Ubel went through the report Reaver had put together and quickly figured out what they should be doing next. He began by ordering Grim to study the mecha they’d brought back to see if they could use it or if he could find any weaknesses they could exploit.

“Thanks for the opportunity, Commander. I’ll have a report done on the machine by the end of tomorrow.”

Ubel nodded his head, “Alright, I’ll be eagerly awaiting the results. I’ll also leave a core with you to study.”

“Many thanks. I’ll take my leave and get to it.”

Grim gave a slight bow and left the house with a skip in his step.

Ubel turned to glance at Reaver, who was lazing on a couch, “Bring Agate, Bishop, Ajan, the gem mages, and Empty over. I have a task for them, a matter most urgent.”

Rever yawned, “Acknowledged. After this let me sleep, I’ve been straining myself the entire day.”

“You’ll have six hours to rest but after that, I’ll need you for the night operation.”

“Fuck, not eight? You’re a slave driver.” Reaver as she sent her tigers out as messengers.

Now let’s see your poker face Bishop. Consider it your last test.

It didn’t take long for the dwarfs to arrive. Bishop entered first, followed shortly after by Empty, then the gem mages, and Ajan a few minutes after. The only one late— by twenty minutes at that— was Agate, who was downing a bottle of wine when he walked in.

Ubel was expressionless at the sight.

Apparently you think you're the shit Agate, thinking you got off scot-free. Just wait till I use you for all you’re worth and throw you into the pits of hell.

While the group was waiting quietly, Agate brashly questioned in a loud voice, “What do you want from me slave driver? Haven’t I done enough, killing those two necromancers?”

Ubel smiled slightly, “Yes, you have done a wonderful job killing those fiends and freeing the hostages. But I have an important task that only you and your Brother Bishop ca-”

Agate interrupted Ubel, pointing at Bishop with utter disregard.

“That fucker isn’t a brother of mine, so I suggest you take that back before I kill you.”

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Ubel merely put on a display of being apologetic, “My apologies, I made a mistake. Please have another bottle of wine to soothe your fury.”

Ubel pulled a bottle of wine out from under the desk and held it out to Agate, who swaggered over and took the bottle with a toothy grin. As Ubel handed the bottle over he gave a look over at Bishop, who was silent and calm like a ghost.

“My, my, slave driver. You truly know how to ask for forgiveness. I guess I could hear you out. What do you need this great one to do?”

“Something simple for someone with skills like yours. To turn the war we need to take the cores we acquired from the mechas and make them into bombs. With your talents and Bishop and the rest as support I’m sure you could accomplish such a simple feat. Once you do you will be rewarded handsomely, but I’ll need at least ten done in two days.”

“You want me to mess with tier four cores? If I’m going to be risking my life I’ll be expecting something valuable in return.” Agate shot back.

“With the authority granted to me I’ll be able to give you whatever you ask for. Of course, as long as it is within reason. After all, because of you we’ll be able to beat this event.”

Hearing that Agate kept his usual smiling expression but inwardly he was laughing hysterically.

Messing with tier four cores is a cakewalk, this’ll be an easy way to cement my position and get a ton of goods. Once I’m done maybe I’ll ask that blind chick with nothing better to do than follow around that fake king to be my toy. Or maybe that girl on the couch? To control her would greatly boost my power in this little place. And after I reveal how this slave driver and Urist did nothing while knowing I had let so many die? Oh, the chaos it’ll bring, I just can’t wait to show Bishop how wrong he was. Maybe I’ll take him back if he sees reason.

Though his thoughts ran wild, Agate revealed nothing as he moved his mouth, “Oh? Then I’ll expect some great things from you, slave driver.”

“Good. I’ll give you half of the cores now since the rest were left for Grim to study. When you finish these five you’ll get the other half. A tiger will be waiting outside to lead you to your workshop. With how dangerous this task is the workshop is a bit outside of the village. I hope you're fine with that.”

Agate took the bag of cores and waved Ubel off, “As long as you bring food and booze there it’ll be fine. Come underlings, let’s get to work.”

Bishop and the rest that were silently watching also exited the building.

After the group left Reaver turned to Ubel. Her once neutral face shrouded with disgust, “Wow, I didn’t know you could act like that Ubel. Made my skin crawl. I have to agree with your plan to kill him, but still, do you have to make poor Kist go through with ripping the knowledge out of that trash of a dwarf's brain?”

Ubel turned to her, his expression back to his usual dead-eyed stare. “I’ve done enough acts like that to break your spirit. It’s a good skill to learn and I implore you to learn it as well. As for the mind rip… even if he’s a trash dwarven being he’s still a tier four. The information in his head will be of great help to our gem mages, and besides for all his disrespect he needs to be milked for all he’s worth.”

“Remind me to not become your enemy, Commander.”

“Humph, I care not what you say as long as you do not undermine me or King Urist, and do your duty diligently. Now go rest, I’ll need you in top form for the night operation.”

“Sir, yes sir!”

Ubel watched Reaver leave and took a moment to lean back in his chair, closing his eyes as a small smile formed upon his lips.

That was a really good poker face, Bishop. I’m glad my greed paid off.