Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

"What do you mean you're replacing me?" the young merchant asked.

"Which word do you not understand? I know you aren't too bright but none of those were that complicated, even for the likes of you," Travis said, a mocking tone more than evident.

"Why, I guess. Not what will happen, but what reason—" she stopped suddenly and looked into Travis' eyes, clearly reacting to his good looks and charm and not the angry pulse of his Tier 3 cultivation.

She swallowed heavily before continuing. "What reason could you, someone so important and whose time is so valuable, have to want to dine with a low-born, random Tier 1 and one of the less important Councilors here? Not that you have any need to debase yourself by answering me."

I guess I won't have to revoke her trading license for insolence after all.

It was a good question for someone not in the know to ask. The actual answer would be embarrassing so he'd had Krastina craft a good cover story that unfortunately had some aspects of truth. However, she wasn't important enough to waste such work on.

"The reasons are my own. We shall leave it at that."

She couldn't hide her displeasure very well but said nothing.

Krastina stepped forward. "Yes, thank you miss for being so cooperative. We shall just need one last thing, an AAI-backed guarantee you will not disclose anything from this meeting to anyone."

The woman's first attempt failed, the guarantee too broad to take. Krastina had her amend it to not disclosing that Travis would be taking her place at dinner with the Tier 1 delver and the Councilor until the following morning and not disclosing anything she learned in particular during the meeting for six months.

Travis felt bad for the woman and offered an afternoon dalliance out of mere pity – his accommodations in Chazin Mark were slightly better so he could have one room for his afternoon activities, one for his evening, and a separate for sleeping – but she had far too many meetings scheduled today and said possibly next time.

You should have rescheduled your meetings. Your loss, I won't feel enough pity for you the next time girl.

As she quickly gathered her meager things and bustled out of the conference room in the Tratnik estate, Travis sighed. He hated being this far into the null essence zone, even if it was nearer the edge. It just felt off. Even before the essence affinity issues, the man hated The Verdant Kingdom, and now felt nothing but anger towards the Kingdom.

How incompetent are they? Letting something like this null bullshit happen?

Turning to Krastina, Travis said, "Send me what you've found out about this team. I need points of leverage over their leader."

"Uh sir, the man you'll be dining with, Terry Carver, is not technically the leader. That would be Inara Maric, the woman who was repeatedly thrown from the platforms during the delve." Krastina seemed nervous as he sent over the packet for Travis' review.

A few minutes later, Krastina piped up again, interrupting Travis' train of thought. "Sir… I think possibly if he's willing to be subservient to the woman, putting pressure on this Terry while impressing him with your importance might work. Possibly your style too, he seems rather uncultured. He's clearly not nearly as manly as you but could also be fascinated as this Inara, per our source in Pitola, is known to dress flamboyantly when not delving."

What? She's at the peak of Tier 1 and is part of team paid to carry him through the Tier… Morgan Abolina is our Merchant of Might… Is he saying that all men who report to her are lesser?

"That sounds like a stupid idea. How does that make sense?" Travis demanded.

After five more minutes of analysis from Krastina, Travis was reassured that this Terry, a man stupidly claiming to be from another world, would be a total pushover. Impressing him with wealth and power were the easy ways to go. Krastina's analysis had been right all along.

If Travis had access to his funds – the funds his mother secured for him as part of the paramour contract with his father – he would have bet money with Krastina that he could get Terry to fold before they served the first course.

The math said they needed a single essence stone to save the quarter but two would bring things back to possibly even a profit for the quarter with some creative accounting. And Travis was very creative when it came to that.

Krastina helped Travis pick out his most impressive outfit. "Sir, I know you have it down, you always do. Such a way with people. But I am checking I understand: the plan is to impress him with your power and wealth, which should make him crumple like the love letters your suitors send you. But if not…"

"Yes, yes, his other points of leverage are his pride, his entrance to the Adventurers Guild, and potentially Velez. Why anyone would care about a city that's even more of a shithole than Chazin Mark, I couldn't guess. He's clearly a bumpkin and will be easy to sway."

***

Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

That absolutely should have worked. A Tier 1 cannot be allowed to treat me like that… He signed his own death warrant!

No, no, can't be hasty. I can get revenge later… For now, the quarter is the most important.

The Baron took a few calming breaths, slightly perturbed by how often his emotions seemed to get away from him these last six months.

Travis had finished speaking with Councilor Sigita Salub shortly after Terry stormed off. He had picked up a few interesting tidbits from the woman about the contract Terry's team had with Chazin Mark. Most interesting was that if 'The Order' needed to cancel their delving contract with the city, it would lead to severe fines that the team would have to pay immediately.

That gave Travis ideas but he had to act fast.

Travis crashed through the front doors of Councilor Tratnik's estate, calling for his assistant. "Krastina! We have to hurry! Get the servants, equip them, and be ready in a quarter bell."

"Yes sir, I can do that; but care to explain why? Only if you are amenable of course!" the toady man said reverently. "Does this mean… the essence stone?" He cowered even before Travis could release his rage.

As if I'd waste energy on this fool. If we put these fucks in financial trouble, we can get more than the one stone. Maybe all four, really shore up the quarter.

Can't get ahead of myself but it will work out. I'll make it work out.

"All in due time, we'll have the stone by the end of tomorrow. But we need to increase the null essence concentration in the rifts to overload whatever temporary cheat they have. How can you still not know what they are doing? Isn't that your entire job?" Travis asked angrily.

He didn't mention that he had failed to ask the Councilor at dinner.

Before Krastina could respond, Travis continued. "Once their cheat to absorb null essence is overwhelmed, they'll have to stop delving and cancel their contract, leading to large fines. We can then swoop in, prevent Chazin Mark from following through on the fines in exchange for at least one stone, and be right as rain. If we clear the rifts they are set to delve with higher Tier people, it will spike the null essence concentration."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Travis sent off a message to Councilor Oksana Tratnik, whose estate he had requisitioned, inquiring about rift security at night. Her response, that there was no security around most rifts, proved to Travis why this Kingdom was going to hell.

Still, good news for us.

Over the next six hours, in the dead of a moonless night, Travis, Krastina, and the three Tier 2 servants that accompanied them to Chazin Mark delved each scheduled rift multiple times.

Per Krastina, the best way to increase the null concentration, based on a research paper from twelve years prior, was to rush the rift boss, collect the rift reward, and leave.

While Travis wanted each person to delve solo, his servants had sold a great deal of their essence and therefore couldn't easily defeat the rifts on their own.

Sweaty, bloody, and even more frustrated, Travis brought the team back to the estate a few bells before first light.

Mission accomplished, even if these shits are even more useless in delves than for my other work.

Upon coming out of the shower, depressingly without someone to enjoy the activity with, he got another message, marked with priority.

[Incoming Message from Earl David Hozjan, Lead Director of Delving: Fix it. File x2]

Travis gulped loudly. Deciding to go for the video first, he hit play.

It was a clip he was all too familiar with.

Travis saw the immobilized woman passed through the rift reward distortion in slow motion. Stamped across the screen was a designation that made him physically recoil. [Improper contract controls detected, further analysis needed.]

Contract controls and structuring agreements to protect your interests were taught almost from day one in schools in The MM, especially at the expensive academy Travis attended. Just being accused of improper controls could hamper your career.

This is not good…

The second file was a picture of handwritten note, something his father enjoyed using greatly when speaking with his subordinates.

"My dearest Earl Hozjan, I greatly apologize for my failings. Before I was alerted, the system escalated the review of all contracts initiated by Assistant Vice Underminister Hozjan. I attempted to intervene but was unable to stop the progress. Given the contract and video evidence, both submitted without a request from the Adventurers Guild offices in Pitola, all the Assistant Vice Underminister's contracts – and included accounting methodologies – were immediately put under review.

– As dictated by Viscountess Ursula Hozjan, Vice Director of Eastern Sector Delving in service of Merchant of Might Morgan Abolina"

"That utter shit!" Travis roared, kicking the air.

Still naked, bits swinging in the breeze as he'd accidentally launched his towel in his fit of anger, Travis ran out to speak with Krastina. One of the servants, a woman in her late 30s, shrieked in surprise at seeing him in his state of undress.

Realizing he was letting his frustration get the best of him, something he famously never did, Travis traipsed back to his room and dressed.

I need sleep. This is urgent, so I'll put Krastina on it. I can't be sloppy here, too much at stake. We'll have that essence stone in hand by the end of the day but only if I play this right. And I'll play it right.

After meeting with his assistant for nearly a quarter bell, Travis headed to bed, sending Councilor Tratnik a message that he needed more information on this Tier 1 team giving him so much trouble.

***

Robert Krastina, Special Assistant to Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister

Robert waited patiently until his overseer finally went to sleep, leaving shortly thereafter. It was a risk: if he was out when Travis awoke, the man would surely know he left and possibly try to dig further. Every single whim or want seemed to flow through his assistant.

Due to how difficult it was to deal with the man, none of the other servants begrudged Robert leaving and he made sure to wipe the security logs of his passing.

Can't risk messages being intercepted. At least we are likely to be done soon. Sending more messages through the estate's infrastructure is too risky, they know I rarely speak with my sister so can't use that avenue again.

While Robert knew the security measures at every one of Earl Hozjan's homes, even the residences for the man's unofficial paramours, there was always a risk sending messages in any of them. It was especially risky in the Tratnik estate because they might have installed new technology since the last time he reviewed the setup the previous year.

Robert headed to the Chazin Mark Town Hall because, despite the relatively insecure infrastructure, hiding his message amongst the general traffic was the best way to prevent targeted interception. Plus, he could easily come up with an excuse if Travis were to find out he went there. He bought three cheap knickknacks for that exact reason.

There were, of course, protections maintained by treaties – between each large city and between the Kingdoms – covering message interception technology. It was banned in all major local buildings, especially Town Halls and the like. It still happened so the messages needed to be vague.

[My dear friend, I continue to enjoy my time in this lovely Kingdom though am slightly perplexed. I saw a rather interesting piece of news, about the local farms, though I am not sure of the source. There seems to be an interesting opportunity for them to advance their approaches far more quickly than expected, even more than we last spoke. Shall I inquire about said advancement, though I believe it is risky.]

Robert's goal was to communicate that he wasn't sure who leaked the video of the rift footage and that he saw an opportunity to accelerate their timeline even further, though not without considerable risk.

The reply told him to not take undue risks but to trust his judgement; if there were better opportunities to press, then he had permission. Lastly, it said things were in motion from their side as well so further openings to press their agenda were likely.

***

Merchant Baron Travis Hozjan, Assistant Vice Underminister to Morgan Abolina, the Merchant of Might, Delving and War

Upon waking from his four hour rest, Travis set to work with renewed vigor.

His lunch meeting was as enlightening as it was frightening.

Councilor Oksana Tratnik managed to bring two different delvers that had worked on a 'carry team' for Terry Carver.

From what each could tell, there wasn't any magic or trickery to what was happening: Terry had a null essence affinity and the bracelets, which came from Velez with the team, readily attracted any rift essence based on affinity. 100% of the null essence went to Terry and his bond and then the rest of the essence was split between those in the delve, with the majority going to the clear and protection teams.

While it wasn't a huge amount, the teams got free essence and a stake in the reward with a guaranteed minimum of 75 silver, so both were pretty happy with the arrangement and put their names in for future delves.

Travis still believed spiking the null concentration in the rift was going to overwhelm the man but was furious at Krastina for not finding out about the bond.

Why do I even pay the man? I guess I have to do everything myself like always. I did it before Krastina and am more than capable here.

Oksana, a gorgeous Tier 3 former delver, who had married a rich and powerful man in Chazin Mark – her husband had 'a mysterious accident' two years prior, leaving everything to her – held Travis back after dismissing the other two women.

"Lord Hozjan," she began with deference before softening, "Travis… There is now an inquiry into your dinner. We are meeting with the head of Velez's Council. As of now, it is informal but there are rumblings from many of my fellow Councilors. I wanted to make sure you're aware is all. Friends let their friends know information that could be useful after all. I trust in you; your family has always done right by me, right by Chazin Mark."

Travis knew utter horseshit when he heard it but it was the nice way of saying 'you made a mess, my palms need more grease to stay on your side'. "Thank you Councilor Tratnik, I will take that under advisement." With that he turned and left, not giving her another glance.

At least I finally get the team's name, even if it's stupid. What is the sugar glider consuming? And who wastes essence on a bond? These people really are jokes.

Upon seeing Krastina's face when Travis entered the main house, he knew even more shit had hit the fan.

"What is it now?" the Baron bellowed. Krastina blanched but didn't reply, mumbling to himself. "Out with it!"

"Sir, your sister, I'm sorry, it's not…" The man wasn't making any sense so Travis glared at him until he pushed a message onto the tablet screen.

[Incoming Message to Tratnik Estate from Viscountess Ursula Hozjan, Vice Director of Eastern Sector Delving: Krastina, you slimy shit, what did you get my dear brother into this time? Father is apoplectic. There are rumors his Duke is considering stripping my little brother's title if he's demoted? A servant made a joke about Travis being sold into indentured servitude to pay off Father's investment. 'Suited for the bedroom, not the boardroom', she said. She was properly beaten for it but it's spreading like wildfire. Fix this or you'll wish there was a hangman's noose waiting for you. I know you can.]

While Travis thought it was a bit strange to send the message to the estate, he couldn't help but agree. Krastina was known for getting his sister Ursula out of many tight spots before he defected to join his staff. The fact his assistant missed that the team had a bond with a null essence affinity – something that should be impossible but was still clearly known by at least a few people – was a major oversight.

Just when I need him to be at his sharpest…

For the rest of the day, Travis made subtle inquiries to his contacts in town about 'The Order of the Ever-Consuming Glider', digging into their connections and contract specifics. He was utterly shocked by how many cities – essentially every single town above 10,000 people in the former green essence zone – had already contracted with Velez on their Tier 1 and 2 rifts.

Krastina finally came through with a report on the day's delves involving Terry and The Order, though nothing of interest really had happened other than one team struggling somewhat. Travis was surprised his null essence concentration gambit hadn't paid off but he still felt confident there was a way to acquire one of the essence stones.

He spent the rest of the day communicating with his contacts, though the replies were lackluster given he didn't have access to funds to pay even paltry bribes. While borrowing from Oksana Tratnik now would likely cost him down the road, it looked like an ever-more likely outcome.

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