What?!

His eldest brother is back?

First time I hear about that.

[There is only one thing to do now.]

"We'll go check it out?"

[Naw, gotta put this stuff in first …I mean c'mon.]

"Ah, true that."

And thus to the stupefaction of the messenger, we head inside.

He says to leave the worthless furniture and to follow him.

That is when the kid turns toward him.

"Should I mention that these so-called worthless items are something we can't even afford with our family's wealth?"

We keep working while the dumbfounded guard is standing still.

In the meantime, the old man's nephew already left.

Not long afterward it is done.

If this was a shop management minigame I would have boosted a few stats with these.

The sales: Customers are more likely to buy more since they'll try it here and bring some home too.

The attract: Customers are more likely to visit to store in the first place. They'll see people enjoying themselves with the delicacies. Yes, a pie classifies as one.

The prices too. It's possible to boost up the prices when you offer a service.

This is awesome.

Now I just need to find some guy to enchant that stuff.

You know something that makes them happy whenever they sit here.

Hehe, I wonder if that kind of thing is possible.

If it is there may be regulations against it.

The old man comes around and gives a huge thumbs up.

That almost felt like a cameo haha.

[Finally done. You know what this means?]

"We can go visit my brother?"

[Yep.]

Wolfie follows us …the messenger is still observing the furniture.

Guess he'll be our first customer or something haha.

[So what is up with your eldest brother?]

"He's the one that will take charge of the family business."

[What about your other brother? Why did he leave to become a captain at another city?]

"He never had any interest toward the family's business."

[How come?]

"Well, he always said that we would manage with the three of us. That his participation wasn't necessary. Something about earning his keep himself."

[Isn't managing a family something noble?]

"Yes, but he always denied our business."

[How come?]

"As you probably know we are in the trade of gems. We have a few mines."

Yeah…totally knew that of course.

"He never really agreed to what he calls turning the death into shiny gems."

[Slaves?]

"Very much so."

In other circumstances, we could have very well become enemies.

Had I been sold as a slave upon appearing at the Moon Keep…

Back Then I didn't know my own powers.

To be fair I can barely use them still, but I'm not as weak anymore.

I would have probably slaughtered my way out.

Actually even recently if divine energy couldn't deal with a slave contract directly it would have ended up the same.

We would have turned enemies.

[You, what do you think?]

"I think if we aren't the ones doing it someone else will."

[You'll use that reason to excuse any evil you commit?]

"No, I have been thinking about that a lot. Something I have never really shared with others either, to be honest."

[Go on.]

"If we don't use slaves, they will simply end up somewhere else and die miserable deaths. Instead, I would use them but try to give them slightly better living conditions."

[You would not remain competitive that way, no?]

"True, that would diminish the profit, but it might just be worth it."

[What if because of this you lack funds to grow your business faster?]

"Sometimes power does not always come from money. It is great and all but turning it to something actually useful is hard."

[Is that why you have been paying visits to the church of Gluto?]

"Yes and no. I do hope to receive his help, but I also enjoy visiting him too. There is no scheming. No trouble either. *Sigh*."

[What happens if instead of being grateful the slaves take you for a soft persimmon and revolt?]

"Soft …what?"

[They believe you are weak.]

"Then we just have to prove them otherwise. You pick the most recalcitrant one and you beat him up long and hard enough so none of the others even think of escaping."

[Wouldn't that simply make you evil?]

"Perhaps. I have never claimed to be just either."

[Then what exactly do you want to be?]

"I want to protect my family. Hopefully without compromising my morals. I will if needed, however."

[What morals are you talking about exactly?]

"You know about the righteous sects, right?"

[Kinda.]

"Well, there are rules to our conduct."

[Our?]

"Yeah, we worship Exca the collector. The one that brings wealth to the world."

[How does that work?]

"Legends say humanity used to be simple and underdeveloped.

That is until Exca gave it the gift of wealth.

From the depth of the earth, he made emerge countless minerals and gems.

With the first, he allowed us to forge weapons to defend ourselves.

With the latter, he made it possible to defend our cities and loved ones.."

[Enchanting? Nice! Why have I never seen an enchanted blade getting sold then?]

"Eh, this is the sad part. He is only the collector. He used to have allies that would help him turn all of this into works of wonder."

[Used to?]

"Indeed, enchanting is a lost art in this place."

[So what do people use your products for then?]

"Mostly formations. Remnant of the past. Using gems to power them. The huge formation around the city is a good example."

[Then one day it will be destroyed because of missing maintenance?]

"Should be fine, Compromis somehow managed to give his followers the knowledge required for that specific one."

[I see, then there probably aren't that many buyers, no?]

"Well, people use them as vanity items or life-saving items. Both defensively and offensively."

[How so?]

"One can always use the mana contained in a gem to recuperate one's power fast."

So quite like an energy pill.

[What about the other option?]

"You simply put the mana inside into disarray and throw the gem."

[Then?]

"Then it explodes."

[Wow!]

"Here we are, he should be coming from this gate soon."

Ah, seems we've been walking for a while.

I was too engrossed in our conversation.

Time to meet the eldest brother I guess…