Chapter 8: Angels and Demons, Section 10

Chaos, timing, conflict, occupation.
It was as if a new era was beginning, or the initial stage of capital accumulation. During this time, the commercial market of Silver Star was entirely dominated by brutal and bloody struggles of conquest and being conquered. In every district of the united cities, what people saw most every day was conflict and violence. For a while, it seemed as though the entire planet had descended into barbarism.

Strangely enough, such a turbulent social landscape not only failed to shrink Silver Star’s commercial market but instead provided a significant boost. In less than a month, the number of airships traveling to Silver Star increased by 23%. The volume of goods handled also reached an abnormally high level. Almost every day, the newly repaired airports were filled to capacity with stacked goods. A large number of alien slaves flooded the market, becoming the largest component of Silver Star’s population.

Of course, for the Black Hair and Creek Merchant Guild, this situation could only be better.

Within a month, the business-savvy Koko quickly seized this opportunity. Taking advantage of the sharp rise in arms and minerals during the chaos, she cleared out all the rare minerals and mecha weapons stored in the guild’s warehouses, reaping enormous profits. She then swiftly organized the guild’s transport ships to establish a vast transportation network spanning eight star systems, over fifty planets, and more than 360 weapon manufacturing plants. She began to devour Silver Star’s arms market like mad.

Of course, under such a near-dumping model, she faced surprisingly strong resistance. Aside from the pirates plaguing her transportation network, Silver Star’s local forces also obstructed her efforts at every turn, setting up layers of obstacles from transportation to delivery. The most concerning factor was the coalition of over twenty small merchant guilds that suddenly emerged. They somehow obtained a large amount of arms and minerals of various types, including warship models explicitly banned by the government, becoming the Creek Merchant Guild’s most direct rivals.

Yet even so, Koko remained confident and upbeat, seemingly unshaken by the loss reports presented to her subordinates.

Isn’t that right? With dozens of airships lost in the transportation network, the profit from the remaining goods is already enough to make up for it. Under Blackhair’s orders, Baroka’s men have assembled a formidable escort team that will protect any important cargo, so Koko doesn’t need to worry too much. After witnessing the combat prowess of those wolf-like creatures, even the experienced Koko couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. Those wolf-shaped mechs, which Blackhair specifically ordered the guild to acquire urgently, are even more ferocious than real beasts. Though not very useful in space, every time they encounter pirates, the scattered wreckage and wolf-like howls are enough to haunt every guild member who has seen their battles. In just one week, over a hundred people submitted leave requests to Koko.

As for the emergence of the United Guild, it was something Koko had anticipated long ago. Here, the accumulation of capital is different from that on Earth, where Blackhair resides, due to the lack of rules and laws. Cruelty and aggression are extremely obvious and blatant, with every step of expansion stained with blood. In the past, Koko kept suffering defeats because he lacked sufficient military strength as a backing. Now, with Blackhair’s help and Bald Minister Kuris as a support, these obstacles no longer matter much in Koko’s eyes.

Speaking of Kuris, he is also Koko’s proudest creation recently. This repulsive, fat man indeed didn’t disappoint Blackhair. After the chief commander of the Silver Star Guard resigned, he showed tremendous motivation at work. His promotions came swiftly, like riding a rocket. Coupled with the money Koko provided to smooth the way, he managed to rise to the position of deputy chief commander of the Silver Star Guard in just two months. He is now just one step away from becoming the highest leader of the Silver Star’s armed forces.

In just three months, the Creek Guild has firmly established itself on Silver Star. Although it hasn’t entered most markets, it has captured 21% and 17% of the market shares in the two crucial areas of arms and minerals, respectively. This remarkable achievement is something the Ganluo people have never accomplished before. Using this momentum, Koko has nearly doubled the strength of the Creek Guild, attracting many of his own people to join him, hinting at his intention to become the leader of the Ganluo people.

Of course, with this rapid, almost insane expansion, his guild inevitably faces significant risks.

“Mr. Blackhair, you’re here.” Koko put down the documents and smiled at Blackhair as he entered the room. Beside him, two beautiful elf maidens obediently brought red wine and cigarettes for Blackhair to enjoy.

In fact, despite Koko having made great efforts to understand Blackhair, he couldn’t find any weaknesses in him. Apart from his liking for red wine and tobacco, this dark-haired young man was even colder than the most heartless Snoker people. No external temptation seemed to have any effect on him—not even the most beautiful elf virgins.

“Mm,” he replied indifferently. Blackhair sat down on the sofa nearby and, without ceremony, picked up the glass of wine in front of him. The elf maidens immediately filled it for him.

“Go ahead, what’s the matter?” Blackhair raised his head and looked at the short Ganluo starman before him.

Others might not know, but he was well aware of the immense power hidden within this seemingly unremarkable little guy. The external perceptions regarding the Ganluo starpeople’s temperament seemed to have no effect on him at all. His small frame concealed an energy and courage that were completely disproportionate. This had proven the value of cooperating with Blackhair.

Just as the Creek Merchant Guild was aggressively expanding its market share, Blackhair had also begun to expand wildly during this time. With his powerful military force and cruel tactics, he destroyed hundreds of factions in the vicinity with astonishing speed. Many local factions that had been watching from afar rushed to ally with him. Now, Blackhair’s organization could mobilize thousands of armed men at any time, and his name was already well-known in the underworld of the Silver Star United Cities. He seemed on his way to unifying everything.

Mutual benefit and support—Blackhair was very satisfied with Koko’s performance. That’s why, upon receiving Koko’s secret invitation for a meeting, he put aside his work and rushed over immediately. He knew Koko was likely facing the same kind of trouble as he was.

He waved his hand to send the elf maidens away. Soon, only Koko and Blackhair were left in the room. The short Ganluo starman coughed once, then lit a thick cigar and began smoking it.

“Mr. Blackhair, one of my mines on a mineral planet has run into trouble,” Koko said, knowing Blackhair’s personality well, and got straight to the point.

“Oh?” Blackhair raised an eyebrow. “A very important mineral planet?”

“Well, it’s a rare mining planet that produces violet light ore. It’s also the only planet under my control that yields this kind of ore. During my recent operation to dominate the mineral market on Silver Star, this violet light ore was the key resource. But I haven’t received any new shipments for a week now. Not even any news from the survey ships I sent out. I guess it has changed hands.”

Kurokami knew that violet light ore was a rare mineral. Like Cemxi ore, it was an important resource used only in cutting-edge technologies, applied in the mental cores of mechs and their engine systems. Although its output was much higher than that of Cemxi ore, finding such a mining planet in the universe was extremely difficult and rare.

The value of such a planet was obvious even to a fool. Kurokami immediately understood why Koko was so anxious.

“Have those brats gone?” Kurokami asked casually, taking a sip of red wine.

“No, Mr. Kurokami. Your subordinates have been doing their best to ensure the safety of the routes. I can’t let them get involved in the struggle for this mining planet. As you know, those involved in such conflicts are usually very powerful forces. Reckless actions will only bring failure as a heavy burden. I don’t want any of the resources you’ve entrusted to me to be wasted in such failures.” Koko’s voice was soft but sincere. Working with Kurokami was the best decision he had ever made, so he cherished it greatly. He didn’t want to see even the slightest sign that might affect their relationship. To him, those brats under Baroka were far more valuable than ten heavy-class floating transport ships.

What he didn’t know was that Kurokami was currently troubled by other issues.

Talents…

Not just workers, but true talents.

Although rapid conquests and expansion had expanded Kurokami’s forces significantly, allowing him to mobilize a large number of armed personnel at any time, the only ones who could truly handle tasks independently and earn his trust were Ketsudou and Sulei. Even Baroka didn’t qualify. Moreover, due to the duration of the contract, Ketsudou’s one-year term was already halfway through.

Unfortunately, good talents weren’t easy to come by. Especially in areas Kurokami urgently needed—management, mechanical modification, and technological research—such talents were almost non-existent. Almost all such high-level experts were firmly in the hands of various factions and government agencies, beyond the reach of outsiders.

Perhaps, after this operation is over, some preparations need to be made. Amidst the swirling smoke, the dark-haired man stood up silently.
“Leave the mining planet matter to me. Prepare three warships for me—high speed and heavy firepower are required. Armor isn’t a concern. Once ready, have someone inform me.”
“No problem,” Koko replied cheerfully, picking up the phone on the table.