B1-Ch 44 Offers, Ethics, and Deals
"Come Yolden let's look at the displays then. Each holds something that individually I think would be a worthy trade for what I am asking. The others are up for sale to the Dwarven people, but the prices are steep." Lusha stood gracefully and motioned for Yolden to follow them.
The contrast between Lusha and Yolden was stark. Despite the significant age difference Lusha was actually a few inches taller than the Dwarven ambassador. Yolden was more than twice as broad as Lusha with the stocky, bulky, and squared build typical of Dwarves. Where Lusha's hair was snow white, Yolden's was a dark rich brown like the Dwarf's eyes. Despite being fair skinned the Dwarf's skin seemed dark in comparison to the pure white of the Half-elf. The contrast could even be seen in their movements where one moved in a graceful flowing manner the other plodded along like an inevitable avalanche.
The first display held only a contract. Compared to the other things on display it was underwhelming. "My first offering is the simplest. This Contract specifies the sharing of any discoveries or modifications I make to the design and construction of skyships. If for some reason I am not able to significantly improve on your designs I will even offer to pay a penalty."
"That seems a fair trade. Knowledge for knowledge, but it is risky for my side. Despite everything you have told me I have no guarantee you can truly improve what has been done for centuries."
"This is true, which is why it is my first offer. I honestly didn't expect it to be your choice. I have more." Lusha continued to the next display. It was more elaborate: a model sat on the table next to the book and several samples of steel ingots.
"Do you recognize the model by any chance?" Lusha asked curiously.
"It looks something like a smelting furnace. The design is a bit odd." Yolden couldn't tell much from a miniature model, but he could recognize hoppers and smoke stacks when he saw them.
"Good eye. It is a furnace, but the furnace is only part of this offering." Lusha picked up a book from the display. "This book details how to create a mundane blast furnace for the production of high quality steel without Essence or enchantments." Lusha's smile was large and expectant.
Yolden's eyes enlarged comically. "What? I thought your entire operation was magical. From what little our spies…er informants…have been able to uncover everything is done with enchantments!"
Lusha's smile slipped temporarily at the mention of spies. Not that they weren't aware that others were spying, but having it admitted out right was a bit jarring to say the least. "Shadow Steel is produced through enchantments." Lusha tapped the book in their hands. "A decade, otherworldly knowledge, unlimited funding, and a team of scholars/craftsmen with high Mind Stats can achieve a lot." With a smile Lush returned the book to the table.
"Remember the world I came from was one of science and technology devoid of Essence and magic. While I have focused my personal efforts on combining that knowledge with magic I have dictated other projects to those far more skilled than I." Lusha gestured at the complex model. "This furnace can be used to produce large amounts of crude iron in the first part and steel in the second part by removing impurities."
"What do you consider a large amount?" The Dwarf knew that there were those among his people that would literally kill for knowledge like this.
"Roughly a ton of crude iron per day." Lusha said with a shrug as they enjoyed the stunned look on Yolden's face.
"Impossible!" Yolden shouted.
"Not at all. Just an application of otherworldly knowledge, the scientific method, and years of hard work." Lusha had been particularly impressed with the recreation of this process, but was somewhat reluctant to use it themselves without modification. "Now as I said this is an Essence free process, but I honestly don't recommend using it that way. The downside is that this produces a massive amount of toxic smoke, ash, and other pollution. Enchantments are necessary to make this process clean and not a burden on the environment."
"Are those enchantments included with this offer?" Yolden asked shrewdly.
"They are. I honestly couldn't release this method without them. To do so would be unethical."
Yolden hummed to himself as they moved on to the next display. Mass production of steel would be revolutionary, but he noted that nothing was said of having exclusive rights to these designs. As much as he wanted the designs for his people he shuddered to think what the more militant nations would do with this knowledge. Images of steel clad legions marching on soldiers using bronze spears made him shudder.
The next display contained a series of books. "This is my favorite and what I would pick if I were in your boots, but at the same time I don't expect you to pick it." A smile appeared on Lusha's face as he read the title of the first book out loud. "Introduction To The Scientific Method by Shada Aseralis of the Shadow Company."
"What is the scientific method?"
"The means by which one discovers the fundamental building blocks of reality. The method that allowed the people of Earth to learn how to make rocks think, to launch people to the moon, and even create miniature stars!" Lusha said with enthusiasm.
"You had rock elementals on this Earth of yours?" Yolden asked in confusion. The rest of what Lusha said sounded like nonsense.
Lusha laughed merrily. "Goddess no, we created machines called computers using a material derived from rocks. Teaching rocks to think is an old joke. Anyhow, the details aren't important." Lusha waved the book in the air. "This is the key to triggering a scientific revolution among your people. With this you can rediscover how to recreate everything I have shown you so far and more. All without magic."
The Half-Elves' face grew somber and a far away look appeared on their face. It was another look that did not belong to a child. "However, be warned certain genies cannot be put back into their bottles once released. For all the glorious and wondrous inventions that can come from science; the horrors…the horrors can be worse than even the darkest magics."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
In their minds' eye Lusha could see the emaciated figures of holocaust victims, the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the acid rains of the 20th century, and mind rot of social media. All results of science and technology used by those filled with greed and a lust for power.
Essence responded to strong emotions, which at times meant that feelings could be transmitted unconsciously between individuals. Yolden shivered despite the comfortable temperature and bright surroundings. Lusha's words invoked a feeling of desolation and bleak despair that was palpable.
"I do not know if my people are ready for this Lusha." Another shudder went through Yolden as he studied the bleak expression on Lusha's face.
The Dwarf's words shook Lusha from their temporary fugue state and brought them back to the present. "Perhaps, perhaps not." Lusha shrugged. "In time this method will get out. I have already taught bits and pieces to others before I considered the consequences, but since then I have taken great pains to ensure strong ethics in anyone who seeks knowledge here at the Shadow Company."
Compared to previous displays the next one was somewhat underwhelming. It was filled with common products produced by the Shadow Company. Fast drying inks, ballpoint pens, office supplies, stationary, steel, gemstones, and other more exotic materials like aluminum alloys.
"I am sure you are already familiar with many things on this table. These are all things that the Shadow Company can produce at scale. I can offer the Dwarves any combination of these products at their true cost." Lusha handed Yolden a sheet of paper showing the current market values and the actual cost of production for the Shadow's Companies products. The profit margins were somewhat absurd.
"These numbers can't be right, Lusha."
"I assure you they are as accurate as my accountants can make them. Most of my products are produced by automated enchantments. Me and my grandmother Vanestra do the enchantments together so that is essentially free. My main production costs are raw materials, packaging, and shipping. The majority of my staff here at the Shadow Company are common laborers that feed raw materials into the enchantments and package the finished products for delivery."
A bit of greed lit up Yolden's eyes. The Dwarves could literally resell Shadow Company products for a significant profit with this deal. Though he did note that the amount sold at cost had limits, which somewhat reduced the appeal.
"I will admit that this might be the most profitable deal at least in the short term, but the time limit and percentage of production caps make it less appealing," Yolden said this last with a nonchalant shrug.
"I agree. Let's move along shall we?" Lusha moved to the next display and waited on Yolden to follow along.
The next display held a book with a subtle glow that Yolden recognized as an enchanter's tome.
"This is the first purely magical offering I have for you. This book details a modified version of the common Duplication spell and related enchantments."
"What do these modifications do?" Duplication enchantment variations were fairly common and mundane so didn't really elicit any strong emotions in the Dwarven ambassador.
Lusha's mischievous smile was back. "You know how Duplication works correct? How they destroy the original item to make a set amount of Duplicates that then can't be Duplicated again, yes?"
"Of course, it is common knowledge after all."
"With this the enchantment can 'remember' the original object and create Duplicates from one item repeatedly." Lusha's smile widened as they watched the implications cascade across the Dwarf's face. "You still can't make Duplicates of Duplicated items, but this removes the need to destroy original items repeatedly. The 'memory' does fade in time so eventually you will have to use another original item, but this greatly expands the number of Duplicates you can make from one item. "
"This…you know what this would do to the economy right? The price of many things would drop through the floor…" Of all the offerings this was the easiest for the Dwarf to understand. The economics of the Duplication process were well known. This would turn them upside down.
"You forget that the price of original items would soar through the roof. Before their value was set, limited, but this? This changes, doesn't it?"
"Lusha, any one of the things you have shown me today could be revolutionary and disruptive. Why offer them to us at all? You could use them and make enough money that the Dwarfholds would sell their secrets outright."
Lusha shrugged and slipped into memory once more as they spoke. "On Earth there are many sayings about knowledge. Knowledge is power is a popular one, but the idea is that the key to unlocking that knowledge is to share it. I could hoard what I know. I could be greedy and use it only to enrich myself, but doing so would make the entire world poorer." Lusha gestured around the room. "I do not lack for money. In fact what I don't reinvest into the Shadow Company goes to anonymous charities. Subsidized and free healing at the Root Clinics, education funding for orphaned children of Delvers, low cost housing built with amenities that were once exclusive to the wealthy, and many others."
Old eyes from an old Dwarf met the young, but somehow old eyes of the young Half-Elf. "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Another Earth saying." Lusha looked away and stared into the distance. "I have studied the culture and psychology of the Dwarves, you know. Your people have a different way of looking at things that while not unique is more widespread and culturally ingrained. There is this deep seated respect for knowledge that is lacking in other races." A deep sigh escaped Lusha's mouth. "I have many reasons for making these offers to the Dwarves, but the deciding factor is that I believe the Dwarves are less likely to abuse my knowledge."
Lusha's somber eyes looked at a quiet Yolden once more. "Human greed knows no bounds and must be kept in check. I think the Dwarves are best suited to do that in time. Yours is the only race on Sierrallas not to give an inch of ground up to the expansionist human nations."
A proud nod came from Yolden before Lusha continued. "Yours is also the only known race not to keep slaves. The Dwarves' first response is to defend not attack, to avoid rather than confront, and to negotiate when all other options fail." Lusha smiled once more though there was a hint of sadness to it. "I am doing this as a test. Can my knowledge be safely released and ethically used or should I bury it in secrecy and use it only for my own needs and desires."
"I am honored that you chose me and my people, but I cannot make a decision on my own. I will have to return and consult others." Part of Yolden wanted everything, but reminded himself that this was a trade not a gift.
"I expected as much." Lusha turned to look at the patient and silent Kariss. "Please bring the ambassador the packet with the official proposal and summaries."
Kariss pulled the leather wrapped booklet out of her enchanted dimensional storage bracelet and presented it to Yolden with a flourish.
"Everything is in there, what is being offered, our expectations, and areas where I am willing to bend a little. I hope it is sufficient to present to your leadership." Lusha smiled as Yolden took the packet with a nearly reverent look on his face.
"What if we want everything?"
Lusha shrugged. "I prefer an exchange of knowledge, but I did put prices on everything where applicable. Though I warn you, paying in Essence and chips will be expensive."
Yolden nodded and prepared his thoughts and what he would say to the leaders of his people. They would be stupid not to take at least one of Lusha's offerings and Yolden wanted to convince them to take it all. The rewards and benefits were just too great.
—
In a far corner of another plane of existence a Goddess smiled proudly at the wisdom shown by her chosen Agent. She only needed a vehicle for her efforts to patch the System, but John, now Lusha, was proving a far more valuable asset for her world than she could have ever predicted.
The possibilities for the future unfolded in a glorious tapestry of innovation, growth, and development. There were dark spots along those paths, but they were far outweighed by the positive possibilities.