The Way Ahead

Chapter 70: Social Niceties

Chapter 70: Social Niceties

Lady Tara! Welcome! What brings you to my office today?

Rizzali. Good to see you. The Enforcer greeted the gnome- Edwin updated his tag, which was apparently misspelled- and turned back to him, I thought youd be dead for sure.

Edwin shrugged awkwardly, Ummm surprise, I guess? Why would I be dead?

You dropped off the map for some three months after leaving Lefi without a trace. The only explanation for that incredibly stupid move would be that you got yourself killed somewhere. Which would be an absolute waste, but she sighed, I am pleased to see that you survived. Come, tell me of your endeavors.

Umm Im in the middle of my debrief with Rizzali? And I kind of wanted to ask a few questions? Edwin hazarded.

Not a worry! The ladys time is far more valuable than mine. If you desire my advice, I shall be here when you return!

Come along now. We must speak in an area more private, regarding your more sensitive matters. Tara motioned for Edwin to come along as she entered the stairwell and started climbing.

Wait, actually? Why? Edwin hastened to catch up with Tara, What does it matter to you?

Because my superiors, she hesitated on the last word, seemingly conflicted about something, have deemed that I be assigned to you as a liaison. You have been deemed interesting enough to be kept up with, and I, with my preexisting relationship with you and geographical proximity, was assigned to the task.

Edwin frowned, Why am I so interesting? I thought you werent going to tell them Im a- he cut himself off as they passed an open archway, My condition.

I did not. However, it is my duty to report low-threat persons of interest to my superior, and you most certainly qualify. That I was unable to explain to them why I considered you such a person of interest merely heightened their certainty. she sighed, It is objectively good for you. You have been officially designated as an Ally of the Empire- which I assure you is not a simple matter, nor so easy for most individuals- and are granted access to additional services in exchange for task-based taxes.

Edwin frowned, Dont I get a say in this?

Tara didnt answer as they reached the floor she was leading him to. They ventured down a short hallway lined with doors far too close together for most purposes until Tara picked one seemingly at random. It opened up to a comfortable, if sparse, room with a few chairs and a table in the center. It was, naturally, far larger than it should have been due to the distance to the doors on either side of it, but that was hardly a surprise by now. They ventured inside, and Tara closed and locked the door behind them.

There. This is as much privacy as it is possible to find within the garrison.

Nobodys listening in? Edwin was hesitant, and Tara picked up on it.

She sighed, To the best of my knowledge, there are no spies, eavesdroppers, or other parties capable of listening in on the discussion we are to have, save the Emperor himself. Nor am I aware of any efforts to circumvent the privacy Skill upon this room. This I swear on the Honor of the Empire.

A notification popped up.

Silver Blade Tara Lisana has sworn an Oath of Privacy and Secrecy

Silver Blade Tara Lisana has broken: 0 Oaths

Edwin waved it away, You didnt say theres nobody listening in. Just that only the Emperor could manage it.

Tara grimaced, Yes, well. I never know if he is going to listen in. This being very decidedly his land, he is fully capable of listening in if he so desires. I dont think hes trying to do so today, but rest assured that he almost certainly is already aware of your status. He is quite able to listen to all within his domain if he desires.

Edwin raised an eyebrow, then sighed. The Empire had honestly been pretty good to him thus far. From the sounds of it, they wanted to use him, but hed take being useful over nothing, he supposed.

Alright, fine. I guess. Edwin sank back into his chair. It felt so nice, Whats the service tax thing, though? Im not going to be enslaved again, you can count on that.

Tara shook her head, No, nothing of the sort. It just means that if Im in the area on a mission and deem it useful, I can recruit you to aid me. Edwin eyed her warily, and she clarified, I am already within my rights to recruit... Adventurers freely for short-term tasks, and citizens with appropriate compensation. The service tax merely requires you to do so willingly and not attempt to flee your duties if given the chance. Worry not, I rarely exercise this right with your kind. Adventurers are so unreliable its usually better to do it all myself.

I guess thats not too bad, Edwin conceded, It would have been nice to be consulted first, though.

Tara looked confused, Why? It was objectively the correct decision, why would you care if you had the opportunity to refuse prior?

Just I value having a choice, I guess? Like, even if I already know what Id pick, the option to do otherwise is valuable.

Anyway, I came back this way to try and shake off anyone who might be on my trail.

You certainly managed that. Even Lefi hadnt the faintest clue where you might have gone. Tara tapped her chin, Though he may have been lying. He sent a letter, I havent seen the man since he left with you. Its been blessedly quiet, though that just means it will be even worse when he finally does show up again.

I picked up a few supplies in the outer-city markets.

Outside the walls? He nodded, and Tara shook her head, You were most likely severely overcharged. Theres less oversight out there.

Edwin shrugged, I wanted to be seen by as few people as possible. You would have sensed me entering the city, wouldntve you?

What makes you say that?

You sensed me this time, didnt you? You showed up exactly where I was less than an hour after I crossed the gates. And Rizzalis reaction tells me you dont usually go to his office. So, you had to have gone there for me.

...Very astute. Yes, I suppose theres no harm in saying that much. I do indeed have a Skill- an upgrade of Watchmans Intuition, as it so happens- that broadens the scope of what I am capable of sensing. Persons of interest entering the city is one of them. So, yes. I suppose if that was your goal, you were right to not venture in, previously. she thought for a moment, and Edwin waited for her to continue. When she didnt he carried on.

Anyway, from there I went to the Verdant. that got an eyebrow raised, And found a place to settle down. It kept climbing, I ended up building a home out there, working on growing some crops, training up my Skills to help.

Youre living in the Verdant? Tara asked incredulously, And here I thought I already had examples from you as to why people shouldnt be allowed to make such egregious mistakes.

Hey! Its not that bad. Its pretty simple, I dont have to worry about other people if I accidentally blow something up. I even met a friendly face. I think that its not a mistake for me, at least. Lots of magic in there, lots of magical plants, lots of ways for me to level my Alchemy.

You met another person living in the Verdant?

Basically, I guess? I ran into Inion, who helped me get my home established and nursed me back to health after a run-in with a panther.

I see. And where is she now?

Outside the city. I was going to bring her in, but the guard at the gate refused her entry on the grounds of her not being a Citizen. Then he stabbed her. Shes fine, for what its worth. But yeah. Granted, she did somewhat bring it on herself, but the guy didnt need to be so rude about it.

Tara sighed, It is the prerogative of the guard to deny entrance to any non-citizens they deem worthy of such, but they should allow an accompanied Outlaw admittance under the escort of a citizen- or adventurer. I endeavor to encourage them to be polite, yet it is not their responsibility nor mine to do so.

Edwin had been marginally hoping the avior might have gotten a talking-to from Tara, and was correspondingly disappointed to find out they wouldnt... but that was a minor matter, Well yeah. I came back because I want to get stuff like flour or oil. Also a new shirt, because he glanced down. Cloak or not, it wasnt hard to tell he didnt have a shirt on, My old one didnt survive the panther attack I mentioned. Plus, he patted his backpack on the floor next to his chair, I have a bunch of talsanenris berries that I was interested in selling. My home is a great climate for them, and I have literally thousands of them.

Talsanenris berries?

Dont you know them? Edwin asked, mildly confused, Theyre super useful.

He flipped open his backpack and withdrew a handful of the white berries, Ive used them in healing potions, theyre a great energy booster, and they seem like they could make supernaturally good fertilizer if processed and used properly.

Tara assessed his handful, Ah, yes. I think Ive seen these before. Common in higher-quality rations. You have thousands, you said? Edwin nodded, Good. I think we can come to some sort of arrangement, then. Once were done here, I will introduce you to Fanir. Hes the Goldclaw- ah, treasurer? Treasurer. Hell be able to connect you to our cooks and medics, who might know more how to deal with your berries and their value. In the meantime... Tara stretched out a hand and grabbed the air, pinching it between her fingers. A moment later, a shimmering silver shirt wove itself into being, and she tossed it to Edwin.

He caught it and assessed the garment. It didnt light up to his mana sense, not that he anticipated that it would. Surprisingly, Identify worked on it.

Armor conjured by a skill of some sort, can be used for magical wall formation too

This was made by that Skill you use for your armor?

Indeed. Tara frowned, How could you tell?

My Almanac skill- the Status evolution- lets me leave notes on Skills. It recognizes this as the same as your armor.

Curious. Regardless, it should last until nightfall at minimum. Was there anything else you require my assistance with?

Well, I suppose I do have a few questions about what this Ally thing entails.