The Surface District is the center of the world. 

The world has collapsed. Journey toward the sea, and you’ll find a desert. Enter the ice fields, and they’ll turn into lava lands. Though the direction seems correct, and the distance is measured, somehow, you always end up back where you started, in this mysterious space that governs the Earth.

Traveling between areas is life-threatening in this world without a relay teleport portal. As a result, each Surface District is highly independent, and for most residents, it’s their entire world.

In that kind of world, the sector of a Surface District known as ‘Eldarge 15’ is controlled by the Armed Families: Onodera, Yarita, Tsurugi, Tateno, and Yoroizuka.

They dominate their respective areas with overwhelming power and wealth, recognized as rulers by all.

The rulers were busy people, and even having two of them together was rare, but all of them had gathered in one room today.

The room was exquisitely furnished with expensive items, fitting for their status. The carpet was made from the rare fur of monsters found outside the district, and each vase, painting, and piece of furniture was worth more than what the average person could spend in a lifetime.

The security and counterintelligence was flawless, both physically and magically.. Highly skilled guards stood ready inside and outside the room, prepared for any enemy.

The table before them was set with dishes made entirely from natural ingredients, prepared by top-class chefs. A single bite would cost a small fortune.

Seated at this table were the heads of the Armed Families.

These five were: Onodera Bacchus, Yarita Masakado, Tsurugi Muramasa, Tateno Kazuto, and Yoroizuka Aegis.

“I never expected the Tsurugi family to participate. What kind of wind has blown you here?” (Aegis)

Asked Aegis Yoroizuka, elegantly cutting into her steak. She is a striking beauty in her thirties with long slit eyes, seductive features, her lips lightly painted, and even the simple action of eating exuded allure.

The others turned their eyes toward Muramasa at Aegis’ words. The predecessor and the daughter had little interest in political power, so they sold off most of their real estate assets. Even though they had wealth, they didn’t put in the effort.

Everyone had assumed they would fade into obscurity. But, recently,  they have suddenly repurchased the properties they had sold. The Tsurugi family still had many loyal branch families, so they easily regained most of their former real estate holdings. Their influence waned, but they quickly reclaimed their status as an Armed Family.

However, the other heads knew there was more to the reason why they were able to buy it all back so easily.

“Well, I’ve had some thoughts recently.. It didn’t sit right with me to watch the Tsurugi family squander its assets and fall into ruin as the son-in-law. So, I decided to put in the effort.” (Muramasa)

Muramasa said casually while continuing to eat.

His vague answer left the others unimpressed. Bacchus, in particular, seemed displeased. He downed his beer in one gulp, slamming the mug down onto the table with a thud.

“I was worried about the Tsurugi family, with that old man and his do-gooder daughter not caring about politics. Every day, they let their power slip away. But I see it’s not a problem anymore. Gahahaha!” (Bacchus)

“I apologize for the concern. But I’ll do my best to restore the Tsurugi name from here on out. I look forward to your guidance and support.” (Muramasa)

Bacchus glared at Muramasa, totally contrary to what he said. Muramasa replied calmly, completely unfazed by this gaze of his as if it were blowing wind. He continued eating while showing no intention of respecting Bacchus despite saying he looked forward to his guidance and support.

Bacchus clicked his tongue, wiping the foam from his beard with his sleeve. 

The Onodera family were dwarves; an ancient race of modified humans.. They sported beards and had stout, barrel-like bodies, much like the dwarves of fantasy. They possessed strong muscles and were skilled at crafting weapons, spirit armor, and magic tools despite their short stature.

“Bacchus-dono has been lobbying hard to buy Tsurugi land, so I imagine it’s disappointing for him.” (Masakado)

The head of the Yarita family, Masakado, said with a touch of sarcasm in his voice. Even if old, with white hair and many wrinkles marking his experiences, he commanded the attention of everyone around him with just a word.

Bacchus’s expression soured as his frustration was exposed. The Onodera family was more adept at using their wealth, power, and technological prowess to push through matters, rather than relying on schemes.

Bacchus has recently been working behind the scenes to acquire the Tsurugi family’s hotels, especially aiming for the underground Ultra Suite Room. The other heads were aware of this.

“Places with little contamination from Element Powder make the area ideal for blacksmithing. Ordinary workshops run the risk of monsters spawning anytime. That’s why I wanted it.” (Bacchus)

Bacchus grumbled, glaring at Masakado, who had revealed more than necessary. But then, Bacchus’s frown shifted into a sly grin as he came up with a new idea.

“And I hear, Masakado, you’ve been having quite the succession battle among your grandchildren. It must be tough. Each grandchild has their own faction, and I hear your family is on the verge of splitting apart. Watch your step, or you’ll be taken by surprise. Aah, is your granddaughter already set to take over? You’re going as far as building her a mansion in the Dream Island Spirit Ward after all, since she was attacked by a monster in her room!” (Bacchus)

“The succession battle and doting on my granddaughter are two separate matters. The most capable will become the next head. My family is not so weak as to be torn apart by internal strife -so that it doesn’t cross the line.” (Masakado)

“Who knows. What if one of them decides to rebel, knowing they won’t win? It’s been said since ancient times that succession battles are battles of blood and flesh.” (Bacchus) 

Their gazes clashed, sparks flying as the tension in the room escalated. Yet none of the other heads moved to intervene and merely watched coolly.

(Good grief. Have they forgotten the word ‘cooperation,’ or were they never inclined to learn it in the first place? Well, at least these mental gymnastics will provide some entertainment now that I’ve given up on magical wisdom.) (Muramasa)

Muramasa chuckled inwardly at the thoroughly sour relationship between heads while enjoying the exquisite food.

And then, Aegis threw the topic to him.

“I heard you didn’t just use money to repurchase your real estate. Rumor has it you offered something rather rare in return. Half of that real estate was under the Tateno family’s control, right?” (Aegis)

Aegis asked, touching her cheek thoughtfully as if saying ‘I wonder what this rare thing is’ and flashing a seductive smile.

Of course, she knew the truth. This was just confirmation among the heads. Bacchus and Masakado stopped glaring at each other, turning their attention to Muramasa. They were surprisingly in sync at times like this.

Indeed, the core of the Tsurugi family’s real estate had been entrusted to the Tateno family which has a relatively better personality. Muramasa felt a pang of gratitude toward his predecessor for that as he smiled at Aegis.

“That’s correct. I acquired a rare spirit stone. I offered that stone as a thank-you gift to show my gratitude for safeguarding the properties.” (Muramasa) 

That’s right, he used a spirit crystal as payment. 

It was a practical decision. Keeping it would only make them a target for thieves and they had no way of using it, so it made sense to use it to reclaim their assets.

“Haha, that’s right. I’m truly sorry to have received something so valuable.” (Kazuto) 

Tateno Kazuto said with a sheepish smile. His timid demeanor might fool some, but not the other heads. 

Aegis pressed on, smiling as sweetly as ever. This matter was way too important to allow him to muddy the waters here.

“It’s not just rare, is it? You might as well call it unprecedented. Rumor has it the energy contained in that stone far surpasses that of any existing spirit stone… Enough to reactivate an ancient weapon.” (Aegis)

“Oh, that sounds incredible! Kazuto, if it’s such a powerful item, shouldn’t it be managed by all of the Armed Families? This district could be attacked by strong monsters at any moment.” (Bacchus)

Bacchus suggested, clapping his hands together with a grin too sinister to call a smile.

“Indeed. We’ve seen an increase in monster occurrences and dungeon appearances lately. It might be wise to safeguard such a thing for emergencies.” (Masakado)

Masakado added, stroking his chin and nodding gravely with an apologetic expression.

Of course, neither Bacchus nor Masakado cared about protecting the district. They simply didn’t want the Tateno family holding such a powerful item. Their only goal was to drag them down.

But Kazuto had expected this outcome. Whenever power became too great, the Armed Families always banded together to bring down anyone who stood out.

“I’m sorry, but the Tateno family will be using it. You haven’t forgotten how I conceded during the Dream Island Spirit Ward incident, have you?” (Kazuto)

Kazuto replied sharply, fixing the other heads with a piercing glare.

The heads winced, their expressions genuinely pained this time.

The Tateno family had been recently forced to split control of the Dream Island Spirit Ward; one of the few places free of contamination from Element Powder. The heads couldn’t push any further after being reminded of that.

“But don’t you think the Tateno family will have a hard time utilizing it? Do you have plans for its use?” (Aegis)

Aegis inquired.

Kazuto smiled, pleased with the question. The time to activate a certain something the Tateno have had the whole time has come.

“We plan to activate the ancient botanical garden.” (Kazuto)

“An ancient botanical garden? Can you cultivate some rare plants or something?” (Bacchus)

“I’m currently conducting research with my daughter, and it seems we’ve found a way to grow plants that won’t have issues even within the effects of Element Powder. If successful, we’ll be able to freely cultivate wheat, rice, and other crops.” (Kazuto)

Being able to cultivate natural produce, rather than relying on synthetic food, would bring immense profits to the Tateno family. The world itself might be transformed if they could obtain the technology for this botanical garden.

Kazuto smiled, envisioning this bright future, but the other family heads began scheming how to get in on the opportunity.

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