77 Chapter 77. Time waits for no one
Michael wasn't sure, but maybe about half an hour passed since the food was served, and he couldn't help but be amazed at how voraciously the girls devoured the pizza.
Initially, he thought the five family-sized servings would satisfy the sisters and have at least two remaining for the staff.
Reality proved otherwise, as only a single serving was left for the staff. Fortunately, he had already explained how to prepare this 'dish,' so they enjoy it themselves now that the mistresses have been appeased.
[You're oddly quiet. And for some time now. What are you thinking about?](Helen)
Michael turned to look at the pretty tigress rubbing her full belly and couldn't help but smile.
He grabbed her hand under the accusatory eyes of the other five girls. Be it on Earth or the Sanctuary, public displays of affection would hurt the single dogs, it seems.
"There has been something on my mind recently, and I might need your insight on its feasibility. Are there any information agencies on this continent?"
[Information agencies? I never heard of them.](Helen)
[Judging by the name, is it a place that sells information?](Mia)
"Not only sells but buys as well. If there are none, I was thinking of opening one."
[Can you describe your idea in more detail? It sounds interesting, but I can't see how it would become a proper business.](Mia)
[Mhm. I was thinking the same. Also, what information would you buy? And what would you use it for?](Mina)
[I know, I know! Information about the Church and the nobles! Then, we can use it to blackmail them.](Evelyn)
Six heads instantly turned toward the youngest girl in the group, making the girl blush immediately.
Even Michael was sweating a bit at her 'genius' idea.
'Good girl! That's the proper way to enrage all the local powers and end up diced up in a ditch. Who would've expected you among all girls to be so incredible at courting death!?'
"*Cough* I was thinking of buying and selling information, but it would be separated into two stages. The first stage would be the relevant intel that could be of interest to the common folk and Wanderers, used for entertainment purposes. The second stage would deal with more sensitive information that common folk shouldn't have access to."
[Ugh... I already have a rough idea in mind, but can you describe it further?](Hella)
"Simply put, information available to everyone should be entertaining or have a certain value."
Pausing to think for a while, Michael gathered his thoughts and realized that only one such business met all the criteria.
"It's called a newspaper. It's similar to the gazette outside the Sleepy Peaks Inn; however, it would encompass more information from all sorts of people. It could include news about new Dungeons, news about famous Wanderers, easy-to-make recipes at home for common folk, and maybe even interviews with famous people."
[Interviews?](Tia)
"It's a questions and answers session, where the reporter - the name of the job of someone employed by the newspaper - asks a famous person questions on different topics. For example, you girls, Prava, and the mayor of Kyovashad can be considered famous people. An interview would ask you normal questions about your daily life, hobbies, preferences in men, and many other tidbits that the readers would find interesting."
[Okay... how would you make money off of that, though?](Mina)
Thinking of selling the newspaper to the general public of Kyovashad, Michael encountered two major problems. The first was how to print the newspapers, and the second was the world's literacy level.
"Making money out of it's not simple, and it would be the second stage of buying and selling more sensitive intel that would achieve that purpose."
[That's true. With the Merchant Alliance, the nobles, and the Church continuously at odds, they would be willing to buy information about their competition at high prices.](Helen)
"Indeed. I'm not worried about making a profit out of the newspaper. Rather, I'm expecting to make a loss in the beginning. My current concerns are printing the newspapers and the literacy level in Kyovashad."
[By printing, are you referring to the process of writing books?](Mia)
"I hope so. I am not sure if there are any magical ways through which you can create many copies of the same text, but that would be the first hurdle if I want to create a newspaper."
[That won't be a problem. You can simply buy a press and hire a Mage capable of metal manipulation for the text. Prava did that about four years ago and spread a small book throughout the entire continent. 'Father Inarius's exploits' I think it was called.](Helen)
[For the second problem, most people indeed don't know how to read and write among common folk. So if you plan to sell your books to them, it won't work.](Tia)
"Mhm. However, I won't be selling books. The newspapers can be released weekly and can only have five to ten pages at most. The content is more important."
[If the goal is to relieve the boredom of the common folk and Wanderers alike, literacy won't be an issue. While only one to two out of ten people can read and write among the common folk, they always group up at night to discuss various things. So, it won't be hard to sell copies to those capable of reading...](Hella)
"...and have them disseminate the news further. That's an excellent idea!"
Pausing again, Michael realized it wouldn't be as difficult as he thought. The important thing was to have diversity in the news he provided.
"The most important thing would be buying information early on. We can even let people know that we buy interesting news. However, we would need the help of Wanderers that travel often."
[How come?](Mia)
[Are you planning to add news about other cities in this newspaper of yours?](Hella)
"Correct! Think about it. Won't people be interested in the latest fashion in the Dry Steppes? At least the noble and Wanderer women might be. Or maybe interesting dishes from the Scosglen area. If not, there must be famous personalities we could convince to give an interview."
After more than an hour of conversation, the girls and Michael agreed that the idea was feasible. Tia and Evelyn were even interested in actively participating as information gatherers.
The idea of being a reporter appealed to them. Especially for Evelyn, since she was the lowest level in the group of sisters and rarely left Kyovashad.
The only wrench in the plans was the costs of establishing such a business. According to Helen's estimates, if Michael planned to release a weekly edition, it would cost him around 100,000 gold coins weekly only to hire a Mage capable of molding the press into the wanted texts.
As for salaries for the Wanderers scouting for intel and prices for buying interesting information... that would add up to even more.
Michael's throat felt parched while looking at the 31,079 gold coins in his inventory.
"Actually, it shouldn't be that difficult to create this newspaper. We could look for sponsorship first."
[Sponsorship? What's that?](Hella)
"In my hometown, some people called it Angel Investment. Rich people would act as investors for those with interesting ideas but no capital to start the business."
[Who are you thinking of scamming then?](Helen)
"That's rude! But I was thinking of the mayor and Prava. Don't underestimate the power of a newspaper. As long as there are sufficient readers, we can influence the political stage to a certain extent. Not to mention promotion and advertising."
Taking another fifteen minutes to explain the notion of advertising and how they could make money out of it, the girls were thoroughly impressed.
The conversation ended for the day, as the girls decided to think things through first if they wanted to be the investors instead of allowing others to grab a piece of the pie.
The Necromancer wasn't against the idea and even wanted to hand over the entire procedure to them. As a Wanderer, he would never lack gold coins, and with enough gold coins, he could live comfortably for the remainder of his life.
'The only problem is having a lifespan long enough to enjoy the riches. With Lilith and Inarius coming to blows, the Sanctuary won't be safe enough to allow leeches.'
[What are you thinking of?](Helen)
Laying in bed with a naked Helen, Michael paused his thoughts and hugged the beauty closer to his chest.
"About what we talked about earlier today."
[The newspaper?](Helen)
"Mhm. On second thought, I don't think I'll involve myself in the business."
[Eh? Why not?](Helen)
"My main priority is to level up. I'm still low-level compared with you girls. And information trade is not as safe as people think. You can buy information about certain people, but that doesn't mean that those certain people can't take action against you."
[And you're worried about their retaliation.](Helen)
"Yes. If I were your level, I would just shrug it off, but most times, you don't have to be the target of the attack in order to be hurt. Even if you might be high level, are your friends and family in a similar situation? And if they are, what about your close friends? Can you guarantee that all of them are immune to all types of poison?"
[That's... pretty dark...](Helen)
Realizing that he might've said too much, Michael sighed and looked closely into Helen's eyes.
"I don't have the best impression of humans in general, Helen. The Church and everyone else condemn the demons for their cunning and evil, but in my eyes, they are rather straightforward compared to humans. It's easier to guard against a sword in the light than a knife in the dark."
[Not everyone is like that.](Helen)
"I am aware of that. But that doesn't mean that we aren't capable of it. It's just a matter of having a reason to do so."
[...](Helen)
Sensing the dropping mood of the girl beside him, Michael sighed and wanted to punch himself in the face.
His lack of trust in people nurtured back on Earth was deeply embedded in his consciousness. There wasn't any major betrayal he experienced, but as someone living in the age of information, he was well aware of how disgusting people were.
Especially those in power. Seeing what they would do to keep their positions was even worse. After years of witnessing such things repeatedly, a certain prejudice formed in his mind.
"Fortunately, I found you."
[Mhm?](Helen)
"Silly girl. Would I tell you this if I didn't trust you?"
[Mhm...](Helen)
With a smile back on her face, Michael breathed in relief and hugged the tigress to sleep.
Feeling Helen's calm breathing as she fell asleep in his arms, Michael was even more disappointed in himself. Saying that every human has his dark side was correct and also applicable to him.
His distrust of humans wasn't easy to overcome.
'I guess we can start with a small goal.'
Looking at the sleeping beauty, he bent over and kissed her pretty face, easing the frown formed due to her dream.
'But all happy stories end in tragedy if the main character lacks strength. I don't consider myself an MC, but I shouldn't lack in this regard either. Therefore...'
Helen woke up the next day after breakfast was long served and eaten, surprised to see Michael missing.
Cursing at the horny Necromancer that 'worked' her for over four hours last night, she wondered where he disappeared to.
After getting dressed and going downstairs, the staff explained how Michael left early to finish some of his Quests.
[So, he told you to pass the message? How early did he leave?](Helen)
[I think the moon was still in the sky, Miss.](Sophie)
[He sure is hardworking... Sophie, did the other girls tell you about the newspaper?](Helen)
[Newspaper? They didn't, Miss.](Sophie)
[Come, I'll explain it to you. You might like the idea since you're so interested in gossip.](Helen)
As the girls were frolicking, Michael was 'escorted' by his minions as he made his way North of Kyovashad.
He had traveled for over two hours already and killed around 30 monsters. However, there was a look of dissatisfaction on his face.
"263 gold coins and 300 experience points... Both the gold drop and the experience decreased considerably. Also, it seems like finding Elites and Bosses is not easy, even with my 'preferential treatment.' I still have to focus on Quests for now."
Looking at his Hungering Bone Cache Quest, he selected it and had it show on the MAP.
With all the details sorted out, he moved forward, hoping to finish the Quest quickly.
"Today, I want to complete the other Side Quest as well! Maybe if there's time, I can even head to Yelesna. Time really waits for no one."
