In the Mechanical Settlement, after confirming that Blake harbored no ill intentions, Topaz finally let out a sigh of relief.
Friendly communication, right? There was no need to make the atmosphere so tense—it wasn't good for either side.
So... Topaz immediately switched to a more amiable demeanor. "In the long term, this is a... no, only by doing this can we ensure Belobog's long-term interests and achieve that goal... My department hopes to receive assistance from the Church."
Before Blake could respond, Svarog began his calculations:
"Concept vague, evaluating intent... Evaluation result: Failure. Messenger, how do you plan to convince the Company's leadership?"
"Mr. Svarog should be well aware, shouldn't he? Over the past seven hundred years, all the mechs manufactured in Belobog have used the underlying systems left behind by the [Company]. Such flawless code— the engineers here never even dreamed of replacing it."
"In a certain corner of the Lower District, there once stood a massive armory, slumbering with... so, so many weapons. Enough to crush an entire legion's vanguard force."
"That's the bargaining chip I'll use in negotiations with the higher-ups. If that's not enough..." Topaz glanced at Blake, the implication clear without words.
"No problem, but the Church will only collaborate with the [Strategic Investment Department]. Addendum: This does not include the Interastral Peace Corporation, so please adjust your wording to the upper leadership accordingly, Miss Topaz."
Blake agreed to Topaz's request. "As for the phrasing toward the leaders, Miss Topaz need not worry about any repercussions—speak freely!"
"For example, the Church unilaterally refused your visit. Very regrettable, mission failed. If the leadership still presses the issue, then prepare for war with the [Eternity Church]."
"Mm, as for the debt issue..."
Blake pondered countermeasures. That astronomical debt on Jarilo-VI? To be frank, even ten Churches couldn't pay it off.
Damn it, at a time like this, the only thing he could count on was turning in all the Stellaron Hunters for bounties, but there were still too few of them...
That accursed Interastral Peace Corporation, throwing its weight around with all that money, utterly lawless! What was the Lord of [Equilibrium] doing? Wouldn't those arbitrators do something about it?!
"Mm, that funding from the [Strategic Investment Department] earlier... I haven't had the chance to pay a proper visit and express my thanks yet... Or perhaps invite [Diamond] to the Church for a taste of our natural hot spring baths."
In the end, Blake chose to change the subject, skipping over the debt issue entirely.
Topaz: ...
Was this guy really the Pontiff of the Eternity Church? Take some responsibility!
"Mr... Mr. Blake, acquiring Jarilo-VI is a strategic decision approved by the Company's top brass. Even if I wanted to overturn it, convincing the higher-ups would be extremely difficult, unless..."
"Heh~ So you're a proxy for a false god, a foolish wretch who can't even handle such everyday trivialities!"
A voice dripping with mockery, cold and clear, came from behind Blake. His mouth twitched wildly—he didn't need to guess; it was Freesna.
"Eh?"
At that moment, the one even more bewildered was Topaz and Svarog. When had this girl shown up? Popping out of nowhere—eh... how terrifying!
"Stake the [Eternity Church] and [ETERNITY]'s reputation as guarantors for Jarilo-VI! How about that?" Freesna lifted her head proudly. Coming up with this decision? As expected of her!
"Reputation... That could indeed work, haha~" Topaz laughed awkwardly, inwardly retorting:
Actually, the [Eternity Church] part in front could be omitted... No, considering the Church can summon an Aeon, how does this even sound like a threat?
"This should get it done. As for the subsequent reporting procedures and any potential accountability issues..."
Topaz shook her head. Rank and all that didn't matter; finding the best solution to the problem was what counted.
As for her salary... Deduct it if they must. She'd long passed the stage of working purely for the money anyway, and it wasn't all bad news.
As a member of the [Strategic Investment Department], she'd already built connections with two Emanators of [ETERNITY]. Wasn't that good news?
As for Blake's mention of visiting the [Eternity Church] someday... Honestly, she was rather looking forward to it. After all, it was a planet she hadn't been to before—seemingly remodeled from a car wash planet, or something like that.
As Topaz compiled and sent the information to the higher-ups, she had just caught her breath when...
Beep beep beep!
Aside from Svarog, all three of their phones received a message at the same time.
—————
Pier Point, Interastral Peace Corporation Headquarters
Upon receiving Topaz's message, the upper leadership fell into silence.
"The Church is blatantly trying to oppose us. Just two [Emanators]—do we not have any of our own to deploy?" One particularly arrogant member slammed the table in fury. This was outright provocation!
"Jarilo-VI is being staunchly protected by the Church. We need to think long-term. From a business value perspective... They're the ones taking the loss. Letting it go is fine."
There was no need to deadlock with the Church over a planet with no real oil. In the end, they'd be the ones who couldn't afford the fallout.
"Those two [Emanators of ETERNITY] have already made their stance clear. How many Emanators does the Church even have in total... Truly a bunch of madmen who'll stop at nothing to achieve their goals..."
"No, you've all misunderstood. The real danger isn't Pontiff Blake Hail, nor that unseen stranger Emanator, but..." A leadership member who had prior dealings with the Church took a light sip of tea and said gravely:
"But the most secretive entity in the cosmos, undetectable and whose whereabouts no one knows—the true founder of the Church: Ite of [ETERNITY]."
"This is indeed a threat: But all signs indicate that if this matter draws THEM in, our company's chances of survival are zero. Exaggerating a bit, we have no countermeasures."
"From our own perspective, has the Interastral Peace Corporation truly prepared itself to provoke an [Aeon]?"
The leadership fell silent. Unless that nonexistent P50-grade showed up, even the entire Interastral Peace Corporation couldn't touch THEM.
At that moment, their phones received two more messages. One was a supplement from Topaz:
"The Church is amicable toward us. Regarding Jarilo-VI's debt, Blake has obtained Ite's approval: Our company can receive a personal item from the Amber King as compensation?!"
...
...
"Ah, an item from the Amber King? Strange, it feels like I've suddenly lost a segment of memory. What was it again..." The leadership member who'd been the most vocal just moments ago changed his tune in an instant.
Jarilo-VI? That was irrelevant now.
The late Oswald Schneider once said: Is there a more enlightened Chairman than Qlipoth in this universe?
THEY acquiesce to all our operational decisions, never questioning, never inquiring! This is an immense honor, an immense trust!
The corporate spirit has remained unchanged since its inception: Dedicate everything to the "Amber King"—Qlipoth.