Optimizing Your Isekai - Progression Fantasy w/ Slice-of-Life and Biz Building Elements

Chapter 45 (Alt PoV) Part 3 - Optimizing Your Isekai


Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

The following morning, the fourth since everything had gone to utter shit and his third in Chazin Mark, Travis was invited to a lunch with three of Chazin Mark's city Councilors. While Oksana was his closest ally in the city, most of the Council saw the benefit of being close to Earl David Hozjan's favorite child.

At least that was his expectation heading in.

The three Councilors, Raisa Barno, Sigita Salub, and Erol Dapkus, were polite if insistent that they would not be used as a pawn in his negotiations.

Raisa Barno put her fork down daintily, fixing him with her penetrating emerald eyes. "Chazin Mark is, of course, a friend to the Hozjan family, and the entire Monetary Might Kingdom. We are so glad you have come to grace us with your presence."

Travis gave his most winning smile. "Of course, and it is always so wonderful to see you Raisa. Councilors Salub and Dapkus, you as well."

Raisa's return smile didn't reach her eyes. "Yes… however, as you know, our focus is on the city itself given our recent… challenges with this Pitola-caused calamity of the null essence zone. So, while we are of course allies, we are not in a position to… well, for any of our resources to be diverted elsewhere, you see."

Where is the typical firebrand Raisa I'm used to?

Travis decided to leverage his second best weapon, his looks failing to win them over. "Ah, but wouldn't it be a pity if the source of a large amount of your resources were to… dry up? This would be a truly awful time for a prolonged negotiation of terms, especially around rift taxes and weapons shipments, would it not?" He fixed Raisa with a glare.

Sigita Salub, the woman that was also in attendance at his ill-fated dinner with Terry Carver, sighed. "Yes, that would be an issue, you are more than correct." Travis beamed. "We have been in contact with the Earl, receiving assurances no such thing would occur," she said with a small smile.

Travis felt the world closing in on him even more.

Why wouldn't Father back my play? This makes no sense.

He wrapped the lunch up early to return to the estate and plan.

On his way, he received another message from his father, this time a file without even any text.

The shorter the AAI message from the Earl, the more cross he was. If you were worth his time, he'd send upwards of twenty words. If not, a few words. None was especially worrying. It was yet another tactic Travis learned from the man, to always let people know their place.

He opened another picture of a handwritten note by his mother, the writing getting shakier, a clear sign she was stressed.

"I now have Councilors from Chazin Mark contacting me about your actions. I should not have to deal with individuals of such utterly low importance at any point but especially at quarter-end. Should you not fix this without involving me, there will be dire consequences. Should you not fix it at all, all the worse.

– As dictated by Earl David Hozjan, Lead Director of Delving in service of Merchant of Might Morgan Abolina"

Below that was a quickly scribbled message from his mother. All it said was, "I believe in you. I love you. Please fix this." There was a small disfiguration of the paper from a drop of water.

It took Travis a few minutes to begin moving again. His utter shock – how had this spiraled so badly so quickly? – was replaced with an anger and determination he hadn't felt in years.

Oksana reluctantly started giving Travis updates of the delves by Terry when he was carried. The Baron pressed until she started providing videos for him to analyze as well. Travis knew the strange man with the bond was the weak link in The Order, the key to his plans. Krastina had reinforced that multiple times as well.

His assistant left to meet with the head of the Velez Council, who had requested a meeting. Travis didn't have time for the woman and her nagging ways. He'd already been chewed out by the Chazin Mark Council, a group barely worth his notice. To have it happen twice in a day was just not going to happen.

Instead, he spent the time continuing to amass information and look for a way to put the right pressure on Terry and The Order.

Finally, even without his intervention, it happened: a rift went so poorly, Terry abandoned the delve entirely. The man was even trying to cancel the rest of the scheduled delves, meaning he was breaching the contract with Chazin Mark.

I knew we could get him to fuck up. It was just a matter of time.

Oksana forwarded the video when the whining idiot tried to leave. Travis was cackling at seeing the onrush of monsters, though he was rather impressed with the man's fighting ability.

Better than half the people in there despite their years of training and higher sub-Tier… still, he'll get what's coming to him.

Within minutes, Travis was opening the most expensive bottle of Tier 3 wine he could find on the Tratnik estate, celebrating like he'd just been promoted to Lead Director.

As always, everything came up Travis in the end.

***

Robert Krastina, Special Assistant to Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister

Her purple eyes met his, a look of undisguised disdain boring into him. "Very nice to meet you, Lady Asani, I only wish it were under better circumstances," Robert said with a shallow bow before taking a seat across from the woman in the small meeting room.

"I know you are aware we do not have noble titles in Velez. Your reputation as a key to Ursula Hozjan's rise to prominence precedes you Mr. Krastina and you would not make such a simple error," Nina Asani said in a cold tone. "Let us not play games, hm?"

"Please, call me Robert. And I am not sure what you mean, I left Viscountess Hozjan's service and she has continued to rise so the credit is hers and hers alone. While my hope is to see my Baron ascend to even greater heights…" He trailed off at the look she was giving him.

"You may think I am from some backwater but you are not as slick as you apparently believe. So Robert, to business?" The Councilor brought out a folder with a number of documents.

As she went through the pieces of paper one by one, Nina explained why each meant it would be hard for Chazin Mark to initiate a city conflict contract and why it would be bad for the Hozjan overall holdings. Even if Chazin Mark wanted to purchase weapons, they were almost certainly too strapped to do so.

Essentially, the Hozjan family would be financing the entire endeavor with little hope of any real profit. All over a petty squabble resulting from a contract that was poorly written and a rift reward that broke positively for Terry and team.

It would be far beneath the family.

And she was right of course. But he had appearances to keep up nonetheless.

Robert responded, "Madam Councilor, my Baron has the will to see this through. He is committed to this action."

Thankfully, she read between the lines.

"Ah, but the Hozjans are not. So the rumors of Travis falling even more out of favor are true. Good to know." She nodded to herself.

Robert kept his face as passive as possible. This was a crucial moment. "That is not how I would characterize the situation, no. My Baron is ever in the Earl Hozjan's thoughts. We have received multiple messages from him in the last few days, dictated to my Baron's own mother."

If Nina Asani had done her homework, and it appeared she had, she'd know more than a single message over a few days usually meant you were in trouble with Earl David Hozjan. Using the man's own mother was another way to twist the knife.

Robert continued, making sure to hit just the right note, a mix of sadness and resignation. "That said, there is currently a… sense… in the Abolina Corporation that anyone who upsets the peace will get what they deserve."

Her small smile said she didn't believe him. "So you agree, that this threat of a city conflict contract is 'upsetting the peace', as you called it?"

"That is far above my station and role, Madam Councilor. I would think any further action to increase rather than decrease tensions could be seen that way. It is not my place to determine what 'upsetting the peace' means or what anyone who does so would deserve. All I will say is the prevailing wisdom, as stated by those at the highest positions in the Abolina organization, is that currently, to upset the peace means you should and will get what you deserve."

Robert broke out sweating at that moment. It sent a message that he was nervous to the Councilor, though she had no idea as to the actual cause. It all played into his plans, but dealing with someone his own Tier always was a challenge.

It was a drain to use his Innate Capability to influence anyone with mental defenses and coupled with her Tier, the Councilor was using up a significant amount of his willpower in just the first few seconds. She was mostly in alignment with what he wanted her to believe already so it was more of guiding her to the exact chair in a stadium rather than convincing her water wasn't wet. Anything more and he would have had no chance.

Nina Asani smiled, a coldness and sense of purpose radiating through the room that threatened to overpower Robert's Innate Capability. "Will get what they deserve indeed."

Robert pushed all of his remaining willpower to maintain the hold before the Councilor nodded once, rising gracefully to leave the room.

As he headed to the estate, Robert breathed a sigh of relief.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I cannot afford another meeting like that in the next few days. Even influencing a strong Tier 1 might not work.

Luckily, Travis was a weak Tier 3 with an even weaker will.

***

Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

Travis was waiting for an update from the Council hearing on whether Terry and his team were in breach of contract when an anonymous message, sent through a broker in The MM, arrived at his inbox. Usually that meant illicit dealings or mere threats, though the companies with any sense or decency didn't forward something like that to nobility.

This time, the sender was clearly his sister using intermediaries to prevent its interception. A pricey way to communicate but one she specialized in.

[Incoming Message from REDACTED: Dear brother, I hope Krastina had the guts to show you the message I sent earlier. If not, I have attached a copy. There is dire news that relates to it… while it seemed like a passing joke, Father has started to genuinely consider the idea of an indentured contract, likely just for a year or two. I know a few recently widowed or newly available Viscountesses that would likely be interested.

According to my mother, he mentioned in passing the ability to recoup some of the 'investment' he's put into you and that 'given how much focus he's put on his bedroom instead of boardroom capability, it's probably for the best'.

If my accounts wouldn't be implicated, I would open up my coffers to you in an instant but we are all being watched, me most of all given how close we are. That said, Krastina, slimy shit that he is, knows of a broker who will loan you money if you desperately need it. File]

Reeling yet again, he heard the door open as his assistant walked in.

"Where the hell have you been!?" Travis roared, only to see the toady man shrink back as if to let the wall absorb him.

Krastina's timid voice answered a moment later. "Sir, I apologize for my absence. I was meeting with the head of the Velez Council, as you requested."

That had slipped his mind in all the madness.

"And? What did you learn that can help us?"

Krastina looked away. "I'm sorry sir, I failed to learn anything new about this Terry Carver or his team. And it appears the Councilor does not believe the threat to Velez is legitimate. She was rather insistent that Chazin Mark is not in a position to initiate a city conflict contract and that, most likely, the Earl would not fund something at the current moment."

Travis rose and punched the wall with all his might. The Tier 3 material didn't budge and the man started trying to stealthily shake his hand out.

What do I do? No, this is fine, they are still breaching the contract. I will have the leverage I need.

Travis took a few calming breaths and called for one of the servants to bring in his dinner early. He needed something to take his mind off of things.

As he was about to tuck into a raspberry tart, one of the few local food items he actually enjoyed, Travis received the Pitolan proposal.

***

Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

The following morning, Travis sat down with Krastina to go over their options. While the delving contract with Chazin Mark wasn't being canceled, the deal with Pitola still might represent opportunities.

Krastina scratched at the scraggly hair on his chin. "Well sir, it's highly likely this Mayor Inga Balodis will send capable people to carry 'the idiot' and his bond through the rifts. So unless we waylay and replace a team, a tough task indeed that would require a genius to pull off, I don't see how we can kill or intimidate Terry. Er, sorry, 'the idiot'. Getting to the entire team in a rift would be rather too hard to hide as well."

Over the next fifteen minutes, Krastina suggested a series of ever more outlandish plans. The Baron almost sent him off to the showers as the thinking alone was causing his assistant to break out in sweat.

Suddenly, Travis stood up in triumph. "I've got it! I'll get the list of teams coming and send a replacement team to impersonate them. I just need to find a good way to hold them up without implicating myself."

"Yes sir, I'm sure you'll think of something very clever, like using a fake imminent rift breach alert. I know you know the right people to spoof their system for a price. Ooh, this will cost a pretty penny though." Krastina looked worried.

Travis smiled, a sense of impending victory radiating through him. "I've got the connections to get us through this. Open up our combined contact list for lenders and I'll show you how it's done."

***

Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

After carefully selecting three potential teams to waylay and replace, Travis and Krastina took a series of pictures of armor to a few local smiths in Chazin Mark. They needed a rush job, completed by the following morning, if this could work.

The first three smiths said they could do it but each quoted well over 50 gold. At that rate, with the broker fees for hiring a team and the interest and initiation costs on the loan, Travis would be paying off the brilliant plan for months, having to live like a pauper the entire time.

That's just too much to ask.

Finally a woman that looked to be in her late 60s but so entirely made of muscle, it was hard to believe she could move her head at all, started talking sensible numbers.

She smiled, three teeth missing, most likely from bar fights. "Aye, can do but, ya know: cheap, fast, good, pick one." She let out a belly laugh that threatened to bring the building down around them. "For show pieces, can do eight gold? Will barely withstand a hit from a wee one though. For low Tier 1 rift, 25 gold. Gotta grab helpers and they aren't cheap. Need the measurements."

Before Travis could say anything, Krastina stepped forward. The Baron was too surprised to rebuke the man. "25 gold it is. We wouldn't want anyone to see these pieces as a death trap and not delve. We'll have the measurements to you shortly but you can begin the process now?"

"Aye, can do. Put the money in the account and— got it, startin' now." The woman turned without another word.

"I apologize my Baron, I know you would have made the same choice but I thought it might be better if I deal with these lowborn. Did I overstep?"

Travis was mollified but still wanted to vent his anger anyway. "Yes, you did. See that you wait for my signal in the future or you'll be sleeping outside again for a week. Now, I need to speak with this broker that can put us in touch with a team."

Krastina nodded. "Yes, I have the coded language we need to send through the Town Hall with the common rabble or we can use the communication equipment at the Tratnik estate."

Travis considered for half a second before deciding it was better to set up a deal in well-appointed and comfortable accommodations rather than surrounded by the uncultured masses.

Krastina, sweating slightly, smiled at the decision, clearly agreeing that even the small luxuries extended to his assistant were better than a cramped room in the Town Hall.

The man definitely needs another bath, why deprive him of it?

***

Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

The following morning, Travis was feeling extremely excited. The deal with the broker was less expensive than expected. At only ten gold to hire a team and another three to send out a targeted fake imminent rift break alert, the entire endeavor was only going to cost 45 gold if he paid the loan off in the next week. Once he had access to his personal accounts, that would be easy to do.

The Baron mused it might be funny to try taking essence stones from Tier 1s more often but knew a trail of dead bodies was hard to hide, even for someone as skilled as he was.

They met outside of town, Travis dressed in a fully obscuring cloak. Krastina was nearby but he knew he didn't need the man. If he couldn't handle a few Tier 1s, what kind of businessman was he?

The leader of the faux delving group, the one who spoke the best Verdantese, was being difficult. He was also the biggest, with a chest circumference larger than a barrel and a handsome face. "Wait, so the plan is to simply use a lure bag and then run? Why?"

Travis rolled his eyes under his mask but kept his body still, not betraying his annoyance. "You don't need to know that. Just do as you're told. You've been paid extremely well and won't have to face danger."

The man looked incredulous. "These gnolls are an extremely difficult enemy. The danger here is high so I want to make sure we aren't taking on too much."

"Hey man, we're getting paid well and get to keep the gear. Shut. The Fuck. Up." The comely woman, scars all across her exposed arms and legs and a clearly reconstructed hand, reached out to push the man.

While team cohesion was going to be a problem as none of them had worked together, it didn't really matter. Their role was to quickly get the job done. The broker had insisted on delvers near the peak of Tier 1 as otherwise the job was a death sentence but there wasn't much else in the way of requirements. These were mostly desperate people.

"Listen to the woman, she knows what she's talking about," Travis said with a laugh. If he wasn't maintaining his cover, he would have asked for her contact information as he liked the attitude and sometimes that led to the most fun if not visually stimulating bedroom encounters.

The leader put his foot down, literally stomping and crossing his arms. "I ran this rift. Damn near lost my head in it. We need a better plan."

"Well then work together on that, it's not my job, that's why I'm paying you. I want you to scare the little noble baby. It's what his parents have asked. Do your job, that's all I care about." Travis walked away to hear the team gently arguing.

Ugh, that broker is terrible, these are the bottom of the barrel. But it will all work out, I'm sure of it. It's too good of a plan to fail.

***

Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

[Delve initiated, status update pending. Team had to rush, scheduled team arriving sooner than expected.]

Travis was sitting in the Chazin Mark Town Hall, pretending to listen to three merchants prattle on about how they would be the perfect distribution network for low-Tier rift rewards acquired by the Abolina Corporation.

It was so bad, he messaged Krastina to take over, after telling the merchants he was Travis' expert on low-Tier rewards.

As if I'd let the man actually handle any deals!

His eyes were glued to his AAI interface as he waited with baited breath for when his plans finally all came together. It always happened and in the most glorious of ways.

A quarter bell after the first message, he received another. [Job completed. Second half of payment distributed. Two delvers made clean getaway. Complications: one delver did not emerge with team, status unknown. One delver too injured to leave area. She knows not to talk.]

While the message was a welcome one, Travis was less than pleased with the exact outcome. Losing one of the delvers meant nothing but a witness, presumably in the custody of someone who would investigate, was not ideal. Still, as he'd hidden his face well enough, the Baron was confident she couldn't identify him.

The room cycled through two more sets of idiots trying to sell their services to him before Travis got an alert that Councilor Asani had asked the Chazin Mark Council where to find him. He gave permission to that mousey assistant that always looked slightly confused to give the woman the room number at the Town Hall.

He wanted to see her and gloat after all. Travis informed Krastina via a message and the man started to sweat nervously.

Shortly after, Travis beamed as Nina Asani entered the room at a dash, her purple eyes aflame with indignation; the idiot who had been an ever-growing thorn in his side followed in her wake – like a good little dog – looked worried.

Exactly according to plan. Even though it took forever this time, as always, things fall into place.

"Ah, Terry, glad to see you made it out okay," Travis said with a laugh. "I heard not everyone did. Alas." He faked a yawn.

Time to turn the screw.

"Now, you see I can get at you anywhere you go, are you ready to make a deal? I'll take those two essence stones you owe me. Tell you what, I'll even make it just one."

He knew AAI recording was restricted in the room so even what he said couldn't be used as evidence against him.

The moron, still in his gear, his noisy little shit of a bond on his back chittering annoyingly, blinked three times in surprise.

Terry started quietly but his voice increased in volume with every word. "That was your plan? To scare me into what? Giving you an essence stone for free? This had to cost far more than an essence stone ever could. You put me and so many other people at risk. For what? What was the point!?" By the end, he was screaming in rage and frustration, a beautiful music to Travis' soul given all the issues the man had caused.

"The point was to make my point. To show you that you are nothing and you are not protected. Not from me." Travis let out another huge fake yawn and then a laugh, trying to show this was nothing of note for him. "Your protections are all weak unlike me, nothing can harm me here. It's literally the law. So yes, I will have that essence stone now." Travis held out his hand.

Terry's bond started shrieking and the man's eyes went slightly wild.

That's why, at least what Travis told himself, he didn't see the Councilor advancing until it was too late.

A blade materialized in her hand, swinging at his neck.

She missed? Wow, even more incompetent than expected. No, probably just a threat. I could handle her anyways.

His vision sharpened as his head tilted to the side, almost of its own accord. The room spun slightly on its axis and he saw Krastina trying but failing to hold back a huge smile while sweating profusely yet again.

Wait, why is he tilting upside down?

Then Travis' perspective swung again and he saw his gorgeous white outfit, so carefully selected that morning, chosen to make it utterly clear how he was above any of the dirty work. A spout of coppery red emerged from the neck – my neck – as Travis' head settled into his lap.

His only thought, the last thought that would ever go through his mind, was a simple one.

Well, fuck.

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