Chrysalis Chapter 1611: 1719 - Dealing

"A prudent allocation of resources," Merchant remarked with a knowing nod, her spectacles catching the faint light within the ship's stateroom. Using her front claws, she gathered the parchment from the desk, stacking the sheets with precision before tucking them into her satchel. "The delvers of Green Mountain represent a formidable power; who could truly value such dedicated and exceptional protectors of their home?"

It was nearly impossible to utter those words without a hint of mockery, considering the Colony had rounded up over a thousand of them in mere days. However, Merchant remained true to her nature, appearing entirely earnest and genuinely happy for the people of the Mountain.

To Alice Erry, the display was nothing short of infuriating.

Coaxing the Council into accepting the ant's predatory terms had been an ordeal. While no one was prepared to let the ants detain Green Mountain's citizens indefinitely—an outrage the public would never tolerate—it had required the constant efforts of elite negotiators to finally agree on a path forward.

"We were on the brink of war," Alice remarked sharply as she retrieved her own documents and stowed them away. "The votes to pay your exorbitant fee only swung in your favor during the final hour."

"War?" Merchant replied, sounding as though the concept had never crossed her mind. She gave an energetic shake of her head. "That would be terrible for business. The cost would exceed the payment you just made, and you still wouldn't recover your people! No, I am delighted that your Council chose the path of wisdom. It is a promising sign for the future connection between our kinds."

Alice harbored deep doubts about that. The Council was livid at being forced to pay such a staggering sum, a move that gutted the budget and required a new tax on the populace to fill the void. From the base of Green Mountain to its highest peaks, the common folk were now even more hostile toward the ants than before.

"If your intent was to solidify the hatred my people feel for monsters, you have succeeded brilliantly," she stated.

Merchant let out a laugh.

"Not at all. Our goal was simply to ensure you were intelligent enough to pay. It truly is the most logical path. Now, when we capture your people again, we can trust that you will do what is necessary to return them home without any trouble."

Alice froze, her brow furrowing.

"You intend to take our people again? How do you plan to reach them now that they are secured within the city walls? Is this... a threat of invasion?"

"Invasion? Certainly not! Don't be absurd. That would be... why... that would be incredibly hypocritical of us! Especially after we criticized your people and demanded such a high price for invading our territory and threatening our kin—"

"Monsters, not kin."

"To suggest we would storm the defenses of your great city and... and snatch your delvers from their very beds? That is madness. We have no such intentions, I assure you."

"Then how could you possibly expect to seize our delvers a second time?" Alice demanded, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Well, I assume they eventually have to step outside. Or do they plan to remain within the borders of Green Mountain for eternity? That seems highly improbable, particularly since your Council expects them to repay a portion of the ransom. Those delvers have to return to their work."

The realization hit Alice instantly.

"So you plan to do to us exactly what the delvers did to you," she snapped. "Keeping them trapped inside Green Mountain, unable to exit, unable to earn a living, living in fear of being taken. Such a move would be a gross violation of law. As a sovereign city, we have the right to access the Dungeon."

"Indeed, you have every right to enter the Dungeon," Merchant confirmed with a grand, sweeping gesture. "We would never dream of blocking your path into the Dungeon. However, your delvers have the right to return from the Dungeon as well, don't they?"

The question was asked with such feigned innocence and calm, yet it was dripping with threat. A shiver traced its way down Alice Erry's spine, though she kept her expression neutral. She could see the coming months vividly: teams of delvers departing, some returning, but others vanishing, the missing numbers climbing until fear paralyzed the rest. If no agreement was reached, they would be pushed out. After all, the ants seemed to have no issue with delvers operating out of other cities.

Only Green Mountain was targeted.

Losing those delvers would strip the city of its primary trade and income, as well as its front line of defense during waves. While it wouldn't kill Green Mountain, it would stunt its growth for decades.

All because of some foolish ants.

"Do you truly believe you can pull this off?" Alice Erry asked, her temper rising. "Do you think we and our allies will just watch it happen? There are delvers here from the Silver City, from Way Island, and from Highpeak Stronghold. Are you ready to face a conflict with all of them?"

"Please, Ms. Erry, there's no need for such hostility!" Merchant chuckled. "Conflict? Conflict is never the goal. This is merely a matter of commerce. I prefer to view it as... a long-term investment. Are you aware that ants are exceptionally patient? We don't truly sleep. We enter a state of torpor—complete stillness where our systems slow to a crawl, yet we remain aware, in a way... just waiting. I'm certain your allies will protest; they will likely come here and put on a display of power.

"But we can wait. We can maintain this for decades. Our numbers vastly outweigh yours. Eventually, Green Mountain will feel the full weight of its choices."

Alice glared at the ant, her chest tight with simmering rage. How did these ants dare to think they could succeed? The whole of Green Mountain was incensed by these events. One more provocation and they might march to war regardless of the Council’s wishes. Furthermore, she possessed knowledge the ant lacked: the Church had dispatched a Judgement Battalion, and they wanted that massive ant destroyed. Green Mountain might just be willing to help them.

Conversely, Merchant held a secret Alice did not. The Colony—specifically the Eldest—was not patient at all. Not in the least. This matter would be settled with surprising speed.

The nameless did not enjoy losing their sleep.