A month had passed since news of the revolutionary LemoGeon Simulator had been released. Word had spread of the new company called Terra Technologies to the royals and nobles worldwide. Orders were rapidly rolling into Hallibrush, along with new residents, creating a sizable waiting list.
Before a large building in Hallibrush stood a demi-cat woman with brown hair wearing a business suit. She adjusted her satchel nervously, swallowing hard. Looking up at the sign, Terra Technologies, her nervousness increased.
The woman took a deep breath and exhaled a bit of her nervousness.
“You’ve got this, Carol.” She affirmed to herself.
Carol opened the door and entered the building.
Upon entering, a demi-bird welcomed her from his reception counter.
“Welcome to Terra Technologies. How may I assist you?” He asked.
“Um, hello, my name is Carol Galen from the Galgalake Press.” She replied.
“Ah, yes. I was informed of your appointment. Please allow me to confirm your identity.” The man said with a pleasant smile.
Carol showed him her press ID, and he thanked her.
After calling into a microphone, a young woman came and retrieved Carol, taking her into the back.
Carol sat in a waiting room for a few minutes until a large demon and demi-canine entered.
“Welcome, Miss Galen.” The demon greeted her with a smile.
Carol knew who the demon was already and stood abruptly while bowing her head.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Delormond!”
He laughed. “Please, just call me Caeldaemos. I lived my life as a mercenary and am not quite used to formalities.”
“I… understand, Lord Caeldaemos,” Carol replied.
He huffed but didn’t try to force her.
“Anyway, this is my wife and the head of operations here at Terra Technologies, Rana.” Lord Caeldaemos introduced.
“A pleasure to meet you, your ladyship.” Carol bowed her head once more.
Lord Caeldaemos and Lady Rana led Carol to the main manufacturing area.
“This is where we fabricate and assemble our various products.” Lady Rana began. “We’re constantly workshopping new and innovative forms of entertainment for the world.”
Carol noticed a long-necked instrument being assembled. “What is that product?”
“Ah, that is a Mana Guitar.” Lady Rana led them to a place where one was fully assembled, handing one to Lord Caeldaemos to prepare and one to Carol to inspect.
“This instrument works with a speaker to create music.” Lady Rana explained.
“So, it is an instrument. What does it sound like?” Carol asked.
Lord Caeldaemos finished getting the speaker and Mana Guitar ready and strummed the strings.
The sound that came out of the speaker caused Carol to stiffen briefly. It sounded melodic like a lute but aggressive, which would cause one’s heart to race.
Lord Caeldaemos began playing the guitar, strumming a simple tune.
Carol’s ears began to flip happily as the song was upbeat yet calming.
The noble finished playing after a few minutes. Carol and several of the workers in the room clapped as Lord Caeldaemos took a bow.
“We are still working on the marketing.” Lady Rana casually commented.
After the Mana Guitar, Lady Rana showed several other instruments to Carol as they went through. One of them is a compact version of a piano that could also hook into a speaker.
They moved on and entered a new area where several people worked diligently at their desks or discussed things amongst themselves.
“This area is our Publishing Section. Many of our books in Owltrelus are primarily for information only, but Cael has developed a new concept, books for entertainment.” Lady Rana commented.
“For entertainment?” Carol asked as she wrote in her notebook.
“Yes. We plan to invest in and cultivate the talents and imaginations of writers and artists. Most stories are passed about via word of mouth. But we plan to create books with both words and pictures. This section will take some time before products begin to roll out, but I feel that many will come to enjoy the products.” Lady Rana explained.
Carol was brought to a new section where a group was building the main item that made Terra Technologies famous, the LemoGeon Simulator.
Five units were set up in a circle with a small play area established between them.
Carol could see a party wandering about a fantastical-looking town, speaking to people.
“What is this? I have only heard of the battle and flight simulations.” She asked the noble couple.
“This is a long-term project we are working on called Adventure Mode. It will be a story-based adventure with various missions, people to interact with, and monsters to fight. We are still working out errors in the game, and what you see is still in Beta Testing.” Lord Caeldaemos answered.
“When do you think it would be available?” Carol wondered, wanting to try it out herself.
“By our estimates, we are thinking a little over a year. Writing a story takes time.” Lady Rana smiled.
“Would you like to experience it first-hand?” Lord Caeldaemos asked.
Carol’s eyes lit up. “I would love to!”
After ten minutes, Carol stood within the world she saw in the play area.
Mana stones were not rare but were a bit pricey for the common people. The level of investments that commoners would typically make were for fire and water stones. The stones would be small and last roughly half a year. The convenience of fresh hot water helped to increase overall cleanliness and reduced disease.
What Carol saw in the world was an overabundance of mana stones in everything. Everything, from door signs to children’s toys, had mana stones.
“Wow…” She looked about in awe.
“Glad you like it.”
Carol looked over to see Lord and Lady Delormond watching her with smiles.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Her cheeks turned red in embarrassment. “Sorry…”
The couple chuckled and led her about the city.
Carol waved at some of the people, but none seemed to see her.
“Ah, those are not real people. Their interactions are limited.” Lord Caeldaemos informed her.
“Oh. So, they are artificial? Like golems?” She asked.
“That is a good description. Yes. We are still in the process of programming the Non-Player Characters, or NPCs for short. Ah, here is one who is programmed.” Lady Rana pointed out an elf who had a big exclamation point over their head.
They had Carol stand before the NPC and had her interact with her.
“Um, greetings?” Carol said.
“Greetings, traveler. You look like someone capable. I could use your help. Would you be willing to assist me?” The NPC asked.
“Sure?” Carol responded.
“Thank you, traveler. I have lost an important necklace that was a gift from my late grandmother. I think I may have lost it around the fountain in the central square or in this area. It is a simple silver locket with an amethyst on the cover. I will look around here if you could check around the fountain. Do you accept to find my necklace?” The NPC pointed down the way.
“I accept,” Carol replied.
A screen popped up in front of her, showing the details of the mission.
“Alright, let’s go.” Lord Caeldaemos began to lead them down the road.
Lady Rana had Carol test several functions like inventory, map, skill tree, and quest log.
“All of this is very convenient,” Carol commented as she looked at the glowing icon on her floating map.
“One of the things we want to do with the Adventure mode is to allow children to play around with different classes. We feel that allowing them to try many different things can help them to decide their future.” Lady Rana commented.
“So far, we have combat classes only. We are looking into adding business and crafting classes as well. But we are thinking of having those be in a different simulation.” Lord Caeldaemos added.
“This is all amazing. To think the simulator had such versatility.” Carol said as they arrived at the fountain.
Carol searched the area briefly before finding the necklace in the fountain’s water. After retrieving it, they returned to the NPC and handed it over.
“Thank you, traveler. Please take this as my thanks.” The NPC handed a small coin pouch over to Carol.
They decided to end the simulation there and were now relaxing in a sitting room.
“This will make for an amazing article. I do have some additional questions, if you do not mind.” Carol asked as she pulled out a pad of paper.
“Of course.” Lord Caeldaemos replied with a smile.
“Thank you. Now, as Terra Technologies is a rising tech company, have you had any troubles?” She asked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two men under the employ of an executive of OWP crept into the building of Terra Technologies.
“Gods, that was hard.” One muttered.
“Security here was too tight. Theirs might be better than OWP.” The other stated as they moved through the empty building.
“Well, we’re here. We need to get the designs for that simulator and get out.” The first stated.
“But she said we would get additional bonuses if we brought more than that.” The second man commented.
“Let’s get the main target first. That payout will have us set for life.”
“Fine, fine.”
They made it through the building and stood before five of the LemoGeon simulators set together.
“Okay, let’s check aroun-.”
“My master does not approve of your intrusion. You shall be pacified.” A feminine voice called out.
The two screamed briefly before being knocked unconscious by an elven woman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Nothing we have not been able to deal with.” Lord Caeldaemos replied.
“What about Other World Propriety?”
“We have been receiving letters from them, but they are asking us to go to them. We do not have that kind of time as we are busy.” Lady Rana replied.
“I see. Thank you. Are you worried that they may become aggressive toward your company?” Carol asked as she jotted down notes.
“They are welcome to try, but it will not end well for them.” Lady Rana gave a dark smile that made Carol believe what she said.
“Thank you. I understand that you are new to nobility. Is this true?”
“It is. We were fortunate to receive the support of the people of Hallibrush back when I was still a mercenary.” Lord Caeldaemos answered.
“How did you receive their support?”
“It was during the invasion by the Reggis Barony. They had captured children that I was trying to escape with. Before they could finish me off,” Lady Rana looked up at her husband with loving eyes, “he saved us. He gallantly defeated my pursuers and freed the children. After I went on my way to Venture to ask for assistance, Cael went on to defeat the entire invading force single-handedly. With that achievement and his loveable personality, he gained the adoration of Hallibrush.”
“How many soldiers were there?”
“Around forty.” Lord Caeldaemos answered.
“T-That is impressive. Might I ask what your class and rank are?”
“We would prefer to keep that private.” Lady Rana apologized.
Carol said she understood and continued. “Now, there is a rumor about yourself, your lordship.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And that is?”
“That you have bedded a hundred women.”
“THAT’S BULLSHIT!” He shouted in exasperation, startling Carol.
“I-I’m sorry, your lordship….”
Lady Rana comforted Carol and assured her that it was no fault of her own. “Trust me, he does not blame you. He is just upset over the false rumor.”
“Ah, so it is untrue. I understand that you have three wives. Is this correct?”
“It is.” Lord Caeldaemos grumbled, looking unhappy over the rumor.
“Cael, see this as an opportunity to put the rumor to rest.” Lady Rana placated her large husband.
He sighed. “I only have three wives. Liara, Rana, and Listamati. I have two daughters, Lily and Geon.”
“Do you have any lovers?” Carol asked.
Lord Caeldaemos didn’t seem to want to answer.
“He does have three. But there is a reason for this.” Lady Rana answered for him.
“Do you mind if I ask the reason?”
Lady Rana blushed a bit. “He is… well… a bit too much of a man for just one woman to handle.”
“I-I see,” Carol replied while blushing and noting her answer.
“N-Now,” Carol shook her dirty thoughts from her mind, “I saw that you are doing considerable construction. Do you have a particular end goal?”
“We do. One of our big projects is to build an entertainment arena.” Lady Rana answered.
“An arena?”
“Utilizing the LemoGeon units, we will have various public battles where people from all around the world can come to test their capabilities.” Lord Caeldaemos answered with a smile, seeming glad to be on a different subject.
“The world? So, you will welcome all races?”
“Correct. One of our visions is to see the end of animosity between the races. As I am sure you have seen in town, we are not just demi-humans. We have many humans amongst our people, living in harmony.” He answered.
“What of fae and demons?”
“Currently, the only demons are me and my wife, Lista. Of the fae, my wife, Liara. But I hope to change that in the future. I wish for my city to be a melting pot of the many different races and cultures worldwide.” Lord Caeldaemos was smiling, but it was clear to Carol how determined he was to make his goal come true.
“That is a fantastic goal, your lordship. I hope that it may come true.”
The noble couple thanked her.
“Now, my last questions are regarding the Heroes and the Demon-Lord. I heard a rumor that one of the heroes wronged your family, and it may have been the Demon-Lord who saved them?”
Lord Caeldaemos clenched his jaw with an angry light in his eyes. “I am sorry, but I am under a royal decree to not disclose the details. I wish to clarify, though, that the Demon-Lord indirectly helped my family member. I have not met the Demon-Lord in person.”
“I understand. Then, what are your opinions on the Heroes and the Demon-Lord?”
“I know history has shown that the Demon-Lord is a malevolent being hellbent on destroying the world, but I truly wonder about that with his actions. He crushed both a slave ring and cultists, saving many innocent people. I understand the hesitation to accept that he may be good, but I, for one, believe he might be.” Lord Caeldaemos answered.
“I see. There has been news from Vualdulin stating that there is evidence of the possibility. Rumor has it that one of the nations may reach out to him soon.” Carol stated.
“Really? That may be interesting to see.” Lady Rana commented.
“Your opinion on the heroes?” Carol asked.
“Ah, yes. I have met the Hero Hana. I find her an excellent person with a good heart, a true hero. I am unfamiliar with the other three heroes but know that the Hero of Sylfaerune is not welcome in my town. That is all I will say.” Lord Caeldaemos said with finality.
“There have been a lot of bad rumors about him, so I can understand.” Carol finished noting down on her pad and put it away. “Thank you both for giving me the chance for this interview.”
The two nobles gave pleasant smiles. “The pleasure is ours. Please, take this as a parting gift.” Lady Rana handed Carol a tablet like one from OWP, but it looked far more durable.
“This is?” Carol saw a small stick installed into the frame and pulled it out to look at it.
“A new tech we will be rolling out this week. It works like your notepad without the need for paper. It also has a recording function if you wish to take video or audio. You can write on the pad using the pen.” Lord Caeldaemos explained.
He showed her how to turn it on and utilize the functions.
“This is truly convenient! Thank you so much!” Carol loved it.
“Another function the tablet will have is the ability to download and read novels. That one, in particular, could hold two hundred novels by our estimates. We are still working on establishing the mana network, so you may receive a notification on it at one point.” Lady Rana informed her.
The noble couple escorted Carol out of the building.
Carol turned and bowed to them. “Again, thank you so much for this opportunity. Please look forward to the article.”
“We will. Safe travels back to Galgalake.” The couple bid her farewell.
The superb article that was released generated massive excitement. Orders began to roll in for tablets and the new instruments. The only thing that irritated Caeldaemos the most was that it seemed no one believed what he said about only having six lovers. The article only fueled the rumor that people were saying he had bedded nearly ten thousand.