Free Web NovelChapter 199: Chapter 184: Time to Make a Deal
How to use Magic Element Sensing to build the Magic Energy Machine—as he was tentatively calling it—was not something Zog needed to worry about.
What he needed to consider was where to find some Oli Crystal Ore.
The reserves in his treasury were substantial for a collection, but they were woefully inadequate for industrial production.
"Elsa, find out where the largest confirmed Oli Crystal vein is," Zog asked.
The price of Oli Crystal Ore should still be low right now. He had to buy it up quickly while it was cheap.
Once others realized this stuff could be used as an energy source, the price wouldn’t just double or triple.
Moreover, it was best to buy from all sources simultaneously. If he bought in batches, some mine owners might find out the Zog Group was acquiring it and jack up their prices on the spot.
"I’ve already looked into it," Elsa replied. "Oli Crystal is produced in almost every mine. It’s widely distributed in strata at a certain depth, so as long as you dig deep enough, you’re almost guaranteed to find it."
Zog was deeply disappointed. His plan for a monopoly was a bust.
No matter how rich he was, he couldn’t afford to buy every mine on the Continent. Seizing them by force was even more out of the question.
That would mean making an enemy of the entire Continent.
An Ancient Dragon would have no problem dealing with a few Legendary squads. But if many nations were to unite and form an expeditionary force of a hundred top-tier fighters, even he wouldn’t be able to withstand it.
Elsa continued, "However, one location has been discovered so far—and it’s the only one—a shallow Oli Crystal Ore deposit with enormous reserves that is easy to mine."
"Where is it?"
"Right here in the Silver-White City State. Nominally, it’s the common property of all the city’s residents, but it’s managed by the City Lord."
Well, that brought him right back to where he started.
It was time to turn the Silver-White City State into a Little North Realm exclusively for the Elves.
「Four days later, in the Silver-White City State.」
Today happened to be the broadcast date for the first episode of the bladesmithing competition.
The City Lord, having settled on a new campaign strategy, was holding the city’s first Demon Vision viewing party with his team.
Unfortunately, turnout among the Elves was low. Aside from Mrs. Kaelan and her friends, the City Lord’s social circle, and the craftsmen who came to see the results, not many Elves showed up just for the spectacle.
Still, the City Lord was relatively confident.
After all, not many Elves had shown up for the anti-Zog Group rallies either.
Recently, he had been binge-watching all sorts of films produced by the Zog Group.
He hadn’t known what to expect, but after watching, he found them quite interesting.
His favorite was *Tom and Jerry*; he found its plot wonderfully entertaining. As for the other movies, some of them seemed too heavy.
’Once you get to a certain age, you stop enjoying such heavy themes. Isn’t it better to just be happy?’
He even tried the games.
He didn’t much care for the player-versus-player games; they felt exhausting.
Also, some players liked to curse.
He could understand the cursing. When he played, he’d sometimes get flustered himself—a very un-Elven-like trait, he had to admit—but playing with others just made him anxious.
The problem was, he was a slow typer...
Besides those two, he also tried browsing the social network, which led to him pulling an all-nighter for the first time in nearly a century.
This led the City Lord to a suspicion. ’Perhaps the Elves’ traditionally low-desire lifestyle is simply because they never had so many forms of entertainment?’
Combined with their long lifespans, they had seen so much that they had lost their sense of novelty.
But the vast amount of information brought by the network had apparently solved that problem.
’In two years’ time, the Elves of the city will surely come to recognize the wisdom of my decision.’
"Lord City Lord, my boss, Zog, has come today. He would like to discuss the matter of the cultural exchange week with you," the specialty store manager said as he approached.
He was practically glowing with ambition. A huge performance bonus was beckoning, and he was desperate to "perform."
"Excellent. After the event concludes, we can speak in detail at the City Lord’s Mansion."
The City Lord hadn’t expected Zog to visit personally. It must be about a potential partnership.
An election campaign was a money-burning affair. His own savings were sufficient, but who would refuse a sponsorship that came knocking on their door?
Two hours later, the City Lord was on stage giving his concluding speech. He had also brought Simon, the winner of the first episode, up with him, shaping him into the poster Elf for their faction.
Simon was unaware that he had taken a side, as the City Lord had told him he was simply helping him release a public statement.
The statement would clarify that the accident that led to his father’s death was an experimental mishap, not the result of the former number one Elven craftsman going mad and plotting some evil scheme.
Similar rumors had been circulating in the city for decades.
"I hope that we, like the great heroes who built this city-state, can unite, overcome our differences, and guide our city toward a greater future."
"Tonight, here, I ask for your cooperation, your support, and I humbly ask for your votes. Finally, thank you all for attending this event."
The City Lord ended his speech with a passionate and rousing declaration. It sounded very stirring, but in reality, not many Elves were listening.
Clearly, everyone was more interested in Simon.
’Using Simon to endorse me was a stroke of genius.’
Back at the City Lord’s Mansion, Zog had already been waiting for a while.
"My apologies for the long wait." The City Lord adopted a very humble posture; after all, he was the one asking for money.
"Let’s skip the pleasantries. I’ll get straight to the point: the Zog Group will help you win re-election." Zog’s small frame exuded the aura of a kingpin.
’Get straight to the point? Is there a metaphor like that in the common tongue?’
The City Lord had never heard the expression before, but he roughly understood its meaning. He prepared to explain his platform and needs in the traditional manner.
"In that case, let me introduce you to my current platform and the approximate funding required..."
"Actually, we can offer a more effective campaign plan," Zog interrupted.
"For example, how about we make all your opponents... disappear?"
"You must be joking." The City Lord gave an awkward laugh, but Zog didn’t look like he was joking.
After a moment of silence, the City Lord refused. "I believe cooperating through normal channels is more in line with my principles."
"A shame. In that case, what do you think of this idea: your rivals wake up in the morning to find their beloved pet’s severed head in their bed?" Zog proposed another plan.
"If that’s the case, then I think it’s best we don’t cooperate," the City Lord said sternly.
Another silence followed.
"Hahaha," Zog suddenly laughed. "Just a little joke. Don’t be so tense."
Zog wasn’t joking. If the City Lord had agreed to the plans above, he would have lost his eligibility to be a partner.
A creature that would unhesitatingly sell out its own kind for personal gain would certainly not be a qualified partner.
Who could guarantee that he wouldn’t easily betray the partnership for some new benefit?
Zog would then have to "humanely" dispose of him.
’What a hassle.’
"In truth, our plan is to build unprecedented prestige for you through media channels," Zog said.
The City Lord didn’t ask for the specifics. As an experienced City Lord, he certainly understood that there was no such thing as free aid.
"Then what is the price?"
"The Oli Crystal Mine," Zog said directly. "I intend to take over operations of your Oli Crystal Mine."
