Wrecking the Database 13: Interlude: Glasses (Log Horizon/Oreigaru)

Wrecking the Database 13: Interlude: Glasses (Log Horizon/Oreigaru)

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Commissioned by Wirdo

Wordcount: 2500

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Shiroe peered over the papers gathered for him by Henrietta and pondered. Beneath the candlelight, while some chose to sleep or rest, he chose to simply continue working. For a man who was the head of a guild, and was part of the Round Table, sleep was a luxury that he indulged in often… but not tonight. 

After the mission they undertook, he needed to focus on Akihabara’s current status. Communicating over long distances was easy using Chat, but conveying vast amounts of information was still something best reserved for paper. Sheet after sheet of plain white paper and handwriting, even as good as Henrietta’s, was something he was beginning to loathe and made him wish for a computer… but he pushed on knowing he was blessed to have what he currently did. 

Besides, the information he had at his disposal now was so far beyond his estimates that he hardly cared about how he received his information. What mattered was that he had his newfound information, could analyze it, and hopefully use it to his advantage.

Or, at least, manage to not be overcome and defeated by it.

Shiroe was aware that he was being paranoid and likely underestimating himself by thinking in such a way. Akihabara was working well, the Round Table was functioning as expected, and even though there was friction, progress was being made. That wasn’t going to stop anytime soon, especially with the economy and commodities returning and providing for the players who no longer wished to go out and risk their lives. Even if he somehow truly died, Akihabara’s society would have something solid to cling to, protect, and fight for in the future. 

A few unforeseen events weren’t going to destroy the whole of Akihabara, especially since they were currently merely benefiting it, but he was averse to risk, especially in his newfound situation. 

So, he looked at the sudden influx of gold, max-levelled players, and Akihabara’s increased growth with a critical, careful eye.

He already knew he needed to go out on foot and personally meet with several key individuals, but while everyone else slept he’d figure out his objectives, plan his overall strategy, and practice for the “battles” that lay ahead.

Some might say that was too much for simply finding out what happened while he was away, but Shiroe thought otherwise.

It was the least he could do in order to locate something he didn’t even know existed.

And, something which others were keeping secret.

….

“You looked tired, my lord.” Akatsuki was as observant as always. Shiroe was very aware of a multitude of things regarding his self-proclaimed servant. She was cute, slight, and very observant of him, while also taking every opportunity to stay by his side. She stood by his side, peering at him with a wide gaze, and with her features ever-so-slightly tilted. He was aware of these things and did his best to ignore them. No matter how difficult it was to do so. “Are you sure you wish to explore the city so soon? After just a single night’s rest?”

“It’s fine. The journey wasn’t that bad.” That latter was true. He’d simply spent some time venturing out and investigating the lay of the land outside of the Akihabara. The former wasn’t true. He hadn’t slept since he’d returned. He’d had spent the night taking in as much information possible while strategizing for the day ahead. Were he to have a human body, he’d surely look tired, but as he was now, he merely felt the mental stress of his actions. “It’s more important to look around and stay current. I can’t spend all my time in my office or outside Akihabara, right?”

“Ah, I see! How wise of my lord!” The praise stung Shiroe, but he managed to hide his lack of blush by simply looking away and scratching his cheek. He feigned a fake cough, doing his best to avoid looking at Akatsuki who was undoubtably beaming and focused on walking towards his intended goal. “And, if you eat and experience Akihabara, you’ll surely be full and entertained before you do go to rest, correct?”

“R-right. That’s my plan.” Shiroe agreed with Akatsuki’s reaction while still looking away and going towards his first destination. Krusty favored certain locales. Ones that were more gourmet than the simpler offerings on the main street. Anyway, the man was intrigued when he was treated well, while most of the others in the Round Table were fine no matter the order they were approached. While Krusty wouldn’t look down upon him for asking him last, he would benefit from going to him first, therefore Shiroe would. “Would you like to try the new café that’s just opened?”

The moment the words slipped through his tongue, Shiroe regretted them instantly, especially as Akatsuki squeaked in delight.

Shiroe was aware that she’d see it as an offer to spend time alone together, but that was the farthest from the case. In fact, that would be the camouflage to his true intentions. Krusty would see through his cover immedietly, but to other onlookers he’d simply be spending time with Akatsuki. It was good camouflage against the masses… using Akatsuki without her knowledge nor her consent. 

It didn’t please Shiroe one bit, but he could merely keep moving forward. 

…

After their “coincidental” meeting and group lunch, while Akatsuki gossiped with Krusty’s aides, Shiroe took the time to speak with the man himself. 

The moment they were alone the man spoke to him first.

“I don’t know the source of the information, but I will help you find them.” It was to be expected. Shiroe was very aware of the fact that he was working with individuals who were very, very capable. Elder Tale was a game that intrigued many in many ways of life. It was a novelty experience that demanded high capabilities from those who wished to do more than just play a game. Guilds were composed around individuals who were skilled, charismatic, and larger than life in their own way. “Whoever’s gathering this information is ahead of the rest of us, operates outside of Akihabara, and hasn’t been seen leaving the Temple.”

The information Krusty provided was beyond any price.

Shiroe was more aware of his current opponent by a whole order of magnitude… while also greatly lower narrowing down the list of individuals he’d have to speak to. 

The number of people who could accomplish not having a city as a home base could be counted on one hand. Not only was it expensive to farm up the gold to purchase land outside of cities, but it was also unwise to do so because items and supplies were easier to purchase and gain in the cities. For someone to be capable of living outside the city, while presumably facing off against the monsters that plagued the land, meant that they were established in lands where most Players haven’t even gone to after the Cataclysm, capable of fending for themselves without dying and being tracked, and was not only surviving, but also researching and solving mysteries.

An idea popped into Shiroe’s head about how he’d utilize such firm foundation and a frown crossed his face.

“Do you think they’re an enemy?” The question was a simple one, but Shiroe watched as Krusty’s demeanor changed immedietly. The man went from simply leaning against the wall to completely still. Yes, they both understood what such a person could do. Controlling information, selling it to the highest bidder, and being virtually untraceable is a position of power that could give an individual the ability to topple superpowers, let alone the fragile polity they’d established after their small crisis. If information regarding Quests was relatively, freely given, what secrets did their unknown keep for themselves… to presumably truly sell only to the next buyer? The reputation was in place. The previous product was established. The customers awaited the next sale while eyeing one another warily. “What do you think, Krusty?”

“It’s an interesting problem, but one that my Guild isn’t capable of fighting. And, neither can I.” To anyone else, Krusty’s words would seem simple and cold, but Shiroe looked to the man’s actual countenance. Tells and habits travelled over with the individual. Krusty, who was a berserker in combat but cool and controlled outside of it, was gripping his arms harshly, something which would’ve been impossible without the new developments in the world. “But, as a fellow member of the Round Table, I should led you my aid in dealing with yourself, no?”

“I’ll appreciate that.” There was no other available answer for Shiroe. He established the Round Table as a governing body that would make Akihabara function by aligning everyone’s interests. However, this current issue could easily have them devolve into factions that quarreled for power. He was worried by the notion to such an extent that he had to remind himself to think clearly. “Hopefully, it won’t be anything serious. We might just be dealing with someone who wanted to share information, but get something out of it at the same time.”

Krusty laughed, nodded, and we parted ways before the others noticed we even spoke.

However, Shiroe knew that his help would come soon, while he would be focusing on his efforts to find this secret individual more quickly.

After the Cataclysm, many people will be more than happy to follow anyone who they believed was strong. And, who is the strongest besides the man who knew secrets greater than the ability to progress quickly in power and wealth… and who had no use for resurrection?

Shiroe had to keep his pace slow purposefully. 

…

“So, why you tellin’ me about dis?” Naotsugu spoke with his mouth full while he ate. Shiroe felt that he appreciated Nyanta’s sharing of food the most, though he certainly liked to eat meals regularly too. He ate when he was hungry, while his friend was more than happy to take advantage of the fact, he could no longer become fat. Without the usage of Polymorph Potions, afterall, no one’s appearance could change. “Shouldn’t ya be telling Akatsuki or something? Finding someone in the shadows sounds like something a Shinobi would be good at.”

“You’re more experienced and can traveled about more quickly. Also, no one will suspect you being a spy.” Naotsugu nodded to Shiroe’s words easily. Shiroe breathed a little easier knowing that he had someone so reliable and trustworthy, but focused on informing his friend on what the Tank needed to know for the upcoming assignment he was being given. “And, you’re more survivable than Akatsuki.”

“Ah, because we’re outside of the city, PvP is possible. The shorty would only be able to fight or run away, while I can hold my ground and gather info.” Naotsugu saw through Shiroe’s plan with ease the bespectacled mage expected. They were a strong team together, to the point where they could work together without speaking, so it was only naturally the knight could discern the mage’s plans with ease. “I get it.”

Shiroe knew that Akatsuki was capable, but gathering information on combat abilities required sustainability instead of speed. Calculated losses needed to be built up for the sake of future victories against raid bosses and the like. It was a role that Naotsugu gladly took for the rest of the Debauchery Tea Party and the other guilds he’d joined. Shiroe didn’t have him do it often, preferring to create strategies while fighting with the whole guild at the forefront, but it was a tactic that was undoubtably effective with death being cheap. 

“Hopefully, we can find something out by doing this.” Gathering information in Akihabara had proved futile. Most of the Guilds couldn’t even decide whether it was a man or woman who gave out the information. It was even possible that more than one person gave out the information, which raised to question if Shiroe was looking for a hidden organization of Players who all chose to live beyond the city. “And, well, you know the game as well as I do, so you’re the best suited for going solo in the Guild.”

“Right, right. We’ve been playing Elder Tale for a while, huh? There’s still things that haven’t changed, even after the Cataclysm!” Naotsugu nodded along, a bright smile covering his face. Shiroe was tempted to thing there something hidden behind that smile, but he knew better than to apply his worries to his friends and allies. There was something big happening and its was making him wary, but if he couldn’t trust Naotsugu, there was no one for him to turn to. “So, when do you want me to leave? Right away or after you do something big?”

“A distraction would be good. Maybe while we make a fair to attract attention?” Shiroe paused for a moment, before nodding. Having one of the guild disappear while a fair was being put into effect was wise. Naotsugu could have a myriad of excuses to disappear. And, of course, a festival to showcase Akihabara’s progress would both be familiar for those who were homesick and be a chance to show new products. The work it would need from him and others would also keep his mind off the issue while Naotsugu did his best to solve it. “Yeah, that’s our best bet. I’ll talk with the Round Table and get them to agree. You leave once the preparations start, until then you level up and gather funds by doing Quests yourself.”

“Got it boss!”

Shiroe couldn’t help but sigh in relief at the words. Though the plan wasn’t even in progress, it was still a plan, and that was far more than what he had at the start of the day. 

The new world was still the familiar setting that he knew very well, but the tide of new information and problems was slowly becoming more and more difficult to deal with. Though some problems could be solved simply through the acquisition of funds, convincing, and some lateral thinking, other Players who had their own agendas and were beyond the system was something entirely different.

And, he knew that he’d been shortsighted and an idiot for not anticipating it.

If not now, there was going to be opponents in the future who’ll be the same. Monsters and the like can be dealt with through mere cooperation, but other Players? Individuals who had stupendous amounts of funds, had access to knowledge from the same world, and could be better him? Those people were always going to exist. 

He’d needed to start preparing for them the day he realized the world had changed.

Reacting was not acceptable. His opponent could be dozens of steps into their plan while he was only at the start, feeling around in the dark, and incapable of doing anything besides searching.

The thought of being helpless while all his friends and work was destroyed by something, he didn’t even see coming left a bitter taste to Shiroe’s mouth.

He won’t allow it to happen.

Not ever.