Since I have finished the 55,555-word goal for the writathon, I am thinking of taking a rest and slowing down the release schedule from daily to 3 times a week for the time being. It has been a true power grind, and I love it, but it is time to take some rest, since I want to rack up some chapters for Patreon.
If you want to read more, come over there and support me to write more, since I am basically relying on this for full-time now.
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Some time had passed since Adam had painted an image of the Elden, and it remained stubbornly vivid in his mind, affirmed by the details he observed upon the arrival of the first Elden, in what seemed to be an aristocratic convoy.
They were rumored to be the ruling caste of the Alfari race, strict with traditions, and possessed many special abilities that were crucial for the survival—and the apparent thriving—of their race within the World of the Rift.
But as Lord Kaimu spoke to the public, that image shattered.
He was friendly, not in the overly way between the Professor and Kahori, but in a dignified and reserved manner. He spoke of class and ranks not as status and privileges, but as responsibility and duty. The Elden Lord articulated philosophies Adam had read many times before—both modern and classical—not as some sort of politician with an agenda, but as someone who had already achieved enough power to embody those philosophies.
Concepts such as a ruler's well-being stemming from the people's well-being, leaders sacrificing personal prestige for national prosperity, commitment to the greater good, the importance of both public opinion and Sage counsel, prioritizing truth over self-interest, and diverse approaches to governance were all presented within the first half-hour of Kaimu's introduction, engaging all members of the shelter, not just the leaders—Adam and the Professor—but also the men, women, and children standing in the back.
Kaimu accepted questions from all, displayed a wide range of knowledge across many fields, reflecting not only modern philosophies, but traditional ones like Confucian morals, Platonic rules, Dharma ideals, Sharia legislation, and Aristotelian constitution, all mixed in a way that impressed Adam, who took a philosophy course in college and actually got his fingers deep into the subject.
Yet during all of that, Adam didn't engage in the conversation one bit and participated with nothing but his silence and stares. Part of him was still showing hostility to the aliens, and the other part wanted to be the weight that stabilized this harmonious relationship growing between the humans and the Alfari.
"Hmph! Typical aliens, spinning lies and trickery wherever they go."
Beside Adam stood Elena, who hated every bit of this meeting and would complain every now and then, while Adam was simply nodding to whatever she said, keeping mental notes of her complaints.
It was already established that the aliens weren't here just for some greater good, that this was all theatrical, a pressure of some sort to sway human public opinion of this shelter to their favor. However, Adam didn't care what the rest of humanity thought or did. As long as he had his summons and his military camp kept growing, he could form his own opinion and be independent and self-sufficient, a goal that any good RTS player always strives for.
But his silence wasn't going to last long, since he was one of the main players in this meeting, and once all the theatrics were said and done, Lord Kaimu finally addressed the subject that mattered.
"Sage Hendrick, it has come to our attention that your people have managed to produce their own food in innovative ways." The Elden Lord said, joining his hands the same way Alfari did when they addressed someone with respect, "Pray tell, how sustainable are your methods?"
Upon that question, the Professor opened his mouth to speak, but then decided to turn towards Adam first.
"As you must have heard, Lord Kaimu, we have acquired that method from our alliance with the Venuxian military and their representative, Justiciar Clay." The Professor refused to answer and deferred to Adam, as he was the senior individual responsible for this technology.
Lord Kaimu directed his gesture of respect towards Adam.
"Sustenance is a difficult thing to acquire through the Rifts, Justiciar Clay." Lord Kaimu spoke as if this scene had played in his mind beforehand. He stepped away from Professor Hendrick and came to address Adam, "Would you share your methods with us as well?"
Adam didn't reply before pondering the answer, then stepped ahead, holding the hems of his armored vest beneath his coat, and walked with wide steps, away from Megan and Elena, past the Elden Lord, then approached the elite guards that were standing at a distance, and stopped only midway.
He scanned everything with his eyes: the guards, their armors, their fabrics, the UFO, the servants, and even Kahori. He walked particularly close to Kahori and took a sniff of the air around her, then put on a smile.
"I salute your political acumen, Lord of the Aliens." Adam spoke, finally addressing the man, "But I see a level of knowledge and technology far beyond that of a surviving civilization."
The Elden Lord's smile distorted for a second, but he still maintained good composure.
"We, the Eldens, are blessed by the Runes, Justiciar of the Venuxians." Lord Kaimu spoke, "We can make fine art, wonders even, but believe me when I tell you, we survive in ways we'd rather not. If only the Runes could feed."
"Yet you have amazing perfumes." Adam said as he turned away from Kahori, "I stood barely 30 feet from your guards, and they smelled good. Even Kahori, a lower caste member, smelled good too. The servants, however, did not smell as much."
"Smell?" Lord Kaimu stood for a second, his head tilted to the side, "You judged us by our smell? Why?"
"Easy. Those who seek the luxuries of perfumes usually have no problems regarding food or shelter. I'd say you lot aren't particularly suffering from food shortage." Adam replied with a shrug, "That's what my grandma said: when in doubt of your other senses, your nose won't fool you."
Lord Kaimu's lips curved into a wry smile, and he let out a chuckle, "Let me guess, you possess the Brewer skill or a skill of its variations, Justiciar Clay."
Adam's eyes narrowed before replying, "I possess the Chef skill. How did you know?"
"Ah! Life experience." Lord Kaimu replied, "It is always those of the Brewer caste who come with such unique insights."
The two had some understanding of one another now. Adam wasn't pleased with the slimy way of the aliens, and easily exposed it, since it was so transparently effortless, but the Elden Lord wasn't displeased with Adam; rather, he found it more interesting this way.
When someone tries to go in circles without putting effort into it, they'd be rather offended if they weren't caught; it would mean that they are dealing with fools whom they can take advantage of, and even if greedy people like to take advantage of fools, successful people don't like to deal with fools altogether since there is no value in anything they present.
The Elden Lord learned that through the experience of his long life. Adam learned that from the family drama and historical readings he had done in the past. Even when in a bad position, show tact and don't be taken for a fool, or even try to act like one; strong people hate fools.
"I'll be frank with you, Justiciar Clay." The Elden Lord finally spoke, "I am an Artificer, but I am born Elden. To put it in the terms of your world, I was born in wealth, but I made a position for myself through a lot of effort. This makes me a very wealthy individual."
"I hear you, Wealthy Individual." Adam walked back towards the Elden Lord, "State what you want."
"Food." Lord Kaimu spoke with a reserved tone, "As I said, I am wealthy; I can afford both sustenance and luxury for me and my subjects. But the lower castes of the Alfari populace, especially the soldiers in the Rift, are finding it hard to make ends meet. When I heard of the wondrous magic that can turn even inedible things into foodstuff, that dramatically heightened the value of this product, let alone this knowledge."
"And you want to buy it?" Adam asked.
"I want to reach a deal, but the scale of production in this shelter would make it difficult to cover even a fraction of our needs through proper trade, so I was thinking of buying the technology itself." Lord Kaimu spoke.
Adam nodded, an expression of understanding on his face.
"Buying technology isn't an easy feat, and it is something that is up to the Commander whom the Venuxians serve." Adam said with a shrug, "With the Venuxian sentiment towards Alien species, agreeing to such a deal would worsen the relationship between the Venuxian Humans whom I work for and the Earthling Humans whom I represent. It would also devalue Professor Hendrick's group as a trade middleman."
"But he's devalued as a middleman for traders." The Elden Lord spoke with conviction, "A Sage has higher callings than simply…"
"I understand your point." Adam cut him abruptly, "This shelter itself operates as a neutral middleman and an independent human faction that deals with you, Lord Kaimu, also an independent Elden Lord."
"So what is your offer, Justiciar?" Lord Kaimu asked, joining his hands again, a sign of consideration.
"Do you know the kind of building we are standing in, Elden Lord?" Adam asked.
Lord Kaimu tilted his head back, his gaze sweeping carefully across the area. He observed the refugees' living quarters, alongside intricately detailed machines pushed back against the walls. Some were broken, others dismantled for different uses.
"A foundry of some sort?" He asked, making the closest guess he could.
"A production factory." Adam corrected him, "It is a place where things used to be made. It is optimally built for large-scale production operations."
"I see." The Elden Lord nodded, "So I guess you want to expand the production of this shelter."
"Yes. While my camp is busy with its own projects, I can assign some hands to work and expand the food processing business. By the next month, we may add nine machines to the one here."
"It is a grand idea." The Elden Lord smiled, his hands joined in the same motion under his chin, "But there are other complications I see: the resources for production, for one, and the workforce."
"The workforce isn't a problem; there are those who are willing to work wherever you look. As for the resources, this camp will have to be creative. Monsters are especially nutritious when processed in the Old Belly." Adam said without minding how it looked in front of others.
The Elden Lord showed a rare frown, but he seemed to be considering the idea.
"I will have to see the machine and its products beforehand." Lord Kaimu said.
"With pleasure." Adam made a neutral expression but then asked with a flat tone, "But only after we discuss the matter of payment."
"Of course." The Elden Lord held his head high, as if it were a matter beneath his standards, "Arisa's daughter, Kahori, is my Envoy in matters of Commerce and Negotiations. I am sure she can strike you a good deal."
"I am sure she can, but I'd like to hear it from you." Adam insisted, not leaving the Elden Lord a way to wiggle out of negotiations and leave it to the crafty Kahori.
"It is… manageable." The Elden Lord spoke with great discomfort.
Kahori immediately stepped up, addressing Adam with a shaky tone:
"Vindicator Clay. It is truly improper for a lord to participate in the hustle and bustle of negotiations."
"Really?" Adam asked with a mocking smile, "You draw the line there?"
He looked between the Alfari Envoy and the Elden Lord before sighing:
"The people who lorded these lands were masters of negotiations, to say the least—a tiring bunch of greedy politicians!" He said and shook his head before looking at Lord Kaimu, "You know what, I respect that. I'll compliment this aspect of your culture."
"Thank you, Justiciar." The Lord said, somewhat taken aback, as could be heard from his tone.
"But I'll still need a word from you, consider it a word of honor before your Envoy takes over the tiring negotiations." Adam said, still cornering the lord.
"If you insist, I can guarantee spices and weapons, and I would permit my Envoy to trade in them." Lord Kaimu said.
"What about Runestones?"
Adam's question came out flat and loud, easy for all to hear, but it made all the aliens tense up in an instant. They all turned to Adam—from the silent servants to the aloof guards—and their stares weren't peaceful.
Most of all, the Elden Lord seemed to have sucked in a cold breath of air before muttering.
"What about them, Justiciar Clay?" He asked, his tone heavier than before, his hands no longer joined.
Adam felt it: the tension, the sparks that flew from their gazes, the weakness they couldn't help but jealously guard.
Even his summons felt it; they all touched their weapons, and Adam felt the presence of the other summons outside the factory getting closer.
Food, Spices, and even Weapons were all one thing, but Power—True Power—was where the real negotiations began.
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