Chapter 20: Foundations 10
Elania returned to her office in the estate, numbness washing over her as she looked at the pile of papers in her hands. She scanned the tables, heart sinking with each line.
[Housing/Building Rent (1 month), 4,500 Crit]
[Basic Rations (1 month), 7,000 Crit]
[Supplies (1 month), 2,800 Crit]
[Medical Supplies (1 month), 500 Crit]
[Miscellaneous Expenses, 2 lots, 1,000 Crit]
The best prices from the wholesaler merchants were not nearly as low as she had hoped. Their income was woefully short of the mark.
[Income Source, Amount (Crit)]
[Mana Shard Sale: 248 Crit]
[Digger Crab Sale: 51 Crit]
[Airship Income (Est. per day): 200 Crit]
[Airship Income (Est. per month): 6,000 Crit]
[Total Monthly Income: 6,299 Crit]
With a total monthly expense of 15,800 crit and a monthly deficit of 9,501 crit, they were in trouble. The numbers were only a projection, but they painted a dire picture. Once they were more established, they would make up some losses by charging rent.
But none of her followers had any valid currency to pay for it at the moment. And the Neftasu Guard was essentially a money pit.
Elania sat down and placed the papers on the desk, sighing heavily. She needed help and advice.
Her mind turned to Arlois, and she decided to visit and ask for assistance.
Plus, there was still the matter of the confiscated firearms from the Neftasu Guard, for which she was owed compensation. Elania left her office and descended the staircase, footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Yolani was out working for Ember, so she would be going alone.
At the bottom of the stairs, Darius greeted her. “Leaving so soon after getting back?”
Elania nodded. “I’m going to visit the Purple Tower and ask for advice on our finances.”
Darius wished her luck as she headed out into the district and central island towards the Purple Tower. The Silvers let her pass onto Arlois’ island without question, and a servant greeted her at the entrance.
“What is the purpose of your visit?” the servant inquired.
“I’m here to negotiate compensation owed to me by Arlois,” Elania replied.
The servant showed her to the parlor and promised to inform Arlois of her arrival. Another servant appeared, offering assistance. She requested a drink, and he returned shortly with a steaming cup of tea.
As she sipped the warm beverage, she gazed out the window, taking in the magnificent view of Contia. The floating city’s architecture never ceased to amaze her, even in moments of concern.
Ten minutes later, Arlois entered the parlor, presence commanding attention. There was a hint of amusement in the woman’s eyes.
“If you make a habit of visiting so often, people will start to speculate on our attachment,” Arlois remarked.
Elania set her tea down, meeting Arlois’ gaze. “I’m here on business, Arlois. We have matters to discuss regarding the compensation you owe me.”
She stood up, ready to discuss the matter further, but Arlois waved her hand, gesturing for Elania to sit back down.
The demi-divine took the seat across from her.
“I want the muskets that you confiscated to be compensated,” Elania said firmly.
Arlois waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll pay 500 crit, since I know you have monetary issues.”
Elania’s brow furrowed. “They took at least four thousand muskets.”
Arlois smiled knowingly. “And they are worth less than I’m offering,” she explained, leaning back in her chair. “The muskets aren’t very effective.”
Elania’s frustration grew. “They were effective in the war in Neftasu against the Lightbringers.”
Arlois raised an eyebrow. “Can they kill paladins?”
Elania shook her head. “No, their armor stops them.”
Arlois sighed. “That’s too bad. The muskets fire only a single shot before reloading and are only effective against fodder, then. That makes them only marginally better than crossbows while requiring special ammunition.”
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Elania’s frown deepened. It was hard to refute her points. “They do—”
“Much more damage, yes. But their rate of fire is much slower than a good, strong crossbowman,” Arlois said, cutting her off. “I don’t see an advantage there.”
Elania took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. “Yolani was working on improving the muskets,” she said. “There are lots of ways she might make them more effective.”
Arlois raised an eyebrow. “That’s interesting,” she acknowledged, but her expression quickly turned indifferent. “But I don’t care.”
Elania’s heart sank.
The demi-divine leaned forward, gaze intense. “Armies aren’t generally counted by how many soldiers they have, but how many champions or elite combatants they possess,” Arlois explained. “The Lightbringer Paladins are likely one of the weakest that could qualify.”
Elania frowned, worry gnawing at her. None of the Neftasu Guard would be considered champions by Arlois’ standards. The implications were troubling, and she wondered how they would fare in an overworld conflict.
“Why the restrictions on my guards, then?” Elania asked. “None of them could be a threat to Contia or its forces.”
Arlois stared at Elania, gaze unwavering. The silence stretched. Elania shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
Arlois finally tsked, shaking her head as she leaned back in her chair.
“Please, think before asking such questions, Spark,” she chided, tone condescending. “If your loyal Neftasu Guard were given free rein, it’s certain they could cause significant unrest and issues in the city beyond the Four Towers’ ability to monitor and control.”
Elania’s eyes widened slightly. Arlois was right. If the Neftasu Guard could operate without restrictions, they would have the power to disrupt the delicate balance of power in Contia, just as the Lightbringers and Conclave had done in Neftasu. And those actions had led to the invasion and the downfall of the Magistry.
Okay, maybe the Magistry was particularly incompetent… maybe. Either way, Elania had seen how internal unrest could be easily formulated by outside agents. Or inside agents? The Conclave had been part of the city, too.
Elania sighed, resigned to the fact she would not be able to negotiate a better price for the confiscated muskets. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her crit card, holding it out to Arlois. “I’ll accept the payment.”
Arlois smiled, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. With a swift motion, she transferred the agreed-upon amount. “Wise choice,” Arlois remarked.
Elania pocketed the card. “What about compensation for Tessa’s services in recharging mana shards?”
Arlois frowned, brows knitting together in disapproval. “Tessa and her chickens generate a revenue of approximately 50 crit per month. I will pay you when it accumulates.”
Elania weighed her options, deciding it was best not to press her luck. She nodded, accepting Arlois’ terms. Suddenly, a system message flashed before her eyes.
[You have gained a rank in Negotiation!]
Elania blinked in surprise. That was nice.
Arlois regarded Elania with a questioning gaze. “Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
Elania hesitated before confiding in Arlois. “I’m still far in the red when it comes to making things work. I need advice on how to generate enough income to cover our expenses.” She paused, recalling the recent incident with Lyra. “There’s also the matter of Lyra stealing some of my followers.”
Arlois leaned back in her chair. “There’s nothing that can be done if the other Towers steal your followers, Elania. It’s allowed. Even if it’s unfair.”
“But not for me,” Elania protested.
Arlois nodded. “The law is in place to protect the city and make it impossible for outside demi-divines to take control or exert influence and build a power base.” She paused, eyes boring into Elania’s. “But that is essentially what you’re trying to do.”
Elania shook her head, hands clenched into fists. “I’m just trying to survive and make do,” she said. “I never asked for this.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Arlois’ lips. “I know,” Arlois said, tone softening. “That’s why I’ve been helping you.” She leaned forward. “But you’re an exception, Elania. The rules don’t account for those very well.”
Elania listened, heart racing as Arlois continued.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing another Tower that’s friendly to me on the council,” Arlois admitted, voice lowering conspiratorially. “But it’s far too early to hope for such things.”
Elania studied Arlois’ expression, trying to decipher the thoughts behind her piercing gaze. The demi-divine’s face remained impassive, revealing nothing. Elania took a deep breath.
“Since we’re aiming for friendship, I would greatly appreciate more advice on income sources,” Elania replied.
“You can’t baby your followers forever, Elania,” Arlois stated firmly. “Trying to find a way to pay for all their lives is a pointless endeavor.”
Unease settled in Elania’s stomach.
“You need to focus on making your followers work to produce on their own,” Arlois advised. “And then have them pay you, not just in [Divine Power], but in taxes—crit, as well.”
Elania’s frown deepened. The idea of exploiting her followers’ worship and idealization of her felt like a betrayal of their trust. She couldn’t imagine taking even more from them, not after everything they had already lost.
“It feels wrong,” Elania confessed. “I would just be exploiting their faith in me.”
Arlois raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. She leaned forward, eyes searching Elania’s face.
“It’s not exploitation,” Arlois countered. “It’s the natural order of things. Your followers owe their allegiance and support to you, their demi-divine. It’s your right to demand their service and tribute.”
Elania listened, interest piqued.
“They do receive something important from you, Elania: protection,” Arlois said. “Protection from the very dangerous and bad things in the world, which most mortals have no hope of surviving.”
Elania winced. Arlois wasn’t wrong about that. There were dangerous things running about on the surface. She’d only seen a small glimpse of that.
Arlois continued, “If you’re worried about repaying them for their resources, focus on increasing your own abilities and tailoring them to protect those loyal to you.”
Elania’s brows furrowed. “Is that what you do?”
Arlois shrugged, a hint of pride in her eyes. “I protect a good quarter of the people of Contia, and I am well recompensed for it.”
Elania nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of Arlois’ advice.
The other demi-divine stood up, signaling the end of their conversation. “If there’s nothing else, I have matters to attend to,” Arlois said. “I’ll send a messenger when I require your assistance. And Elania, don’t bother me again about trivial financial matters—send a messenger instead.”
Elania stood up, acknowledging Arlois’ words with a nod.
As she made her way out of the Purple Tower, her mind swirled with thoughts on their discussion. The reality hit hard: there was far more to the responsibilities of being a demi-divine than she realized.