Mr. Carver, replied with a disarming grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just a small matter of civic interest, my good man. I've come to ensure that today's proceedings align with, shall we say, the greater good."
The official's brow furrowed in confusion, but before he could respond, Carver placed a sealed envelope on the desk. The weight of its contents—a hefty bribe in carefully counted coins—1,000 Marks was undeniable. The official glanced at it, his face betraying both curiosity and dread.
"I trust you'll find this... incentive," Carver said smoothly, "enough to ensure that a certain document is delayed from entering the public record today. A minor procedural adjustment, nothing more."
The official hesitated, his gaze darting between the envelope and Carver's unyielding expression. "This... this is highly irregular," he stammered. "If anyone were to find out—"
"No one will," Carver interrupted, his tone firm but still cordial. "You have my word. And, let's not forget, a favor unreturned is a dangerous thing to owe."
The air in the room grew heavy, the weight of the unspoken bargain settling over them. Finally, with a reluctant nod, the official ook the envelope and slipped it into his desk drawer.
"Good man," Carver said, clapping the official in the shoulder with a practiced show of camaraderie. "I knew I could count on your discretion."
Carter presented the official with four documents he requested to be "delayed due to complications."
As Carver exited the office, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smirk. Step by step, their plan was coming together. The courthouse, like the city itself, was a chessboard, and he was a master at maneuvering its pieces. Outside, the morning sun was beginning to burn away the fog, but within the courthouse walls, shadows continued to spread.
Still, that wasn't the end of the work being carried out. Early in the morning, the officer received a document the official had agreed to send over as a "bonus." The document, an invaluable asset, granted the authority to close off areas deemed hazardous. This could include reasons such as environmental threats or, in this case, monsters.
Seizing the opportunity, the officer studied a map that Henry had previously provided. The map meticulously outlined all the critical choke points along the Apollo supply routes—a total of seven roads. With a strategic mindset, the officer marked these roads, each representing a key pathway, albeit not vital, yet still significant to the operations of the Apollo companies.
Acting swiftly, the officer dispatched his team to close the roads under the pretense of hazardous conditions. Although these roads were not essential arteries, they still played an important role for some stakeholders, particularly the Apollo companies, whose supply chains depended on them. The closures, while seemingly minor to outsiders, were calculated moves designed to create ripples in the logistical flow, potentially unsettling the operations of those relying on these routes.
After deploying the members of his guard to close the designated zones, the officer wasted no time in returning to Henry's estate. His mind was already turning to the next steps, knowing the significance of the actions they had set in motion.
10:00 AM, 8th of Apollo
As the officer arrived, the meeting promptly resumed between the four key figures. The first topic on the agenda was straightforward: what comes next? After some deliberation, they collectively decided to wait and observe the repercussions of their recent actions. By allowing time to gauge the impact of the road closures on the Apollo Companies, they could plan their next moves with precision and be prepared to act swiftly based on the outcomes.
The second topic, however, took a surprising turn. Instead of focusing directly on their adversaries, the discussion shifted to an internal matter—protecting their own assets during this waiting period. With their combined holdings totaling an impressive 140,000,000 Marks (equivalent to approximately 1.4 billion US dollars), the stakes were high. Any misstep could threaten not only their strategic position but also their extensive financial network and physical resources.
The four men meticulously analyzed potential vulnerabilities in their operations, from supply chains to logistical dependencies, ensuring that their assets were shielded from unintended consequences. Each decision was measured and deliberate, balancing calculated risk with their broader objectives. For now, patience and vigilance would be their allies, as they monitored the fallout and fortified their own positions.
The group began by addressing the inherent instability of their portfolio, choosing to prioritize actions that would safeguard their financial position amidst the growing uncertainties. The first decision was clear: liquidate assets with high volatility. These included speculative investments prone to unpredictable swings in value, such as emerging markets or ventures tied to fluctuating industries. By divesting from such precarious holdings, they aimed to free up capital and minimize exposure to risk during the unfolding crisis.
Once the liquidation process was underway, their strategy shifted to reinvesting the reclaimed capital into assets with exceptional stability. Land, with its enduring value and tangible nature, became a cornerstone of their reinvestment plan. Whether it was fertile agricultural property, strategically located plots, or urban developments, land represented an asset resistant to market turbulence and capable of yielding long-term gains.
In addition to land, the group directed their focus towards established trade businesses, and large food and material goods, which offered predictable revenue streams and historical resilience against economic instability. By carefully selecting enterprises with proven track records—such as import/export firms, regional distribution networks, and commodity trading ventures—they could reinforce their financial base while diversifying their income sources.
This transition was not merely a financial maneuver but a calculated pivot designed to strengthen their position against potential disruptions. Through liquidation and reinvestment, they crafted a portfolio anchored in stability, allowing them to weather uncertainties while maintaining a strategic advantage for the challenges ahead.
Once their full plan came to fruition, the economy of the City of Caledon would face an unprecedented collapse. The carefully orchestrated chain of events had been designed to target the city's financial lifelines, exploiting its vulnerabilities and dismantling its stability piece by piece. The consequences of their actions would ripple through every sector, leaving the once-thriving city in economic disarray.
The first wave of impact would strike the local businesses reliant on the now disrupted supply routes. Trade would grind to a halt, warehouses would sit idle, and retail operations would falter as goods failed to reach their destinations. The Apollo Companies, a cornerstone of the city's economy, would find themselves paralyzed, unable to maintain the flow of products and services that sustained both their operations and their clients. This bottleneck alone would sow chaos across industries ranging from manufacturing to consumer goods.
The crash would not stop at businesses. As the backbone of trade crumbled, so too would employment. Thousands of workers would face layoffs, plunging households into financial uncertainty and driving up unemployment rates to alarming levels. The loss of income would lead to reduced consumer spending, further tightening the stranglehold on the city's economy.
Next, the instability would reach the Bank of Normandy. As businesses faltered, so would their ability to repay loans, leading to a cascade of defaults that would strain the financial institutions of Caledon. Investors, spooked by the rapid decline, would withdraw their capital, triggering liquidity crises and undermining the city's ability to recover. Panic would spread among the populace, as savings accounts dwindled and trust in financial systems eroded.
The city's government would not escape unscathed. Tax revenues would plummet as businesses shuttered and unemployment surged, leaving the administration grappling with budget shortfalls. Essential services, from infrastructure maintenance to public safety, would face cuts, worsening the city's plight and creating a feedback loop of decline. Protests and civil unrest might arise as citizens demanded answers and accountability, further destabilizing the region.
In the wake of this collapse, Caledon would become a cautionary tale—a testament to the fragility of economic systems and the devastating power of calculated sabotage. The once-bustling metropolis would be reduced to a shadow of its former self, struggling to rebuild amidst the ruins of its shattered economy.
After orchestrating the collapse of the City of Caledon, the four figures implemented the next phase of their plan—leveraging their preemptive stockpiling of essential resources. Prior to the city's downfall, they had quietly amassed vast quantities of food, water, and critical materials, anticipating the shortages that would follow the economic crisis. This foresight positioned them as gatekeepers of survival in a city teetering on the brink of despair.
As the collapse unfolded, chaos gripped the city. Food supplies dwindled as transportation networks were disrupted, markets ran empty, and citizens struggled to secure basic necessities. Clean water, once abundant, became scarce as infrastructure faltered under the strain of economic turmoil. Building materials, vital for repairs and reconstruction, were nowhere to be found, leaving the city's physical recovery stalled. It was in this dire scenario that the four individuals stepped forward, offering a lifeline—but at a steep cost.
They began selling their stockpiled goods to the desperate populace at exorbitant rates, carefully calculating prices to maximize profit while avoiding outright rebellion. The rates were high enough to ensure their dominance in the market but not so severe as to provoke widespread outrage. By controlling the flow of essential supplies, they established themselves as the saviors and architects of Caledon's rebuilding efforts, consolidating their power and influence further.
The slow rebuilding process began under their watch. Basic sustenance became available again—though costly—easing the immediate suffering of the city's residents. Water distribution networks were gradually restored, albeit at prices that favored the four figures' financial interests. Construction projects resumed, with materials sourced from their private reserves, allowing parts of the city to inch toward recovery. While citizens struggled to afford the inflated costs, the influx of resources began to breathe life back into the city's shattered economy.
This calculated approach to resource distribution not only ensured the four figures' financial prosperity but also cemented their control over Caledon's recovery. Their willingness to exploit the city's desperation for personal gain was met with grudging acceptance by the populace, who had no choice but to rely on them. Slowly but surely Caledon City would begin to rebuild.