The Land: Predators: A LitRPG Saga (Chaos Seeds Book 7)

by Aleron Kong

  “You could have asked before, you know,” she told him.

  “You already do so much for me. For us,” Richter amended. “I did not want to impose on your good nature. It never occurred to me that you would say ‘no’ if I asked you for help. You have such a generous spirit.”

  She stopped walking and placed a hand on Richter’s cheek, “You are such a sweet boy when you want to be,” she told him warmly. Then she gave him a light slap on the same cheek with just enough force that it made a solid smack, “But no one likes a suck-up. Just ask for help next time, gyoti!”

  Richter laughed out loud and Randolphus had to hide a grin behind his papers. The chaos seed nodded and replied, “Yes ma’am.”

  He was about to start another topic when another black disc appeared in front of him. Hisako and Richter shared a look and the same unspoken thought. What were the chances of two people returning from their Trials almost at the same time? Then a wide grin grew on Richter’s face because he thought he understood. Everyone in his village had just become twenty points luckier. Put another way, the village itself had gained twenty points of Luck. What could be luckier for a settlement than a large number of Professionals showing up all at once?

  Ulinde stepped out the portal and the black disc vanished. The elven archer looked around with a broad smile on his face. Richter quickly used Analyze and found that the man was now a Ranger.

  “Congratulations!” Richter commended him.

  Ulinde clapped his fist to his heart, “Thank you, my lord!”

  Before anyone could say anything else, another black disc appeared. Then another, then another, then another! Many of his villagers had already been walking towards the feast area so they saw the Mist Village’s latest Professionals return. Soon the entire village was abuzz, and everyone except the freed slaves and the guards on duty had gathered.

  Randolphus waded into the insanity and quickly gathered his two helpers around him. In no time at all, the simple dinner that had been planned was transformed into a feast, and the village stores were plundered for a celebration. It was customary in The Land to commemorate such a momentous event as gaining a Profession. In the midst of the festivities, the chamberlain spoke with each person that had returned from their Trial. As the party truly got underway, he brought over a list of all the people that Nexus had absconded with and the Professions they had gained.

  Noncombat Professions (18)

  Chandler

  Joseph

  Soaper

  Jeremiah

  Lumberjack

  Berin

  Cook

  Takko

  Shipwright

  Shiovana

  Sailor

  Jerry

  Weaver

  Hilda

  Miner

  Poltan

  Enchanter

  Gloran

  Maid

  Tifini

  Hunter

  Radil

  Smith

  Krom

  Farmer

  Danot

  Cordwainer

  Wudhous

  Carpenter

  Ulin

  Locksmith

  Burk

  Herbalist

  Isabella

  Courtesan

  Inara

  The first names were all noncombat Professions. To gain one, a person had to have a personal level of ten and a skill level of forty-five. Richter was excited to see the wide variety of Pros the village now had access to. He also planned to schedule some time with Inara ASAP. Burk the Locksmith, on the other hand, concerned him a bit. He couldn’t help but wonder if the man had a criminal past.

  Randolphus explained that building locks gave the skill Lock Picking as well though. He then went on to explain that in Burk’s case, Richter’s concern was completely warranted. The man had been a thief back in Law. With a smile on his face, the Spy said he would keep an eye on him and already had a few ideas about how to put his skills to good use. Richter was left wondering if the Mist Village might have a spy training program sometime soon, but decided to leave it in Randy’s hands.

  He did make a point of saying he wanted Burk and Ulin the Carpenter to get together to begin making strong chests. Richter wanted some for the village, but he wanted others placed in the Dungeon. He was sure the Dungeon could make chests by itself, but it might cost Dungeon Points that could instead be funneled towards making treasure to fill them. Richter was hoping that the Dungeon might “take a hint” and start filling the empty chests that were placed in it. The chamberlain told him it would be done.

  The next piece of paper Randolphus handed over had the names of those who had gained combat Professions. To gain one of these, a person still needed to be journeyman rank or higher in a skill, but also had to have a personal level of at least twenty.

  Combat Professions (8)

  Warriors

  Cath

  Ygritte

  Wisteria

  Ranger

  Ulinde

  Rogue

  Hanso

  Magi

  Sumiko

  Quasea

  Zarr

  Richter raised his eye at seeing that Hanso had become a Rogue. Randolphus nodded in understanding. “He is one of the guards that Caulder brought with him. I was told that he was extremely useful against the thieves’ guilds in Law due to his high Stealth skill.”

  “That could come in handy.”

  “I intend to take over his training once I can be sure of his loyalty and discretion,” the chamberlain told his lord. “Burk will be given similar instruction as well as any other villagers I find that have the necessary affinities and disposition.” Richter smiled at that. Yup, he was definitely about to have a spy school!

  Randolphus continued, “In the meantime, I have already thought of several ways Hanso can be put to good use.” The chamberlain’s tone changed, “I must confess, my lord, I am quite surprised by these results. Not only has almost every villager returned from their Trials early, but none of them have failed either. We are extremely lucky on both counts.”

  Richter just smiled in response. He now had no doubt this was happening because of the special perk from his new vassal. He turned his attention back to the paper in his hand. Near the bottom of the page, the chamberlain had made a list of the Professionals that had already been in the village.

  Scholars

  Bartle

  Bea

  Enchanter

  Lord Richter

  Alchemist

  Tabia

  Herbalist

  Queen Elora

  Warrior

  Mimi

  When he had founded the village, he’d had a dream about raising the levels of his people so that he had a population of Professionals. This was an amazing first step! Nearly 5% of the village’s citizens were now Pros! As excited as he was though, there was one name that was missing from the list. Well, two names really, but it was completely understandable that a Spy wouldn’t write his own name on a list. Randy might as well have worn a sign saying, “Hey! I’m a Spy.”

  “Where is…” Richter began.

  “I know, my lord. I am sure he will return soon.” Randolphus reassured him.

  “Okay,” Richter replied, nodding. There was nothing he could do about it. “Will you speak with everyone about what Talents they’ll invest in?”

  “Of course, my lord. Most have already asked for time with me so that their Talent purchases can best serve you and the village.”

  Richter looked at him in surprise. A Profession was a lifelong pursuit and Talent Points were exceptionally hard to come by. Buying a Talent was a major life decision. He had hoped that Randy might guide a few of them to choose Talents that would support the village rather than just themselves. That meant they might have to forgo other Talents though. Talents that could make them more valuable out in the wide world. The fact that many of the new Professionals would even consider buying Talents to help the village as a whole boded well, and w
as probably a reflection of the settlement’s high Morale and Loyalty. Richter was reminded yet again how the subtle mechanics of The Land could have serious consequences for good or ill. He was elated that this time the effect seemed to be “good.” It was even more meaningful when you took into account that those who had sworn fealty to him had agreed to serve him and the village for life. Only about a quarter of the current village population had bent the knee. Everyone else was only obligated to finish their year-long contract. “How many asked how they could help out?”

  “Twenty, my lord, and they are all ready to bend the knee,” Randolphus said with a faint smile. “They are ready to do it right now.”

  Richer easily returned his smile. Twenty-six new Professionals had just returned. Krom, Ulinde and Sumiko had already pledged their fealty. That meant twenty of the remaining twenty-three new Professionals were willing to tie their lives to his! He was almost overcome with emotion, but the pragmatic and planning side of him took control. “Let’s hold off for just a few moments. Go touch base with Sumiko and Hisako. The feast is about to get into high swing. If they’ve finished testing everyone, separate the freed prisoners into groups.

  “One group should be those who have passed Hisako and Sumiko’s tests and want to stay in the village; escort them to the feast area. A second group should comprise those who pass the tests and want to leave. Keep them where they are. Have food brought, but make it clear that they will not be given another chance to join. It is time to either move forward with us, or to be left behind.” Randolphus nodded. “Once you bring the first group here, then we’ll do the fealty ceremony.” He winked at his Companion, “Then I’ll show everyone the benefits of membership,” he added with a laugh.

  “And… those that have not passed the tests?” Randolphus asked.

  Richter’s face hardened somewhat. The test was easy. It was just three questions. Did they have ill will towards Richter or the village? Were they harboring a secret that might harm Richter or the village? Were they, actively or passively, working against Richter or the village? A ‘Yes’ to the first question could be discussed. A ‘Yes’ to the second question, and they would be given the opportunity to unburden themselves. A ‘Yes’ to the third meant interrogation and possibly death.

  That had been the previous policy. Richter was not nearly as soft-hearted as he had once been however, “Anyone who fails any of the questions fails them all. Have them taken to the Entrance Chamber of the Dungeon and interrogate them personally. After you have learned what you can,” his voice turned cold, “death by Dungeon. Do it quietly, but take no chances. I will not have the safety of our village compromised again.”

  “As you say, my chief,” Randolphus responded deferentially, bowing his head.

  Richter shook off the mantle of anger that had landed on him for a moment. The fact that it seemed to find him more easily these days bothered him, but in a distant way. That could be dealt with another time. “Good!” he pronounced, clapping his hands together. “Then I am going to go speak with our new Professionals, and find out what the hell a ‘cordwainer’ is!”

  CHAPTER 75 – Day 144 – Kuborn 34, 0 AoC

  Turns out, a cordwainer made shoes.

  The rest of the night went great. Thankfully, the trial he had held seemed to have purged anyone treacherous from the ranks of the freed slaves. Of the three-hundred and seventy-six former prisoners, three hundred and fifty-nine, more than ninety-five percent, wanted to stay in the village. The remaining seventeen wanted to leave, but no one had failed the three questions. Richter was elated and planned to add everyone in the first group to the village.

  Randolphus had raised a word of caution upon hearing his liege’s plans. Adding so many new people to the village, all at once, could very well have a deleterious effect on the village Morale and Loyalty. There were also other considerations, like housing. They barely had enough space to house their current population. In truth, they were already above capacity, but as it was still the tail end of summer many people didn’t mind sleeping outside. With several hundred new official villagers though, there might be penalties that would only worsen until more housing was constructed. To compound the problem, the one guy they needed to fix that problem still hadn’t made it back from his Trial.

  Richter had already thought about all of that though, and had decided to stay with the original mission statement of his settlement. He had created the Mist Village to be a beacon of hope and acceptance in The Land. To create at least one location where those in need could come for help. Mere survival was not enough for him. It was important that he, and his works, stand for something.

  Besides, he wasn’t about to say no to hundreds more workers ready to build up his armies and village. They did live in the middle of fucking nowhere, after all. Sometimes you have to stop being picky and just be happy to get it in. Richter had plans, not the least of which was advancing his village to level two. Richter still remembered getting that prompt after first taking control of his Place of Power.

  Requirements for increasing the Mist Village to Level 2:

  1) Increase population to at least 100

  2) Build 10 freestanding buildings

  3) Master 3 levels of the Catacombs

  4) Finish 4 quests of the Mist Village.

  The requirements hadn’t seemed so tough at first, but now he knew the requirements were like saying “Brush your teeth. Wash your face. Design, fabricate and launch an intercontinental ballistic missile. Make a bowl of cereal.” He’d accomplished the first criteria and was almost done with the last. The second wasn’t too far away from being fulfilled either. As for the third criteria, level one of the catacombs was populated with tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, of kobolds. He hadn’t even gone down to the catacombs again because his last interaction with the dog-faced lizardmen, although profitable, had made him a serious enemy and had almost claimed his life. If he was going to have any hope of conquering the first level of the catacombs, let alone the first three, he needed more soldiers.

  A small piece of him had quailed when he’d first had that thought. It railed against the idea of leading even more men and women into harm’s way after having just lost so many in a battle that only ended days ago. He had not been raised to equivocate and wring his hands though.

  Another way to say it was that just because a truth was inconvenient didn’t mean you shied away from it. No, that was when you looked even closer. The truth Richter had to face was that there were more battles coming, and some of his people would die no matter what he did. Simply by claiming his Place of Power and building his village, conflict had become inevitable. There would always be those that felt threatened by the accomplishments of others, and his village was a shining beacon. The more powerful it became; the more others would want to steal what he had built. At least by preparing his people, by building his armies and by taking precautions, the village and its people had a chance to survive.

  After he accepted that truth, the decision became much easier. Would he lay down and let others run roughshod over him, or would he fight to protect his own? Richter chose life. He thanked Randolphus for his counsel, but told the chamberlain to bring everyone that wanted to stay in the village to the feast area.

  Once all the freed slaves who had decided to stay in the village were present, Richter called for silence. Sumiko, Hisako, Sion, Terrod, Caulder and several others stood with him on a stage at the end of the dining area. The new Professionals were brought up to stand with him one at a time. Randolphus arranged for the men and women who wanted to swear fealty to approach first. There were cheers of congratulations as the first man approached. Those same people all gasped when Richter rewarded him with a silver Quickening fruit.

  He made it clear that each Professional who bent the knee would be rewarded not only in the long term, but also immediately with this priceless item. After consuming the celestial fruit, some of the men and women even advanced a skill level if their affinity was pu
shed above 100%. Richter’s vision was momentarily occluded again and again with prompts showing his increase in relationship with the people who knelt before him.

  The truesilver rinds of each fruit were collected and handed to Krom. The dwarf’s grin was almost creepy, even hidden by his salt-and-pepper beard. It was obvious that the dwarf couldn’t wait to go back to playing with the celestial metal. Richter had already given orders that each of the combat Professionals receive a truesilver weapon that fit their combat style. He intended for them to wear them proudly even when inside the village. The celestial metal would be a daily reminder to everyone in the village of just how well he treated those who served him. The end goal was to have every soul in the village united in fealty under him. The truesilver weapons were just one step in a PR campaign designed to accomplish that goal.

  With that thought in mind, it was no surprise that the last three Professional holdouts also swore fealty when their time came at the end of the ceremony. Richter cast a small glance at Sumiko who gave an almost imperceptible nod to each. She had secretly been using her Soul’s Window spell to ensure that the expected change of heart was genuine and not merely lip service.

  After the ceremony was done, the quiet part of the night was also over. He had the former slaves, now new villagers, approach the stage in groups of ten. They all expressed their desire to join the village. He shook the hand of each man, woman and child. Each group was met with resounding cheers and pulled to various tables. This had been Randolphus’s idea, to immediately start integrating the new people with the old. A serious dent had been made in the village’s ale stores as well, much to the ire of some of the dwarves who hated to see good lager wasted on… well, anyone that wasn’t them.

  What was a bit of a surprise, was that two hundred of the freed prisoners bent the knee and swore fealty as well. Forty-one of the three hundred and fifty-nine new villagers were children and so couldn’t swear fealty by Richter’s own laws, which made the number of men and women pledging their lives and loyalty to him even more astounding. Some of the parents tried to have their kids pledge allegiance as well, but Richter remained firm in his rule that no one below the age of fourteen could commit themselves to him. He wanted people to be with him because they chose to be, not because the decision was made for them. This wasn’t for any sentimental reason, but more because a Machiavellian corner of his mind knew that bonds were stronger when people chose them themselves.