Because of obvious reasons, the party at "Merchant's king" mansion ended sooner. The information about riot quickly spread across the guests, as well as information about the deaths of many merchants and lesser nobles that were involved in the slave-trade. Why only lesser nobles and lesser merchants? Because richer one had better security, I doubted that Rosewood ever owned a slave or was involved in people-traffic (he had too much to lose to risk getting involved into such a dirty business), but even if – he owned his own small army to protect his mansion (few of them were former adventurers of medium or high rank). He was more than just safe behind the walls of his property.

But that aside – after the guests left (under the escort of guards, of course) I found myself sitting one more time in the office of Rosewood, this time occupied by him, me and Chairman Polymus in the escort of the two Sentinels that were recently used to wipe the dancing floor (by humble "me"). Giselle was also sitting in the corner of the room, far from the main table uninterested in our little gathering. Instead, the servants brought her “leftovers” from the feast and few bottles of rich alcohol (the leftovers were no less than whole plates of untouched food, more than enough to feed a whole garrison – or one dragoness).

“Once again, I am really sorry for the misunderstanding that my underlings caused. I take whole responsibility for their actions…”

Archmage started the conversation. He was saying that only as a form of courtesy. I was supposed to answer something along the line like “mistakes are bound to happen” or “I will forget about it for no one got hurt” – that would be the most gentleman-like response.

But as I was far from being a gentleman, I instead answered:

“Good that you are aware of that. When the right time would come, I will remind you about it waiting for gratification. And I don’t mean money. You owe me, chairman, more than you can imagine.”

Rosewood’s poker face was perfect, yet I knew that deep in his guts he was laughing at this display of arrogance.

“A-anyway. We have quite a situation going on in the city, and we have to react accordingly.” “As for me, you got what you deserved – as country and the city. Last time I checked slavery was illegal in Neira, yet here you managed to get yourself a whole slave uprising. Not a single slave, not two, nor ten. It wasn’t a sin of one or two criminals, and somehow I can’t believe that you didn’t know about it, senator.” “Mister Whiteraven! It is very unwise to throw such accusations! It’s not even about being diplomatic, but to taunt people with certain positions without proofs can only bring you harm!” “Either you knew about it and chose to do nothing – because maintaining status quo was beneficial for you; or leader of the most influential political organization; schooling department and owner of one of the most fearsome special forces knew nothing about the procedure that hundreds of people were involved in. Either you allowed yourself to be uninformed by lack of competences of your people, or you chose the action that in long term would generated lowest losses... or maybe greatest gains?. Pick the option you prefer, as for me – both of them are equally bad; but I chose to not treat you like a fool that knows nothing about what is happening in his country.”

Chairman gritted his teeth, yet said nothing. I have merely vocalized the obvious – the obvious which was supposed to remain unspoken - by every sane person, that is.

“Still, Zariel…” senator stopped addressing me with honorifics “…you should also treat this matter more seriously. Whoever did it tried putting blame on you, the area where fighting took place literally reeked with the signature of your magic… Someone managed to copy it and then throw it all across the city…” “I wasn’t copied. It was my mana. Literally.”

Everyone (except for Giselle, that has no idea what was going on as she was pouring another glass of whiskey down her throat) looked at me with gaze demanding the answer.

“I believe that you know about Kleir’s experiments?” I bluffed. It was nothing but speculations on my part that old professor was involved in it, yet, taking into consideration facts - he was the only one that had access to my pure DNA, in the end, I gave it to him willingly. “… I was told that every abomination he created was eradicated.”

So, in the end, Kleir was playing with my samples. Quite skillfully, atop of that. And old fart knew about it. And his "creations". And chose to remain silent about it in front of me.

“One of the creatures managed to survive. It regenerated, advanced in genetical structure and found me. For the past few weeks, it was even living with me.” “AND YOU DIDN’T REPORT IT!?” Polymus jumped off his chair hitting the table with both his hands “To who? To the organization that neglected their side of the deal? No, not only neglected, but willingly broke it? You, as the academy, were supposed to merely check the properties of my body for scientific purposes, not to create your own small army of tiny monsters.” “Kleir… didn’t consult it with his superiors…” “One – right now I can’t allow myself to believe but a single word you are saying now; two – even if it was the truth – he is a member of your academy. Of your Senate. It is your duty to know what is happening within your own organization. Or hire only those people you can trust. Or in case you have to hire people you don’t trust – hire some additional people to watch over those you don’t trust. The blame is all on you, and you have no idea how furious I am right now.” I said looking at him with a death-cold glare. “I…I…” “Your institution tried to… FUCKING WEAPONIZE ME! How many times I have mentioned I wish to have NOTHING IN COMMON with you? You betrayed this little trust I had. And you dare to demand from me REPORTING TO YOU?! You are either very arrogant or completely spineless – and it is said by person that has morality made of rubber. You disgust even me.”

Chairman sat down. He was mad for having this conversation turned into this direction. He was pretty sure that he would make me dance as he wanted me to. That he would get me involved into cleaning this mess and being grateful for that.

Tha.

Stupid old degenerate.

“I don’t care about your inner war, about the reason you cover slave trading in your own country, I don’t care about merchants that died. But I do care about Kim.” “Kim?” “That his name. He chose it himself. He had potential and… I hoped I would manage rising him. Unfortunately – he is unstable, and after being indoctrinated by slaves I doubt that logic of any kind would reach him.” “So… you will help us to get rid of him?” “Only so you won’t lie your hands on his body. The last thing I want is you to continue your researches.”

Another angry glare, quickly hidden.

“Senator. You never learn. Do you want to repeat your failure from 300 years ago? You want another wild creation to rampage across the country? You want another Darion?” “I don’t care about this creature…” he lied “…I just want to quickly get rid of the problem of slaves…” “What slaves? What problem? The only problem I see is with the people that violated the law and deprived other people their freedom. These criminals were roaming the streets freely with no intervention from Sentinels nor city guards. I would say that the only problem with slaves you had is already gone. Oh, if you really wanted to be fair, then the country should pay them compensation and help them either getting back to their homes or make their own little city… but somehow I doubt you would be that generous.”

I kept on offending one of the most influential men in the country.

“Senator, I believe you failed to notice the situation you are in. You fucked up. Badly. On many fields. You are trying to cover it up, but you can’t just cover the fact, that for half of the night part of the city was burning. You can’t cover up decimated garrisons nor deaths among merchants. I believe that you wanted to name those people that were tormented by this country as bandits; kill them and declare that the traitors are no more. That justice has been served… but, Senator… I won’t allow it.”

I got up from my chair and started walking around him.

“You see, I hate politics. You are not much different from Holy Kingdom, you know? They are trapping magic users, you are allowing slavery to bloom. They are trading with pirates, you are allowing for morally-questionable researches to see the daylight. You are calling one another evil and corrupted… and damn, both of you are right. Inquisitors already captured me once, hold me hostage and tortured. And if you think that I will allow you to let other people suffer - to share this fate for your political goals…” standing behind him I leaned in his direction so my lips were just behind his ear “.. then think again.”

I got up.

“I have just a one suggestion for you…” I said getting back on my seat “… don’t be a cunt. Try executing the law that your Senate made. And who knows, maybe one day you would earn my respect.” “Mr. Whiteraven…” oh, honorifics again? “… I believe you have a fake judgment of situation in Neira. I never partook in the slave-trading nor I…” “No, you just pretend not to notice it so you could later blackmail nobles and merchants. It’s always good to know a dirty secret or two, right?” “If we are already speaking about the secrets – you yourself should be wary that…” “… I am working with Syndicate? Yes, so what?”

I decided to quickly disarm him of his arguments.

“So what – you ask? You can answer yourself for this question!” “You knew about that, you allowed my company to act despite this knowledge – and even more – you will still allow it.” “Was that some form of sophisticated threat?” “No – merely stating the obvious. If you would tell me to shut my company due to problems with laws, I will just do it. The thing is that my company reduced the price of elixirs – that you are using; reduced the crime rate across the country – because I gave the Syndicate founds it was seeking without drastic measures; it also reduced the power of Head of Alchemist Guild which started to threaten your position. Oh, I am also contributing to social programs – like building the orphanage and few other lesser projects still in development. Aaand one more thing – the Syndicate’s assassins became bit more active behind your eastern border, because, well, I am paying them to do so. Now, Senator, let’s say that my company will be gone, and so would I, can you deal with consequences? If yes…” I stretched my arms in his direction as if letting them to chain me “… go on.”

I waited in this position for thirty or so seconds, savoring each and every moment of his humiliation.

“That’s what I thought...” I said putting my hands down “… don’t bark if you can’t bite, Senator. That would be… how did you say it? Very unwise?”.

Out of pure greed, I poured myself one more glass of expensive whiskey and bottomed it out before putting the empty vessel loudly on the table.

“Giselle, let’s leave. I believe our host is tired already…Mister Rosewood.” I bowed my head slightly to the merchants completely “forgetting” about the chairman before leaving the office, and later the mansion. “So, what are we going to do now?” Gis asked inhaling deeply the night air. “We will find Kim. I have a thing or two to discuss with him nicely. Oh - by nicely I meant violently, and by discuss I mean beat the shit out of him.” “Yeey!” Gis cheered quite drunk. “You are a bit too happy about that - as for my taste.” “Well, I never really liked him, was trying to be nice to him only because of you, so now hearing about your plans got me really excited!”

Giselle… sometimes you are bit too honest.

Rosewood poured two more glasses of whiskey to the chairman.

“I believe that both of us underestimated some young man tonight and bite on more than we could swallow.” “I still remember the day he came to the capital – or actually, we drag him in. Back then I thought he would be easier to manipulate, but he appeared to be much more… slippery.” “You are telling me?! Ha-ha! I was trying to meet up with him for over a year, and once we met, he played me like an old fool I am.” “This rascal… Sometimes I wonder who is really in control of the country? Senate? King? Nobles? Merchants?... Syndicate? Or…” “Or certain someone that dances between all these groups, not getting too involved to be used by them, but still just enough to get as much as he can? Cheers!”

Rosewood bottomed his glass.

“I just… I just want to know what he is really after! I just can’t stop thinking that he is playing all of us all the time, and once we would notice what is going on, we would have ropes tied around our necks! THIS RAT!” “Let it go. I already learned my lesson, focus on what you are doing best.” “Everything I am doing is done perfectly, so you have to be a bit more specific.”

Chairman smile with the corners of his lips, proud of his own little joke.

“Scheming, old rat. Keep on scheming.”