Ah, yes - breakfast. Our small group was sitting by the table at the Inn section of the guild. Or should I say several tables joined together so our party could sit all together? Not mentioning me and girls, Jeremy, Arthur, one of his bodyguards and administration workers were all enjoying their meals. For an hour or so, this section of the inn was restricted from access by rest of the adventurers, because, you know – the king’s presence.
Or actually, because of Jeremy. Because one of the king’s bodyguards tried convincing local branch director to do "that" because of safety reason, he was gently, yet firmly told to "fuck off" because guild is a neutral ground where no bloodline matters.
That’s when Jeremy stepped in and asked for a favor as national-level guild master. And his word here was absolute.
* “So, Zariel, my old friend, sorry for bothering you during your…” Arthur made more than longer pause to tease me and Jeremy at the same time “… researches of… biological nature, but once you told me about this whole mess I decided to look it up personally…”
* “Arthur. Stop playing dumb and formal - drop the act. The other thing is that you SHOULD HAVE informed me beforehand about your arrival, also, you are not sorry at all, especially that I have heard that you pretty much tried to break into my room despite my friend’s attempts to stop you…”
I was annoyed and even more exhausted than before. Both me and Giselle had long shadows under eyes.
* “Show some respect, commoner! You are talking to…” Arthur’s bodyguard raised his voice but he was silenced by one king’s gesture
* “Yeeah. I am totally guilty of that. And not even sorry whatsoever!...” he waited a moment and turned his head few times looking at me and Jeremy “… to think that Jeremy, the dragon slayer would have such a brilliant student! Zariel, the dragon layer!...”
* “If I got a bronze coin for each time I heard that joke that alone would be enough to build the second factory.”
* “I-is that so? Tsk!...” Arthur was more than disappointed “… Still, you made us waste quite some time till you finished, you have guts to make me wait, kid!... and stamina.”
* “It’s because some… DUMB GECKO!... drank something she was not supposed to…” Giselle bashfully turned her head to the side avoiding gazes of rest of us with guilt painted all over her face “… so that’s why. Now, say what brings you here, in the meantime, we will be eating, hope you don’t mind.”
* “No, sure! Go on, you need strength to… wrestle some…”
* “Arthur, had no one told you how pathetic your jokes are?”
* “No, everyone always laughs in my presence!”
* “That’s probably because the way you are governing this country is a joke…” I quickly responded. Blanka became red all over her face, Jeremy chocked, Lanele covered her lips with a handkerchief to hide her smile, on the contrary, the king’s servant became pale and knight put his hand of his sword “… draw your blade in my presence and you will be picking your arm off the floor.”
I released some of my blood lust.
You are performing the action of [Intimidation] nature [Fear] status has been successfully inflicted
* “Zariel! Don’t bully my people!... Also, touché. That hit close to home.”
Giselle resumed to chew on a piece of cooked pig, yet as much as the flavor wasn’t quite to her taste, she raised a question.
* “Ummm, could you please pass me some salt, daddy?” She asked.
Jeremy’s hand moved toward salt cellar… the thing is… I also moved - slightly before she ended her sentence, which resulted in both of us grabbing the vessel at the same time.
Yuuup, that totally looked as if I reacted to being called a Daddy as well.
“Accidentally” Jeremy’s hand landed on mine.
And then he tightened his grip.
You took [25] dmg Your [Right Hand] is now [Severly Broken] Str -10
Dex -10
Can't wield [Tools] nor [Weapons] Until condition is cured
I heard as my poor bones snapped, all of my fingers were standing in weird directions, even my palm was deformed.
* “My-my, Jeremy! What a clumsy person you are!”
* “My-my! Zariel! I am soooo sorry! Because of my old age, such mistakes are bound to happen! Eyes are not working as they used to and I mistook your hand for salter! Ah, but hands are not so good either… too much pressure I put in there, didn’t I?”
* “My-my. Jeremy! Fear not about that! Tis' nothing at all!”
I said activating Hydra’s regeneration and shaking my hand in the air. It looked like a magic trick – all my bones were forced back in the right places - as if the damage never happened.
* “My-my, Zariel! I hope I didn’t hurt you!”
* “My-my Jeremy! What made you think so? I barely noticed it!... Just as you said, you must have grown older! Yes? Must have problems with the most basic tasks, yes? Soon you won’t be even capable of doing most basic things, yes? Poor Alesia is already doing most of your work, yes? You are pretty much a guild master just from name, yes? You will retire soon, yes?” I tried my best to play the [dumb yet kind one] of course, my intentions were obvious
Then both of us laughed in most “innocent” manner.
* “W-what is this pressure?...” knight whispered to Blanka “… E-even though they are just talking… it’s as Behemoth and Goliath were about to fight for territory…”
* “If you compare these two to Behemoth and Goliath, then you surely underestimate them…” she responded
* “My-my, Zariel! What are you talking about! You were always such a joker!”
He gave me a pat in the shoulder.
Your shoulder is now [Disslocated]
Regeneration.
* “My-my, Jeremy, but of course! Still, you shouldn’t overwork yourself! We never know when fatigue could leave you defenseless!”
I “fist-bumped” side of his arm
You are now using [Mana shock wave]
The skill didn’t quite cause any significant damage to him, but the shock that spread over his body affected the chair that he was sitting on, making it shatter into dust. Dragonslayer landed on his ass.
* “Oh my! Jeremy! Did you put on some weight?! To think even guild chair that was made to withstand the warrior in full plate armor sitting on it would collapse under you!”
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I put my hand over my mouth “shocked”.
* “Oh my oh my! Apparently this guild has termites! Poor furniture!”
* “Ekhem!” Arthur cleared his throat “… before you would kill one another... I have few matters to discuss with our chair… and bed… breaker.”
* “My-my! Arthur what were you even implying just now…”
* “Jeremy, please…”
* “Tsk.”
Then, king’s eyes shined
* “If you really want to play so much, then maybe you can do that later, in the training room, perhaps?”
* “FINE BY ME!” Jeremy roared
* “I don’t enjoy bullying old farts… but this one time I can make an exception…” I responded raising my cup of tea
* “Great, in that case… Zariel. Please, tell me what exactly happened. With all details.”
So I talked. About Kim. About slavery. About how Kim was affected and raised and used. About chairman first sending his “cleaners” and then coming in person. And how I cleaned the situation as made a deal with beast folk that currently were hiding in mountain, waiting for news from me.
Oh, the only thing I said about Kim’s fate is that I killed him with my own hands. Which wasn’t a lie.
I thought that the royal scribe couldn’t get any paler than he already was, boy I was wrong. Even mr. bodyguard stop emitting his hostility toward me.
They all knew what it meant. For this city, for some castes in this city, for the king and whole kingdom. Arthur was sitting in silence for few more minutes, before he spoke, saying what was about to happen.
And damn me, but in that time, he did act like a true king.
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Few days later, Arthur was speaking from the balcony of Rosewood company building in the city center. The whole plaza was crowded with people.
* “Citizens of Neira! It must be the first time in years I came to this city! My lack of visit was caused in my absolute faith in the people to whom I left governing this city in my name! I gave the power of guilds – to the people – to you! Hoping that you yourself would know the best was for your wellbeing, in this harsh region! I made you a free city, KNOWING that you, as the merchants, craftsmen a hunters would be more than enough to preserve to moral standards of our kingdom!... And never in my life I was so wrong.”
The whole market became quiet.
* “Just few days ago I was informed about cruel, even BESTIAL practices that were going on. I wanted to give no faith to these information, I wanted to believe that no one could be this… SAVAGE and BARBARIC! About the open secret that was going on! That in years not even a single just person would raise against this inhuman current! So I came, and investigated on my own, to see it with my own eyes.”
From shadows, I stepped out together with leader of beast-men – the man of panther tribe, each of us took a place on king’s side, standing slightly behind him.
* “Let me remind you the very mission of Neira. Every few hundred years, the demons are attacking our continent from the east. We were made as a mean to stop them. To stop the violence. To stop the havoc. To be a bulwark against terror and destruction! The most sacred rule we swore to defend – the life of others! No matter who! Human, dwarf, elf, beast men! We are here to protect them from demons… Yet, with shame I reached a realization, that we – humans, all along could be much worse than demons. Demons, you see, are attacking because they are starving, for their homeland is barren and appetite unquenchable… We on the other hand have plenty of food! Warm houses, even though not all of us are living privileged life, we still have more than those less fortunate than us! So why. WHY ANY OF US WOULD TREAT A LIFE OF SOMEBODY ELSE AS PROPERTY!? Slavery, is the worst crime of all! Worse than rape! Worse than murder! How could ANYONE have so little COMPASSION?! How could anyone be this… creature… worse than a demon.”
He walked from one edge of the balcony to the other one
* “… this might be a controversial action, few may called me mad… but after long conversation I had with top leaders of merchants guilds, I have reached the following conclusion.”
The scribe came out behind of us taking Kings spot, he raised a document on his face level before he started yelling.
* “On the power of king’s decree regarding the fate of City of Stottegard, hereby I proclaim what follows!: The current city’s governing party made of merchants guilds losses all administration power over the city! All officials are strip of their ranks until judicial proceeding remains unfinished! Everyone found guilty and responsible for participating in the crime of slavery by: organizing and participating in slave hunts, human traffic, by owning a slave, using a slave or supporting the crime by hiding the evidences of mentioned crime will be sentenced and punished with: a fine, a jail time, forced labor… or DEATH… depending on the level of guilt and committed a crime.”
He picked another document.
* “The temporary power over the city – in a matter of administration, finances, and taxation as well as justice – is being taken by the Royal authorities led by regent – the Lord Blackwater!”
O-ho. Blackwater, name that rings a bell. The knight-lady that “helped” in mountain bandits annihilation. She branch of Blackwood family. Arthur’s loyal war dogs, not interested in politics in power. Mr. King's position keep on improving.
The third document was being raised.
* “Admitting Zariel’s, called Whiteraven, undeniable contribution in uncovering with the above-stated crimes, as well as reducing the number of casualties and staving off the crisis, as well as mediating between the sides of conflict, I, signed below, Arthur the Grey, first of his name, ruler of Neira, Liege of the Obsidian Tower…” even though just from the name, as mages were quite unruly “… and head of the higher and lower Senate, I hereby grant Mr. Zariel, called Whiteraven, the land of the Greyemak, previously being a property of Stottegard and guild, making him a Lord of no House with a title of Baronet!”
Ah, yes. The non-noble title or property lord. Until now not even a single person was awarded with this title. Mostly because it was quite… useless. For both parties. The king had very limited control over that person (nearly none) – only regarding some taxes and such, while the Baronet wasn’t given anything except the land – just a bigger house place, usually, if a need appeared to reward someone with a land, they would be given nobility. Just because – more practical for everyone concerned. The only loophole that Arthur could find to execute the rest of our dirty little plan.
The Scribe bowed down as he was putting documents together carefully in order not to damage them. As soon as he left the place, it was my time to speak.
All this time, the crowd’s mood was constantly shaking and shifting. From “it’s not my business” to “hey, is he allowed to do that?” then to “Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck” just to move to “ah no, fine, it won’t affect me” to once again raise to “ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!”.
I was supposed to soothe their anger.
* “Citizens of merchant city…” I said in a calm, quiet sorrowful tone “… As some of you may know, my name is Zariel – I am an adventurer, alchemist, and philanthropist. I am not a citizen of Neira. Not by the blood. And until now, not by the land. I came from the wild, having nothing, owning nothing. Yet, Neira let me in. Gave me shelter and purpose. I swore to myself that I would repay my debt by dealing with every threat that could ever strike this kingdom or human race that was so hospital toward me…” bullshit after bullshit. That’s the part that was written by the scribe and told me to proclaim as my own “… for the past few years I was the adventurer killing the beast threatening the peace of this land…” for my definitely not selfish reasons “… an alchemist that found new ways of producing potions making them more affordable “… definitely not to finance the Syndicate “… and a man that kept on rising the institutes of public use, like schools and orphanages!” definitely not to turn blood money into clean money and hide the incomes from public…
* “… The thing is… I hid a thing from you this whole time… You see… I am no human…” After a few seconds I grew cat ears and tail with white fur. Few could mistake me for rare snow panther tribe member “… I also am a beast-man that was told to hide my real nature…” well, that wasn’t a lie. Beastman is just a fancy name for a specific type of chimera anyways “… seeing my kin in chains and wounded breaks my heart. My soul was filled with rage seeing their pain. All these sins, were not the sins committed by Neira I knew! Not the kind Neira! Hospitable Neira! Warm Neira!... It couldn’t be the crime committed by the country I swore to protect!”
Nothing better than some good guilt-application. I saw many people lower their heads in fear and sadness.
* “I… I chose to believe that the whole city can’t be judged basing on behaviors of few corrupted of the rich caste… Still, walking over the streets I couldn’t not notice the cruel words addressed to the beast-men… This is why… This is why I decided to bring our races together!” I yelled grabbing my chest in with one hand while raising second one toward the crowd “…The root of all evil is hate! Hate made of ignorance fueled by fear! Our races were living apart for far too long… This is why I decided to use land that was just granted to me to build my second factory, here, in the administrative range of Stottegard! Every recently freed slave will work here as well as every willing man or woman from this city! I hope, that working side by side and knowing one another better, we can achieve understanding and peace! This is why I wish to ask you – all of you and each of you, please, let my egoistic dream come true – the dream of the world where there is no hate between the races! Where man and beast can together build a bright, new future!”
The crowd cheered loudly.
Oh, not because they were happy to live alongside beast-men, no. Simply, the benefits of actions completely prevailed over the inconvenience of living with “lower race”. I just said I would make a new workplace – and everyone knew I am paying better than every regular employee. Also, because the factory would be “just around the corner” the potions prices would drop too – because you know – no cost of transport.
Skillfully manipulating the course of speeches.
I see you asking – but what about Rosewood? Wouldn’t he object the king’s decisions?
No. He had no reason to. He didn’t really care about legal power over the city, and as “merchant king” he still had it in his grasp. Also, the outcome – which is my company nearby, also bread new possibilities for him.
Laster, the panther man raised his voice. He would merely vocalize his pain and humiliation, but also mentioned that for the wellbeing of his people he will willing to participate in “my plan”. He never said: “I forgive you”. Quite the opposite. He said, that from now onward, he will look for the satisfaction of every crime that would be committed against their community.
In an hour or so, we were again sitting in the room in the Rosewood guild being served some coffee.
* “It’s a bit too early for alcohol, and rising toast with teas and coffees appears to be slightly inappropriate… but let me do it anyway! For the City of Stottegerd. May it flourish and raise in power, contributing to peace of Neira as a whole!”
Newly assigned Lord, less than 30 years old, raised his cup. Despite his lack of experience, he had something that would quickly earn him the trust of other people around him – the light of passion and dedication in his eyes.
* “And for peace…” beast men raised his mug.
* “And good fortune.” Rosewood followed, though he raised his cup more in my direction than anyone’s else.
* “Zari, so now you even have a land?” Somehow, Giselle appeared not to like this idea at all
* “What is it love? What bothers you?”
* “It’s just…” she looked so lost “…no, never mind. We may talk about it later. It’s no time for these sorts of things. Everything ended well, we should rejoice now, I can always bug you when we are alone!”
* “Speaking about which… Zariel should be
* “That’s right. I already used him to my heart content! Ho-ho-ho.” The old king laughed loudly
* “In that case, it’s time to show me how much you grow, kid.”
Jeremy’s ridiculous anger already left him after a few past days during which we could talk quite a lot. He calmed down, especially once it was brought up that It was mostly Giselle’s fault for getting herself in that condition. Right now, he really wanted just to test me…
… Or so I hoped.