Chapter 2.47: Fenian''s Big Surprise

    Fenian reclined in his chair, letting the sunshine fall on his face from the window. He basked in that light as though he hadnt seen the sun for years. Theo watched him with interest. After inspecting the potions, the Elf trader seemed even more satisfied than before. This was a chance to change the face of alchemy in Qavell, and perhaps the world.

    I simply dont have enough money for the potions, Fenian said after a time. Im tied up in other investments at the moment.

    We can barter, Theo said.

    Of course. The people who buy these potions arent just buying them for their obvious use. Theres an allure there. Both that they are unseen in the kingdom, and that they give the user a slight edge.

    Nobles, Tresk blurted out. People with tons of money. Thats the buyers.

    Exactly, Fenian said, tipping his head to the Marshling. The feather on his hat bobbled as he did so, almost gracing Theos face from a distance. Weve been friends for too long, so Ill tell you. These potions will sell for a few hundred gold when Im done. Ill get four times my investment for very little work.

    You have to consider the fact that we cant go to Qavell, Theo said. I appreciate your honesty, but I trust you.

    Yeah, youre cool, Tresk said.

    Then Ill let you pick 10 gold worth of items from my considerable stock. Well, thats because I have a secret for you locked away in my carriage, Fenian said. Something worth 30 gold. But well get to that later.

    That works, Theo said. I have a few things I need.?v€l?1n.

    Anything in particular?

    Theo explained his plan to cut the Ogre Cypress trees and the four people who were supposed to do it. He lacked the appropriate seed cores and skill cores.

    I have the perfect thing, Fenian said. He withdrew a [Sawmill Seed Core] from his inventory, a [Foresters Core], and 10 [Loggers Cores]. Well call that 5 gold.

    Monster cores for the rest, Tresk said, nodding.

    Good idea, Theo said.

    Theo had the task of upgrading not only his shop, but the mine and smelter as well. The amount of [Monster Cores] the low-level buildings needed was few, but the Newt and Demon was a hungry seed core building. Fenian gave him a good rate on level 30 [Monster Cores], totalling 100 in all. It was an absurdly low price for the cores, but the alchemist wouldnt complain. The trader had been buying up every item with the [Defensive Artifice] tag he could find.

    This is the part youre going to love, Fenian said, withdrawing 4 different seed-shaped items from his inventory. He placed them on the table for Theo to inspect. Now, look at this one first.

    Theo inspected the first defensive artifice.

    [Firebolt Tower]

    [Defensive Artifice]

    Uncommon

    An artifice that can be attached to a defensive slot on a settlements wall. Consumes motes to generate a bolt of fire, targeting a single enemy. Comes with enemy and friendly recognition.

    I sourced the [Chain Lightning Towers] for 10 gold each. These cost me less than a gold, around 70 silver. Now, inspect this next one.

    Theo obliged, already amazed that there were different towers.

    [Fireball Tower]

    [Defensive Artifice]

    Rare

    An artifice that can be attached to a defensive slot on a settlements wall. Consumes motes to generate a ball of fire that impacts enemies. Comes with enemy and friendly recognition, and will not fire if the radius of the fireballs explosion will injure members of the connected town.

    Increasing in rarity, but not so much price, Fenian said. As you might expect, both towers are going to do less damage than the [Chain Lightning Tower], but these will only cost you 2 gold. On to the next.

    [Frost Cone Tower]

    [Defensive Artifice]

    Epic

    An artifice that can be attached to a defensive slot on a settlements wall. Consumes motes to generate a cone of ice magic, freezing enemies in place. Comes with enemy and friendly recognition.

    5 gold each. These dont do any damage that I know of, but they root monsters in place, Fenian said.

    This is insane, Theo said. We can get more coverage at an affordable price.

    Fenian had a sly grin on his face. He was leading them toward the ranch.

    Miana spotted them as the crested a hill, excitement visible on her face from a great distance. She was dancing on the spot as they approached the paddock, and with a considerable effort from Galflower, Fenian backed the train of carriages through the gate. Only when the gate was secure did he come around to the back of the featureless container.

    Im told the lowland Veostian Karatan is the best producer of milk, Fenian said, patting his hand on the carriage. He slapped his hand on the side of the container and a creature appeared behind it, tilting its head in confusion.

    Karatan were hideous creatures. They were significantly longer than Earths cows, with height to match. Instead of four legs, they walked on six with no evidence of a tail on their hind-end. Their faces were the worst part of them, bearing a mix between bovine and insectoid with snapping mandibles and flat teeth. This example of the strange species was covered in a thin layer of wooly fur, a hue between pale brown and red. Instead of lowing, or issuing a series of excited nickers, it simply clicked its horrid mandibles, which Theo took to mean excitement.

    This is the male. Or so Im told, Fenian said, gesturing.

    Miana approached the animal, reaching out to stroke its fur. There was a look of awe on her face that melted Theos heart. It was as though she was touching the thing shed wanted most in her life. The corners of her eyes were quickly wet as she stroked the things wiry fur. The alchemist joined in, shocked at how pleasant it was to touch the beast. Fenian slapped the Karatans rump, sending it trotting off into the distance. He then produced another 5 animals, all with similar fur patterns. These were smaller than the first one, but each had a series of udders that ran the length of their bellies.

    And these are the females, all milk Karatan, Fenian said. Milk them daily, or theyll stop producing. As for the diet

    Come, Miana said, barely able to keep her eyes off the beasts. She led them to the barn. Theos mouth dropped at the sight.

    On either side of the barn, there were 4 pens. Each had a litter of dried Zee stalks on the bottom and each trough contained a ground mixture of [Zee Kernels]. The place was immaculate, as though the Half-Ogre woman was preparing for their arrival since she took over the ranch.

    I researched their diet and conditions, Miana said, gesturing to a strange artifice and holding vessels in the barns corner. I commissioned a milking artifice from Throk and storage tanks. The mix in the troughs is actually milled Zee with crushed wolf bonesthey need the bones to digest anything. Im researching how to make sweet butter from the milk. Throk is working on an artifice for that.

    Youre prepared, Tresk said, letting out a laugh.

    The herd of Karatan noticed the excitement in the barn and approached the open door. They entered, sniffing the air with their strange faces, before finding the food. Each one of them pushed for the best position and ate happily.

    By the Gods, I suppose you know what youre doing, Fenian said, chuckling. I couldnt get them to go anywhere when I bought them. The trader that sold them had to help me corral them.

    Theo got to thinking about that. If these were Veostian Karatan, they must have been hard to get. Qavell was at war with Veosta.

    How did you get them? Theo asked, cocking an eyebrow. Did you cross enemy lines to get us cattle?

    I dont know what cattle are, but yes, Fenian said. I have means to avoid detection from a great distance. The Bridge, you know.

    This is amazing, Fenian, Theo said.

    Miana approached the Elf and pulled him into a tight hug. He let out a surprised sound, but softened, embracing the woman. Thank you, she said, pressing her face into his shoulder.

    Fenian had the good sense to stand still and pat her on the back. This was Mianas dream and it had finally come true thanks to him. He didnt have to go above his station to find the best possible Karatan for milk, but he did. It was a smart move for the long term success of the ranch, allowing them to make a profit from milk and butter.

    Theo thought about the Elf as they stood there, waiting for the moment to end. Fenian had a magical means of transportation that seemed strange, even by this worlds standards. He was kind enough to drop hints to the matter, aided by his cores and intuition. The traders patron was UzXulven, the Demon Queen of the Path of Shadows. The alchemist didnt understand the full extent of the Bridge, but it allowed passage over great distances.

    The Demonic Karatan were the key to that, Theo figured. But those thoughts fell away as the pair finally broke apart. Miana went off to run her fingers through the curly hair of the beasts as Tresk, Theo and Fenian broke off.

    Better to leave her to it, Theo said.

    As they were leaving the farm, Alise came trotting down the cobbled path. She had a wide smile on her face and new clothes. She wore a simple blue silken shirt and a matching skirt that swept the ground. Her feet were now clad in leather moccasins, the same kind Theo had worn for so long. She approached, out of breath and affecting a deep bow.

    Thank you for the clothes, Alise said, pausing to catch her breath. Several people in the town are eager to purchase supplies from Mister Feintleaf.

    Oh my, Fenian said. Mister Feintleaf. I like the sound of that.

    The adventurers guild is preparing for the monster wave, which will happen tomorrow, Alise said, withdrawing a parchment from a satchel at her side. The Towns wizard warns caution against multiple waves, which could happen from any of the other dungeons.

    Sounds like you have your hands full, my dear alchemist, Fenian said, clapping a hand on Theos back. But you finally have some good help.

    Shes really on top of it, Tresk said, eying the Human woman suspiciously. Shes better at being the mayor than you, Theo.

    By a large margin, Theo said.

    Alise ruffled at that. A mayor is only as good as their support structure.

    Spoken like an administrator, Fenian said. Ah, well. I suppose this isnt as impressive as the [Governance Core], but

    Fenian withdrew a core from his inventory. It was an uncommon quality [Administrators Core], a mesh of wood-like material surrounding a ball of white energy. He handed it over to Alise with a bow. Theo knew the value of the item was minimal, likely less than a single gold coin, but the womans face lit up.

    Oh, no, Alise said, stammering her next words. I couldnt possibly take this.

    If a mayors competency is only as good as their support structure, Fenian said, thrusting the item into her hands. Then youll need this.

    Alise bowed deeply, taking the item from him. When she rose, a wide smile painted her face. I have business to attend to. Thank you, Mister Feintleaf, she said, consulting her scroll. Please visit Ziz, Sledge, Throk, Perg, Gridgen, and Xam before you leave.

    Ah, thats quite the list, Fenian said. Very well. Time to make more coin.