Chapter 89 – Untapped Markets

The next morning, they brought in the gold—all of it.

Under Shiny’s careful direction, the brood imps shoveled the enormous piles and piles of coins into the vault. Kairon’s eyes practically gleamed as he saw his wealth increase. And increase. And increase.

“That… That number can’t be right.” Kairon felt faint. Pressing a claw to his head, he sat back, gaping at his status readout.

“Master! How much we get! Tell! Please tell!” Shiny was standing on his tippy claws, practically drooling.

“Lots… Shiny. A lot. We’re gonna need to update the sheets.”

“How much?!”

“Well.” Kairon cleared his throat, reading off the status.

“Nine… Thousand?!” Now it was Shiny’s turn to feel faint.

They both just sat there, gaping in disbelief. Kairon wanted to get at least the ten thousand for the third ring. This wasn’t quite there. But if he was being honest with himself, he didn’t truly believe they’d get this much. It just didn’t seem real. Not after scrounging the way they had these past months.

It was hard to really visualize the amount itself too. The vault was a hungry little thing, and it hid most of what was inside. But within those gleaming runes, Kairon knew his city’s new massive wealth was pooled.

“Now, we just need to get another thousand gold on the table, and we can make our third ring!”

“Third!” said Shiny. “This exciting. More brood?”

“Well… Let’s discuss that later. For now, this next week’s going to be a marathon of production.”

“No! Discuss now!” Shiny let out a low growl. “Master. The brood new grow. Always grow. How grow if new ring full of other? You make wrath? Stupid wrath!”

“Hey, hey,” placated Kairon. Part of him was surprised—Shiny was almost always easy to go along with his wishes.

Then again, he was on the precipice of evolution. Beyond it, practically, if Bean and Boney were any gauge to measure against.

The press of broodful aura the little guy gave off was truly terrifying. And Kairon couldn’t have his favorite little imp displeased.

So, he went back to his favorite tactic. Pitch what he’d already planned as if it was a compromise.

“Well, it’s just I figured we’d need more void imps. You know, I was going to fill up all the void district slots with new spawning grounds. I’m sure Sythara needs them for research. Don’t you agree?”

“No! Master! No! What about brood? Have open slot! Three! You put spawn there!”

“Hmm? You mean… Fill up the brood district with more spawning grounds?”

“Yes!”

“But we need the void ones for research.”

Shiny pursed his lips. “So? Make both!”

Kairon cocked his head, as if considering this.

“But if we do that, we’d need more housing. And those rookeries are expensive in gold. So the third ring would be delayed…”

“Who care! Brood grow now! Every day you wait less brood tomorrow. Don’t master see?”

“This… could be a good tradeoff. If we view the spawning grounds like investments, the sooner we make them, the sooner they begin to pay dividends.”

“What is dividend?”

“It’s like a small bonus paid regularly on your investment. In this case, a brood imp. Sorta.”

“Ahh. I get it. Want more dividend. More brood!”

Kairon had actually already charted this exact scenario out. If they did this correctly, they’d have their third ring in just over a week, and every building slot would be filled out.

“However…” The city lord rubbed a claw under his chin, as if considering the idea. “So many brood… That might mean a large change in the long term…”

“Good! That’s the point!”

“Yes, I can see the benefits…” The demon paused, as if really letting it sink in. “Alright. Then here’s what we’ll do. Today, I’ll make all the new spawning grounds, including the brood ones. We’ll need to allocate one slot for the feeding pit which… we’ll be able to do tomorrow. And then over the next week, we’ll add two new rookeries, and after that…”

“Ring!”

“The third ring,” said Kairon.

Saying it aloud sounded incredible. Now it was time to make it happen.

“Alright. Listen up. Shiny. For this to work, we need to remember that half of our brood imps are now delve imps. From what I saw, I have a suspicion they’re only good for one thing.”

“Dig.” Shiny didn’t look too impressed about that.

“Yes. But that doesn’t just mean holes. I’m willing to wager they’ll be able to dig materials such as stone and ores. Valuable, shiny things.”

“Ohhh,” breathed Shiny. “I see. But… Not sure… Bean not gonna like. Wanted dig hole.”

“I know. We’ll dig holes too. Tell him I need him to harvest what is here first, then in a week or so, the real digging will begin.”

“Okay.” The little imp shrugged, seemingly content to do his part and let the pieces fall as they will.

“Though… We are quite low on stone. The few deposits we have are nearly bare. I’m not sure how deep they go until it just becomes a hellscape. But let’s empty them. Once that’s done, I want to try their claws out at the iron Sythara found. Or maybe that’ll need to wait. I’ll chart it out after we’re done. Oh! And you know, let’s see how they do with wood and ashroot work. Just as a test. Maybe have one or two join your crews for today only.”

Shiny didn’t seem thrilled at that last prospect. “Master… They seem… Blunt clawed. Not sure good for wood.”

“Remember, we still require cross-departmental training. We discussed this.”

“Seem different,” grumbled Shiny.

“Shiny. What if those dull claws turn out to be great at getting wood? Then won’t you want some of them helping more?”

“Don’t think that happen.”

“Me neither. But an important lesson is to never assume results based solely on theory. Practical evidence always trumps theory in the end when it comes to results. Always.”

“Practical… Evidence.” Shiny mulled the words over in his mouth. “Interesting. Does… This practical evidence help… If delve imp mad…”

“Why? You think they want to dig holes that bad?”

Shiny made a face. “They were annoying. Didn’t sleep well. Think rookery adjustment for them.”

“Hmm. For now, let’s send them to DR and let Nod handle that. But we may need to see about some new living arrangements for our delve imps.”

That’s what Demonic Resources was meant for, after all.

“On second thought—if Bean himself complains, send him directly to me, would you?”

“Yes master!”

***

Boney entered the citadel, bowing low at the waist as usual.

“Good morning, master. You called for my presence?”

Before saying anything, the city lord walked up and ran his claws delicately down the length of Boney’s torso. “First, I wanted to check in on you. How is your healing going? These scars… They still seem rather raw. I had a mission in mind, but it would require much travel. I’m hesitant to send you out now if you think these wounds would impede you. Mind you, I don’t expect this mission to require combat—at least not initially—but still.”

Boney’s pleasant expression soured. “Master… Do not punish the pack for its ferocity. We itch to hunt, not to toddle about.”

“Mmm. This is a rather time-sensitive operation. We just poked the hornet’s nest of paladins, and I want to make sure we have our backyard cleaned up before they come back.”

“I see. How can I be of assistance?”

Kairon put an encouraging claw on the big wolf’s back. “Come. You see this.” He pointed at the little spot on the war table indicating The Wardens and clans.

“Yes. It is the clans with the warriors that no longer live.”

“No, Boney. It’s opportunity. An untapped market. It just needs a guiding claw to help it find the right party to fill the void their warriors have left. My goal for you is to get the clans to agree to an alliance, along with the start of trade discussions. I can handle those myself—or perhaps Shiny—in the future. But for now, you will travel there, gain an audience with their leadership, and begin diplomatic discussions.”

“Master… I do want to help. But I worry that the pack is more for hunting, and this seems like a job for a gatherer, not a hunter.”

“Boney, Boney, Boney.” Kairon lowered his voice, dropping his tone to a conspiratorial whisper. “You know, where I come from we don’t just hunt with our claws, but our minds.”

“Of course! I told Vorathrex much the same, master!”

“Well, I’m telling you now too. This is one such circumstance. You are to use your mind, and subdue our prey. Only this time, we aren’t going to kill our hunted foes. We’re going to fatten them up, and let them feed our pack. To help us grow stronger.”

“Prey… Feed us? But not die?” Boney sniffed, ruffling his fur. “This is interesting, master. What makes the prey want to do that? It seems as if it might require a lot of babysitting.”

“It might seem that way. But if done properly, we can set events up to play out so that the prey wants to feed us. It’s all about perspective, my friend. Honestly, I’ve already invested considerable effort in making this a foregone conclusion. Your test is to show me you can take all the pieces on the board—the scouts and what they witnessed, the destruction of their warriors, and the Valdren hatred we’ve fanned—and turn that into an unwitting ally.”

“And you said this is a test? For me specifically?”

“Indeed. I have some theories about how to help demons grow in ranking. However, that power is going to be given by merit. See this as a way to get further towards the top of that list.”

Kairon meant it. Vorathrex was already a war general. He didn’t need two. What he needed was someone that could do more than just swing a big fist. In this case, he was fostering Boney to do more than give in to his wrathful instincts.

Judging by the golden gleam in the four claw marks on his cheek, it was working.

“I will do my best, master.”

“Good. I know you said you’re ready, but I want the packs to rest at least until tonight. Then, at dusk, you have my leave to set out on your mission. I expect it will take you a few weeks. Along the way, you have autonomy to use your own discretion at the pace you are traveling. If you and the claws need more time to heal, make camp and recover.”

“Understood. As far as the clans themselves… How will I know where to go?”

“I’m fairly certain the clans’ march left quite the trail. Beyond that, though, remember those scouts we let go? They’re only a few days ahead of you. I’m sure you can track them if need be. Also, take these too.” Kairon threw a burlap sack at Boney, letting it land with a jingle at his feet.

The demon snagged it, peeking inside. “These are—”

“The pendants from the paladins. Ten of them. You are to get the clans to agree to wear these on ten of their own. Then, wait around for that week. Find something to do that is productive—ideally with the clans. Build trust. Develop a relationship. Fatten your prey. Once that week has passed, take the pendants and return here—allow the prey to meld on the guidance you have provided. When you roast your prey into a tasty meal, it’s the simmering that makes the most flavorful product after all.”

Boney bowed. “I will see it done!”

“I know you will, Boney. I—”

Bean barreled into the doorway, interrupting his discussion. “Master! Master! I don’t want to play with rocks! I wish to dig!”

A black leash was connected to his back—one that took Kairon a few seconds to figure out what it was. Not that he needed to, as but a heartbeat later Sythara followed after. Her tendrils were thoroughly exploring the four external drill arms Bean sported, each connected to one of her remaining shapes.

“Also, Sythara won’t stop touching me. It’s very distracting,” said Bean.

From the side, Boney snickered. “Better you than me, friend.”

A tentacle shot out, slapping the wolf’s cheek. “I am observing,” said Sythara.

Kairon rolled his eyes. “Observing doesn’t generally include physical contact. Sythara, please keep contact with Bean to a minimum.”

“But child!”

“No. Minimum contact. Got it?”

Pouting, she retracted her shadowy growths.

Before he could become the next target, Boney straightened and prowled from the room. The sneaky demon had made it entirely out of the tower before Sythara or Bean even noticed.

Shaking his head, Kairon decided to just move on. “Bean. I’m actually curious. Tell me of this motivation to dig you have. You’ve always spoken of it, but this is the first time you’ve had a disagreement about it.”

“Oh! Well, that’s easy, master. Before, I could dig in the farms. I can still do that. But that’s boring! Besides, I already finished my work there for today. No. What I want is to dig way, way deeper. Like that giant hole we made!”

“Bean… The city requires stone. And those delve imps are monsters at collecting it. In the last hour, they’ve just begun and I can tell you they work over four times as fast as a brood imp. Four times, Bean. That means our thirty-nine delve imps equate to over one hundred and fifty brood in regards to stone yield.”

“Master, I love Shiny. And I love the brood. But I’m not a brood imp. I’m a demon now.” As if to emphasize his words, he lazily spun the four drill arms behind him. “So treat me like it!”

Kairon was about to disagree, but stopped himself. Bean was right. He was eager, a bit childish, and clearly excited about his newfound powers. But he was right. Using a demon for an imp’s tasks was not only insulting to Bean, but stupid. He’d be wasting his talents.

“Point taken. How about this. The delve imps stay on stone collection. But I will give you a measure of autonomy. I want to start exploring the subterranean area near the city. Right beneath it.”

“But the crater—”

“Not yet. For now, just near the city. Once we have our third ring and can spare the delve imps, we’ll make our journey back to that crater. You can spend the day delving. I want you to check back with me at least three times during the day and we’ll discuss from there. Sound fair?”

Bean deflated a bit, but he seemed mostly satisfied. “Fineeee. But I’m holding you to that, master!”

“Oh come now. I have a feeling the area beneath us might turn out to be the most interesting yet. It’s right below our seat of power, after all. I’m giving you three goals. First, find any additional stone or ore deposits. I don’t expect much, but there should be some compacted below the wastelands from before. Second, general reconnaissance and exploration. I want you to meet with Nod and me after each delve. Let’s start mapping out what’s beneath us. And third—I want to know where those beetles came from.”

“Ew! Beetles yucky!”

Kairon only grinned in reply.