The scent of ink and gold filled the air inside the Merchant Guild's grand hall. Towering shelves of scrolls and ledgers lined the walls, detailing the wealth and trade routes of Lysvein. The city's most powerful merchants sat in a semicircle, their robes lined with silver and jewels, their faces unreadable.
At the center of it all, standing before them, was Kairos.
His golden eyes swept the room. "You called for me?"
A man with oily hair and too many rings stood up. Alric Vossen, the guild's chairman. His smile was polite. But his eyes? Calculating.
"Lord Kairos." His voice was silky smooth. "Lysvein is… changing. And we, the Merchant Guild, wish to discuss our future."
Kairos leaned back slightly, arms crossed. "Go on."
Alric's smile widened. "Trade is what keeps a kingdom alive. And with war looming, the guild believes we must be practical. If we are to survive, it may be in our best interest to—"
His fingers tapped the table, as if considering his next words carefully.
"—cooperate with the Draconian Empire."
The air in the room shifted.
Kairos exhaled through his nose. "You want to surrender."
Murmurs among the merchants. Some looked uneasy. Others, guilty.
Alric raised his hands. "Not surrender. Just… an arrangement. If we agree to let the Empire establish trading posts within Lysvein, they may allow us to remain autonomous."
Kairos let that sit for a moment.
Then, he smirked.
"Autonomous?" He chuckled, stepping closer to the table. "You think the Empire cares about your little trade routes? Your gold? Your titles?"
His voice darkened.
"They don't need your permission. They're coming to take what they want."
Alric stiffened, but his expression remained neutral. "This is not about cowardice, my lord. It is about business. War is costly. And as things stand, Lysvein cannot hope to—"
Kairos's hand shot out.
A sharp crack rang out as he slammed his palm down onto the table. The entire wooden surface splintered under the force, sending ink bottles shattering and gold coins rolling onto the floor.
The merchants flinched.
Kairos's voice was low, dangerous.
"Are you merchants of Lysvein—or servants of the Empire?"
Silence.
Some of them shifted uncomfortably. A few, the ones with real loyalty, straightened their backs.
But Alric? His expression barely wavered.
He simply sighed.
"I had hoped we could come to an agreement, Lord Kairos."
And then—
Guards burst into the room.
Not just any guards. Hired mercenaries.
Steel flashed. Swords drawn.
Alric's smile returned. Colder.
"But I always have… alternatives."
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION FACTION QUEST ACTIVATED: MERCANTILE CONSPIRACY
The Merchant Guild has betrayed Lysvein. A coup is in motion.
Eliminate the traitors before they seize control of the kingdom's economy.
Kairos grinned.
"Alright, you greedy bastards." He reached for Aetherfang, the soulbound blade humming with power.
"You want a fight? Let's make it quick."