“So, the situation is this,” Lortel inquired. “You offended a city lord, who is directly related to the human god emperor, and you threatened him into compliance using his life.”
“I threatened him just with simple logic,” Vivi said. “And… maybe a few threats on his life, yes.”
Lortel gave her the side-eye. “And now the city lord has invited us to sleep inside this surge hazard he calls a mansion.”
Rain tapped on the roof for a calm ambiance. The window and the view outside were clear, showing a rain-protected garden of green bushes and saplings. A gardener in a pretty maid’s uniform watered the plants and added ether into the soil. Adding nature’s ether artificially and protecting plants from the rain were both necessary for any decent plants to grow on the surface.
Lortel was right about the mansion itself. Despite all the decorative paintings, pretty curtains, and artistic noble furniture, the building had no surgeways to redirect buildups of ether into safe locations. This was the surface, after all. Surges didn’t normally break up here. Now that this storm season had changed that, the lacking infrastructure could prove to be dangerous. If a surge hit here, the entire building was at risk, and Vivi wasn't eager to learn what abomination would spawn.
“We’re not staying for long,” Vivi said. “We just need to get the situation sorted out and make sure Essi and her family are safe.”
“By situation, are you referring to stabilizing this city,” Lortel asked, “or are you merely hoping to head back down? If it’s the former, I’m afraid the city might be too corrupt for us to just sort out.”
Vivi looked out of the window, biting her lip. The situation was certainly complicated...
Humans are dying up here. The hunters can't contain red storms. More will be breaking. Monsters will roam freely.
“The humans are incompetent,” Lucius said.
And the ether hunters are greedy, Vivi thought. Even now, they’re fighting storms with the goal of earning money. The hunting companies don’t care about protecting people.
Lucius stayed somberly silent.
“A part of me wants to help,” Vivi said, while still watching the garden through the window. “Humans aren’t evil. And not all hunters are evil either. There must exist more hunters like Essi. The ones who want to protect people, but are instead forced to obey their greedy superiors.”
“Fixing that would require a political renaissance,” Lortel noted. “And since your politics are set in place by God Emperor Ythar, we would have to quite literally oppose a god.”
Vivi bit her lip. “So you’re saying this isn’t our fight to pick?”
“I would strongly suggest not to attempt to become a hero up here,” Lortel said. “We should gather everything that is important here and bring those to Shivenar. There, we can build the country we wish to live in.”
“That was the plan from the start, yes,” Vivi said. She gave Lortel a smile. “Thanks. I know I can always count on you for honest advice.”
Lortel snorted, sharing the smile. “You are slowly turning into a wise leader.”
“Sure, except I’m not going to lead anything,” Vivi said. “I’m just a runesmith. Ah, Patryn wanted to talk to me, right?”
“He’s waiting in the parlor,” Lortel said. “The bigger one.”
Vivi nodded, and she moved into the hallway. It felt odd to walk on a noble floor with no surgeway shining underneath. In comparison, the patterned carpets appeared old-fashioned. That wasn’t a bad thing, though. It was refreshing to have her sixth sense clear of constant ether flowing underneath her feet.
We don’t owe anything to the hunters, Vivi told herself. There’s no need to help them.
But if she didn’t help them, innocent humans would die. Towns would likely fall. Lives would be ruined. Fixing all that really wasn’t her responsibility… But still, she knew she wouldn’t feel good if she left the surface in the state it was now, with more red storms spawning for the hunters to incompetently deal with.
Vivi found Patryn and most of the ballistics crew drinking coffee in the parlor. A cushioned seat had been reserved for her around the table. She sat down and said, “I heard the second iteration launcher broke.”
“Partly, yes,” Patryn said. “I wanted to talk to you about that. The launching mechanism fell apart again with the last launch. Funnily enough, everything except the stretch ropes broke. The barrel is fine, meaning we can rebuild it relatively easily, and the parts can be ordered, but we would need to rent a foundry for a day or two.”
He sipped his coffee and continued. “Three of the handheld launchers are also misbehaving, and we need to re-stock on stretch-ropes. If at all possible, we’d like to repair our equipment before having to cross the blight again.”
“We have time,” Vivi said. “Renting a foundry is probably possible as well. We have the ether. Arranging it could be a hassle, but I can get it done.”
“Thank you,” Patryn said. “I wrote a list of all the materials and equipment we’ll need. I apologize for having to ask you directly for these, but none of us can ask the humans directly.”
Maybe one of the hunters we saved can help, Vivi thought, but for now, she promised to get it done.
She enjoyed a cup of tea before the next important meeting with Ellinoir Sylva.
***
The vice-leader of the Sylva Bloods appeared irritable as she welcomed Vivi and Essi to her quarters. Face covered in too much make-up, the scent of perfumes filling the whole room, Ellinoir Sylva was exactly as Vivi remembered from Paradise.
The memories from the dream realm urged her to forget any courtesies or negotiations and just pin the woman to the ground this instant.
She resisted the urge, though. Taking her anger out on Ellinoir would have been a momentary victory, after which Vivi would be faced with more and more problems. Leaving her alive would also lead to problems, but for the safety of Essi’s family, Vivi figured this was for the best.
“I’m not in the mood for small talk, so I’ll make this blunt,” Vivi said. “I want to buy Essi and her spirit from the Sylva Bloods.”
Ellinoir looked up at Vivi from her seat behind the table like a threatened rat. Her two bodyguards to her sides appeared more confident, standing with perfectly stoic expressions.
“The Sylva Bloods are looking for more spirits,” Ellinoir said. “This is not a deal the Umbra Sylva, the owner, will approve.”
“I will pay you a fair sum,” Vivi said, giving a stern stare. “To remind you, I saved your life today. I could ask for much more from the Sylva Bloods. Instead, I’m asking for one thing only.”
Ellinoir sat still, contemplative.
This is for Essi's safety... Vivi told herself.
“I won’t declare war for what you’ve tried to do to her family,” Vivi said. “And I won’t expose you for the crime of attempting to assassinate Essi for her spirit. I’ll even pay you fairly for her spirit, all because I want to keep friendly relations.”
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“Replacing incompetent hunters through assassination has been the standard practice for years now,” Ellinoir said, as if that somehow made her a good person.
It really took Vivi’s all not to lash out at her right then and there. Lucius was clearly annoyed at the woman as well, but he kept quiet during the negotiations.
“That cruel system will come to an end sooner than later,” Vivi said, forcing herself to sound formal. “But I’m not here to argue about your decision. I want to buy Essi, and I want to keep peace. If you decline, I’m stealing her spirit anyway, and we will fight.”
Ellinoir crossed her arms, uncomfortable. She wasn’t making eye-contact, contemplating for a long time.
“A hundred thousand ether,” she eventually said. “That's the standard price for a low-tier spirit. Give me that, and you have the rights to do with her as you please.”
Vivi didn’t hesitate for a second, transferring a hundred thousand ether to Ellinoir. That, too, was the most anger-inducing transfer of ether she’d ever made, but it was also a relieving one.
Essi was safe from the hunters. For now.
From there, Vivi and Ellinoir signed papers to officially transfer Essi out of the Sylva Bloods. They barely exchanged any words, until Vivi curtly thanked Ellinoir and exited the room.
Essi followed her out of the room, her gaze pointing nervously low. They exited the Sylva Bloods’ mansion with its gloomy atmosphere, onto Ranewal's canopied street, when Vivi tackled Essi into a hug.
“Sorry,” Vivi said. “For giving you a silly name.”
“Eh?” Essi asked, flustered. “What do you mean?”
“You’re Essi Runeblessed now,” Vivi said. “The first hunter in my company…”
It felt weird to call Essi that. As stupid as the name was, Runeblessed was the fake name Grandpa had given her. To turn it into a full hunting company…
Well, Grandpa would have probably been proud.
“I’m honored,” Essi said. “I feel like I’ve accidentally become a part of something great. I doubt I’m worth a hundred thousand, though…”
“Meh, I’m still well above forty million ether,” Vivi said. “No matter how strong you are as a hunter, you’re a good person. That means I want you in my hunting company. And since you’re a part of Runeblessed, you’ll be equipped with my runeswords. Maybe you can learn to shoot the slingshot launchers as well. That makes you much stronger than most hunters already.”
A vague smile showed on Essi's face. She bowed. “Thank you. I don’t think I can ever repay this. I’m in your service. Please command me as you wish.”
“For a start, you’ll have to introduce me to your Grandma,” Vivi said with a funny grin. “And remember, we’re friends. I don’t want you to treat me as some commander. If you want to leave the company, just tell me.”
“No, I wouldn’t leave,” Essi said. “I trust you to treat me well.”
From there, they returned to their temporary mansion, where Vivi had one more person to talk to.
Veronica Lifeweaver waited in the foyer, alone and without servants to take care of her. Vivi had declined any house service and servants that Helegar had offered, and everyone that came with her were demons, leaving nobody to receive visitors, especially with Essi outside the mansion.
“Vivian,” Veronica said when she arrived. “I’m ready to discuss your proposal whenever you are.”
Vivi nodded. “Let’s talk right now.”
Veronica followed her deeper into the mansion. Vivi almost felt like she had authority over the woman, which felt odd, considering the age difference. Veronica was closer to one hundred years old, if Vivi understood correctly. Regardless, the mansion was full of empty parlors and study rooms. Vivi took Veronica to one of them, where they could talk privately.
“Your new allies seem kind,” Veronica said. “And competent.”
“You’re not shunning them for being demons?” Vivi asked.
“I talked with someone called Lortel,” Veronica said. “She was far more logical and intelligent than humans have been led to believe. Though, I was most surprised by her compassion and loyalty.”
“She probably threatened to kill you if you tried anything with me, I presume?” Vivi said.
Veronica smiled, as if something was funny. She stood tall now, speaking with confidence. “The Lifeweavers discussed your proposal for an alliance. Nobody was against a truce. Some favored a full traditional alliance, sharing resources and working together to clear storms. A lot of us, including me, however, wish to offer something even more than that.”
Vivi raised her eyebrows. “Yes?”
“The hunters’ pact is going to collapse,” Veronica continued. “Our systems are not designed to hold ether storm seasons of this extent. I suspect that a civil war is going to start—regardless of your intervention. I already know which side you are going to pick. The Lifeweavers will be fighting alongside you.”
“I haven’t decided if I want to fight anything at all,” Vivi said. “My home is on the fifth level. But please elaborate. Why would a civil war start?”
“You’re an honest hunter, Vivian,” Veronica said, smiling. Almost a longing expression. “Most would not ask that last question at all. Hunters feign they know more than they do for a false display of confidence. Your sincerity is a virtue I miss in the old hunters.”
Vivi crossed her arms. “If someone doesn’t take me seriously because I don’t appear confident enough, I don’t want to work with them.”
“I repeat what I said,” Veronica said. “Your sincerity is a virtue. Though, depending on your goals as a person of power, your charisma could increase from a strong sense of assertiveness.”
“I’ve been hearing that a lot,” Vivi said. “But I didn’t come here for lectures. Why do you think a civil war is going to start?”
“Today's hunters are greedy, as you know,” Veronica said. “The codes we follow fundamentally push us to maximize profits, competing against each other. Surges are bought and traded like merchandise. Storms are maximized for profit, and profit only. The goal to protect humanity has been a front for decades now.”
“But it hasn’t always been this way?” Vivi asked.
“Oh, it has,” Veronica said. “Ythar himself only set vague laws to persuade hunters to keep humans alive. It didn’t take a decade after his slumber for hunting companies to start purposefully misinterpreting his flimsy laws. There have been dozens of political battles amongst the hunters by now, and most of them have pushed the hunters toward greed, to fundamentally shape the system to prioritize profit over anything else.”
Vivi nodded, indicating Veronica to continue.
“The system has kept humanity alive so far, but only for one reason,” Veronica said, eyes stern. “The storms building underground have been simple. For every bit of ether, hunters have been eager to collect it, fighting each other on who gets the right. Towns have been well defended, because clearing every threat has been the most profitable option for hunters to take. However... this storm season is different. There is too much ether for the hunters to simply complete and compete. Anywhere they go, they will find ether. That flips their way of operating entirely.”
“Defending little towns isn’t profitable anymore,” Vivi said. “The hunters would much rather travel to desolate wastelands to collect as much ether and as many skills as they can.”
“Simply put, that is exactly it,” Veronica said. “The leader of a hunting company could arrange hunters to defend a small farming village from a surge on the second level, but why would they, when the hunters could instead be sent to clear a full storm in the middle of nowhere, where they can potentially earn much more ether.”
Vivi felt sad to admit it, but that made sense. “That doesn’t explain why a civil war would start, though. Riots?”
“No, riots won't be a problem, even if they come,” Veronica said. “Dying towns hold no political power, and their riots are easily subdued. The real reason the system will collapse is because this approach is inherently dangerous—not only to the civilians we’re supposed to protect, but to the hunters themselves.”
“Oh,” Vivi said, her head lifting up.
Veronica nodded. “The only thing hunters value more than ether is their lives. If the lives of those involved are constantly risked for something as stupid as ether into the cores of their superiors, that’s when the system is questioned.”
“And since the hunting companies want ether above all else,” Vivi added, “they don’t care if the storm jobs their hunters are sent on are too dangerous or risky.”
“They do care,” Veronica said. “Since spirits also cost ether. But the preventive measures to ensure hunters’ safety are flimsy at best. Hunting companies put in a lot of work to both pressure hunters on the implication that their job is dangerous. They also emphasize the great honor that is being a defender of humanity.”
“But the longer it goes, the more people will break,” Vivi said.
“Exactly,” Veronica said. “A political battle will soon ensue. If this storm season doesn’t outright kill us, that is.”
Vivi thought about it. Veronica made a lot of sense. But there were still a few things Vivi couldn’t forget.
“You also played a role in this,” Vivi said. “You didn’t hesitate for a second to shun me in Paradise. This very storm job you just led followed the very same problem you just listed.”
Veronica lowered her head. “I have been whittled to the same foolishness that everyone follows. I can only say that I tried to convince Helegar, the sub-sovereign, to treat the storm with more care. Ultimately, I thought it was better for me to take the risky job than anyone else.”
Vivi didn’t know what to say. Was Veronica honest? Could she be trusted?
“I faced death yesterday,” Veronica said. “You saved me. And your appearance made me realize heroes do still exist. People who want a better world. You have the strength to realize that goal. Your runeswords provide you with a great amount of power. The Lifeweavers wish to work with you, from the bottom of our tainted hearts, to bring sanity into this chaos.”
Vivi thought about it, and she continued to think about it, telling Veronica that she would have her answer soon.
A day passed, while Patryn and the demons worked on fixing the slingshot launchers and everyone else recovered their strength. Helegar and the nobles were apparently arranging some sort of ball with a feast, because of course they were. Vivi was also invited, though she merely wished to sigh.
She kept thinking about what she wanted to do, discussing it with Lortel and the demons, until she came to a decision. She invited Veronica back to the mansion.
“I can’t promise to be some savior,” Vivi said. “I can't promise I'll stay on the surface for long either. But I don’t want to see any more cities fall due to greed and incompetence. The Runeblessed hunting company accepts the alliance with the Lifeweavers.”
