"Please, please. There is no reason for any stress here," the dokkaebi said and smiled.
"What are these dokkaebis?" Rufus whispered to Doreen.
"They are a well-known race from the dokkaebi world or how they call it Kelios. They are the ones who built the cannons we found in the duke's warehouse in Sofia a few years back. They are known as the most industrialized people and also as notorious slavers. They also have strong gods who are not to be made mad or irritated," Doreen whispered back.
"Oh please, do not be afraid. A great saying of the dokkaebis goes, profits are better than war. And also we have a great hearing just letting you know," the dokkaebi said.
~~
The dokkaebi went by many names. Gremlin, goblins, imps, but what they called themselves was dokkaebi. Their world was run by different CEOs and every CEO owned a large corporation that also worked as an entire nation.
There were no borders, only the different things and areas every corporation owned and the only law was the law of money. They loved money so much that they even enslaved many other races forcing them to work in their factories, plants and other workplaces. It was said that dying was a better option than ending up in a dokkaebi's factory.
The CEO may have been strong, but the true elite was the gilded council. The council had eight members and each member oversaw one area of the dokkeabis economy, being it mechanical, agriculture or even chemical. These eight councilmen were the gods of the dokkaebi and they should never be crossed.
~~
All of them were wary of the dokkaebi with even the Ghersengs stepping forward. The armored thing guarding him marched forward as well not letting to be intimidated.
"Please do not be afraid of the Iraklion. He is only here to guard me. Let me introduce myself. I am Kilir. A prominent diplomat sent by many CEOs and even by a god of the dokkaebi council," Kilir said and pointed out to his guard who was covered in iron armor.
"Iraklion?" Rufus said.
"Yes. A mechanical suit of armor that works as a mecha. A true engineering marvel," Kiril explained.
"So what you want. I believe you came here for a reason. The dokkeabis rarely leave their world and are only interested in the industry on their world and their profits," Doreen asked.
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"Please do not feel threatened. We came here in the hopes of making both of us rich and powerful."
Rufus waved his hand to get the Ghersengs to take a step back as the Kiril made the Iraklion also ease up.
"We wish to get a permanent shipment and trade deal of the gravity stones you mine. We are willing to pay well and also give you premium high-quality cannons and other weaponry in exchange and as a gift," Kiril explained.
"You wish to build gravity ships?" Doreen asked.
"What else. Most profits are from building gravity ships. We want to build them on an industrial scale and for that, we need a steady supply of gravity stones. We can not go and ask for that from the company. We need more of a guarantee from the king who owns the mines. We are here humbly asking for a business partnership. We are even offering this slave to you. He is a useful one. Bit of a loudmouth, but a smart one nonetheless," Kiril said and made the humanoid creature in chains step forward.
Rufus was disgusted with the situation. Slavery was a new concept to him but it was clear to him that it was an ugly and vile custom.
It was clear that the dokkaebis just cared for profits and were even offering a slave to Rufus to make sure the deal would be a success.
"What if we would refuse?" Rufus said as he didn't want to make a deal with a devil.
"Well that is for you to decide of course, but just saying this now, it is not wise to make us lose possible profits. The god that sent me would get extremely displeased. You should never underestimate us dokkaebis. We may be small, but we definitely are not weak," Kiril said and released his divine aura.
His divine pressure was menacing and was clear with just a glance that he could even rival Rufus. Both Edward and Doreen covered themselves and the slave started to gasp for air like he was in pain.
Kiril then stopped emitting his aura. Rufus looked at the small creature and realized he was way out of his league with the creature and especially with the dokkaebis. It was clear that they would be able to crush him like a bug if they wanted to.
"I know it is unethical, but this deal would be beneficial for our people too. With just the weapons they provide, we could defend our kingdom against the nation of Brahm and Sparv, and the gold the trade deal would bring could help rebuild our kingdom and really help our people," the count whispered into Rufus's ear.
"We would be making a deal with the devil. They are clearly completely uncaring and are even willing to give us slaves."
"Sometimes deals with the devil have to be made if it is for the best of your people."
"Listen to your friend there. This would benefit you greatly," Kiril said with a sinister smile.
Rufus sighed and gave up.
"Fine, we will agree to this trade agreement. Doreen, please make sure that the requirements of the trade deal will be made," Rufus said with a bad tone.
"Thank you very much. We will then make our leave. Please take good care of our gift to you," Kiril said and started to float away, leaving the chained slave to the throne room.
"What are you talking about. I do not want to own slaves," Rufus yelled back.
"If you insist, we will take him back. He will then work in our factories. I am sure the slave would really like that," Kiril said and looked back as he was going away.
The slave looked at Rufus hoping he would not send him away.
"Fine…..he may stay."
"See, was it that hard. Here are the keys to his collar. Do as you wish with him," said Kiril and threw a key for Rufus.
~~
Rufus and the slave stared at each other.
"So…...first time owning a slave?" the slave asked.
"What gave me away…?"
"Lucky guess I guess."
"So…uhmmm…. what are you? I mean what is your name?"
"No worries. It is a completely reasonable question. I am an Eichi and my name is Yosef Cainan."