T he days that followed were full of barely-restrained chaos.
The city of Amarantha was given the bad news about the Tower. Everyone was upset that the Tower Guild chose to keep the matter of the instability to themselves.
But after holding a Town Hall, where the Mayor did a fairly decent job of settling emotions and reassuring the citizens, things began to change.
A call for more adventurers went out to the surrounding towns and cities. We would need as many people battling the monsters in that Tower as possible to keep it from releasing demons.
No one questioned where the demons were coming from. For all they knew, the demons were still the Tower’s creatures. Created by the Tower.
They didn’t know that there was an entire realm beyond their imagination where demons lived. People thought little of the demons that popped up in surrounding areas. They all wanted to chalk it up as creatures that escaped from the Tower.
How wrong they were.
But at the moment, it didn’t matter. My telling them about the Underworld wouldn’t change what was happening, nor the goal.
We still had to beat the Tower down. Keep its overflowing mana at bay, so that it wasn’t on the verge of ripping through reality all the damn time.
Armories were also seeing more of an uptick than ever. Everyone and their cousin wanted a new sword. A stronger shield.
And apparently, the Academy was taking new applicants as people decided they wanted to be a part of the effort to rebalance the Tower.
Rava said he was going to take on another class, considering the unprecedented circumstances.
After the atmosphere had settled within the city, I visited the esteemed Mayor. We had business to discuss, after all.
I used the front door. The servants weren’t as surprised, considering I wasn’t dressed like — what had Clove called me on that first day? A scarecrow?
I made it to the top of the stairs before someone asked me who I was, but after one look from me, they fell silent.
When I entered his study, and the Mayor laid eyes on me, he appeared to go from very angry, to very sick.
“Now, now…” he warned.
“Put that pudgy finger down, good sir,” I said jovially. “I’m here to talk business and pleasure! What more could a man like you wish for?”
“You will have nothing from me,” he growled. “You no longer have proof of the dealings you accused me of.
“Let’s just say whatever you thought happened has been erased entirely.”
His grin widened. “Including that lovely little family you thought I’d been tormenting. All tragically lost in the demon battle.”
“Their farm wasn’t anywhere near the city,” I reminded him.
He laughed. It was an unhealthy sound, if truth be told. Like he was coughing up old watermelon.
“And who cares? Who will ask questions? My dear boy, please remember who you’re dealing with.
“I am no small chap on the street corners dealing in demon skin. I am the Mayor. I am more powerful than you could ever dream to be.”
“I found your seal. In the port thieves’ hideout. You’ve been messy lately, haven’t you, Mayor?” Since coming to Ria, I don’t think I’ve ever been so cool, calm, and collected.
His satisfaction faded.
Aha. So, my hunch had been correct.
I hadn’t really found his seal. But the sheer amount of product set up in that warehouse, plus the absurd licensing prices of any demon trade business, it only made sense that the man in charge of the city was in on the underground dealing.
Now, it was my turn to remind him how dangerous I was. “You’ve been granting cheaper licenses to fake business fronts that are dealing in black market demon products and taking a rather large cut. Interesting thing for the honorable, noble Mayor to be involved with.”
I gave him a predatory grin that I could easily imagine on my father’s face. “Don’t you think?”
“You… you have no proof.”
“I don’t waste time with squabbling,” I dismissed. “You can tell yourself that, but deep inside, you know there is no point in fighting me.”
He was gripping his armrests so hard his knuckles were white.
I let him sit in that panic for a few heavy seconds. And then, “But I think we can come to an understanding. Don’t you? You’re going to grant Debshire and her niece a fully-fitted demon product license.”
“For-for free? Are you mad?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. For a reasonable price of twelve copper.”
This, for some reason, incensed the Mayor even more. “Twelve? And what does that give me? What is the purpose of that at all?”
“It’s none of your concern. There must be a price to a license. That’s what you will give them. Make sure to keep it under wraps. Especially to keep your criminal contacts sated and the city from demanding answers.
“You will do this within the next day, or I will release the information, documents, and proof of your dock dealings,” I said firmly.
“Oh, and you’ll write down our little agreement, signed and sealed. I’ll keep that one as well, of course.”
The man scoffed. “I will do no such thing!”
I smiled casually. “You will, or your office will be seized and your reputation ruined.
“You might make it out of the city alive, but you’ve been dealing with some very dangerous people. I’m not sure they’ll let you escape while breathing.”
He was shaking with rage. “Silence! You will regret the moment you stepped into my city and stormed into my home! I swear it on the heavens!”
I summoned the demon bone staff from its ring. The air warped as I changed its end to a single, deadly point.
The blade ended at the tip of the Mayor’s throat.
I dredged up the voice of the Demon Prince. The one I used to command armies.
“You live and die by my will, leech. You eat and shit and fuck because I allow it. You wake every morning because I deem it necessary.
“Give me one reason to change my mind, and I’ll string you up your intestines.”
I waited.
The Mayor’s ugly eyes bulged. He didn’t speak. Or move. Then, slowly, a wet stain spread across his trousers.
“Nod if you understand,” I commanded quietly.
His jowls wobbled. But his chin dipped.
I placed a piece of paper on his desk. “Sign it. Seal it.”
When his body remembered how to function again, he shakily scribbled his signature, then heated the wax.
It took two irritatingly slow tries to properly pour it. But eventually, he handed me the official document.
His confession. And my main bargaining piece for future dealings between the two of us.
“I’ll be seeing you soon, Mayor.”
I summoned my staff back to my finger and left.
* * *
Later, I accompanied Clove on her trip to the market to purchase fruits and vegetables for The Night Owl.
But she wanted to stop somewhere first.
We walked right to the pet store we’d passed on my first day here. “What is your plan?” I inquired.
She led me to the enclosure where the telepathic bunny was still displayed. Her eyes shimmered as she smiled.
“You were staring at it that day we were walking through this part of town, and I haven’t forgotten. We can’t technically have any pets in the inn, but why don’t we check it out?”
“I’m not sure how I feel about that,” I said cautiously. “What is the purpose? Will it lend us strength? Offer us a boon?”
Clove snorted. “You’re so funny, sometimes. Honestly. I don’t know where you even come up with these jokes.”
She reached into the cage and lifted the small, furry creature, holding it to her chest.
Its legs kicked tiredly, but she stroked its fur a few times, and it relaxed against her. “Aw, sweet little baby,” she cooed. “Isn’t he so cute?”
I summoned the demon bone ring as a dagger and held it, ready.
Clove gasped and shielded the creature from me. “What’s that for? You didn’t come here to skin him, did you?”
I narrowed my eyes at the bunny. Its black eyes were unblinking. Unwavering. “Some fair things are foul.”
She scoffed. “I’m already holding him, by the heavens! If he was dangerous, he would have shown it already. Now, are you ready to hold him? Or do I need to restrain you?”
I returned my weapon to my finger. “If you insist. However, I’ll be on high alert —”
She thrust the creature into my arms.
We stiffened, the creature and me.
The beast looked to be considering whether or not to make a run for it.
I considered doing the same.
Clove began to pet it again. The ears twitched. “There, there,” she said gently.
“It’s so soft,” I informed her.
“Yes,” she confirmed. “They usually are, Luc.”