An Establishment in Shanshan

With Eric's help, I furled the sails back while Nea steered the yacht to the harbor. Surrounded by large vessels and cruises that exploded in steam, our ride had a tough time reaching the dock. After some struggle, we finally moored the yacht and got off at the harbor.

I donned a white sailor cap with blue highlights and a white shirt. The bluish trouser, along with the similarly colored scarf, contrasted well with my outfit. To my side, Nea wore a long white skirt and a black top with short sleeves. An oversized straw hat covered her whitish-pink hair from the dozens of gazes directed our way. Speaking of gazes, we were lucky that the harbor of Shanshan was a busy place. Since most of the gazes that fell off me stopped at Eric and boy, were there a lot of them.

The white-haired man was dressed in the same outfit as me, except his clothes were all a shade of deep blue. The scarf on his neck contrasted directly with his blood-red eyes and made his already pretty face almost outlandish. Alright, I'll admit it. He might be getting a few gazes for himself. But most of them are falling off of me, ok? Ok!

"So, what are you going to show us, big brother?" Nea asked. She dragged the largest bag we had over the wooden planks of the harbor. Kou hitched a ride by standing on top of the bag. Her getup and actions made her more of an odd sight than a beautiful one.

"Huhuhu. Just watch," I grinned. My part of the luggage was the smallest, and that was absolutely not because I was the weakest one here, ok? Ok!

We went past the dock and into the depths of the port as we swerved around to reach the exit. Just when we reached the gates, a man in a suit approached us. The man was slightly short and pale skinned with back hair, very clearly a person whose roots were not in Shanshan but Elisbonear. The man stopped right in front of me and bowed down.

"Mr. President, I am here to escort you. My name is—"

"Yoshitsune, I know." I interrupted him before taking in the priceless faces my companions were making. Confusion and shock invaded their heads as they stared at me with their mouths agape.

"President? This guy?" Nea whispered to herself as she continued to observe.

"Ah, it greatly pleasures me to know that you remember my name, sir." Yoshitsune moved to take the luggage from my hand. "We have a car waiting outside. Please follow me," he said and led us out of the harbor. Still confused, Nea and Eric silently followed along.

A large Dorf waited for us outside the harbor. We loaded our luggage into the empty vehicle and got in our seats. I took the front passenger seat next to Yoshitsune, while Nea and Eric took the back seats. Confirming we all were aptly seated, Yoshitsune started the car and drove us deeper into the city of Shanshan.

"The patisserie is set up and waiting for the launch, sir," the suited man spoke up.

"That is splendid news. I am glad you could manage it on time." I replied.

"Wait, wait, I don't get this. You are a businessman now?" Eric leaned forward from the backseat.

"And why does this guy look so familiar..." Nea chimed in.

"Oh, forgive my manners. It has certainly been a while, Lady Epworth." Yoshitsune performed a slight bow from the driver's seat.

"Ah! He is one of those guys you brought home!"

"Yup, Yoshitsune Shogo. It seems you don't remember him."

"No way! So this guy and the 7 others that came over! You were setting up a patisserie here!? That's where your money went!"

I laughed at Nea's words and gave her a nod. Nea grumbled and brought the still confused Eric up to speed.

Over the year that had passed, I had handpicked people to create an organization with. To achieve my goals, just the money I got from stealing was not enough. I needed a lot of money, and along with it, the influence and connections of a rich man. From a very realistic point of view, this patisserie is my key to world domination! Hahaha!

After about half an hour of driving, we reached a simple street where the car stopped. We got off and were led to a shop by Yoshitsune. The humble and place in the 3 floored building looked like an ambient cafe from the outside where people would come down for a cup of coffee and a hearty dose of peace. Naturally, the inside wasn't too far off. Wooden chairs and tables spread over the black floor of the patisserie while a freezer with a transparent glass stood on the front end.

Two more people entered the room and bowed to us. These were also from the group I had assembled in Ussera.

"Sir, it is a pleasure to see you again."

"Likewise. Have you two been doing well?"

"Thanks to you. Please, let us guide you to your rooms, you must be tired."

"Rooms? In this place?" Nea tilted her head.

"Ahaha. Lady Epworth, this whole building belongs to Beacon Corporation, not just this floor." One of the guys replied.

We went up the building, guided by the duo. They showed us to the third floor to rooms they had arranged to the best of their abilities. The rooms were spacious and lavish, where one could rest in relative ease. We freshened up in the room and rested for a while, after which a luxurious dinner was served for us. After some more conversation with the three employees of Beacon Corporation, we all retired for the night.

**

The night settled in and darkness spread over the sky once again. I took a seat on of the chairs at the shop. Reading a newspaper under the light of a lamp.

4 figures walked up to me. At the back stood the three we had met this afternoon, while the one on the front was a new addition. As if on cue, all four got down on one knee next to me. The lamp's light flickered as the shadows of the four appeared on my newspaper.

"The followers of light greet their beacon." The man at the forefront spoke up in a deep voice. All four further lowered their heads.

"Stay at ease," without shifting my gaze from the newspaper, I answered.

The man at the front raised his head at my words. "It has been a long time, my liege," the man said. His voice was uncomfortable to listen to, as a strange fanaticism leaked out from his every word.

"It certainly has. Have you been well...

...Yasumichi Ito?"