

He is a man who gave up all his studies at a young age and decided to live as a merchant.

“Even when the golden king, Elte, came down from his seat, when the Old Deck was in chaos due to the logistics crisis, and even when Sylvania faced several crises, I quietly sat down and waited for the right time. It’s not the time yet, a better opportunity Coming. Thinking like that.”

“You, who had been holding your breath despite so many variables, thought this was an opportunity and moved?”

“There are a lot of things like that. So Ed, I want you to trust me and entrust me.”

Dune, who had slumped back in his chair and put his beret down on the table, continued.

“Lortel Kecheln must be caught.”

Dune sitting still and talking in a low voice.

The intent of the words was clear.

“So, it’s okay if you don’t know anything right now. If you insist on knowing, it will make me more anxious.”

“You see me as too watery.”

I swung a wooden chair across from the table where Dune was sitting and sat down.

Then, with the cloak hanging down, he lowered his head and talked.

“You think you’re orchestrating all the boards behind the scenes?”

The atmosphere seemed to have changed completely, and Dune narrowed his brows.

I didn’t care and continued the story.

“Do you think you’re looking at the whole picture of the game by yourself among ignorant people?”

“Ed, if you say it that way…”

“You’re thinking arrogantly.”

After gently closing and opening my eyes, I chewed over the last part of the negotiation plan that Dune had sent me.

5. Ed Rosteiler officially becomes an employee of Elte Corporation and maintains this status for at least 5 years after graduation.

6. Ed Rosteiler must always attend dinners, meetings, and talks with friendly forces and influential people on the side of Elte Corporation, and must maintain friendly relations with them.

“As soon as I saw the negotiation plan, I got a rough idea. It doesn’t just ask for cooperation in catching Lortel, but it also stipulates the relationship after taking power.”

“There’s nothing wrong with maintaining a good long-term relationship with someone like Ed.”

“You’re laughing. Dune. There’s no reason to make it in the form that’s specified in the contract.”

A friendly relationship does not consist of signing a contract. Quite the opposite.

Since they are not friendly at all, they bind each other in the name of a contract.

why do you do that After all, it is to show someone.

The character of Ed Roth Taylor and Elte Corporation have become a complete collusion. In order to inform the third party of that fact, we are making this contract as evidence.

In other words, Elte Corporation needs the value of the name of Ed Roth Taylor.

“Dune. It’s funny, but my name didn’t have much value. I was excommunicated from the Ross Taylor family, and I’m not at the level of being a huge powerhouse within the school.”

“…”

Dune’s answer disappeared. I continued talking without waiting for his answer.

“Recently, with the reinstatement and the spread of the Roth Taylor Mansion disaster, the time has come for the imperial power structure to be reorganized, so he has emerged as a key figure.”

“that…”

“I can’t say no. So, the fact that you’re trying to tie me to the Elte Company while preparing a negotiation plan like this leads to the inference that you’re involved with the imperial family.”

I lifted my head slightly and looked at the dune.

“Right?”

“well.”

“Thank you for your reply.”

Dune pursed his lips as if he had taken a punch. However, it doesn’t end here.

“Aren’t you the one who was full of all sorts of incidents, but didn’t care and consulted on your own? The fact that you’re starting to move now means that the reorganization of the imperial family’s power structure has affected the Elte Company in some way.”

All Dune handed me was a negotiation proposal. No other information was given at all.

However, I was able to gauge Dune’s back belly enough with that alone.

Information is a law that reveals the truth more easily than you think if you bend the direction of interpretation here and there.

“The timing is so exquisite. Just when you were thinking of doing this, did you think that the old decks were swindling forces trying to bring Lortel down? As if the timing was right to attract Lortel’s attention?”

As if every word I swung around was unexpected, Dune soon began to harden his expression.

“I have a suspicion that everything that happened at Oldeck was part of the plan in the first place.”

“Doubt is just doubt. How can I, as an employee at the lower end of the commerce trade, intervene in the affairs of Alldeck’s head office?”

“Because you’re not the ringleader.”

I don’t know the power structure of OLDEC well. After coming to this world, I spent most of my time on Aken Island, so I couldn’t understand the atmosphere of the scene.

“I didn’t even think you were the ringleader from the beginning. You’re just a chess piece, too.”

“…”

“I’m looking at the picture behind you.”

I don’t know if you can think that Dune is drawing a big picture in his own way, but I am also looking at the composition that Dune sees.

“Seeing that things like early graduation are guaranteed, it seems that the Sylvania bachelor side is also involved. Certainly, Lortel is the sole leader of Elte Corporation’s monopoly on logistics, so it’s worth the burden.”

However, Obel Forcius is stingy with such backdoor deals.

If they had negotiated, it would have been as good as Vice Principal Rachel. Because he’s a person who spreads a lot of things without Obel’s knowledge.

Prices are getting higher and higher, Elte Corporation monopolizes distribution. It was Dune who took profit in the process, but it must have looked as if Lortel was leading the way. Because I’ve been sitting as a representative for Hoeju for a long time.

If you’re in Dune’s shoes, it’s easy to enlist the support of the bachelor.

If you help him and jeopardize Lortel’s position, you’re making a pact that you’ll ease the monopoly once you get real power. It will be a form of giving up monopoly rights on some key items exclusively distributed by Elte.

Giving up monopoly rights in logistics is something that can never happen to a profit-seeking business, but it is a different story if there is a political background behind it.

From a bachelor’s point of view, this would be a situation where you want to be a rice cake. It is a situation where rice cakes fell on the side of the bachelor while fighting among themselves. There is no reason to reject this.

“Yes, I’ll admit it. You’re very insightful, Mr. Ed.”

Dune heard the story up to this point and let out a laugh.

“It’s absolutely absurd to say that you’ve figured it out with only one draft contract. You did well not to turn it into an enemy.”

Dune let out a blank laugh once, as if he was dumbfounded, then returned with a serious face and spoke.

“But… if you’ve noticed that far, you’ll get a feel for what kind of situation Lortel Hoju Assistant Manager is in…”

Lortel Kecheln, tied up in his private office and being overpowered.

She’s now… It’s not strange to say that she turned the whole world into enemies.

Elte’s head office in Old Deck, Sylvania’s school, and even the imperial family are contributing to her downfall.

Dune raises both hands slightly, then speaks in a manner of surrender.

“If you’ve been able to get this far, I have no choice but to reveal all of my bases.”

And then you talk without hesitation.

“The position of the next president of Elte Firm is going to be dropped by Mr. Slog, the elder of the six giant merchants. He’s always been at odds with the deputy head of Lortel.”

It was a name I heard in passing once when inferior students occupied the Ophelis building and made a fuss.

I’m not familiar with the local conditions of Old Deck, but I was well aware of how toxic the old deck’s colossus were.

“It is a very sensitive issue even from the imperial family’s point of view as to who will take the seat of the Elte Company, the continent’s best commercial guild.

“…so?”

“The three imperial runners would also like to appoint someone who is friendly to them as the head of Elte Firm. Having the support of such an influential person is a huge political advantage.”

Dune, who is good at judging the situation, figured out the results of all the flows while only looking at the documents going back and forth.

“So, it often happens that the merchants who support him help him sit in the chair of the head of the water.

“Then, who does that colossus named Slog support?”

At that question, Dune smiled softly and spoke.

“Persica Delfinir Chloe.”

Finally, it feels like the sketch is revealed.

“This is the name of the second princess of the Chloe royal family.”

2nd Princess Persica Delfinir Chloe

Oldeck’s Colossus Slog Einderk

Sylvania Academy Vice Principal Rachel Teislin

Even Dune Greg, a working-level member of the Elte Trading Co., Ltd.

This is the name of the opponent that Lortel Kecheln must face, with no one left around.

The imperial princess, the colossus at the top, the vice-principal of the academy, and even the traitor under me.

They were too massive enemies to deal with with nothing left but shabby hands.

Now that the whole story has been revealed, I can see why Dune revealed the background without adding or subtracting.

It would be suicidal to take Lortel’s side despite the circumstances.

Above all, Lortel herself would know.

It was said that he had just checked the contents of the negotiation proposal, so he had little understanding of the situation, but by now he would have finished organizing his thoughts.

If it’s what I’ve inferred, I’ll be able to easily infer the sensible Lortel as well.

Looking at the situation objectively, Lortel herself would come to a conclusion. He knows that no one will ever come to and make a choice to help himself.

Me too.

The reason I’ve maintained a friendly relationship with Lortel is because, in any case, her position as the person in power at the top has been of great help to me.

Whether it’s camp life, going through scenarios, or whatever, the support of a powerhouse named Lortel Kecheln has always been a big help.

Only now, is Lortel standing on the verge of losing all real power.

The reason why I was always able to survive in this wild life is because I did not ignore reason and rationality even in extreme situations.

If you want to make a rational and reasonable judgment, the correct answer is to throw her out here.

If you’re going to reach out to her, there must be some other reasonable reason.

She is already on the brink of collapse, and even has a mouth-watering escape route called Dune’s Negotiation Plan right in front of her.

If you think about it from the line of understanding, no matter how you think about it, it’s a handshake that helps her.

Perhaps Lortel Kecheln thought so too. Since she was always rational, she must have accepted the fact that no one would take her side.

If you want to reach out to Lortel beyond this, you need a reason beyond ‘reasonable’.

In other words, human-to-human interaction must be premised.

It wasn’t siding with the leader of Elte Corporation, it wasn’t siding with the influential person in power.

You just have to take the human Lortel Kecheln by the hand and drag him.

The cost of that judgment may be greater than you think.

However… the traces of the ‘people’ he saw in the battlefield rise into his memory.

People’s hearts sprout even during a time of war so cruel that the life of a fly is considered more precious.

Whether it was love, friendship, or comradeship. If you make your way through hell in any way… there will be people who casually die for someone else, give away their supplies, or guard the corpses of their comrades without running away.

What defines a person as?

It is ‘absurdity’.

Rescuing a person who has fallen into a gutter is only possible because it is a human being.

In addition, if that person came to the camp once in a while to chat, show affection as a member of the opposite s*x, be a companion by a campfire on a cold winter day, or try to help in difficult times, there is nothing more to say.

It was only then that I found out something. It permeates like snow melting, and it’s a fact that I can’t even guess when it started.

At some point, she was accepted by me not as the owner of Elte Firm… but as the person named ‘Lortel Kecheln’ herself.

After thinking that far, I was able to easily come to a conclusion.

─Look for it once and see it.

Even such a monologue, in fact, was so obvious that there was no reason to say it.

“Yes, by the way… Let me do one favor for you. If you help me with a personal matter, I’ll be sure to join your plan.”

Only after all the conclusions came out, I opened my eyes coolly and talked.

“What is it?”

“I’m going to kidnap someone.”

From here on out, the plan is completely my own initiative.

“Help me at Elte Corporation level.”

At that, Dune smiled insincerely.

“I don’t know the circumstances, but you’re not a clean person either.”

“It’s all like that.”