Chapter 343 - This World
“This food competition is lucky to have not encountered me during its inception. Otherwise, I’d dominate all rankings from 1 to 100, and it would serve as a personal advertisement for me.” Mag pursed his lips. There were a few pages of documents at the end that detailed the cooperation of the Catering Association with the Chamber of Commerce.
That wasn’t really a secret. The Chamber of Commerce had gathered all of the top shops in the Aden Square, which included all of the best restaurants, and even based on their food alone, most of them could actually break into the top 100 anyway.
However, in recent years, the top 30, and even top 50, had essentially been dominated by restaurants that were subsidiaries to the Chamber of Commerce, making it almost impossible for other restaurants to break into the rankings board. That type of abnormal phenomenon had never taken place in the past, and it drew complaints from many businesses.
In the face of those complaints, the Catering Association’s response was always “The customer’s choice is paramount!”. As for how heavily manipulated the customer’s voting results were, that was something that only the Catering Association knew.
The documents detailed how the Chamber of Commerce released a mission every month, and that mission was a voting mission. All of its subsidiary businesses had to vote for the Chamber of Commerce’s subsidiary restaurants to complete the mission, thereby ensuring those restaurants secured high rankings.
It’s the Chamber of Commerce again. The two guys that were arrested before were Chamber of Commerce board members as well. Looks like the Chamber of Commerce must be behind the removal of the restaurant from the rankings. Could it be that such a colossus is already onto the restaurant? Mag’s brows furrowed slightly.
Even though he had announced to Goodenia that he was going to make the Chamber of Commerce close down, he was well aware of how terrifyingly powerful such a colossus was. The presided over about 20% of Chaos City’s economy, and their wealth and influence were unimaginable to the average person.
I don’t think they’re onto me yet. It seems like the restaurant’s rankings must have interfered with some other restaurants’ profits, which is why they decided to remove the restaurant from the rankings. If I want to reenter the rankings board, I’ll have to get past the Chamber of Commerce, and make the Catering Association willing to reinstate me on the rankings board.
This really is quite a difficult issue to resolve without killing anyone. Mag contemplated the predicament for a while, but was still unable to find a good way to rectify the issue. With his current status and power, he didn’t even have the right to converse with the higher-ups of the Catering Association, let alone the Chamber of Commerce.
As for Urien and Krassu, they were powerful enough to make everyone wary of them, but if the president of the Chamber of Commerce didn’t want to see them, then he could simply refuse to see them.
The city lord’s castle and Gray Temple would ensure his safety as Chaos City was a city with laws and rules.
Powerful beings could earn respect from everyone, live better lives, and secure greater status for themselves, but that didn’t mean that they could do whatever they wanted.
Mag was glad that he had been reborn in a world where law and order existed. Those laws also ensured his safety, and even though he was weak and insignificant, he could still live with dignity in the face of those powerful beings.
He couldn’t do whatever he wanted in a world like this, but at the very least, it elevated his quality of life significantly. He didn’t have to be wary of the demons on the streets or constantly be on his guard for sneak attacks.
Law and order restricted powerful beings, and empowered weaklings.
As a weakling for now, Mag had managed to earn respect and approval from his customers with his delicious food, not just because Amy had Krassu and Urien as her teachers. He enjoyed that feeling.
…
In the city lord’s castle.
Robert stood in the waiting room, and said to the worker there, “Please report to the city lord that Robert of the Catering Association wishes to request an audience with him.”
The worker was a little surprised as he looked up at Robert, and he said respectfully, “Oh, it’s Master Robert. The city lord has just left not long ago, and won’t be back until noon. Would you like to wait for him here or come back in the afternoon?”
Robert had been at the city lord’s castle for over 10 years, and had steadily climbed up the ranks. The city lord was quite fond of him, and, barring any mishaps, he would be in a very high position in a few years.
However, to everyone’s surprise, he proposed that he wanted to join the Catering Association. Everyone initially thought that he was there to earn some quick money as the Catering Association was renowned for high wages and bonuses.
However, word soon spread of him being ostracized in the Catering Association, even to the extent that he was reduced to a lone warrior. Everyone was very confused by that. They then thought that the city lord had sent him there with the intention of putting him through some hardships so he could emerge a better man from the other side, upon which the city lord would entrust him with a more important role.
“Thank you, I’ll wait.” A hint of disappointment flashed through Robert’s eyes as he nodded.
“Alright, then you can come with me and wait inside. I’m sure there will be many acquaintances of yours that would love to catch up with you.” The worker smiled.
“No, thanks. I’ll just wait here. It’s current working hours, and catching up with me would distract them from their duties.” Robert shook his head, and took a seat near a window in the waiting room. He then stared out the window with a grave expression, and fell completely silent.
He really is as reclusive as they say… The worker poured some tea for Robert, and didn’t say anything else, either.
…
When noon arrived, the worker quickly strode over to Robert, and said, “Master Robert, the city lord has returned, and wishes to see you.”
“Thank you.” Robert stood up, and quickly left with the worker. The cup of tea that had been placed next to him remained completely untouched.
…
“Robert, I heard you waited for me for an entire morning. Is there something urgent you need to talk to me about?” A well-built man with free-flowing red hair strode toward Robert. He had a black saber hanging from his waist and a section missing from his left pinkie. Smiling, he said, “Actually, don’t tell me yet. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Come and have a meal with me. We’ll talk as we eat.”
“Yes.” Robert bowed his head slightly, and trailed along behind the city lord. He was still the same pleasant and straightforward man that he had always been, and he didn’t have any of the arrogance or haughtiness that one might expect from a city lord.
Michael had picked up his bowl, and was preparing to dig in when Robert sat down next to him, and said, “City lord, I wanted to report to you about my work at the Catering Association. At the same time—”
“I know why you’re here today. Before I left in the morning, Warren came, and reported many things to me. He also advised me to transfer you out of the Catering Association.” Michael put down the bowl in his hand, and he suddenly chuckled at the sight of Robert’s awkward expression. He then picked up his bowl again, and shoveled some rice into his mouth as he said, “I want to hear your side of the story. I’ve worked with you far longer than I have with Warren, so I naturally trust you more.”
Robert heaved a sigh of relief, and said, “On the Catering Association’s Aden Square food competition, there was a new restaurant by the name of Mamy Restaurant…”
“Mamy Restaurant? Why does that sound so familiar?” Outside the room, there was a young girl with a ponytail. She had her ears pressed tightly against the window, and was carefully listening to the conversation taking place within the room.