"After years of interrupting our research, I am perfectly for ending the harassment these dogs cause us." Rio offhandedly mentioned.
"Hah! You're the brats who keep getting in the way of our hunts! But I feel generous today, so I'll let you off!" Gravana barked.
"Well then, there you have it, young Goddess. It's a shame we can't get it in writing, but I hope our verbal agreement will suffice."
'What exactly am I supposed to gain from saying no?'
"Then it's settled. I hope you'll treat me well from now on, teacher." Alchemy smiled.
Alchemy had already given an air of fragility due to her short stature and softer features, but the words born from genuine relief of being out of immediate danger increased the effect greatly.
If not for her proving her ferocity, nobody would believe that this girl had fought against a werewolf with her life on the line mere hours ago.
"Gahahaha! I knew you'd choose right! Good! From now on, you'll come to the wolf den every morning for training!"
And that relief was immediately gone.
"Ah, about that… I kind of… Can't leave my land…"
The laughing stopped as Gravana narrowed his eyes.
"Oho? Are you unwilling to make such a long trip?"
"No! I just… Don't like the thought of leaving my kids."
Seeing Alchemy scrambling for an excuse as to why she couldn't leave made Rio laugh.
"Gods, at the very least the ones of humans, can only descend onto land they personally blessed through their believers. And even then, it consumes a great deal of energy. While you seem to be a permanent manifestation of a Goddess, am I to assume you can't leave this land without risking your life?"
'Why does this monkey so much about the affairs of humans and their Gods?' Alchemy sighed.
"That's correct. Leaving is possible, but that stunt I pulled during our battle cost nearly all of my energy. If I were to leave before I recover, well, I'd rather not think of the consequences." She nodded, pouting.
Alchemy wasn't too upset about Rio revealing that she was landlocked. Primarily, she wanted to keep the stat reduction under wraps. She was planning not to disclose the core weakness at all, but since it came to this anyway, she could at least hide the worst of it.
"Oh? Is that so? No matter, then! Until you recover, I'll come here to give you personal morning lessons!"
'I'd prefer you don't, but okay!'
"Ah! Thank you for being so considerate, teacher. In the meantime, this peace deserves a celebration. Although I don't have much to offer, please help yourself to the fruit and drinks my Verminae have to offer."
"Gahaha! I'll take you up on that offer, disciple!"
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A couple of hours later, after the guests had left, Alchemy slammed her head on the wooden table.
"AHHH! WE DID IT!" She cheered in celebration!
"Mother Goddess! Please stop doing so many dangerous things! The brothers and sisters are worried about you!"
Unable to muster the strength to lift her head, Alchemy rolled over to see Nera.
"You say that like I had any choice here. Unlike when I stepped in to save Sapphire, a meeting with the two groups would happen soon regardless. At least this way, I interested them in me and secured a temporary peace."
Not to mention how lucrative all her risky endeavors have been. Risky moves always made the best payout, even if those risks were taken without you knowing.
"Anyways! It's time to cheer up! We've got the resources required to make the [Chrysalis Nexus] and a potential solution to our R&D problem! Not to mention all the rewards I got from gaining Gravana's acknowledgment. We're set for quite a while."
"Eh? Was that your plan?" Nera questioned.
"Was what my plan?"
"R&D. You're trying to turn the Knowledge Seekers into our R&D department. But they won't have access to the system unless they officially come under you."
Alchemy nodded in agreement.
Another of Verminae's weaknesses was a lack of units related to research and technology development. Nera was a god sent gift in that regard since her bonus stat gave increased bonuses for research-related matters, but she couldn't realistically be there to help all the time.
Not until Alchemy gained more heroes at least.
"Right, about that. System, I haven't seen anything about [Alliances] even though I should have unlocked them after evolving."
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"Yeah, I figured you'd be useless." Alchemy sighed.
She couldn't be too mad since it gave her two skill shard for her troubles.
"Well, it'd be nice if they managed to give us a bonus of some kind, but I don't think it really matters. We have a lot we need to test out and research outside of the system anyway. I'm particularly interested in my ability to wield magical artifacts; if I could make them, I'd be able to wield both Divine Power and Mana."
Thinking about it for a few moments, Nera eventually agreed. She didn't particularly dislike the Knowledge Seekers, at least. It'd be better to have them around than that damned werewolf, Gravana.
"That's stuff to worry about in two days anyway. For now, let's feast on our rewards!"
The first thing she did was build the [Chrysalis Nexus] and [Hatchery Nexus]
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Beginning their build, Alchemy put the two next to each other on the south side of her tribal hut. Since there were no real threats over there, as far as she was aware, it was currently her best choice.
She didn't want to use her vouchers for these since other [Tier 2 buildings] are more expensive, but she didn't expect to get the metal so fast, so she never prepared the needed stone and wood.
At least the timer was shortened so she could begin obtaining upgrades faster.