TURN 12, OMAKE 9 [
Lipita]
Lipita Delphi 24: Achille Adephos & Lipita Delphi - War Material
War! The word spread throughout the legions of the Golden Devils racing outwards from the Dawn Fortress to more distant outposts.
War with Jingshen! Rumor had already spoken of increased tensions with the Clan's sole remaining competitor in the Organ Meat Desert. The three way detente that had kept an uneasy peace for centuries had been broken with the defeat of the Battle Blood Cannibals and now the two powers circled each other like two tigers sharing a mountain… hmm on reflection given that this was Jingshen, perhaps it was better said that a tiger and an overstuffed boar could not live together in peace.
War against Jingshen to honor the Golden Devil's word! Jingshen Jiao had struck at Boss Yao'er while she was protecting the scion of the Myia in her Single Pillar tribulation and the Golden Devils could not let this insult to their staunchest ally stand. Face demanded a reply, reparations from those jumped up merchants, and the Golden Devils were more than willing to shake down those weak-spined lily-livered cowards at the ends of the Hoplite's spear.
War to raise the strength of the Imperial Optimatoi against dark days looming! Fell whispers from the Verdant South spoke of a great calamity boding ill fortune for the Clan in the years to come. That most despised of foes, the Seven Divine Saber Palace, - good for nothing hypocritical brutes that they were - had somehow managed to turn their self destruction to evil ends by raising up another of the Clan's ardent foes. Old Cannibal, Ancient Blood Devil, Sun Daxiang had been left to eat his fill by the petty politicking of the Righteous Path and given leeway to rise to become the third Late Nascent in the Virtuous Flipper Region. That old evil would surely not have forgotten who sent him fleeing from the Desert and would return to seek redress when his oaths of exile released their binding. Now was the time to seize power, to claim the wealth needed to secure the Clan against extinction.
There was so much talk swirling around but to Achille Adephos it was all white noise besides a more pressing issue. How had that Waterfall Defying Carp escaped him? Was he not the Heavenly Fishing King of the younger generation? Had he not won a Will of Albatross Flying Fish Pill and consumed it to strengthen his Dao-Heart and firm up his will?
Sitting at his workstation and rubbing the bandages that secured his wounds, Achille replayed the events that had occurred in his journey to the Heavenly Bandit Kingdoms. He was transported back to that long infiltration culminating in frantic struggle. During his travels along the rivers and lakes of the Jingshen vassal kingdom, his spear and fishing rod had overcome all challenges, reaping a great harvest of beasts that had brought him much goodwill when he distributed the excess of his catch to the commonfolk. Eventually he had made his way to a great spirit lake where he cast his line hoping for a worthy catch. Oh he found that alright.
He could remember clearly the first sensations of excitement as his line was reeled out with shocking speed and then the great delight when he realised he'd hooked a dragon among fish. He'd strained his spiritual senses along the channel of his fishing line and could not hold back the exuberant whoop as he identified his catch. Reeling in a Waterfall Defying Carp would have been nice feather in his cap not including the wealth of materials its body could provide him for all manner of array constructs. It was not everyday you encountered a proto-dragon equivalent to a Foundation Establishment expert.
He'd striven long and hard against his prey for several hours. Several times he'd almost been dragged of his perch into the lake as the fish raced back and forth in the water, saved only by using the Unyielding Grip arrays he'd inscribed on his fishing boots. In fact, that alone would not have kept him on the shore if he hadn't also employed Mu's Ground Works, an Earth-aspected qi technique he'd picked up doing maintenance on irrigation arrays for the Clan, useful for shaping the land into ditches, steps and minor earthwork.
Firmly planted on the shore, he'd had to defend himself from the Carp's attacks. An awakened spirit beast that was peer to his own advancement had more than brute physical ability going for it. Cutting jets of water, hard hitting shots of water, rending whips formed from liquid and more were sent against. The Carp proved an adept elementalist with a ready supply of material for use. Yet, he'd deftly overcome each attack holding his own with the use of thrown array bombs to disrupt attacks and confound the beast. In the end, it was not his technique that failed him or his body but his damned fishing rod. The beast had been flagging after unsuccessfully trying to overcome and had tried a desperate escape. He'd held on grimly and then - disaster. The line had snapped with a great crack, freeing his quarry, and the backlash had torn open his newly healed wounds from the last Hundred-Year Trials.
Sure the telling of his duel from those commonfolk who'd observed the hours long struggle had created a legend useful for his mission in the foreign lands, but it stung sorely to have gotten so close and yet fallen short. A second defeat could not be permitted ever again in such a manner. Rising from his desk, Achille set out with a sure destination.
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Linus Delphi had long since come to regret taking up the position of councilor in the Delphi family. Sure the perks were nice, increased access to funds to support his exploration of the bars and drinking halls of varied towns and cities, the respect of his family members and an ear to all the gossip the family gathered. However the responsibility of the position wore upon him, the costs paid in blood and suffering for the good of the family never left. His greatest regret was that he didn't have time any longer to give free reign to his imagination, to craft and design as his wonder led him. Teaching that Kokkinos girl had been the most fun he'd had in years. The project she'd set upon was utterly fascinating if a very long-term and audacious ambition. Orichalcum, sun-gold, was a legend now to the Clan but those who had interest and access to the histories of the Golden Devils could uncover legends of its wondrous properties.
Idly dreaming about what he'd craft if he could get his hands on the material, Linus kept up his disguise technique in the lobby of the store of the Delphi merchant house in Emporikipolis. He leaned against the wall appearing nothing more than a resting junior as Secretary Pelagos scanned the room looking for the councilor. Not finding the elder, Pelagos hurried off clutching the bill from several drinking establishments that had been delivered to his desk this morning, claiming damages for goods and property by a certain rowdy elder.
Watching the departing secretary, Linus kept his place against the wall. The store was bustling, cultivators making purchases of weapons, tools and supplies. War was on the horizon and legionnaires were stocking up now. His interest was captured by a snippet of conversation he caught between an increasingly frazzled-looking attendant and a Foundation Building expert. Piqued, he drew closer.
"...this is one of the best fishing rods we have available. You've seen most of the rest." The attendant lifted up the rod in question from the case.
"Not good enough. It needs to be better. I thought the Delphi would have better but I'm becoming sorely disappointed." The Expert was obviously injured with bandages peeking out from his collar and arms but that did nothing to soften his brusque dismissal of the offered wares.
Interrupting just as the attendant was about to reply in frustration, Linus dropped his disguise and waved her way. Recognizing the elder, she bowed swiftly and moved away thankful that someone else more authoritative would be dealing with the headache that had been plaguing her for several minutes now.
Standing across the young man, Linus confirmed his earlier impression. This was Achille Adephos, touted loudly by the Adephos family as a promising scion with great gifts in array work. Reports from juniors who'd worked under him confirmed that he was truly skilled if very lacking in social graces. This could be interesting.
"I'm Elder Linus of the Delphi. You'd have to forgive us, but the attendant was accurate that these are the best available fishing rods for Experts we have on sale." Linus said.
Achilles grimaced. "That is unfortunate. I'd hoped that you'd have something up to my standard available but it looks like the Delphi are a disappointment along with the other stores."
Turning to leave, Achilles was stopped by Linus speaking. "I said that these were the best available for sale, not the best that could be provided. Tell me what you need the rod for and maybe I can assist you."
Achille returned, hopeful. "I need a fishing rod that can withstand the strength of at least a peak spirit beast at Foundation Establishment. It should be capable of letting me catch a Waterfall Climbing Carp, nothing less."
Eyebrows lifted at the very specific requirements, Linus spread his hands in welcome. "For such a commission, I would be honored to craft it myself. However given the specifications that you've provided, consideration will not be standard."
"How much?" Achille bluntly asked. He'd spent a decent chunk of his funds on healing but he would be able and willing to provide payment in this senior Expert could truly deliver.
"Word of the talent of Achille Adephos has reached my ear. Your family is making very sure of that. One of my juniors, Lipita, told of an interesting innovation you've developed with the Heaven's Furnace Entrapment array. I've been hearing very favorable things from other interested parties. I'd like to commission your design for mass production. War is upon us and business for portable arrays of such potency would be good. What say you to a partnership?"
Achille considered the offer and begun to negotiate. "What kind of partnership do you propose? I've registered my design and as such would like half the profits from all production, in addition…"
As Linus haggled with the young man, he couldn't help but smile within. Sometimes being the leadership had its perks.
AN: (1850 words)
@no. Please threadmark. My regular collaboration partners come through again. I really should stop worrying them with all that I have taken on my plate. Thanks to
@ninjastar
