10 The Empire and Centralization

While Achuta was setting up her wares, she spotted a young man looking around the stalls. Achuta waved her hand towards him, grabbing his attention before he came running over.

???: Have your ears recovered? Sorry about the other day, I didn't expect someone to be nearby while I was pulling a mandrake.

This was the hunter that pointed out the directions to the village to her when she was hunting. Since she couldn't hear at the time, she never noticed the difference in language. Instead, they communicated with gestures.

Achuta: It's fine. Thanks for the directions. I didn't know what to do with these spare skins.

???: And I thought you couldn't speak. You have a beautiful voice. Name's Eric of Greenwood, and you?

Achuta: Achuta. Do you know anywhere that sells books?

Eric: The chief has the largest collection in the village. The man is stingy but you may be able to borrow some if you go through his son. Your best bet is to compensate through herbs. That's what I was doing.

While they were speaking, a commotion was beginning to rise. Apparently, the country the village belonged to lost to the Holy Lurik Empire. Due to many of the new policies, the merchants were being put into a tough spot.

Civilian: What do you mean you can't sell us books anymore? Didn't you say they were going to become more common with the new paper making method developed recently?

Merchant: I'm sorry but It's not about productivity but legality. The Empire wants all information to be centralized in the capital. Apparently they want only the best to become better.

The merchant was speaking in bitter frustration, enough to make the rest calm down and reveal pained and understanding looks.

Hunter: That's right. That's why I moved here when my old country was conquered 4 years ago. Will I have to move again?

Youth: You ran away? How cowardly!

Hearing the boy's jab, the hunter was unbothered if a little more resigned. He looked calmly at the boy.

Hunter: A war is not won through bravado boy, It is won through power. My old country fell short by so much, there was no need to fight to know we lost.

The boy wanted to speak again but a large hand held him back as the boy looked up to see his father shaking his head.

Father: The man is right. As an aspiring hunter you should know that Fighting a monster above your strength is suicide.

Hearing his father's words, the boy could only lower his head in frustration. The crowd could only sorrowfully shake their heads.

Eric: It looks like the king surrendered as expected. That's good, at least as good as it can be anyways. I guess you better gather enough funds quickly. It won't be long until the Empire sends its soldiers to collect.

Eric looked at the girl solemnly. She would have taken him seriously if his eyes weren't sparkling as if asking for praise. In the end, the aspiring young hunter was degraded to a puppy in Achuta's eyes.

After patting his head, she sold her skins for a few copper. Despite her efforts, her dismantling skills were limited by the lack of experience and so she was only able to sell 3 or 4 skins even after lowering her price. pursing her lips in mild discontent, she decided to put more effort in increasing her control and dexterity before heading home.