A week before Eren's scheduled departure from the capital city.
Midnight. Eren's villa.
Eren sat in his chamber, surrounded by various scrolls and doc.u.ments.
He had worked non-stop for five days straight to complete the formalities related to the kingdom's contracts. He also started laying the groundwork for his guild so that it functions like a well-oiled machine in his absence.
His emerald-green eyes scanned each page carefully as he made notes and added his inputs to the alerts and notifications that kept flooding in. He was the leader of the White Raven Guild, and there was never a dull moment regarding guild-related affairs.
As he worked, his spectral screen buzzed with incoming messages. Eren paused to respond to Agatha, one of his most trusted people. With simple prompts on the spectral screen, they discussed the latest updates on the kingdom's internal and external security missions.
Eren also chatted with Argo whose palm-sized spectral rendition was sitting on the edge of Eren's desk swinging his feet. He worked silently while Argo explained his next project to him.
"So this is the reason I needed to talk to you, boss. What do you think about this?"
Eren stopped writing on the scroll when Argo finished. He put the pen in the ink dipper and scratched his jawline as he thought about Argo's plan.
"So basically, you want to start a restaurant chain in Edinburgh and the Asikha empire. And you want 700,000 Extols from me as an initial investment. Is that right?"
ƥαṇdα- ηθνε|·ƈθm Argo nodded before speaking further.
"d.a.m.n right, boss. I'mma be honestwitchu. I might need 200 or 300k more depending upon the market situation. But that's basically it."
Eren frowned as he looked at the miniature Argo with confusion. "But weren't you interested in running live concerts and becoming popular in Anfang? What's with this restaurant chain business suddenly?" he asked with a puzzled voice.
Argo got up from his seat and stretched his limbs. He turned into his Griffin form and flew in front of Eren's eyes as he spoke.
"Boss, my popularity is a tool. What is the use of fame if it cannot be used effectively? Whatever world I enter, I always start a food business. It's a way for me to harness the emotions of gluttony. What kind of Prince of Gluttony would I be if I didn't?"
The miniature Argo in his Griffin form stabilized his flight in front of Eren's eyes and spoke up. His voice became serious as he continued to speak.
"After experiencing many lives, I have found out that fame and popularity can contribute hugely to getting what I want. My popularity and fame act like magnets that benefit me in my business. The more business I have, the more effectively I can harness the emotions of gluttony.
Not that I don't enjoy the attention. And I can indeed devour my audience's heightened emotions directed at me. But that's not my end goal.
I think I have enough popularity in Edinburgh to start my restaurant chain. I don't know much about the Asikha empire. But I don't want to limit myself within the borders of Edinburgh either. I would therefore take a calculated risk on the Asikha empire.
This prince knows how to get what he wants from his fans. It would be a shame if I only became popular in this world and did not gain anything in return.
Hehe. You'd be surprised how popular artists from different worlds start food businesses while riding on the waves of popularity."
Argo reminded Eren that his existence was beyond his comprehension. It seemed that harnessing gluttony emotions was always Argo's primary objective. And the fame he garnered from his audience was merely an enabler to harness the emotions of Gluttony with greater efficiency.
"Are you sure you want to start a food business in this war? Rankers' priorities have changed. You might not recover the investment if you receive an underwhelming response."
Argo laughed when he heard Eren's concerns.
"Haha. Boss, don't worry about a thing. This prince will soon turn everyone into loyal customers once they visit our restaurants."
Eren narrowed his eyes at Argo as he pondered a bit. His eyes widened when he realized something.
"The effects of Gluttony mana!"
Some sort of understanding dawned on Eren as he understood why Argo was so confident in starting the restaurant chain in the middle of the war. He nodded at Argo and spoke further.
"Alright. I'll talk to Agatha. She'll provide you with capital to invest in your business.
But I want to harness the gluttony mana as well. Let it fuel my ranking progress. Find a way for me to do this.
Also, you need to do things in moderation. We don't want to turn people into maniacs due to gluttony mana. Because that would raise suspicions."
With Prince of Gluttony starting a restaurant chain, Eren had no more worries about its success in the backdrop of war. Still, he warned Argo to be careful.
"Haha. Don't worry, boss. I got this. This ain't my first rodeo."
The miniature Argo hovered on top of Eren's scroll and morphed into a lion. He walked on the runes etched on the scroll as he continued.
"In fact, I understand that the war might still affect my food business in some way. But I can't waste years waiting for it to end.
My Gluttony knows no bounds.
I like to challenge other Princes by barging into their domains. I have already upset Prince of Pride and Prince of Wrath by trying to harness the emotions related to their domains.
To be honest, starting a restaurant chain was not the only ambition I had. I would have I would have started brothels at the borders of the two kingdoms too if Prince of l.u.s.t, Asmodeus wasn't still loyal to Elder Ichor.
After all, starting a brothel chain would have received the biggest response at the war. The partic.i.p.ants of war from both sides would have been given "happy endings" by our brothel houses. Hehe.
But… I don't wanna upset Asmodeus by barging into the l.u.s.t domain. We already have far too few friends. So let's stick with the restaurant chain for now."