《The Butcher of Gadobhra》Chapter 116: Bedtime for Bonzo
Advertisement
Billy climbed down from the statue and waved the workers over to the building. There was a half flight of wide stairs up to a landing before immense double doors made of huge slabs of oak, bound in iron. Billy stomped his foot twice. The doors opened slowly. Each was ten feet tall and five feet wide. They entire first story was one large room with wide curving stairs heading up to the second floor. Crystal lights hung from long chains, producing a soft glow.
"Here it is! ACME headquarters. Have to get it fixed up a bit. Furniture, a wine bar, maybe some artwork."
Rolly and Ben were helpful as usual. "A stuffed moose would look good."
"And some statues of wood nymphs."
Billy considered. "No, good ideas, but this is ACME, we have to be tasteful and make a statement that sums up our corporate ideals.
Ben and Rolly looked at each other before Rolly shouted out their next idea. "So maybe something like a god of war standing on top of a pile of skulls with upraised sword?" Ben had pulled a notebook from somewhere and quickly sketched something out. "How about this?"
Billy grabbed the drawing, noting that somehow Ben had gotten ahold of real paper, not parchment. He lost the thought when he saw the drawing. "Exactly! This is perfect. It's subtle but gets the point across. I'll have to make sure to assign one of the new workers to be a sculptor."
Suzette knew who was going to have to feed new workers, she wanted details. "Can you tell me when they are getting here Baron Billy? I want to make sure I can feed them all somehow? "
Layla smiled at Suzette. "Oh, don't worry dear, you have plenty of time. The next hundred people don't show up until tomorrow morning. I'm sure you can handle the details. Remember your deal to keep that little tavern of yours. Or would it be easier to just give your half of the rubble back to ACME and not have to worry about it? We can be flexible."
Advertisement
Suzettes’ eyes got big. "Oh, but how could I be The Lonely Barmaid without a bar?
Suzette turned to Layla with a somewhat vacant smile. "Oh no, Baroness, I couldn't let you down that way. I'll get right to work on things. Why, you're going to be so surprised by how much I can do in a day. I bet I can get that pile of rubble looking much better." She nodded her head and turned to the other workers. Come on guys, we've got a lot to do!"
Billy grabbed Layla by the arm, "Come on! Time to look at the top floors. Ben! I need you! You can sketch out all my ideas and we'll get things started." Billy had a strange excitement about him that was worrying Layla as she hurried to catch up with him. "We'll want banks on each corner of the main square and we need to leave room for a stock exchange, a couple of hotels, and one of those 'we used to control the internet before it burned companies'. I want the first ring to be top notch businesses. They can pay the most."
"Sound good Layla?"
"Let's say I have some doubts." Staring down at the ruins she tried to get Billy to pay attention. "I see a lot of rubble. Hard sell until those are buildings and you have people."
Billy waved her off. "How about you Ben, what do you think?"
"Honestly?" Ben knew employers rarely took honest criticism well. Billy kept nodding at him. Ben just shrugged his shoulders and started reading off a list he had been making. "I think it sounds great...if we at that point of the story. We aren't. Might be lack of sleep, or dealing with ancient...well, whatever this place is. But you're not your usual self."
Advertisement
Billy sighed theatrically. "No one is seeing what I'm trying to say."
Ben walked up, stooped a bit to look Billy directly in the eyes and said, "You sound like Vern. You can't beat Vern at his own game. You beat him at your game."
Billy took a step back and his eyes narrowed. "Oh, so what are your ideas, Mr. 'oh so knowledgeable' contract work?"
Ben looked at his list. "Secure housing for 200 contract workers. If you have 100 coming in tomorrow, I expect you'll want even more after that. We start on a series of simple housing. Nothing elaborate like the barracks."
"Food is next. We need to bring in additional food stuffs until we get more fields planted. Ever bushel of corn you buy from merchants is money you don't have for this place."
"Assigning roles. You need more builders for Jorges crew, and hopefully there are some with engineering or architecture back grounds. I'm also going to go through the people we already have. Ozzy had a hand in picking them, and he knew their strengths. You need at least two furniture makers, a seamstress or costume maker, a fine metal smith, more carpenters, more stonemasons, a LOT more farmers. And a team of spelunkers."
Layla was nodding as he talked, Billy was just rolling his eyes. "Spelunkers?"
Ben waved at the city, "You have no idea how riddled with caverns, sewers, and tunnels this area is. Or how far down they go. You don't want a building sinking into the group. And you don't want to sell a dungeon to someone cheap because you rented the land above it."
Billy's eyes glazed over. "Most of that is Sedgewick stuff. This is Gadobhra. Fine, you go handle all that shit. Back to important stuff."
Ben pointed off towards the castle. "And you'll want to refurbish that old opera house ASAP." Billy jerked at the mention of an opera house. As he turned, Ben reached out and grab his shoulder. Billy collapsed instantly." Layla caught him as he fell.
"Thanks, I couldn't listen to him for another minute. I was about to push him over the edge. How the hell did you do that?"
Ben looked slightly embarrassed. "I had to learn it for 'Space trek: the musical. I played an Andorian/Vulcan crew member and the director wanted it to look real. We had to close the show when the lead actor fell and broke his nose."
Layla let out a little girl scream of joy. "OMYGOD! You were Blue Vulcan! That's hysterical. I'm not sure i should get your autograph or toss you over the edge along with Billy."
That was pretty the typical reaction Ben got. "How about we compromise at me packing his Lordship back to Sedgewick and putting him to bed. He's showing classic signs of exhaustion. Then I'll get to work on this list."
Layla grabbed Billy and effortlessly tossed him to her shoulders. "I'll get him. I swear I've been packing his ass around since we were interns."
Ben didn't argue. She obviously outclassed him in STR. The trip back to Sedgewick took 20 minutes. Billy
Advertisement
Rise of the Realm (Dungeon Core)
Dungeons are probably amongst the strangest creatures in the world, creating vast labyrinths and wonders to explore. This is the story of one such dungeon as he makes his first shaky steps into the world, and all of the horror and majesty he will bring into the world. (This is my first fiction and I would appreciate any constructive criticism) Note: Litrpg elements start around chapter nine, and the story is a little slow at first. (copyright 2021) Release Schedule: weekly on Fridays
8 110The Light Bringer
Would you leave behind everything you knew to live the life of another version of yourself? A version from a land where status sceens, levels, dwarfs, elves, beastkin and monsters were real? A world where limits were not set in stone and danger or adventure could be around every corner? If you stopped and thought about it, I think you would conclude it was a bad idea. But for a guy like William Taylor who actually got to make this theoretical choice, he chose yes. He's learning to regret that very quickly. But maybe one day he won't, if he lives long enough ------ Just some details about what this story will be like. This is more a character story than a story about leveling up and becoming OP. That may happen in time but don't expect it any time too soon. The MC has no powers that he brings into the world. He just has to do the best he can with his wits, knowledge and will to succeed. Also it's only fair to warn people this series has a bit of a slow start. 1 chapter a week with occasional bonus chapters.
8 185Virus PZDC-21
Horrible virus spreads all over the planet.
8 147Mythological Weapons
In a world where awakeners - human beings who awakened their powers due to the appearance of dungeons hundreds of years ago - fight monsters inside dungeons daily to earn money and increase their ranks, Shiryuu Ackford - a Vicenarian guy - was doing things his own way. In order to discover the truth of a tragedy that happened while he was younger, he went through his journey to find the truth and discover the real history of the world. After receiving a magical weapon in one of his raids and a series of fortunate and unfortunate events, he set his mind on getting stronger and shedding the light on the hidden truth, while struggling between the clash of good and evil.In his adventure to get stronger, find the truth and discern the good and evil, Shiryuu will stumble upon breathtaking mysteries, fight never-seen enemies, and take life-changing decisions. Prepare to set sail on this adventure with Shiryuu and discover for yourselves the real truth behind the lore of the world.
8 98The War of Cinders - (Broken World)
"This world is as much the end of us, as it is the beginning of something completely new." - Unkown "My dear colleagues, esteemed thaumaturges and students, for over three thousand years we have endured the superstition of religious men, praying to so called gods, and calling us heretics. But today I am proud to tell you no more, because I will prove to all of you that these gods are nothing more than men with too much power!" This opening to a speech of the powerful Magi Suralzar was chiselled into the front gates of the greatest Thaumaturgical University of its time, for they have led to the most horrible and devastating catastrophe in human history.Now almost one-hundred years later the remnants of this world are thrown into another calamity, as the Sibalien Empire, led by Emperor Angus Bloomest the Third, seeks to subjugate each and every other nation for their almighty god. Follow a myriad of distinct individuals: A genderfluid Magi having lost their ambition, a steadfast Palladin who has only corruption on her mind, a lesbian Acolyte with more than a handfull of dirty secrets, a morally questionable Smith teaching a Golem? about life, a speach impaired assassin with out memory, . . .Each one of them has their own desires and motives, as they try to survive in these troubling times. They may have no knowledge of each other but their fates are about to intertwine in an epic world spanning adventure of love, hate, magic and the occasional murder.
8 68The Martian Bootcamp
Druin is dropped from the sky into a wasteland with a fucked up shoulder. Having lost his memories, he decides to explore this new world of talking wolves, dangerous forests and a cast of wisecracking dieties. And all the while trying to figure who he is and where he arrived from. The bootcamp is a wargame webnovel built on the premise of a large scale war with plotting gods, a ragtag group of adventurers and never ending conspiracies.
8 167