Chapter 6: "Plot" and actual Plot
Chapter 6 Some “plot” and actual plot
My body rocked back and forth as the carriage made its way down the road. The horses were at a brisk trot, with Serena as their coachman. She was eager to reach the city and her face showed it. I would’ve enjoyed the sight of her tits bouncing, but the rocky ride only made me wish that dampers and shock absorbers were invented in this world. Perhaps that will be the first technology I introduce to them.
“Look! We’re almost there!” Charles said, pointing at the horizon. The tip of a spire came into view. The tallest building in Jakkani was the Great Church, lying in the dead center of the city. It towered over the surrounding buildings and truly represented the power it held in the country. The church was one of 4 great powers in the country; merchant’s union, the monarchy, and the adventurer’s guild being the other three. Each held significant control over a large portion of the country’s population. Whether it’s through goods, faith, jobs, or infrastructure, each one provides an integral service to society. Due to its geographical location, Jakkani was mostly under the church and merchant’s union’s control.
We finally arrived at the west gate, greeted by guards employed by the city’s government. They checked the goods in the back of our carriage and motioned us to pass. The street was bustling, as expected of Pelote’s 5th largest city. We continued forth towards the Grand Market. The Grand Market surrounded the church, both helping the other gather customers and followers. As we ventured further towards the center the streets became wider and more densely populated. Our carriage passed the final gate and was immediately thrown into chaos. Merchants and customers could be seen arguing in every direction. Hooves and carriages deafened every other sound. The smell of spices, charring meats, and sweet fruit filled our nostrils. This was exactly what I had imagined it to be.
“Merchant stalls and booths are all over here. If we want to sell, we have to make our way to the other side.” Charles said. I was so enthralled at the sight of the market didn’t even notice him come up to the driver’s seat. Serena was walking alongside the carriage, already having bought the famous grilled pears, one in each hand. “We’ll go see Carol and Lina, we always sell our fish to them, maybe they can help us out and tell us who buys sagetum.”
We made our way to Carol and Lina’s store, trying not to get distracted by the vast amount of goods before us. The store was quite large, spanning two buildings each with 2 stories. The sign had the crest of a shield and a trout with the name Fiarra across it. We entered the store, to be greeted by Carol, a giantess. I see now that the store didn’t have 2 floors, but had a high ceiling to accommodate her height. “Serena! Charles! What a surprise, you weren’t supposed to have another shipment until next week” Carol said in an uncharacteristically high voice.
“Heyy Caroal, we maremnt herhes ofre the gisash shipemnet” began Serena, mouth still full from pears.
“You’ve been with enough men to know this by now. Swallow, then speak” said Charles
“Ok first of all, I’m a pure maiden… for now” Serena replied as she winked at me. “And as I was saying, hey Carol, we aren’t here for the fish shipment. We actually brought some sagetum to sell, do you know who here would buy it?”
“Sagetum? You’re in luck, the price of sagetum has been skyrocketing recently.”
“Oh, why’s that? Are people doing the tide pod challenge?” I said
“Tide pod? What’s that? Also, who are you?”
“Sorry, we forgot to introduce you two. Carol, this is Takumi. We met him yesterday while fishing. It was his idea to sell sagetum, actually.” Charles said.
“Nice to meet you,” Carol said, sizing me up with a glance. “I’m not sure why the price is going up nor where you can sell it. You should ask Lina, she knows more about market prices. I just manage the store and deter thieves.”
“I heard my name!” A small fox beastwoman appeared in a puff of smoke. She was clearly drunk, breath so saturated with alcohol it could sanitize a cell culture room. “Oi, you two aren’t supposed to be here until next week”
“As we were explaining to Carol, we were wonder –” Serena began
“I heard what you said, foxes have a great sense of hearing ya know”
“Then can you help us out?”
“Hmm,” a glint appeared in Lina’s eyes. She suddenly vanished and reappeared behind Serena, each hand grasping one of Serena’s breasts. “I’ll help you out… for. a. price.” Lina whispered.
“Enough of that, you drunkard.” Carol said, slightly angrily. With her huge arms she easily picked Lina up and carried her like a bath towel. “You’ve got some nerve hitting on other girls in front of me”
“eh heh you know I can’t help myself around cute girls. That’s why I married you.” Lina leaned in and kissed Carol deeply.
“Just help them out already,” Carol said, her face slightly blushing.
“There are two main people buying sagetum right now; the adventurer’s guild and the government’s alchemists. Apparently, there are a lot of rank A and above subjugation quests going on, so the adventurer’s guild is buying up all the sagetum for their members.”
“Subjugation quests? Pelote doesn’t have any natural rank A or above monsters to warrant that.” said Charles.
“The rumor is that one of the Atulla’s generals, Meshugah, is on his way from the northern mountains. That’s why the government’s buying the sagetum too, so their alchemists can make potions for the army. The quests are for all the monsters that are being chased into Pelote by Meshugah’s army.”
Oh shit, that’s 100% my bad. I forgot that I left all of the demon lord’s generals alive in case my publishing company wanted a sequel. I guess technically I am the sequel now. Of all the generals that could attack Pelote it had to be Meshugah. He’s a golem literally the size of an entire city. I don’t even have any powers! Man, I should’ve just ended my series with ‘and they all lived happily ever after’ instead of this bullshit.
“How accurate is this rumor?” I asked.
“All we know for sure is that Pelote is preparing for war. The blacksmiths all over town are swamped with orders and the miners at the northern border have been sent home,” replied Carol.
“Will we be safe?” Serena asked, on the verge of crying. “Will Hiro come and save us all again?”
“I think we’re on our own now. Hiro sacrificed himself to defeat Atulla a year ago. It’s up to us to finish the job.”
A silence fell upon the room. Even the normally boisterous Lina had a serious look on her face. There was nothing left to discuss. We thanked the couple for their help and solemnly made our way back to the carriage. My mind was rattling. Because of me, people had died. I never gave it any thought because it was all supposed to be fiction, but now it’s different. I’m here. In a world where a third of its population was eradicated by things I created. Everyone has been affected by the war I waged. I will let no harm come to anyone else. I have no power except for my knowledge of this world, but that’s all I need. I will end what I have started.
