Chrysalis Chapter 1706 - People Trading

Negotiating with these ants once more was a test of patience. Alice had to admit they were persistent. It was a ridiculous notion—monsters employing diplomats—yet they had been sending daily missives through their Brathian merchant intermediaries despite constant rejection. Green Mountain had already turned down their previous offer with some hesitation, and that should have been the end of it.

Throughout Pangera, the right to hunt monsters belonged to every delver, and the ruling council of the Mountain was not about to trade that right away for any sum.

However, a new proposal had apparently surfaced, and the Brathian were making quite a scene about it. Consequently, Alice Erry, the Green Mountain chief negotiator, was once again required to board a neutral ship and tolerate the company of a monster for what felt like a useless endeavor. As she stepped onto the gaudy vessel and headed below deck, she wondered idly what kind of deal the monsters would suggest this time.

Perhaps their offer had increased? Such a staggering amount would surely ruin the ants financially; some of the more profit-driven council members had argued it might be worth accepting just to watch them suffer the expense, though they were ultimately outvoted.

Upon entering the designated meeting room, Alice was surprised to find no ant waiting for her. Slightly annoyed, she sat down and raised an eyebrow at the Brathian negotiator who had escorted her, only to realize the woman had already departed.

She wondered if this was some kind of ambush.

“Haha, I promise you, there is no trap.”

The voice echoing from the opening door was peculiar. It sounded somewhat flat and wooden, yet it was strangely brimming with character.

“Diplomatic discussions require a reputable witness,” Alice snapped. She turned around, only to flinch as an ant walked into the room.

“Naturally, that rule still applies,” the voice remarked as the ant’s mandibles clacked, “but our purpose here isn't diplomacy. We are here for something far more intriguing.”

Without rushing, the ant rounded the table and took the opposite seat, sliding into a chair designed for its kind and removing a stylish hat from its head. The ant inspected the hat, buffed away a microscopic flaw, and placed it carefully on the table before Alice could even regain her composure.

What kind of creature was this? An ant that could be heard? Its clothing and behavior were utterly bizarre.

“Alice Erry, chief negotiator of Green Mountain, it is a true pleasure,” the ant gushed, beginning to extract documents from a nearby satchel. “I must say, your record is quite remarkable. Truly impressive. No member of the Erry family has ever sat on the council or held significant power, yet you’ve carved a path through sheer talent and effort. I have great respect for that. One might even say you have a bit of an ant’s spirit in you, wouldn't you agree?”

Biologically, it was impossible for ants to wink. And yet, it seemed to happen.

“I’m merely jesting, of course. I wouldn't want to cause offense, knowing the Mountain’s stance on my people.”

Reaching into its coat, the ant produced a shimmering silver case. It snapped open to reveal five rolled cigars. Offering the case across the table, the ant asked, “Do you indulge? I’ve taken up the habit myself, and the aroma is simply... captivating. It feels like my antennae are bathed in earth and fire. Would you like one?”

“W-what? No!”

Alice shook her head, attempting to break the strange spell the creature had cast in such a short time. She slammed her hand onto the table with authority.

“If this isn't a diplomatic meeting, I am leaving.”

“Now, there's no need to rush,” the ant chuckled, taking a cigar for itself and snapping the case shut. After stowing it away, the ant placed the cigar in its maw and snapped its claws to light the end. “As I mentioned, we have something much more interesting to discuss: business.”

The way the monster emphasized that word sent a cold chill down Alice’s spine, but she refused to let her discomfort show.

“I’m not interested. To be clear, Green Mountain has no interest in any business dealings with your kind.”

“Normally, I would agree with you. But this time, an agreement is inevitable. You see, business is always possible when one party possesses something another desires and is willing to sell for the right price.”

The small ant took a puff of the cigar, its eyes gleaming.

“Currently, I hold something you want, and I am quite prepared to part with it... for the right price. See? A deal is entirely possible.”

The situation was absurd, and Alice felt a strong urge to walk out. She couldn't quite explain what forced her to stay.

“And what exactly do you have that we would want?” she sneered, crossing her arms.

“I received word that several delvers have vanished in the tunnels. Fifty individuals, by the latest count.”

“What of it?”

Missing delvers were common. Long treks into the Dungeon were fraught with peril. Some returned weeks late after surviving a crisis; others were never seen again.

“We were wondering if you’d like them back.”

In a heartbeat, the atmosphere surrounding the ant shifted. The jovial, joking demeanor vanished. It sat perfectly still, a claw resting on its cigar as thin wisps of smoke curled around its antennae.

“You... what?” Alice asked, struggling to keep her cool.

“We were simply wondering...” the ant said slowly, tapping ash into a tray, “... if you wanted your people returned.”

As the chief negotiator, Alice was no amateur. Her mind raced to grasp the full weight of this revelation.

“Are you claiming you captured them? That they are still alive?”

“Very much alive, for now. Over fifty delvers were just wandering through the tunnels in our territory, like poor lost lambs. We collected them as a favor, and we thought it was only right to ask if you wanted them back.”

“You’re willing to hand them over?” Alice clarified.

“Certainly, once our price is met.”

A middle leg reached into the monster’s coat, pulling out a small slip of paper. It was placed on the table and slid toward her.

Reluctantly, Alice picked it up. As she read the contents, her eyes widened in shock.

“You want this much for them? Have you gone insane?”

“Not at all,” the ant almost purred. “We want this much for each of them.”

The monster crushed its cigar into the tray and stood up.

“Of course, you won't agree immediately. That is fine. I will return when we have a hundred of your delvers. Naturally, the price will have risen by then. I’ll come back again when we have two hundred. I'm afraid you can expect a very sharp price increase at that point as well.”

“You think our people will just let themselves be taken?” Alice challenged, hiding her growing dread. Something had shifted in the tunnels. What was happening? Weren't the ants supposed to be trapped in their nest, trembling in fear?

“Your people have no choice,” the ant countered. “All this time, you assumed we were hiding for our own safety, and in a way, we were. But what we truly feared was what would happen to you if one of your teams actually succeeded. That fear is gone now. We are no longer the ones who need to be afraid.”

Suddenly, the charm returned, so intense it felt as though the room had grown brighter.

“Alice Erry. It was a delight to meet you, truly a privilege. I’d offer a handshake, but... well, I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable. Let’s leave it at that.”

They couldn't wink. It was impossible!

“I look forward to our next meeting. Please, contact us through our mutual friends if you wish to talk. Any time, I am at your service.”

And just like that, she was ushered out the door.