The Conference
Krauss: Ridiculos. ...Is it possible that you all ttruly believe in Father's Legend of the Gold?
Rudolf: ...The theory about a witch who gave him the gold and so forth, we obviously don't believe. However, there's no mistake about the gold.
Eva: The fact that Father obtained gold bars from an unknown source can be confirmed in several ways. We heard that, before the president of the Marusoo company died, Father showed him a large amount of gold somewhere. Father used that claim to prove that that there were 10 tons worth.
Krauss: That's just the nonsense of a senile old man. Along with Father, he was just fabricating a story. You can't take it seriously.
Hideyoshi: If that gold didn't exist, he wouldn't have been able to gather so much funding...! Before the president died, he was a person withc such a sincere personality that he gathered the respect from many in the business world. He couldn't have become a partner in such a fraud...!
Rudolf: Aniki, the president of Marusoo definitely saw it. 10 tons of it, clearly with his own eyes. Even more, father let the president take one ingot at random and have it examined. The result of the examination showed that the 10 kilograms ingot was 99.99 percent pure. He said that the Ushiromiya family crest, the One-winged Eagle, was carved into it.
Eva: Almost instantly, the Ushiromiya Legend of the Gold spread amongst the fixers of the business world. Gold from an unknown foundry has a poor rate of conversion into money. Thinking that it was a chance fro decisive profits, they accepted it as collateral, and as a result Father was able to receive a giant loan...
Krauss: Isn't there a limit to how ridiculous you can get? ...How old are you people? Are you still taking that nursery tale you heard as a kid seriously? Where is the proof that this 10 tons worth of gold even exists? Isn't it just the lies of Father and those who were closest to him?
Rudolf: ...Of course it's just a story. But still, Aniki. The amount of money that Father raised required a suitabçe quantity of collateral. Even if the gold was just a rumor, that he must have shown them a treasure of comparable worth is an unmistakable truth.
Krauss: It was just an illusion of money created by our penniless father. He made it seem that non-existent gold actually existed and fooled his sponsors. It was probably the gamble of a lifetime. ...Fortunately, his use of those funds proved successful. If the Korean war demands hadn't come and the Ushiromiya family had not been restored, Father would probably have been hounded after as the crook of the century.
Hideyoshi: In that case, are you saying that the gold never existed, and that Father made it all up?
Krauss: Of course. Therefore, after he was sufficiently successful, the illusion of gold became inconvenient. So Father made up that absurd story about the witch and black magic and made the whole thing seem less believable. In other words, he revealed that the illusion of gold was fabricated. If he says that he received the gold from a witch, no one would believe that it exists at all, right? He possibly said it for all of your sakes. Nevertheless, some stupid offspring wanting to divide up this non-existent gold with the rest of the inheritance have appreared. ...Rosa, don't tell me that even you believe this kind of a fabrication...?
Rosa: ...I can't prove whether or not Father really has the gold. However, as one of father's four children, I just want to claim my rightful share.
Krauss: Ho... It looks like even Rosa's started to say it. Alright, maybe this is what you all want to say: that I am trying to keep all of the gold to myself...
Eva: Nii-san, the fact is that you've obtained a massive amount of funding. If we rule out the possibility that you have been embezzling Father's personal funds, then there's only one possibility left, right?
Rudolf: Aniki, maybe you have already found the 10 tons of gold bars. It sure looks that way to us.
Krauss: Ridiculous. Something like that never existed in the first place.
Eva: Then explain yourself. Embezzlement of Father's assets or Father's hidden gold. How could you have gathered so much funding if you didn't use one of these?
Krauss: I also have many friends in the political world and the financial world. I have done nothing more than gain their assistance. ...And as to that, I have no responsibility to explain it to you. You understand, don't you? There are some topics that can't be talked about.
Rudolf: ...If you insist on it, that's alright. But Aninki, Father doesn't have long. Nobody can ensure that he will live to see this day next year. When Father dies, the inheritance will be passed on. We will all set up impartial lawyers and accountants to inspect Father's financial and political status.
Eva: If, at that time, the fact that our brother has unjustly interfered with Father's money comes to light... you understand, right?
Krauss: I don't have a clue what you're talking about. You're starting to make me feel as indignant as my wife was.
Hideyoshi: ...Father's gold is definitely one of Father's assets! I understand that it's money that you can't reveal openly, but the four siblings should have an equal right to it.
Rudolf: In short, even though you are our brother, we will have your finantial situation investigated to determine whether or not you are hoarding the gold.
Eva: Isn't this a good opportunity. Prove the existence of this backup from friends and acquaintances that you mentioned. If you are innocent, we can sportingly apologize for foolishly doubting you. Right, Rosa?
Rosa: ...That's right. Krauss nii-san, you are the one who's avoiding the topic. If you were guiltless, you could just prove that you were in the right. Yet you aren't even trying to respond.
Rudolf: However, Aniki, we still have to consider your position here. As Father's representative, you're probably bearing a larger share of the burden than we are. It wouldn't be fair for the rest of us, who have been living terribly relaxed lives until now, were to complain without taking that into account.
Krauss: ...Ho. Until just now I've been busy being spoken ill of and being flattered. Please get to the point.
Hideyoshi: In short... randomly investigating nit-picky aspects of Father's wealth seems a fairly inefficient way to do it. As you said, Krauss nii-san, there may also be movements of money that are difficult to explain. Upon understanding that, we have come to consult with you. ...A mutually beneficial consultation.
Krauss: Consultation? Ho.
Rudolf: ...When the inheritance is distributed, you will be rewarded for your years of hard work taking care of Dad by an agreement that is generous in your favor.
Eva: Don't misunderstand us, Nii-san. It's not like we are saying that we will abandon our rights. It's just that when we claim what we deserve, it wouldn't be bad if we allow a generous understanding from your position. That's what we mean.
Hideyoshi: In other words, if you'll accept our conditions, at the time of the division of the inheritance, we won't mind leaving the investigation of Father's financial status to you, Krauss nii-san.
All of the siblings from Eva downward suspected that Krauss was trying to steal their father's wealth. In that situation, letting Krauss report on the state of their father's wealth by himself was extremely contradictory and a huge concession.
If, as they claimed, Krauss was actually embezzling money, Krauss would be able to hide that fact. Besides that, it would also be possible for him to control the distribution of the inheritance in a manner favorable to himself.
Krauss, also realizing that this sounded to good to be true, couldn't help but feel doubt... He had to worry about what kind of collateral they had to make this kind of a compromise...
Krauss: ...Hoh. After mistrusting me completely, you now say that you're willing to restore your confidence in me as the eldest sibling? And what are you asking for?
Rudolf: Just what we deserve as siblings. ...You aren't the kind of person who would steal Father's property. However, there is no patron financing you. ...Considering all that, there is a certain explanation that would satisfy the rest of us.
Eva: ...Nii-san, you found 10 tons of gold and udes that as collateral to gather some funding. ...Yes, just like Father did in the past, right?
Hideyoshi: If that's the case, there won't be any funny bits in Father's finances. You've always been a good son, lookin' after Father. Why would we mistrust a person like that?
Krauss: ...You're being so roundabout I can barely understand you. Say it more clearly and pratically.
Rudolf: Our first condition: Aniki, you must admit that you have found Father's gold.
Krauss: ..Are you asking me to admit that I possess gold that does not exist?
Eva: Our second condition: Regarding the gold, take each sibling's portion and pay it to us.
Krauss: How foolish. With the non-existant 20 billion yen of gold, that would be 5 billion yen per person. Are you telling me to pay a total of 15 billion yen? ...Ridiculous!
Hideyoshi: Keep listening until the end! We know that much money can't just appear out of nowhere. We're not asking you to make an impossible deal! Of course, regardin' the portions of the gold, we plan to reward you sufficiently for your hard work until now in our calculations.
Eva: Our third condition: The portion of the gold tp the one bearing the tittle of successor to the Ushiromiya main family will be 50%. The remainder will be split fairly between the siblings. Of course, this also includes you, Krauss nii-san.
Rudolf: Of the 20 billion, 12.5 billions will go to Aniki, 2.5 billion will go to Eva nee-san 2.5 billion will go to me, and 2.5 will go to Rosa.
Krauss: ...That portion makes me so grateful I could cry. So you're saying, for the sake of the gold that doesn't exist, I must pay you 7.5 billion.
Eva: What's wrong? Nii-san, your share is five times the size of ours. That's such a good condition, I'd be jumping for joy. Uhuhuhu...
Rudolf: Our fourth condition: The divided gold will be included when the inheritance is distributed at the time of Father's death. However, as a deposit, 10% of our portions will be paid to us promptly. The payment must be made before March of next year.
Hideyoshi: ...What do you think, Krauss nii-san? This is an ideal chance for you to restore the trust you need to run Father's assets, isn't it?! Of course, it might be impossible to get a whole 7.5 billion before Father dies. However, you can't say that you couldn't manage a deposit of 750 million, right?
Rudolf: Paying 700 million in half a year might be slightly bothersome, but Aniki, who has many friends in the political and business spheres, should be able to manage it.
Eva: Normally, I'd hope to receive the 7.5 billion right now, all at once. But out of concern for you, I'll show my sincerity by asking for only ten percent of that for the time being. It's alright to let the remaining 90 percent carry over until the distribution of the inheritance. ...Right? With ten percent to show sincerity, even you would notice it.
Krauss: ...So my right to investigate the status of Father's assets is being sold to me for 750 million. ...Hehehe. Isn't that great? You all sure have grown. I never thought you all would become capable of offering a deal to me.
Eva: Nii-san, if you accept these, the rest of us siblings will leave the investigation of Father's assets to you. However, the results of that investigation will be subject to protest... It's only natural, right? We'd be sad if you adjusted our portion of 7.5 billion downwards.
Rudolf: As a general rule, we wouldn't complain. As long as you do it neatly, it's fine. ...As long as you don't do anything significantly obvious, we don't plan to aggravate anything. We just want the inheritance quickly. We don't want it to get all drawn out and led astray.
Krauss: ...In the case of a complain, who would do the second investigation?
Rosa: ...It's alright if it is you. This will probably be the first and last opportunity for the siblings to discuss this. ...I believe that it won't come to that.
Eva: Hehe. *cackle* Rosa really can talk sometimes.
That Krauss was completely not trusted as the oldest sibling is so obvious at this point that there's no need to explain it. The formerly tyrannical oldest brother would always abuse his privileges and violate the other siblings' shares.
...Compared to that, the other three, who had become adults, were only now striking back at him for the first time, and only by working together...
Hideyoshi: I'm sorry, but there are further conditions. Our fifth condition: This decision must take precedence over Father's will. ...Later on, we don't want some will to appear and make this decision completely useless.
Krauss: ...I see that you're very cautious. ...Then let me ask, if the gold really were found, what would you do?
Rudolf: As long as you settle this matter with the corresponding payment, the rest of us "really" don't care whether the gold appears or not. ...You can think of our share as an advance payment.
Eva: *giggle* It's alright to dream. You plan to turn this island into a resort, right? During construction, you might stumble upon the gold by chance.
Eva let out a high-pitched laugh. Krauss watched without even flinching.
Krauss: ...Let me add a 7th condition before I accept. In the situation that any sibling other than myself finds the gold, they will immediately turn it over to me.
Eva: Yes, yes. Of course, we'll hold onto it for you. *giggle*
It was a play on words. The others, who were forcing Krauss to pay money for some nonexistent gold, would of course not ensure Krauss's portion if they actually found the gold. From the beginning, this deal had been nothing more than a threat directed at Krauss.
While the truth might be different, the possibility that Krauss was embezzling his father's assets was extremely high.
When at last Kinzo faced death and the inheritance would be distributed, surely unpleasant facts would be established. That situation would likely be a fatal wound to Krauss.
They had snatched up that weak point and, under the veil of compromise, were threatening their brother to try and wring out a huge sum of money.
...However, they had let one thing slip. The three of them had forgotten that their oldest sibling, who they couldn't defeat unless they banded together, was very crafty and had a swiftly spinning brain.
Krauss, noticing that Eva, sure of her victory, could not hide her smile, relaxedly let out a gloating laugh as he spoke.
Krauss: Hahaha. Isn't that a great story? ...I also have felt a deep pain in my heart at my estrangement from the rest of you. If by accepting these conditions, the relationship between the siblings could once again become friendly, I would be quite pleased. I'll join in on this with pleasure. ...Be happy, Rosa. The deal is concluded.
Rosa: ......
Rosa's expression dimmed. ...When her brother started talking like this, the conversation would never change for the better.
...Eva was also sensitive enough to realize this. Therefore, even though Krauss had obediently accepted the deal, she was unable to wipe away her feeling of insecurity.
Eva: ...My, how obedient. That's not like you, Nii-san.
Krauss: That's harsh. You think I have an ulterior motive? Of course there isn't one. Just the same as all of you.
"Just the same as all of you." It felt as though only that part was emphasized.
The color of Rudolf's face darkened. He heard it as "I have an idea at the same level as yours".
That gave him a sense of urgency. Trying to bring this near-finished discussion to a conclusion, he rushed to wrap it up.
Rudolf: ...Then we are good. ...So, Aniki. Would you mind signing here? This is a written contract containing the discussion we have been having. There's one for each person. Everyone will sign for the same contents.
Rudolf took four written contracts out of his breast pocket that had the details of their deal written on them.
Hideyoshi: The seventh condition that Krauss nii-san proposed will, of course, be added from now on. Don't worry.
Rudolf: Aniki, will you use a pen?
Rudolf took a fountain pen out of his breast pocket and offered it to Krauss.
Krauss made as if to accept it, but then, with a small laugh, drew back his hand without taking it and spoke.
Krauss: ...Actually, in order to make sure this agreement is definitely effective, I would like to propose a single amendment.
When Krauss said that one sentence... All of the siblings felt as though something annoying was creeping up their backs at the same time.
Eva: ...Tha-That won't do. We've already decided, haven't we? Quietly sign it.
Krauss: Eva, why are you so impatient? Of course I will sign. I'll promise that your share of the gold will be 7.5 billion yen. I also promise that, when Father's inheritance is distributed, I will cleanly and neatly liquidate it. ...However, in one part, there is a point that I cannot compromise on no matter what.
Rudolf: ...What are you talking about? What point don't you like...?
Krauss: The part about promptly paying ten percent of each portion, 750 million yen. As you pointed out, my political and financial status is not prosperous. While I can ensure that I will definitely collect on various future investments, at this time I have no choice but to admit that I am very poor. In short, I have absolutely no money that I can move around right now. I am incompetent, and my business skills and senses are dull. Since I am as weak as you all have said, I have no power to move 750 million in just half a year.
Eva: Tha-That can't be true. Are you trying to deceive us with such a careless trick?
Krauss: At the time of the division of the inheritance, I will liquidate everything at once. Remove the condition that I must pay you ten percent in advance. ...That is the only situation I am willing to sign under.
Hideyoshi: ...Krauss nii-san, that ten percent is nothin' more than a number to measure your sincerity, isn't it? There shouldn't really be any room for argument on this deal. We're doin' you a favor by offerin' to let things slide for just ten percent in good faith money. Now that you understand that, rejectin' our offer would seriously damage our trusting relationship, yes...?
Hideyoshi had a humble expression on his face and was rubbing his hands together, but his eyes were not calm at all. ...Krauss had already seen through the shadow in the depths of those eyes.
Krauss: ...Hmph. Why are you all so hurried? Or are you possibly afraid of something? ...Rosa, won't you tell at least me? ...Secretly, without telling the rest of the siblings.
Rosa: ...It-It's not like I...
Rudolf: Quit it, Aniki. All we're asking is whether you're going to sign or not. Just forget about making any strange deals or anything suspicious.
Krauss: ...Hoh? So I have no margin for negotiation. ...Do you claim that my position is so weak that we are not in an even relationship...?
Shiver began to crawl up Rudolf's back... He began to feel himself getting sucked in by the height of his brother's completely insurmountable wall and that long shadown which had existed since they were children...
Krauss: Shoudln't this deal be made on an even footing? To me, this deal will restore the long lost trust of my younger brother and sisters and deepen the love between siblings. And there has been an uneasiness in my heart to have this resolved quickly. I would be very happy if it could be resolved today. ...But you too would be very happy if this deal were quickly resolved, wouldn't you...?
Krauss stared at each of the siblings. ...They avoided his gaze with animal-like instinct. Only Hideyoshi was slow avoiding it. ...So he was caught in Krauss's gaze.
Krauss: Hideyoshi-san. I hear that your company has been going extremely well recently, hasn't it? With swift rhythm it has become listed as a stock, and both its performance and stock prices have soared. I am truly jealous.
Eva: ...M-My husband's situation has nothing to do with this.
Krauss: However, it is unfortunate that you have neglected your stockholders. It's also horrible that you were unable to solidify your base when you became stock-listed. ...Before you realized it, some bad-natured colleagues of yours bad bought up a huge share of your company's stock, didn't they?
Hideyoshi: ...H-How could you know something like that...
Krauss: The same way as Hideyoshi-san. If you can collect exidence proving that no one would offer a loan to me, then I can collect evidence on Hideyoshi-san. Hahaha, is it really that strange of a thing?
Krauss grinned broadly. ...In contrast, Hideyoshi's face was turning obviously pale...
Hideyoshi's company was a fast food chain management company that he had started from nothing. Through Hideyoshi's managemnet efforts, performance of the business repeatedly rose and manginified, and recently a petition to make it a stock-listed company succeeded.
The greatest advantage of being in the stock-holding system was that, by selling stock certificates, a large amount of financing could be gained.
That amount was far greated than the actual profits from the business. This made it an extremely effective way to gather the massive funds needed to grow his company even further.
However, in exchange for finacing the company, the stockholders had certain rights. That was, in order to give the company that they had financed even greater profit, they had the right to observe and control it.
...That right was guaranteed to all stockholders, and they would sometimes use it to dismiss ineffectual management. It was the "right" to prevent the money they had spent financing the comany from going to waste by watching the management of the company.
However, if they use this right forcibly, they can eject the former management and take over the company.
...Because the general body of all shareholders has the power to dismiss the management and nominate new management.
That power is determined based on the majority decision of the stockholders. And people who hold more stock get to cast more votes.
In other words, if some person or group holds a majority of the stock, they can freely chase out the old management and make the president anyone they would like. If they want, it is also possible for them to make themselves president.
In many companies, their stock gets bought up by malicious people and, in order to prevent their position from being threatened, they made their own employees or people close to them buy a lot of stock certificates. To prevent hostile action from being taken by the majority, they try to take some kind of defensive measures.
However, since Hideyoshi's company had only recently become stock-listed, he hadn't had the time to strengthen those defensive measures.
No, maybe Hideyoshi himself was so engrossed in the management of his company that he couldn't realize the dangers of being stock-listed.
It's hard to say whether he should be viewed as a kind-hearted and skilled manager immersed in management, or a foolish manager who had his feet swept out from under him...
...There were people out there who would not let him get away with that naivety unscathered.
They began repeatedly buying up Hideyoshi's company's stock and suddenly gained such strength that they couldn't be ignored. They then sent annymous documents to the shareholders and began to capture the majority.
The documents read: "The current management continues to make pointless investments and is ignoring the needs of the stockholders. Let us force the current management to retire, but the current wasted investments, and let this company be born again as one that gives more back to the stockholders."
It is very difficult to make the actual state of a company's management known. ...The success creater by Hideyoshi's tiny amount of sleep and his constant concern for his company was cruelly twisted, and he lost the trust of his stockholders.
Their efforts had almost collected a majority of the stock in the company.
...At that point, even Hideyoshi noticed and started to buy back the stock, but the stock holders, who realized that the company was undergoing an acquisition maneuver, demanded a ridiculous price for the shares that Hideyoshi was trying to buy back.
They continually tortured Hideyosho, who had no leeway in the negotiation of the price.
Once of the certainties of capitalism is that value will rise when both parties vie for the same thing. And one of the certainties of democracy is that the majority controls everything.
So in the end, whoever manages to buy up the most stock wins. ...So whoever has the most money wins.
If Hideyoshi could obtain a large sum of money at this critical time, he would be able to avoid losing all of that which he had built up...
Therefore, more than anything else, he wanted a lot of money right now...! He couldn't wait for the division of Kinzo's inheritance, which could happen at any time.
Krauss: And you, Rudolf, you've been in a lot of trouble lately, haven't you? They say it's scary overseas, but it seems that's really true. American trials are settled quite emotionnally. They won't give a generous judgement to a foreigner. ...Weren't you advised by your lawyer that making a settlement with the other party would be more economical in the end?
Kyrie: ...What are you talking about...?
Rudolf: ...Well, it's some trouble from work. It's no big deal. It'll be settled with money...
Kyrie quickly recognized what Rudolf's complicated expression meant. ...Her husband had gotten wrapped up in some king of trouble without her knowledge, and had been suffering alone.
Krauss: That's right. In this world, anything can be settled with money. After all, it can even buy back the broken bonds between siblings! America is very fussy about the violation of rights. But with money, anything can be settled. Long live capitalism. ...Although it's rumored that the settlement money can reach several million dollars, isn't it?
Rudolf had been building a large amount of wealth with a certain type of niche market. ...However, a niche is a niche. It's definitely not a sunny job.
An American corporate giant was trying to accuse Rudolf's company of violating their rights. For various reasons, it was thought that winning the trial was extremely unlikely, and Rudolf went for an all-out surrender.
...But even that was a path resolved with money. If he could only pay that money, though it might be painful, he could still pick himself back up.
...But if he didn't pay, he'd lose everything. Therefore, more than anything else, he wanted a lot of money right now...!
Krauss: ...Rosa, you're a good and noble little sister. You wouldn't even touch a dangerous money game. ...However, your softhearted nature was your ruin, wasn't it...? I wouldn't think one should agree to become a co-signer so ligthly.
Rosa: Nn... umm... Th-That has nothing to do with you, Krauss nii-san!
Rosa uncharacteristically lay bare her emotions and yelled. ...There's no way he could know. As Krauss watched, he let slip a muffled laugh...
...Without exception. Every one of them, more than anything else, wanted a lot of money right now...!
In other words, the situation had been reversed. Because only Krauss, who they were threatening, had no urgent need for a large sum of money. Compared to that, the three who were threatening him wanted money quickly, no matter what the cost.
So Krauss was able to control this deal however he liked.
Krauss was very sly. He had known of their Achilles heel from the beginning. Even so, he had not been certain.
Therefore, he had hidden that until the very end, and, upon closely and completely examining their attitude, he had struck back.
Krauss: If I could, I would love to raise some money for my cute brother and sisters in their time of need. ...But unfortunately, I have nothing on hand. ...If you have any sponsors in mind that can raise a whole 750 million, I suggest you try there first.
Krauss' elated words were horribly blunt. The other siblings could no nothing more than listen, grinding their teeth.
...If they could think of a sponsor that convenient, they wouldn't have kept up this charade. They had enteredt this huge battle specifically because they had exhausted all other options.
Krauss: ...If you're still set on relying on your older brother, you can use my influence to find a sponsor. ...Oh wait, you already said that I have no influence. Well then, I can't do anything, can I? ...Hehehe!
Krauss' low, gloating laugh began to fill the parlor. The younger siblings who had, until now, been driving the oldest brother into a corner, could do nothing more than grimace and grind their teeth...
Hideyoshi: ...E-Eva...
Eva: ...Don't make me laugh... As if I could borrow from you...! Don't make me laugh... Don't make me laugh...!
Rosa: ...If... if we relied on you, how would you help us...
Krauss: I told you, didn't I? All I can do is find other sponsors for you. Of course, I will negotiate for the largest interest rate possible. Hehehe!
Rudolf: ...Damn you... taking advantage of us...
Kyrie: ...Honey. Please calm down.
Rudolf: I am calm. I'm extremely cool. ...You bastard...!
Kyrie grabbed her husband's hand. But that action made him feel even more pitiful, so Rudolf shook it off. ...Krauss laughed as though seeing that made him extremely happy.
Krauss: In times like these, it sure would be nice to find Father's hidden gold. If you did, you could split it up into 2.5 billion yen portions right now. How sad, how sad. How very sad! How extremely totally truly hopelessly sad! ...Tonight, as all the siblings drink together, let us solve the riddle of Beatrice's hidden gold. If we combine four friendly siblings, there is surely no puzzle that can't be solved. ...Hahahaha!
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