Justin, Alistair, and Lila made their way off the stone quay and toward the entrance of Belmora Bridge. Two tall stone towers flanked either side, connected by an archway filled with ornate windows. Justin peered in that direction, noting the wide bridge was a busy market street filled with hundreds of people, colorful stalls, and permanent shops built right into the structure.

But it wasn't in this direction that Alistair was leading them. Instead, he angled toward the north side of the city, where a cobbled street with a tree-lined median cut its way back and forth up a steep hill. Somewhere beyond the top of the incline, the Marble Tower loomed like a white needle piercing the sky.

No matter what direction Justin looked, there were wonders to see. Street performers juggled flaming torches, actors performed on stages, and a smooth-talking man hawked a miracle cure to a growing crowd.

As they passed an alley, Justin peered down it to see three well-dressed men, wearing top hats and finely tailored coats. He saw two who were of the Socialite class, and another who was of the Diplomat class. Two offered polite nods; the third gave a thin smile that didn't reach his eyes. Justin caught just enough of their murmured exchange to recognize the phrase "provincial cut." Then came laughter. It was quiet, but it was clearly meant to sting.

At last, Alistair led them into an open plaza, at the center of which stood a statue of some ancient king on horseback. Water danced around the monument in impossible spirals and loops, defying gravity as it formed elegant patterns in the air before gracefully returning to the fountain's basin. Children were pointing in delight at the aerial water ballet, some even running through it.

Even as Justin gawked at the fountain, Alistair nodded toward a large inn to their left. The four-story building had a façade with intricate stonework, tall arched windows, and a red-tiled roof that seemed to be characteristic of many of Belmora's buildings. Gilded lettering above the entrance revealed it to be "The Golden Aurelius," probably owned by the same merchant family that commanded the marble tower.

The trio entered through the front doors of polished oak and brass, finding themselves in a common room of white marble covered with burgundy carpets. A comfortable seating area was arranged around a central hearth that crackled warmly despite the pleasant weather. A crystal chandelier provided soft light, and fresh flowers in porcelain vases added splashes of color throughout. Justin supposed it was the sort of establishment where successful merchants and minor nobility would feel at home.

"Nice digs," Lila said, impressed.

Yes, he supposed he was moving on up. If Alistair was selecting this establishment, he had to have a good reason.

The Paladin approached the front counter, with Justin and Lila close behind. The innkeeper was a striking woman in her late thirties with auburn hair pinned in an elegant style and intelligent hazel eyes. Justin saw that she had the Thespian class. It was probably useful in the hospitality business.

"Good morning," Alistair said. "Do you have any suites available? Enough for three people?"

"We do," the innkeeper confirmed. "Our finest suite is the Aurelian Chamber. Half a crown per night, with full food service, refreshments, a personal concierge, and access to our enchanted spa."

"Nothing so fancy as that," Alistair said diplomatically. "Anything more modest?"

"Certainly. We have a two-bedroom suite with a private sitting room and dining area, plus two comfortable sofas and a private bath. It should accommodate three guests quite well. Fifteen silvers per night."

"How long are we staying?" Justin asked. "Do you offer weekly rates?"

"We do," the innkeeper said. "For the standard suite, it's ninety silvers per week. For a month, three crowns and thirty silvers. Quite reasonable for accommodations of this quality and our central location."

"Just one night for now," Alistair said. "We'll decide whether to extend based on the service."

"Very reasonable," the innkeeper agreed. "That will be fifteen silvers."

Justin handed over the money without hesitation.

"Excellent," she said, producing three brass keys. "You'll be on the fourth floor. The Tower Suite. Head up the main staircase, turn right, then continue to the very end of the hall. Last door on the right. You'll have a lovely view of the Marble Tower and the fountain."

"My thanks," Alistair said with a slight bow. With a nod to his companions, Justin and Lila fell in behind him as they made their way toward the elegant staircase.

Within the minute, they were safely inside their room, shutting and locking the door behind them. They were greeted with a generous living area featuring two plush sofas arranged around a low table, with a generous assortment of silk pillows. A set of glass doors opened onto a balcony that overlooked the plaza below, and true to the innkeeper's word, the Marble Tower rose directly ahead of them at the end of the plaza, its white stone bright in the morning sun. Doors on either side of the room led to what must be the bedrooms.

"Marvelous," Lila said, her green eyes twinkling as she stepped onto the balcony.

Justin joined her to check out the view. From up here, he had a good vantage point of the surrounding city, though he couldn't see too far given the number of similarly tall buildings crowding the district. Toward the right of the tower, in the direction of the Golden Gulf, Justin spied four golden spires rising above the urban landscape. Some sort of grand temple or cathedral, he supposed, was hidden from direct view by the intervening structures.

"We need to discuss Valdrik," Alistair said without preamble, settling onto one of the sofas heavily. "Now that we're off the ship, we're not likely to be overheard."

"Back to business," Lila said with a slight sigh. She moved inside and took a seat across from the Paladin.

Justin closed the balcony doors and sat down beside Lila. On the ship, they had shared some basic information—how much money they had to work with, along with their updated gear and abilities. But given the close quarters and curious crew members, it hadn't been the ideal place to hatch a detailed plan.

Justin realized this inn was expensive, but Alistair had the right of it. The cost would afford them much-needed privacy for these crucial discussions. Having an oasis in a busy city like this would do wonders for their mental state, at least for a few days.

"So," Justin said, leaning forward, "to get this straight: we're tasked with not just taking down Valdrik, but also rooting out anyone who might be helping him. And ideally, anyone above him in the hierarchy. That's... a tall order."

"It is," Alistair agreed. "But we only get there by going one step at a time."

"So, what is our first step, anyway?" Justin gestured around the well-appointed room. "We have accommodations in what has to be one of the most expensive inns in Belmora, but we can't keep this up indefinitely. And Valdrik is our only confirmed point of contact within this larger network."

"We apply pressure," Alistair said. "Hit him where he's weak. Stomp on the anthill, see who comes scurrying out to relieve him."

"He has the favor of the Queen, according to the High Priest," Justin pointed out. "That's a significant obstacle to work around."

"Indeed, his ascension to count makes our work considerably harder. And as long as the silver flows steadily to the Belmoran treasury, he will remain in her good graces."

"So that's what we attack," Lila said, then immediately frowned. "Except that would require violence. I don't think I have it in me to rob silver carts or collapse mine shafts. Not everyone working for him is doing it out of loyalty to the Death God. In fact, most won't be. They will just be people looking to provide for their families."

"An important consideration," Alistair said. "Direct attacks on his operations wouldn't work anyway. His silver shipments are no doubt heavily guarded, and we'd have to shut off the supply from his mines completely to make a real impact. It's practically impossible for three people to accomplish."

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"Silver is tough to target anyway," Justin said. "It's too direct a form of wealth—easily replaced, heavily protected."

"He has other revenue streams we could potentially target," Alistair said, "but you're right about his core business. His mining empire is like a fortress. And his new territories just diversify his holdings, making him that much harder to bring down economically."

Justin thought it over, part of him wondering if he had selected the wrong advanced class. Special Agent would have been an obvious choice here. Infiltrate the court of Aranthia, use stealth and deception to gather intelligence, identify Valdrik's enemies and potential allies. The man was certain to have made a few enemies during his rise to power.

But that approach was extremely high-stakes, in an arena where Justin had too little experience. He had successfully swayed hearts and minds at Harrington's party, but that was just one isolated example.

"We're in over our heads, aren't we?" Lila asked, voicing what they were all thinking.

"When have we not been?" Justin asked. "But look, we need more resources. Capital. Influence. If we play the long game, our options will open up considerably. It's too early for a desperate gambit. Valdrik doesn't even know we're here, doesn't know what we're planning. The goal is, by the time he sees us coming, it's too late to stop us."

"Capital and influence," Alistair mused, leaning back against the sofa cushions. "Well, Vaults are the quickest way to get wealthy. The most dangerous, too."

Justin shook his head. "Yes, they're dangerous. But they're not a long-term solution to our problem. Unless we're forming a guild where we send other adventurers to clear Vaults for us."

"It can be profitable," Alistair allowed, "but it's a grim, heartless business. It means sending people to their deaths, even if they do so voluntarily. And adventurers are much like mercenaries; they want to keep the coin and loot for themselves. Plus, the taxes on Vault proceeds can be tricky to navigate. If the Vault is logged and known by the authorities, you can be assured that the crown and local lords will want their cut."

"Huh," Justin said. "I had no idea about that. How do they even enforce that?"

"Technically, Vaults are treated as a natural resource by law," Alistair said. "Unless specifically reserved, they are fair game for Vault Runners, as long as they pay their dues. An individual party is not likely to come under scrutiny if they clear a Vault in the middle of nowhere that no one knows about. But if you're forming a larger enterprise, there are legal implications to consider."

"Sounds like a headache," Justin said. "What we need is sustainable revenue. A legitimate business that can grow over time."

"I have some experience keeping a general store back in Eribar," Lila offered. "I was supposed to have the Merchant class originally, but we all know what happened there."

"Yes, you're on the right track," Justin said. "But honestly, what we lack most is information. We need somebody who understands the local scene. Who the major players are, which businesses have real influence, the guilds to watch out for, the dynamics between all these merchant families. It's pretty overwhelming as an outsider."

Alistair nodded slowly. "Yes. Starting a business in Belmora is no easy feat. The minute you're onto something profitable, one guild or another will figure it out and either put a stop to it or buy you out themselves. I've heard some troubling stories about that."

"Like what?" Lila asked, leaning forward with interest.

"Well, I don't know if it's true, but there's one story about this fellow, an Enchanter, who figured out a way to create smokeless candles."

"Oh, I've seen those," Lila said brightly. "They're incredibly expensive, though!"

Alistair nodded. "Exactly. It was like a dream come true for the wealthy—no smoke staining their fine drapes and tapestries. He used to sell them at a reasonable price right here in the city. They say he was also working on a way to create flames that wouldn't burn anything in the case of an accident."

"What happened to him?" Justin asked, though he suspected he already knew.

"The Chandlers' Guild offered him a fortune for his enchanting runes and exclusive rights. He refused, wanting to keep his independence." Alistair's expression darkened. "A few nights later, his workshop caught fire in what was ruled a tragic accident."

"Damn," Justin said. "There's a literal Candle Cartel here?"

"There's a guild—call it a cartel if you want—for just about anything you can imagine," Alistair said. "Bakers, chandlers, cobblers, potions, tailors, butchers, even street sweepers. The list goes on and on. And if you want to start a business, you have to do so under their blessing. Try to go out on your own and you're just asking for trouble."

Justin thought this over, his mind reeling. This was far more complex than what he'd expected. Back on Earth, he could start a business and be fairly certain a cartel or guild wasn't going to burn down his shop for refusing to join them. But he realized he had been benefiting from being protected by a government that, more or less, was friendly to business owners. And he supposed such things happened in his world, too. Buyouts and takeovers happened all the time when the big dogs leveraged their bulk to bully weaker competitors.

In short, this game had rules he didn't yet understand, and breaking them could be fatal.

"Well, the obvious answer is to choose a line of business that the guilds aren't interested in," Lila said. "But if that existed, someone would have found it by now."

"And we need something that can apply pressure to Valdrik in some way," Justin said. "So it can't just be anything. It has to be something he desperately needs that isn't easily replaceable."

"That will be tough," Alistair said.

"Or," Justin said, "in line with what Lila was saying. We discover a new market. Something people have a need for, but they just don't know it yet."

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean," Lila said. "Only, what could that be?"

"We're on the right track here," Alistair said. "But that's easier said than done."

Justin shook his head. "Part of me wishes we could just get the Templars together, present the evidence, and take the guy down with the Queen's blessing. Valdrik probably has a lot of incriminating evidence in his mansion that could point back to others in his network. But I understand the wisdom of playing the long game." He sighed. "Maybe the answer is not to try to reinvent the wheel. Start with something small, something simple. Gain experience doing that. Then we can adapt as needed."

"Any ideas?" Lila asked.

"A potions shop, for instance. We need Eldrin, but we have those rare resources from Solanis. That's our competitive edge."

"No," Lila said, her eyes widening. "The gates are. With the gates, we have something no one else has. If we could make a trip to Solanis, stock up on multiple enchanted backpacks, and head back, we could earn money very quickly, especially if we found ingredients that produced specific or rare effects that were hard to find on Eyrth."

Justin sighed. "It's a good idea, but the fly in the ointment is Ashralok. I'd rather not run afoul of her again."

"Well, we wouldn't even need to worry about Solanis. We still have the gates, after all. Using those, we can jump in a way that would be impossible for others. We wouldn't need to buy marked-up goods that have been transported thousands of miles. We could get them cheaply from local sources, and undercut market rates to gain a foothold."

"Arbitrage," Justin said. "I like it. Does Eldrin still have that clay tablet from Pyra?"

Lila smiled. "He does. But I wrote down a copy before he left Mont Elea."

She produced a piece of rolled-up parchment from her pack, handing it to Justin victoriously. He quickly scanned it, finding an array of gates that would grant them access to practically every corner of Eyrth.

"This is amazing," he said. "Good work!"

Alistair cleared his throat. "I hate to rain on this parade, but you heard the High Priest. The gates are a closely guarded Templar secret. We would need his permission to use them, and I doubt he would let us do so. Justin, you made a promise not to use them, except in case of an emergency. If anyone were to discover them by mistake, it could prove disastrous. I'm afraid that if I were to allow this, you would swiftly fall out of the good graces of the High Priest. And trust me, you don't want that."

Justin's face fell. "That's true. But if it's the only way to take down Valdrik, might he allow it?"

"We can try," Alistair said, his tone doubtful. "But even assuming the permission is granted, there are other problems with the idea. It's one thing to offload a lot of exotic goods in a single batch. But if you do it again and again, you stand to collapse the market. And that is something the guilds would notice. Again, we are trying to escape scrutiny, not attract it."

"So, we're playing this on hard mode, then," Justin said. "What you're saying makes sense. The key is finding a strong niche outside the scope of any of the major players."

"Maybe we need to do some research," Lila said. "Find out the pain points of this city and seek to address them."

"Market research," Justin said. "Not a bad idea at all."

He thought about it. What was this world missing? What did his world have that this one didn't?

He thought of all the successful businesses he knew about. Most were far beyond the technological capabilities of this society, but then again, this reality had some surprising magical applications, mostly through the use of Enchanters. Alistair's story proved that useful new products could be invented. So, having access to ether crystals and perhaps a skilled Enchanter willing to work with them could be important.

The Aurora Caverns were a great source of those, completely untapped, but at the same time, not exploitable unless Justin used the gates. Something he had promised not to do. Plus, the Iceborne probably wouldn't look too kindly on Justin looting their sacred caves.

"I'm truly stuck here," Justin said.

"Great ideas don't come all at once," Alistair said. "Sometimes, you just need a chance to wait and let things stew for a bit. This might be a good opportunity to explore the city. Like Lila said, the objective for now is to learn more. Let's discover these so-called 'pain points.'"

Justin didn't have a better idea. "Well, practically speaking, I could use a better map. I've always wanted a Dynamic World Map and, well, I can finally afford one. That can help us with getting around the city, too."

"A good idea," Alistair said. "Why don't you two take care of that and do a bit of exploring? I can go meet my contact with the Templars. Inform him of our arrival, and get the two of you on payroll."

"Payroll," Justin said, with a smile. "Looks like I've finally landed myself a job."

Alistair was already unbuckling his chest plate, pulling a plain travel cloak over his tunic. It was strange to see him without his gleaming armor. He was just a man, not a Paladin. "We'll regroup at sundown. Keep your ears open, your questions casual, and your profile low."

"We'll keep our heads down," Lila said.

As Alistair slipped out the door, Justin turned to Lila.

"Well," she said, "shall we go shopping?"

"Let's get that map. Time to learn the terrain."

Together, they stepped into the corridor and locked the door behind them. Belmora waited.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.