My Dungeon Life: Rise of the Slave Harem

"Is that a threat?" I asked, my eyes narrowing.

"Oh… scary… is this the so-called wild side of the east?" She shivered but didn't seem frightened at all. "How could I dare to threaten you? In the end, if my lord offers me something of equal value, then I would happily allow him to peruse our workshops. However, I do have to warn you that our golems and our capacity to make them is an integral part of our commerce. We depend on that revenue, and if we gave such information away and another workshop was to form outside of our territory, it could potentially destroy our trade and leave us severely weakened."

"I only intend to use that information to create that golem."

"Even if you were to swear it on your life, there are always ways to get around oaths." She sighed dramatically. "Could you honestly swear that you wouldn't use that information for any other purpose, such as building a golem army or golem workers? Even if you don't sell them, such creations would be done at an extreme advantage to your nation, and by extension a disadvantage toward Jespain. Let's ignore the lost revenue from any golems we might have sold to Aberis that you can now make on your own- gasp! If we were to become enemies, we'd give up a strategic advantage. I couldn't possibly live with myself if I was responsible for Jespain losing strength because of such a thing."

The longer she went on, the sourer my mood got. "Stop it. You caught my interest because you spoke directly and honestly. I don't appreciate this roundabout and manipulative way of speaking."

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"Hmph." She responded, her lips tightening. "Aren't you the one who started trying to use such tricks on me to ascertain the best deal for yourself? I was merely reminding you of how much leeway I gave you in the first place."

I thought back and couldn't help but cringe. She was right. She had come to me extremely openly. It was actually why I had decided to engage her earnestly. Yet, when it came to negotiation, I had tried to pretend I wasn't interested and even lead her on a bit. She had only changed her way of speaking in response to me.

"I take it that the value of this… event of yours is enough you're willing to risk losing your golem tech?" I asked directly.

She gave a curt nod. "That's only one of the things I'm willing to offer. I'm aware you also are interested in our guns. One of the six territories of the preponents contains the 2nd best gun manufacturer."

"Only second?"

"Well, there are reasons we're suppressed by the refluents. If we had more golems and more military power, there would be no need for me to have this conversation with you."

"Alright…" I nodded, "and this so-called investigation, whether it stabilizes, destabilizes, or even puts you in a disadvantageous position, that none of that will affect any deal we made?"

"If my position becomes too… disadvantageous, I'm afraid I might not be able to hold up my part of a bargain, but otherwise, I am a woman of my word."

"Then, I will… look into… this dungeon. I make no promises that anything will come of it."

A small smile formed on her face. "It's been a pleasure negotiating with you."

Rather than feel relief, I couldn't help but get a bit of an uneasy feeling though.