Recruiting Ari.

My excitement was stronger than my calm, and I continued on the cart, determined to relive the memories tutorial, but more importantly, to acquire many of the pieces needed for my own board and economic struggle. Eventually, the cursed kingdom will claim them, it's true, but there's nothing wrong with giving myself more personal value and thus making my acceptance as close to complete annexation as possible.

My first stop in Rotmit, to get Ari, was in fact the easiest and closest thing to achieve, but at the same time the most difficult to do, to start with, his current position of power gave him a lot to lose if he decided to follow me, but as always in the tavern enjoying a drink, like almost everyone in the Arasel house.

Much to my chagrin, I forgot to bring an escort or even servants, so I left the carriage somewhat unguarded as I entered, but since I had business and the Rotmit tribe was having livelihood problems, I knew I would be more or less safe.

“Alba greets you upon your arrival, and I join in.” It was no surprise that I gained everyone’s attention as I continued my way to the seat at the back, and soon two guards stood between us.

"Wait, he's just a boy. Let him sit down." It wasn't surprising that he spotted the family crest. "That brings the son of House Sol here. Know that House Arasel holds sway over this tribe."

“I have come to give you a place in my new mining tribe.”

“Now we really speak the same language!” I almost shouted in excitement at the offer. “Being a general has long been my dream, but almost nothing happens here.” He shook his drink and held his arms at his sides, taking in everything around him. “Where will we go?” He regained his composure and saw more clearly in his glass the possibility of a trap, given the rival families in Lasha. “If nothing else happens, I won’t see a reason to accompany you, but if you tell me a little more,” he shook his glass, looking at his reflection.

“Taka.” I spoke as if I already knew where we were going. I knew other ways to convince him, but it was better not to make more promises than necessary.

“That doesn’t sound familiar, you can go, kid.” He gestured toward the door as he drank the last of his drink.

"I'm offering you the same proposal. Tell me what you think." It was no surprise that there were two factions, and the rebellion we would discuss in the following months would only highlight the conflicts.

Her guard at her side, did nothing but feel uncomfortable and after a while she looked at the leader she followed until now, her ingenuity was worth following him, but the power to forge her own destiny with so much in mind.

“I accept; I will gather my troops to leave.”

“I knew the decision.”

It didn't take long to notice how the conflict started and we stopped when he spoke.

“Ari, I don't want to be the one to break it to you, but you're better off with us. You don't even know where this is going, or I'm wrong.” I slam the glass down on the table again. “Besides, I never agreed to this deal.”

I went back and put in 5 gold coins, I had some left over from my recovery from the well, but from the way his eyes lit up he put the cello on the table.

"Just put your name on the sheet and everything will be authorized." He pulled out a contract, which clearly showed the girl's name and the name of her group.

“It’s nice to see you’re a reasonable man.” They quickly heated some wax and sealed it with my emblem.

"Everything's fine, all yours." He handed me the contract, and with that, I handed it to the young woman for safekeeping. Before noon, we were ready to leave, after some additional negotiations, of course.

—0— House of the tribal chief. —0—

“Young man, why did we come here?”

“Completing a deal and an order, nothing more.”

"We'll defend the cargo until then. I'm not good at this kind of thing."

“As you wish.”

He was quickly welcomed by people desperate for food, and arrived at his office. Glad to be able to put an end to a problem within the tribe.

“Young man, you honor us with your pre…” He stopped when he noticed her extend her hand.

I took off my hood and stood in front of the table, as expected, headed for his seat and with it all the ceremony that comes with receiving someone from a distinguished family, with time that was short on us.

“The House of Sun has heard of your troubles and seeks to help you, so I’ve brought supplies. By tomorrow, your warriors will be strong, and I’ve recruited half of Dur’s troops to serve me.” The nervousness was evident, as the water I generated to my right formed like an arrow and pierced the wall, executing the only one who could inform the warrior. “The services of the cursed empire are very expensive. I hope you understand why it took them so long to hire me.”

“And… I see.” For a moment he looked at the water poured into the glass.

“Know that, all I did was weaken the influence of the House of Arasel and, in the process, strengthen yours.” I took the water, remembering well how sweet it was. “I could simply get rid of the problem, but that would entail an extra payment, and more importantly, you must finally kill it with your own abilities, to legitimize your own power.” In the process, I used the water to bring the supply contract from under my robes. “I am Jūni. I'm sure you will be clever.”

“Yes,” he quickly placed a bag of gold coins on the table and waxed it with his cello, while I placed a wooden one carved into the shape of a star in between the breaks.

I only got 4 out of it with small water ants, another slight start and after they reached my hand I made a small warrior saluting before the water once again obeyed the laws of gravity.

“Download it as soon as possible. It's not the only matter I have to attend to here. I recommend you distribute it to your own warriors as soon as possible.”

"I'll call them to come as soon as possible." He avoided major problems by not asking anything and ran off, leaving the money on the table.

It didn't take long for him to draw the mana potion and take a sip. "Dealing with the slave trader was truly vital." He gripped the table before dizziness sapped the strength from his legs. "I'm getting better." He took another sip and proceeded to leave, a little more energetic than usual, and touched his head, feeling cold. "Right, I shaved my hair."

The warriors gathered and as ordered we left half below and went up, while a small escort of almost 6 joined us on foot, in time we saw the leader of the tribe arrive, along with his warriors and I greeted him before we walked away.

“Sir.” Ari seemed somewhat uneasy.

“Yes?” I asked more out of politeness than because I cared.

“What is your name?”

To my surprise, she didn't seem dismayed, even though she knew I was coming from the House of the Sun, or she was as ignorant of my position as everyone else outside of Lasha. "Abaddon Sun."

“On behalf of Rotmit, I thank you for your help.”

I presided over the pomp and ceremony of that kind of thanksgiving, which I found pleasant and disconcerting at times, but definitely more joyful.

“Don’t be grateful to those who take you to lands of death and opportunity.”

“If you allow me to tell you a little of my story.”

“Go ahead, in fact, that goes for everyone, it’s going to be a long trip and we still have three stops before we get there.”