The Vault was destroyed?
Who would do such a thing?
Robbed, I could see it, but fully destroyed. Why would anyone do that?
"Any suspicions who could be behind this?"
"Only two days ago we got a message from the Sandstone Kingdome that their treasury was destroyed by the Piligers."
The pillager did this?
This is a huge blow for the two nations then, and the perfect time to ravage more.
Should I help them fight back?
Maybe I could tell them the location of their outpost, but I don't know how much that would be of help, since almost everyone is gone from there, taking most of their riches with them.
Even if they search for forbidden knowledge, they won't find anything since I stole it and burned the rest.
At least the Stone Kingdome has access to a portal and can request precious items from the Piglings.
I don't want to think how the Sandstone kingdom is dealing with this disaster.
"I'm guessing they started to harass the towns and villages more now."
"Yes and no surprisingly. They kept the same pace of attacking small towns, but not with the same precision as before, most of the attacks were composed of Ravegers and their tamers. While their still dangerous we can fend them off with our fireworks."
That wasn't so bad.
Which means the main force is doing something else.
"A week ago we received reports of a huge flying platform between the borders, going towards the Coral Kingdom."
So the General decided to not fight on two fronts and concentrate on getting their target.
"What do you plan to do against this?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
I think I'm hearing things, did Bobby just say they're going to ignore a flying platform filled with enemies besides their kingdom?
"Exactly, it's not worth attacking them now since it's clear they switched their target towards the Coral Kingdom. We plan on attacking them from behind when the Coral army would retaliate. And between you and me, we're going to wait a while to send help since they weren't willing to do the same when we were attacked by the Zombie Lord."
Looks like they're salty about that, which seems fair in my opinion.
From what Bobby told me, when they heard their in need of help, they increased the prices of their items, which now backfired on them since they lost almost a whole Kingdom as customers.
We don't need their craftsmans when we have our own in another dimension.
"What about the Sandstone Kingdom? Would they also stay out of this conflict or destroy them while vulnerable?"
"From what we talked with them, we would concentrate on recuperating our losses before attacking the Piligers."
So they are waiting on the sidelines as well.
"But enough about all this depressive stuff, how have you been doing? What can I help you with today?"
"Ohh, the funny thing about the Piliger outpost..."
Bobby only rolled his eyes as he expected another crazy story to follow.
I didn't tell him everything, but I told him the new state of the outpost.
I also told him that I have a prisoner in the Nether to do certain research for me.
"At least they suffered with their houses and castle burned. Sure, I'll try not to kill the Piliger next time I visit the tribe, I don't even want to know what kind of experiments you put that man to do."
"It's better if you don't. While they're not immoral, they can bring unwanted attention to you."
The man let out a tired sigh.
"Figures, how's Froggy doing, or my village?"
"Both of them are doing well, and Froggy now Is an Elder! But he promised he would come to your wedding."
"That's good to hear. I only hope nothing major would happen that would postpone it further away."
I wished for the same, but ever since I came to this world, trouble seems to come out of every corner.
"I hope for peaceful times as well. Do you know anything about the Coral Kingdome by any chance?"
His eyebrows raised not believing what he just heard.
"Did you not hear me when I said that's the place where chaos would ensue?"
"True, but I don't plan on getting into that, I have some other business there."
After a few moments of silence, he let out a defeated sigh and told me whatever he knew about the place, which wasn't a lot unfortunately.
They have a different ruling system than others, it's similar to democracy with the exception that everyone who can vote has to have a profitable business, and most of the time the leader ends up being the richest person in the Kingdom.
That's why for the past 10 years, there was the same ruler, who has a few famous businesses under his name.
Also, the common people, live differently than in it's sister kingdoms.
They have a small number of villages who concentrate on farming, and the majority live in tall buildings in the city.
Not only that, but the Coral Kingdom seems to concentrate a lot on craftsmen, and they don't use the System recipes as expected, or at least not as much as the other nations.
Instead, they handmade furniture and other commodities.
The more I listened, the more I wanted to be there.
So I gave Bobby the new compass and told him how it worked, took a horse and galloped towards the Coral Kingdom.
It took me two weeks with a speed drugged horse to arrive at one of their cities, and I was taken by surprise, to say the least.
The city was huge and had a lot of tall buildings similar to apartments in my old world.
The city didn't have a wall, instead, it was surrounded by a deep valley, 10 blocks wide and 50 blocks deep.
On top of the valley, was a huge bridge guarded by 5 strong men with iron armor, checking every person that passed with a lama or donkey.
It was the first time I'd seen someone use the chest feature on animals as a way to transport goods, since most of the time the inventory was specious enough.
But here in the land of business, there's no such thing as free inventory, only more space to carry.
I got off my horse and wondered if I should put on my armor now or after I passed the guards.
In the end, I decided to put it on after I got inside since I didn't know if my stealth would work on the horse as well.
So I waited in line until it was my turn.
"Any act of identification?"
"Uhh, I don't have one sir."
The guard let out a tired sigh and took out a notebook.
"Name and reason for your visit."
"My name is Trader and I want to stay the night here to get some rest with my horse."
He raised his eyes from the notebook and looked at my horse.
"Any explosions or dangerous items in your inventory sir?"
I took a quick look at the fireworks and Netherite sword I had in my inventory.
"No sir, I wouldn't dare."
"The entrance fee is 6 emeralds."
I gave the man the emeralds.
"Good, now take this, since it would be your temporary ID, it only lasts for two days before you have to buy the next one. I suggest you take the main road until you see a tall building with blue terracotta at the entrance. There you can apply for an ID."
"Thank you sir, I will do this as soon as possible."
"Good, NEXT!"
I passed the guard and looked at the piece of paper that I held in my hand.
-----
Name: Trader
Characteristics: Brown hair, brown eyes, no nose?
Signed by: Eusabar the guard
-----
That was a short, but accurate way to describe me, especially the lack of a nose that I completely forgot.
I held my horse close to me as I walked along the busy streets.
The buildings were tall and beautifully colored, and on the outer parts of the city, I could see a railway system to travel more conveniently at high speeds.
After half an hour of looking all over the place, I arrived at a two-story building with blue terracotta and huge windows.
The iron doors were already opened so I left my horse tied to a pole and walked inside.
There I saw three lines waiting for three lovely ladies to finish their paperwork.
I chose one and waited until it was my turn.
After an hour of waiting, my turn finally came.
"Good afternoon, what can I help you with today?"
"I want to make an ID card."
"Of course, a new one or replacing one lost?"
"A new one please."
"Sure fill out this form and we'll do some tests after this."
----
Business Registration
Name:
Skill levels: -
-
Job:
Citizen:
Business model:
Signature:
----
"Sorry lady, I think you gave me the wrong paper, I don't want to start a business, I only want to make ID papers."
"You're not from here, are you? We don't have something like this. Everyone that lives here has a 'business' and moves from city to city like that. If you don't want to open a business, put one of your skills at the business model."
That's an interesting way to document everything.
This truly is a country run by business, I wonder how it all works behind the scenes.
I looked at my paper once again and thought how truthful I should be about it.
"Are there any benefits if I have a high level of a certain skill?"
"Yes, but mostly if you are a master or grandmaster."
So levels 5, 6, and 7.
"What would those benefits be?"
"If you're a master, you can enter for free in any city, if your a grandmaster you can stay for free in certain hotels in each city."
That was pretty good.
Since I don't have a job like the other villagers, I'll write mine to be a Wandering Trader and hope for the best.
With that, I quickly wrote everything down and gave it back to the woman.
She took it and looked at the paper with surprise.
"I would say you'll be very unlucky to have that job if it wasn't for you Crafting level. Unfortunately we only have the necessary items up to level 6, you'll have to go to the capital to get your grandmaster card. Come with me."
I follow her beyond the counter in a small room with a brewing stand, Crafting table and two chests.
"I want you to craft me a dropper and a speed potion, after were done your paper would be complete."
I felt that this was a fair test, as only at Crafting Level 6 you can do a dropper and at Brewing level 3 someone can brew a speed potion.
I didn't want to get too much attention so I put a lower level at my Brewing skill.
I took the necessary items from the chests she showed me and finished everything she requested in 15 minutes.
She took the items, nooded her head and told me to wait outside.
I got out, waited for another 10 minutes when the lady came back with a book for me.
I expected a card, but this makes more sense since the signature can't be foraged.
I'm lucky that I didn't have to sign it, otherwise I'll have an awkward conversation about the System not knowing my name.
I opened the book, and the first page was exactly as the form I completed earlier.
"That would be 20 emeralds."
This made my smile freeze, since the price was way higher then expected.
With one emerald I can buy one bread, and this 'mandatory' paper is equivalent to 20 loafs of bread.
But I didn't lack emeralds to pay for it, so I gave her the emeralds and left the building afraid that I'll have to do something extra.
POV: A certain office worker
I looked at the wierd man without a nose leaving the building with quick steps.
The price for a new document must've scared him a little.
I went back to my desk and helped the rest of the people with their problems until my shift ended.
When a colleague of mine took my place, I stealthy took a piece of paper with me.
"Possible Crafting grandmaster with no known backing. Since he came from the Stone Kingdome that means he's either running from someone or hasn't been discovered yet. I'm sure there would be a few business men willing to buy this information for a good price."
I put the pice of paper back in my inventory, and went home to get some rest.