bookpower Chapter 390: Chapter X: Of Militarism And Mercantilism
Chapter 390: Chapter X: Of Militarism And Mercantilism
Chapter 390: Chapter X: Of Militarism And Mercantilism
The house offers its immense gratitude to one Alyas Najera for their most dedicated and generous support. The chaff weeps as yet another ascends.
Sadly there will be neither soup nor canned meat today as for whatever odd reason we seem to be lacking materials. You may subsist on maggoty bread until things change.
Titus, Maro, and Jukullus all looked quite frustrated as I relayed the abbreviated version of Jackal's report to him, the blatant cooperation between Leyawiin and the Dominion being quite obvious if one took a moment's time to look into the situation on any deeper level. "We were aware the south was slowly slipping into their grip but this..." Commander Maro shakes his head with a disgusted look on his face.
My eyes narrow "You mean to tell me that you have no one in the city to gather such information?" Either he was incompetent or whoever protected the information of the city was actually worth a mention.
"Do not take me for a fool, Dagoth." The Commander of the Pennitus Occulatus doesn't quite growl but it is a close thing "I have sent multiple agents only to have them disappear the moment they attempt to send a report home. Every single time."
Considering the amount of manpower they need to keep the capital somewhat clean from enemy influence I am not even going to shit on him for that one "And what of insiders?"
"Same issue." His shoulders sag ever so slightly "Whoever they have guarding their interests is greatly skilled in subterfuge, and the Count still pays his taxes and keeps his books clean so we can't just barge in without an actual excuse."
"Sending a full open investigation into the city would cause all manner of chaos no doubt" Minthara interjects, already seeing the issue "Which would then allow the Thalmor to cry and moan about it and make other issues, and then there is the precedent of practically invading a city for everyone to see to worry about."
"Indeed." Titus nods "As you can see, our hands were quite tied for a long while now."
"Well I do believe the situation needs unfucking posthaste." I steeple my fingers in thought "I have some two weeks before the relief train heads to Morrowind and allowing Leyawiin's treachery and whatever is happening in Skingrad to continue would be..." I grimace "Annoying."
"An understatement if there ever was one." Titus notes dryly "Your expression tells me you already have a plan."
"A most cunning plan indeed." I lean in and begin explaining what Minthara and I agreed on last night, Maro's expression growing more and more incredulous with each word.
"Allow me to simplify this." The poor Commander voices tiredly "You wish to... infiltrate an immensely dangerous city, gather evidence on your lonesome, and then use said evidence to occupy the city with a band of adventurers and glory seekers, and worst of all the forces of another Count, who just happened to be nearby?"
"And find out whatever the golden bitch is doing and promptly ruin her day." I raise a finger "Can't forget that part."
"Yes." His professionalism cracks and he audibly sighs "How could I forget the part where you told me you wish to provoke a Daedra."
"Knowing how these things usually go, I have no doubts she is involved in the betrayal in some way." I shrug much to the poor man's growing headache "The ban of her worship in the heartlands has been in place ever since Alessia's Empire, any chance to regain an influence here she would take." And to annoy me of course but they did not need to know that.
"All fair points." Titus allows "And yet I find myself feeling quite dubious about having you infiltrate the city alone."
"Need I remind you I am both archmage and a champion of some skill?" I quirk an eyebrow and he, after a few moments of consideration, makes a shallow nod "Besides" I add "Who said I would be alone?"
"Greetings, meatbags." Akulakhan's voice rings out from the corner of the room, making Jukulus jump up in fright while the two Imperials reached for their swords on instinct.
"I do believe you were informed of my brainchild in Junia's reports, no?" I ask just a bit smugly as the trio glare at me and Minthara shakes her head in amused exasperation.
"Yes" Titus slowly removes his hand from what is obviously Goldbrand "Your prowess in the lost arts of the Dwemer has been marked as notable, but this..."
"My Master's artifice is beyond compare." Akulakhan states the fact "Be in awe, meatbags, for you have been permitted a glance at perfection."
Titus raises an eyebrow as if to say 'awfully sure of yourself, aren't you?' but does not voice it and instead turns back to me "And you are certain you will not be putting yourself, and our plans" Which was the more important part obviously "In danger?"
"Worst case scenario I just escape." I shrug "But I sincerely doubt it will come to that."
competition will just make us look better in comparison."
"That and having an active role in the economy will make those who buy our unique product
far more amicable to our desires." Eldor adds while rubbing his hands "The poor fools will thank you for the convenience and happily sing off their loyalty so that they can get more."
"Which is why I have held back from selling military grade animonculi." I nod at him approvingly "Limited access to such... loyal warriors will be both a sign of prestige and influence, and will in turn bring us both."
I swear the damn goblin had septim marks in his eyes for a moment. Feeling just about ready to dismiss the duo back to their duties, I suddenly remembered something and my eyes met Edrassa's "Have you finished compiling the forge blueprint? I may or may not have forgotten about it in the recent excitement."
Finally her empty expression shows some excitement as she straightens up "I have compiled
all of the separate parts but the full construction will take me a few more weeks to perfect."
"Focus on that." I command easily "Eldor is obviously more interested in running the merchant branch and motivation is half the work."
Most people in her position would have considered this to be a form of demotion but I have
long since tempered such idiocy out of my servants and she understood that she was not losing her position or influence just because there was someone better at a particular job.
Her skill at dwemertech was of a respectable expert level already and demanding a new path from her would have been quite disingenuous seeing as I did put her on her current one
myself.
It was still a missed opportunity, obviously, but not to the point of causing any consequential
stress or tension.
Eldor did look like he had just won the lottery and found a lucrative investment opportunity at
the same time, which wasn't wrong if one squinted real hard. I needed more Falmer in high positions anyway, what with me being their de facto King and all they needed the representation even if I was effectively running an autocracy.
An enlightened one yes, but I wasn't quite so cheeky as to call myself anything beside a
dictator. Finally dismissing the two, I cracked open the Aldmeri book on spirituality I got close to a year ago and began to read, my right hand snaking out to my quill and writing down notes for
a plan so much more cunning than a mere infiltration.
To all of thou indentured upon my lands
let me see you work those miner's hands
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