Chapter 171: Chapter 171 - Risking Self Destruction?
After Edric disconnected the call, Logan stared at the ceiling for a while as he thought about the Alvarez family.
’They are down at rock-bottom,’ he thought. ’After the countless disasters and bad PR they got over such a short period, their shares dropped by 60% and three quarters of their clients and suppliers left them.’
’Barely any store wants to associate with them too since their bad reputation...’
Logan felt a strange feeling settle in his chest.
It was clear to him that they were winning this fight, and that the difference had grown significantly between them after everything he’d done.
What felt strange was that the Alvarez family was no longer trying to push back on them and instead completely focused on keeping the remaining people in their company together.
’’I guess it isn’t that strange... but still, they should be aware that they’ll lose their company entirely if they don’t act,’’ he mumbled, putting a finger to his chin. ’’It almost feels like they are waiting for an opportunity.’’
Logan fell silent for a moment, mind churning as he searched for answers.
The opportunity they had to be waiting for had to be significant if they were practically gambling their entire company on it.
’There aren’t many things that could shake us so significantly right now,’ Logan thought. ’There are only two options really. The Holy Cross Guild launching a massive attack on the Imperial Church’s reputation or another large accident happening with my company.’
After the Imperial Church’s ceremony, Logan found that it would be nearly impossible for the Holy Cross Guild to do anything that could shake their immense reputation.
That left one option.
’The Alvarez family or Holy Cross Guild will try something against my company,’ he thought, frowning as he stood up from the couch.
Although he had some speculations on what they could do, Logan couldn’t be fully certain since his company was also in a really strong position right now.
’’I’ll have to discuss this with Edric and the other board members,’’ he said, glancing at the time. ’’If we are caught off guard, it’ll do us serious damage.’’
What Logan worried most about at this point was that the Alvarez family would try to drag his company down with them.
’The last thing I want is to come out of this war weak... I don’t want to encourage other companies and even allies to do anything reckless.’
After getting dressed in some formal but casual clothes, Logan sent a message to Silas, asking if he could bring him to the meeting room.
Silas answered his message within a minute, as reliable as always.
By the time Logan straightened his clothes and ran a hand through his hair, the knock on the door came.
"Ready?" Silas asked as he stepped inside, his expression calm but his eyes carrying that usual sharpness.
Logan gave a small nod. "Let’s not waste time."
The trip through the corridors of Mercer headquarters was quiet.
Employees bowed their heads respectfully as they passed, though Logan barely noticed them. His thoughts remained fixed on the Alvarez family and the strange stillness they had shown in recent days.
When the doors to the meeting room opened, Edric was already waiting inside, standing near the long table with a set of holographic reports hovering above the surface.
He turned the moment Logan stepped in, lowering the displays with a swipe of his hand.
"Good morning," Edric greeted, but frowned slightly as he saw his expression. "You look rested enough, but not exactly cheerful."
The other board members stared at him with large smiles, still impressed by the connection with the Imperial Church. But even they immediately noticed Logan’s expression.
’’We’ve overlooked something,’’ Logan said, sitting down in his chair.
Each of the board members stared at him, unease appearing on their faces as they realized that something serious was happening instead of a celebration.
Logan slowly began explaining what he thought step by step, his expression remaining serious the entire time as he talked about the Alvarez family’s actions in great detail.
After a while, the meeting room settled in silence.
Silas frowned deeply, his voice low. "And what opportunity could possibly save them now?"
"That’s what worries me," Logan said. He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "There are only two possibilities. Either the Holy Cross Guild pulls off a large-scale attack against the Imperial Church, shaking the entire balance of power... or the Alvarez family is planning something against Mercer Industries itself."
Everyone remained silent for a moment, their minds calculating Logan’s words. It didn’t take more than a few seconds before the board members’ expressions turned darker.
Marissa Caldwell spoke up, her voice cold. "The first option is highly unlikely after the Church’s ceremony...’’
Logan gave a firm nod. ’’That leaves just us.’’
He paused for a moment, tapping his finger on the table as he locked eyes with Edric. ’’They might even try to drag us into the grave with them.’’
Silas immediately looked up, a frown on his face. ’’You think they’d dare?’’
Before Logan could respond, Edric spoke up.
’’I’ve thought about this before,’’ he said, staring at the table with a frown.
Logan glanced up in surprise for a moment, but quickly gestured for Edric to continue.
"At a certain point, they have nothing more to lose... and they only need one catastrophic event to happen to us in order to bring us down with them."
A brief moment of silence fell in the room. Logan leaned back in his chair, nodding slowly after Edric mentioned the same thing he was worried about.
’’A catastrophic event... You think they’ll hit our dungeons?’’ Garrick Morgan spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.
’’It would make the most sense,’’ Edric nodded. ’’Even if they are found as the blame later, the public will still find us responsible because we couldn’t protect them.’’
Garrick’s brows furrowed, the table lifting slightly on one end as he leaned on it. ’’We need to hire more hunters then.’’
Then he pointed at Logan. ’’We’ll also need to protect him better. Knowing those pathetic bastards, they’ll likely try something again.’’
Everyone, even Logan, was caught off guard by Garrick’s directness for a moment.
Snapping out of it, Logan looked at Garrick with a smile. ’’You don’t need to worry too much about me, I’ll be heading to the University soon again.’’
The words left Logan’s mouth casually, but the look in Garrick’s eyes didn’t soften.
"That doesn’t mean you’re untouchable," he growled. "If the Alvarez family truly is desperate, then the University won’t stop them from trying something reckless.’’
Logan smiled slightly. ’’That’s true. I’ll make sure to take extra precautions.’’
Garrick gave a heavy nod and leaned back again, the table lowering on the other side.
The discussion continued on, planning a few steps and precautions for the future before continuing on normal topics such as logistics and production.
By the time the meeting finally wrapped up, the air in the room was lighter than at the start. The board members left one by one, their faces serious but confident.
Everyone trusted Logan deeply as he had brought forth miracle after miracle for the company and had made it grow to heights it hadn’t reached before.
Logan and Silas stepped out together, their footsteps echoing faintly down the corridor.
’’The most important thing now is getting more manpower,’’ he said, glancing at Silas as they walked.
Silas nodded slowly, before turning to him. "You want me to handle it?"
Logan nodded. "We need enough numbers to reinforce every dungeon site, every patrol, every weak spot. No flashy moves, just raw numbers, strength, and reliability."
’’I’ll see what I can do,’’ Silas responded. ’’I’ll need to make use of our budget though.’’
Logan waved him off. ’’That’s no problem at all, use as much as you need.’’
’’Alright,’’ Silas said, a small grin on his face. ’’I’ll start today.’’
A few minutes later, they reached Logan’s room.
Silas gave a short nod before heading off, leaving Logan to step inside alone. He closed the door behind him, loosened his collar, and walked to his desk.
Switching on his hologram, he ignored the flood of reports and messages waiting for him. His hand moved straight to the contacts list.
After a moment, one name lit up on the screen.
Livia.
’’If there’s any organization that might have an idea what the Alvarez family is up to, it’ll be the church,’’ Logan muttered, his expression serious.
He exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing as his thumb hovered for only a second longer. There was no point in waiting. With one press, the call button pulsed across the hologram.
The screen shifted, her name glowing brighter as the connection attempt began.
Logan leaned back in his chair, gaze fixed on the projection.
Then, the projection flickered as the call connected.
Not even a second later, a soft and warm voice came through.
"...Hello? Logan?"