Sam's opening day went extremely well. First, officials had the meal of their life and particularly the Elven special was the bomb that day. They just couldn't get enough of it. But most of them are only Pre-transcendent stage cultivators and they cannot eat much without digesting the energy that was already thrown inside their body.
When the officials are coming out of the restaurant, there are many people already lining up to be the first hundred free customers.
Some of the restaurant staff that is set on causing the problem in the restaurant immediately abandoned their thoughts. The officials coming here really is a big thing and from their satisfied and smiling looks, they could guess how much they liked the food.
After the officials left, Sam and his friends went on with the rest of the customers. The food is obviously pricey. It is almost the same as the most luxurious restaurant in the whole town. The customers that came in really enjoyed the food and the restaurant became an instant success.
After seeing the response Sam was relieved and just stayed in the food business for the next few days.
One week later, the whole town is a bit more chaotic than usual and that is because the final registration of the candidates for the election is going to happen and the two candidates can start their campaigns now.
Sam looked at the two young Elves who are being escorted to the administration office to complete the process.
He must say that he is really feeling nostalgic. The election is so much like the ones on the earth. He didn't know how the campaign goes, but from the looks of it, that would also not be much different.
He went to meet Raunak who is in his office. Due to the election chaos, Raunak was busy and couldn't come and meet Sam, so he called for him instead.
"How is your business doing?" He asked as soon as he came in.
"It's great. It seems like there are so many new people have entered the town. The business is extremely good."
"That is good. The more your business developed the more beneficial it is to the town."
Sam just chuckled in response and asked.
"What did you call me here for?"
"I want to reserve two tables in your restaurant for this noon. The tables should be served with the best of your delicacies and you should visit the two guests."
"Sure, but who are the guests?"
"They are the two envoys that are coming here to supervise the election and make sure there are not any malpractices."
Raunak particularly emphasized the word two, clearly indicating something else. Sam didn't miss the hint and said.
"It's okay. If it is only two tables, I can still manage."
"I know you can do that. Remember that you are a neutral party and don't have anything to do with any faction. You must keep that in mind."
"Of course, I don't want to get involved in this election chaos."
"Not being on a faction doesn't mean you are not going to be involved in the election chaos. If I am not wrong, you would be extremely busy in a few days."
"I know what is going to happen. And I meant what I said, I don't want to involve, but that doesn't mean I am not ready to get involved in this. But I don't if it would be a good thing for the people that drag me in."
Sam went back to the restaurant so that he could talk with his friends about the reservation and also prepare Philip to do something.
From the hints Raunak dropping it is hard for Sam to miss the message. Anyway, he is also looking forward to an opportunity like this.
At noon, the two envoys came to the restaurant with the officials escorting them.
Both of them were sent to the two private rooms that are already arranged.
Sam and Philip each took care of one customer, acting as the two owners of the restaurant. As Raunak said, Sam doesn't want to get involved in the chaos soon and from the hints he could guess that both of them are from different factions.
So there is bound to be some friction. If by any chance they wanted to compete in even the hospitality they received, Sam would be in trouble as one side is bound to be offended if he attended the other one.
That is why he came up with this.
The two Envoys are Transcendent stage cultivators who hold the positions in the Central administration departments, in Planet 1. When they tasted the food, they are extremely impressed and after the constant praise, both of them left with a bunch of thoughts in their heads.
They went back to the residences and met with the candidates they are supporting secretly.
The Envoy from faction 1 looked at the candidates who are standing before him and said.
"I was sent here by the elders as a supervisor, so I couldn't get involved directly. So you have to do everything on your own. In the morning, roam the streets and meet with the residents, don't care if they are citizens or civilians, all you have to do is get more exposure and meet with every community.
Have a meal every day with a community. One day has a meal with merchants, one day with the farmers, one day with hawkers, one day with factory workers, and one day with the normal citizens, one day with town school's kids. Don't leave a single one out of it. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"And treat them in that new restaurant. Ask them if they can deliver that food in bulk to you so that you can have meals with different people within their communities."
"Okay, sir. I will do it."
"The candidate from the second faction has an edge over you as he has the support of his brother who is already familiar with the people here. So, you have to move fast.
Visit the owner of the restaurant secretly and cut a deal with him. In fact, try to pay him so that he wouldn't do a sale with the other party. The food is truly exceptional, and try to get close to the owner, I have some plans with him."
The candidate nodded obediently and left the place. He stealthily went to the residence the team is staying, but he was stunned when he was there.
The candidate from faction 2 is already there and he is already negotiating with Sam. Candidate 2 also looked at candidate 1 and was surprised. He then turned to look at Sam and said.
"I will agree with your price. Let's sign the deal."
"No, don't. I am also here to discuss a deal, I will give you a better price." Candidate 1 yelled.
"I am here first." Candidate 2 yelled back.
"It is not a voting booth, do you really think coming first matters in a situation like this? This is business."
The banter went on and Sam looked at it with a smirk on his face. He knew that something like this would happen. It is not that he is so confident in his food that they would fight for it. It is just that his food is still in the initial excitement as the restaurant is new and everyone wants to taste it.
But not everyone could afford it. This is just a trick to attract attention from the voters as to why they are trying to gain approval from the rest of the communities, they should always portray themselves as benevolent leaders no matter what their real intentions are.
Sam looked at both of them and soon got tired of their banter and said.
"There are two options, one of them is that both of you bid for my services the other one is to share my services. I am okay with both of the choices. But I cannot take your fight anymore."
Both of them looked at Sam, but they couldn't make a decision. The sharing is absolutely impossible, so they have to think of something else.
Sam shook his head and said.
"I am not going to take this anymore. For the next week, I will supply for one party and for the second week I will supply for the second party.
I don't want any trouble from either of you. Just give me a silent bid and the one who has the higher rate gets the first week and the remaining gets the second week."
They hesitated once again. But they didn't want to lose this opportunity. They also understood where Sam is coming from as they know that if he really favored one, the other would definitely find fault with him.
If it is any other person, they wouldn't have given a rat's ass, but their envoys said they should maintain a good relationship with him. So, they agreed to his idea.
Sam couldn't help but smile at their stupidity.
