Solo Strategy

"Fairy tales, legends… Myths, yarns, tall stories," my voice dripped with sarcasm. "And these stones," I shook the bag, "are nothing but an excellent illusion, right?"

To his credit, Katashi quickly composed himself.

"I apologize." The Japanese stood and gave a formal bow. "For doubting you."

"Alright, I hold no grudge," I said more calmly and, after drying my underwear right on me, started to get dressed.

"Raven," the young blacksmith's voice was slightly muffled, "I promise not to doubt you anymore."

"Stop! I don't need that." I quickly replied. "Doubt, argue, stand your ground."

He nodded to that, then asked:

"Is what you found enough for the materials for the glider?"

"If sold wisely, without crashing the market, then yes, and there will be some left over." I placed the bag next to Katashi and opened it slightly. "There's five times as much at the bottom. But! If we dump it all at once and try to sell, the price will drop dramatically."

At that, it dawned on the future God of Labor what I had just said, and he looked at me with a strange expression. Kay realized that I had just handed him the location of a hoard worth tens of thousands of gold. And the young blacksmith, apparently, was puzzled by my generosity. I could have made up something plausible, but I found a better way—I simply ignored his questioning look. Let him come up with something on his own. He was a smart guy; I was sure he'd handle that tricky task.

"By the way," I changed the subject, "have you been to Sun City yet?"

"Huh?!" Katashi's gaze kept jumping from me to the bag of gems, then to the lake, and back. "No, I haven't."

"Would you like to go?" I asked, pretending not to notice his restlessness.

"Not really." The Japanese shrugged, finally stopping his wandering gaze.

"What if it's for business?" I clarified.

"What kind?" This time, Katashi looked at me more familiarly, as if suspecting some trick.

"Selling such a large quantity of stones in one city's market will significantly drop their price," I began. "But if we split the stones evenly and sell them simultaneously, say, tomorrow at three in the afternoon in different cities' markets, the price drop won't be as noticeable."

"There's some sense in that," the Japanese agreed. "But why should I go to Sun City, while you, as I understand, will go to Deytran?"

Well, I had a prepared answer for that question:

"First, you haven't seen the City of Light yet, and it's worth a look. Second, you're free tomorrow, while I have training in the morning."

"Right, training..." the young smith replied, suddenly less energetically.

"Of course, we could sell everything in Deytran, but we'd lose at least three thousand," I added fuel to his doubts.

"Let's not lose gold!" Katashi immediately perked up. "I agree. But first, let's eat."

"I have no objections to that amendment," I smiled.

The Japanese began heating up our lunch with household magic. Lucky him — I couldn't manage that so easily. Sitting on a stone, I turned my attention to the young blacksmith's weapon.

"Mind if I take a look at your hammer?" I asked.

"Go ahead," Kay replied tersely without turning his head.

Leaning over, I reached out and lifted the massive weapon. The weight of the hammer was impressive—at least nine kilograms. The wood, apparently some treated ash, was metal-banded in the first third. I examined the top and noticed a Destruction rune engraved in the center of the striking surface. It was small, about the size of a thumbnail.

"A Des rune?" I looked up at the Japanese. "Aren't you afraid of damaging the metal with frequent use?" I remembered what had happened to my boots when I activated that rune through them.

"It won't break," the future God of Labor's voice carried a hint of superiority. "The rune is engraved on the part reinforced with mithril," he explained. "Those two coins you paid with—I decided to put them to good use."

Running my fingers over the hammer's striking surface, I couldn't tell any difference from the rest of the metal.

"Wow, you can't even tell there's mithril in there," I said, genuinely impressed.

"That was the idea," the young blacksmith nodded calmly and with a certain inner dignity.

After finishing my inspection of the weapon, I carefully placed it back where I had taken it from. Then we leisurely had a snack and discussed the details of the future sale of precious stones.

"Don't try to sell them piecemeal," I insisted. "It's better to negotiate with a wholesale buyer or two at most. I'd recommend those who originally trade in such stones and likely don't want to lose their monopoly. Pay attention to the Kantarana Trading House—they're the ones who supply Orkan stones to Sun City."

"Reasonable," the Japanese agreed with my arguments.

"I hope you know how to haggle?" I teased the young blacksmith.

"Small family business, plenty of competitors—that's the environment I grew up in," Katashi shrugged. "Of course, I know how to haggle."

"The retail price of the stones is currently around fourteen to fifteen gold," I had thoroughly researched this before heading to the lake. "Try to negotiate it up to nine, or better yet, ten gold for wholesale."

"I'll handle it," the Japanese replied, twitching his shoulder.

We discussed various details further and then divided the stones roughly equally. I got a quarter more since the Deytran market could "stomach" a larger quantity. After that, we packed up and set off.

We ran the first third of the way together, then, at one of the trade route intersections, we split up: Katashi headed north, while I went directly west.

Once alone, I immediately sped up; running without a box or heavy backpack on my back was easy and pleasant. I even managed to practice some magic during the run. And Deytran I reached even before the guards closed the main gates.

On my way home, I stopped by a shop that stayed open late and bought several simple pouches. Back home, I redistributed the gems into them in equal portions. I planned to sell them to a single buyer, but if that didn't work out, I'd have to break up the sale—better to be prepared for that in advance.

To my surprise, I slept peacefully. I thought the new experiences would keep me awake, but no. A bit of meditation with breathing exercises, and I was off to the realm of dreams. I dreamed of the sky, of flying, not on a hang glider, but as if I had turned into a giant white raven soaring over the plains of Ain. I woke up refreshed and full of energy. After washing up, stretching, and having breakfast, I headed to the port for training.

The training itself went as usual, except that Eddart allowed me more independence today. Apparently, the sensation of flight I had experienced gave a boost to my understanding of Wind Sense, so the progress was, as they say, plain to see. However, instead of being pleased for his temporary student, the former captain of the Trade League behaved, it seemed to me, strangely. He wasn't just silent—to that, I was used already—but kept twitching and giving me strange looks.

Today, at my request, we were supposed to finish the training two hours earlier than usual. And when Eddart steered the yacht-tender toward the harbor, he leaned over and asked, whispering for some reason:

"You're a sheriff of the Great Guild, so you must have enemies, right?"

Unexpected. Why such a question?

"Possibly," I replied curtly.

"Yesterday, a stranger approached me, clearly a middleman, and offered..." My temporary trainer hesitated, then continued, "to make you drink a Bad Student's Potion and then, after our session, send you to an address they would provide."

The Bad Student's Potion? That alchemical compound was used when a teacher had despaired of drilling certain skills into a student. It forced the taker to obey the teacher—or whomever the teacher designated—unconditionally. Obey without thinking, without awareness, yet precisely and clearly. And it could only work if taken voluntarily and with full understanding of what the potion did by the one who drank it. Slipping it into food or drink was useless. And besides, its taste was so distinctive that drinking it unnoticed was simply impossible.

"What did you say to this tempting offer? And it, I hope, was tempting?" I asked, trying to analyze the new information.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"Yes, they offered quite a bit of money," Eddart smirked wryly. "And what did I say? That I'd think about it, but of course, I'd refuse."

"No, don't do that," I shook my head. "On the contrary, agree. Take the money and give me the potion. I'll even drink it honestly. So, you'll earn money by doing everything you were 'asked' to, and it'll benefit me."

"Benefit?" the former captain of the Trade League asked in surprise.

"Of course. Because I'll be ready for it," I grinned bloodthirstily.

"Are you sure?" my temporary trainer asked in doubt.

"Don't worry," I reassured the Air mage. "I'll prepare well."

The rest of the way to the pier, I kept persuading Eddart to agree to the stranger's offer, and I finally convinced him. I also insisted that he do exactly what he was told and by no means try to interfere. In the end, we agreed that the former captain would accept the mysterious offer today, with the condition that everything would be done tomorrow. With that, we parted ways: Eddart went home to await the visit, and I headed to the market.

Interesting... Who would need to drug me with a submission potion? And do it so cleverly. By "cleverly," I meant that I would accept such a nasty substance only from the hands of my teacher and no one else. That is, someone managed to calculate exactly this scenario.

The first thing that came to mind was the Righteous Elevation Sect. Maybe they wanted to kidnap or interrogate me. But certainly not to kill me. If they wanted me dead, with people like Reygyana, the sect could have done it with a snap of the fingers. Which meant I needed to play along. But on my own terms. Funny, right up to the last moment, I hadn't believed Kiadi's claims that the sect would come after me themselves, and now—such a surprise. What bothered me, though, was that bribing a magic instructor seemed like amateur work for such a powerful sect. But their influence was mainly on the other side of the Great Ridge. Maybe they didn't have the best agents in the Pentapolis? Of course, it also could have been some new player, but I didn't know anyone like that—and there was no reason to invent more variables than necessary.

So, there were two possibilities: interrogation or kidnapping. Or both. I was willing to go along with the first, but definitely not with the second. I had my own plans, and abduction certainly wasn't one of them. Although… Da'Nnan take them all! If the sect really was bringing the Invasion closer, maybe being kidnapped wasn't such a bad option after all? Well, they'd kidnap me… and I'd learn something about them. Only in the case of abduction, it wasn't certain that, even if I learned something, I'd be able to use that knowledge.

Reaching the Sea Market, guided by the memory of the future, I easily found the right shop, which traded in statuettes, protective amulets, and various exotic items. I pretended to browse between the rows, then called the merchant over and pointed to an especially ugly statuette almost a meter tall.

"I'm interested in this one," my hand indicated the statuette. "Ten gold? I'll pay without bargaining, but you will deliver it to my home."

"Of course, master!" the merchant bowed. "We'll definitely deliver it. Tell me the address, I'll write it down now. When would be convenient for you?"

"Tonight, an hour after sunset," I said, as if it were something insignificant, and dictated the address.

After paying, I left the shop. Of course, I wasn't buying any statuette, and no one would be delivering it to my house. The ten gold coins were the price for the upcoming conversation. A conversation for which a liaison from the Assassins' Guild of Deytran would arrive at my home at the specified time.

Then I headed to another market where they traded herbs, reagents, and ready-made alchemy. Once again, the memory of the future guided me. A sign familiar from the Last Cycle was barely noticeable, but I knew where to look and entered an unremarkable door. Approaching a stall displaying various bottles, I spent about five minutes examining them, pretending to study and compare prices. Behind the counter were two people: the shop owner—a nondescript, already balding master alchemist—and his young assistant.

"Why are your prices so high?" I protested for show. "Falling Stars Potion is a third cheaper at the shop next door!"

Hearing the password, the master alchemist beamed and spread his hands.

"Unlike my neighbors, I use only the finest ingredients! If the esteemed customer is truly interested in acquiring a quality product, you must understand the importance of proper purification and the use of the freshest components."

"Everyone says that," I dismissed his arguments with a wave.

"Please, come to the laboratory and see for yourself the truth of my words," the shop owner invited, gesturing with his hand.

"Let's go," I agreed, still playing the skeptical customer.

"Damalan, you're in charge," the master alchemist tossed to his assistant.

Then we went inside the shop, climbed to the second floor, and entered a small room that was clearly well-enchanted against eavesdropping.

"I'm listening," said the shop owner, gesturing for me to sit in a chair.

"I was recommended…" I began, sitting down.

"No names, no details. You just tell me what you need, and I'll try to make it happen," the master alchemist interrupted.

This man knew how to keep his mouth shut. He worked only for himself, but his neutrality and acknowledged skill had earned him such a position that many needed him, and none of the powerful in this city touched him. After all, everyone was interested in the services of a Heroic Coil master alchemist—services no one would ever hear about.

"I need an antidote to the Bad Student's Potion. And if possible, I'd like for all the superficial symptoms to remain, but for me not to lose my freedom of will," I said, trying to add a slight touch of nervousness to my voice.

"If you don't need to remove the symptoms, the task is easy. A regular antidote, Silver Sieve Body Purification, will easily handle this," the master alchemist immediately got down to business without asking unnecessary questions.

"You know better," I shrugged. "Next, I need an antidote for potions that can affect my memories: either erase them or implant false ones. The kind that can be taken in advance and won't be too harmful."

"That's more complicated," the master alchemist pondered. "There are quite a few potions with the effects you mentioned. Of course, there is a more or less universal antidote, but it's better for you to take three different ones."

"If needed, I'll take them," I nodded.

"But then you'll need to take an antidote for the antidotes if you don't want very unpleasant consequences," the shop owner insisted.

"Agreed."

"Anything else?" the master alchemist inquired.

"No. Just need to discuss the time and payment," I smiled.

"I don't haggle," the shop owner shook his head. "You either agree to my price or leave."

"Time and price?" I asked with slight disappointment; the memory of the future was silent about this detail.

"I have the preparations for the potions you need, so everything will be ready an hour before sunset. As for the price—seventy gold for everything," and then he added, "payment upfront."

After settling with the unyielding master alchemist, I promised to return in the evening and left the shop.

It was already nearing three in the afternoon, which meant it was time to sell the precious stones. There wasn't supposed to be any trouble with that—I knew exactly who to offer them to and for how much.

The Trade League building greeted me with the usual hustle and bustle of hundreds of clerks, merchants, and wholesale buyers. A small bribe of a couple of silvers to the secretary, and a quarter of an hour later, I was sitting across from a "very esteemed" person.

The Trade League was a reputable organization, and I wouldn't be blatantly robbed or swindled here, although it was wise to keep my ears wide open and filter everything they tried to "sell" me.

"It so happens that I came into possession of some Orkan stones," I began, settling comfortably into the visitor's chair. "And since you are the only ones trading them in Deytran, I thought your undoubtedly esteemed Guild wouldn't want to lose the city monopoly on these gems."

"What quantity are we talking about?" the "esteemed person" asked me with a hint of laziness in his voice.

"A mere trifle, six hundred," I smiled.

"How much?" my interlocutor momentarily lost control of his voice.

"Six hundred and three, to be precise," I replied, keeping the smile on my face.

"Forgive me, but I must verify," the "esteemed person" said, rising from his desk.

"No problem," I nodded and laid out the prepared pouches on the table.

I thought the office's owner would call in an appraiser, but it turned out he was well-versed in precious stones himself. Taking three random stones from each pouch, he examined them closely.

"Six hundred and three..." Satisfied with the quality, the "esteemed person" sat back in his chair and scratched his neat beard. "I can offer three gold coins per stone," he said, as if granting me a great favor.

"Retail price of Orkan stones in your shops today is fifteen gold," I smiled, leaning back in my chair. "I'm ready to offer mine at the same price, and the benefit to your Guild would be maintaining the monopoly."

"With all due respect to your position, Sheriff, but this is not a serious conversation!" the "respected man" tried to pressure me.

"And three gold per stone, in your opinion, is a serious conversation? You made the joke first; I just went along with it," I shrugged.

"Five, and that's the final price!" In my past life, I would have believed him—he was putting on a textbook performance!

"They say there's a trading house in Sun City called Kantarana…" I didn't finish because the office's owner blurted out:

"Seven!..."

We haggled for almost two hours, during which all the stones were counted and, much to my regret, three dozen were rejected due to cracks, chips, and internal damage. We eventually settled on a price of nine and a half gold per stone. This satisfied both me and, apparently, the representative of the Trade League. At least, when we parted, he looked very pleased, which hinted that I probably didn't push hard enough. Even my four Stars of Talent in the art of Oratory weren't enough to outplay an experienced merchant.

Leaving the Trade League building, I strolled around the city for a bit, then returned to the alchemy shop at the appointed time. There, I received my order and carefully listened to the instructions for taking the potions prepared for me by the master alchemist. After that, I headed home, not forgetting to buy some ready-made food on the way—I was frankly too lazy to cook dinner myself. Upon entering the house, I didn't activate the magical protection and went straight to the inner courtyard. There, I first had dinner, then meditated for a bit, and afterward, practiced with my spear.

About two hours after sunset, two blurred shadows leaped over the wall of my house. Thanks to my Affinity, I noticed them immediately but gave no sign, continuing my practice. Only when a quiet cough sounded behind me did I turn around.

The two were wrapped in cloth so tightly that only their eyes were visible. One stood slightly ahead, playing the role of the leader; the other—a woman—stayed half a step behind, apparently acting as an apprentice. But I saw their ranks and understood who the real leader in this pair was.

"It's not often that a sheriff of a Great Guild invites us for a chat," said the older of the assassins.

"I'm sure it happens," I shrugged, placing Striking Whisper against the wall.

"Various things happen," the man wrapped in dark responded evasively. "You wished to talk, Sheriff Raven, and we came."

"I have a somewhat unusual order, but I know your Guild takes on such work," I said without offering the "guests" a seat.

"You tell us, and we'll decide," the man said in a dry tone, inclining his head.

"Tomorrow, around three in the afternoon, I'll be drugged with a Bad Student's Potion. Naturally, I'll take an antidote beforehand," I began to explain. "Most likely, they'll either try to interrogate or kidnap me. In the first case, you shouldn't interfere, but after the interrogation, follow the person asking me questions and find out who ordered it. In the second, in case of kidnapping, you must prevent it, making it look like my release was accidental. For this job, I want to hire two pairs at a level no lower than the Second Wall, and each pair must include someone with sensor skills. And yes, if they try to kill me, you must prevent that too. Preferably also 'by accident,' but if that fails, by any means necessary."

"Covert protection and surveillance," the man nodded. "Not exactly our specialty, but if we agree on the price, we'll take your order… Brother in Shadow."

It was no surprise that news from the Twilight Weaver had reached Deytran, and of course, the Assassins' Guild had found out in advance who left the invitation for the meeting before coming. The price negotiations were brief but intense. In the end, I was a hundred gold poorer, and if additional surveillance lasting more than a day was needed, I would have to pay an extra twenty gold for each additional day.

Then, the pair of assassins left my house as silently as they had arrived. I activated the protection and went to sleep. Tomorrow promised to be quite an interesting day.