Tal Salunbal VI

Small volume, hmm… we just came upon it in the Underdark, haven't found much use for crafting the bars just yet with new machinery…

"Would you be willing to maybe assist in the symbol creation?" Gazi asked her. She glanced at him for a moment, then sighed.

"And if I do so?"

"We would provide copies of the tools we have in the creation of the mana bars."

We have samples of the bars already from the Underdark. While we're performing experimentation on it, the tools might speed the process up. Plus, it doesn't really hurt my empire if I help them in this endeavor.

A call was sent to her through coms by Will as she continued the conversation with the sultan about the other projects below, agreeing to help with the alteration. There was a rudimentary steam engine being crafted using coal, with them finally figuring out the complete design, they just needed to understand how to release pressure to stop it from breaking after only a few uses. Selene casually informed them when they questioned about the design that she'd offer the answer only after trade had started, that she received the Hanasafa salt and that both sides proved they were able to work within the agreements they both signed. It would take some time, though Gazi seemed very optimistic. "I do believe in the next few months we will both see that an alliance could come about. It is next to impossible to find another that is so interested in science instead of just relying on magic. The feeling of complacency everywhere else feels… wrong…"

"I know what you mean. We'll see what will happen, though if it is what you believe it will be, I don't see a problem with providing some clues to help your scientists over the hurdles that they reach with their advancements once in a while." The empress opened the communication channel to her chief of staff as Gazi smiled.

"Sorry to disturb you during your trip to Tal Salunbal ma'am, but you wanted us to let you know about any new events regarding the dwarves or our borders."

"Go ahead," she replied silently as Tariq was brought up to the rooftop after looking at some of the new contraptions they were working on down below. Selene felt it was so strange for them to just openly show off their advancements to her, a ruler of a foreign nation, entrusting her with that information as if she wouldn't just try and take it away. It made no sense to her at all that he could be so forthcoming with someone he had negotiated with for the past few days.

I doubt Gazi is stupid, not by any means. He probably has a good feeling about me, he's probably had that feeling since we met… highly empathic, maybe? While that's not something to always stick with, as plenty of people can backstab with a smile etched on their faces, at least he met me before some other random psycho willing to use his optimism against his nation. Still… this all makes me concerned about holding back so much from my subjects; they don't have any of this, with most of the similar projects niche toys they are playing around with right now. I wonder if I'm doing this all wrong…

"They're in open civil war. Apparently, the government has broken down to untenable levels with the nobles now pointing fingers after an incident that happened two days ago, an assassination attempt along with ruining a mineshaft somehow. They're unsure who did it, other than it was internal with no outside interference. Yes, we are in the clear in their eyes, surprisingly. On top of that, one of the houses is about to reach the research lab they have going that is experimenting with the copper dragon eggs. It's doubtful they can find much use for the eggs beyond a bargaining chip."

"Well, that can't be good. I thought I wasn't going to need to deal with them again so soon; they've really degraded… can we get strike teams to head in if an envoy arrives to ask for help?"

"We're not sure anyone will come to ask for our assistance in the matter, preferring to die to stupidity rather than have empire intervention. The civilians, however, don't see the same way, and there are refugees already abandoning the fortress. Wait… never mind, someone just arrived at the gates of Sweet Water Harbor. They're requesting an audience, a noblewoman."

"I'm a little busy, can we send a diplomat? I still haven't spoken to the Seong Neow Republic yet on my trip, and Aldemir was going to show me the monastery just before I start heading back. That doesn't include all the other meetings within the next week." Tariq beamed at her as he pointed to the hot air balloon, marveling at its capability. While he had seen wizards fly with spells, he was unable to use magic himself, being a regular human like much of the populace was over the continent. This was something he could understand, he could control. It made the average human feel as powerful as a wizard.

"They are… from initial reports… quite adamant in having you present."

"Well I don't give a fuck after the response I got last time really, I thought we had concluded our negotiations; we leave them alone, they leave us alone. I got my bunker ripped out of their mountain, they don't worry about us interfering with any crap they start unless it pours out into the lands beyond their front door."

"They're offering up a copper dragon egg as payment for your time." Selene gave a long blink in surprise, then frowned.

FUCK. That causes issues, it doesn't help me! The dragons will flip out if they know about what happened to the brood in the fortress, they might demand annihilation or punishment or… something! Damn it!

"That's damaged goods to us, isn't it…"

"It… could cause a disturbance that the dragons may find needs our intervention… if they find out, of course."

"It isn't being waved around like a bag of coins, is it? Concealed and well protected? We'll just say it was found in a cave in Artel Mountains as if the dwarves never got their hands on it. How many of the others were used for whatever crazy experiment is hidden down there?"

"Seven, none of which have actually been experimented on yet. The project is on hold, with little actually done for preparation. It's only been a month, we expected years before any fruit was born from their labor. This means we might be able to attain the remainder without any more complications." Selene sighed as Aldemir and Gazi watched her. A small report showed on her Hud that provided data on the lab. Six copper dragon eggs completely untouched, excluding the one that was being carried around by the dwarf noblewoman in Sweet Water; however, there were numerous vats of… something… sitting nearby in their hastily built lab. The first thought was of a chemical mixture they somehow concocted with runecraft to speed up the growth of whatever was bathed in it, though it might not even be ready yet.

This might be a way to finally get those idiots to stop trying to kill themselves, push them in a corner and give them little toys to play with instead of allowing them to poke at the gun snuck from the nightstand.

"Is something wrong, Empress Selene?" Gazi asked her.

"Ah, uh, nothing! Nothing at all! Just a little distracted and running ideas through my head." She tried to smile at them to disarm their concern, darting her eyes over to Tariq, who was holding a small necklace in his hand. Aldemir cleared his throat as the sultan looked between the woman and the monk commander.

"Ah, uh… I believe a tour of the monastery might be in order now… uh, come, come! We can talk about new advancements again at a later date, I'm sure. I can definitely tell we will be meeting each other far more often," Gazi said as he broke up the awkward silence.

"Will we be able to visit the Clockwork Empire?" Tariq asked his father.

"Of course you will, I'll make sure there are rooms ready at a moment's notice. We still haven't finished your tour of the empire yet, have we?" Selene interjected before his father could respond. Gazi nodded in acceptance to this, hoping to see just what their neighbors had created. Meanwhile, in her mind, he was so open and trusting to her. She had no idea how many assassination attempts there had been on him or his family, how many times he had needed to deal with the rich who tried to control him. He didn't have the luxury of an almost endless treasury like she did. He had to make hard choices to take care of his people and weave them a new future. The dev didn't want to harm any of that.

They really could be strong allies if I play my cards right, at least when it comes to talking with other countries. I can only imagine them advancing into a new age, or even going the way of steampunk. Not everything needs to be a part of my empire, there can be some diversity in leadership if it's done right. His people, at least most of them, enjoy his rule. Tariq will grow into a fine young man as well.

The monastery visit was slow, with demonstrations of what the apprentices were learning, how well they were faring, at what rituals they went through. The empress knew all of this already, noting a screw up in their administration of inks during one such event. They were under the impression that one ritual was sacrificing of their own bodies so that others around them could heal, acting as a beacon for a party that was heavily wounded. It turned out that the mixture was completely wrong, a miscommunication from the scriptures they had read. There was no reason for the monks to harm themselves, using healing salves and poultices in a fifty-fifty combination with the woad ink to drastically increase the speed of recuperation for all of them. This was on top of the anesthetic recommendation.

The sparring sessions were impressive, with Selene getting a chance to really see them in action, at least the younger warriors still in training. Aldemir watched her with keen interest, knowing now that she really was the one who created the basis behind their faith. He was heavily conflicted now between his loyalty for his sultan… and her. For all intents and purposes, she was the messiah that started everything, even without being there or physically acting to create their beliefs in the first place. It rattled him, as the one who built the monastery, the founder of Tal Salunbal… was himself following her teachings. "Empress Selene."

The dev stopped watching the show as another group of teenagers stepped forward and grabbed their weapons, ready to test their mettle against each other. She wondered what he was so worried about. "Yes?"

"Did you ever meet Mazef Niam Razim?"

"I… I somewhat remember him from a meeting a long time ago, we… well, let's just say our work interconnected at that point in history." The name did ring a bell for her, as the man was a prince that was investing in game companies, trying to revitalize his country. The empress didn't really know much about him beyond the minor facts in his online biography; he was filthy rich, and he had a knack for finding talent to work on the next generation of game technology, becoming a videogame mogul as it were. His actions tended to bring about new revolutionary ideas, not always from the companies he invested in, but the competition.

He had scouted me out to lead a think tank at one point, what, ten years ago? It never panned out as my schedule could never keep up with any meetings or dinners he asked me to. I kind of wonder what would have happened if I had taken that chance… the pay was pretty damn high, probably should have… but then I wouldn't be here…

"How… old are you…?" he asked quietly. Gazi looked at him sternly, and he became silent.

"For your information, normally it's considered poor form to ask a woman her age; add that to your manners for future reference."

"My… apologies for saying that. I will remember that rule."

"For the record, I'm not as old as you believe I am. Things are… complicated with who is where." Her answer hid the fact she didn't quite understand why players were being launched to different times in history for this world. She didn't even know what the time skip was between each placement or if it was random.

The tour of the monastery ended after two hours, reviewing the armory and equipment usage, knowing of how many monks were currently available. It was mostly meant to warn her they would defend themselves and were very capable of doing so if anyone attempted anything, regardless of if her military could wipe them out. There were mostly crossbows with staves, though some standardized arquebuses were sitting lined in a weapon rack with a hook at the end. No armor was seen anywhere. The regular guards were seen to have full chain mail with some plating, halberds, and falchions. Each one also had a partner with an arquebus for ranged support, with archers in rear groups for volleys.

They have gunpowder, not just mana cannons like Artinia had. Few siege weapons, almost nonexistent large weapons… they have explosives in large numbers.

"You may be wondering why we allow you to see all of this," Gazi told her as they walked out slowly to the waiting escort back to the palace. The sunset was beautiful as it gave the woman a chance to see the hills to the east, beyond having the ocean that she thought was still the Atlantic.

"You want me to see how much you've progressed, both militarily and economically. It's to make sure I know you are a threat to those that do something underhanded. I don't see you as a threat, in either direction." He let out a dry chuckle.

"I am guilty as charged for that. None of this worries you, does it? I did not mean it in that way towards your empire."

"Not in the slightest. However, you shouldn't worry as well." She stopped and looked up at him, her honor guard milling about around the group. "What I'm seeing is the need to defend your people with science as well as magic. You're also doing whatever you can to improve their lives. Your monks of the Hidden Path have shown self-control, with no intent to try and conquer others; you're holding back in hopes of peace and a better future. You're in luck; I'm very much impressed compared to Artinia. I… may not provide every answer to your questions with advancing your technology… but we could invest if you need funding." The sultan had a giant grin on his face, making his cheeks almost hurt. His chest swelled with pride at the compliment.

"I believe this is the start of a fantastic relationship between our two nations." A small alarm went off in her Hud, informing her it was time to finally leave. The empress told him her time was up, after such a long trip to speak with him. In the entire time she was in Tal Salunbal, the dev had seen much of the land, observing their markets and trade. Their wares were still exotic to her subjects, definitely ready to be bought by nobles and middle class alike.

"Next time, I hope to meet your wife."

"Indeed, it will be difficult to nail her down long enough to have dinner with us. You know she has created twelve new trade routes across the seas, with ports contracted along the way?" They continued heading back to the palace and towards the waiting helibot. Multiple automatons were sitting next to the transport, watching the guards who were wary of them.

"I should probably ask her where they dock so we can send our own merchant vessels along, get a convoy going for both of our interests. It'll keep pirates from attempting anything." He motioned at her with both hands, his face lighting up.

"Exactly! That would do so much to allow goods to reach us! Both of our nations would prosper!" Both of them stopped at the waiting stairway, with Tariq trying to keep his chin up but failing. She kneeled down and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Your father will send an envoy to warn me of a future meeting, so don't look so sad I'm leaving. I'm looking forward to the visits."

"Very well, I understand. Until next we meet, Empress Selene."

"I know about that bag of sweets she gave you, Tariq… you may have two, no more until tomorrow," Gazi informed him sternly. The dev stood up and put her hands up in surrender.

"Guilty as charged, sorry."

"It's alright, I simply do not wish for him to ruin his appetite for our evening meal and prayer."

"Yes, father." A quick shake of the empress and sultan's hands, then she was inside the flying vehicle, heading back to Majesty's Grace. Once aboard, Adesha was waiting for her in the docking bay. The ambassador past by, heading for the small office provided to duplicate paperwork and review what had transpired before with the dwarves, to look for an opportunity that the empress could use.

"How was the trip today, your majesty?" she asked.

"I did well, pleased with the results. We have a guaranteed non-aggression pact, multiple trade routes with protection details provided for any convoys on either side of our borders, a slew of samples to hand back to Nikola and Robert, even some investment opportunities I can have posted for the rich to spend their money on to try and create some healthy competition. I even got quite a few history books. All in all, I honestly can't wait until we get some sort of an alliance."

Even if the alliance is entirely economical for my citizens. Still… if we help them build up, Gazi was willing to sell some of the creations to my people. It could speed up the whole process of entering them into the next age if another nation has the same luxuries. I wouldn't have to worry about them sitting around in the Renaissance Era, using our neighbor as a guinea pig of sorts while helping them reach a better future.

"Shall we head home?" the white-haired battle maid asked.

"Yes, as much as I did enjoy this trip compared to all the others, I'm tired and want to be at the castle. We'll head back out to meet with the Seong Neow Republic at a later date. Too many other things are popping up, and it isn't as if they want me to show up at the end of the year."

"That is quite understandable, empress. We'll have your supper ready soon." The air fleet turned around and slowly headed back towards the empire's borders, with no order given to teleport just yet. It was one of the rare times the dev got a chance to look out the windows and just enjoy the view of the land below without cannons going off or fighters flying in an aggressive formation. There was nothing to fight right now, just focusing on building her country up and making a few friends in other nations. She didn't yet know that eventually, somehow, things were going to happen that would drag her into something world encompassing.

Meanwhile

Far to the north in the lands that still vaguely resembled Europe, right in the center of a fairly prosperous city, was a fortress of incredible size. Hidden in the center was a throne room that sat a man covered from head to toe in black armor, surrounded by hundreds of loyal followers that seemed to have a blank stare in their eyes, all incredibly strong… at least by this world's standards. Two women fawned over his hands and feet, providing a manicure and pedicure as he just grinned with a paper read to him. "Your majesty… Ainz Ooal Gown is sending a scout flotilla to the area you… you called… North America… there are also new ships that have not been finished just yet in the south. It seems our actions have slowed their progress in expanding across the world, allowing us to continue with our… your… plans."

"Excellent. I'm going to show him once and for all, show everyone what the true number one guild can do. No one is ever going to shame me again..." He slowly broke into laughter, looking up at a window above that shown light from the moon getting brighter above.