See? Just as I Said

"Mr. Sirka, are you familiar with the Weiton Project?"

Rather than spell it out, Jonas asked a question instead.

On the other end of the Communicator, Silka Bond frowned before replying:

"You mean that infantry weapons development project?"

Sirka had a vague impression of the name. He dimly recalled it being a partnership proposed by the Wetting Conglomerate to supply new weapons to major security companies, but it had ultimately fizzled out because developing the weapons proved too difficult.

"Wasn't that project already terminated?"

Jonas smiled at that and said:

"To be precise, it wasn't terminated. It was extended indefinitely."

This was also the "compensation" the Wetting Conglomerate had given Jonas. In reality, he currently lacked the funds to support a weapons development project, which was precisely why he had chosen Sirka as his partner.

The Bond Conglomerate possessed almost every prerequisite for weapons development, and for Sirka, who was eager to improve his standing in the competition over succession, this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to prove himself.

Hearing Jonas's words, Sirka vaguely guessed what he was getting at and asked hesitantly:

"So the partnership you're proposing has something to do with the Weiton Project?"

Jonas snapped his fingers and said with a smile:

"You're a clever man indeed, Mr. Sirka."

Sirka felt a stir of excitement at those words, but quickly calmed down. A trace of suspicion crept into his gaze as he looked at Jonas.

"Why come to me with a project like this?"

Without question, this was a major project capable of generating steady returns. Jonas could have sought a better partner instead of choosing him, Skarl.

He couldn't understand why Jonas would do this.

"Because I want you to become the head of the Bond Conglomerate, Mr. Sirka."

Sirka's pupils contracted at Jonas's words. It took him a long while to recover before he drew a deep breath and asked:

"What price would I have to pay?"

Jonas didn't answer directly. Instead, he paused before saying:

"Restarting the Weiton Project will require at least five million credit points, along with equipment and materials sufficient to support cutting-edge weapons development."

"I'll be waiting for your good news until the twenty-sixth of this month. After that, our partnership will officially begin."

Sirka grew nervous. He knew this was a test. If he could demonstrate his value by the twenty-sixth, the Wetting Conglomerate would take his side.

But without question, accepting these terms would effectively bind him to the Wetting Conglomerate. It was a double-edged sword, sharp enough that a single careless move could kill him on the spot.

He hesitated for a long while before finally gritting his teeth and asking:

"What share of the profits would I get?"

Jonas held up three fingers and said:

"Thirty percent."

"Do you take me for a fool?"

"You know perfectly well that developing weapons costs far more than manufacturing them, Mr. Sirka. For just five million credit points and access to some equipment, you get thirty percent of the Weiton Project's profits, along with the Wetting Conglomerate's friendship."

Jonas tilted his head.

"Isn't that enough?"

Sirka's expression darkened. He knew perfectly well that Jonas was right, but this was still an enormous gamble. If Jonas failed to produce designs for new weapons, those five million credit points would go straight down the drain.

"I think I need some time to consider this."

With that, Sirka rose to his feet.

"Then I look forward to your answer, Mr. Sirka."

So said Jonas.

Then the Communicator hung up.

The Wetting Conglomerate.

Miss Eiffel, known as the [Steward], seemed unable to hold back any longer and asked in bewilderment:

"Why are you targeting the Bond Conglomerate, Mr. Jonas?"

As she saw it, Jonas currently lacked the means to sustain weapons research and development. Even if Sirka truly put up those five million credit points, it would be a mere drop in the bucket.

To Eiffel's surprise, however, Jonas merely tilted his head and gave her a puzzled look as he asked:

"Who said I was targeting the Bond Conglomerate?"

Eiffel was left with a question mark hanging over her head as Jonas continued at a leisurely pace:

"Those old men finally went to the trouble of giving me such a generous gift. Naturally, I have to make the most of it."

Eiffel frowned, then hesitantly asked:

"Then Sirka..."

Before she could finish, Jonas spoke again.

"The Bond Conglomerate behind him is a useful pawn. Besides, people like him, who fancy themselves rather clever, are easier to control..."

Jonas laughed.

"Promise him a little something, and he'll work himself to the bone to secure profits for you. Could there be a better partner?"

Hearing this, Eiffel gained an even deeper understanding of Jonas's capitalist soul. She couldn't help remarking:

"But Mr. Sirka has already left. That prime sucker you've found won't necessarily walk into your trap."

"Sirka is ambitious, but he doesn't have an accurate sense of his own abilities."

Jonas explained:

"And precisely because of that, his greed will drive him to make irrational decisions. He won't just sit back and watch an opportunity slip through his fingers."

Just then, a notification sounded on the Communicator.

-Beep, beep.

As though he had expected it all along, Jonas casually swiped, bringing the Communicator interface around in front of Eiffel.

It displayed the conversation between Jonas and Sirka.

The newly arrived message read:

-Mr. Jonas, I will meet your conditions before the twenty-sixth. When the time comes, please don't forget the promises you made.

Seeing the young woman's startled, doubtful gaze, Jonas couldn't help smiling. Then, with a rather wicked edge to his voice, he said:

"See? Just as I said, the fish has taken the bait."