Murder… and psychological warfare?
The first thought that popped into Topaz's mind was this phrase, but she quickly shook her head. She assumed Pei Guang was simply making her confirm her own stance.
But in reality? Pei Guang had no such intention. He just saw Topaz as a company employee and asked casually.
Topaz hesitated. "Hmm… I think your idea is perfect. With a determined leader like Bronya and capable people like you all here, the Marketing Development Department wouldn't be able to do anything to Belobog."
Pei Guang nodded. "Exactly! Internal unity, combined with enough external military deterrence—there won't be any problems. But that's not enough. If I remember correctly, you're a company employee too, and you're planning to invest here. I think Aetherium Wars alone might not be enough. There's another promising project here in Belobog. Interested?"
Topaz: "Cough, cough, cough, cough!"
She instinctively choked.
Wow, not only was he discussing how to counter the company with her, but he also wanted to exploit the company's resources through her?
But after thinking about it for a moment, she simply nodded. "No problem! If the project is promising, as a member of the Strategic Investment Department, I have the authority to invest on behalf of the company. But—if you want my investment, there has to be profit in it for me~"
Pei Guang grinned. "Don't worry, don't worry! There's definitely profit—it's a win-win!"
Topaz: "Alright then, looking forward to our cooperation!"
Pei Guang: "Looking forward to it!"
Topaz: "Since that's settled, I'll go make preparations for promoting Aetherium Wars first. Once that's done, I'll trouble you to show me the promising projects in Belobog~"
Pei Guang: "No problem!"
After their discussion, Topaz happily left to start working on Aetherium Wars's promotion. However, the moment she stepped out of Qlipoth Fort, her footsteps halted.
"Numby…"
"Hmm?"
Topaz frowned. "Why do I feel like I just got led into a trap without realizing it?"
She instinctively turned back, looking at the people still discussing inside Qlipoth Fort. Listening to Pei Guang's plan sent chills down her spine, yet when the conversation shifted to their collaboration, she felt an inexplicable sense of security.
It wasn't because he was hypnotizing or influencing her thoughts—it was simply that he made her feel like as long as she wanted to accomplish something, it would definitely succeed.
Topaz sighed. "This time, I'll bet on him. Meh~ It's not like I have anything to lose, right?"
From her perspective, her investment would indeed affect the Marketing Development Department's progress, but it was still within the company's rules. Besides, she had made it clear that she couldn't secure the trash can project and had voluntarily withdrawn. It was the higher-ups who counted Belobog's work as her achievement—that wasn't on her.
Even if things blew up, her superior would have every reason to protect her. No matter how you looked at it, she had brought profit to the company.
—
While Topaz was preparing for the Aetherium Wars promotion, inside the hall, March 7th whispered, "That Topaz person left~ Ah Guang, are you sure she won't be a problem?"
Pei Guang nodded. "Of course not. I already confirmed with Asta—she really was invited by Asta to help. But according to Asta, she does have actual company business in Belobog."
March 7th: "Then why did you say so much in front of her?"
Pei Guang blinked. "It's fine~ Even if she has other intentions, there's nothing she can do. Like I said, as long as we're capable of paying back the company's debt, any preparations she makes are useless. But if she's genuinely helping us, wouldn't excessive suspicion just hurt her feelings? Think about it—when we first arrived in Belobog, how much did Cocolia's doubt and distrust affect us?"
Hearing this, March 7th nodded with deep understanding. "Yeah, I've been to so many worlds where we were treated as criminals. Not being trusted really sucks."
Pei Guang grinned. "Exactly. If we were missing a key item to complete our task, then sure, we'd need to be more cautious. But since we already have a safety net, why not trust her? Worst case scenario, we just take our share in advance."
At that moment, Bronya spoke up. "Then, Ah Guang, when do you think the real company operatives will arrive to stir up trouble?"
Pei Guang shrugged. "No idea. But probably soon. A company of that scale won't delay for long. For all we know, they might already be on their way while we're having this conversation."
Pei Guang's guess was spot on.
While they were making preparations, a group from the Marketing Development Department had successfully arrived at the snowy plains outside Belobog.
"Heh, so this is Belobog?"
A man in a company uniform, wearing glasses, looked down at the city from a high vantage point. Because Topaz had abandoned the opportunity to secure Belobog's construction materials, the task had been handed over to the Marketing Development Department instead.
Normally, this would be assigned to a P45 or P46-ranked employee. However, after analyzing this planet, the department determined it was an easy target.
As a result, the job was given to someone just on the verge of breaking into P45 rank—someone whose capabilities were already on par with higher-ranked employees. After all, this was a world that had only just restored communications, a civilization on the brink of extinction, and a place that owed the company a massive debt.
According to their analysis, securing this planet would be easy. There was no need to send a P45, let alone a P46.
And Donatan Plant, the man assigned to this mission, agreed. Though he was currently a P44-ranked employee, his efficiency, cunning, and capabilities made him just one step away from promotion.
"This planet… will be my stepping stone to promotion! Only by climbing the ranks can I offer everything to the Amber Lord!"
As a member of the Marketing Development Department, Donatan was a devout follower of the Amber Lord. No—practically the entire department was filled with zealots for Qlipoth. However, despite sharing the same faith as other Preservation followers, their methods were vastly different.
Take the Architects, for example: they upheld Preservation by constructing powerful planetary defenses to withstand disasters. Their belief wasn't just about survival—it was about protecting the civilizations of their worlds.
Donatan, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Influenced by the head of his department, he was also a Preservation fanatic, but his interpretation differed from Topaz's.
To him, as long as people survived, that was enough. Any profits gained in the process were simply necessary to ensure more people could continue living.
From his perspective, everything the company acquired was justified. Without the company, these people would have been extinct already.