100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 530 - Work

After a final practical thought, Lucien bid Seran farewell.

Before he activated the Void Disc, he cast his gaze toward the deeper halls of the Liberator Headquarters and declared, "One more thing."

Seran's eyebrows lifted.

"I wish to engrave an Instant Teleportation Array here, if that is feasible."

This caused Seran to pause.

Lucien elaborated, "Should the array be properly anchored within the Headquarters, we will avoid expending excessive amounts of energy using the Void Disc for every visit. More importantly, you can journey to my domain yourself next time."

His words resonated.

The previous visit from Seran had been via reflection, not his true physical form.

A smile spread across Seran's face.

"That," he affirmed, "is an excellent proposition."

Lucien extended his hand.

Seran observed it, then chuckled and met his hand with a sharp high-five that echoed conspicuously through the tranquil chamber.

"Next time," Seran proposed, "let's aim to pilfer something even more audacious."

A grin touched Lucien's lips.

"That is precisely the sort of commitment I desire."

He then initiated the Void Disc.

The fabric of space contorted.

A moment later, he materialized back in Lootwell.

• • •

Lucien reappeared directly within the central office.

Vivian, Eirene, and Elias were present.

All three heads turned upward simultaneously.

Several assistants, positioned in disciplined formations around them, did the same.

Cecil stood among them.

Lucien's gaze briefly lingered on him.

The young man, who once possessed an overabundance of imagination, had matured into an individual trusted by the central office. His actions were swift yet composed, precise yet unwavering. He proved remarkably capable.

Noticing Lucien's attention, Cecil immediately stood straighter, a broad smile gracing his features.

"My lord."

Lucien acknowledged him with a nod, then turned his attention to the others.

Vivian leaned back slightly in her chair, observing him with the keen scrutiny of a leader who had dedicated countless days to fortifying a territory, and thus felt entitled to examine her brother for any signs of impending trouble.

"You've finally returned, Lu."

"And alive, at that," Lucien quipped.

"That is still my preferred outcome."

Eirene glanced at him, a subtle twitch at the corner of her mouth. A silent understanding passed between her and Lucien as their eyes met and they nodded in acknowledgment.

Elias, meanwhile, also offered Lucien a nod.

Soon after, Lucien proceeded forward, approached Vivian's side, and without preamble, began reviewing the submitted reports.

...

The reports filled him with satisfaction.

The profits were substantial, and the market remained robust. While not exactly friendly, coexistence between citizens and outsiders had settled into a functional, civil cadence.

The territory no longer resembled a place hosting a temporary event; it radiated the aura of an established, enduring reality.

Next, the chapel reports were presented.

Clara had identified additional candidates for collaboration.

Vivian had not yet granted her approval.

She had permitted the chapel to vet, assess, and narrow down the candidates, but the ultimate decision rested solely with Lucien.

Lucien perused the summaries meticulously.

Some of these individuals expressed a desire to become integrated into Lootwell.

He gave his approval for the initial group.

"For citizenship," he stated.

Vivian promptly updated the roster.

Eirene then took charge of the collaboration dossiers.

"These," she announced, "still necessitate direct interaction."

Lucien concurred.

"I will meet with them later to finalize the soul contracts in person."

With that, one stack was concluded.

Then came the recordings.

These proved to be considerably more engaging.

Lucien opened them and read about the latest developments emanating from Nareth.

The scheming major factions there persisted in their attempts to coalesce into a stabilizing bloc... at least, that was the terminology employed in their public statements.

In private communications, the language was far less diplomatic. Their objective was to swiftly consolidate smaller sects, minor clans, and resource-rich groups to erect a counterforce before Lootwell's influence became too deeply entrenched to challenge.

However, the smaller entities were disinclined to be "consolidated."

Furthermore, the advent of communication devices had dramatically altered the landscape.

The instant pressure began to bear down on the minor factions, messages spread like wildfire.

The weaker factions did not need to secure a military victory; their aim was merely to publicize the situation faster than the larger powers could control the narrative.

What would have once been localized pressure quickly escalated into regional embarrassment within mere hours.

The more dominant factions found themselves in a precarious position.

If they acted openly, their actions would be witnessed by the entire world.

If they hesitated, the smaller factions gained valuable time to solicit assistance from a wider audience and garner neutral attention.

Should they resort to violence, they would instantly validate every suspicion harbored against them.

Lucien reread a public message and let out a laugh.

A humble sect elder from Nareth had dispatched this very message to six adjacent groups and three merchant associations concurrently:

"[Should we vanish after declining 'voluntary integration,' let this message serve as irrefutable proof that our consent was, in fact, not voluntary.]"

That was exceptionally well-played.

That was the ugly, small-faction survival instinct, properly utilized.

Lucien leaned back, tapping the papers once.

"This," he stated, "is precisely why communication reshapes politics before it ever reshapes war."

Vivian peered over.

"They are merely stalling one another."

"They are exposing one another," Lucien corrected. "The stronger factions still possess superior force, but now every action has witnesses, and witnesses breed hesitation."

Elias gave a single nod.

"Reputation carries a cost."

"Indeed."

Eirene added, "And once the fear of reputational isolation infiltrates multi-faction politics, aggression becomes a costly endeavor unless it can be unequivocally justified."

Lucien’s lips curved into a smile.

"Precisely."

That was the underlying shift.

Previously, larger factions could absorb smaller ones through sheer pressure, opportune timing, and the imposition of silence.

Now, silence had lost its potency.

The speed at which information traveled had become a form of defensive asset.

The major players in Nareth would be compelled to either operate with far greater stealth, establish a public legal justification beforehand, fracture the smaller factions rather than confronting them as a united front, or abandon expediency and cultivate influence more slowly.

All these alternatives granted valuable time.

And time, in this specific scenario, favored Lootwell.

Lucien found this profoundly amusing.

Lootwell had not even taken direct action.

It had merely altered the playing field.

He didn't even need to personally intervene.

That was the elegance of systems; once they achieved a certain scale, they began to generate outcomes that appeared coincidental to those too proud to acknowledge being outmaneuvered by the very infrastructure they dismissed.

...

The dispatches from Maereth arrived shortly thereafter.

Kael and his contingent had reached their destination.

The abandoned territory, once under the control of the Evershade Exchange, was already undergoing a transfer of ownership, orchestrated by Shadow and Kael. Preparations were underway to clear and stabilize the site, making it ready to house Lootwell's inaugural formal external branch.

This news immediately pleased Lucien.

A branch established there would be strategically significant.

Maereth stood as the central hub of the West Continent, a bustling, well-connected, and politically advantageous location.

Lucien retrieved his communication device and personally dispatched a message.

"I will send Sister Lilith there eventually. Be ready."

The response arrived with almost immediate celerity.

"We shall await your command, Young Lord."

Lucien smiled, setting the device aside.

"Excellent."

He then returned his attention to the pending paperwork.

A quietude settled over the room for a considerable duration, punctuated only by the rustle of turning pages, Cecil's meticulous organization, and the subtle sounds of nascent civilization striving for clarity.

Then, as the peak of the immediate pressure finally subsided, Vivian leaned back and directed her gaze back to Lucien.

"Brother."

He turned his head to acknowledge her.

"You have been absent for a week. Have you concluded your affairs?"

Lucien offered a slight nod.

"Yes."

He then regarded her with a more discerning look and inquired, "You can sense it, can't you?"

Vivian froze mid-motion.

The others in the room also became still.

Lucien lightly tapped the edge of the desk.

"Your law, does it resonate more strongly in my proximity now?"

Eirene had perceived the subtle shift the very moment he had entered the chamber.

Vivian's eyes widened noticeably.

That reaction was sufficient confirmation.

"So that's the reason," she murmured softly. "I had begun to think I was imagining it."

Lucien waited patiently.

Vivian closed her eyes briefly, then reopened them. "My law has been acting with greater fluidity ever since you entered the room..." She paused, searching for the precise term. "As if understanding itself has become clearer."

Lucien let out a low chuckle.

"Yes. That description seems quite accurate."

The nascent Tree of Creation's influence had indeed expanded and intensified.

Vivian leaned forward, her expression one of dawning realization.

"So, this is why it feels like I might be on the verge of a breakthrough."

Lucien smiled faintly.

"Most likely."

Then, leaning back once more, he remarked in his most understated tone, "You can achieve greater strength simply by being near me now. Perhaps I should start charging a fee."

This jest elicited a wave of laughter throughout the room.

•••

Once the primary administrative tasks were brought under control, Lucien initiated his next set of actions.

He proceeded to implement the pending decisions without delay.

First among them was Lilith.

He presented her with the Void Disc.

Lilith gazed down at the artifact, then up at him.

"Maereth?" she inquired immediately.

Lucien nodded in affirmation.

"Sister Lilith, I desire the first external branch to be established with the utmost quality. I entrust this critical task to you."

That assurance was all that was needed.

Lilith's hand closed around the disc.

"I shall select personnel."

"Sister Astraea will accompany you. She is familiar with the region from the prior campaign."

Lilith's expression sharpened with evident satisfaction.

"Excellent."

She then turned away, her mind already immersed in considerations of materials, architectural designs, branch operational logic, and strategic deployment.

Lucien gave his silent approval.

The next order of business involved the prospective candidates for new citizenship.

He met with them personally.

They stood before him, radiating palpable tension.

Lucien surveyed them all briefly.

He had already granted preliminary approval in principle. However, principle and actual accession were distinct matters.

Therefore, he stipulated a specific condition.

"If you wish to attain citizenship within Lootwell," he declared, "you must spend one full month residing within the chapel."

Several among them blinked in surprise.

Lucien continued his address, "As workers. You will assist, learn, and serve. Allow this place to teach you whether you fit within its confines, and let us determine if you can exist within Lootwell without becoming corrupted by it. Clara, I entrust this task to you."

"You may rest assured, My Lord," she replied.

This process would serve as a trial for the individuals, testing their patience, discipline, compatibility, and genuine desire to belong.

Furthermore, it afforded Clara more time to spend with them.

This arrangement could be viewed as either merciful or terrifying, depending entirely on one's theological perspective.

They all consented.

Every single one of them.

Clara appeared almost excessively pleased.

"I eagerly anticipate baptizing them," she announced.

Lucien opted not to inquire if her statement was literal, spiritual, administrative, or some unique 'Clara-way' of expressing things that would only add to the peculiarity of the situation.

He moved on.

Next, he addressed the collaboration factions.

He convened meetings with them, meticulously reviewed the terms, revised a few of the specified obligations, and with polite but firm resolve, corrected one instance of attempted price gouging. Finally, where appropriate, he formalized the agreements using Soul Contracts.

With these matters settled, the factions departed to commence the collection of resources that Lootwell had requested.

•••

Shortly thereafter, Lucien made his way to the Ascension Spire.

He ascended to the highest chamber.

He had brought the newly acquired dungeon batteries with him.

These included the Covenant-Breaker clone, the preserved Monster Kings, and the eight void monsters originating from the Echo Zone.

Naturally, he had not neglected to gather the goblin organ storage from the defeated monsters.

Nothing of potential value would be discarded.

Subsequently, he integrated the "batteries" with meticulous care.

•••

He dedicated the following days within the Spire to its refinement.

By the time his work was complete, new upper levels had materialized.

The dungeon could now generate monsters and training environments capable of reaching the Sixth Stage of the Celestial Realm.

This development alone sent a wave of excitement throughout the territory.

Those with a penchant for battle rejoiced enthusiastically, as battle-hardened individuals invariably do when informed that life has become more perilous in ways they can personally engage with and profit from.

Lucien observed this with a smile of deep satisfaction.

And thus, in this manner, the subsequent phase of Lootwell's evolution commenced.