44 - Chapter 43 - Day 2123

After a good night’s rest, Adya needed to prepare for her trip to the city to ensure she did not cause a problem this time. She would have Evelin accompany her. She sent Sally with a message, asking Evelin to join her.

While she waited she reviewed the design for her artifact one last time. She wanted to ensure there were no mistakes. She also wanted to confirm her results from the extensive testing.

The testing had confirmed that for every 1,000,000 mana coins that the formation would create, it would also use 1000 mana stones of the same tier as well as 5 willpower stones and 5 stamina stones. Or in other terms for every 100 million mana processed into coins, the total cost was 100,000 mana, 500 willpower and 500 stamina of the same tier. This was important to know, as the size of the willpower and stamina stones that was fitted into the core would determine the amount of mana that could be processed by the artifact. Then there was the additional cost of adding a self destruct mechanism that would act if anyone tried to scan, open, or in any way seek to tamper with the core.

She had only theorised the mechanism for that, and in her estimates it would take another 5,000 mana to completely disintegrate the core, leaving nothing behind that could be traced. This was using the knowledge gained from the tier 10 formations that were in the agents, refined and improved to an unprecedented degree. The last thing she needed to decide was the cost. She still needed to work out the pricing for the machine, the replaceable cores and where the mana cost would be applied.

The simplest solution was to allow the mana stones being converted to cover the cost and let the users know that there would be a 0.01% cost in mana to run the device. This would also reduce the amount of scrutiny. An artifact was supposed to cost mana to run, it would be too noticeable if the artefact worked for ‘free’. So she would need to charge for the artefact, the core that included the formation, the destruction formation, and two custom sized stones that would be the real driving force behind the artifact.

The idea was to come up with a pricing matrix that would allow her to create cores of different capacities. She also planned to create machines with multiple cores down the line to cater to those who needed high throughput on the creation of coins. The designs would be the same as buying multiple artefacts, but in one significantly larger device.

She needed the artificer in the city to help her create her first device, as well as the parts for the core. She would then use her skills to etch the formations as required. She could just create the stones she needed herself. Why bother creating a machine that would give away her secrets to anyone who found it. She knew what she needed, and she double checked her designs one more time to ensure nothing had been missed.

There was a knock on her door, and Evelin entered. Sally followed behind, carrying Adya’s breakfast. Thankfully she had become a lot more relaxed and slightly informal during her time working for Adya.

“Good Morning Miss Adya,” said Evelin. “What can I do for you?”

“Why don’t you take a seat?” asked Adya. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

“No, I was just going to get some,” replied Evelin. “When Sally told me that you wanted to see me.”

“Sally, please get another plate for Evelin,” said Adya. “We have a lot to discuss, and it would be better over breakfast.”

Evelin took a seat as Sally went off to fetch another portion of breakfast for Evelin.

“How are things progressing?” asked Adya. “I know that I have left you to manage things as I have been too busy with my research.”

“We are progressing well,” replied Evelin. “I am certain we have taken full control of all agents and major bandit groups in the three kingdoms. As per your instructions, we have not ventured outside that region. We are providing false reports back to the various factions, though I am not sure how long that will hold up. At first glance we are all continuing the search, and we have used the unavoidable deaths as good cover. However, based on the competing orders, the lack of further violence will stand out.”

“I am aware that our ruse will only bear scrutiny for so long,” replied Adya. “I have plans to help alleviate the threat. How do you feel about working for me, and how do you feel about your old organisation, now that you can see what they are doing.”

A look of rage crossed Evelin’s face for a moment, before she recovered and returned to her placid facade. “I really hate the council for what it did to us.” she said, her voice still quivering with the suppressed anger. “Not only did they send us out to hunt a child, but they also sent us to kill our own. We were always taught that we were all that stood between civilisation and anarchy, and yet the moment they have an inkling of a situation that could benefit the council all morality was abandoned. Had you not interceded, a lot more of my comrades would be dead now, a lot at my hands. Not only have you saved a lot of us, but you have revealed so many truths to us about our own nature.”

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“Yes, you took control over us against our will,” continued Evelin. “At the start all I could think about was getting away and back to the council, but now, after seeing and hearing about how we are controlled. Seeing the council’s self-serving actions. I realise that you did not have a choice in your actions. I am sure you could have found a way to kill us all, but you choose to keep us around. Not only that, but you have treated us fairly for the most part. I honestly believe your word that the only choice was to take over our formations or kill us. We have seen what happens when other agents try to go against their orders without you there to intercede. My loyalty is to you.”

“What about your colleagues?” replied Adya. Using truth as a weapon was an old tactic, but it was effective for a reason. “I know that not everyone has accepted the situation with as much equanimity as you have.”

“I am confident that you have the wholehearted support of all the tier 6s,” replied Evelin. “There are now 15 of us, and we have all realised what the orders would have forced us to do. Out of the tier 5s, I would say most accept that being alive is better than being dead. Interestingly, it is those tier 5s that were already aware they were enslaved, who are having the hardest time accepting the change of control to you.”

“Actually, that makes sense,” responded Adya. “They were already fighting to gain freedom, even if it was only subconsciously. For those who are only just realising that they were enslaved, the way I have treated them has made them feel free, so they would naturally feel gratitude towards me.”

“I had not thought about it like that,” mused Evelin, her tone turning suspicious. “Is that the reason you give us so much perceived freedom?”

“Honestly, there is more than one reason,” replied Adya calmly. “You should understand that if I wanted to treat you like slaves no one could stop me. The same way I ordered you to think about things and find the truth, I could have ordered you to believe me and only me. I don’t think you realise the level of control your augmentation affords me. Frankly, I don’t like slaves, I would rather have loyal employees. However, given that there are methods to suborn loyalty, with or without consent, it has led me to use distasteful methods. It is as much for your safety as mine. No one can suborn you and make you turn against me.”

Evelin thought about Adya’s assertions and she was not lying. She had no reason to lie to any of them. She could do what she wanted, order them to do anything, and they would have no choice. Yet she went out of her way to give them at least the illusion of choice. In their circumstances, that was much better than they had any right to expect.

“So what did you want to talk to me about this morning?” asked Evelin, changing the subject. Sally had brought her breakfast while they spoke, and they were both enjoying the meal.

“So I need you to escort me into town, and help me negotiate with the only artificer in town,” replied Adya. “I also wanted to let you in on a secret, and my long term plan to keep control over my future.”

Evelin was intrigued at the prospect of learning any of Adya’s secrets. She sat forward, her body language screaming an intense interest in finding out more.

“So, there is one group, or rather one elder at the council who did not send out any agents to kill or capture anyone,” continued Adya. “She is the one who sent out Jarel. He was sent out in secret years ago. It seems she became aware of the target before anyone else. I have reason to believe that her motives may be more altruistic. My plan is to get protection under her auspices. However, that would make me a political target for every other elder by revealing me to everyone. It will also give her a reason to imprison me, and my family for my own good.”

“I can see how that would go,” replied Evelin. “You would end up a slave in all but name, at the whims of whoever could leverage the right.”

“Yes, I am not keen to become a pawn on someone else’s board,” replied Adya. “Though some form of deal is inevitable. I will have to provide some sort of benefit to keep my freedom.”

“The problem is what the benefit looks like,” mused Evelin. “If you are too valuable, you will be fought over anyway, if you are not valuable enough, then the protection would look out of place, making you stand out.”

“Yes, that is the problem I have been working on addressing,” replied Adya, pleased that Evelin was able to see the potential problems, without having them explained. “My solution is two fold. I want to set up my own sect, including all the agents that now fall under my house should be enough to grant us mid level sect status. That would protect us from any interference by the mortals. It would stop the elders from being able to pressure the mortal governments and using them to target us. As a clan, we would have a lot of freedom, unless the council could prove that we were not an orthodox sect.”

“Yes, that would give your family a lot of protection,” said Evelin. “But, it would leave you with the same problem. The elders of the council will still come after you. They will still need a believable reason as to why one elder would protect you. They would want access to the benefit, and it would have to be substantial enough to leave you alone, and not suspect you of being their target.”

“Those were my thoughts exactly,” said Adya. “This is the reason why we are going to see the artificer this morning. It is imperative that we bring him under the control of our house. You see I have worked out a way to give all cultivators a benefit that they would love, and that would take the focus of the elders off their search for their target, at least for a while.”

“And what exactly is this minor miracle that you are intending to produce,” asked Evelin.

“I think I have found a way to create an artifact that will allow for the automated creation of mana coins,” answered a smirking Adya. “The trip to town is to create the first prototype.”

Evelin was left flabbergasted.