Chapter 262 - Home’s where the Home is

Nate stepped out of the portal in the middle of the forest, right where they had set up the previous portal emplacement and almost been accosted by three, old Lesser Divinities. That single step was like moving from swimming in an ocean to trudging through a desert. The ambient mana on Galle was so thin by comparison with the Wild Realm that it was no wonder that the place was considered a backwater.

Kiri was next to him. Her stance was one of readiness, as though she expected them to be attacked immediately. An attack did come, but not in the form of Lesser Divinities. One moment the space before them was empty and the next it was filled with a large, purple alien. Arikanvil had come, no doubt sensing the spatial shift of their portal and recognising it for what it was.

“Cutting it fine,” commented The Wanderer. “If it wasn’t for my sense of the debt you still owe me, I would’ve thought the pair of you had died. Now, where were you sent?”

Nate raised an eyebrow and tried not to smile. He didn’t want to goad the True Divine, but at the same time, he felt the pressure of Reciprocity at the question. The Wanderer wanted to know, and because of the differences in their strata he would need to pay for the answer. Arikanvil realised it at the same time as they did and his face turned ugly in annoyance.

“Forget it. It’s not important enough to change our deal. Did you at least succeed? Or are The Heartlands going to chew you up and spit you out?”

Nate’s sense of Reciprocity retreated but didn’t vanish. Arikanvil was curious, but not curious enough for anything major to change in their agreement. That suited Nate just fine as there was something he wanted.

“We’ll tell you, if you agree that we don’t have to go to The Heartlands for two months.”

Arikanvil frowned but gave a small nod.

Nate felt the deal settle into place and smiled, “We succeeded. We should be competitive with… the factions of The Heartlands.”

He’d had to stop himself from saying ‘Seeds’ as that wasn’t information he should probably have.

“Good enough,” grunted the God of Space. “Very well, you’ve got your two months. After which, I will find you and ferry you to The Heartlands myself along with directions and information about what I need you to do to satisfy the debt you owe me. Use your time well.”

Then the purple-skinned being was gone. As per usual, Nate hadn’t sensed a single ripple in space either from Arikanvil’s arrival or his departure. With a shrug and a smile at Kiri, the pair began teleporting in the direction of the Capital of Etrua. Frick was already back in their spatial house and preparing for Nate’s next big plan.

*************

Arikanvil appeared on his space station, his eyes losing their passivity and turning thunderous. He hated not knowing what had happened with the portal. The System was the only culprit he could think of who could have changed their destination and concealed it from him. 

That didn’t mean there weren’t True Divinities who might have managed the same, but if they knew where he was they wouldn’t be messing with a portal. They’d be coming for him. Those old monsters were undoubtedly still furious at him about the things he had stolen from them.

No, the interference was definitely from The System itself. That didn’t mean he couldn’t use the children. The System was just as restricted by its own rules as it restricted all those it had infected. It couldn’t act directly against him, so it used proxies. Just like he was using proxies to get the things he needed to cleanse himself of the infection. So, what could it have possibly wanted in the Wild Realms. He could understand if it tried to use the children in The Heartlands. Force them to fail, or worse, use them to create a trail back to him. But that was unlikely. Arikanvil was nothing if not a master of escape. The System was up to something, and he couldn’t figure out what it was. That vexed him.

Perhaps, he thought, it was time to change the game. Across the multiverse he sent out a pulse, calling two of his Heralds back.

*************

Nate and Kiri appeared on the topmost floor of The Artist’s Emporium. The room had changed since they were last in it six months ago. New artworks decorated the walls, filling in the space alongside a few of Nate’s own paintings. Then there were some cases along one wall holding what looked like prototype runecrafted creations. Additional seating had been added to the room as well, to accommodate more people.

That seating had been occupied as Nate and Kiri appeared and the four people occupying them jumped into action with varying responses ranging from battle readiness to pure terror.

“What in the Nine Hells is this?!” screamed a red-faced, pudgy man, while a demure younger woman cowered behind him.

The guard of the pair had managed to get his sword out of its sheath while Luc was already opening rips in space. Those rifts immediately began closing as Luc chuckled, waving the sword-wielding man down.

“Sorry for the surprise, Mister Golchev. I hadn’t expected the intrusion. May I be the first to introduce you to Nathaniel Weber and Kiri Beaufoy. The majority owners of the Artist’s Emporium.”

At the introduction the sword-wielding man sheathed his blade, his eyes still watching them warily. Nate tried not to roll his eyes at the display while Kiri was clearly suppressing a laugh. Frick, however, must have been listening in as the Familiar chose that moment to appear in all his glorious, blue, globiness and stare down the swordsman.

“Point your beady eyes elsewhere or I’ll carve em out!”

Kiri flicked Frick in the head and the goblin bounced across the room dramatically, pretending to splatter into a wall and destroying a painting in the process. Nate sighed at the waste.

“Sorry about him,” interjected Kiri. “No one ever taught him any manners. Or if they did, he intentionally chooses to ignore them.”

She turned to Luc, “Let us know when you’re done with the meeting. We’ll just…”

Luc interrupted Kiri before she could finish.

“It was basically done. I was just explaining to Mister Golchev that we cannot move up the timeline on his request unless he is willing to pay the cost of us breaching two other contracts as well as compensating us for the inconvenience. Isn’t that right Mister Golchev?”

The fat man puffed himself up, “Perhaps that was true a moment ago, but if this is truly Nathaniel Weber, then I am sure the Artist’s Emporium now has enough experts to expedite my request.”

Nate was only semi-paying attention, having moved to look at some of the artworks along the walls. He recognised one from his time at the Royal University and was studying it to see the differences between his own preferred style and the one on display.

“You couldn’t afford me,” Nate remarked offhandedly.

The spluttering from behind was ignored as Nate’s eyes traced the painting, taking in the whole rather than the individual brush techniques. His own styles usually fell into two categories. Ideal representation, either through subversion or commentary was a common theme for him. His thoughts on war back at the Royal University along with the artwork incorporating his parents had been the most obvious examples of that style. The other, and perhaps the far more common, was capturing the beauty of the subject. Most of his artworks fell into this category and his subjects were always sights that few would get to see.

The painter who had created the artwork he was now reviewing went with a third path. Trying to reveal the beauty in the ordinary. Nate could see how they had gone about it, even if it didn’t resonate with him.

Turning back to the room, Luc had moved from behind the desk letting Kiri slip into the seat. Mister Golchev was still spewing forth a diatribe about being insulted.

“I represent the Merchant Lords of Gashana! This insult will not stand! Cannot afford…cannot afford! Do you know how rich we are! We could buy the Artist’s Emporium and not bat an eye!”

“If that’s the case then you should be able to pay the cost to have your request expedited,” commented Kiri calmly.

“Well that’s… you see… we should have gotten preferential treatment in the first place! Given the size and scope of the project we are paying more than enough to have the work begun immediately!”

“The contracts in your way are for the Vassal State of Etrua and directly to the Government of Asmuisil from what I can see. Should we insult the country out of which we are based, Mister Golchev?”

Kiri’s cold, serene, calm had the representative from Gashana going red in the face.

“Of course not, I just thought with the return of Master Nathaniel, that you might be able to move up the current timeline.”

“Ah. Portals,” Kiri commented, finally getting to the point in the contract that covered the works involved. “Yes, I can see why Gashana would want these sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, Nate was correct in his assertion. You truly can’t afford him. Before you object, Mister Golchev, it is not a matter of money, but of his other focuses. I’m going to have to agree with…”

“Director,” supplied Luc.

“With Director Luc. Unless you’re willing to pay for the breaches of contract with Etrua and Asmuisil, our hands are tied. Rest assured the work will be completed to your satisfaction, and within the currently agreed timeframe. Was there anything else?”

The dismissal was clear in her voice and after a little huffing, the representative from Gashana, his supposed wife, and his bodyguard were escorted from the room and then the building.

Kiri glanced at Luc, “Did you notice?”

“Of course. Could feel the little witch trying to circumvent your Soul Engraving. Was like feeling an annoying child tapping on the glass. Want me to delay them further? There are clauses in the contract that would allow it.”

Kiri shrugged, leaning back in the chair, and putting her feet up on the desk, “Do what you want, you’re running the place.”

Luc looked at them thoughtfully, “Does that mean you’re not staying?”

“We’ve got two months before we need to leave again,” answered Nate. “And a few things to do in that time. Not sure we’ll be able to add much of value to the company this visit, though business seems to be going well?”

Luc laughed, “Grandmaster-tier Sigils for Mana will do that. Along with the Master-tier Sigil for Space and the book detailing how to create portals. We’ve got so much work coming in to improve cities across the area in terms of mana capture that we don’t have the people to do them. We’re literally booked out for years. That’s ignoring the contracts to connect the major cities in a portal network to expedite trade. We’ve got more wealth than talent to the point where we’ve opened a school specifically to train up new Runecrafters. It’ll be years before we see a return, but we have contracts that will still be open when the first few complete their training and get their initial Classes. Then I need to get them working on the simpler stuff so I can get the ones currently doing the simpler stuff to do the harder stuff, so the ones doing the harder stuff can handle these contracts! It’s a bloody nightmare!”

“You sound happy,” commented Nate with a wry smile.

“I am, kid. Fuck me, but I am. I said I wanted to be rich, and now I am so rich that we own a third of the merchants’ district. We’re expanding into material collection and processing, mostly wood and stone for now. Bought two different mining companies, a sailing company, and a logging company.”

“Sailing?” asked Kiri.

“Logistics,” replied Luc. “The mining companies have their own methods for transporting the raw materials they get back to the Capital, but our current source of good lumber is up the coast and slightly inland. We’re shipping it back here while taking on contracts to shift various foodstuffs and other perishables out to them. I can take you through everything if you want.”

Nate was already shaking his head as Kiri was agreeing.

“I’m going to have a look around. Unless you two need me?”

“Did you bring back anything new? Any new creations?” asked Luc hopefully.

“Nothing I can share,” replied Nate in annoyance.

He could make things himself for the company to sell, since it was his company. But giving the knowledge to make those things to others would trigger Reciprocity and he doubted most would be able to pay the cost. His time would be better spent figuring out the things he needed to do to divest himself of his Class Core. However, they only had two months. Not enough time for that yet. Especially if they were going to keep their word and deal with the two Lesser Divines that had come to attack them before they left.

“It’s good to see you though, Luc. How’s things with Hildi?” added Nate.

“She’s good. With Governess Morgane of course. Though I get to see her most nights. We bought a house nearby.”

“A house?” Nate asked, raising eyebrows. “She finally tied you down?”

“Well, a mansion. And tied down… let's not go throwing out accusations now!”

“So, you wouldn’t mind if I told her you said that?” asked Kiri, feigning innocence.

“You’re back ten minutes and the two of you are already picking on me?! After all I have done!” Luc’s faux outrage cracked within seconds and he grinned, “It’s good to see you as well Nate.”

Nate chuckled, “Speaking of doing things, you mentioned we owned a third of the merchant district. Is any of that land unoccupied?”

After a quick discussion Nate got directions to a suitable plot of land.

A quick teleport later and he was standing outside a zone of sand and rubble. One of the buildings destroyed during the fight in the Capital all those months ago. Luc had bought the land but had yet to bother clearing it as he had nothing worth putting in there yet. It was perfect for what Nate wanted.

His mana reserve was over half full, having been depleted by teleporting back to the Capital. Nate was finding that he had to forcefully grasp at the ambient mana around him and draw it into his reserve. There just wasn’t enough mana to go around on Galle, especially not for the gluttonous Skills that Nate tended to use.

Still, he had enough full mana gems to last him for the two months he had on Galle. With a few quick applications of his Skill and a little assistance from Frick he had cleared the rubble, turning it into blocks of material by reshaping it with Multi Conceptual Material Shaping. Then it was a matter of moving the materials to the side and flattening out the space. By the time he was done he had burned through two full mana gems, but that was likely going to be less than half the cost.

Using Spatial Doors, he began to stretch the Skill, forcing the Spatial Anchors it created to grow in size. The mana cost climbed steadily as he burned through two more mana gems before finally it was large enough. Then, drawing the Spatial Anchor down over the multi-storey house and warehouse, he forced his home out of the spatial zone he had created and into the true Reality.

Brushing the dust off his Regalia required little more than a thought as he surveyed his house, now standing in the real world and not his fabricated one. He’d put it back when they left, but this way he could have his friends and family over without leaving any Spatial Anchors around.

It was time to have a dinner party. Now he just needed to create the invitations.