Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

"It's amazing that an unknown rookie knight faced the rookie killer Olmer in his very first battle, and then, with the odds so lopsided, you put up an unbelievable amount of money, which is as high as your daily income, and placed it all on the side that seemed to have no chance of winning."

Charné seemed to know everything that had happened that day.

As he spoke of these trivial matters, which few people would notice, with an air of entitlement, Mark's pressure kept rising.

Mark understood that he hadn't always been under surveillance by such a powerful figure.

He knew that, simply because "he wanted to know," even a nobody like himself could obtain information that Mark himself had forgotten, even if he ate something on a particular day, through the other party's absolute power.

"You have always been a cautious and risk-averse person, especially after your company went bankrupt. 'Gambling' completely disappeared from your life because you preferred to save money penny by penny rather than place your hopes on unpredictable games."

Charné finally steered the conversation back on track.

"So what exactly happened? On that day, what kind of interaction did you have with the Vegetable Knight—that being who could instill fear in others to the point of forfeiting?"

Mark was stunned by this question.

Actually, after that day, he didn't pay much attention to the Rookie Knight's affairs.

They would never publicize the fact that the other party had helped them out of convenience.

However, Ciarne deduced from various subtle details that the two had had additional contact.

His guess was correct, but Mark really wanted to tell him, "You're overthinking it."

Because it was indeed just a trivial encounter.

The knight casually caught the scattered documents and returned them to himself. He felt a sense of goodwill towards this kind gesture, and then felt sympathy for the other party's plight, so he gritted his teeth and gave him a hand.

As for the major upset, that was something he never expected.

However, based on Charné's words, his unintentional act seemed to be a deliberate action with other reasons.

"...No, sir, I only...was helped by him once, so..."

Mark gave a hesitant explanation.

He thought Charne would look disappointed, because the other person seemed to think that he had a deeper connection with the Rookie Knight and that he had come to him because he wanted to contact the Rookie Knight.

But not Charné.

Instead, the other person raised their eyelids and said in a slightly raised voice with a hint of amusement:

"Oh—I see. It was a trivial 'favor,' and you, driven by that emotion, did something that was not as prudent as you usually are."

Charn looked very pleased.

"Do you know how many invitations the Knight of the Rookie has rejected from companies and knightly orders?"

"No, to be precise, it's not even a matter of rejection, because some people can't even be contacted. Sometimes, even if they're right in front of you, they'll disappear in the blink of an eye."

“I have a deep understanding of his style, after all, I met him during the preliminary rounds.”

The topic changed, and under this topic, Mark, as a lower-level employee, had no say or right to speak.

This is just Charné's one-sided explanation of his own ideas.

Do you know what this behavior means?

However, Mark, who had previously worked as a corporate manager, was still able to answer some of the questions he posed.

"Will they be at a disadvantage compared to other riders with corporate backing? I understand that..."

Mark also had times when he traveled around looking for newcomers willing to accept his sponsorship and become his corporate knights.

Unfortunately, in the end, he was not noticed by those more capable competitors because his company was too small.

The ambitious newcomers also looked down on him.

"His rejection of corporations and the Knights of Favonius seems a lot like some contestants who are full of passion and attempt to revive the chivalrous spirit of the old era?"

Charn then said what Mark had originally intended to say.

Refusing sponsorship simply because the other party isn't wealthy enough, or the Knights aren't powerful enough, is understandable.

Those who refuse to agree to be courted by various large corporations are mostly the type of players that Charné mentioned.

"But that's not actually the case. The reason he didn't want backup support or colleagues to fight alongside him, and instead fought alone, wasn't for those 'glories' or 'spirits' that had already been relegated to the sidelines."

Charne explained the difference between the vegetable knight and the other knights.

"The 'Vegetable Knight' chose that interesting title and wore a simple suit of armor that served no purpose other than concealing his identity, simply because he was full of confidence in his own strength. And his latest match showed that he came here seeking 'battle'."

"He doesn't care about honor, wealth, or fame, just like the Blood Knight back then, who sought nothing but battle. However, he might be much more approachable than the Blood Knight."

"Because the audience won't be afraid of him, and you won't be afraid of him either. The only ones who will be afraid of him are his opponents on the other side."

Charne's recognition and appreciation of the novice knights was completely different from those knights mentioned earlier who fought for "outdated honors".

"Um...yes, he even jokes that he became stronger by drinking milk."

Mark had heard about this before, so he smiled apologetically and brought it up.

"Ah—speaking of which, Mr. Markowitz, do you know which company produces that milk?"

Charné, as if just remembering this, continued to ask Mark.

Seeing the other person's completely clueless expression, he answered himself with satisfaction:

"It's a product from your Swoma company."

Mark was stunned. He didn't know the whole story, but he knew that if that was the case, then as a well-known figure, the endorsement of Cai Qishi would undoubtedly be beneficial to the company.

"But unfortunately—I asked your president, and he said he has never contacted Cai Knight."

If that's the case, Charné wouldn't have needed to go through all that trouble to approach Mark in the first place.

"Do you understand? Some people would turn their noses up at him even if he asked them for help, but he can do endorsement work without expecting anything in return, even though he himself may not be aware of it."

"And your company received a large number of new shareholders in just one day, all because of one sentence he said."

"This is the economic effect of 'chicken racing'."

"Cial said with a sigh."

"The competition creates influential and well-known players, who then collaborate with companies to leverage their influence and generate profits for those companies. In turn, the business alliances formed by these companies further strengthen Knights Esports."

The conversation seems to be going in circles.

Mark couldn't understand why the other party didn't immediately end the dinner when he revealed that he had no connection with the Knight.

The things we're talking about now are completely foreign to him, a lowly employee.

When I'm in a manager's position, I might consider these things.

But there's no need for that now.

"Um...sir...I..."

“Alright, Mr. Markowitz, I know you’re confused right now, thinking you have nothing to do with all this, but let me tell you, you’re underestimating yourself—you’re capable of doing all this.”

Charné interrupted Mark, then, in a gentle tone, "commanded":

"I hope you can contact Cai Knight again as soon as possible and encourage him to accept the company's 'invitation' as soon as possible."

"what!?"

The unexpected burden was thus placed on his shoulders by a powerful figure he could not resist.

So much so that he suddenly stood up, then his legs went weak and he collapsed back into the soft chair.

"But... such famous and powerful knights are usually poached by senior personnel from the human resources department... I can only recruit... ordinary newcomers at most..."

"What are you talking about? Who said you were asking me to invite him on behalf of Swoma Company?"

In response to Mark's refusal, Charné snapped his fingers as he spoke, and then several suitcases, along with serious-looking office workers wearing sunglasses, entered the room, each carrying a large suitcase.

"It's to poach him for your own company."

Mark, still reeling from the shock, watched as the men opened the box at Charné's beck and call.

Inside were mountains of Kasimir gold certificates, as well as all sorts of badges and bonds.

"...What? My own company?"

Mark is completely unable to react to the current situation.

He could only stare blankly as Charné, with a beaming smile, said things he had never imagined.

"Yes, Mr. Markowitz, you have been laid off from Swoma Corporation and are now preparing to start your own business as a freelance entrepreneur."

"And the reason you were able to make a change is entirely because of the help you received from the Rookie Knight. It made you choose to bet your money on the Rookie Knight, and the money you won gave you the opportunity to make a comeback."

"Now, your new business, like other businesses in Kazimierz, needs a knight—or a group of knights—to support you, and you intend to extend an invitation to that rookie knight who has rejected countless large corporations."

Markowitz's life came to an abrupt end because of a phone call.

Then, an unexpected path was laid out for us by someone who acted irrationally.

Then, someone wound it up completely, removed the brakes, and placed Markowitz himself on the road.

He was now stuck in a rut, unable to express any "thank you" or any protest.

But Charn was still rambling on.

"Capital and fame hold little appeal for him, but he would readily lend a helping hand to a company employee or endorse a brand."

“Common things are not suitable for inviting him, but the connections formed through personal relationships are more influential than those things.”

Charne smiled as he looked at Markowitz, whose face clearly showed his helplessness:

"Your expression is the same. I think it's more effective for him than those corporate agents who are full of confidence and arrogance."

[Main Text] Terra's World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament. Debate Chapter: Chapter 53 Promise me you'll become my lackey, okay?

The value of what's in front of me is beyond counting.

Charn didn't seem to care much.

The office building property certificate, the startup capital, a full range of permits, and the sunglasses-wearing office workers that Charné said he could treat like employees...

In any case, it's not comparable to the "money he won through a single upset" that he had planned.

But now he doesn't even have the courage or boldness to raise his doubts, and can only remain in a "pathetic state" being ridiculed by the other party.

The other party spends a fortune and easily changes their future and life, not for their own benefit.