Chapter 611 - Overthrowing the Tyrants IV (Patreon)

“I’m realizing I’m missing a critical skill.” I pushed down my embarrassment. There just had never been a need to learn this skill, it just wasn’t important. Culturally, it was barely a thing. Remus had expected me to be a house wife, my parents figuring things out for me. At the School, everyone knew the path their life would take. Either they had wealthy sponsors, or were nobility themselves. Then I’d worked on a combination of being self employed, or a Sentinel. At no time had I ever needed the skill, and it was a rare one in the first place, most children’s lives being laid out for them by their parents.

The Legions were always recruiting, and would take anyone.

“Which skill is that?” Arachne asked with her usual grace and aplomb. All the while, I was learning on 20 different thought processes, learning all manner of skills as Arachne’s threads twisted and weaved, like letters in a book. I wanted an icepack for my head, just for the dramatic look.

“Getting a job.” I freely admitted. “I’ve always just stumbled into them or done it myself. I have no idea how I’d get hired in the first place, and I just… I know nothing about the whole process.”

Apart from vaguely being on the receiving end now and then. Nix asking me to take on his grandson as an [Apprentice] was a good example. That looped back to ‘who you know’ and ‘parents making arrangements for the children’s future’.

Arachne’s lips quirked in amusement.

“A problem far more people than you realize have had. I will add it to the curriculum. For this particular job, with your background, we’ve identified a few targets of opportunity. You will be walking up to the front door with a letter and a hope, just as they are needing more manpower. However, it would not do for you to be inexperienced in the endeavor, and as such, you will need to know more. We are about to be driven past a supply drop point. Can I trouble you to teleport an addition to our lunch in?”

I tasked one of my minds to scanning around me, awed by the endless industry toiling away under Pallos’s surface. This was all the work of a single Classer!? My gods, it was insane.

Part of me wondered what would happen if everyone had access to technology and methods like this, but the cynical, beaten-down part of me knew the answer. We’d use it to better murder each other. 

I spotted the supply depot Arachne was talking about, the last Pekari soldier carefully placing down a jug of fresh blood.

“Got it.” I [Teleported] it all into the train car, the blood barely rippling as it landed on one of the tables. A half-dozen freshly baked loaves were still steaming, the cookies were still gooey, and the lettuce looked fresh and crispy. The amount was perfectly calculated as well, filling up the tables and storage without overflowing to the chairs or floor.

Arachne and I got into the briefest of races, each trying to out-hospitality each other. I arranged a glass of milk, and a sandwich next to a pair of cookies on one table, while Susan prepared something similar at her place. I placed the blood next to her, letting her season her food personally.

Skills tended not to have a wind up. Will and instant effect. Many skills did need to travel from the origination point, but some skills, like Mirages, could immediately snap into existence a large distance from the caster. Light was another element that could do something similar. One moment nothing, the next moment blinding white killing my vision and giving me spots in my eyes to blink out.

Spatial could rarely cause a similar effect. Namely, when someone in a pocket or alternative dimension returned to Pallos. There wasn’t a big, slow, dramatic reveal - it just happened. Not there one moment, there the next. I used it all the time when I had to teleport into and out of my [Tower]. From an outsider’s point of view, I just popped back into existence.

Which, naturally, was when Amber slipped back into existence. She slammed back into the padded chair as the difference in velocity caught up with her, but of course it was at the right angle to sink deep into the plush, velvety goodness.

Susan and I locked eyes and rolled them together. She’d met Amber before, and had seen enough utter bullshit from her by now to just run with it. The threads did fall back down, our lessons clearly at a temporary pause.

Amber looked a little frazzled. Dirt and dried blood where she’d scraped her knees, along with a slightly torn tunic. Her gem-studded braid had bits of hair sticking out, and she was holding an amulet with one of the largest gems I’d ever seen. She blinked around owlishly as she settled into her chair. My former apprentice cracked a wide smile at the feast laid out in front of her.

“Oooh! Elaine! You brought cookies, thank you! You don’t mind, do you? I’m starving.” Amber had already unceremoniously dropped the multi-million arc piece of jewelry to the ground like it was nothing, letting it bounce and roll around on the floor. 

I waved my hand at her.

“Go for it! And what have you been up to these last few years?” I asked.

Amber had already taken a ravenous bite out of the sandwich when she froze. She tried to answer, realized her mouth was full, shrugged, and furiously chewed before answering.

“Wait, what do you mean, years?” She asked. Arachne was eyeing the onyx gem like it was a poisonous spider - lovingly - and I was debating where I could [Teleport] it to. Skills in gems were generally a one-shot thing, but Amber had a recharging skill, and there were always more shenanigans around her.

A quick conversation got us roughly on the same page as the greedy merchant systematically demolished our supply run. Susan and I both snagged some vittles for ourselves, contently munching away while we all got caught up. We went first, explaining everything we’d been through. The war, picking up the pieces, and now the New Remus Empire facing off against the Demon Kingdom.

Frankly, it was a good thing I had extensive exposure to Amber already. My jaw would’ve dropped open and I would’ve lost all my food otherwise.

“My lucky coin led me to the gem right as everything started to go badly.” Amber explained. “I activated the skill, trusting it would help me out, and ended up right here! Nice place by the way, where are we?”

“Hang on, you were in stasis for decades, and you got repositioned at the end of it?” I asked in utter disbelief. This threatened to take the metaphorical cake, right as Amber was eating the literal cookies.

“From what you’re telling me… yes?” Amber cheekily smiled. “You haven’t done too badly for yourself from the sound of it! Tell me more about how everyone’s doing, I just heard about you.”

My smile wavered as my mind flashed over everyone I knew, and how many people weren’t around.

Julius.

Arachne smoothly stepped in and defused the situation. Amber rubbed her hands, the two of them changing the topic and tone of the conversation. I appreciated them for it.

“Hey Susan, I bet you’ve got something great for me to do. Something only a cunning, lucky merchant who happens to be a fantastic healer can pull off. From that look in your eye I know you’ve got just the thing. Fat profits for me, twisting the world around your finger for you, what’s there not to like? Let’s talk!”

“I do have such a scheme…” Arachne said slowly, starting to outline a plan. Operational Security said I shouldn’t be listening in or knowing it, but it was kinda hard to not know it, not with Amber almost literally dropping into my lap. 

I spent a few minutes consolidating and reorganizing everything I’d been learning in Arachne’s crash course. It had been a lot, and the minor headache I’d had the whole time was starting to fade with the reprieve Amber’s arrival had brought. 

I had a suddenly realization, and I grinned wildly.

“Hey Amber, guess what!” I asked, interrupting a bit. I shot a quick apology look to Arachne, but was too excited by my realization.

“What?” Amber asked, dutifully playing along.

“Money’s practically meaningless now! Need a little more civilization than what we currently have. It’s allll barter right now.”

Oh, how I wish I had the skills to perfectly preserve moments and share them with others. The stupified look on Amber’s face was priceless, and the way her jaw moved silently without saying anything was worth ten thousand arcs. Or deerskin, as it may be. 

“What!” She finally squeaked out. Susan was trying hard not to laugh. Amber’s eyes went wide, and her stunned look was replaced with a cunning one.

Oh no. She’d just figured out how to make more money off the whole thing. Somehow. When money didn’t exist.

“Wait, this is perfect.” She said. “I can pick up a ton of things now, while they’re dead cheap, and simply sit back and wait for them to become valuable again! This is great!”

Susan couldn’t resist anymore, and started laughing. Clotho wrote out a big “NO” in spider silk, although I had no idea if Amber could read it. 

“Deary, as much as I applaud your initiative and enthusiasm, entire fortunes have been made and lost speculating on what will be considered valuable in the new era we find ourselves in. It’s entirely possible that even Elaine’s Immortality gems will be considered worthless! I have my doubts on that one, wealthy mortals have always desired more time, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Metals most precious in one time are worthless in another, and food will never be valued more than it is today. A question of logistics, of which I am sure I don’t need to lecture you on. However, I do have a few tips on areas of interest…” Arachne trailed off, knowing the hook was set.

Amber gleefully bit it.

“Please! Tell me more!”

Damn Arachne was scary. Always giving people exactly what they wanted. The two plotted in rapid jargon, all ‘return on investment’ and ‘accounting methods’ and currency. I was just happy to see my friend again, alive and well.

[*ding!* Galdir, God of Softly Glowing Lights, has been slain. His domain is once again available.]

So much for taking a break from [Luminary Mind]. My mind unspooled, two dozen thought processes starting up.

The notification made Amber jump, and a brilliant, fanged smile to cross Arachne’s face. I hadn’t seen her so happy in ages. A moment of pure, unguarded joy. Why would she be so happy at - ah.

Oh.

Another part of me marveled at the fact that gods could die. I’d heard rumors, everyone did, but a cursory look through the records hadn’t revealed any confirmed accounts. Then again, I didn’t think the gods would exactly advertise it, and I’d failed to ask the one person who’d know for sure - Night. Perhaps a deeper search for records would find it! Oh no, an excuse to read thousands of books for research purposes. How terrible. I should start in the fiction section.

I reached out to my divine friend. She was probably getting spammed right now, given the global notification mentioning a deity, but hey, a friendly ear was better than a demanding voice.

Hey Ciriel!

Everyone okay up there? If you need someone to chat with, just drop by! My ears are always open.

There was only silence, but I wasn’t too surprised. If Ciriel was getting more messages than mangos I ate in the average year, she had to be utterly overwhelmed.

Hey Elaine! Ciriel spoke in my ears. Yeah, we’re all fine! A bit shaken. It’s not nearly as hectic as you’d think. There just aren’t that many people to pray right now.

Ouch. That was a stark reminder at how populations had collapsed. Orthus was a large, thriving town… a thousandth of the size Sanguino had been. Another part of the announcement led to another question though. I was thousands of years away from needing an answer, and it could all change, but I was ambitious and curious.

Out of pure curiosity, what other healing related positions are there? I asked. 

Ciriel laughed.

Oh, plenty! Healers don’t often make the distance. Either a lack of levels over time, or they’re deliberately hunted down if they’re too close to the fights. But I’m not going to ruin the surprise. Good luck~

Phooey. I crossed my arms. Ciriel would have to see if I was going to share any mangos after that.

=======

Amber’s arrival caused our timeline to get mildly interrupted. After Arachne’s spying lectures, we moved onto practical lessons, where I worked on refining the information into knowledge. 

I had to admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the change in mindset. Gone was the happy-go-lucky view of the world. Gone too was the harsher “fight for survival” glasses that tried to pare things down to the basic law of the jungle, the great struggle for survival. The levers of people, the manipulation and paranoia, thinking a dozen moves ahead - it wasn’t a great mindset to be in. 

Part of me wanted to hit the eject button on the entire thing. Just walk away. 

But all of my reasoning for starting this was valid. I’d just need to bury the knowledge and parts of me deep, deep away after, so I didn’t become eternally paranoid. 

Arachne was a gem, as always. Part of me could see the manipulation, but was it really manipulation when she was simply giving me everything I wanted? Gods, the ability to read people and align incentives was stupid. 

“You don’t need to worry too much about becoming a ruthless manipulator.” Arachne said one day. 

“Oh?” I asked, double checking my ‘mask’. No, my face was properly arranged, not showing my inner thoughts. I worked a bit to show mild surprise, the proper emotion for the situation. Always training, always learning. 

“Yes. Your wife has the same knowledge and insight, yet you’re unconcerned about manipulation from that direction. Does she seem worried and stressed about knowing the levers people have? Or does she use that knowledge to make friends, defuse disputes, and make sure people are having a good time?”

When she put it like that…

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to Amber.

“You’ve got the map, right? You know where Orthus is? I don’t want you getting lost.”

“I’ve got it memorized.” Amber dutifully replied. 

“You stay safe, okay?” I pressed another charged moonstone into her hand. “Don’t be greedy. If the deal sounds too good to be true it probably is.”

“Elaine!” Amber squawked. “I’ve lived for decades! I know this stuff!”

I stepped back - it was so unfair how everyone was taller than me - and straightened out her tunic, ignoring her protests.

“I know,” I said. “but I worry.” I hugged her. “I can’t lose anyone else.”

Amber patted me on the back.

“I’ll come back. I promise.” She said.

With a jaunty wave and a skip to her step, my friend vanished around the corner once again, the onyx gemstone anchoring her braid like a club. 

“Are you ready?” Arachne asked.

I wasn’t going directly to Edhallond and starting my spying. I wanted to help and to heal, and my original plan of lurking around battlefields remained. Lives would be saved during the active war that was going on, and in a far second I’d gain levels. 

I knew who I was and what my roots were. 

I was Elaine, a healer.