M.D.Syl
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Chapter 86 colorless
🕑 Added 2023-06-06 16:25:49 +0000 UTCAuthor notes:
(With a very straight face) This chapter is dedicated to “lol” for supporting me on patreon. <3
Thank you for your support, and thank you for picking a name I can’t stop typing when chatting for some reason… lol!
Chapter 86 Palace Days I.
When someone accepts a deal too fast,
They’re either desperate or got more than what they expected.
In both cases, you should ask more of them.
But do not ask for more money, just add some small favors to the mix.
Kilako, the Golden Prince of Gains.
{28} Nuriss (March) the 18th
Over the next two weeks, I dedicate my time to alchemy and mastering the ‘Lesser Healing Potion.’ These days I rarely mess up my potion, and only get a single failed potion in twenty attempts.
I brew a small supply of these potions, and I spread them around to Kolag, Salik, Ryon, and Zoe. In a case of an emergency.
Other than my studies, I also have to manage this city. It’s a headache to say the least, but I fall into the old routine I had back when I managed my father’s fief.
Today is the day I meet with the three people the population have elected to represent themselves. Now, I am accepting them in my throne room. This system had worked well with my father’s fief, it should work well here.
I lean on the blue pillow on my right and place my chin on my hand. I do my best not to shift or fix my purple dress. Projecting confidence is something I’ve done for years, I’m not new to this.
My throne room is still the same as Luard left it. I only replaced the stiff throne Luard had with a comfortable one.
A royal blue carpet stretches from the doors to my throne. To its sides, marble pillars hold the high ceiling. Delicate carvings featuring small men and women using magic decorate the pillars. Lit braziers sit at the far corners of the room, and armored men act as my personal guards.
Not that I need them, mainly since Kolag stands loyally to my left. Tasiya and Jolla are at my right, and lastly, Ryon sits behind the throne as a last line of defense. I’m pretty sure he’s actually asleep.
I observe the three nervous people who are kneeling in front of my throne.
“This is Amaril Gemhand. The elected of the merchants, Your Majesty.” Jolla gestures at the representative of the rich. He is an overweight bald man in his twenties, wearing golden yellow robes. He bows shortly and his narrow brown eyes scan me shortly before jumping to the other representatives.
A typical rich merchant's kid. I assume his daddy sent him to practice the art of negotiations... We'll see how competent he is. I wonder how much his dad or patron had to pay for this spot... I'm betting on a rich aunt... it's always a rich aunt...
“Roland Sureaxe. The elected of the craftsmen guilds.” The craftsmen’s representative is a wrinkled old man with a trimmed beard. His white tunic is clean with small silvery decorations on the hems.
He's old, which means experienced, competent, and probably charismatic if he was chosen by his peers. But I doubt I'll see the charismatic part since we're not on the same social standing.
“Schnee the Zephyr. The elected of the slums.” The slums’ representative is a middle aged woman wearing a luxurious green dress. Her brown eyes reflect the blazers' fire, and her long dark hair is combed to her right, falling on her pale exposed shoulder.
Of all things that are meant to represent the poor, this is what she goes with? Calm down, these people don't have double meaning in every action and choice of clothing like the barons and knights in father's court. She's a Zephyr… a priestess of Koshavi, a harlot… I assume she wears her trade then... And I shouldn't judge her for it. A few years back I was in that place.
Regardless, a woman who gained control of the slums… that is rare but not unheard of…
Or they just thought that sending a woman to meet a female queen will be more convincing? If so, who’s pulling her strings?
If she’s strong willed and talks business, she’s in charge… Man or woman, you can’t take control over the rough parts of a city without a certain degree of assertiveness.
If she aims to appease… then she’s used to be a subordinate. I’ll have to double check who’s really in charge.
“You have a chance to represent your cases and problems to Her Majesty Queen Inara. Don’t squander it,” Jolla says with another bow, and retreats to her notes on a small desk at the right side of my throne.
“Rise. Mister Sureaxe. Step forward and state the issues of your people,” I say, looking down at the three. It’s always good to rattle them… they’d expect me to either favor the rich, or the poor like some stupid noble who reads too much books with silly ideals, or one that wants to curry favor. But it’s the middle class who usually make up most of the population… And this will confuse the other two…
The old man frowns. He gives a hesitant look to the other two and steps forward. “Your Majesty, the tax rate.” He takes a deep breath, steeling himself.
“I lowered your taxes,” I point out dryly. Do they complain about lowering the taxes now?
He nods and bows. “We are thankful for lowering our taxes, but the merchants expect to buy our product cheaply now. It’d be more convenient if there was another solution to ease our b…”
“You still earn more and pay less,” the young man in the golden robes cuts him off with a sneer. “You should be thankful that we…”
“You will speak when spoken to,” I say, but the merchant just talks over me.
“…buy your product at all. We are not…”
Oh no… not again. I have idiots speaking over me, feels like home already! At least I don’t need the knights to enforce my word this time. Hod myrsha. <ground pull.> I cast a silent ‘Grounding’ cantrip. “You will speak when spoken to Mister Gemhand.”
The overweight man topples over and falls on his face. He reaches forward to halt his fall and I can hear the loud snap of his hand breaking. I wince. Could’ve handled it better…
He wails in pain, nursing his broken wrist. I float a potion in his direction. “This should help with the pain. Apologies. I did not mean to break your hand, just to stop you from speaking,” I explain, keeping my voice cold.
He drinks the potion with a gulp and eyes me wearily.
“This is not enough for a broken bone, it will only help you with the pain for a while. You’ll need to get that treated. Speak when spoken to. And do not speak over me. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The man bows, nursing his hand.
“Mister Sureaxe. Continue.”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty.” He glances in the obese man’s direction, obviously anxious. The man in the golden robes refuses to acknowledge the other two’s presence.
“To be clear.” I lean forward in my throne. “If one of you dies, I’ll hold the other two responsible first. You are not to kill each other.”
The overweight man steps back, giving me a wide eyed look. Oh thinking I can read your mind, huh? Good. “Continue Mister Sureaxe.” It’s just about reading the room…
“Y-Your Majesty. The tax and merchant prices. They now expect half the price for all of our products, because we don’t have to pay 50% taxes for our sales anymore.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes. And that’s a good thing. Lower prices will attract more merchants. More merchants will attract more people. More people is what I want. Yet. It seems like the merchants pushed a little too far. You will sell your products cheaper than you used to, but not at half the price. A 25% decrease in price is an acceptable middle ground. With my 10% tax, consider it to be a 35% tax instead of the 50% you used to have. It also leaves some haggling room. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes, Your Grace M-Majesty.” The old man beams at me, his bright smile bending his thin white mustache.
“Gemhand. You will convey this to your friends.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. But we want to be exempt from taxes, we have prepa…”
“Wait for your turn.” I raise my hand and the man with the broken arm shuts his mouth. “Mister Sureaxe. Anything else?”
“N-no Your Majesty. That… that is more than I’ve expected. You are a kind ruler.” The wrinkled man bows deeply with a hand on his chest. He's not used to this kind of bow. He most likely practiced it before this very meeting...
I put leg over leg and lean back on my soft throne. “Good. There’s something you can do for me. Expand your operations. Woodcutting. Groveyard work. Docks. I want everything bigger and better. Build up. I’ll give you some fundings. Hire as many men as you need.”
He looks up startled. It's clear he was about to retreat and be satisfied with what I've already given him. “H-hire? F-from where?”
The slums… but that’s for later… “You’ll find people. Moving on. Miss Zephyr? State your case and plea. Any aid I can render to the poor?”
The rich man is seething with rage. The woman in the luxurious green dress steps forward and bows deeply, exposing her deep cleavage. I roll my eyes. Save it for someone with a snake…
“Thank you, Your Majesty. We… I had an agreement with King Luard. The guards keep a blind eye in our parts. I’m hoping for the same agreement.” Her tone is hesitant, she gives a quick glance to the man with the broken hand behind her, gulps, and continues. “Guards do not patrol in our parts. In return, we give you 50% of our profits?”
Someone is definitely pulling her strings… she said we and she acts too meek… Or she got nervous when I displayed my magic, she could be a tricky one...
Let's assume there's someone behind her for now. Considering I planned to execute the first leader from the slums, let's assume they aren’t foolish… Let’s just hope whoever is behind her, is foolish enough to meet her right after. And if no one is behind her, then this will be much easier. “That’s acceptable Mrs. Zephyr.” I’ll have Ryon track her after this meeting. He'll eliminate her, or whoever she reports to… “Anything else?”
“What?!” Kolag booms behind me.
“Stand down Kolag!”
“I will not let criminals have their…”
“Stand down. Right. Now.”
He takes a deep breath and retreats. “This isn’t over, we’re going to have a good talk about this.”
This stupid bucket head! Challenging my authority in front of these people?! How dumb are you?! You're supposed to stand there and look menacing, not challenge me! I take a deep breath and keep my voice leveled. "You cannot remove the poor part of a city, Kolag, it’ll be there. It’s either in your pocket, or your sworn enemy. I’d rather have it in my pocket,” I give out a fake explanation. I shouldn’t have to explain myself, especially not in front of them... but this woman will see a weak queen, one she can fool... I need her to underestimate me for just a little longer.
“I’m glad to see Your Majesty is so reasonable,” the woman says with a deep curtsy. “Nothing else from me but praise.”
Nothing from you but empty flattery. “I will expect my income, Miss Zephyr.” I nod and shift to the man in the golden robes. “Mister Gemhand. State your case.”
A loud fart comes out from behind me. I can hear Ryon snickering from behind my throne. Are they all going to make me look like I can't control my subordinates today?!
The obese man takes it as a direct insult. He shakes with rage as he makes his case. “We wish to be exempt from your taxes, Your Majesty. We have prepared a gift…” He gestures at the chest behind him with his healthy hand, and a pair of guards open it. It’s brimming with gold and gemstones.
I raise my hand. “No. I will refuse your gift.”
“But this gift is much more than ten percent of our…”
I lean forward in my throne. “Why do you wish to be exempt from taxes, Mister Gemhand?”
He steps back hesitantly. “It will make for easier trade. Your Majesty said she wishes to increase trade and…”
I cut him off again. “Yet, a complete exemption from taxes will create a new social cast. It’ll create inner conflicts and I have enough conflicts on hand. The answer is no. The taxes have been lowered. It’ll be enough to attract merchants. Foreign merchants too, not only the local ones. Choose another boon that will benefit your class.”
“I-I- King Luard was…”
I can't take this anymore! I get up from my throne. “King Luard is not here. King Luard never cared for the people living in this city. I do.” I take a deep breath. He’s not very smart is he? Another pawn most likely… “Tasiya, take Mister Gemhand to the private meeting room. I’ll see him later. Everyone is dismissed.”
They bow and turn to leave. I wait for the door to close up. “Ryon?”
“Wah?” the half elf asks from behind my throne.
“Can you not fart during important meetings?”
“Nah, you rich peeps need mah music!”
I sigh. Why do I even bother? “Follow Miss Zephyr. I want to know who she’s reporting to.”
“Who?”
“The woman with the big jugs and the nice green dress, she just left. Follow her, see who the boss of her gang is, and kill him. If there are multiple bosses, kill all of them. If there are no bosses and she's the boss of her gang, kill her.”
“Yes, boss lady. Gimme food when ah’m back.” Ryon heads for the window.
“Inara?” Kolag asks with a worried echo.
I switch to Toml’a. “Do not challenge my authority in front of the subjects of my rules. It's bad for the both of us."
"I... I apologize. I did not realize what you've planned. If you had informed me beforehand... No. You're right. The fault lies with me, my love."
I sigh. "No... I should've informed you. I informed Salik, but you were busy with your knights and I didn't have the time. We'll work on that. For now we have to cut the heads of that hydra before we can grow a tame one to control the slums. I’ll deal with Gemhand now, this is another beast to tame.” I leave the throne room and walk the blue carpeted halls to a smaller meeting room.
“How do you know that the madam was not the one who controls the criminals?” Kolag asks.
“I don't. She could be a good actor, but a woman that takes control over a rough place tends to be more assertive, even in the face of someone who’s more powerful than her. She also said we. I assume the real person in control of the slums rather play it smart and careful… well, he never played with me. I sat with him at this table of chess and loosed an arrow under the table. Now, let’s go and pay Gemhand a visit.”
The meeting room is rather cozy. Blue carpets on the floor, blue drapes over the single large window, and a fireplace in the corner. The small table in the middle completes the room that’s meant for private meetings.
“Your Majesty.” Tasiya and Gemhand bow in unison when I enter. The former in her simple gray uniform stand in stark contrast to the gaudy gold the latter wears.
I take my seat and gesture for them to sit down with my chin. “Mister Gemhand, with all due respect, you’re incompetent. I believe your friends have elected you because they do not believe you will walk out of these halls alive.”
The man turns bright red. “What are you talking about?” he asks, still standing.
I count on my hand. “Talking out of turn, talking over me, mentioning King Luard in front of me, and not being able to come up with any suitable counteroffer. A competent man wouldn’t do any of those things. Sureaxe was the only competent person in that room.”
“But lady Zephyr got what she wanted… that was…”
“A competent man wouldn’t question me either. Sit down before you piss yourself. I’m not going to hurt you. I do apologize for the hand. That was truly unintentional.”
He nods, gulps, and takes a seat quietly. “I- I was the emissary to King Luard. We gave him a gift to be exempt from taxes. I don’t know anything! My father sent me, he said to make the same deal. I… he didn’t give me any other instructions. Just that I have to make the same deal with you, and that I should tell him who interferes with our business so he knows who to kill.”
So not a rich aunt after all... “I figured as much. If you'd be so kind Tasiya, where does the Gemhand family estate is located?”
“Near the palace, Your Majesty.”
“Y-you’re not going to kill my father, are you?” The young fat man jolts up in alarm.
“That depends on how reasonable he is. Let’s go. Kolag, gather up some of your knights.”
*~*~*
Power level: 3rd stage apprentice.
Mana pools status:
Crown-knot: Affinity 10: formed: 1 gem replenished per five minutes.
Neck-Bridge: Affinity 6: formed: max amount of gems drained per day: 66
Abdomen-storage: Affinity 5: formed: 6 gems. Conversion ratio: 6:1
Air: Affinity 4: formed: 18 gems
Fire: Affinity 2: formed: 9 gems
Light: Affinity 3: formed: 14 gems
Water: Affinity 6: formed: 27 gems
Earth: Affinity 1: formed: 4 gems
Wood: Affinity 2: formed: 9 gems
Gravity: Affinity 9: formed: 40/41 gems
Cantrip known:
Air: Shavi’s Breeze, Shavi’s Sword. Shavi’s Hair Dryer, Aria’s Enhanced Hearing. Aria’s Sonic Scream.
Fire: Nuriss’ Flame. Effrat’s Firefly, Effrat’s Fire Breath. Sorladika's Lesser Heating. Nuriss’ Ignite.
Light: Noxi’s Light. Lako’s Blinding Light. Rika’s energy hand.
Water: Water Evocation, Water to Ice, Ice to Water, Water to Vapor, Vapor to Water, Mayan’s Icy Spike, Ayla’s Water Jet. Ayla’s instant freeze.
Earth: Alice’s Oil Summoning, Reiko’s Acid Spray.
Wood: Arigor’s Lesser Vines. Kolosu’s Vegetable Summoning.
Gravity: Lumina’s Kinetic Burst. Tukado’s Repulse. Tukado’s lesser shield. Imari’s Minor Telekinesis. Imari’s Jump. Leo’s Pull. Leo’s Grounding. Alino’s Light Body. Alino’s Heavy Body.
Spells known:
Gravity: Alino’s Weightless Bodyb.
Life: Brigit’s Lesser Cure Poison.
Focus capability: 13 patterns
Social status: The Queen of Red Cedar City. Inara, Daughter of Mysteries. Apprentice to the Maven of Mysteries. Sorceress.
Wealth: 1496 Magic Gems. 1421 Golden Peas, 5 Silver Scales, 12 Copper Bits.
Items:
Magical necklace. Contains 100 gems of general mana, can be drained like a mana pool. It’ll recharge by itself at the rate of five gems an hour.
1 potion of lightning body.
1 potion of mana, medium grade.
4 potions of Lesser Healing.
An enchanted belt with eight pouches, the enchantment keeps the pouches’ content fresh. Each pouch may contain 10g of petals or six potion flasks.
Fresh rose petals, 45g
Fresh lavender petals, 20g
10 empty soul bottles. Glass with a diamond stopper, put in scaled leather wrapping.
The Great White Egret grimoire. Dedicated by the Maven of mysteries to Inara. 11/100
Companions:
Kolag of house Befar
Salik
Zoe
Ryon
Languages:
Toml’a <People’s tongue> Fluent
Sinteo <Speech> Fluent
Myrsha <Gravity> 7/10
Felul <Wind> 1/10
Injuries and scars:
-
Kingdom’s treasury: 305 gems. 41,682 gold coins.
Kingdom’s citizen: 5,898 humans, 2,251 human children.
Notables at Court:
Tasiya Keyholder
Jolla SilverQuill
Talbot Bookkeeper
Marasi Chef extraordinaire (spymaster.)
Old Gardner Tiom
