Lucrada Merchant Group Pt.1

 In the Capital City of Roley,

          A crowd of people gathered around a building in the corner of the shopping district. This building was the main store of the Lucrada Merchant Group, KuroKami. This store was designed and built to be a modern department store for the products they sell, which became very popular in this world.

          A girl sighs as she and another girl walk to the front door.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s another day dealing with customers. And some of them are annoyingly handsy.” She answered.

“I hear you there. Especially the nobles and academy boys. What wouldn’t I do to get stationed somewhere else?”

They reached the doors and unlocked them. Opening the doors, the girls quickly jumped out of the way as the crowd flooded the store. “Woah, they’re like animals.”  The girl said as she and the other girl stood on top of the doors.

“Ellie, we should get in position.” The other girl said.

“Right,” Ellie said before they instantly disappeared.

Meanwhile in a carriage, Queen Adriana, Eriko, Violet, and Lucie are riding down the main street of the shopping district in an awkward silence.

“Uh, is there something wrong? Are you all upset at something?” Violet asks, concernedly.

“NO!” Adriana and Eriko yelled as Lucie smiled.

“Okay,” Violet said, confused.

“Oh, come on you two. I said I was sorry. My powers just acted up a little bit. I wasn’t planning that to happen betwe…

“Stop talking,” Eriko said, covering Lucie’s mouth.

“Okay, I think I understand now.” Violet thought.

“We’re here,” the carriage driver said, stopping the carriage in front of KuroKami.

“Thank goodness,” Eriko thought.

Exiting the carriage, Adriana and the others looked at the store with awe.

“Uh, question… how did a seventeen-year-old boy create something like this?” Violet asked.

“Your guess is as good as ours.”

“Actually… I wouldn’t be surprised. This is normal compared to the business Reo and Anko created.” Lucie said, nonchalantly.

“Really?” Violet asked.

Lucie nodded. “Most of the Lucrada Inc. HQs are huge skyscrapers, depending on the universe. And some of them use spatial and dimensional tech to make the inside a lot larger than it is on the outside. And don’t get me started on how many locations we have… and the paperwork that comes with it.” Lucie ranted.

“Wow… how do you all run something so huge?”

“It’s a family business. So, each member of the family runs a branch of the business in their respective universe. And this universe is no different. Reiji has access to all of the resources he needs.” Lucie said.

Twenty minutes later,

Lucie and Eriko are walking into the back room. Climbing into an elevator, Lucie and Eriko held massive shopping bags. Going down into the basement, Eriko sighed. “Seriously, Reiji. I know I shouldn’t be surprised but could you at least show some restraint. We shouldn’t interfere with the economy of this world so quickly.” She thought.

“Don’t worry so much. This kind of progress is great for the universe. Besides, Reiji is probably doing this for other reasons like intel. Anyways, I hear he has a surprise for you and your family.” Lucie said as the elevator doors opened.  Amazed, Eriko saw a military outpost with dozens of demon operatives.

“What the… He’s not planning on going to war with a country, is he?” Eriko said, shocked.

“No, I don’t think so. He probably wants to make sure he’s prepared for anything.” Lucie said.

“Okay, that’s believable. With things like Neptis Day, I see why he has a military outpost here. But is it really safe to have it underneath a department store?”

“Sure, Reiji made sure to keep this place hidden along with all its tech. So don’t worry about this place being discovered.” Suddenly, an alarm goes off and a large portal opens. Out of the portal, three large vehicles drive to the Hangar section of the Cavern. “Shall we go and greet our boy?” Lucie asked, levitating off the ground and holding out her hand.

“Uh… sure,” Eriko said, grabbing Lucie’s hand. Then, the two of them flew to the Hangar.

Meanwhile in the store,

Violet and Queen Adriana were walking through the store looking at the variety of products, with an awkward silence.

“So, this Reo… What is he like?” Violet breaking the silence.

“Are you asking me about the man who stole your sister’s heart? Because I can’t really tell you much. But I can tell you this… Eriko can’t ask for a better husband.” Adriana said.

“Really? Can a man with as many wives and mistresses as him… be good?”

“If it’s Reo, then yes.” Adrianna said.

“Wow, such confidence. I would love to meet my future brother-in-law.”

“I’m sure we can make that happen.” Adrianna said.

 “I appreciate it.”

“HOW DARE YOU!” Someone yelled.

“Again, I’m sorry sir. But we only have a limited number of products, so we have to limit the purchase limit per customer.” A female receptionist explains, softly.

“Little WRENCH! Don’t you know who I am?”

“Yes sir, a nobleman who lost his nobility like the others when the Queen took back the throne.” the receptionist said, smiling.

People in the crowd started smirking.  Suddenly, two girls make their way through the crowd and walk to the receptionist. Whispering to the receptionist, they informed her… she was needed down in the Basement. Curious, the receptionist left the store with the girls and immediately left for the basement.

“HEY! Where is she going?! Get back here, wrench.” the nobleman yelled.

“There’s no need for her to be here. She has other matters to deal with. But we can help you with your ign… problem.” One of the girls said, smiling.

“Hmpmh, whatever, I just want to buy these items.”

“Sir, I’m sure she told you already, but we limit the amount of these products due to its rarity. I hope you understand.”

“You two… dare disrespect a…

“Mr. Oradell… I hope you’re doing well this fine morning.” Queen Adrianna said, walking up behind him and revealing herself to the crowd. Immediately, everyone, except Violet and the other girls, knelt with respect.

“Your majesty, what are you doing in such a wretched place like this?” Mr. Oradell said, nervously.

The girls looked at Mr. Oradell with bloodlust. Queen Adrianna shook her head, signaling the girls. The girls calmed down and walked away.

“I’m here because of the amazing rumors. I thought I should check this place out. Anyways, why is a former noble trying to use power he doesn’t have to oppress the workers here?”

Mr. Oradell remains silent as he looks at the ground, upsettingly.

In the Basement, the Hangar,

The receptionist from earlier walked up to Reiji and bowed with respect. “Lord Reiji, you called for me.” She said nervously.

“Oh right, Momoe. I’m sorry for calling you away, but I have a mission for you.”

“A mission, sir?”

“Yes, I need you to investigate the Eldrich Merchant Guild. I have a suspicion that they’re planning to raid this place. I noticed there are some spies around the store. But I can’t say that they’re the culprit or if they’re working alone.” Reiji said.

“I understand sir. And… If I discover their plans for this raid?”

“Report back here with any incriminating evidence and we’ll give it to the guards. Hopefully, we won’t have to do any more than that.” Reiji said.

“Yes, Lord Reiji.” Momoe responded, disappointedly.

“Don’t worry, Momoe.  If the guards don’t do anything, I’ll let the Garden handle them.” Reiji said.

“Yes sir. Might I ask… am I going to be alone? Or will I have a partner?”

“You’ll be alone, but if you need back-up, I’ll be on-call.” Reiji said.

“You sir? I didn’t expect you to join in a mission like this.” Momoe said.

“Really? I do missions like this in the other dimension.” Reiji said. “Speaking of, I should take some of the girls over there to help. I’m sure they’ll be extremely helpful.

“REIJI! Eriko yelled as she and Lucie walked up to them.

“Mother, what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? Are you seriously asking me this? In this Underground Military Hq! Under a store you made out of nowhere. What happened to you not keeping any more secrets like this from me?” Eriko said.

“Uh, well…

Back in the store,

Violet and the Queen Adrianna stood beside the receptionist girls as they rode the elevator to the top floor, the main offices.

“So, where’s my nephew, Reiji?” Violet asked.

“Lord Reiji is having a meeting with the other receptionist of that store. He should be coming in a few minutes.”

“So question, why are we headed up and not down?” Adrianna asked.

“What do you mean?” Violet said.

“Below… is a Demon Kingdom hub station. A place where we transport Demons and Beastmen to our country.”

“You don’t look like a demon.”

“Yes, I’m human, like most of the girls I work with. But, we were spared from the worst of King Arres’…

Suddenly, Adrianna hugged the girls and began to cry.

“Uh, Lady Adrianna.” One of the receptionists said.

Thirty minutes later,

Reiji and the other met up in the main office.

“So, Auntie… Momma Adrianna, what do you think about the store? See anything you like?” Reiji asked.

“It’s an amazing store. But I have a question… Where did you get the inventory for your store?” Violet asked.

“Well, from another dimension. While most of it did come from the Armory, the Lucrada Inc. Branch owns some of everything including manufacturing plants that can create anything you can think of. I just transport the item here using a Pelican.”

“Pelican?”

“An upgraded version of the Airstriders. They’re more suitable for moving supplies and large amount of people. It’s what we use in the other dimension.” Reiji said as he summoned a 3d holographic image of the Pelican.

“Woah, that’s amazing.  Hmmm. Hey Reiji, I was wondering… Do you have any plan of selling your technology?”

“You mean like my weapons?” Reiji asked, nervously

“No, I’m more interested in your vehicles and power sources.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but I don’t think it would be a good idea.”

“Why? Because if you’re worried about people trying to recreate them, I would gladly issue some kind of decr…

“That’s not what I mean. The vehicles run by absorbing the mana in the air and converting it into propulsion power. Too many of them could drain the planet’s mana completely.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.” Adrianna said.

“What?” Reiji said.

“Well, instead of using mana absorption, use a Mana generator and converter to power a powerful engine.”

“I’m surprised. I never thought of something like that. Wonder why Sage never thought of something like that.”

“It was insignificant at the time we made those starter vehicles. However, I did implement that idea into the Tumblrs and a few of the starter vehicles. Unfortunately, the excess mana released would negatively impact the planet, creating more monsters, corrupted beings, and dangerous beast. Luckily, I think I came up with another way.” Sage said, appearing suddenly.

“Another way,”

Sage nodded.

In the noble district of the city,

A teenage girl walks down the hallway when she notices her father’s voice echoes from his office.

“What do you mean!? That brat has the support of the queen!? How is that possible?” he yelled, throwing a bottle of wine.

“Well, from what I gathered, there seems to be some kind of relationship between them.” A man, clad in shadow cloth, answered, kneeling.

“What? You mean that brat is the Queen’s consort?!” He yelled, excitedly.

“I believe so,”

“What the hell? Has she lost her senses? She paid for her boytoy to own a store. Completely disregarding the international merchant guild and their policies. Wait… I could use this. If the guild hears about this, they’ll surely intervene and close down that boy’s infernal store. Then, I’ll come in and confiscate all of his product.” Her father thought.

“Actually, sir, there was something else. Apparently, there were some secret rooms in the back of the store. But, I was forced to flee due to the strong presences I felt.”

“Strong Presences? What did they feel like?”

“I couldn’t tell you. If I tried, it was something completely unexplainable. But, it was something stronger than a dragon.”

“What?” the girl and her father thought.

The girl then walks away from her father’s office with a worried expression. “Who could possibly make my father so angry like that? Not to mention, scaring a shadow knight into running away like that. I have to get to the bottom of this.” She thought, walking down the hall. “Lucrada Merchant Group… who or what are you?” she mumbled to herself as she stopped at her room door, worriedly.

Back in the Castle,

Adrianna, Lucie, and Eriko walks through the front gates into the courtyard. “So Adrianna, why did you offer Reiji so much for his vehicles? You have access to far more superior technology, don’t you?” Eriko said.

“Well, yes. But, that technology is too advanced for this world’s people. People tend to self-destruct when introduced to advanced technology such as perpetual engines and atmospheric adjustors.” Adrianna answered.

“Really?” Eriko asked, shocked.

“Oh yeah, there were plenty of Earths that were destroyed because they were introduced to technology too advanced for them. A lot of them entrapped humans in stasis-like situations.” Lucie said.

“Stasis-like situations?”

“You ever seen those apocalyptic movies where humans fight AIs and robots. Well, some of those are based on actual universes the writers seen by chance.” Lucie said.

“How?”

“Blessings of knowledge we, divine beings, give to people who asks for it. History knows some of them as Muses.” Lucie explained.

“Okay, that makes sense.” Eriko thinks, giving a bewildered expression. “Wait, then why are you buying Reiji’s vehicles?” she asked.

“Because compared to the technology we produce, Reiji’s won’t propel this world’s technological advancement as fast.”

Suddenly, portals opened and a squadron of Tumblrs, Big Rigs, and Arcs drove and parked in the courtyard. Following them, Mia rode out on her Rhino. “Mothers, good to see you again.” She greeted them.

“That was quick. I didn’t expect for you all to fulfill my order this quickly.” Adrianna said.

“This is only a small portion of your order. We need to make an airfield/ hangar for the AirStriders and Pelicans. Not to mention, the AirShip.” Mia explained, getting off her Rhino.

“Really? How can you make so many so quickly?  It was only a few minutes since I commissioned it from Reiji.” Adrianna asked.

“We had these in storage. Sage builds these daily so we can have enough.” Mia explained.

“Amazing… must be some storage.” Adrianna thought, touching a Tumblr. “Alright, come with me to get your payment.” She said, walking away. Mia, Eriko, and Lucie followed her to the treasury.

Back at the Store,

The noble girl and her bodyguard walked through the front door. “What is this? How is something like this possible?” she thought, staring at her surroundings.

“Lady Jewel, please calm yourself. I don’t know how, but it feels like we’re being watched.” The bodyguard said.

“What? How?”

“Please stay calm. And continue as normal.”

“Hello, Lady Jewel. I’m the manager of KuroKami, Moka Nakekura. Is there anything in particular I can help you find?” A woman said, suddenly appearing out of thin air.

“Uh, I don’t…

“Then, if you don’t mind, could you follow me, and I’ll show you some of our more luxurious products.” Moka said.

“Uh, okay.” Lady Jewel answered, nervously.