For imperial_saga

[love_emperor]

1. [Perhaps you're a fellow businessman, politician, or someone investing in the Teiai Group. Either way, you have enough wealth to speak to Kazutaka Hyoudo on equal terms. One thing lead to another and you're talking a little about intimate philosophies. Hyoudo laughs a little, smirks, and says...]

... What do you think money is in the first place? I'll tell you what it is. It's crystallized desire. Money itself is the promise of hope that human beings barter in. And as you know... I have money. Why, I have more money than a single human can ever dream of aspiring to obtain in all his life no matter how much he works. And as a money lender, I control money. Therefore, I control humans. If you think about it, they believe more in money than they believe in themselves.

Is that so difficult to believe? A man receives education and then works for at least fifty years for money. His life belongs to money. Their lives... belong to me. ... You could say that it's my goal to create an entire empire. Out of those desires that have been placed in my hands... heheheh...

2. [Your goal is to defeat Teiai. You've sneaked into the company's main building and have found evidence of corruption. Unfortunately, though, you were caught. Men in black armor surround you carrying weapons. Behind them is the old, yukata-wearing man, giving a condescending smirk. He steps in front of them and addresses you, the spy that got in. Despite your actions, he seems... pleased. Hyoudo is even clapping his hands for you.]

... To make it this far is an astounding feat! You weren't even certain of where you were looking for when you saw those building blueprints, were you? This was a spectacular gamble... made only more spectacular by how it was destined to fail from the moment it was conceived!

Ahh, this is a rare feeling... I feel generous enough to give you a chance at freedom.

3. [You've brought yourself into a gamble with Hyoudo. This is all to decide the fate of Teiai. The final battle.

The final battle takes place at the top of Teiai's building. A table is set up at the middle of the rooftop. A deck of cards is set up at the center of it. ... Tarot cards to be precise. A tarot card of each kind has been shuffled into the deck along with ordinary paper copies.

Each player will draw once after the other. It's a simple game... something of a lottery, really. The first one that draw a card that can take the other's life is the victor. One thing that ought to be noted is... Hyoudo doesn't play a game that he knows he would lose. In other words, there are strong rumors about possible cheating.]

Hehehehe.... Well, then, which one of us should start first...? I believe that I'll draw first.

Comments

2

[corvus_corinx]

[The Black Raven glances, immediately searching for exits]

So you set this up. I should have expected it from you.

[love_emperor]

We never had a chance to meet personally like this... what was it? Black Raven? Heh...

[Turning to his side, Hyoudo taps at the floor with his cane as if thinking a little to himself.]

I never bothered with you up until now. No, it was just that you never interested me. Your operations simply have far too little risk. How do you even make a profit?

[corvus_corinx]

Antiques have no value to someone like you, so I would not be surprised that The Market has gone unnoticed by you, we make enough for our needs. A Black Market that makes as much as you do cannot stay unnoticed.

[love_emperor]

That's true. I'm not surprised in the least either. What I am surprised, though, is that you've decided to grow a spine, seize an opportunity for once, and intrude my kingdom. ... Why is that?

[corvus_corinx]

A Raven may talk, but not often.

[He's looking for a very specific item that belong to their hometown]

But he will fly wherever he wishes.

[love_emperor]

You've flown into a cage. The little door you've squeezed yourself through is closing. Then pluck, pluck, pluck will your feathers go... and your legs... and your beak... and your neck... and then you'll be food for fish. And this is where I'm feeling generous, Raven! I can hold the door open just a little longer for you.

[corvus_corinx]

I never did care for that song.

[The Black Raven takes his cue, and that tall, gangly swaying form moves with surprising swiftness, sleeves pillowing as he makes his escape]

[love_emperor]

... You're a more daring gentleman than I thought.

[Three men in black armor slip their hands into their pouches. From them, they pick out three Tarot cards. All Devils. Raising it up, golden bindings and chains appear all around Raven in an instant.]

[corvus_corinx]

[He springs up, trying to avoid the chains, activating his own: Strength, to give him the need boost if he is caught]

Even your use of the cards is obscene!

[love_emperor]

Obscene? What's obscene about the truth? Yes, all men... all poor men... are bound like such. Even if you leave this place, those chains will not be undone or even loosened slightly.

[Yet more chains of light appear in all directions to bind Raven. The Tarot Cards are still in effect.]

2

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer prided himself as a warrior first and foremost, but his reconaissance skills were also quite impressive.]

You? Give me a chance? Shouldn't it be the other way around? If I've got the skills to sneak in here, I've also got the skills to kill you and then make a clean getaway.

[love_emperor]

Kill me? You must be a fan of fantasy... a domesticated dog managing to kill a king is nothing but fantasy.

[Hyoudo points his cane at Lancer.]

... Take that gamble. Risk everything you have for that dubious evidence you have in your arms. And just remember... Everything is indeed at stake.

[puppy_lancer]

[His spear materializes.]

Don't mind if I do!

[With that, he charges at the old man.]

[love_emperor]

[At Hyoudo's signal, the men in black armor hold up their Devil cards. Numerous blinding chains materialize out of nowhere and attempt to bind Lancer.]

You have a 15% chance of escaping this place alive. An 8% chance of killing me. A 3% chance of killing me and leaving alive. And not even 1% chance of convicting my company with any of the evidence you've received. You will most assuredly, however, become a wanted man in any case. ... these odds are generous, but ultimately, you will receive no salvation.

[puppy_lancer]

That's still a non-zero chance, right? And how much do you wanna bet that I'll hit on that chance?

[Though given Lancer's luck and past history, it's not likely that he'll hit on that miracle.]

1

[idkmybffalfred]

I've always thought of money as just a means to an end, myself.

[love_emperor]

That's naturally what most men believe. Money is but a tool to be used by people. That's not wholly incorrect. What end do you strive for, Mr. Wayne?

[idkmybffalfred]

It's this city. Gotham. It once was one of the greatest cities in the world, but has fallen into poverty and crime. I want it to be great again.

[love_emperor]

... Mr. Wayne, have you ever had an interest in creating your own city? I don't see why you can't given time. You're worth at least several dozen Imperials.

[idkmybffalfred]

The idea never actually occurred to me.

I'm guessing you have something in mind, though?

[love_emperor]

I am only asking because I have trouble imagining where that altruism comes from. It's disturbing. If you want a better city, then build one. Start over clean without picking through the wastes of others.

[idkmybffalfred]

Well seeing as how most of Wayne Enterprises' holdings are in Gotham, it's not entirely altruistic.

[love_emperor]

Have you thought of building another city within Gotham? Or better yet, beneath Gotham.

[idkmybffalfred]

I'm not interested in building a new city, okay?