Amazon Apocalypse 5: Chapter 31

“Sakura! Uh... this isn’t what it looks like?” I glanced down at Mimiko on the ground beneath me.

Sakura shook her head, then pointed a finger at Mimiko. “You don’t need to explain things to me, Carter. I’ve been watching you. The one I need is that one!”

I stepped aside with a sigh. “I need her later. Please leave her intact.”

Sakura scooped Mimiko up and hauled her off. She was probably in for a bigger trial than breaking through to the nascent soul realm had been.

I left my wizard tower and chatted with the construction crew, hoping to clear some room around my wizard’s tower. My excuse was that I needed more room to work, but the reality was that anything near my tower and the big pillar in front of it was liable to become collateral damage.

The construction crew manager in particular wasn't happy that he and his people would need to move.

"We just got settled in here. We're supposed to pack up and get out just like that?" He asked, arms crossed.

"There's a perfectly good city just outside the portal for you all to set up shop in instead. If you stay here, you'll probably get caught up in a big disaster. There's something of an... earthquake on the way," I replied.

"Mucaria never has earthquakes!" the construction manager protested.

So I walked back to the mystic realm control modual and fiddled with settings. I created a large chunk of mass near the city, then removed it. Then I repeated that process a dozen times.

When I saw the construction crew manager next, he was back at his building shouting orders at his workers while furiously stuffing his bags full of his belongings.

"Pack those bags faster lads! This whole place feels like it's going to come down on our heads at any moment! Let's get out of here!" he said, not seeming to notice me.

I had a few similar conversations in the medical bay, then again at the mess hall. It was annoying kicking out all the people who'd come to depend on this place, but it was better to get them out now rather than let them come to harm later. Making it happen involved simulating a few more earthquakes, along with spreading the rumor that the mystic realm's void barrier was unstable. Hauling over a few creepy-looking monsters and letting them run through town helped sell that idea.

While everyone else was gathering up their things and racing to leave, I packed up the best of my treasures from my vault and hid them deeper underground. My most valuable stuff was always on me, but there were other interesting things I would hate to lose if things went wrong and somebody slipped away.

I’d kept a careful eye on Mimiko while I took her through my vault and noted down everything she showed an interest in, which were mostly cultivator trinkets. I lined them up on shelves like they were the main contents of my personal vault, though truthfully, I didn’t care if all of them were stolen.

As I was finishing up, a runner from the First Legion delivered a message to me at the door to my tower.

“Legate Carter, Prince Herius says that he and Lady Velicia request your presence at your earliest convenience,” the young recruit said.

I set my tools aside, straightened my uniform, and left Sanctum for Mundwise. From there, I went to the city lord’s manor, where I came to the front gates. Lady Velicia worked fast. I thought I’d have a few days for her to contact her heretic comrades. Her acting so quickly was outside of my own expectations and might throw off my plans. Maybe I’d have to feign indecision to buy myself a few extra days, assuming Mimiko survived her meeting with Sakura intact enough to complete her double-agent mission.

“Here to see Prince Herius,” I told the guards. I wasn’t sure if this pair were the same two who tried to block me last time, but thankfully they gave me no issues this time.

They parted their halberds, and I walked past. I found Prince Herius and Lady Velicia both sitting in the usual soundproofed garden meeting area, and I walked straight up to them. I noted that Lady Velicia had a large chest behind her, and I hoped the trinkets inside were destined for my pockets.

The prince was running fingers through Lady Velicia’s hair, and she was making shy cooing noises in his ear.

“Prince Herius, I have to say I didn’t expect you here,” I said as I rounded the table.

The prince seemed to barely pay me any mind as he held Lady Velicia tight to his side.

“Oh, I wouldn’t be parted from dear Velicia here for anything. Now what’s this I hear about her buying some artifact out of you? I hope you gave her a good deal. Young Velicia only became city lord recently. She’s still new at this.”

Lady Velicia wore an expression of wide-eyed innocence that was entirely different to the look I was used to.

“I’m sure Legate Carter wouldn’t cheat me. He’s an honest and upright man...”

“I know someone like you might never dream of it, but there are bad people in this world, my dear Velicia...” Prince Herius stroked her cheek while Lady Velicia feigned shock. Beneath her carefully controlled expressions, I felt her frustration and embarrassment.

No doubt she’d wanted to keep her persona with me separate from the one she put on for Prince Herius. The version of herself she’d shown me was perfectly capable of making a little trade of treasures for loot. But the cute and naïve lover she’d pretended to be for Herius inspired considerably less confidence.

“I’m just here to make sure you’re getting a good deal. I know how happy you were to rediscover your family vaults. I need to lend you some of my princely education. I know a thing or two about making a good deal, so just follow my lead, okay?” Prince Herius gave Velicia’s cheek a pinch.

“Oh, you’re so smart, my prince! Thank you for your help!” Lady Velicia gushed.

I had to suppress a laugh as a vein on her temple pulsed with frustration.

From the current situation, I was pretty sure I had a good idea of what was going on. Lady Velicia had to cut her personal time with Prince Herius short. She had made the mistake of telling him about her trade deal. The Prince, being a caring and protective sort, had shoved himself into the middle of her business in the name of helping her. And now Velicia couldn’t get rid of him without breaking character and telling him she wasn’t the naive girl she pretended to be for him.

I rummaged around in my things to pour myself another cup of tea and enjoy the show. I probably should have fought harder to keep the smile off my face, but the schadenfreude was strong today.

Eventually, Velicia was able to extract herself from Prince Herius’ grip enough that she popped open the chest behind her and started putting them on the table.

The first thing she laid out was a series of vials.

“You wanted stat-boosting items, right? I have a variety of valuable elixirs and potions. Feel free to analyze them,” Velicia said.

Potion of Greater Strength (Epic)

Grants +100 Strength.

Potion of Greater Vitality (Epic)

Grants +100 Vitality.

Potion of Greater Agility (Epic)

Grants +100 Agility.

Potion of Greater Luck.

Grants +10 Luck.

“Not bad. Not worth the artifact, but these could fetch a sizable fortune just about anywhere,” I said as took in the set of potions.

Meanwhile, Prince Herius looked concerned. “Velicia, dear. I don’t know what you want with Carter’s pillar thing, but you shouldn’t give away things like this. Save them and use them on yourself.”

Prince Herius took the potions and pushed them to the side of the table, much to Lady Velicia’s annoyance.

“Besides the potions, I also have this...” Lady Velicia pulled another item from the chest.

Ring of Elemental Mastery (Legendary)

Grants the user massively bolstered affinity for elemental control, increasing proficiencies by 100 in air, water, fire, and earth manipulation.

Before the item on the table could linger much longer, Prince Herius picked it up. “This is no doubt one of your family’s most precious treasures! I know you’re kind-hearted and generous, but you can’t give something like this away. It could be the foundation for an entire magic user build all the way into B-Grade. It’s on par with the ring I wear.”

Prince Herius picked the ring up and put it to the side next to the potions. Lady Velicia’s eyebrows twitched in annoyance, but once again, she was forced to hide her expression.

“Alright, I know you’re something of an artificer, so I brought this. It’s a custom workbench that once belonged to a very famous artificer. The tools come included, but the bench itself is the most valuable part of the collection.”

Velicia drew forth a small table just about big enough for one person, though it seemed to grow as she pulled it from the chest to the table we were sitting at. Legs unfolded from the bottom, and the enchantments lining the surface became clearer.

Artificer’s Masterpiece Workbench (Legendary)

This enchanted workbench dramatically increases the success rate of enchantments made on it. Items that were already bound to become successes have a greatly increased probability of becoming masterworks.

“Didn’t you mention you were dabbling with an enchanter job?” Prince Herius asked Lady Velicia as he once again plucked the magical workbench from his lover’s hands and placed it to the side. By now, Lady Velicia’s cute expression seemed as brittle as glass.

This trend continued several more times as Lady Velicia revealed precious item after precious item, offering all of them to trade with me. Meanwhile, Prince Herius plucked them from her grasp and told her about the importance of financial responsibility and not trading away all her family’s treasures for short-term gain.

He even seemed surprised with all the things she brought out, and with good reason. Velicia had brought out quite a haul for me, and even royalty like him was impressed by the stuff she offered me. A noble family controlling a city state like, like the kind Velicia claimed to be descended from, wasn't anywhere near wealthy or connected enough to have items like these.

In the end, our meeting concluded having accomplished little besides giving me a good idea of what the heretics could offer me for the System Planetary Hub. It was more than I thought for a trade on such short notice, which suggested Velicia wasn’t entirely alone on this world.

“A shame, but if you’ve got nothing to trade we’ll have to chat another time. Don’t be too eager to trade away precious family treasures though. Once I’m done examining the pillar and learning from it, I’d be willing to let it go for much cheaper.” I put my teacup away and stood.

“You see? Let this be a teaching moment. Sometimes you just have to be patient when making a big trade like this. It’s easy to spend money when you’re looking after an entire region. If you’re smart, you can stretch your funds a lot further.”

“You’re so well educated in these things...” Lady Velicia said. To Prince Herius, it probably sounded like praise, but to my ears, it was more like sarcastic grumbling.

“Don’t you worry your cute little head. So long as I’m looking after you, everything will be alright.” Herius combed fingers through Velicia’s hair.

“I’ll be off then. I’m sure Lady Velicia has a lot she could learn from you, Prince Herius. After all, she’s got an entire continent’s worth of people to keep united. I can’t think of anyone more qualified to advise her than you!” I waved to the couple as I stood and made my goodbyes.

“That’s true. I should have thought of that! Come, Velicia my dear. Let’s work a little on your government together. It will be fun. I’ll teach you how to set up a proper military.” Prince Herius gave Velica’s pouting cheeks a fond pinch.

***

Prince Herius’ sudden interest in Lady Velicia’s affairs soon threw the city into chaos. What had once been a quiet but effective government enforced by street thugs-turned-guards was now a mess as those same guards were withdrawn from service until they could memorize Glacia’s three thousand-page guide to civic conduct and law enforcement.

A few gangs moved into the city markets, which were only now coming together. They robbed a few stores at swordpoint and generally started breaking the shaky economy that was only now re-establishing itself. I quietly asked Cyra to send some people to enforce the law, and the greatest offenders had been dealt with by the following morning. It wouldn’t solve the problem of rising crime, but fear would help keep a lid on it and make sure it only happened in the shadows.

I waited patiently for Sakura to return Mimiko to me, which happened the day after she’d taken her. Mimiko seemed frazzled, disoriented, and more than a little nervous around Sakura, but all in all, she seemed healthy and ready for action.

“Are you prepared for you mission?” I asked Mimiko.

Mimiko bowed low. “This one is ready to serve with utmost loyalty!”

I chuckled. “Alright. Here, take this ring of supplies. I imagine you’ll need bribes to get to Elder Blackhand, so feel free to trade the treasures in that ring as needed. Good luck.”

“This one will not fail you!” Mimiko said, then made her hasty escape.

Once Mimiko was gone, I shot Sakura a look out of the corner of my eye.

“So, Sakura. What did you do to my double agent? I have big plans for her, you know.”

“I know, I know...” Sakura rested her chin on my shoulder, one hand running up and down my back, as she leaned into me. “I was listening the entire time, don’t worry. And I think your plan is a good one, if a bit risky. The girl’s a cultivator and it’s a bit risky to trust her too much, so I did a few things that will ensure her loyalty. Don’t worry your handsome head. You have a way with magic and machines that I’ll never fathom, but know you can always leave managing people to me.”

“I take it your new job is going well? What did you choose?” I asked.

“A rather unique variant of the manager job specialized in handling people. Hiring people, firing people, and ensuring they work in our interests. Mimiko was actually worth quite a few levels. I jumped all the way to C-Grade with my new job thanks to her. And I’m still climbing too. Apparently all the people I manage back home and on Glacia are counting, even though I’m far from them. Perhaps I’ll catch up with Bridget soon. She’s nearly at B-Grade thanks to all the chef levels she’s getting. Our classes are lagging a bit behind, but we won’t let Myrina and Cyra be the only B-Grades you have by your side.”

Sakura and I chatted a while about things, and I even let her in on my plan, which I probably should have done ages ago. She gave me more details about what happened with Mimiko. After hearing her out, I figured it was decent backup to assure her loyalty. However, by now I was pretty confident Mimiko was on our side, even if she was a cultivator.

The real trouble was going to be the fallout from all this when things went down, but that was, thankfully, something Sakura was prepared to handle as well. Having such capable women by my side made me a lucky man. I told her as much.

“You know, I really need to think of a way to thank you when this is all over. The others, too, once they’re in the loop,” I said.

Sakura smiled and curled her fingers into my shirt. “There’s one way you can thank me right now...”

And so I spent the rest of the day thanking Sakura just how she liked it.