The next day Zel boards a shuttle bus for Hakone, and he feels the strain on his mana reserves as the projection gets farther away. Archer asks the front desk to get him when the S&A lawyer arrives before joining the crowd of foreign dignitaries for the Sakuradite Summit.
It is a fairly informative conference. The opening speech from Chairman James, a middle aged Britannian, drives home just how pervasive Sakuradite has become in modern society. The ore is a major component in every electrical system and caused battery's performance and efficiency to skyrocket to the point where renewable energies eclipsed fossil fuels and allowed the development of Knightmare Frames. Being It is no wonder it's considered a strategic resource.
Secondly, the long presentations of the global use of Sakuradite make for a good lesson in geography. Ougi was thourough, but going over this new world certainly doesn't hurt.
The negotiations over the ore's global allocation polite but one-sided. With the conquest of Japan, The vast majority of the ore's production is in Brittania's hands, leaving the EU with just enough cover its needs and that of his close allies, the Middle Eastern Federation. Every other country must negotiate with the Empire, receiving bread crumbs in exchange for outrageous trade agreements or the right for the Britannian army to move within their territory.
"This is blatant extortion," a pink haired girl mutters in indignation before she's shushed by her neighbour.
Indeed, it's like a medieval Lord levying taxes after a bad harvest and magnanimously taking the farmer's daughter rather than make the entire family starve. Economic terrorism at the highest level.
"Is this seat taken?" Someone says, sitting down before he can answer.
Archer's thought process crashes and burns.
His drinks up the lush figure that appeared at his side. The long legs, flat stomach and the vast expanse of cleavage offered to his sight. For some reason, his eyes can't move away from the last.
Suddenly, he is very hungry once again.
A friendly chuckle breaks the spell and he finally manage to drags his eyes up. He doesn't regret it for a single instant, the woman's face is as lovely as her body. She arches an eyebrows knowingly "Mister Archer, I presume?"
It clicks. "You're from Sagittarius?"
"Indeed. Urd Weinberg, Attorney at law."
"A pleasure." They shake hand and he marvels at how soft her skin is. He fights off the sudden urge to kiss it, but only just.
She leans into him. "My boss told me there was a very special client in dire need of our best prestation. "So I flew halfway across the world to meet him. Shall we adjourn to somewhere more... private?" She purrs hotly, like a promise to grant the transfixed man's every wishes.
Archer suppresses a shiver.
[]Oh yeah, private sounds good. The room's upstairs should do nicely. Superb view. Great minibar. Large bed. So many possibilities.
[]Whoah there, this is supposed to be a professionnal meeting. Come on Archer, get your head straight! Still, upstairs is the best place for this talk, up we go.
[] Um, well. How about staying right here and listen to the summit for now? It's actually pretty interesting and all the witnesses might keep him from doing something he might regret.
Might.
[]Write-in.
