France Corporation
Dawn had not yet broken. When I opened the window, the chilly, pre-sunrise air rushed in, greeting us with a dry breeze.
"Let's go."
"Alright."
Lifting Franche into my arms, I stepped over the windowsill and slipped out of the ducal mansion.
As we made our way to Cazar's house, I asked, "Have you prepared your speech?"
"I did, but..."
"Did it not go well?"
"No, not really."
Franche pursed her lips. Her slumped shoulders made it obvious she lacked confidence in the speech she had hastily put together.
I offered her some comfort. "Don't worry. Everything will turn out fine."
"...Shouldn't you review it first?"
"This is a test of your abilities, Lady Franche, so I won't interfere this time."
"When you put it that way, it's a bit pressuring."
I couldn't do everything for her. Sometimes, she had to accomplish things through her own strength—like winning people over to her side, for instance. Besides, I needed to foster Franche's capabilities to prepare for the day I might eventually disappear.
After walking through the dawn streets with Franche for some time, Cazar's house came into view. A large merchant carriage drawn by two horses was parked out front.
"We're here."
When we arrived, Kazar was already waiting outside her door.
"Are we late?" I asked.
"No, I just stepped out myself."
"Then let's go."
I climbed into the back of the carriage first and reached out to help Franche up. Kazar climbed in behind her with practiced ease.
"Are you used to riding in merchant carriages?"
"Of course. Back in the Seirel Barony, I often had to hitch rides on them."
It was just like Kazar to save money even on carriage fares; she was thoroughly accustomed to a modest lifestyle.
Franche spoke up, "Stop chattering. Let's get moving."
The driver sitting up front nodded and urged the horses forward. His face was completely obscured by a large merchant's hat.
An operative from Seldas's dark guild, no doubt.
As the carriage rattled along, Kazar asked, "So, what's the plan now?"
"What do you mean?"
"The raid. You're not just going to barge in and smash everything to pieces, are you?"
I already had that figured out. "The Frida clothing factory will be operating even now."
"At this hour? It's dawn."
"Yes. Those people only get four hours of sleep a day."
At the mention of four hours, Franche's eyes widened, and Kazar gasped in shock. "What? Can a person even survive on just four hours of sleep?"
The so-called Napoleon sleep method. Theoretically, yes, you could. I had practiced it myself, so I knew it was entirely possible.
"They are being severely exploited. That's why they only get four hours of sleep."
"But if they're treated like that, why on earth do they keep working there? Is there really no other work to find?" Kazar huffed in frustration.
Franche chimed in as well. "Exactly. I've never lived a commoner's life or experienced it firsthand, but this is too much. No, 'too much' doesn't even cover it. It's appalling. No merchant group in the Empire would run things like that."
Franche shook her head, letting out a heavy, pitying sigh.
I spoke up. "The reason they endure the exploitation might be because they can't find other jobs, or it might be because of their dreams. People tend to cling to lingering attachments even when treated unfairly."
Back when I was playing the game and doing the quest The Misfortunate Talent of a Thousand Gold, I used to wonder why these people stayed here. I even suspected they were just foolish. But that was my own arrogant assumption.
They each had their own dreams and hopes for the future. They were holding on solely out of a burning desire to create clothing. Others were there out of sheer necessity, unable to find work elsewhere—eldest sons and daughters who had lost their parents early and had to support their families, widows raising children alone. Everyone had their own circumstances, their own reasons for being unable to escape. Once I learned the truth, I could never bring myself to judge them.
Kazar shook her head, still finding it foolish. "Even so, if I entered an apprenticeship to learn magic and was only exploited, I'd just say, 'I'll teach myself!' and leave."
That was a completely different story. "Magic is different. Mages are always in high demand. But what about workers in the clothing industry? Unless they possess extraordinary talent, they are easily replaceable. And when Frida monopolizes the Empire's clothing market? It's a hopeless situation."
At my words, Kazar and Franche nodded. "True. That makes sense."
"...They have no other choice."
Toying with someone's dreams is the worst kind of evil. Dangling hope right in front of them, only to kick away the ladder so they can never reach it. Madame of Frida would receive her rightful punishment. Just as she did in the game.
Just then, the carriage came to a halt. "We have arrived."
We had reached the border of the Empire leading to the factory. Carriages of the same size as ours were lined up. Counting ours, there were nine in total. Given their size, it would be more than enough.
"Lady Franche. Give the signal to start."
"...Me?"
"Well, I can't exactly do it, can I?"
Hesitating for a moment, Franche shouted at the top of her lungs, "Everyone knows the destination, right? Move out immediately!"
Rattle! The tightly packed carriages began to move all at once. Our carriage took the lead.
"Everyone, this is where it really begins, so get ready. Lady Franche, do not leave Kazar's side under any circumstances."
Franche tilted her head. "Why? Is there something dangerous?"
"Yes. There are guards."
Back when I played the quest, quite a few guards were stationed there. Guards meant to control nearly a hundred workers. I turned to Kazar. "Kazar. Keep a close eye on Lady Franche."
"Are you going to handle the guards alone?"
"Yeah. I'm more than enough on my own."
The power of a Sword Master was overwhelming. It was a level that ordinary guards could never hope to match.
Just then, the factory building began to appear in the distance. I shouted to the others, "Everyone, wait here!"
The carriage stopped, and we climbed down. "Let's go."
The factory was shaped like a massive mansion made of processed wood. There were two guards at the entrance and ten inside. Concealing my presence, I made my way toward the factory. I could hear the guards muttering to each other.
"Ugh, those bastards must be drinking right now, right?"
"Probably."
"Sigh. It's finally a drinking day, and of all times, I'm on duty."
It was a trivial conversation. While they were chatting, I closed the distance rapidly and struck one of them in the throat. *Thwack!*
Hit out of nowhere, the guard clutched his throat and collapsed. The other guard's eyes widened, and just as he was about to scream, I twisted my hips and threw a punch. *Thud.* The silent, grazing punch dislocated his jaw, and his eyes rolled back as he slumped to the ground.
"You can come over now."
Kazar and Franche crept forward.
"Let's go inside."
They swallowed hard and nodded. *Creak.* I pushed the factory door open. As expected, despite it being dawn, they were still working.
I gripped the scabbard at my waist. "I'll go take care of the patrolling guards."
"Alright."
I gave her a smirk and moved immediately. Perhaps because I completely hid my presence, the workers, deeply focused on their tasks, didn't notice me at all.
I began neutralizing the patrolling guards one by one. Sneaking up from behind to strike the crown of their heads with my scabbard or chopping them in the neck, they were completely helpless. After taking down about five of them, the remaining guards realized something was wrong.
"Hey, where did the others go?"
"I don't know."
"Are those bastards slacking off somewhere?"
The guard who appeared to be the captain put his hands on his hips. "Hey! Everyone gather here!"
The guards scattered throughout the building gathered in one spot. This was the perfect opportunity to finish them off. I naturally walked over to where they were assembling.
"What's going on? Where did those four go?"
"I don't know."
"Hm? Wait, who are you?"
The guards all stared at me at once.
"An intruder."
*Crack!* I shattered the captain's jaw with the scabbard in my hand. His head spun, and he collapsed limply.
"W-What?!"
"What do you mean 'what'? I told you, I'm an intruder."
I poured all my focus into my senses. Instantly, sound faded away, and the movements of others slowed down. Weaving freely between them, I struck their necks and jaws. The guards slammed face-first into the floor, not even knowing who they were fighting.
The workers stared at me, their mouths agape. Leaving their work behind, they were completely speechless. They probably couldn't comprehend what was happening. I shouted loudly, "Kazar!"
At my call, the factory's large arched main doors swung open. The light of dawn illuminated the dreary atmosphere of the dark workshop. And in the silent factory, the sound of heels echoed. Franche walked in, her head held high, looking like a noble savior born from the dawn. It was a perfect performance.
"I have come to rescue you from this place of exploitation, and at the same time, to hire you."
The workers began to listen to Franche's voice echoing from the center.
"I plan to start a clothing business. However, Frida currently monopolizes the market in the Empire."
One by one, the workers began to stand up and gather around.
"I want to open a clothing store that can defeat Frida. To do that, I need you. Won't you come with me? Unlike Frida, I will treat you fairly. The working conditions will be far better."
Franche paused, then continued, "The Empire's greatest clothing store will change. To France Corporation."
She finally acknowledged France Corporation. Even though she kept calling it a terrible name, she must have actually liked it.
"What do you say? Won't you join me?"
Just then, someone pushed through the gathered workers and asked, "How can we trust that you will be any different from this place? We're seeing you for the first time today. You expect us to abandon everything and join you based on words alone? That's a contradiction!"
A sharp but natural question. How would Franche handle this?
"Treating hard-working employees fairly is only natural for a merchant group. I will simply uphold that. If you truly cannot believe me, then there is nothing I can do. Continue living in this place of exploitation."
The workers began to murmur. Positive and negative opinions clashed. Just then, a youth stepped forward. It was Andrea, the misfortunate talent of a thousand gold.
"I will go. But may I ask for one favor?"
"What is it?"
"I want to make the clothes I want to make."
Franche chuckled and nodded. "That is only natural. Infringing upon a creator's autonomy is something that should never be done."
Andrea's eyes widened. With eyes that looked ready to burst into tears at any moment, they walked toward us. At that, the workers grew even more agitated. The best designer who had been leading them was turning away. Naturally, they couldn't help but be shaken.
Andrea spoke to the workers. "I will trust this person. Because she is someone who respects creators."
The workers hesitated at Andrea's words. Sensing the right moment, Franche spoke up again.
"Those who wish to follow, follow me. Those who cannot trust me may stay here. But keep this one thing in mind: if you do nothing, your future will never change."
With a swift turn, Franche spun around. Kazar and I turned as well, and Andrea quietly followed.
Franche whispered, "Is it really okay to leave like this?"
"It's fine."
"How was my speech?"
"Uh... it was just okay."
"...I see."
Franche slumped. I comforted her. "But you convinced Andrea, so it's fine."
Just then, the workers shouted from behind. "I'll go!"
"Me too!"
"I don't want to work in this shitty factory anymore!"
Huffing, the workers took powerful steps forward. Franche smiled and said to them, "A wise decision. Because of your courageous choice, your future will be different."
A success. All that was left was to show the results to Seldas and the Duke. And then, it would be time to make France Corporation known to the world.