Chapter 249: Wolf War Agreement — Mostly According to Plan

The previously formed four-clan alliance operated on a simple premise: "Three clans provide various favors," and "One clan shares Unique Monster intel."

But this new six-clan alliance is fundamentally different from the last. After all, it's structured as: "One clan holds the initiative," and "The other clans, with certain conditions attached, have agreed to that."

Rebellius: "A six-clan alliance…?!"

Revegetarian is speechless. After all, both of the two clans set to join are composed of top-tier players.

P.T. Overwerke: "Hahaha… Hey there, I'm P.T. Overwerke. I serve as the leader of the clan 'Team 10PM,' more or less."

Professor: "Professor. Well, as you likely know, I'm the clan leader of 'the Library.'"

Vet: "Uh, our leader is currently… how do I put it, off on a warrior's pilgrimage or something, so I'm here as a substitute. Vet, sub-leader of 'SF-Zoo.'"

Josette: "Ah… well, I suppose I can skip the roleplay. I'm Josette, the commander—leader—of the 'Shining Knights of the Holy Shield.' I'm here today at the invitation of that former PK-san over there."

As a recluse out of touch with other players' reputations, I can't quite grasp exactly how amazing they are, but I at least know they're all top clans.

"Team 10PM" — formed mainly around working adults who primarily play after 10 PM. Most of their members have dead-looking eyes but possess an organizational prowess that screams "cogs in the machine."

"The Library" — prioritizing analysis over raw progression, they've likely amassed one of the largest stores of information in SLF through connections with various clans and information brokers.

"SF-Zoo" — my personal impression is that their manners leave something to be desired, but since every clan member's will and playstyle are unified, once they lock into formation they can even contain Lycagon.

And a clan where every member wears standardized gear, the most eccentric of all player clans—"every single member is a hardcore roleplayer." The "Saint’s Divine Guard"… also known as the "Shining Knights of the Holy Shield."

Pencilgon: "Hehehehe… We are looking to form a new alliance with 'Wolfgang' as its alliance leader. After much consideration, the alliance terms look something like this—"

I'd sensed she was cooking up some kind of scheme dragging other clans into it, but to summarize, the new alliance's conditions seem to be:

• All intel held by "Wolfgang" will be relayed to the other clans through "the Library," and subsequently made public. • Clans joining the alliance with "Wolfgang" as alliance leader will support the alliance leader to the greatest extent possible. • Information on Unique Monsters acquired by Wolfgang's loose cannon may be purchased in advance via an auction format. • "Wolfgang" is permitted to withhold Unique Monster intel to a certain degree. • "Wolfgang" is permitted the possibility of tackling Bonus Unique Scenario content with only its own clan members.

Just looking at the text, this is awful.

Rebellius: "Wh-What… this is…?!"

Pencilgon: "And for the record, every single one of them gladly—and I do mean glaaadly—agreed to these terms."

Rebellius: "WHAT?!"

Rebeberibe's shock is understandable. After all, the terms are written with almost nothing but advantages for "Wolfgang." At this rate, the other clans would have virtually nothing to gain beyond supporting the alliance leader that challenges the Unique Monsters.

But this is where Pencilgon's scumbag technique shines.

If you actually read the alliance terms carefully, they're almost entirely meaningless. First, the "intel relayed through the Library" clause—if you think about it, it's just adding one extra step in the middle. If "Wolfgang" drags its feet on releasing info, it won't reach the participating clans regardless. And the Library basically discloses everything except unconfirmed information anyway.

Next, "support the alliance leader"—as the phrase "to the greatest extent possible" implies, this is voluntary, not mandatory. The alliance terms make no mention whatsoever of penalties for "not providing support"… Which, in other words, means "it's fine even if you don't."

And as much as I hate to admit it, the loose cannon's… meaning my… acquired intel can be obtained ahead of other clans if you put up the cash. This effectively negates the first clause; put another way, it means "even the withheld intel can be bought for the right price."

Then the fourth and fifth clauses… No, let's just lay all the cards on the table. These two clauses… Hell, every single condition listed here is a bluff set purely to deceive "Schwarz Vulf"—specifically, Ririribebe—and poses zero actual detriment to the other clans.

Because this alliance was formed for reasons that have almost nothing to do with Unique Monsters.

Pencilgon: "I'm very much a 'let those who leave, leave' kind of person. If you don't want to join this new alliance, I won't force you, but…?"

Pencilgon grins broadly; Rebebeberi responds by grinding his teeth. For that matter, with his own leader sitting right next to him, what's with the attitude that his judgment equals the entire clan's consensus?

Psyger-100: "Personally, I believe we should join."

Rebellius: "Wha—?! What are you saying, Leader?! These terms give us zero advantage!"

Well, yeah. If you dump all the Unique Monster efforts onto "Wolfgang," that's what happens. Not that "Wolfgang" ever said they'd refuse to cooperate in the first place. Actually, the fact that you need to read the terms and then parse one level deeper really shows Pencilgon's maliciousness. What is this, a modern Japanese exam? You know those questions that ask you to "consider the author's feelings"? Isn't that more psychology than Japanese-language arts at that point?

Psyger-100, who'd been silently watching Riberiberi without a word, seems to conclude that no desirable answer will be forthcoming. She lets out a single sigh and finally—no, rather surprisingly, given the representatives of other clans are present—brings up the third topic.

Psyger-100: "……Hah. Would it be acceptable to put our response regarding the alliance on hold for now?"

Pencilgon: "Perfectly fine."

Psyger-100: "Then, lastly… concerning the matter of my fool of a little sister—or rather, Psyger-0—wishing to transfer to 'Wolfgang.'"

???: "………"

???: "………"

Most of the players in the room fall silent, their attention fixed squarely on Rei-shi, the person in question.

Truth be told, I don't actually know Pencilgon's true intentions regarding whether she'll accept Rei-shi or not. I knew about the plan to trap Schwarz Vulf, but she's kept dodging the question of Rei-shi's treatment. Now that I think about it, she might've been discussing that with Psyger-100 behind the scenes, too—but I'll be hearing the conclusion for the first time right here.

Pencilgon: "…Let's see. A friend of a friend is, bluntly put, a stranger, y'know? But well… if it's the player who threw me in the slammer, I guess that's one rung above a stranger, huh."

Psyger-100: "I see… Then, from 'Schwarz Vulf's' side, we will approve Psyger-0's withdrawal from the clan upon payment of the total amount the clan has invested in her development, plus the cost of every consumable Magic Scroll used."

Incredibly briskly—no, well, maybe that's too dramatic for simply leaving an in-game group—but far more briskly than I expected, Pencilgon approves Rei-shi's acceptance, and Psyger-100 approves Rei-shi's departure.

Ririx looks like he has plenty he'd love to object to, but even a clan leader has no right to restrict a player's actions… or so it seems.

Kyo the Ultimate: "Shouldn't we save this footage in the dictionary as a real-life example of 'smooth sailing'?"

Sunraku: "More like a real-life example of 'a farce,' don't you think?"

I reply to Kyotimate's muttered remark while directing a gaze tinged with an emotion I can't quite describe toward Repaint. I mean, he's gone beyond being laughable to the point of being pitiable, dancing in the palm of that scumbag Pencilgon… At this point, wouldn't it be healthier for his mental state to just drop the forced "strong character" act and simply snap?

I'd heard beforehand that Schwarz Vulf's sub-leader has absolutely zero resistance to taunting, but this seems like it's way too little. If this were all some fake persona meant to deceive us, it'd deserve a round of applause—that's how much of a sawdust mentality he has… in the sense that it burns real well.

Sunraku: "Well now…"

I glance at Oikatzo. It's almost time for Mr. Can't-Trigger-a-Unique—who's kept his mouth shut this entire time—to make his entrance. Thanks to us, a massive load of gasoline has just been dumped on the sawdust that's about to go up in flames.

All that's left is to ignite it on the largest scale possible.

[I'm debating whether to make Rebellius-kun a little smarter, but he's the kind of guy you "rarely see all the time" in online games, so maybe leaving him as is is fine…]