The classes at the academy went off without a hitch given the lower number of goblins I was teaching. I did gather some very useful information about the nature of prestige and evolution that I wasn't expecting. I hadn't really been thinking about the fact that the goblins wouldn't really know what they should consider useful or non-useful information, so it ended up taking this long to gain a key insight that I honestly should have been asking them about.

The open secret was about how goblins become hobgoblins. Namely, they reach a prestige one level above mythic, and then when they max that out, they feel as though they cannot prestige again, but are instead offered the ability to evolve into a hobgoblin. I found this out after probing a hobgoblin who recently evolved for more information about their evolution, and the details leading up to it. I rewarded them handsomely for their time and information since I asked a lot of questions to get to the truth of the matter.

Everything considered, this may be the highest level attainable overall in prestige, or it could be just the highest level for goblins. For now, I'm calling it the Apex prestige. After Zeb and I did a little bit of testing before, I believe that the words and phrases used internally for describing things are basically consciously or unconsciously named, so by giving it this name to myself, I'll get some more insight if I choose to prestige again next time if my status reflects the term Apex.

I went around and double-checked with other hobgoblins after this, and they seemed to be in agreement; you reach Apex, then you get to become a hobgoblin. I find this a little odd though, since I know that some other evolutions can occur at other prestige levels as well. I'm thinking there is some other principle at work, leading to the specific situation of the goblin to hobgoblin transition. They do look somewhat similar to each other as well after all...

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After I finished running the academy and collecting data, it was time for me to harvest the last of the float vines that were in the way of the fishing jetty we've been building. Getting the remaining float vines ended up taking the full remaining sixteen days of the month, taking us into the first day of winter.

I also got to try some of Maka's flatbreads that she made, which I'd say were quite the success. A while ago Rishi had tried her hand at making flatbread, but I suppose having someone with training in baking really does make a difference. Since we put a request in for the material for brewing alcohol, I'm hoping that it might also function as a leavening agent, plus I'm sure the dwarves will appreciate us having alcohol available for them. That is, if my intuition is correct.

We're also waiting on a handful of other supplies, like waterproofing agent and more bargas. I've been glad to see that the felt has slowly been finding use, so getting our herds up to acceptable levels should be quite beneficial for us. As for the waterproofing agent, its mostly for more windmills. We don't need them yet, but having more automation will require a power source, and while we could attempt to jumpstart into electricity, for most of what we need that would be overkill, and actually quite taxing on our current economy to develop. Instead, we can rapidly increment our production using plain mechanical power for a while, until our economy is large enough that it doesn't actually break the bank to try and master electricity.

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After six more days, an event occurred that probably brought us the nearest to extinction on this island that we've experienced so far. Kao Ostark arrived with Shasta, three ships, and a meaningfully large army which I estimated to be about one thousand dwarves in size. I was initially quite panicked. However, he simply marched up to our gates, and demanded to speak with me, so of course I obliged him.

I barely got to ask him what was going on, when I received a demand, "Have all available dwarves brought out to him for questioning, no further information would be given until he's met with them."

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This was... frightening to say the least. So I hurriedly had every dwarf, to the child, brought out to Kao. He then hurriedly brought them off to the rear of the army, and for literal hours, that was the situation. Kao separated the dwarves one at a time and discussed something in dwarvish while protected by an army of over one thousand, keeping me, and any of the dwarves he wasn't currently talking to from hearing anything directly.

After he'd talked with all the dwarves, including the children, he returned with them and Shasta to the city gates. What was said next confused me.

"You're being framed."

"Being framed for what?" I asked. It was a simple reply, but I was confused. Framed for doing bad things to the dwarves on the island? Surely it would be an overreaction to bring this many troops if that was the case. I suppose if Kao thought it violated our military agreement in some way then it might make sense...

"We can't talk about it in the open here, I'll send my troops back, save for the most trusted commanders among them. Then we can discuss matters."

So, I waited as the dwarven army was commanded and marched back on the road the way they came from until only Kao, Shasta, and four other dwarves remained.

I offered for us to use the meeting room in city hall, and after a short debate, Kao agreed. I hurriedly fetched Zeb and Zaka, since whatever was happening seemed important.

After we had gathered in the meeting room, Kao spoke, and Shasta translated, "Initially I thought meeting here would potentially be a problem in case information leaked, but given the situation, if information leaks here it probably won't matter, as you'll probably inform everyone on the island of the situation anyway. If you want us to move location after I tell you what is happening, simply say so, and we'll find somewhere more private."

I simply nodded along, and then gave my assent to continue.

"As of about two months ago, a strange pirate ship has been raiding trade routes within the inland sea between the main continents. While it hasn't been particularly successful, it's managed to avoid capture and has sunk a few vessels. Do you have any ideas as to why this would be relevant to the current situation?"

As Shasta translates, I notice Kao is intently studying our faces. So I try to drive my brain into overdrive, why would it be relevant? It doesn't seem like either Zeb or Zaka have any clue either...

Not wanting the silence to go on for to long, I respond with my best guess, "Is it because it disrupts the trade routes and supply lines for both this island and your island?"

Kao seems to relax, but also seems a little disappointed.

"No, if that were the case, I wouldn't have needed to bring the army over. That ship seems to be using steam cannons, much like your own. Worse for your case, it seems that the ship is at least partially, if not completely, manned by demons. I'm sure this is enough to give you an idea of what I meant when I said you're being framed. Additionally, merchants have vouched that you've been buying waterproofing materials."

Everything started to click in place. If we were suddenly out committing piracy, of course someone who we're in a tentative military alliance would become hostile, especially if we were potentially attacking them directly. Why steam cannons though, or rather, how would they know to use them?

I sit for a few moments and mull over the information... Then I remember, it was a year ago now, when Rathland's Baron was visiting, there was a shady figure looking over our steam cannons at night. Although I suppose it could have been the elves as well, but I doubt that.

"A year ago now, when Rathland's representative was here, I noticed a shady figure observing our steam cannons at night, but they escaped before I could see who it was."

"Then things are becoming quite clear. Rathland has also been trying to invoke the ancient defensive pacts to rally other nations to gather their armies to march upon this island and wipe you out, using the piracy as a pretext. Word takes time to spread, and armies take even longer. I'm not sure how many nations will join their cause given the unusual circumstances, but you'll probably have until next winter before they attack. Given our military agreement, we'll help in any way we can."

Kao finishes the statement with a grimace. It's obvious that he's also concerned about the potential asymmetry in firepower. Every time we've fought in the past, it's been on short notice. This time, we have an entire year to prepare for the potentiality of war with known assailants. This time, we'll be ready.