23 The Value of Technology.

Reis arranged a meeting with craftsman family. Their craftsmanship was once almost on par with Goblin's gears but time wasn't merciful. Every generation was less talented and most of their technologies were lost. Even in this kind of situation, their pride and dignity were still high.

(What a hypocrisy...Maybe they had smart ancestors, yet a current generation is a group of morons. Let's see if they are worthy of developing...if not I will use them as merchant proxy.)

Goblins were once the race that could create miracles. The current state of this race is mindless beasts. Some people use them as slaves, well trained they serve as good workers.

The meeting was arranged at noon the next day. Neo and Aron came in robes covering their bodies and only Reis was showing his appearance openly.

"Fallen merchant, what's the purpose coming here? We refused your offer once and we will do it again! You are wasting time, get out!" The man was angry with Reis appearance. The man really despised merchants and he might be right.

"I am sorry but this time, I don't represent my merchant family. My job is to assist my master, over there." He pointed at Neo, who was standing and waiting for the right occasion.

"You work for the kid? The rumors of you losing your mind were true! Stop wasting my time..."

Before he finished the last sentence, Neo interrupted him with his speech.

"Proud like a peacock but unfortunately you lost all of your feathers...Reis stop wasting time, any person is better than an old man with delusions!" Neo said with a smirk on his face. He made a move as he was ready to leave.

"Take those words back, kid! My family was..."

"You are right! Your family was talented and crafty, however, it's only past...Stop wasting my time..."

Neo decided to ridicule them and analyze their reaction.

"How can a kid like you know, what we are feeling now? Do you think it's easy to be a generation of wastes? Our ancestors rivaled with goblins in genius, yet we are barely holding out as a family in this city! I would give up everything to regain the glory of my family! Don't judge us because YOU KNOW NOTHING KID!" The man was angry beyond recognition, the all held emotions, and regrets. His words were honest and filled with sorrow and feel of shame.

"I might know nothing! There is one thing that I know more than anyone!IT'S SCIENCE! I can give you a chance to regain your glory but..." He stopped in the middle of his words and shook his head.

"Kid, what's it? Tell me! I am ready to do anything to honor my ancestors!"

"We cannot talk here. If you want to know answers, come to our mansion." He said and they left.

"Kid..." The man tried to stop them but they already disappeared.

A few hundred meters away.

"Do you think that he will come to us?" Aron asked Neo with curiosity in tone. He couldn't sometimes understand the actions of his master.

"Would you come? I will answer for you! You would come! Do you know what I saw in his eyes? It was misery. I am sure that they will be reduced to ordinary citizens in the next few months. At least, if they won't do anything to prevent this. Let's wait and see! I would come here, even out of curiosity!"

The Neo explained his thoughts to Aron and he understood. The situation was similar to his own. Neo was like the devil that will come to you when you are weakest. It was the situation when you could be easily manipulated and he used it well. The difference was the consequences of making deals with Neo, it was only positive. It was the best decisions in Aron's life.

Neo came back to his room to continue writing down the books. The knowledge gap was too big and he needed to fill it himself.

The sun was almost going to hide behind the horizon. The mansion had visitors. The man from before with two other people came.

"So? You want to know the solution, right. Why should I give it to you? In a few more months, none will even remember about your family...Tell me? Why should I help you?"

The Neo was playing with them. The reason of they being here was that it was the only ray of hope. All others were like vultures watching them die. Although Neo mocked them, he was honest about them.

"We are ready to give up our lives for the family! If you have the solution, then trade with us!"

"I like your resolution. Although you are useless, it isn't hard to let you come back into prosperity. Are you ready to join me? You can be part of something bigger! Things that your ancestors created will be nothing, comparing to your future inventions! What's your choice?"

"I don't know. You showed us nothing and said big words. Although, we have to lose. If we lose our dignity before losing everything else. It's not worth it! " They couldn't follow little kid in his wild imagination. They needed some evidence or it would be a stupid risk. Neo wasn't surprised, it was a rational move. He took out a paper sheet that aroused the interest of the men, and he started to draw something. Time passed, more and more lines started appearing one after another. It was the design of the piston water pump.

"It's the water pump relying on..." The explanation was simple and it was shocking that something so simple could actually do something so incredible.

"This device is the only tip of the iceberg. So?" Neo asked them once again. This was the last chance if they refuse. He doesn't need them that much. There will be another family that accepts his offer.

"We are convinced! What do you want us to do!"

"It's easy! You only need become my subordinates. Your entire family will follow me from now on..."

He explained the contract and other things. The contract was actually the scariest thing to the people, yet they needed to make deal with the devil.

These men were part of the organization from this very moment.

(They will sell the paper to the world. The water pump is a good idea too. The simpler inventions wouldn't arouse any suspicion. Before giving them, the designs in need them to be completely loyal to me.)

The procedures were strict. Neo didn't control people minds, he just wanted to be sure that they won't betray him, in any possible way, willingly or not.