Rui frowned at the odd condition as he accepted the document. “You want me to randomly not sell to these companies, individuals, and organizations? Why not?”
“That is none of your business,” Commissioner Reze shook his head.
“I think it is, commissioner,” Rui narrowed his eyes. “I have enough enemies already, as it is. You’re asking me to make even more. I definitely have the right to demand to know why.”
This was definitely a good reason that Rui could use to push the Martial Commissioner. Commissioner Reze considered Rui’s words before, simply nodding. “Very well, I can inform you of the reason why. The reasoning is simple, it is because they are ours and the Kandrian Government’s biggest competition and threat in the competition for the esoteric substances of the Shionel Dungeon. Thus we wish to restrict them from being your customers entirely.”
Rui frowned even deeper.
A bunch of companies, organizations, and rich patrons were the biggest threat to the Kandrian Government and the Martial Union?
He failed to understand why, or even how.
“You’re going to have to explain that, I’m afraid,” Rui stated, more curious than anything. “How exactly are they, enemies of the government, and of the Martial Union?”
The man considered his words for a few seconds before replying. “This has to do with the nature and structure of the power blocs within the Kandrian Empire. But to put it short, it is not the foreign nations that are our biggest competitors, and our most pressing enemies. The biggest threat comes from within. The Royal Family and the Martial Union are the two most powerful entities in the Kandrian Empire, however, do you know what the third most powerful entity would be?”𝚘𝐕xt.𝗇t
Rui’s eyes narrowed as he understood where this was going. “The Underworld.”
The underworld was a blanket term for sectors, markets, and even industries surrounding goods and services that were illegal for a variety of reasons.
Human trafficking, prostitution, money laundering, smuggling, and sale of prohibited substances, etc, were strictly prohibited in the Kandrian Empire.
Yet a fundamental rule of humanity was where there was demand, there was supply. The underworld encompassed a large number of illegal commercial endeavors for which there were huge markets. These endeavors were so profitable that entire sectors and industries were established and maintained and hidden in secrecy. All of these were collectively referred to as the Underworld.
“You catch on quickly,” The commissioner smiled. “I should warn you, we’re entering extremely sensitive territory here. However, you are correct. The Underworld is the third-most powerful force in the Kandrian Empire as far as Martial and military power go, and they are collectively even wealthier than the Martial Union. They are the biggest thorns in the necks of both the Royal Family and the Martial Union.”
Rui wasn’t satisfied with that explanation.
“I can understand why the Royal Family and the Kandrian Government hate them, but why does the Martial Union dislike them?” Rui wondered. “There should be no clash of interests as far as I’m aware.”
The Martial Union existed for the mutual interests of Martial Artists as a class in many ways. The Underworld was simply the sectors and industries born to provide supply to the large demand for illegal goods and services. There was no overt clash of interests as far as Rui could see.
“Ah but there are clashes of interests,” The commissioner smiled. “There is a black market for any service that is criminalized…”
Rui immediately understood what he meant. “Illegal Martial Art services. Martial violence.”
“Exactly,” The man nodded. “Not everyone is happy with the Martial Union’s tame services in comparison. We do not accept offensive missions that are restricted to within the nation, nor do we accept covert missions for the same. There are many who wish to be able to commission Martial Artists to hurt or kill other humans or even other Martial Artists.”
Rui considered some of the missions that he had undertaken in the past. The Martial Apprentice that killed Bella Hier, his very first client, and the Martial Apprentice that had captured and trafficked humans, were both most likely part of the Underworld in hindsight.
“The Underworld, being more profitable than the Martial Union gig, must attract some Martial Artists,” Rui murmured. “That’s the clash of interests, they steal the Martial Artists that the Martial Academies worked hard to create.”
“Exactly,” Commissioner Reze nodded. “Our interests are irreconcilable, and we at the very least do not want to see them empowered. Particularly the Martial Don of the Six Dons of the Underworld, a Martial Artist who has assumed control over the entire black market for illegal Martial Artist services across the entire Kandrian Empire.”
Rui’s eyes widened as he came across a lot of information that he had never across before. “I’ve never heard of that.”
“It’s something that isn’t public knowledge, but I have chosen to disclose the basics to you,” Commissioner Reze informed him. “But coming back to your original question. The Six Dons of the Underworld have a strong interest in many of the esoteric substances that emerge from the Shionel Dungeon. For reasons I’m sure you’ve already figured out by now.”
Rui did have a good idea of what the man was referring to. “The sensory jamming properties of esoteric substances of the Shionel Dungeon. It makes surveillance and monitoring much harder, and technology fashioned from it will greatly benefit the Underworld’s activities.”
“Exactly,” The man nodded.
“And the reason you want to ban these companies, organizations, and individuals from purchasing from my Esosale Suppliers is that they probably have some connection to the Underworld, correct?” Rui sighed.
“Correct,” The man nodded. “They are companies and organizations that are entirely legal and cannot be targeted by the law enforcement of the nation, and they are controlled by the Underworld and are one of the biggest ways in which the Underworld is acquiring esoteric substances of the Shionel Dungeon. Thus, we would like for you to halt any sale to them.”