CHAPTER 26: BLACK ROCK CITY (2)

Ray acknowledged that his hindsight had led to the error and admitted that he had not given it sufficient thought.

Observing Ray admitting his hindsight in his plan and the chief appreciating his talent even more, he is here to start a business at a young age and has the intelligence to think things through while humbly accepting others' appreciation and criticism without dismissing them arrogantly.

The chief then continued,

"The city which we are going to visit is called "Black Rock City" which is located on the banks of the great river which passes through the wilderness."

"The city got its name through the black stone mine they discovered a century ago, later a rich person came and built the city here and their family is now running the mine and the city."

The city is divided into two parts: the innermost part, referred to as the inner city, and the outer part as the outer city.

"The inner city and the outer city, are separated by a tall black wall which was constructed a century ago by the Black Rock family."

"The Inner-city Houses All the official families and Rich merchants and businesses in the inner city are occupied mostly by the black rock family and the rest were divided among the officials."

"Here unless you have connections, you can't start the business, and the inner-city flow is also low as entering the inner-city costs 1 silver coin per day which most common people can't Afford."

"The Outer city is usually managed by the city officials and the black rock family doesn't bother taking care of it and only collects tax from the residents while protecting from external threats."

The outer was divided into sections and controlled by gangs, who ruled with an iron fist. Meanwhile, officials supported them and collected money from behind the scenes.

"So, the order in the outer city is always chaotic, and usually businessmen pay them money to do business safely in the city."

"And My fellow villagers are all from black rock city, we have always planned to return to the once prosperous city and take back our lost things and start a mercenary group for a living."

"While it takes some time for us to adjust and many of us will be jobless during the period, why don't you try to hire my people to build your hotel and as security personnel so you can protect your business from the gang members." the chief suggested.

Ray pondered for a moment and agreed, that he had nothing to lose by cooperating with the chief and could avoid dealing with miscreants under the protection of the mercenary team.

The chief's face is lit with joy as Ray agrees to the deal.

Then the chief began describing the plan details to Ray,

"First Ray will follow them to the city and enter the city separately from the VIP door and soon pass by the outer city and enter the inner city after paying the toll."

"Then he will either buy a house or stay in the hotel until the chief contacts him through his youngest son."

"While he stays in the inner city visits the administration office daily and meets the officials to buy a piece of land in the outer city."

"If there is any land available, say you need some time to consider and delay as much as time you can."

"While you are in the inner city, my family and I will attack the rival, who has made me go into hiding for five years."

"The land they occupy is near the inner-city wall, directly adjacent to the entry gate.

The outer city will be turbulent for a few days and the exit and entry for the inner city will be restricted due to security reasons for a few days."

"This will be the signal, and you have to keep in touch with the officials to receive such updates."

"When they have been eliminated secretly, you will have an additional lot to choose from. There is a rule in Black Rock City that officials must sell land in the outer area immediately, without any proper reason. If they do not comply and delay such things, they will be executed by the city lord."

"You have three days, only a maximum of three days to react, or the officials will react, and other gang members will fight to buy the land in that area which will raise the cost higher than the desired/actual price." warned the chief

"Chief, I agree with the plan, but if you bring the entire village into the city, they might become targets for the gangs while you are preoccupied with executing your plans," cautioned Ray.

"You don't have to worry about that, as we have over 300 members the city won't allow us to enter the city unless we have a residence or job in the city."

"So, we will be staying outside the city, and I will leave at least 20 warriors to protect them, they will patrol the surroundings 24/7 to protect the women and children."

"When you purchase the gang's land, we will be able to enter the city under your assurance to buy houses and secure employment for our families to reside there."

" And To Blind the city official eyes, we will register as a mercenary group and soon leave the city to do the task that will take as long as a month to complete and won't return until a month."

We will return to the city in batches and book rooms in hotels that are under the protection of different gangs.

We will move out and into the city while acting as merchants and some act as merchant guards.

"When one gang falls, the other gangs will often doubt the different gangs in the city as the main culprit, not the outsiders who enter the city regularly to work or sell their goods., "the chief explained.

"My only request to you is to fulfill your promise sincerely and myself and my villagers will owe you a favor".

"You can request me anything without crossing moral boundaries and I will help you."