[Hanako] Chapter 6: Birkensen Trading Company

[Asta]

Hanako nodded to the girl, now that the two engineers were back they couldn't talk nearly as freely. She turned to the engineer with the device in his hands. "So its a gun that shoots magic? That's interesting. I'll ask Sofia about the recharge process, perhaps I can take a look at it later and see if I can think of anything. I shouldn't keep her waiting."

"Do me a favor, now that you've got the collars sorted out try not to hurt this one anymore" she pointed at the demon girl with her thumb, "I need to talk to your boss, but I've got plans and she needs to be whole and alive."

When she was done conversing with the engineers, she briskly walked over to where Sofia was talking to her companions. "Sorry that took longer than I thought it would. I got your collars calibrated however. Shall we continue where we left off?"

[Throndir]

"Gun?" The engineer said, you could tell from the way his lips moved that he pronounced the word as is, rather than the weird feeling of seeing his mouth move one way, but you end up hearing something else altogether. "But it shoots magic, yeah. A bit ingenious actually. Usually it requires an incantation. But these mana crystals... They store all that energy, and all we need to do is a special enchantment which draws the power from the crystal. The collar functions the same way."

"She is our only test subject... I'm not sure..."

Roll Diplomacy, DC 15 if you want the Engineers to stop trying their experiments (they have a list of new devices they're eager to try)

"Be careful servant of Klein... Hanako. Demons are known to tell lies." Her eyes pierced through yours, but the hardness faded as she stood up and began to lead the way.

As you moved along, you noticed a lot of slave workers working on creating more collars, or weapons. It wasn't just limited to the experiments they were doing. There was a lot of weapon manufacturing that was going on. Different types of guns, and plenty of other weapons. There were some that seemed to be making metallic armored carriages as well, along with large cannons mounted on them.

Finally, Sofia stopped the journey in front of a large glass tube. Kind of like a specimen chamber. It was had a diameter of at least 5 ft. And was about 10 ft. high. Inside was a glowing ball of light that seemed to lie near the bottom.

And then... Something strange happened.

The ball of light in your vision seemed to warp and transform into a small winged-creature. It was like a little fairy with butterfly wings. There was one of them in there. A moment later, it disappeared from view again, and turned back into a ball of light. If Sofia noticed, she didn't say anything, neither did anyone else in your group.

Sofia began to explain.

"You might not be able to see them... But if you stare near the bottom of it... There's actually something there." Sofia said motioning towards where the lights were. How Sofia was describing it, seemed as if she didn't see it herself. "Just stare for awhile..." Sofia said as she herself concentrated on the spot.

"There. That ball of light that appeared momentarily? That's the source of our light magic."

How Sofia was describing it, clashed with what you were seeing. There was no ball of light that momentarily appeared from nothingness. What you saw was an actual ball of light, that flashed into butterfly winged-creatures momentarily. In those few times when it momentarily appeared as a winged-creature, it looked like it was in pain.

[Asta]

Requested Diplomacy:

Rolled 1d20+2 : 19 + 2, total 21

"Demons are known to tell lies."

"Yes I can imagine. Let's talk about that later though." Hanako said, following after Sofia.

She walked along with her companions, trailing after Sofia as she led them through the facility. Taking note that the workers were all slaves. She noticed that a variety of the weapons produced bore striking resemblance to things from her own world, albeit rudimentary.  Are they making... tanks?

At last arriving at the glass tube, Hanako looked on as a creature flickered in and out of sight from a glowing ball. It was instantly recognizable to her (as a surprisingly common fetish). "Fairies? Your source of light magic is a fairy? It looks like it's in pain."

[Throndir]

"Well... Alright, there's other ways to test the energy output of this baby." The engineer said, he and the other began walking away, talking amongst themselves.

Before you left, you heard the demon girl whisper back to you.

"Thank you..."



Sofia blinked a couple of times.

"Faeries? Don't be silly, this isn't some story book." She paused however, a thought coming to her.

Her next words were probing.

"You don't see anything else do you?"

[Asta]

Hanako heaved her shoulders up and laid her palms out flat, an exaggerate shrug because she didn't know what to say. "Look, I'm being straight with you here. I can see the balls of light as plain as the nose on your face, it's been visible since I walked in here. However, it does sort of... wiggle... into the shape of a tiny person with wings. If that's not a fairy, then I don't know what to say."

Was that the right thing to say? Hanako wondered. If Sofia didn't know, should she? Did she care that much about inflicting suffering on others as long as the ends justified the means? Why is it that no matter where I go in this place, I have to find somebody getting enslaved or tortured? Would it kill you to send me somewhere nice for a change? the internal question was directed at a nebulous divine being and not anyone in particular. Though it was Erato that put her here...

[Throndir]

Sofia seemed to consider your words for a moment, her eyes drifting back to the bottom of the specimen chamber.

"That's rather unfortunate."

"Those glowing orbs was a gift to one of the nobles of our country from the demons he supported. He unfortunately suffered a mysterious accident a few months ago, but lucky for us... He owed our company quite a lot of money, and so, all of his assets simply transferred to us."

"A pity really. He was quite an amiable fellow. As it stands however, this Light-magic generating phenomenon is simply the property of the Birkensen Trading Company."

[Asta]

This woman is crazy dangerous. Hanako thought.

"Yeah that seems about right." she said with a sigh. "It's not really my place argue what you're doing here and why you're doing it, but you should really be careful you don't end up a monster yourself in the process."

She walked over to the glass tube and put a hand on it, peering inside at the little creature. "Where I'm from, my country, was occupied once at the end of a war. The opposing power forced us into surrender after a very long, very bloody conflict by dropping what they called 'atom bombs' on some of our cities. The magnitude of destruction is literally beyond your comprehension. An entire city flattened to nothing, and anyone that survived would die later of burns or cancer. They apologized for it later, not even everyone in their government wanted to use them. The scientists themselves struggled with the weight of their own creation. My country recovered during the occupation and things got better, then we were back on our own." She turned back to Sofia, "Nobody forgets though, when 'the ends justify the means'. Your business is your own, but you should be careful."

She stuffed her hands into her pockets. "How do you get the magic out of her?"

[Throndir]

Sofia took awhile to respond, though her face remained impassive. First however, she answered your question.

"It's a minor spell, one that moves mana from one thing to another. It wasn't normally useful for much of anything back in our world. But here... with the mana crystals? It's another story altogether. It's laughable how the magic employed by the people of this new world is so far lacking... They have the basics of elemental magic, but no other progress in any other areas. Apparently, there was once a kingdom of mage scholars called the Idorian Magic Kingdom that was summoned here. But, their capital and country were overrun since before our piece of Refedoria made it here. It would have been fascinating to see their research..."

"The story you tell is interesting however. I haven't considered the idea of a bomb with the capability of leveling a city." Sofia remarked as she nodded, completely missing the mark of your conversation. "Though... the mana requirements for that would be astro-" An idea flicked in her head, and she seemed to smile instead, cutting herself mid-sentence.

"Thank you Hanako... I think I know exactly where to get a replenishable supply of mana."

[Asta]

"I see you missed the point of that completely, but do go on." Hanako groaned, They never learn until it happens to them...

It was getting to the point where it might have been a better option to just cut ties and get out, but knowing what Sofia might be scheming would be good to know for the future. Hanako might end up having to sabotage whatever it ended up being.

[Throndir]

With that Sofia lead the way to a table and a chair nearby.

Sitting down she motioned for you to sit. The rest of your group would follow right behind. Once you were comfortable, Sofia continued.

"But... on to the matter at hand. I have a proposition for you."

"I'm sure you've noticed, but the people of this country... Fear and respect the hero. You're a symbol for most of the common folk, and even for some of the nobles still. If you were to rally the Refedorian people... They would likely follow your lead... And with the armaments that I, Sofia Leiningen and the Birkensen Trading Company is producing, retaking the government isn't just some silly ideal."

"I'm sure the sight of demons has you reeling, no?" Sofia stared at your carefully.

[Asta]

Hanako steepled her fingers in front of her face as she leaned forward to rest her elbows on the table. "I can't say I like what I've heard no, but I also have seen a lot that I don't care for that they aren't a part of." She breathed. "What you're suggesting is king-making isn't it? You want me to rally the people in an armed revolt with these light weapons. Do you think that's going to work? There's more to revolution than just a mob with weapons and ideals. Are you talking guerilla warfare?"

To be fair, Hanako had intended to at least make a pass at leading an armed conflict against the demons (what else could she do really?), but the plan was to skip off to Isikawa and raise an army there to return in force after actually learning how to fight.

[Throndir]

Sofia shook her head, but smiled.

"Of course not. A disorganized mob is as dangerous to the country as it is to the demons. Plus hardly do I believe that common-folk can do what our soldiers could not."

"No... I've been in contact with the government in Isikawa and the Felencorp United Alliance, and trying to reach the kingdom of Bürsteig. Our kingdom of Refedoria happen to have a lot more technologies that the countries of this world are interested in... We are a bit ahead of the rest in terms of magi-science as well. I've described these new weapons we've been producing... And frankly, they are quite interested."

"Of course, officially, there is no trading at all between our separate countries. The demons like to keep us in-check as much as possible. However... Herr Klein was planning such a route, the demon-boot licker was going to meet with them too, was he not? I have no set date for aid from the other countries... It may takes weeks, perhaps a few months to get everything in order. But, at least the Isikawan government promised aid for whenever our pieces are in place."

[Asta]

That's... convenient. Hanako thought, trying not to show the surprise on her face.

She sat back in the chair and rested one foot on her knee at the ankle, a very unladylike way to sit, her mother would be aghast. "Its interesting that you bring this up, because I actually came here planning to organize a sort of exodus of Klein's slaves to Isikawa with your help. I figured if their culture is as similar to mine as their looks are, I would be able to ingratiate myself to a local lord and start working on a little insurgency. Coming with gifts will certainly help though... If that's where you're going with this."

[Throndir]

"It's more than just gifts. My company did not reach its heights due to such things. It's a trade. A business deal. An agent from Isikawa had smuggled in a load of these mana crystals. Which is what you're seeing us use now. However... We need more of it. I have a shipment of prototype weapons and collars made from the mana crystals that I am to send back to the Isikawa Sovereignty. In return, they will continue to attempt to keep smuggling mana crystals to us."

"This is my proposal..." Sofia said, explaining. "Either use Klein's connections to have our government open trade lines to the kingdoms of the Ampur Slave Kingdom, Koteen Tribes, or possibly the Bashkassia Federation or the Kingdom of Bürsteig. Or, you deliver the shipment yourself to Isikawa."

"Between the choices, the former is potentially safer, though, more time will be taken for the goods to reach their intended destination... Smuggling it yourself can be risky as well. But... If you're already planning on an exodus of Klein's slaves to Isikawa, then perhaps those goals already align. And yes, I wouldn't want the hero of Refedoria to meet their untimely demise for a small thing such as a shipment of goods. Your kind is a rare commodity, one that I would not so easily squander."

"Taking all of Klein's slaves though? Doesn't he have around a thousand? That kind of exodus would not escape the eyes of the demons. My company HQ, at least the upper levels, have ears listening, they will notice a large group if they all left at once. What do you think... of a deal?"

"The Birkensen Trading Company is always looking to expand after all." Her eyes glinted in the low-light of the underground factory and testing lab. "... and we can always use more slaves."

[Asta]

"A commodity huh..." Hanako said, raising an eyebrow. Don't think I didn't notice that. You'll wind up like Klein if you think you can own me.

She waved a hand dismissively. "We already have taken that into consideration. While ships are built or bought et cetera, small groups of people will be shuffled from the mines and other facilities we don't have complete control over to ones that we do, then move them to the ships and leave. I'll tell you flat out now, that I don't believe that people are property and I won't be leaving them in your care. Plus, who would I have to help me found a little outpost to train and launch insurgents from if they stayed here?"

Hanako shifted forward in her seat. "However if it's the opportunity for expansion you'd like, I have some mines and a foundry I would be willing to split profits from at a generous cut in exchange for a few things."