After our conversation about trade routes, I pulled a folded parchment from my Depository and handed it to Sophaia. I had prepared it during the night while my constructs worked. It was a basic list of materials that I desperately needed.

"What's this?" She unfolded it, eyes scanning the neatly inscribed list.

Materials that I require for my work, I explained. Primarily menachanite and gold. Both in significant quantities.

Sophaia's fingers traced down the list, her lips moving slightly as she read. "Menachanite shouldn't be a problem. Ironically, it's quite affordable since most merchants consider it nearly useless." She tapped the second item. "Gold, however... that's another matter entirely."

Elaborate, I requested.

She set the list down with a sigh. "Gold is difficult to transport across kingdom borders without drawing unwanted attention. Every noble and tax collector wants their share. Even when we manage to acquire it, the cost is..." She whistled. "Substantial."

I considered this obstacle, then reached into my Depository again. The dimensional pocket opened, and I extracted a gleaming ingot of mythril. The silver-white metal caught the lamplight, almost seeming to glow from within.

Perhaps we could arrange a trade, I suggested, placing the bar on her table. I have quantities of this material available.

Sophaia's eyes widened. She reached for the ingot with reverent hands, turning it over carefully. "Is this... what I think it is?"

Mythril, I confirmed. Exceptionally hard, lightweight, and an excellent mana conductor. It resists corrosion and maintains structural integrity under extreme conditions.

"By the Go-" She caught herself. "I've heard tales of this metal. The nobility call it 'star metal.' They say it falls from the heavens." She looked up at me. "How did you come to possess such a treasure?"

I created it, I answered simply. Through processing menachanite.

Yudron leaned forward, examining the ingot with newfound interest.

Sophaia weighed the bar in her palm. "I could absolutely find buyers for this; discreet ones with deep pockets. But establishing the right connections might take time. We'd need trustworthy intermediaries."

I tilted my head slightly. I may have a solution. A human named Copelan Greye studies at the War Academy. His family holds noble status with extensive trade connections. He proved himself reliable during my time there.

"Greye?" Sophaia's brow furrowed. "The name sounds familiar. One of the northern counties, I believe." She nodded decisively. "I can send inquiries through our networks, establish contact."

He is methodical and values discretion, I added. Traits I find... efficient.

"Perfect." Sophaia carefully wrapped the mythril ingot in a cloth. "If this arrangement works, Vardiel, we might all find ourselves considerably wealthier." Her eyes sparkled with entrepreneurial excitement. "The profit margins on an exclusive metal would be... substantial."

I rose from my seat. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.

"The pleasure is entirely mine," she replied, patting the wrapped ingot. "Truly. If you can produce more of this, we may have just established the most profitable partnership in the Hellzone's history."

As we departed, I calculated the potential exchange rates in my mind. With mythril as currency, my construction capabilities would expand exponentially, perhaps enough to push Assembly beyond its current limitations.

Yudron pulled a timepiece from his robe pocket, studying it with a frown. The delicate human-made watch looked almost comically small in his massive green hand.

"Would you mind meeting a few people? There are some who are quite eager to make your acquaintance," he said, tucking the watch away.

I have no other obligations at present, I responded.

"Excellent." He gestured toward the settlement's center. "This way, then."

We traversed the winding streets until we reached an imposing four-story structure of black brick painted a subdued beige; it was distinctly different from the vibrant tapestries adorning most buildings. Two armed guards flanked the entrance, nodding respectfully as Yudron approached.

Inside, the atmosphere shifted to one of bureaucratic efficiency. Clerks hurried between offices carrying scrolls and ledgers while armed personnel maintained vigilant positions throughout. Several greeted Yudron with deference, their eyes lingering curiously on my mechanical form.

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"This is our administrative center," Yudron explained as we climbed a spiral staircase. "What passes for government in our little sanctuary. All community decisions flow through this building."

Are you the leader of this enclave? I inquired, analyzing the organizational structure.

Yudron's laugh echoed through the stairwell. "Me? No, no. I'm merely one voice among many. The enclave operates under a council of elders, with each monster race represented by one elder chosen by their own kind."

And you represent the orcs, I concluded.

"Indeed. Each elder advocates for their people's needs while working toward our collective welfare." He paused at a landing. "The other council members have expressed great interest in meeting you since Arctur first reported your arrival."

We continued upward, the stairs creaking beneath Yudron's weight.

What should I expect from this council? I asked, calculating potential diplomatic approaches.

"A diverse assembly, each with their own priorities and perspectives." Yudron's voice lowered. "Some were skeptical about welcoming an outsider connected to the War Academy, while others see your arrival as fulfillment of the Prophet's predictions."

I processed this information, noting the political complexity underlying the seemingly simple community.

I understand, I replied, adjusting my mechanical posture to appear less threatening. My tendrils compressed, coiling around each other to hide under my skirt. I am curious to observe how different monster species have established governance outside human systems.

Yudron smiled. "You'll find we've created something unique here; neither human nor wholly monstrous, but something new entirely."

We reached an ornate door on the fourth floor. Yudron paused, his hand on the handle.

"They're waiting inside," he said. "Ready?"

I nodded, wondering what these elders might want from me, and what alliances might prove beneficial to my own objectives.

I stepped through the doorway, scanning the room with analytical precision. The chamber's circular design was deliberate; there was no head position, suggesting equality among its occupants. Scented logs crackled in a central brazier, their sweet aroma masking the volcano's persistent sulfur tang.

My Mind Sight detected subtle shifts in posture as I entered. They'd been waiting for me.

The seating arrangement accommodated diverse physiologies: chairs, sofas, and cushions arranged to suit different body types. Each elder occupied their preferred position, creating a tableau of monster diversity rarely seen in human territories.

Elder Sathrak reclined on a large cushion, his scaled form relaxed as smoke curled from his ornately carved pipe. The lizardman's eyes narrowed slightly upon my entrance, neither hostile nor welcoming. Beside him sat a diminutive figure draped in dark robes. A female goblin whose ancient, wrinkled face peered from beneath a heavy hood, her gnarled fingers folded in her lap.

Near the window, a kobold with immaculate white scales adjusted his silk suit, the quality of which rivaled noble attire I'd observed at the Academy. His posture suggested wealth and influence, reminding me a little of my friend Loland back at the Academy.

In the corner, several cushions compressed beneath the massive form of an elderly minotaur. Despite his advanced age, his shoulders remained broad, his arms corded with muscle beneath fur-trimmed leather garments. His horns, polished and adorned with metal rings, curved impressively from his skull.

"My friends," Yudron announced, "I present Vardiel, personal guest of the Voiceless Prophet."

The assembled elders studied me with varying degrees of curiosity. I remained motionless, allowing their inspection.

"You've already met Elder Sathrak," Yudron continued, gesturing to the lizardman. "He represents our lizardfolk and oversees security within the enclave."

Sathrak exhaled a plume of aromatic smoke. "Not much to oversee, truth be told. The Voiceless handle any monsters trying to breach our territory. My warriors mostly break up tavern brawls and settle disputes between merchants."

"Which is essential work," Yudron added with a diplomatic smile before turning to the goblin. "This is Elder Akassi, voice of our goblin community."

The ancient goblin inclined her hooded head in a solemn nod. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, carried the weight of decades of arcane study.

"Elder Fargill the Third," Yudron continued, indicating the white-scaled kobold, "speaks for our kobold citizens."

Fargill rose from his seat with surprising grace, executing a formal bow. "Enchanted to make your acquaintance." His diction was precise, his manner cultivated.

"And finally, Elder Morrg," Yudron concluded as the minotaur rose to his full, imposing height.

Morrg thumped his chest with a massive fist. "I can sense your strength, warrior. The Prophet chose well." His voice rumbled like distant thunder.

A pleasure to meet you all, I responded, inclining my head to each in turn.

As they resumed their seats, I discreetly activated Analyze, assessing each elder systematically:

Yudron

Level: 16

Fargill the Third

Level: 11

Sathrak

Level: 25

Akassi

Level: 45

Morrg

Level: 63

Akassi's high level surprised me; her unassuming appearance concealed significant magical power. Morrg's strength was expected given his physique. The others' levels aligned with their apparent roles, and Fargill clearly relied on commercial rather than combat prowess.

I calculated the total combat potential in the room. Should hostilities erupt, neutralizing Akassi first would be optimal strategy, followed by Morrg. However, the probability of conflict seemed low given the Prophet's endorsement.

"Now," Yudron said, settling into his seat, "we have much to discuss."

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