Chapter 7: When Nobles Watch
[Enterprise: Hollow Rise Trade & Supply Co. – Performance Rising]
[Reputation Milestone Reached: Tier II – Regional Notice Triggered]
Three things happened at once.
First, we received word from Windmere: their village elder formally invited us to represent Blackhollow in the upcoming Spring Exchange—a regional trade gathering.
Second, a sealed letter arrived. Its wax bore the crest of the Barony of Drevan.
And third… a man showed up in Blackhollow with a polished smile and soldiers behind him.
The Letter from Baron Drevan
"To Lord Ray, Steward of Blackhollow,
News travels. Though you rule desolate land, it seems you've turned ash into grain. Such industry cannot go unnoticed.
By decree of the High Council, any fief operating profitably owes Civic Contribution: 12% of gross income to be paid monthly to the Barony for 'security and oversight.'
Compliance is assumed. Noncompliance invites correction.
Cordially,
—Baron R. Drevan"
I clenched the letter hard enough to crumple it.
Ray was silent, but I saw his grip tighten on his blade.
"We're being taxed," I muttered, "for succeeding."
"They mean to see how high you'll climb," he said, "so they know when to pull you back down."
[New System Alert: Taxation Framework Enabled]
[Current Tax Obligation: 12% | Option: Negotiate, Bribe, or Comply]
And as if that wasn't enough—
The Rival Arrives
The man who came to town called himself Vern Laister, owner of Grey Antler Mercantile.
"Well met, Lord Ray," he said, bowing just enough to remain insulting. "Word is, you've started something impressive out here. A humble outfit. Grain and goodwill."
"I built something honest," I replied.
Vern smiled. "And now I'll do it better. With coin, contracts… and permission from the Baron."
[New Rival Entity: Grey Antler Mercantile]
Type: Corporate Guild (Backed by Drevan)
Industry Focus: Textiles, Livestock, Arms Trade
Current Holdings: 2 Villages, 1 Outpost
[Warning: Your trade routes and contracts may now be contested.]
Ray growled. "He smells like noble politics."
He wasn't wrong.
System Prompt – Strategic Path Unlocked
[Conglomerate Objective Available: Unite All Sectors of Industry in Blackhollow]
Conglomerate Path: "Lord of Every Trade"
🪵 Lumber & Materials – ✅
🌾 Agriculture & Food – ✅
⚒️ Craft & Smithing – ❌
🐑 Textiles & Livestock – ❌
📦 Logistics & Trade – ✅
🏦 Finance & Influence – ❌
🧪 Alchemy & Innovation – ❌
Bonus Objective: Overtake or absorb Grey Antler Mercantile.
[Do you accept the Conglomerate Path mission?]
Reward: Economic Independence | Noble Recognition | Path to Title: Merchant Lord
I accepted.
My territory wasn't just a patch of dirt anymore.
It was a battlefield of economics.
And I was going to own every piece of it.
Immediate Goals Updated:
Build a Forge – unlock Crafting & Arms Trade
Construct Livestock Pens – begin Textile route
Investigate Alchemy Ruins noted on the old maps
Counter Drevan's tax – politically, economically… or covertly
Undermine Vern's reputation at the Spring Exchange
Ray stepped forward. "Orders, my Lord?"
I looked at the map—at the towns we'd yet to visit, the rivals we now had, the systems finally opening.
"We expand. We diversify. We dominate. And when they try to tax us into obedience…"
I smiled.
"…we make enough gold to buy the table they sit at."