The Red Lands

Glass... and Ming

The two Prickus siblings continued their whispers while waiting for the outcome of this gathering.

"Yes, yes, you've always boasted about your so-called friends. Did you forget how you borrowed money to finance your own little bandit team, which failed miserably? Then, father went and got himself lost in only heaven knows where. I have been drowning my sorrows in ale for months and yet can't see my way."

Poxy Prickus replied. This older brother had seen his days of debauchery halted as he now struggled to manage a large clan. Over the past year, he learned the hard way that relying on wealth and power differed greatly from accumulating it.

"I blame Gofart and also that idiot servant named Daffodil. Bastards couldn't even raise a bandit team. That western frontier is mighty treacherous. The Bitzers are useless demon beasts, but maybe the Military might encounter others. Hopefully, I can seize an opportunity to become a Sersen."

"You'd better. If you become one, then House Prickus will have two Sersens. Not one of these old geezers will be able to stop our rise to fame then..."

On the raised table, Patriarch Yu was extolling the virtues of his twelve-year-old grandson when a guard came running in. The visitor wore a flushed face and wide eyes while trying to settle his heaving chest.

"Patriarch Yu, Lord, we have guests outside."

"Show them in, man. We've been waiting."

Patriarch Yu replied. The old man knew the girls waited on someone. The guard, however, produced a stiff smile which barely registered in the flickering light. Sakura happened to notice it and promptly offered assistance.

"Patriarch Yu, please accompany me to the door to meet our guests."

She beckoned the old man closer before the guard voiced a reason.

"While we're going, I humbly suggest you pick a few of your closest friends to follow us. Trust me, you won't be disappointed."

Standing up, the three of them walked towards the door. Patriarch Yu followed the advice of the little girl and summoned the leaders of a few houses. The entourage exited the door, only to receive the shock of their lives. A young lady with wavy sun-colored hair called out from the respected center of the waiting guests.

"Ahh, Sakura. This one has now finished an important meeting. I hope you will not bore this one to death."

"Greetings, Lady Sahara. Thank you for coming. Great, I see the rest of our guests are here. Come, come. Patriarch Yu, please greet and usher in our guests."

A brief moment later, the guests in the hall sat in silence while gazing enviously at the packed head table in front of them. Patriarch Yu stroked his white beard from time to time as he drank in the envy. On his right, and occupying the best chair at the table, sat a young girl whose noble status eclipsed his own. Beside her was the Governor of Limerock city, a man selected and sent by the Emperor himself, who was leaning back with folded arms.

On his right, a Council Mage, yes, a Council Mage, Mage Tarot, by heavens, a Council Mage, actually left the Tower Academy to attend this meeting. Sitting and murmuring next to Mage Tarot, Grandmaster Bing engaged in talk with Elder Shi from the Outer Circle of the Tower and Priest Silas from the Churches Union.

And this was only to name a few. Between these bigwigs and names that held fame across the breadth of the Empire, he sat in the chairperson's position. In the open area between the stage and the assembled tables, two girls engaged in discussion with a short but brawny middle-aged man. Next to them stood four muscular blacksmiths still sweating buckets from hauling a pair of large chests up the stairs.

Minutes later, Sakura stepped onto the stage beside the table and clapped her hands. The move to attract attention proved unnecessary since all eyes followed her movement.

"Honored Guests and Elders. I requested this meeting on behalf of my genius companion. Returning home under the protection of the Military, he has witnessed the destruction of the outlying villages. My brother is no fool, however, since he knows that rebuilding and aiding the destitute requires coppers. In this case, the cost to the Empire will certainly amount to thousands of gold coins."

Sakura glanced and nodded in the Governor's direction. She was well aware, after her few days of planning and investigation, that this person handled the distribution and overall management of the surrounding towns and villages. She faced the hall and the faces flickering under the candles and lamps.

"The recent Demon Beasts invasion has taken a toll on land, labor, and goods related to most of you in this room. I know from conversing with a few Elders present that it affects everyone in the city. Because of this, my brother decided to share an enormous gift with the nobles of Limerock City. Of course, the benefits of this venture are so large, it will affect the entire Empire."

The little girl waved to her elder sister, who stepped forward. In the presence of Grandmaster Sue, who lectured in the Academy and also at the Alchemist Guild, the hall remained silent. Even though these sharp old minds generated loads of questions, they held them in for later. At this time, what occupied their thoughts was what could shake an entire Empire.

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"Let me introduce the blacksmith who made this all possible, Master Klin, and his apprentices. They will occupy a core position in training and expanding the expected workforce. Patriarch Yu reminded me earlier that during the months of winter, the people of the Empire retreat into houses of caves and tents. Families of all standings, rich or poor, have to hide behind dark wooden shutters to stave off the cold wind. I ask, why should we have to wait until spring to see the sky and sun? Master Klin, if you may..."

Sue waved her hand towards the burly figures. Master Klin failed in keeping the smile of pride from a serious face as he barked instructions to the apprentices. Opening the larger chest, they carefully removed a large rectangle hidden under a thick cloth. On removing the protective wrapper, all eyes fell on what seemed like a window shutter.

"While at the academy, my brother frequented the smithy of Master Klin. During their discussion, they shared ideas on the making of this product. It is called glass..."

The young lady reached for a candle on the table and swayed her hand behind the glass. A frosty, but recognizable silhouette reached the eyes of the nobles in the hall. Master Klin turned the glass window around for everyone to witness the demonstration. It didn't take long for the silence to be broken by gasps and clattering chairs.

"What is this? It is like gazing through a frozen lake."

"Is this the reason Grandmaster Bing came? Does this also require the input of Alchemy? Or does it require a hand from the Tower Mages?"

"Magic! magic has to be involved."

A hammering from a wooden block resounded from the head table. The silence swept across the room as the tall figure of the Governor rose from the table. A visible display of agitation flickered across his face. Unlike the old men from the Alchemist Guild and the Academy, he, like the invited leaders in the hall, was kept in the dark.

"May I ask as to how the young lady intends to share this glass with everyone present?"

The question caused the occupants in the hall to swallow their saliva while casting a fervent eye on the girl. The nobles in the hall possessed a shrewd mindset. A Clan or House that produced this glass would swim in gold for generations.

How many dark and dismal houses did the Empire have? How many nobles would shed half their wealth to view the sky in winter?

Sakura stepped out on stage

Ever since the fateful day when Lucy hauled them out from the slums to join Chu on his journey, she had joined the ranks of the educated. Besides learning to read and count, she soaked in all kinds of strange ideas from the boy.

When the old village chief measured their holdings and calculated the amount of corn owed to the Empire, Chu grumbled how the state stifled growth through heavy taxes.

One day, he visited the blacksmith in the village to have the man aid in rushing a batch of ironwork. Finding the burly man spending more time in the tavern instead of beside the forge, he then complained about poor company operations.

On a visit to Karst, he admired the intricate work of the jeweler. When he returned, he discussed how little steps could aid in expanding the business.

For nearly four years, Sakura sat beside a desk in the rural barn while questioning and opening her mind to the intriguing world of business management.

"The layout of this plan is simple and allows maximum benefits to everyone involved. At this moment, the process to create glass lies in the hands of Master Klin and his apprentices. My brother has instructed us to follow this arrangement."

She paused to allow her words to settle.

"The first plan involves the Governor of Limerock City. Glassmaking requires large amounts of firewood and produces smoke like a smithy. I suggest a large area of land downwind from the city. It must be divided into equal divisions for the nobles to use. Limerock City can claim yearly taxes as it does with farmers. In this case, the taxes will be paid in gold."

Governor Hands stroked his short goatee while nodding. A yearly tax or possibly a cut from the profits will undoubtedly fill the city coffers.

"The second plan entails having all glassmaking activity confined to that area. This prevents the leakage of the process to outsiders. By the time others know about glass production, Limerock City will be at the forefront. Nobles who invest more can gain larger plots to increase their profits."

Her words cause breaths to stifle. With this plan, even the smallest merchant could start a venture.

"The third part deals with diver... diversification. This means not everyone has to produce glass shutters. There are many uses for this, and depending on future studies, nobles who produce certain items might gain more coppers than someone who creates windows."

Sakura moved to the smaller chest as Master Klin opened it. Leaving her, he and his apprentices moved to a corner of the hall. There, under the anticipation of Patriarch Yu, they set to replace one of the wooden shutters with the glass windows.

She removed a dozen glass cups and handed them out to pass around.

"These are glass cups. Glass can be molded into any shape with practice. These are trinkets Master Klin dabbled with during his free time."

Like a magician, her hands constantly disappeared and emerged from the chest filled with surprises.

"This is a polished glass which can be used to help those with poor eyesight to see. My brother said that with proper skills, eyeglasses can be worn to clear a person's vision. Feel free to use it on a scroll and see the letters jump out at you. When we can create a clearer glass, it would work even better..."

"This is a bottle made from glass with a glass stopper. It is ideal for holding potions and any liquids that cannot be placed in a wooden or ceramic jar. Grandmaster Bing has stated that the Alchemist Guild will purchase flasks and jars in bulk once it meets their criteria..."

Sakura completed her presentation and then walked around the hall with Sue as they fielded questions.

"The sun, I can really make out the sun."

"So this is a glass window, amazing."

It was over an hour before the excitement dropped in the hall. Sakura and Sue found a seat at the table while Master Klin and his apprentices enjoyed the fawning of the nobles.

Governor Hand tapped the block once again on the table.

"Today marks an important day in the future of Limerock City. Not only has Lady Sue and her younger sister placed a golden opportunity in our hands, but this will aid in rebuilding our villages. If done right, this venture will have people flocking to Limerock."

Governor Hand stroked his beard before continuing.

"How much do we have to pay you for this?"

The words hushed the noblemen in the hall. True, the inventor of this glass would not share this freely.

Sakura stood and bowed towards the Governor and the elders in the hall while wearing a wry smile.

"The inventor has said he wants not even a copper from the profits. Once Master Klin is treated with the recognition and respect he deserves, my brother has given this to the people of Limerock."

Sakura smiled on hearing the unbelievable gasps and seeing the doubtful faces. She shrugged her shoulders and made a slight cough.

"My Eldest Brother, however, has placed a request."

Giving Sue a frustrated smile, she then coughed again.

"My Eldest brother says that he also requires no money. For every glass window or jar created, he has requested a small brand carrying his name be stamped onto a corner or at the bottom."

"What name?"

"Ming..."