The Special Economic Zone Chapter 14: A New Beginning

 

The Second Beginning

Aki stood next to the horse-drawn carriage that would take them to Albern. Jolly and Yeer stood next to her, kitted out with all-new dwarven armor and weapons. They looked a proper force with their uniforms. Aki turned to them.

“Are you ready, soldiers?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” The two new adventurers saluted.

Aki stomped her foot. “Then climb aboard.”

The three of them climbed onto the carriage and set out for Albern. About two hours into their journey, they passed through the mountain road that led out of Farrow Dells. Conversation was sparse in the first few hours of the journey. The road was not well-maintained and the ride was bumpy enough to cause Aki discomfort. She hoped that Thorn would get around to improving the roads. When they crested the mountain and started going down its western side, Jolly asked Aki a question.

“Do you have any family?”

Aki grimaced. “Under normal circumstances I would kill someone who asked me that.”

“But we’re not under normal circumstances.” Jolly pushed forward with a brave face.

Aki snorted smoke from her nose. “Red dragons live for thousands of years. So every family is big, and complicated.” She stared out the window for a while. “We tend to stay alone.”

Jolly nodded her head vigorously. “Yes. As a rabbit person I have many family members. We sometimes don’t get along, but we always care about each other.”

Aki made a face. “I don’t deign to care about what happens with the family of anyone. It’s not my business.”

Jolly clapped his hands together. “You are powerful and wise. I do not understand your reasoning but I know you are much wiser than I.”

Aki wrinkled her nose. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere.”

Jolly shook his head. “I’m not trying to flatter you.”

Aki pulled her tobacco pipe out of her bag of holding and sparked it.

Jolly looked at the pipe with folded ears. “I have never seen such a thing.”

“It is a kind of weed grown by the halfling race.” Aki took a deep puff. “It is quite toothsome.”

Jolly’s ears tilted. “That does not look very appetizing.”

“You don’t smoke for flavor.” Aki puffed. “You smoke for the experience.” Aki took a bottle of fine wine from her bag of holding, as well as three wine glasses.

“If you are to travel with me,” Aki removed the wine’s cork carefully, as it was old, “You must get used to luxury.” She poured herself a glass. The carriage was bumpy, but Aki’s coordination was superb. The liquid barely moved at all in the glass.

“I would never think to drink such high quality wine.” Jolly shook his head.

Yeer nodded in agreement. “Please, do not waste such good drink on simple commoners such as us.”

Aki swirled her wine glass. “Luxury is meant to be experienced. And it is an experience best done with others.” She poured two glasses. “Drink.”

Both Jolly and Yeer took their glasses with careful motions. Yeer looked at her glass with a questioning expression on her face. “I am not good with wine, but is this from the Yelvar region of Corint?”

Aki raised an eyebrow. “Why yes it is. Are you familiar with that particular region?”

“My former master also enjoyed wine. I was tasked with collecting and organizing his wine cellar.”

Aki laughed, and took a drink. She lowered the glass. “You do know about wine! Do not be humble about your skills.”

Yeer bowed her head. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.” Aki finished her glass. She looked at the empty vessel for a few seconds before slipping it back into her bag of holding. The carriage came to Albern Valley and passed by endless fields of wheat, dotted by the occasional village. Eventually traffic built up. They traveled to the city of Albern, which rose out of the central plain with walls twenty meters high. The massive main gates were visible from two miles away.

They came to the city entrance. When it was their turn to go through the checkpoint, Aki looked at herself in her pocket mirror to make sure her affect was correct. Then she slipped it into her pocket. “As we practiced.”

The guard stopped the carriage. “Halt. Where are you from?”

“Farrow Dells.” Aki stepped out of the carriage. “Under authority of Mayor Thorn of the Special Economic Zone.”

The guard appeared surprised. “I have never heard of such a place. Isn’t Farrow Dells the location where the Great Red Dragon lives?”

“Yes. The Special Economic Zone has the backing of Akkandocastulcar, guardian of Farrow Dells.”

The guard scratched his head. “Well, I’ll be pipped. I’ll have to talk to my superior about what to do about this. Do you mind holding on in a side room while I do that?”

“If we must.” Aki waved the carriage into a small stall inside the gate.

They waited inside the small room for about half an hour. The door opened and a fat, burly man with a thick mustache stepped in. He spat. “Keep your slaves on a leash.”

Aki grinned, showing her teeth. “They aren’t slaves.”

The man laughed out loud. “What a find! You must be crazy. Farrow Dells? Hah. Like anyone could subdue the Great Red Dragon.”

Aki stood up, unleashing her entire aura. “Say that again.”

The man cowered. “Okay, okay. Please don’t kill me.”

Aki showed her teeth again. “Then don’t poke me.”

The man coughed, rubbing his mouth. “I have looked into the paperwork and there is no principality known as the Special Economic Zone in Farrow Dells.”

“We’re a new state.” Aki crossed her arms.

The man grimaced. “The King has not recognized you. If you continue to claim such nonsense as a new barony being opened in Farrow Dells, I will have to bring you to a higher authority.”

Aki grabbed the man and slammed him against the wall. “You will let us in, and you will give us the proper paperwork.”

“Bah.” The man collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. “It’s your funeral.” He handed Aki three cards. “Take them. Go register yourselves at the adventurer’s guild. I’m not responsible for what the Duke will do to you. He’s been mad ever since his slaves were stolen, and is not in a forgiving mood.”

Aki showed her teeth. “Thank you, kind sir.” She waved to Jolly and Yeer. “Let’s blow this joint.”

They returned to their carriage and crossed the city, reaching the guild house in about another half hour. Aki kept watch to make sure no one was following them.

When they were at the entrance to the guild house, Aki slipped two aura reducing rings onto her fingers. Her aura changed to about that of a level twenty warrior adventurer.

She had been in Albern many times before. At one point she had considered leveling the place with dragonfire, but that was before she had matured. She had been a firebrand in those days, and smiled at the memory.

They entered the guild house. No one appeared to notice them enter—it was not uncommon for new adventurers to arrive in the city, looking for jobs.

Aki approached the counter. “Hello.”

The receptionist smiled. “My name is Eila. Welcome to the Albern adventurers’ office. How may I help you?”

“We’re looking to register as an adventuring party.” Aki handed Eila the three cards.

“Okay. Temporary adventurers’ visas. I can accept those.” Eila stamped them and filed them away in a drawer. “I will now cast the appraisal spell.” Eila held up her hand. “Isith lem soranil.” The paper underneath her hand glowed.

“You are currently at level twenty. You have been assigned the rank of C.”

Eila completed the appraisal for Jolly and Yeer as well. “Okay. You both are E rank.” She smiled. “Please, have a nice day, and ask me if you need any help with anything.”

Aki leaned onto the counter. “Hey. Do you know of any merchants who want to make a lot of money selling goods?”

Eila raised an eyebrow. “Where?”

“There’s a new city being built in Farrow Dells. A Special Economic Zone. No tariffs, no sales tax, minimal regulation.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Eila smiled sweetly. “And too good to be true. Try selling that line elsewhere.”

Aki sighed. “Your loss.”

A white-haired man with a large beard approached Aki. “You said something about a special economic zone?”

“The Special Economic Zone. It’s a city where commerce is not taxed, and where you can sell anything at any price. A land of promise for merchants.”

The man chuckled. “I’ll bite. Give me a map and I’ll be on my way.”

Aki handed the man a map.

The man waved as he walked away. “Thanks!”

Aki watched the man leave the guild house. “Well that was quick.”

Eila’s smile faltered. “You don’t appear very suspicious, but for him to take it at face value …”

“Well, despite however trustworthy you may consider me to be,” Aki shrugged, “There’s always people who chase after rainbows.”

Eila bowed. “Those are wise words.”

Aki motioned with her hand. “Come on, Jolly, Yeer. If we can do a big job we’ll be able to increase our renown easily.” She walked to the board and picked the biggest monster hunt she could find. “Here we are.”

“Ma’am.” Eila called from across the room. “That is an S class job. I don’t believe you are strong enough for it.”

The whole room looked at her. Aki smiled sweetly. “If we die, then so be it.” She shoved the paper into her bag of holding. “Come on, Jolly, Yeer. We’ll do some powerleveling before we try this out.”

“Powerleveling?” Yeer’s ears flapped.

“Yes. We need to raise your levels high enough so you don’t get one-hit KO’d by the Frost Dragon’s attacks.” Aki looked at the drawing on the paper. “Hey, that’s Drukharniumatita. I know that guy. He’s kind of an idiot but he’s super powerful.” Aki shrugged. “Well, I suppose I could give him a call and see why he has a hit out on him at the adventurer’s guild.” She waved at Jolly and Yeer. “By the end of the week you two will be equivalent to this place’s level A.”

They left the building and entered the streets. Aki led them out of the city and into the countryside. She took off both of her aura suppressing rings. “We’re going to do some ghoul calling.” She snapped her fingers and a bell appeared in her hand, which she rang with a flick of the wrist.

The world was blanketed in a thick fog. The sound of crunching feet resonated through the air. Yeer and Jolly held their weapons up, holding close to Aki.

Aki grinned, snapping her fingers again. “Go for it! Hit these boys for all they’re worth!”

Dozens of ghouls rose from the ground and delved out of the mist, hands held out in front of them.

Yeer yelled and charged the monsters.

“Yes, that’s it!” Aki clapped her hands, and then stomped her foot on the ground. A pillar of rock rose underneath her, giving her a view of everything around the fog. She watched as Yeer and Jolly struggled against the waves of ghouls.

“Yes, that’s it! That’s how you use your sword!”

Jolly was covered in light, indicating that he had leveled up. Soon after Yeer leveled up as well.

“We have plenty of time!” Aki placed a rock on the stone next to her. “We’re just getting started here!”

Yeer and Jolly fought hard for several hours. Aki dispersed the ghouls with a snap and jumped down from the tower.

[Diagnose?]

[Yes.]

[Yeer: LVL 14 Warrior.]

[Jolly: LVL 20 Sorcerer.]

Aki grinned. “You sure are leveling quick.”

Jolly panted as he held his hands on his knees. “We’re going to be doing this for another week?”

Aki slapped Jolly on the shoulder. “About right. By the time we’re done you’ll both be level fifty.”

Jolly groaned. “Oh, man.” He grimaced “Well, it beats being a slave.”