Chapter 2.9: The Power of Friendship

Chapter 2.9: The Power of Friendship

Rain pattered playfully outside the windows of the lab. The clean, chilly breeze it blew into the stuffy place was a welcome reprieve. Fires danced along the boughs of the Ogre Cypress in the distance, suffocating from the daily drizzle. Theo sat with Uharis and Tresk in the Newt and Demon. Theyd explained their problem with Sledges cores, making sure the wizard understood how useless they were to the town currently. The Archmage had a grin on his face even before he began talking.

More free consultations, huh? Well, I suppose its worth it for the display outside, Uharis said.

And the fact that youre a dirty spy, Tresk sneered.

Dirty? Not after pilfering a vial of your [Cleansing Scrub]. A spy? Absolutely, Uharis said. Well, more of a minder. See this ties in well with my suggestion for your carpenter. What do you know of the Pantheon?

Gods, Tresk blurted out. Theres a lot of them.

Fair enough, Uharis said. How about you, Theo?

Nothing, Theo said with a shrug. He never put much thought into what gods there were, or how they operated.

There are gods. Many of them. They exist in their own realms, but can travel to others on rare occasions. The Demon Gods are the ones most likely to jump between the realms, but theyre typically banished by my order. The Burning Eye is a god, considered being the god most opposed to Demons. Now, why is this important? Because the best way for them to influence our realm is through cores. Even Tresks [Assassins Core] is aligned with a god named Zaul.

Uharis paused for a moment, casting his gaze out the window. Do you understand so far?

Youre implying that the whispers Im hearing are Drogramaths, Theo said.

You already determined this on the wall, Uharis said, shrugging. Although I think you knew it for a long time. Heres something you didnt know. Your [Tarahek Core] is acting as a more powerful buffer than anything else. Even the sigil Sulvan inscribed you with pales when it compares.

Wait. The power of friendship is keeping the Demon God at bay? Tresk asked, eyes going wide. I always knew friendship was the most powerful force in the world.

Uharis smiled. There was something below that facade that Theo picked up on.

Things seem to fall into your lap, dont they, Theo? Uharis asked.

Because this whole place was planned, Theo said, letting out a sigh. I already knew that, too.

Indeed. Gods, mortals with agendasI dont know who. But someone designed Broken Tusk for something, Uharis said.

A silence washed over the group that lasted a painfully long time. Theo gleaned as much from what Miana told him, but to hear another source confirm it was strange. It was difficult for him to know how he felt about the situation.

Is this a gift, or a curse? Theo asked.

See, thats the interesting part, Uharis said, withdrawing a leather-bound journal. I would put money that this depends on you.

Im the determining factor? What about the dungeons and the coming monster wave? Theo asked.

I dont know, Uharis said. Thats beyond me at the moment. What I understand about this place is that theres high-level magic at work. The herbs that grow in the wild replenish at an alarming rate. Your quarry has perfect quality stoneit certainly shouldnt. And there are more monsters, and a more powerful dungeon.

A confluence of events, Theo said.

Thats a good way to put it, Uharis said.

Another silence consumed the room, a rush of wind outside punctuating the lull in conversation.

Ill take it as a good thing, Theo said, nodding. Theres no reason to give up on my positive attitude at this point.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.

Good idea! Tresk said, jumping from her chair and pumping her fist. What could go wrong?

Now, shall we talk about the other topic? The reason you brought me here? Uharis asked. Theres an obvious choice for your woodworker. [Fabricator] is the only option that makes sense.

What does a Fabricator do? Theo asked.

Well, do you see all these seed core buildings youre planting in your town? Someone with a [Fabricators Core], even one unaligned with Delcan the God of Construction, can change seed core buildings. She could keep doing what she loves and make a tidy profit.

I didnt know that was possible, Tresk said. How much could she change?

Well, she cant expand the buildings beyond what theyre currently upgraded for in terms of floor space. She would use mana to create upgrades and reform the buildings if she wanted. Unlike most Artisan cores, its a school of magery.

Theo thought about that for a moment. He had to make sure it would fall into line with a core that would benefit both Sledge, and the town. The alchemist wasnt even aware seed core buildings could be modified by anything but upgrades. That would influence the flow of money, sending it straight to the woodworker. Shed be providing a useful service to the town, and it gave everyone something to spend their money on. Since seed core buildings came in random arrangements, this all made sense.

Thats perfect, Theo said, nodding. But that was the simple part. Now we have to find one, and convince Sledge it was her idea.

Oh, leave that to me, Tresk said, grinning. Ive known Sledge for a long time.

How much will she need to know about magic? Theo asked.

Not much. The seed core buildings have a mind of their own, Uharis said, casting his eyes around the lab. Your alchemy lab is a good example of that, I think.

Theo had to agree. His lab seemed to have a mind of its own, or at least a mind to influence his alchemical reactions. The bonuses he got from the building alone were great, and the artifices within were even better.

I dont mean to treat you like my personal consultant, but Theo said.

Features:

Alchemy Lab

Blacksmith

Large Farm

Tannery

Tradesmen

Quarry

Adventurers Guild

Core Homes (x12)

Upgrades:

[Stone Walls and Gates]

[Stone Roads]

It was close enough that he wouldnt worry about it. The adventurers would put enough cores in to level it up, although if Fenian came to town hed finish it off with some level 30 [Monster Cores]. He dismissed the screen, moving up toward the housing development and Sledges workshop. He mentally prepared himself for dealing with the woman, forcing a smile on his face as he approached the building.

Sledge was working on another wooden beam outside. She actually smiled for a moment when she saw him, quickly reverting her face back to that stern appearance. The alchemist let his genuine smile show, noticing the crowd of barrels in the womans shop.

About time, Sledge said, shaking her head. Im guessing that big explosion was you.

Youre right, Theo said. How are the barrels?

Well, I learned a new recipe. When I added your magic bands, they turned into [Alchemy Equipment], Sledge said, letting out a bark-like laugh.

Hopefully it wasnt too much trouble for you, Theo said. Can I inspect them?

Theyre yours, Sledge shrugged.

Theo moved into the messy woodworkers shop, brushing the sawdust from the lid of the barrel and inspecting the item.

[Alchemy Fermentation Barrel]

[Alchemy Equipment]

Uncommon

Created By: Sledge

A 200 unit capacity barrel capable of fermenting any reagents placed inside. Placing a mote with the mash is required for the process to take effect. Additional motes and mana may be required over the course of the fermentation.

Effects:

Creates a fermentation reaction when reagents are placed inside with a mote.

Speed of fermentation is greatly increased, depending on the strength of the mote.

Theo didnt expect it to generate the barrel as an actual piece of [Alchemy Equipment], but he wouldnt complain. The system just recognized it as the correct items to give it that label. The advantage was, he knew it would work for fermentation. This also led him to believe that Sledge was completely capable of performing more tasks in the town. She was just another destitute citizen unable to lift herself above the impoverished area. The alchemist found himself wanting to help those who werent asking for it more than others. The farmers came to mind.

Well, youve outdone yourself, Theo said, taking all 10 barrels into his inventory.

Any other work you need done? Sledge asked, her eyes glittering.

Not at the moment. I have some things to tend to, Theo said, waving her off.

As they went to pass by the Marshling, she reached out a clammy hand and grabbed him by the forearm. She had a look of pain mingled with relief on her face, something he knew all too well.

Thanks, she said, her tough facade falling away for only a moment. Now get out of here. Ive got boards to trim.

Theo bid her farewell, retreating back to the Newt and Demon. Azrug was downstairs, although there were no customers. They shared a few words, mostly about the massive explosion, before Theo retreated upstairs.

Theo didnt have any use for 10 barrels. He doubted hed use more than 2 of them, but that wasnt the point. The silver coins he forked over to the woodworker would last her a long time. Enough time that he could sort out a better position for her among the citizens of Broken Tusk. The alchemist rearranged the room, shoving a table out of the way and exposing the north-facing wall. He removed 2 empty barrels from his inventory and set them there, shoving his entire body against them to line them up perfectly. He removed the remaining 8 from his inventory, shoving them in the [Dimensional Storage Crate].

The sound they made when being sucked into a too-small space was satisfying.

Theo retrieved his Drogramath alchemy book, set it up on the table nearest the barrels, and cracked it open. He rubbed his hands together, turning to the page about fermentation.

Alright, he said, grinning. Time to ferment some stuff.