Delila, Nestor, Amadeus and Maliq left moments after. The discussion that the four of them had with Jon, Wilheim and Sariel was short, but still nevertheless interesting, to say the least. The human, floresiensis and satanas staring at each other for a few seconds, before Jon smiled, thinking his two companions with a deep nod of his head.

"Thank you. The both of you. I really mean it," he said, cheeks turning pink at the honest confession. Sariel returned his words with a small smile, patting him on the shoulder while shaking her head.

"Don't worry about it Jon. I'm fine with ascending to Knighthood without a Memento Source Item. The majority of my abilities are centred around healing and buffing allies anyway. And am nowhere even close to being able to create Mortal Ranked Dungeon Fragments anyway. Sitting around and waiting for something that will not come in the short term is just… silly."

"Especially considering I am on the cusp of Knighthood." Sariel admitted, causing Jon to nod his head, understanding the justifications behind her actions. His half-turning towards Wilheim, seeing the floresiensis stroke his beardless chin with an amused grin on his face.

His expression screamed "praise me", causing Jon to roll his eyes and wave him off with a smile.

"You play the "annoying second-in-command" role quite well. Better than I expected." Jon said, watching as Wilheim shrugged his shoulders but still preening at the half-baked compliment. The corners of his mouth curving upwards gesturing towards the couch-shaped spiritual item beneath him.

"I never would have guessed a spiritual item as strange as this was capable of being produced within Springtown. A Fragment Of Wrath integrated into a chair producing a Mortal Ranked Wrathful Chair."

"I think Maliq noticed, although I did not feel him activate any abilities. Harcourt would inform me of such a thing occurring, even if it ability was activated before he entered." Wilheim admitted, enjoying how comfortable the spiritual item was despite having concepts related to "wrath" and "anger" imbued into it.

Although it had cost the five of them a number of fragments, each of them had gathered some of their accumulated wealth together in order to fill up the empty space within the Wonderous Forest Dwelling. Wilheim allowed Jon, Avahni, Shamael and Sariel their choice of rooms within the Fragment Of Manor so long as the four of them helped furnish the communal areas.

None of them were short of fragments at the moment, having more than six months to accumulate a substantial amount of wealth. Each of them boasted at least a hundred fragments within their collections, although for Avahni, most of them were kept in reserve as ritual catalysts or potential upgrades for her summoned companions at Knighthood.

Wilheim had allowed her to claim the largest room on the ground floor.

Through his manipulation of Harcourt, he was even able to transform the armoury room beside it into a small conservatory. Avahni was able to keep Totlechatl, Toci and Tlaloc manifested within said conservatory, the three of them defenders of the rear entrance to Harcourt.

The Black-Earth Swamp-Water Cypress and Thunderous-Night Wisteria on the weaker side of summoned companions that Avahni had at her disposal, considering that neither of them could move after being summoned. Toci and Tlaloc did not possess the overwhelming size that Xochitl possessed but could excelled in defensive battles rather than offensive strikes.

"Do you think that they will agree to your proposal Jon?" Sariel asked, prompting him and Wilheim to turn back towards her.

"I think they will," Jon admitted, "None of them possess a reason to decline the offer. It expands their potential reach within the System Introduction, allowing them to recruit interesting members of their respective Races to help them after our time in the small realm comes to an end."

"It will also boost trade and productivity within Springtown. We bring two more Dungeons to the table, allowing everyone within the Safe Zone to further their mandatory task rewards. At the same time we will be exploring the small realm for more Dungeons, more Wonders and more Safe Zones to complete additional task rewards."

"There is also the matter of discovering and eliminating one of the System generated Lords that roam this small realm. Although things would be different if all of us were Sixth-Veined Knights with Knight Ranked Titles and Knight Ranked abilities, as it stands we would be overwhelmed before we could even land a blow on the Lord." Jon let out a small sigh, leaning back into the comfort of his chair.

"It has the potential and not just one Knight, but two Knights backing it up. It would be remiss of them to reject the proposal." Jon concluded.

"They could reject it just to spite you?" Wilheim added, Sariel nodding in agreement with his possibility.

Jon bit his bottom lip, sighing, knowing that such a thing could be a possibility. From his bare-bones understanding of Maliq's personality, it would not be out of character for him to do such a thing. He had blindsided Delila a little, so there was a chance that she might agree within him.

Amadeus was a little hard to read, given how many positive things he had heard from Aerilayna, Mael and Delila about him. Jon had the impression that he was somewhat of a knuckle-head, but he remained surprisingly calm during their whole discussion. Nestor on the other hand…

"I think the Strategos Of Eyes And Words would agree with the proposal." Jon said, causing both Sariel and Wilheim to blink, staring at him with confused expressions on their faces.

"Any reason why?" Wilheim asked.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Jon just tapped his fingers against the armrest, shrugging his shoulders is if that in itself was an answer.

"I think he understands the importance of thinking about our eventual return to Earth. Although Rank is an enormous factor, and Memento Source Items another important thing to consider, order and civilization is built with the efforts of many, rather than the actions of a few."

"This is just conjecture at this point… but I think that Delila's "Path" is better suited towards the plan that I have in mind. Nestor knows things that we do not, in the same vein that Eis, Ortlinde and Ler Setanta knows things that we do not. It is their experience and wisdom that guide them alongside their knowledge of previous System Introductions."

Jon took a deep breath, turning his head in the direction of Takamagahara.

"None of them have any intention of falling behind after encountering someone that has achieved Knighthood… Although I suppose that applies to myself as well, knowing that Theodore and Itsumade is still out there." He turned his attention back towards Sariel, seeing her grin knowing what he was about to say.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Break.

"Honestly… I think you should be inclined to agree with his proposal. Other than having to accommodate the creation of his Merchant Guild, you all stand to benefit far more in the long run." Nestor spoke, addressing the Delila, Maliq, Amadeus and the four other representatives of each Race within Springtown.

The clockwork rune golem glanced around the meeting room within his Vanishing Palace, observing each change in expression and allowing that information to flow back into his Fragment Of Summon. Delila assessing said information before glancing towards Amadeus and Maliq on either side of her.

Mael was also in the room. Being the Sixth Initiated representative for the lutins within Springtown. Alongside Yumis, the Fifth Initiated representative for the drus and the one who manifested Yuma the Firestorm Express.

The floresiensis representative was an older-looking man whose name was Friedreich another Fifth Initiated Mortal. While the satanas representative was an interesting, purple-skinned woman named Raziel, who emanated the presence of a Sixth Initiated Mortal.

The seven of them formed a sort of council within Springtown, even if it was Maliq, Amadeus and Delila who controlled key sections of their pseudo-government.

Maliq furrowed his brows, scrunching up his face in annoyance while gesturing towards the information packets that Jon had given them.

"He wants to introduce more than just his little Merchant Guild within our Safe Zone! He wants to introduce taxation on all trades and exchanges done within Springtown! Create the foundation for a central banking system and on top of that is threatening us using his Rank as a Knight!"

"Not to mention the fact that one of his other companions is intending to become a Knight in the next few hours! He is working to undermine us!" Maliq spat out, flicking the sheets of paper onto the floor.

Amadeus and Delila shared a small glance before Mael shook his head still examining the proposal that Jon had given them. Other than Maliq, Amadeus and Delila he was the only other individual in this room that had talked with Jon and entered the Wonderous Forest Dwelling.

"I cannot speak for what the three of you discussed within the boundaries of their Fragment Of Manor, but the introduction of taxation allows does not mean that their Merchant Guild will become immensely rich in a short period of time. In fact, most of the wealth would be distributed towards the Town Management in order to pay for things such as public maintenance, wages and even damages caused by reckless battles and ability usage."

"Fragments and Mana Cores can be used as payment for services to the expansion and maintenance of Springtown. The creation of building-type spiritual items. The foundation of proper roads and streets. A rudimentary sewage system. The establishment of proper defensive structures and watchtowers."

"If we had more fragments then all of these will no longer remain a possibility." Mael said, locking eyes with Maliq, noticing the appaloscian glare at him from across the room. Gold natured spiritual energy and sword natured spiritual energy spilling out from their respective Mana Cores.

Each of them mere moments away from activating one of their abilities.

The two stared at each other for several seconds before Amadeus stood up, gesturing for the two of them to calm down.

"That is enough. From the both of you." Amadeus said, his tone stern and unyielding.

"The seven of us are here to discuss the validity of this proposal. Not to bicker and argue amongst us. As Mael stated, the introduction of Jon's Merchant Guild will allow Springtown to grow and develop at a much swifter pace. Two Knights capable of venturing out on their own will improve our ability to explore the small realm without worrying about spiritual energy expenditure or encountering other Knight Ranked creatures."

"On the other hand, Maliq does have a point. We do not understand his intentions. Jon and his companions have been here almost three days, and they already have formed plans to establish a presence within our Safe Zone. Although things would be different if he was a Mortal, we cannot ignore the fact that we have an enemy of one Knight and have one offering to help defend us from him."

Both Maliq and Mael scrunched up their faces at the mention of Theodore.

The Murder Of Temperance And Humility was a sore spot in the minds of everyone present and just knowing that he was still out there sent shivers down their spines.

An individual that possessed no remorse in regard to the slaughter and humiliation of his fellow humans and the complete decimation of anything other than human.

The lone drus in the room, Yumis, raised her furred arm up to her face, scratching her cheek with her clawed hand.

"He also mentioned the location of another Dungeon within fifty kilometres of Springtown? And one more upon us accepting the proposal?" She asked.

Delila nodded.

"The Rat-Caverns Of Photh. A Dungeon Of "Rat" which lacks sources of natural light inside. Troublesome, but an interesting concept, nonetheless. Although on a side note, has anyone else within Springtown been able to obtain another Fragment Of Vehicle? One that manifests a construct similar to Yuma?" Delila could not help but ask.

Yumis showed a disappointed expression, softly shaking her head.

"Unfortunately not. A few have manifested what humans call "motorcycles" and the appaloscians "landspeeders" but nothing quite similar to Yuma. Although someone has manifested a type of armoured personnel carrier through a Technology Mana Core and Fragment Of Transport?" Yumis admitted, prompting Amadeus to perk up, hearing such an interesting combination of fragments and Mana Cores.

Although he wanted to say something, Nestor interjected, seeing as how the seven of them were slowly starting to move off topic. Before he could exert his control back over their mortal attention spans Nestor felt the walls of Takamagahara tremble.

A sudden influx of spiritual energy streaming in the direction of the Wonderous Forest Dwelling, his mechanical eyes widening in realization of what was happening. Maliq, Amadeus and Delila all turning towards him, the Sun-Swallowing Golden Creation manifesting in the room without his permission, observing the flow of spiritual energy around them.

"Nestor! What is going-."

The Strategos Of Eyes And Words turned his head towards his master and summoner, shrugging his shoulders while gesturing towards Harcourt off in the distance.

"That my dear, is a Knight."

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.