Parakelia the Mercenary and the Sweets of Bastrey
Parakelia lived in the most remote spot in Laus Lake village. Well, to my eyes, the whole village felt pretty damn remote anyway. At any rate, my first move was to report to Crit that I'd cleared the dungeon.
"Back sooner than expected. Hmm, but you reek of something off."
Her guardian spirit, Crit, eyed me up as I presented Poseidon as proof of conquest. He'd picked up on the hostility from my new title, Red Piece, earned in the dungeon—something that rubbed natural-affinity races the wrong way. If this soured things with Crit, it'd be a real pain in the ass. He was one of the more rational and idealistic spirits out there, though, so I trusted he'd make the smart call.
"Well, you've proven your chops, so whatever. Kelly, this guy's got real power despite his weird looks. That Fairy Tale Dungeon is tougher than it seems."
Crit had it right. I breezed through knowing every trick from the strategy guide, but blind? The difficulty would've spiked two or three times over. Just killing Rapunzel in the first stage, the Rainbow Garden, would've been a nightmare.
"If Crit says so... but can we really trust him?"
Parakelia still hadn't dropped her guard around me. That wariness would serve her well on this brutal continent. Not that she needed it much—she was royalty from a whole kingdom, even if she was on the run now.
"Kelly, you can't hide in this village forever. That'd be an insult to your destiny and talent. You need to see the wider world. It'll make you stronger, and that strength will buy your freedom."
Crit's push was simple: he wanted her potential to bloom. Parakelia had the chops to contract a spirit king—a rare gift even among spirits' lifetimes.
Convinced by Crit, Parakelia finally agreed to tag along. But she slapped a condition on it.
"I'm just following you as a mercenary. If I feel like it, I'll ditch you anytime."
I accepted. Never expected her to hand over her heart on day one. Seducing her slow would be fun sport. Of course, with Crit glued to her side, I'd have to play it careful.
"Don't worry too much, Kelly. I've got your back."
Having an earth spirit king watching her made it tricky to extend my dark tentacles too soon. Anyway, Kelly was officially my new companion now. Unlike Luna, Sera, or Arme, she wasn't offering her body—yet—but we'd sealed a proper mercenary contract.
I told Laus Lake's village chief I was taking Parakelia with me. He nodded. The village's whole purpose was raising and sending out top-tier spirit mages. If they wanted to leave, no one stopped them.
After a day in the village, we headed back to Epion Village with Parakelia and Crit in tow. The escort troops waiting there came out to greet us. Parakelia and Crit were stunned by the sizable force.
"Impressive show of force. More than I thought. Lucky for Kelly."
Crit gave me another look. Parakelia didn't show it, but she seemed relieved too. Being hunted by her Mailock royal kin, a proper guard detail melted her defenses.
"Good work, Walker. That's a fine stallion you've got—never seen its like."
Tevez, who'd led the escorts in my absence, gawked at Poseidon.
"A beauty like this? Back home, I handled horses as a side gig. Could fetch at least one platinum on the market."
Despite the praise, Poseidon kicked up his front legs in disgust, whinnying like he was yelling, "Ten platinum, easy!" My thoughts exactly. Damn smart beast, understanding people like that. Fucking genius horse.
I gave Poseidon's rump a smack. He calmed right down at my touch. Tevez was impressed.
"He really takes to you, Walker. A good horse bonds with its rider. I'll fetch a spare saddle."
Tevez slapped on a saddle with stirrups. Poseidon knelt to make it easy, smart as any trained dog. I skipped the carriage and mounted up. Riding turned out way more fun than expected. Everyone says it's tough, but Poseidon was such a natural, even a newbie like me handled it fine.
"Let's roll. Destination: Bastrey Barony!"
*-*-*
The trip was leisurely—monsters and bandits aside. The monsters weren't top-tier, and the bandits were small fry. In Coolong Territory, they'd get shredded by the Seven Martial Mountains crew. The escorts had leveled up too; by the second ridge, they handled shit without me lifting a finger.
We minimized resupply and beelined for Bastrey Barony. My certified Miles Kingdom slave trader status opened doors wide.
We arrived a week after leaving Laus Lake. First time, so it took longer than planned. Bastrey Barony hugged the east side of Tarshion Barony, where Laus Lake sat—a land of pure indulgence. Its capital, Bastrey City, was infamous for booze, gambling, and women everywhere. Perfect spot for my future gambling empire push.
"Pretty developed city."
"Bastrey's famous in Miles Kingdom for luxury and entertainment. Folks say the back alleys outshine even the capital."
Mason Elfer pointed out buildings one by one.
"That blue tower's the Sapphire Academy's mage tower. Opposite it, the red one's Ruby Academy's. Usually, non-capitals get just one tower, but Bastrey breaks the mold."
The two spires stabbed skyward, glaring at each other like rivals—one clear blue like the sky, the other fiery red like autumn leaves.
"Those tops look weird. Like they're unfinished."
Parakelia, who'd been quiet on the march, piped up staring at them. She was right—the peaks gaped empty, like stalled construction. Hard to see from afar, but looked like piles of materials.
Elfer answered her.
"Those mage towers are still incomplete. Probably never will be."
"Why?"
Sera tilted her head, puzzled. Parakelia nodded like she'd figured it out solo.
Elfer explained to their opposite reactions. I was curious too.
"Sapphire and Ruby Academies keep one-upping each other. Sapphire builds higher, Ruby tops it next day. Back and forth, endless."
"Pfft. Humans, huh."
Crit scoffed from Parakelia's tiny shoulder, curling up.
"I get desire's human instinct, fuel for growth. But sometimes they do the dumbest shit. Wizards should know better. Total clown show."
"That's humans for you."
Parakelia gave a wry smile. Being chased by her own siblings, she wasn't big on her kind.
We grabbed the best inn in Bastrey. Needed to restock and trade, so I hit the exchange right after checking in. Business skill made it a breeze. Sold my goods at fair prices—Greia had already paved Walker Merchant Guild's rep. Traders recognized the W emblem.
Lots of rarities, but I started with cheap staples like wheat and bread. Luxury stuff needs market checks first—dump it blind, and you're the sucker. Tevez handled basics.
Back at the inn, I had a threesome with Sera and Elfer. No sex on the road thanks to Crit—piss him off, and Parakelia bails. But Sera and Elfer were pent up worse than me.
"Haaang~♥ Haaang~♥ Hot~! Yes, this!"
"Hngh! Hnnngh! Ha! Ha! Haa!"
I pumped thick loads into Sera and Elfer's pussies and asses. Felt fucking great.
*-*-*
Three days in Bastrey. After scouting the market via exchanges, I unloaded prime luxuries. Walker Guild's star? Snow sugar. We didn't ship direct here, but it trickled in via middlemen—at triple my original price. Still flew off shelves despite the markup. Indulgence central—prime spot for high-end goods. Greia had pushed direct trades, but local merchants stonewalled.
'But with my business skill? Game changer. Sell at 2.5x as a favor.'
Dumping snow sugar at the exchange sparked chaos. As expected, locals griped—territory bigwigs flexing turf. I slipped 'em bribes. Wanted to kill the fucks, but drama now would suck. Skill helped; they took the cash and scrammed. Memorized faces—for Arme's knife later, once I own this place.
I rationed supply tight. No flooding the market like an idiot.
"I'm Baron Philo, from the tallest estate on East Gate Street. Want your snow sugar. Pay top coin, no skimping."
"Walker, unite Robert Guild and yours, and we own Bastrey exchange. Best terms if you sign."
"You're Derek Walker? Evelyn here, wife of Marquis Renier. Intrigued—tea?"
Overnight, I was the exchange star. Week in, pocketed 50 gold after taxes. Killer haul.
'Novelty's fading. Time to pivot.'
Goal wasn't endless trading cash—scout knight-worthy talent. Profits good enough. Last day at exchange; focus on recruitment.
"Pleased to meet you. You're Walker, right? The sugar trader who shot to fame here."
Packing up, a man's voice hit. Too many approaches; I answered with obvious annoyance.
"Yeah."
"Not trying to bug you. Sorry. Name's Spicul. Run a little guild in my name—peanuts next to yours."
Rang a bell. I looked up. Green hair, tall build, handsome face with a charming smile. Our eyes met; he grinned, flashing cute little fangs. Not buckteeth—added charm.
'Wait... Spicul? No way...'
Game lore flooded back. Only one Spicul in the original.
'Spicul Bluemoon! That Moon clan fucker!'