Chapter Two-Hundred Ten

Chapter Two-Hundred Ten

It feels a bit weird when the Southwood accepts the alliance. I can feel the new bond, and feel the old ones shuffling around a bit, and I can feel a bit more information flowing around now, too. Im a bit surprised to see that Violet and Hullbreak are in it now, as well, but looking closer, it seems more of a technicality.

As Violets mentor, Im in charge of most outsider-related things, so while shes in the alliance, its mostly because her mentor is in it. Similar with Hullbreak. As a vassal, hes not allowed to do a lot with diplomatic affairs, looks like, but as his lord, I guess? As the guy hes a vassal to, he gets dragged into technically allying, too.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

I take a few minutes to poke around the options, and Im probably going to eventually invite them both to the alliance properly later. Honestly, Hullbreak has been doing great, and Id love to give him the reins back, but I think thatd be moving a bit too quickly. Hell get there eventually, but for now, I think he needs a bit more time with fewer responsibilities so he can get his feet properly underneath him.

Itll definitely be longer for Violet. I dont think shes ready to stop being my protege yet. I want to give her the time she needs to grow, without having to worry about things like alliances and wars with crazy dungeons.

When I take a closer look at Southwood, I can feel him prodding the options, too, as well as politely tapping the bonds with the others. Violet is looking pretty curious, while Hullbreak is trying to put on a friendly face, despite his aversion to outsiders. Im not really worried about either of them.

Southwood is pretty interesting, too. I can get a better feel for his territory, and hes absolutely massive! Sure, my denizens have scouted his borders, but theres a difference between reading it on a map and being able to get a feel through the bond. I let him take a look at what I have, too. If this is an alliance, we should share what we can. Thats the entire point of an alliance, right?

I can also feel that Southwood is old. I cant get a specific number, but hes easily the oldest of our little alliance. Its not surprising that hes the oldest, but theres a feeling of weight and wisdom thats going to take some getting used to. It feels kinda weird for him to act deferential to me, considering how much more experience he has being a dungeon.

We both explore the options for a few more minutes, and I discover the alliance mana pool. This thing is definitely cool. I set a trickle of my income to flow into it, hoping itll be a good emergency stockpile for if anything happens. Some curiosity and nervousness slips through the bond, and the Stag looks a little awkward as he tries to figure out how to ask whatever it is the Southwood wants.

Of course, Teemo is more than happy to pounce. Whats up? You look like you want to ask something.

The Stag looks like hed rather stay quiet, but eventually crumbles under the polite smile of my Voice. My Lord is unsure how much hes expected to contribute to the alliance pool.

Teemo scoffs. Pft, thats easy: nothing. The Boss is planning to use it as a communal emergency fund. So just put in whatever you can whenever you can, and withdraw whatever you need for whatever you need it for. In fact have you thought about getting a second scion?

The Stag answers slowly, sounding more than a little ashamed. My own upkeep is all my Lord is able to afford.

Teemo exchanges a glance with my other gathered scions, before nodding. Lots of orders, yeah?

The Stag nods, missing the tone in Teemos voice.

Well, thats easy to fix, Southwood. Just stop giving him orders. The Boss almost never gives us orders. He basically just brings something to our attention and lets us figure it out on our own.

The Stag looks flabbergasted, and I can feel a similar reaction through the alliance bond. After a few seconds, the Stag manages to stammer a response. But but the complex plan! The intricate movement of your troops!

The Stag smiles with confidence for the first time in a while. My Lord has quite the comprehensive selection of rooms available. If lord Thedeim doesnt have much room at the moment, perhaps my Lord could offer an upgrade instead? The confident smile wavers slightly as I get a notification.

Purchase Climate Control? Y/N?

Oof, that look makes more sense as I see the price tag associated with the purchase. The Stag nods as he sees Teemos reaction.

There is a minimum price, unfortunately. Even if he doesnt want it just yet, my Lord will be happy to offer it again at a later time. I select no while Teemo nods.

Yeah, the Boss isnt ready to spend that much on anything right now. Whats it actually do?

The Stags confidence returns as he stands a bit straighter. It is what lets my Lord keep back even the depths of winter within his domain. With his focus on natural nodes, a hard winter can make them much less effective than they should be. With that upgrade, he can set the seasons at his whim. It can be expensive if he is too forceful, but he can practically have a long fall give way to an early spring, ignoring winter all together, should he wish.

Teemo gives a low whistle at that, and I can see why that kind of upgrade is so expensive. For a dungeon like Southwood, its an amazing option. Itd be cool for me, too. It gives me all sorts of ideas for the expansion past the cemetery that Ive been eying. Itd probably take at least a second expansion into those woods outside town to give me enough room, but itd be so cool to be able to have a forest of four seasons.

The Boss already has some ideas for that kind of upgrade. I dont think hell be taking it until spring at the earliest, though.

The Stag nods at that. Then simply let my Lord know, and hell offer it again. Nobody seems to have anything else to say for the moment, so Fluffles hisses, earning a wince from the Stag. Reluctantly, he nods at my Conduit.

Yes I think I have some time to train. I fear I will need more advice than I may have hoped. I havent forgotten my embarrassing loss to Teemo when we first met.

Teemo smirks at that, though the smirk falls when he hears my suggestion. You sure, Boss?

Yeah, were allies.

Teemo slowly nods at that, accepting the logic, before turning to my wingnoodle. Show him the ropes properly, yeah? Get Rockys help if you need to. The Boss says you should try to expand his horizons.

Fluffles and Rocky both look surprised at that, which makes the Stag very nervous.

Is it too late to have sudden business elsewhere? the Stag asks, looking like he might bolt anyway. Teemo shakes his head and chuckles as he hops onto Leos back.

Nah, youll be fine. Rockys just going to get a chance to pick your brains after all.