David reclined in the uncomfortably stiff chair at the center of the round hall atop the Black Tower. Lately, he had spent more time here than anywhere else, and with each passing day, his desire for better furniture grew stronger.
His fingers drummed idly against the stiff armrest as he waited, impatience creeping into his posture. Today, at last, he would learn whether the effort of the past few days had paid off. Every possible step had been taken to spread word of their upcoming auction.
To fulfill Zeke's request for a trade contract worth at least a million gold, they had been forced to accelerate their plans. Their offering was clear—the labor of Undercity.
The problem?
Their labor had become a commodity the people above had come to expect would be freely given. Years of exploitation had ingrained the idea that the poor wretches in Undercity were meant to work for scraps, unworthy of anything approaching a fair wage.
That was the perception they needed to shatter—a daunting, uphill battle, to say the least.
David rose from his chair and walked over to the large window that overlooked the city to the east. His gaze swept downward, taking in the sprawling cityscape below. A contented smile spread across his face as he surveyed the scene.
Dozens, if not hundreds, of construction sites dotted the city, each one a symbol of progress. Every building that hadn't already been remodeled or reconstructed was either scheduled for renovation or already in the midst of it. The scale of the project was staggering—a complete overhaul, a plan so massive it almost defied logic.
However, with thousands of workers, each possessing at least something approaching superhuman strength, even the most impossible tasks became achievable. Watching from above, it resembled an ant colony in motion—each worker carrying supplies many times their own weight, ferrying them to various construction sites.
Needless to say, progress was swift.
Morale had been high ever since the new food source had been secured. With the constant fear of starvation gone, the most basic need for survival was no longer a concern. Freed from that anxiety, the focus had naturally shifted to the next essential need: shelter.
The council, including David, had all been in favor of the project, though their motivations likely varied. David, for example, had primarily supported the initiative to change the city's image as quickly as possible.
In simple terms: Undercity looked like a dump. Many of its inhabitants lived in little more than shacks or poorly constructed attempts at proper buildings. How could anyone take them seriously? Whether one agreed with it or not, appearance mattered—and Undercity looked like a slum.
But that was beginning to change, and it was evident at a glance to anyone observant enough. One of the reasons David had chosen to hold the meeting in the very halls of the Black Tower, rather than in the city above where proper business was typically discussed, was to highlight the transformation underway.
David's brow furrowed as he sensed a movement in the shadows behind him. He turned just in time to see the figure of Elder Rabbit emerge from behind one of the towering stone pillars. She was getting better at this.
"How did it go?" he asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
Elder Rabbit smiled, her tone measured. "It was quite the turnout."
"Who accepted?" he pressed impatiently.
"Nair, Verma, Gemkar, Veerkar, Bandhi, Varrun, and…" She hesitated, the pause stretching just a moment too long. "…Raja."
David nodded as she named the first few, feeling a sense of approval. But as she continued, his expression darkened, his impatience growing with each name. When she finally mentioned the royal family of Korrovan, it caught him completely off guard. Although they had invited them out of courtesy, there had been no real expectation that they would actually attend.
The Raja family was not directly involved in any business dealings; they had no need to be. As the ruling family, they took a share of the profits no matter who prospered. Their presence at this meeting could signal trouble, depending on who they would send.
A lower-ranking member of the family could likely be influenced or even disregarded without much consequence. However, if a direct descendant of the Raja family were present, everything would change. Such individuals often had the authority to speak on behalf of the king, and their words carried the weight of royal law.
David sighed, feeling a weight settle on his chest. If it came down to the royal family intervening, there wasn't much he could do. However, it seemed unlikely that the king would tip the scales at this stage. After all, the true impact of Undercity's transformation had yet to be seen—whether it would ultimately benefit the kingdom or become a detriment. For a being of such power, it would be easy enough to halt their plans later if things began to take a turn for the worse.
Shaking the thoughts of the royal family from his mind, David focused on the other names Elder Rabbit had mentioned.
The attendance of the Nair family, one of Zeke's closest allies, was no surprise. Unfortunately, they lacked the resources to sign such a massive contract at the moment. Given a little more time, they might have been ideal partners, but their infrastructure, manpower, and connections had all taken significant hits due to their feud with the Firebrand family.
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The Verma family, as far as David knew, was one of the largest cloth and clothing manufacturers in the country. Their demand for labor was nearly insatiable, and their access to the necessary funds meant they could easily afford a contract of such scale. As far as he was concerned, they were one of his favorite business partners—reliable, capable, and with a relatively clean reputation.
The Gemkar family, on the other hand, had a more tenuous connection to Zeke. They were the ones who had provided the information about the mine that contained the Liquid Metal. Once the mine's owners, the Gemkars had lost it during a tragic incident, which had severely undermined their foundation. Yet, they had been recovering steadily. If they struck a deal with Undercity now, it could be their chance to regain their former prestige.
Not a bad choice, either, all in all.
However, the next three families raised more concerns: Veerkar, Bandhi, and Varrun.
The Veerkar family was responsible for training soldiers for the royal forces, and many of their recruits came from Undercity. It was unclear whether their attendance at the meeting was an attempt to strike a deal or to voice their frustrations about the dwindling number of candidates. The Veerkars had long relied on Undercity's population to fill their ranks, and the recent changes could be threatening that supply.
The Bandhi family was likely in a similar position. As the largest slave traders in Korrovan, a significant portion of their stock had been sourced from Undercity. Though Undercity was often seen as little more than the cesspit of society, occasional talents—mutants with unique abilities—still emerged from its depths. The loss of these individuals would have dealt a severe blow to the Bandhi family's business, and it was uncertain how they would respond to these changes.
Lastly, there was the Varrun family. They were wealthy, generous, and by far the largest traders in Korrovan. On paper, they appeared to be the ideal partner for a major trade deal. However, to David, they were placed at the very bottom of his list. Their past dealings with his young lord had left a bitter taste, and their underhanded business tactics painted them in a thoroughly unflattering light.
No, if he had any say in the matter, he would avoid signing a contract with the Varruns at all costs.
David broke off his thoughts and turned to the eagerly awaiting Elder Rabbit. "Did they all agree to attend the meeting here?"
The woman nodded, her ears flicking with the motion.
David's brows furrowed in thought. "Even the Royal family?"
Elder Rabbit gave a final, confirming nod. "They did."
How strange. The Raja family had always been known for their refusal to take shelter in Undercity during the stormy seasons. It was even rumored that the very idea of such a lowly place disgusted them. Yet now, it seemed their reasons weren't rooted in any sense of superiority.
David pressed on, his curiosity piqued. "And the others we invited? How is the mood on the surface?"
Elder Rabbit paused, carefully considering his question before replying. "From the reports, I can't say for certain," she said slowly. "But many of my messengers mentioned that the parties didn't seem completely uninterested, even those who refused to attend."
David scoffed, understanding exactly what she meant. "Afraid to make the first move, in case this doesn't work out, huh?"
Elder Rabbit nodded, her expression confirming his suspicion.
It didn't matter. The families too afraid to take a risk weren't the ones David needed to worry about.
Now, with the meeting confirmed, the real question was: who would their side send to attend? His presence was expected, but who else could accompany him?
It was crucial to make a strong showing. The other side would likely send Archmages, and unfortunately, his side was running dangerously low on those. Even the two they did have—the dwarf and the fugitive Water Mage—preferred to remain anonymous.
The Death Mage, though sympathetic to his young lord for some reason, wasn't someone David could rely on or command. As for Ravi Dessai, the leader of the Lion's Den, he had no real ties to the activities in Undercity. If he made an appearance here, it could even jeopardize his position on the surface.
It was a real conundrum.
A loud creak echoed through the room as the large wooden doors slowly swung open. Both David and Elder Rabbit turned toward the sound. This place, as the council's meeting spot, was not easily accessible to just anyone. Whoever had arrived was likely bearing important news.
The double doors parted slightly, revealing the slender figure of Soria, the Chimeroi whom Ezekiel had favored during his time in the mines. As the first to be freed from her slave bond, she held a unique position in the new administration of Undercity.
But it wasn't Soria herself that drew their attention. It was the peculiar box she carried. Its mere presence set it apart from anything produced in Undercity, its quality far exceeding what they were capable of crafting at the moment. To David, however, the sight was all too familiar.
"Dwarven craftsmanship..." he muttered under his breath.
Soria stepped into the room and placed the box on the large conference table. "Indeed," she replied with a smile. "It seems our lord has sent us another surprise."
David's brows furrowed at the use of the term 'our lord.' As far as he was concerned, he was the only one officially employed by Ezekiel in this room. But he didn't correct her. The devotion the young woman showed seemed genuine, and given her growing influence, it was wise to keep her on his side.
It took a moment longer for David to fully grasp the implications of her words. If this had been sent by Ezekiel, it meant his young lord had already reached the dwarven capital. David could only hope that Ezekiel had adapted to their ways more quickly than he himself had.
"You didn't open it?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.
Soria shook her head. "It was addressed to you."
David's fingers gently brushed against the leather covering. The craftsmanship was precise, clearly designed to protect something delicate within. What could it be? And what could his young lord have sent in such a situation? Surely, it wasn't an Archmage hidden inside.
He chuckled at the absurdity of the thought. While Ezekiel had incredible foresight, even he couldn't have predicted their current predicament, let alone prepared a solution for it. A scenario like this was simply beyond the realm of possibility.
With a simple push, the metal latch securing the box's top snapped open, revealing its contents. Both Soria and Elder Rabbit craned their necks, eager to see what was inside, and even David couldn't suppress his growing curiosity.
His gaze landed on a row of vials. The craftsmanship was as intricate as the box itself. Inside each vial swirled a mysterious, purple liquid, its misty essence moving in a way that seemed almost alive.
For a moment, the three of them simply stared at the sight, their minds captivated by the mysterious sight. Then David's eyes caught something tucked behind the row of six bottles—an envelope with the word 'David' boldly written across the front.
He quickly opened the envelope and began reading. With each word, his expression shifted, growing more and more perplexed. By the time he reached the end of the letter, his arms went limp, and he stared at the vials with a mixture of disbelief and suppressed excitement.
"Dreamwalker Brew," he muttered softly.