Chapter 345: Business Competition
Because there was nothing else he needed to do, Ethan agreed to meet their guild leader. Maybe he could get some useful information from her.
Together with a member of the Sword Phoenix Guild, Ethan entered the shop's waiting room on the second floor.
Not many people were allowed inside. Only those with proper qualifications could stay there.
He climbed the stairs and arrived at a fairly spacious room furnished with sofas, bookshelves, and other luxurious decor.
"I'll take my leave. Our Guild Leader will be here shortly," the Sword Phoenix member said.
Ethan nodded. He sat down on the long sofa as the door closed.
He didn't know how long he would have to wait, but he hoped it wouldn't be long.
I hate waiting.
Ten minutes passed. The waiting room door opened. Ethan had assumed the leader of Sword Phoenix would be a man, around his age or maybe even younger.
But reality proved otherwise.
A beautiful black-haired woman entered, accompanied by one of her aides. A wide smile bloomed on her face, clearly showing how honored she felt.
"I heard you bought items from our shop. We can offer you a discount," she said.
Ethan stood and shook her hand as she extended it. "No need. Let's just keep this a normal seller-and-buyer relationship."
"You're truly wise, Sir Ethan. I've admired you for a long time."
She introduced herself as Rachel, Level 67, a Knight Templar. Ethan could tell from the armor she wore—it clearly matched the advanced Knight Templar class.
Her members went back downstairs, leaving the two of them some privacy. Drinks and light snacks were served, and their conversation began.
Sword Phoenix was one of the non-permanent guild members of the Eastern Alliance. Rachel explained that her guild had also sent a team to the Guild of Champions event.
They had fought together, and won together. Her guild had earned additional Contribution Points based on the number of Core Crystals they collected during the event.
"Without you and LionArk, the Eastern Alliance could never have won yesterday's event," Rachel said from the single-seat sofa.
"LionArk didn't do much. Yesterday's victory came from everyone's efforts, including your guild," Ethan replied.
"I'm honored to hear that, Sir Ethan."
Ethan set his wine glass back on the table and looked at her. "I heard you really wanted to meet me. What is it?"
Rachel fell silent for a moment and placed her glass on the glass coffee table, just like he did.
"It's about the business competition in Ring One," she said.
"What about it?"
Rachel glanced at her female aide. The woman nodded as if she understood.
She pulled out a file and handed it to Ethan. He opened it and read the documents inside.
He was slightly surprised.
The file contained records of criminal business activities—smuggling, sabotage, and other violations.
The guild named in the documents was Fire Cloud Guild, another non-permanent alliance member that operated the same type of business as Sword Phoenix.
"For the past few days, they've been disturbing our shop, threatening our customers, even sabotaging our item shipments from outside the city," Rachel explained.
"We already discussed this with Miss Ashley and Officer Darcy. They didn't give us a definite solution."
"What did Ashley suggest?"
Rachel paused and glanced at her aide again before answering carefully, clearly not wanting to offend Ethan, who happened to be Ashley's husband.
"Miss Ashley said it's just part of a business competition. She can't intervene too deeply."
Ethan let out a breath and leaned back, placing the file on the glass table.
"Competition is still competition. That term only applies when neither side harms the other unfairly."
"From what's written here, Fire Cloud is committing clear business crimes that hurt you and your guild," he said.
"What do you think?" Rachel asked, her eyes wide with hope.
Without hesitation, Ethan explained that those actions were criminal and proof of dirty competition.
No guild had the authority to interfere with another guild's business like that.
"I'm glad to hear that."
"However," Ethan continued, making her focus on him again, "I need to verify the truth myself. I can't conclude whether these documents are accurate enough to start an investigation."
"Does that mean you'll question Fire Cloud Guild?"
Ethan took a long breath, grabbed the wine bottle, and refilled his glass. He leaned back, crossed his legs, and sipped slowly.
"Yes. If the documents are true, you have nothing to worry about."
"I'll send some of my officers to meet both you and Fire Cloud's Guild Leader. He has a way of making people speak honestly."
"I trust him."
Rachel smiled and glanced at her aide. The aide shared the same relieved expression.
They truly hoped Ethan, as Vice Guild Leader of LionArk, could fully investigate the case. Fire Cloud's actions had already caused significant losses to Sword Phoenix.
"We'll be waiting for good news, Sir Ethan."
Ethan nodded, finished his wine, and stood. "My officers will summon you and Fire Cloud's Guild Leader to LionArk Headquarters. Both of you will give your statements there."
"If they're proven guilty of business sabotage, everyone involved will be punished according to Mavelard's laws."
"We understand," Rachel replied.
Ethan said goodbye, and Rachel walked with him out of the Sword Phoenix shop.
He headed back toward LionArk Headquarters. He had bought four Legendary-tier Crystal Spirits that day.
His golds were nearly drained, and only one crystal spirit slot in his personal system remained unreplaced.
On the way back, not many people recognized him. His different clothes and the crowd made his username hard to read.
He arrived at LionArk Headquarters, went up to the second floor, and stopped in front of Darcy's office. He knocked, and one of Darcy's staff opened the door.
"Sir Ethan?"
"Is Darcy inside?"
"You need me, Sir Ethan?" Darcy asked, rising from her desk and walking over.
"Yes," Ethan said. "Sword Phoenix Guild is facing business sabotage from Fire Cloud Guild. I want you to investigate the truth immediately."
"If it's proven, judge them according to Mavelard law."
Darcy glanced at her staff, then nodded firmly.
"I'll handle it."