Things are coming to some interesting culminations. Ed's lands are an exercise in nonsequiturs. The highlights are glass, gourmet cheese, red wine and baskets. Not much to do with the last one, honestly, other than introducing some advanced frames to hold the baskets while weaving. Cheese is similarly hard to improve on - it just requires patience. I was able to suggest some basic enchantments to monitor the temperature and moisture of the aging caves, which seems to be a revelation. It's glassworks where I was able to cut loose. They had the plate glass tables invented... just. No concept of polish just yet, the sand was used to smooth the glass down but it also turned glass matte. Suggesting to polish with coarse wool had gone over well, especially once the idea of packing the wool into a disk and attaching a cranking pedal to it caught on. I'm well-pleased with how the concept of modularity crops up much sooner, because the glass-polishing table is essentially the same as a fine rock-cutting table, just with a different disk in the clamp. And since dwarves already had the technology of tables downpat, Ed ended up getting a good and quick deal on it all, along with some assorted abrasives.
The concept of lenses had been more complicated, but as of yesterday, Bakarat is a proud exporter of looking glasses. Ed's been trying to be overly generous with profits until I pointed out that I already get my cut from the fact he buys the shells from dwarves, and thus puts gold in duke Gillespie's coffers. I also suggested to him a line of unadorned clear glasses, both regular for drinking and graduated for alchemists. The second proved to be a bit of a boom. Apparently, the prevalent method for alchemists to measure something was to have cups fitting in exactly one measure and filling up sequentially. The concept of glass you could just fill to the gradation? Yeah, well. Let's just say Ed's workers have had been inundated with requests for looking glasses, magnifying glasses and graded glasses so much he had to triple the workstaff. I had to sit him down and lay out the principles and details of work distribution. He's still working out the details. Oh, I ended up creating a six-piece copperring phone for him to manage his stuff, he wouldn't be able to get things moving anywhere near as fast otherwise without being there in person.
I have told him that once he deals with the initial boom, we're going to look into eyeglasses. Which is an interesting concept. While this world has less of a problem with vision defects due to healing magic, some things are just not that easy to deal with. While eye injuries typically can be restored pretty easily, genetic issues and on-going illnesses are a problem. As such, there is a good selection of elderly who would be very appreciative of assorted glasses. While we are at it, dwarves report the successful construction and activation of the first Vagran furnace. I have gotten the first drops of metal from the inauguration smelting, they attached them to a silver chain. Nifty, and... well. They probably didn't intend to, but this is now an artifact. That is to say, a magic item that is very complicated or outright impossible to recreate. This particular one is based on "the first glimmer of hope and fulfillment of restoration and fondest dreams", and as such is stupidly powerful. Anyone wearing it would be flatly overwhelmed with inventing spirit. I've tested it on all four wives (with their informed consent, of course), and the results were amusing. Moon Unit had sat still for two hours, then asked for wood and glass and assistance. What came out of this is essentially a magic photocopier. It takes one page at a time and burns the copy of the page into a clean sheet. Requires a flower per each hour of operation, though, but I think this is a passable cost for the way to easy copy books. Tulips seem to have the best cost-efficiency ratio, it seems to favor fire-aligned flowers.
Bridgit's reaction was weird. She asked for paper and ended up creating a fairly comprehensive "Maid's Manual", which I will be copying and sending out to various places. In no small part because it will be popular with all the "noble ladies" who can not afford a maid of her own just yet. Some of the concepts, especially the suggestions on cleaning imply maids have a much better practical grounding in alchemy than I considered. Might have to teach Bridgit some theoreticals of the science too, she might come up with pretty interesting household chemicals. Lily-Anne had the necklace on for five days, because her project turned out to be social networking. I think they're referring to it as "Whirlwind Princess Week" right now. I'm... reluctant to try more, she seemed to be fairly well loaded on social obligations as is right now. Roxolane produced a treatise on mathemagical theory that is nigh incomprehensible to anyone but her, Moon Unit, Lemand and a couple professors, who are all gaga over implications. She basically took the formula of teleportation that I threw down on paper for her to poke at, and expanded it into an overarching theory of translocation. She still has the necklace on, as she's currently working on making practical implementations. If what she calculated is correct, she's about to put logistics on their ears.
The downside of the artifact is that after the project is finished, a LOT of recuperation is necessary, because it pushes through a manic state in which the wearer is being... complicated. Complicated to the tune of feeding them exclusively with sandwiches because they can't be arsed to distract themselves from the project kind of complicated. Understandable, but at times more than a little annoying. As such, my harem has had a bit of a downturn lately. Between me tutoring them (Roxolane had passed the entrance exams and is a full-fledged student right now, Lily-Anne is slated for tomorrow, Rafiqa is still being tutored, though now I have had split the duties with Hiram. He took it in good graces, but I've made sure to have him well supplied with spirits and sweets as a bit of reward for patience.)
Right now, I am working on sketches and schematics for a steam engine. The furnaces and rocksaws could use an extra source of power in places where wind isn't enough and water isn't close. If I am right, it should be more economic than what I expected. Just making an engine running off magic is problematic, it might harm the users or use a profligate amount of flowers to power itself. I was looking into making metal-powered engines, but turns out copperphones are about the upper limit of what metal-powered enchantments can take. Lots of longevity, but not much in the way of juice. I'm also working on alchemical sieves, industrial stills and other assorted ends and odds to kickstart the chemical industry.
Selene's foster dad came through with an agreement. He had visited the duchy, shook hands with dad and made an agreement to transport our goods around the coast, both to the north to Albic islands and to the south, to the Thousand Isles. On our hand, we have had given him funds and schematics to lay down four new ships, which is going to put him right above the squabbling idiots in the area in terms of "fuck you". He's already registered as a caravaneer, but with six ships instead of two... He sent a letter yesterday, one of the four is ready to the schematic and he is ecstatic about it. Contemporary shipbuilding is mostly cogs and carracks, the latter of which are being considered "the ship" to develop. If my admittedly limited naval history memories are correct, carracks are supposed to transition into galleons, which would include them becoming lower, narrower and longer to accommodate better speeds. Current ships are... bulbous, let's put it like this.
In comparison, the plans I have provided are for a light sloop, a brigantine and a clipper. The first two were pretty common designs. Last, well... I had little hope that they'd build me Rainbow or Sea Witch from the first try. It was provided mostly as an example of advanced designs I could give to them, to whet their appetite. The promise of bigger ship designs would further inspire them to put actual effort into those. More importantly, all the designs I have had provided were late eighteen century hulls, as opposed to late fifteenth century as the shipbuilding here was. Mixed sail rigging should provide quite an advantage over current ships. The plans called for the construction of two sloops in addition to two cogs they currently have and two brigantines. And one of the sloops had been built first as a pilot example. According to the letter, they are... very satisfied with the new design. So much, that Edmon (Selene's foster dad. Edmon Dantes. Thankfully, without a horrible backstory of being imprisoned for years over a crime that was not a crime. Yeah, I have no idea either why every second name I encounter is a reference to something I read, watched, played or listened to. Or refused to do any of the aforementioned, as is the case with unfortunately named Ed.) is venturing forth a suggestion that if the brigantine pans out to be comparably impressive, they might sell both cogs to local fishermen and build one more brigantine. Or, maybe, attempt a clipper.
I wrote back to him that so far, I'd like for them to establish the viability of brigantines and sloops as superior ships and leave off clipper design until he has his own trading house. Edmon might be dubious about this, but should he push forward and really make himself THE person to go to when you need to deliver something by sea? Coupled with his stepdaughter marrying a prince? And a profitable relationship with a wealthy ducal family on the rise? He's gonna go far, if I have anything to say about it. And I do need a good reliable "face" to hire the seamen I'd need. Because there is no way in hell to maintain control over the archipelago without a fleet.
Honestly, I'm unsure if I even want to bother with big sails. I suppose I can pass over some windjammer designs, I should have enough of industry and enchanting by then to figure out a magical version of dynarig, but that is years in the future. For now, I'd settle for a fleet a couple hundred years ahead of the competition, at least. But really, I'm already thinking about steamboats. And, while we are on the point... I keep jotting this thing down. It's impractical, and overly grandiose and just plain pretentious, but... But damnit, I want my own airship. And if my plans (which go into a SEPARATE scroll I don't show to anyone) are anything to go off, this promises to be a flying mansion. No crew other than my family, automated everything. Magic, enchantments up the wazoo, exploiting all the physical laws they don't even know yet and blatantly breaking some of them... Goodness.
Right, I have had been shaking some hands around the capital, while at it. While the textile industry is pretty decent so far, I notice a distinct lack of cotton. Asking some questions had revealed the truth - cotton is known, but expensive. I was able to obtain some cotton thread and sheets. (Bridgit was more than a little scandalized when I asked her what she thinks about cotton undergarments. Apparently, she thinks I'm a horribly extravagant person to want such expensive fabrics on a maid. But since she didn't say no, I got her to find a seamstress and embroideress to fashion some. I've been subsequently jibbed on by all four girls for being "way too cagey". Paranoia is not unfounded when they're really out to get me, girls.) Pondering the merits of introducing cotton gin. Actually, I think I save that one for a bit. If my hunches are right, Salaadin is going to crack sooner than later. Once the Sultanate bends enough for me to get what I want, they're going to be very sore losers about that, and passing them a device that will let them get prosperous off cotton will probably smooth things out enough to make them concentrate on rebuilding.
However, there is a certain issue that's been bothering me. I've been invited for a meal and business discussion with a certain merchant tomorrow in the afternoon. And this invitation makes me feel.... off. This guy is... skeezy, no other word about it. Oh, he is pleasant enough, I'll give that. But I've noticed certain glances in his direction and mine, subtle hints from people who clearly want to warn me off but don't dare to. Wonder what this is all about? I planted eyespiders on him, and I'm currently perusing his papers. Including the stuff he keeps hidden behind the painting. Classic, that.
The picture that comes out of it is pretty grim. This guy is a mob boss, there is no other way to sell it. He runs a protection racket, he has a great deal of influence in the merchant guild, hell, he has the fucking floor plans of MY fucking confectionery. And other assorted papers, including the summary on profits (likely obtained by observation, it's off by a bunch) with this bastard's "resolution" across the report "to be acquired". The big question is, what do I do? I can eat him here and now, he would be billed as "disappeared in the middle of night mysteriously". The thing is, people will STILL assume he is around. I need to make him go away publicly if I am to remain unmolested. But going away he MUST be, because he apparently already IS leaning on father's men for "protection money", and they fucking pay because everyone does.
Besides, I'm morbidly curious as to what tack he is going to use for this. Will he outright threaten? Or will he try to swindle me? Or maybe he thinks he knows something blackmail-worthy? Or maybe his whole plan is just browbeating? Well, well, well...
"Girls? I will be absent till evening tomorrow. I have a dinner with monsieur Konistan."
Oh boy he has absolutely no idea she was the one who cursed Sultan, does he? Oh booooi. Shall he be eaten? Converted? Turned insane? What will our beloved Shoggoth do?
Well maybe scare him so much he runs off out of the city (maybe even naked, could be fun).
late reply, but she could mind manipulate him to make this bag of sh*t a full loyal puppet so she can influence other people shops and things like that
@plot_xc It`s... not a good idea. To put it simply, Alyssa is not an expert in mind manipulation. She can either subtly nudge a thing or two without a guarantee of success or she can take a sledgehammer to someone`s frontal lobes and ensure they carry out her orders at the expense of everything else they could possibly achieve socially.
Furthermore, there is an issue - she finds Konistan and his lifeviews to be inherently repugnant. Simply letting him be his usual raping blackmailing sh*t isn`t an option and if she forcibly puts THOSE habits of his away, it will become blatantly obvious Konistan was subverted and questions would be asked on all sides of this.
I believe you will find her solution to the situation much more straightforward a couple chapters ahead.
Butdamnit, I want my own airship.
K I R O V R E P O R T I N G
Maneuver props engaged.
And here I am.....hanging off the edge of this cliff......
Thanks for the chapter!
Thanks for the chapter can’t wait to see how she handles the mob boss
Count of Monte Cristo?
Not in this setting. He lucked out and was born early. ^_^
I say she leaves his broken body speared to the merchant's association with a sign detailing his crimes and how many other merchants and nobles he is connected with. Maybe another sign to give the message of "Don't mess with a Gyllipse."
So you thinking Martin Luther? (nailed to the door) Or maybe murder birded? (half butched and hung from a high place.)
Have the guy replaced and start using his connections and assets for profit. But make it just obvious enough that people will realise that something is wrong but because hes a mob boss no-one can or cares enough to do anything about it and those who do are refuted by replacement claiming to have looked different all along but an injury and trauma have convinced and hurt him enough to make it seem like someone different. XD i had fun thinking of this lol.
I think this guy needs to be hauled into the street and vaporized with magic. It's fast, easy, and should send an unmistakable "f*ck you" to anyone trying to blackmail Alyssa.
Also, does this guy not know Alyssa is currently breaking the Sultanate - the most powerful government on the planet - with one damn spell? You'd think a mob boss would be better informed. >_>
Evil mob blinders are at work here, much like the sultan this mook thinks he's too hot to touch or we're getting some pay of off the Laus is alive chapter a while back.
@Syth_Dracous Klaus doesn't know that Alyssa isn't human. One of the many flaws of his cloning method is that he doesn't get to keep his memories from his last life, he has to write down the stuff he needs to remember in a diary and obviously he didn't get to jot down "Oh f*ck, oh f*ck, this chick's a Cthulhu monster!".
As for mobster being "too hot to touch", she's got the most powerful country in the known world bent over her knee and taking it deep, this dude is nothing unless he SOMEHOW knows she's not human. Even then, she's notoriously hard to prove as being inhuman since light magic doesn't hurt her like most shapeshifters, she can bend the truth to throw of the Detect Truth and Lies aspect of Light Mages with clever wording, and displays no behavioral quirks of any known shapeshifters that can resist light magic. The only definitive way to prove she's not human (that I know of so far) would be to throw her in a teleport spell and temporarily undo her transformation which is too risky due to Defilement exposure or ask her about her race in a way that she can't word her way out of. Even if she was exposed to the king, I doubt he'd even care since she's making bank for the good of the kingdom and has made it pretty clear that she's not too be trifled with courtesy of Sultanate. Worse case scenario, Moon Unit reveals the religious significance of Shoggoths to the Elves and convinces the king that Shoggoths are placed in the world by the Gods themselves and that they are highly revered among Elves and that getting in the way of a Shoggoths "tasks" could instigate a holy war from the Elves or something.
Of course, I'm probably reading too far into this and there's nothing worth worrying about in the grand scheme of things.
@DemonLordShadowheart Mate you seem to miss my point, "Evil mob (as in a small fry monster in an rpg or mob as in a minor side character to a story, no a mobster) blinders being the point. This guy doesn't know sh*t and thinks that he's untouchable. Anyone with a decent info network should be able to figure out Aly is not someone to f*ck with but he is either stupid beyond saving or under the fool belief that he poses a threat to a woman currently fisting the most powerful country on that planet. Either way him f*cked.
As to the Laus even if he knows nothing of how he died to Aly he does know that he did, using a mob boss in another kingdom allows him to stay a step removed from danger unknown and seems the sort of plan Laus would have for such cases. We as reader know he's alive and by author own statement well be seen again. I can see this being a second attempt to figure out where he went wrong the first time using a proper canary this time. Of course Laus could have f*ck all to do with this and it could be the assassin hired by Salsadin or just a soon to be crushed/shoggoth'd/controlled mobster that can't read the room.
@Syth_Dracous ...You mean Klaus, right?
He`s tangentially involved. The guy in question, Vole Konistan, is not one of his, but his second in command Maximilien Verwaand answers to Klaus. Vole got fed a carefully filtered information that more or less matches what Klaus had the first time. He fully believes he`s dealing with sheltered noble who might be strong magically, but is not in any way worldly.
Vole himself is a guy who got where he is partially due to his own luck and grit, and partially because he is useful to Klaus and Klaus invested a good deal into making him the contact.
De facto, Klaus does NOT want Alyssa to come into direct confrontation with Vole. His orders were for Verwaand to engineer some sort of MINOR altercation in which Vole could step in as reasonable third party authority and arbitrate the situation, thus possibly making some connections to subject of interest.
Maxy, on the other hand, had gotten used to easy live in Champagne and went with "another rich bit*h to blackmail". He thinks Vole would easily force the target under heel, at which point he would be able to give Klaus any info Klaus wants. Obviously, Verwaand is not ready for what is to come.
Worse yet, while Konistan is a repulsive bastard with deplorable methods, he himself is of little interest to Alyssa. Verwaand IS of much more interest, due to his direct participation on murder of Bridgit`s father. So... he`s not going to like how things are to unfold, and Klaus is NOT going to like the results of his second operation one bit.
@Cytotoxin Yes, removed the K from the name to invoke the insect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodlouse
Something tells me Alyssa's going to find out about Verwaand through a forced brain scan onto Vole.
@ExorcistJoker She just did an audit on everything Vole has in his office via eyespiders. She already knows.
Sounds like Klaus is going to get screwed very soon.
@ExorcistJoker again
@Toro1d
She cannot do that. That is murder and seeing the connections this twit has murder of a (low ranking) noble so no weregeld or something else to pay of the family but a honest to god inquest about why she'd burn the guy and "because he was blackmailing me" won't be enough to get out of being sentenced, especially not if a street full of people saw her disintegrate him.
@SneezyOfTie Simple. Challenge him to a duel to the death on the premise of insulting her honor or something. Perfectly legal.
@SneezyOfTie
Hence why he`s going to be murdered in a location with no witnesses instead.
@Cytotoxin smart