The tremors in the upper ranks had little effect on the lower ranks—at least, little effect on Ulysses.
While the Federation conference was being held, Ulysses continued investigating that merchant guild.
After several months of investigation, he had already figured out the guild's complex structure.
This merchant guild called Flourishing was an emerging organization that had only appeared in recent years. Ulysses had yet to uncover its origins, but without a doubt, its founder had to be someone from the upper echelons of one of the five races.
And someone with immense power at that.
While the Natural Federation was a simple organization to the five clan chiefs, it was a colossal entity to those in the middle and lower ranks.
Every aspect of the Natural Federation had been carved up by the middle ranks of the five races. Behind every merchant guild and every factory, one could find the corresponding Lord of a World.
Yet the Flourishing Merchant Guild had an absurd number of subordinate organizations.
Aside from the Xi Ling Merchant Guild, which Richard already knew about, its subordinate organizations extended across all five races of the Natural Federation.
It was obvious that some extraordinarily influential figure was backing them.
But what puzzled Ulysses was this: what exactly did that figure want?
In a tavern, the Tree Spirit avatar controlled by Ulysses ordered a cup of strong liquor. Meanwhile, Ulysses himself reported his recent findings to Richard.
"I can't figure out what this guy is trying to do." There was a trace of confusion in Ulysses's tone.
"This guy's merchant guild covers everything—food, clothing, housing, transportation, nothing is left out. Yet it has stubbornly refused to expand upward. Of all the managers I've investigated over the years, the strongest was only a Third-level creature.
This is truly