Chương 77: The Crab Overlord of Another World

Roland looked over the sheep's shoulder and saw Renee standing behind it.

This relieved her.

I thought it was someone else, but it turns out it was little Renee.

After straightening the sheep's collar, she walked up to Renee.

Then I saw the breakfast that Renee was holding, and my heart warmed.

"Thank you, Renee, for bringing me breakfast."

As he spoke, a [Mage's Hand] took the tray from Renee's hands and then picked her up.

"But I got up early today, let's go downstairs to eat together."

The sheep behind quickly followed, and then they saw Renee's puffed-up little face and couldn't help but ask.

"Rennie, what's wrong? Did something upset you?"

……

Breakfast went smoothly, except that Renee was a little unhappy and it took Roland five minutes to coax her.

After the meal, everyone returned to their respective posts.

Roland also sat at her desk on the third floor, reading the latest news.

Just then, the sheep that had just gone out ran back in.

"Miss Roland, something terrible has happened!"

"Princess Elizabeth's Crab King has officially opened, just one block away from us."

Roland's expression remained unchanged as she gestured for the two to sit down.

"Why are you so nervous? Didn't we already know this news?"

"You also said that Elizabeth's cracked recipe doesn't taste as good as ours."

Jenny, who followed in later, added upon hearing this.

"Miss Roland, Princess Elizabeth's Krabby Patty certainly can't compare to ours in terms of taste."

"So she developed a new product that I think has a huge impact on our fast food industry."

As she spoke, she took out a tin can.

The canned food is similar to luncheon meat cans on Earth, but larger and metallic gray-white in color.

The logo on the front is a promotional label that is clearly a copy of the Roland logo.

A chibi-style head of Elizabeth surrounded by elegant royal runes.

Below it is engraved a prominent steel church emblem.

Jenny placed the tin can on Roland's desk and said.

"Miss Roland, this is a can of crab meat launched by Princess Elizabeth. Please take a look."

Roland picked up the can and began to examine it.

Thanks to the existence of alchemy, the smelting of ordinary iron in this world is very simple.

The packaging quality of the canned food is in no way inferior to that on Earth, but the lack of a pull tab makes it seem rather inconvenient.

Jenny handed Roland a can opener at just the right moment.

As soon as Roland opened the can, a faint fishy smell wafted out.

The canned crab meat was roughly cut into rectangles and soaked in seaweed crab oil, making it rather unappetizing.

Roland reached out and poked it; it was limp and had only undergone simple processing.

It should be fine to eat it directly, but it definitely won't taste very good.

Spices in this world are still quite expensive and cannot be used in mass-produced products.

"This is a can of luncheon meat. How many coppers does Elizabeth sell a can of this for?"

Jenny replied.

"Six copper coins, Miss Roland."

Upon hearing this, Roland couldn't hold back any longer and exclaimed in surprise.

"Six, six copper coins? That much crab meat?"

"How did you do that? Jenny, show me the information quickly."

Jenny stepped forward and handed the intelligence report she was holding to Roland.

Roland carefully perused the pages, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

Mass production of seaweed crabs, magical catalysis, and alchemy for mass production of canned goods...

These are all areas of expertise for Wayne Enterprises.

"Sigh... No wonder he became the company president and saintess at such a young age."

"Miss Roland, excuse me, Princess Elizabeth is almost thirty years old."

"ha?"

Roland let out a strange cry and looked at Jenny, who had spoken.

"Then why is she so short? Did she not have milk to drink when she was little... No, the key thing now is this can of crab meat."

"Has this thing spread among ordinary people yet?"

This time it was the sheep's turn to nod.

"It's already spread; this cheap canned meat is very appealing to ordinary people."

"Many employees overheard people discussing the feasibility of making their own hamburgers."

She looked worried and said.

"We expect that in three or four days, the number of customers at the Krusty Krab will decrease significantly."

"Miss Roland, how should we deal with this?"

After speaking, the sheep looked at Roland, and Jenny next to her also cast an inquiring glance.

Roland gave a wry smile.

What could she possibly do?

Small workshops have little ability to resist large corporations; the realities of the world have already provided countless answers to this question.

Fortunately, the economic mechanism of this world relies on supernatural power.

Even if the Krusty Krab doesn't make money, the dividends from Pink Harbor and Stabilizer will still make Roland a fortune.

The more Elizabeth's [Crab King] expands, the more stabilizing potions she consumes.

The more dividends she receives, the higher her share will be.

Seeing Roland's expression, Jenny hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Should we also launch related products? With Miss Sheep's formula, our canned food will taste better than Princess Elizabeth's."

"Can't."

Roland shook her head.

"If we also shift our focus to canned goods, we'll fall right into Elizabeth's trap."

"She used Wayne Enterprises' advanced magical technology and sheer size to suppress us in the industrial chain."

"No matter how hard we try, we can't bridge this gap."

Jenny, after all, was once a country girl and did not have the worldview of Roland.

Hearing Roland's words, she asked in confusion.

"Miss Roland, we can sell the same amount of crab meat for six copper coins while maintaining the same taste, and we can still make a profit."

"Jenny, our seaweed crab farm doesn't produce that much."

"Roland said, beginning her explanation in a teaching tone.

"The Krusty Krab's Krab has a base price of ten copper coins, which makes most ordinary people regard it as a delicious and nutritious supplement."

"Canned crab meat is positioned as an ingredient."

"Almost everyone who can afford it will buy a can, and this market demand will directly overwhelm our material supply."

Roland pushed the can forward, gesturing for the two of them to look at it.

"If we also make canned food, and the Krusty Krab has production problems, Elizabeth will seize the opportunity to take over the market."

"By then, we won't be able to do business on either side."

Jenny hesitated before speaking.

"We could also expand the crab farm..."

Roland sighed and said.

"It's no use. It can't compare to Elizabeth's assembly line. I'm afraid I'll have to beg her again then."

The thought of that possibility sent a chill down her spine.

Roland quickly shook her head to dispel the strange feeling and turned to look at the sheep.

"Next, sheep, please lower the prices of Krabby Patty related products."

The sheep, being a long-lived succubus, had seen much of the world, so she asked.

"Miss Roland, what is our bottom line in copper coins?"

"The bottom line is six copper coins, to ensure that the Krusty Krab has a minimum profit."

"However, remember to reduce it gradually, let the succubi do a good job of public opinion work, and maintain our reputation for caring for the common people."

The sheep wrote down Roland's orders on the paper, then continued to look at Roland with a worried gaze.

"Miss Roland, this can't go on."

"I know. I'm thinking about what new industries to develop next. You guys go to work now."

……

After the two left the third floor, Roland began to think about what other things she could do.

Money isn't a big problem. With supernatural businesses like succubi and potions, the Krusty Krab's profits are negligible.

However, the benefits of faith points will decrease.

The foot traffic and brand recognition brought by the Krusty Krab are very important.

How come the natives of this other world are so smart? That's not how it's written in transmigration novels!