Chrysalis Chapter 1719 - Dealing

“A prudent allocation of resources,” Merchant remarked with a sage nod, her spectacles catching the dim light within the ship's stateroom. Using her forward claws, she swept the documents from the tabletop, organizing them into a tidy stack before tucking them away into her satchel. “The delvers of Green Mountain represent a formidable power; truly, what price could be too high for such devoted protectors of their home?”

It was nearly impossible to utter those words without a hint of mockery, considering the Colony had rounded up more than a thousand of those very people in just a few days. Yet, Merchant remained true to her nature, appearing entirely earnest and happy for the Mountain's inhabitants.

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

Persuading the Council to accept the ant’s predatory terms had been an absolute ordeal. While no one was prepared to let the ants detain Green Mountain citizens indefinitely—a disgrace the public would never tolerate—reaching a consensus on a response had required the city's finest diplomats to work tirelessly around the clock.

“We were on the brink of war,” Alice retorted sharply as she collected her own set of papers and stowed them. “It was only in the final hour that enough votes shifted to authorize your payment.”

“War?” Merchant echoed, acting as if the concept had never crossed her mind. She shook her head vigorously. “That would be terrible for business. The costs would far exceed the fee you just settled, and you still wouldn't have your people back! No, I am relieved your Council chose the path of wisdom. It suggests a bright future for the relationship between our species.”

Alice harbored deep doubts about that. The Council was livid over being forced to pay such an outrageous sum, a move that had gutted their budget and necessitated a new tax on the populace to fill the void. Now, from the lowest slums to the highest peaks of Green Mountain, the commoners were even more hostile toward the ants than before.

“If your intention was to solidify the hatred my people feel for monsters, you have succeeded brilliantly,” she remarked.

Merchant let out a chuckle.

“Not at all. Our goal was simply to ensure you possessed the sense to pay. It truly was the smartest path. Now, when we inevitably capture your people again, we can trust that you will do what is necessary to bring them home without any trouble.”

Alice hesitated, her brow furrowing.

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

“Goodness, no! Don’t be absurd. That would be… well, it would be terribly hypocritical! After we lectured your people and demanded such a high price for trespassing on our territory and threatening our kin—”

“Monsters, not kin.”

“The idea that we would storm the gates of your grand city and… and pluck your delvers right out of their beds? That would be insanity. We have no such intentions, I assure you.”

“Then how could you possibly expect to seize our delvers a second time?” Alice questioned, her gaze sharpening.

“Well, I assume they eventually have to go outside. Or do they plan to remain huddled within Green Mountain forever? That seems highly improbable, particularly since your Council expects them to earn back a portion of that ransom. Those delvers need 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. “Trapping them inside Green Mountain, unable to exit or work, living in fear of being taken. Such a move would be a gross violation of law. As a sovereign city, we have a right to access the Dungeon.”

“Naturally, you have every right to enter the Dungeon,” Merchant conceded with a grand, sweeping gesture. “We wouldn’t dream of stopping you from entering. However, your delvers don't exactly have a guaranteed right to return from the Dungeon, do they?”

The question was asked so innocently and delivered so calmly, yet it was dripping with threat. A shiver traced its way down Alice Erry’s spine, though she refused to show it. She could see the coming months perfectly: teams would venture out, and while some might return, many would not. As the disappearances mounted, fear would paralyze the rest, keeping them trapped in the city. If no agreement was reached, they would be starved out. After all, the ants seemed perfectly fine with delvers operating out of other cities.

Just not Green Mountain.

Losing those delvers would strip the city of its primary trade and income, along with its first line of defense during waves. Green Mountain wouldn't collapse, but it would be crippled for decades.

All because of some foolish ants.

“Do you truly believe you can pull this off?” Alice Erry demanded, her temper rising. “That we and our allies will just stand by and watch? We have delvers here from the Silver City, from Way Island, and Highpeak Stronghold. Are you prepared to fight all of them?”

“Now, now, Ms. Erry, there’s no reason to be so aggressive!” Merchant laughed softly. “Conflict? Conflict is never the goal. This is simply a matter of business. Think of it as… a long-term investment. Are you aware that ants are incredibly patient? We don't really sleep; we enter a state of torpor. It’s a period of total stillness where we slow our bodies to a crawl, yet we remain aware, in a way… just waiting. I’m certain your allies will complain and make a grand display of their strength.

“But we can wait. We can maintain this for decades. Our numbers vastly outweigh yours. Eventually, Green Mountain will feel the true 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? All of Green Mountain was incensed. One more provocation and they might march to war regardless of the Council's wishes. Furthermore, she possessed information the ant lacked: the Church had dispatched a Judgement Battalion, and they wanted that massive ant dead. Green Mountain might just be willing to help them.

Conversely, Merchant knew something Alice did not. The Colony—and the Eldest in particular—was not patient. Not even slightly. This matter would be settled quickly. Shockingly fast.

The nameless ants really hated missing their sleep.