Assault Colossus of the Nemesis Warfront

ns here in the Nemesis system.」

「That’s right.
Okeanos serves as both a huge database and an assurance system.
You also need a verified and registered ID in order to make use of its services.
It’s basically the complete form of a currency management system.」

「So there isn’t something like a black market?」

「Oh, but there is one you know? However, they employ a bartering system using real items such as certain valuable and rare materials instead of money, gold, or diamonds.」

「Materials equal to gold and diamonds?」

「Yeah.
A-Spinels and A-Carbuncles.
A-Spinels fluctuate in value a lot depending on the size, but even a small A-Carbuncle can still be equivalent to 1000 minas.」

「Why’s that?」

「It’s because even the smallest size of A-Carbuncle can be used to power an entire spaceship.
Though you have to use a big enough reactor in order to use one as a power source.」

Kou found it surprising that there was a black market.
However, he did fight a high-performance Silhouette manufactured by TAKABA on the Stone’s side.

And he remembered Bardo saying that they do manage to find some great items from time to time.

Kou realized once more that whenever there’s demand, there will always be someone who’d manage to provide supply in order to amass profit.

「Oh, it looks like we’re about to arrive.」

「Our first stop is Wangcheng Industrial Group Co.
Ltd., isn’t it?」

「We made appointments with three companies, right, Jenny?」

「Yes.
Just as Kou requested, their main offices are located close to the base.
We’ll go visit Wangcheng Industrial Group first.
They focus on vehicle development in addition to Silhouettes.」

「Oh, and one more thing.
We’re apparently going to be welcomed by representatives of a Japanese trading firm as well.」

「Japanese? And why is a trading company going to the trouble of receiving us?」

Kou was surprised to hear that they’ll be encountering a company run by fellow Japanese so soon.

「It’s apparently Benshin, one of the biggest general trading firms.
It’s run by several transferees and is an industry leader in the field of logistics.
Have you heard of them?」

「No, I can’t say I have.」

Kou hasn’t had contact with any trading company thus far.
He didn’t even pay attention to them.

「They’re gonna cry if they hear you say that in their faces you know? They are one of the top five general trading firms in Japan after all.」

「Aren’t they gonna laugh at me for being ignorant instead?」

Kou let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
When he was living in Japan, a major trading firm felt like it was wholly unrelated to him.

「They were also involved in the smartphone sales industry and infrastructure projects back in Japan.
They move both items and information and create a very active business environment.
That remained true even after they got transferred here to the Nemesis system.」

「I think it’s really amazing that they were able to remain as a trading firm even after getting transferred here.」

「I heard that the advent of Development Engineers and Underground Forces had increased the need for logistics, so they took advantage of this and thrived.」

「I will deal with that trading firm personally.
In addition to logistics, they also deal with crisis management and information.
As long as you pay them enough, they will try to sniff out any information for you, no matter how trivial it may seem.」

It seemed Fuyuki was quite wary of trading companies.

They continued chatting away like this until they arrived at the airport.