Chapter 26: Spirit-grade Gift
"General Simo, based on our investigation, this new fort is the work of the new merchant, who recently acquired the property near the South Gate. The deal was done yesterday." An intelligence officer, a lady with soft features belying a tough and intelligent personality, relayed to her superior, who recently arrived from the South Gate station.
The general of the South Gate, General Simo Lora, was aware of the new merchant. His father informed him about the recent deal involving the merchant named, Sigmund Chua. That was yesterday, the property deal was finalized with the presence of the Village Chief.
But then, it was not even yet the full 48 hours, comprising the whole day in their world, after the deed of sale was clinched, a large structure befell upon them. Rather, a tall and wide structure encompassing a large area of the property was erected in less than a day.
For the whole villagers of Greston Village, this large structure was a miracle.
To the South Gate army, this towering, wide fort was more than a miracle. It was a fortuitous sign for them.
If they had allies that could create structures this behemoth, constructed within hours, then their possible ominous encounter with the beasts and monsters of the primeval forest would be alleviated.
"I believe this is something we cannot take for granted. Do you think the new merchant is our ally in Greston?" The general asked.
"Permission to speak, General." One of the men of the general requested.
"Go ahead, Lieutenant." The general replied.
"We have obtained information from my team regarding the new merchant. Since they are close to the South Gate, we managed to monitor their shops and activities. So far, there was no indication of being hostile. Within the week of the opening of their shops, they already gained a reputation among the adventurers." Lieutenant Charlie Linde, leader of the special intelligence unit under the general brought his findings, based on the times his team visited the shops. On one of his visits, he managed to get a great deal by buying a new weapon from the Chua's shop.
"How is your weapon, Lieutenant? I have heard the spear was of top-grade quality. Even the dwarves could not get that kind of material for that spear." The leader asked with a glint in his eyes as he was informed of the new weapons his subordinates acquired from those shops.
The army could receive a budget from the Village Chief and the Elders for their weapons. But their weapons were mostly mid-grade, mass-produced by the contracted dwarves for their guards and soldiers.
However, when the soldiers were promoted to high-ranking officers, they could receive better pay, granting them more chances to save for higher grades of weapons. But all of them were also registered as adventurers.
These soldiers also aimed for better accouterments, if not the best, to deal with nasty and deadly adversaries lurking in the forest. Hence, they also utilized their time, beyond their hours of duty, to receive missions and earn rewards. Others, brazen enough, went on adventures inside the forest to search for spirit herbs and plants or kill monsters to sell their carcasses and gains.
"The weapon was a top-class general."
General Simo Lora noticed the brief reply, considering the officer being too cautious, a personality aligned with his duty as an intelligence officer.
"The construction of this fort can be deemed a surprise for many villagers. It is within our scope to determine what is inside the building as we ascertain the security of this village. We must search for materials, equipment, and devices that may be dangerous or suspicious if there are any. Lieutenant, visit the Engineering Division and the Merchant Guild about the schedule for inspection of this building."
"Yes, General!"
"Captain Camy Lin, I expect your report on the progress of the sightings of giants and monsters later. I have given you 72 hours for that after we received the info."
"Aye, General!"
"The meeting is adjourned. Do your jobs, guys!" The general let go of his subordinates as he watched them rose from their seat and leave the conference room.
Simo Lora stayed while he checked the map of Greston Village on the wall. There were pins and points indicating the possible areas the giants might wreak havoc including the sites where destruction might happen when the protective formation would be dismantled.
But with the construction of the fort adjacent to his station in South Gate, the existence of a variable was palpable. It may be a good thing. But even he was still not sure of it.
"A visit to that shop might help me clear my doubts." The general spoke to no one in the office.
Suddenly, he heard a voice in his head as the knock on the door sounded.
"I will be in my office soon. Please offer him our best spirit tea while waiting."
"Yes, General," a close of the door brought him out of his momentary reverie.
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"Gentleman Chua, it's a pleasure to have you visit my station!"
"Please call me Harry, General. By the way, I have a certain interest in your tea. It's crisp but it's good to the palate."
"I'm pleased to hear of your pleasure for our tea. I can give you a bag as our gift. I have heard about my men acquiring quality weapons from your shop and even our ladies here gushed over the pastries you serve in your teashop. They have become your loyal patrons. To see my people happy is a great pleasure to me. Seeing that the source of that pleasure is coming from your shops makes my gift even more deficient."
"I accept your gift wholeheartedly, general. Thank you!" Harry Chua, the flirtatious clone, was assigned to negotiations and this kind of exchange on behalf of the Chua company.
As he was seated on the couch across from the general, the latter could not discount the distinguishing poise of the younger Chua. The elegant bearing reminded the general of the aristocrats in a neighboring kingdom.
The young-looking general with an impressive build and stature occupied his position after the last general was gravely injured from the recent beast tide. It happened over a month ago but the remnants of the aftermath were conspicuous until a day ago.
"Why I find it more deficient, Harry is because we can't thank you enough for clearing the ruins and for erecting that structure. We were undermanned after that beast tide with many of our comrades killed."
Harry noticed the distant look of the general. He believed that there was a special someone who became a hapless victim of that tragedy.
"The purpose of my visit is to intentionally send our apology if you and your station found it displeasing, after, of course, being too surprising. But seeing your reaction, we won't be too concerned about that."
The younger Chua paused to take a sip. "This tea becomes better and better after every sip. Thanks for giving me a bag of this."
The general heard from his men that Sigmund Chua was fond of sipping spirit teas in his shop. It seemed the son also had that same affinity.
"It's a pleasure to hear that. As I was saying we find the building a great fortification for the South Gate considering our spot in Greston..."
Before the general even concluded his remark, Harry instantly spoke, "We have learned about the coming giants, possibly infesting the village. We have this mind as we also have to protect our interest."
"That… I guess, I don't have to beat around the bush to explain to you about the incoming threat."
Both parties paused as they somehow internally digested that kind of information, regarded as classified. But the Chuas were informed of it as an inherent risk prior to acquiring the property.
"In the same vein, we wish to cooperate with you in dealing with the threats. We, perhaps, have deduced that you may schedule an inspection of our building. My coming over here brings that kind of opportunity to your station. The part facing the gate can be occupied by your men, if you decide upon it for long-range attacks."
"That is a good proposition, Mr. Chua. We will certainly take that offer. As for other matters…" The general trailed when Harry again interrupted.
"We will also help you provide weapons and armaments, at low cost to your end. But we can do certain negotiations. I believe you also have contracts with the dwarves. But there may be varieties of tools that may be more useful in dealing with the giants."
The general was flabbergasted by the offer. He did not expect it to come so soon. His bewilderment increased when he witnessed a brilliant light coming out from nowhere, appearing in the form of a sword.
"My father wanted to give you this as a gift. This is an adamantine crystalline sword with palladium on the hilt."
Harry briefly manhandled the sword as he took it over his palms to hand it over to the general officially.
"I don't deserve this kind of gift considering this is our first time to have been acquainted. But it will be stupid of me to decline this. This is a top-grade sword, I believe."
The general appreciatively eyed the sword, which brilliance became more intense when he injected mana into it. Crimson light over a shimmering sword penetrated the eyes of the parties inside the room.
The general even noticed that the weapon became more lightweight after the injection of mana. It also emitted an aura of subjugation, already perceiving the weapon could dominate over certain beings he wished to target.
"This is a spirit-grade sword, General Simo. Over time, as you continue using it, you will aid in the birth of a spirit to assist you as you claim this sword as yours."
Harry looked at the general, whose eyes were still focused on the sword. When the other party sensed his guest staring at him, his gesture turned to smiles as he was left speechless by this kind of gift.
"This is magnificent!" The general paused as if due to exhilaration. "I thank you for this kind of gift. Again, I am not sure if I deserve it but still… Thank you!"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone