AK - The Alchemy Kingdom

Year 3, Winter, Third Month, Fourth Week.

The last week of Winter and the first week of Spring were considered a time for celebration in most countries, at least for those who could afford to celebrate. So, almost everybody traveled back home to enjoy some festivities. Another reason why people would avoid working outside at this time, was that snow would be slowly melting, leaving behind a slippery layer of ice. It was ironic, how the freezing climate was more suitable for activities than the mild temperatures of the transition period.

In Adventurers’ point, the general mood was boring and had no forecasts of getting any better before the New Year’s season passed. The Adventurers had already come into terms with passing through the New Year’s without any festivities. The managers had, of course, planned a sumptuous feast with MQ meat and all the delicacies the AKs knew how to prepare. Nonetheless, there was only so much food could do, even if the food was worth of Royals.

However, what nobody was counting on happening was Keller’s return only a month after leaving. The Merchant arrived in the early morning, when most were sleeping, so the news only spread close to noon. Although they were used to going out early, the next two weeks wouldn’t be a good time for hunting, so the Adventurers took this short time to recover and rest. Strangely, practically everybody was present for the late breakfast, surely to hear news from the Kingdom first hand and also check on their requests.

Surprisingly, the Adventurers were welcomed in the pub by a free round of hot ale, the signature drink of the Fire region. To their delight, the Merchant had brought back drinks and other things to make their New Year’s enjoyable. Another round of cheers and drinks followed when the managers added the drinks option to their menu. Soon, everybody forgot to question how Keller had made the journey so fast.

The Merchant happily shared some rumors about the Kingdom over some coups of ale, then quietly slipped to the back room with Lew while the cheers continued to ring behind. Fortunately, Keller was used to drink-handling his clients and was able to stay sober enough through the ordeal.

“So, how was your trip?”

“It was surprisingly smooth… The tools are great, nobody suffered from poisoning this time, not even the delicate “friends” I brought… The escort service is even better than I expected, the shadow girl is amazing. I would pay a hefty sum if she chose to become my employee… You have to tell me how she slipped into the city unnoticed, that’s a powerful ace against the Kingdom… Anyway, I got you another two light and three lightning crystals, but both LQ. Sorry but hybrid crystals are a rare resource…”

Lew calmly accepted and put away the crystals while making a grunt of understanding. In truth, he was very pleased with the Merchant’s work, but he couldn’t forget he was dealing with a professional trader, otherwise, he would be caught short-handed next time. The AK was in dire need of rare resources, light, bubble and lightning crystals being the most need.

Light was essential for their mining operation, to keep the tunnel active, and even for their secret basement operations. The importance of the bubble crystal was self-explanatory, besides keeping the barriers active, they also needed as many LQ crystals they could get to give the security and hunt teams an ace against powerful enemies. And last, but the least, the lightning crystals became the backbone of all of their operations, as it was sustaining their communication system.

“Everyone is amazed by your speed, but I was expecting you sooner. Did you encounter any problems?”

With the enhanced carts and gear, they estimated Keller’s caravan would take two days to cross the forest and a week to go directly to Hurricane City and the border city of the Fire region where he would also make some deals. So, they were expecting him back, at least a week ago.

“No… I took an extra day to organize a few things, but our delay was in the return. I brought back too many things. Even with the five extra horses we took, the five new carts weren’t enhanced, so…”

“I see… All things considered, you came back really fast.”

“Yeah… Fortunately, my contacts are still good. I even left two subordinates behind to find more Adventurers… It should be more difficult to bring them in once Spring comes, though… This place would be packed with beasts, thankfully, we have your shadow to guide us… But, how about the path? It’s not very wise to help the Kingdom find this place… I honestly don’t know how you’re going to secure a secret path to here…”

“Don’t worry about it, we’re specialists in defying common sense.”

***

AK Capital was booming with excitement for New Year’s Eve. For the first time, they would be celebrating the coming of a new year in their own land and without the fear of being slaughtered by the Kingdom. All that they fought for, was finally in their hands, and now, they only have to enjoy it. Unfortunately, they weren’t used to celebrations and festivities, everybody wanted to do big things like they always heard the nobles did, but they didn’t know how.

So, they could only work with what they had and celebrate by playing some commoner's games and enjoying a sumptuous feast. Fortunately, their food shortage was solved by the first harvest of vegetables in their new fields, so they could afford to be a little wasteful. They would at least sing a few songs passed by their ancestors, making the celebration a little more colorful.

However, they spent most of the festivity talking about their expectations for the new year. The working-driven community was easily hyped by the myriad of novelties and tools that were supposed to flood their lives once Winter passed. Everybody had a friend or family who would risk themselves to open a business, or change jobs. They also carried their badges and displayed them all around, proud of their first personally owned magic tool.

Many tried to show their names, which was also written on one side of the badge, but only a few, who were taught in the Alchemy Department or by someone who worked there, knew how to read some basic words. Like this, New Year’s came and left, and now was time to build their Kingdom.

***

One month after New Year’s.

“Your Grace. We found something about the Merchant in the Fire region…”

“Hmmm… So, he went there… No wonder my Whispers couldn’t reach him. What did you found?”

“Only rumors, Your Grace… Amongst the Adventurers, some mentioned his name and a place called Adventurers’ point… It might be one of the many tales spread by the storytellers… We heard rumors about a place in the forest…”

“Hmm… Interesting… Find a Mercenary company and send one of the tunes with them. Tell them to go in the same direction we found the villagers…”

The Mage bowed and was about the leave the throne room when Whispert stopped him.

“Actually, I’ll send some reinforcement… After all, we shouldn’t greet our potential friends with shabby clothes.”