TEN REALMS: BOOK 7
The Sixth Realm
Part 2
MICHAEL CHATFIELD
Copyright © 2020 by Michael Chatfield
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover Art by Jan Becerikli Garrido
Jacket Design by Caitlin Greer
Interior Design by Caitlin Greer
Table of Contents
1 King’s Hill Evolution
2 Sixth Realm Position
3 Across Dungeon Lands
4 First Annual Crafter’s Competition
5 Rudimentary Design
6 Rest and Recuperation
7 Conqueror’s Armor
8 Lord’s Return
9 Alva Production
10 Applying Pressure and Incentives
11 Calm Before the Storm
12 Chapter: Alva’s Technology Sector
13 Congregation of Experts
14 Military Actions
15 From the Tiger’s Mouth
16 Light at the End of the Tunnel
17 Truths and Misdirection
18 Earth Knowledge Meets Ten Realms Reality
19 Rise of the Beast Mountain Range
20 Raising King’s Hill
21 Insight into Body Cultivation
22 Tactics Transformed Through Technology
23 New Tempering Path
24 By Land, by Air
25 Cultivation Maniacs
26 Unrest in the Institute
27 Taking Resources
28 Calm Surface, Raging Depths
29 Fall of a City
30 From Afar
31 Keeping Up Appearances
32 Rear Echelon
33 A United Front
34 Progress
35 Gearing Up
36 Vuzgal’s Second Annual Fighter’s Competition
37 Qualifiers
38 Cooperation? Aren’t We Cooperating Already?
39 A Small Force?
40 Breaking into the Top 100
41 Beware the Unseen Enemy
42 Committed
43 Turbulence for the Willful Institute
44 Level Heads
45 Meokar
46 Change in Plans
47 Slight Problem
48 Across Realms, Across Worlds
Author’s Note
1
King’s Hill Evolution
Aditya looked around the room. Most of the outpost leaders were there. They had all become closer since gaining complete control of the Beast Mountain Range Outposts.
Aditya sat at the top of the U-shaped table, with several ex-outpost leaders sat on either side. Now trade leaders, military commanders, mercenary liaisons, crafter liaisons, ambassadors, and more. They created the core power within not only King’s Hill but the outposts connected to it.
Most of the outpost leaders took the position because they needed to, but their skills lent them to other activities they would be better utilized in. Now that they had the opportunity, he was sure they could use their talents for the best of Beast Mountain Range.
“In conclusion,” Caius Sidonius said to the murmurs of the crowd, “we will soon finish the first set of roads to connect the outposts to King’s Hill—the Ring Road that circles the Beast Mountain Range and the Compass Trade Route. There are several other trade routes that could be upgraded to roads to increase trade from different neighbors. We are working with the military and mercenary liaisons to see which of these paths we can cover, talking to the trader liaisons to evaluate the profit that will be brought into the Beast Mountain Range, and keeping an eye on our neighbors to see who will play nice and who are eyeing us. I would prefer to not give the enemy a path right into our heart.” He bowed to Aditya and sat.
One of the outpost leaders raised their hand.
Aditya nodded for them to continue. He rarely talked in these meetings, acting like a neutral party.
“I’m sure your own doves have been hearing information from the forces outside of Beast Mountain Range. So far, they have left us alone. Will they continue to do so in the future, and can we deal with it? We are a group of traders and mercenaries with a massive forest filled with powerful beasts that are getting stronger. What if one of those beasts weakens an outpost and someone takes advantage?” The outpost leader’s words gained nods from others.
Looking for promises and reassurances. They had taken control over the Beast Mountain Range, but changes always brought vultures.
Aditya glanced over to Pan Kun, the leader of the military, and the mercenary liaison past him.
Pan Kun stood. He was a quiet and simple man, but his power made the outpost leaders wary of him.
“The King’s Hill army will support the outposts if fights break out. We are proposing training for the outpost guards to increase their fighting ability so the army can reinforce them easily and work together without issues.”
The mercenary liaison spoke next. “We have started to register the different mercenary groups operating in the Beast Mountain Range. If there is a beast outbreak and they are inside the outpost, then, according to the contracts we have with them, for better treatment and preferential prices, they will assist us in defending our outpost, doubling the effective fighters we can call upon.”
There was grumbling and muttering but, it seemed to mollify most of the people.
“What about profits? We have not seen any profit come out of King’s Hill. All of it is spent as soon as it comes in!” another outpost lord said.
The treasury leader, Lass, stood. Being of the older generation, everyone quieted as he spoke. “King’s Hill is in a period of rapid expansion. We have linked everyone together. We are training a large army that’s growing to support our needs. We are repairing the damage done to the outposts, moving people between outposts, and offering loans to increase the number of traders and mercenaries coming to the area. We might not earn any profits for several years, but have we not all benefited? Better equipment is being sold every day. We have crafters who can make gear for us instead of having to rely on buying from passing traders. We have several trading groups who have set up their bases in our outposts. It is possible to even buy mana stones and weak true alchemical concoctions.”
His words fell on everyone’s ears, to remind them of their recent gains that came with uniting the Beast Mountain Range. He rolled on.
“Yes, the beasts are stronger, but their materials are more valuable. Our population is swelling. We are able to produce food in some outposts, and we’re amassing a great amount of food in case someone does attack our small nation. Although we might not have yet received any returns from the King’s Hill Outpost personally, the benefits are clear. Advancing our own cultivations and levels. Who here in this room is not above level fifteen?”
Lass had weathered the good times and the bad. The older outpost leaders could see the hope and possibilities of King’s Hill. They looked to the future instead of the current state of affairs.
The healing they had received from the Alva Healing House hadn’t changed their appearances, but the aches and hidden wounds upon their bodies had been healed.
Aditya adjusted his position in his seat, staring at the people along the tables. It hadn’t been immediate, but more were coming over to his side. Putting down the mantle of outpost leader, what they could gain actually increased.
There were very few who wanted to remain
as outpost leaders. They liked the benefits, but managing it all, they had achieved their positions through strength, not managerial prowess. Still, Aditya had plans for them, making them regional governors, if they had the ability.
The outpost leader who had raised the question lowered his head slightly under the gaze of the others.
Aditya cleared his throat before the atmosphere turned. “We should talk about the auction and events that are happening in the coming days.”
Emmanuel Fayad stood. He led the trader faction. Half of his family worked to push the trade of the King’s Hill as fast as possible; the other half were part of the army, serving and protecting King’s Hill Outpost. His own Shadowridge Outpost lay under the command of King’s Hill, creating a precedent that allowed others to annex their outposts, bringing them into the fold for personal gains. Aditya had also followed. In his mind, King’s Hill, Vermire, and everything in the Beast Mountain Range were owned by Alva.
“In two months, we will be hosting the largest auction that the Beast Mountain Range and the surrounding area has seen. High-level Novice items, mid-level Apprentice gear will be on sale. The auction will bring in people from across the realm. My contacts have informed me that people from the Blue Lotus are assessing King’s Hill to possibly place a branch inside the city.” Emmanuel’s voice dipped as everyone sat up straighter.
“If we can get them to put a branch here, we must prove that we have people willing to buy and sell in the area, that we have adequate defenses, and that our city has a high enough standard. For the next few weeks, people will arrive from across the realm, and people might even descend from higher realms. This is an opportunity to show the ability and wealth of our Beast Mountain Range. Gather more Experts and elites to join the mercenary bands, our own administration, and military. Create new trade routes, and bring more of the nations and groups outside the range onto our side.”
Emmanuel waited a moment for people to calm down.
“We will not allow the different outpost leaders or administrators to participate in the main auction, but there will be a second auction, an exchange where people will be able to bring out items in secret and put them up for others to bid on.”
They grumbled but they’d already claimed the best gear. All of them had treasures and resources they couldn’t use and couldn’t find the right person to sell them to. The second auction would solve that problem.
Emmanuel took a seat, and Aditya rose.
The room fell quiet. Aditya had never imagined the outpost leaders would look to him, waiting for his every word. He hid his mirth as he pulled out a box. Inside were several medallions.
“Beast Mountain Range trial—I thought it stopped?” someone asked.
“That’s what the high realmers think,” Aditya said. “These medallions were found inside some of the beasts. Through thorough examination, we found hidden doorways. There is a counter above the door that decreases each day that passes, and there is a recess for these medallions to be placed.”
“The trial always took place on a platform before,” an outpost leader said.
“It seems that has changed. The trial will open in two months’ time. I have enough medallions for each outpost to elect seven people to undertake the trial. with a dozen extras. Each outpost will elect their own fighters. For the remaining medallions, anyone can compete for them.”
“You want to tell outsiders?” someone hissed.
“If people want to be part of the trial, they will have to fight within the Beast Mountain Range. If they are to attack us, they will lose access to the trial. Who knows—if pushed to the brink, we could destroy the doors to the trial that only we know about,” Aditya said.
A chill ran through the room with the narrowing of eyes and upturned corners of mouths.
On the outside, it looked like a gift, but in truth, it bound other nations’ leaders. It was a gift they couldn’t turn down What if they stopped their people from competing? Power was the only rule of the ten realms. Cutting off ones path would only cause strife.
“At the very least, the competition will inspire people from around the Beast Mountain Range to visit.”
“I have heard that people can go missing after the trial,” one leader said.
“Yes, people can die. It is not without its risks. Also, it is said that there is a higher level to the trial and that people can get guidance and go into seclusion, greatly increasing their ability, only to reappear later, unable to speak of the secrets they have learned. Even if these people are unwilling to tell us, they are still our people and can add a few elites to our forcs,” Aditya said.
The meeting came to an end, and Aditya headed to the next one.
He barely sat in his officewhen there was a knock at the door.
“You want to get that?” Evernight sat at a secondary desk, writing out a message. Holding a report in another hand.
The tension between them when she had first appeared was nearly gone. The two of them were closer now, more like co-workers—just that she was working on a project she couldn’t tell him all the details about.
“You want to hide?” Aditya said.
“It’s Lord Quan, and if we want him to come to our side, he’s going to learn some secrets,” Evernight said.
“Are you a guard, maid, or secretary?” Aditya muttered as he stood, stretching.
“A secretary for now, but an agent first and foremost,” Evernight said absently as she kept working. The report on her desk and in her hand disappeared into her storage ring, taking out another report.
Aditya opened the door and found Lord Quan standing there. The old mercenary still had his scars, but his eyes were brighter, as if he had returned to the time of his youth.
“Lord Quan,” Aditya said respectfully as he waved for him to enter.
“There is no need to call me Lord Quan anymore. Don’t I work for you now? Call me Old Quan.” His eyes landed on Evernight turning to Aditya in question.
“Don’t worry. She’s reliable.” Aditya closed the door. She’s got more secrets than you or I combined.
They took their seats. Aditya opened his mouth, and Old Quan raised a hand.
“I am an old man and not so good at these games, unlike you young ones,” Lord Quan said. “It’s easier if you speak plainly with me.”
Aditya nodded. “I am thinking of creating a consortium, with you at the head of it. Training people with good fighting potential and turning them into warriors who can create mercenary bands, join the army, and increase our military might. And a crafting arm to promote more crafters coming to the area and to create weapons and equipment we can use instead of relying on outside sources. We have some crafters here, but we aren’t able to raise any ourselves.”
Old Quan sat forward, his relaxed air falling away. “I don’t know anything about crafting. Consortium? You sure you don’t mean a sect?”
Aditya forced himself to not look at Evernight.
“Trust me. Beast Mountain Range Consortium sounds better. First and foremost, it will be an academy—a place where people can go and learn. If we call it a sect, the other nations will think we’re being ambitious. Also, sects have a lot of contracts and oaths. I want to make this open to the people in our outposts and the outside kingdoms.”
Old Quan breathed in through his nose-thinking.
“Lord Aditya, your plans don’t cease to amaze me. Still, you didn’t answer the question about craft teachers.”
“I can find people who know crafting, and I can find someone who will run it all. I need someone who can inspire faith. Your outpost was more of a base of operations for your mercenaries, many of whom have elected to join the military. You have a lot of energy and not much to do with it. With the position of consortium head, you would have access to training resources, cultivation manuals, and more.You would be free to train yourself and others as you see fit,” Aditya said.
“Who could join the consortium? Would they have to be from the Range?”
> “No, they could be from other places, as long as they show ability and loyalty.”
“What about slots for the Beast Mountain Range trial?”
“If it continues, then the consortium would get a certain number of spots that the students could compete for. I want you to bring out the fighting spirit of our people,” Aditya said.
“It will also conveniently take people’s eyes off you. Unite the people. Get them to look past their own outposts and at the Beast Mountain Range as a whole. Have people from outside sending their young to train. Impressive way to divert attention and tie others to our ship,” Old Quan said.
Aditya laughed and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “Your eyes have grown sharper with age, Old Quan.”
Old Quan smiled. He rubbed his chin with a rough hand, and his smile grew larger as the brightness in his eyes increased. “A consortium leader…I always cursed those old, stuck-in-their-way bastards who care more about the profits and numbers. I cannot say that the consortium will make you any money, but I will give you the finest crafters and fighters I can.” He pursed fis lips. Aditya pulled out a contract, placing it between them.
Old Quan reviewed the contract and raised an eyebrow. “Seems that you have some secrets you want to keep.” He cut his finger and pressed blood to the paper.
The contract shone; the words seemed to lift from the page and wrap together, forming a black chain before it floated over Old Quan’s wrist and sunk into his flesh.
It disappeared as if it had never existed.
Old Quan’s smile was a little nervous as he held up his arm to Aditya. “Well, it looks like you have me for another fifteen years.” He laughed.
Aditya smiled and nodded.
“Yes, I guess we do, Mister Quan. It is good to officially meet,” Evernight said as she stood from her desk and grinned.
Quan stared at her in surprise.
“Vermire, King’s Hill—I’m merely the manager,” Aditya said. “The power and force behind it are more powerful than any nation in the First Realm. Evernight is my confidant and the passage through which my orders come.”
Sixth Realm Part 2: A litRPG Fantasy series (The Ten Realms Book 7) Page 1