The Elder Council chamber fell into a hush as I entered. Five pairs of eyes tracked my movement, the war frame's mechanical slithering echoing against stone walls. I positioned myself at the center of their semi-circle, my tendrils coiled tightly around me in a deliberate display of restraint.

Elder Fargill broke the silence, his small kobold form leaning forward. "Why have you called us here? Is there a complication with the water project?" His beady eyes narrowed with concern. The kobold's primary interest had always been profit, and any delay threatened his investment.

The water project proceeds on schedule, I assured him. The eastern district will have running water by tomorrow evening.

Relief visibly washed over his scaled features. "Excellent, excellent."

Elder Yudron stroked his white beard, regarding me with wary eyes. "Then what matter brings you before the Council today, Vardiel?"

I straightened to my full height, the war frame's hydraulics hissing softly. I wish to discuss the practice of slavery within the enclave.

A collective tension rippled through the chamber. Morrg, the minotaur elder, huffed loudly, nostrils flaring. "I thought we already spoke about this." His massive arms crossed over his chest. "Didn't you make up your mind to stay out of our business?"

I said I was reflecting on the subject, I corrected. My reflection is now complete.

My gaze swept across each elder deliberately. Slavery is wrong, and more practically, it places the enclave in danger.

The chamber erupted. Sathrak hissed, tail lashing behind him. Akassi's fingers began tracing arcane patterns in the air. Morrg's hand dropped to the battle axe at his side.

Fargill rose to his feet, surprisingly imposing despite his small stature. "You are a guest here," he sneered, pointed teeth gleaming. "Despite your contributions to our community, you have no right to interfere with our way of life."

Yudron raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Perhaps you should speak again with the Prophet," he suggested, voice calm but strained. "The Prophet's wisdom could guide you to better understand-"

I need no further guidance, I interrupted. My position is set.

Elder Akassi tapped her staff against the floor, the sound cutting through the tension. The elderly goblin's voice carried surprising authority. "What exactly do you mean by claiming slavery endangers the enclave?"

The question created an opening, and I seized it. You wish to keep this settlement secret from human kingdoms, correct?

Five heads nodded cautiously.

Yet your raiding parties venture brazenly into human territories, leaving witnesses and patterns that any competent investigator could follow.

Morrg laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. "Humans are weak. Too cowardly to venture into the Hellzone, even to chase their own kind."

I tilted my head. They aren't willing now. But what happens when you capture someone of importance? A nobleman? A visiting official?

The room temperature seemed to drop. Fargill's claws clicked nervously against the table.

"We are careful," Fargill asserted. "We ensure only peasants are taken, those who won't be missed-"

"I don't care about such trivialities," Morrg interrupted, slamming his fist on the table. "Humans are weak. My men will capture whoever they want."

Fargill's head snapped toward the minotaur, eyes widening. "That was not part of our agreement, Morrg."

The minotaur opened his mouth to argue, but Fargill raised a claw. "We will discuss this business matter later. In private." His tone carried a warning.

An uncomfortable silence descended as the other elders exchanged dubious glances. I observed the fracture with interest; it was the first crack in their unified front.

Consider also, I continued, pressing my advantage, that I am not the only one who objects to this practice. There are others within your community who find it troubling.

"Who?" demanded Morrg, leaning forward aggressively.

The Prophet, for one, was unaware of the extent of your slavery operations.

This revelation landed like a physical blow. Yudron's face paled. "You spoke with the Prophet about this?"

I did. The Prophet expressed concern that such practices occurred without his knowledge.

"The Prophet has never interfered with our governance," Sathrak hissed, though uncertainty flickered in his reptilian eyes.

Perhaps because the Prophet was never fully informed of your activities, I suggested. I merely point out that your community stands on precarious ground, both morally and practically.

I watched as the implications settled over them, calculations and considerations playing across five very different faces. The division was already there, I had merely illuminated it.

I understand your concerns, I continued, leaning slightly forward. I've spent time reflecting on why slavery persists here. Your traditions stretch back generations, and these practices are deeply embedded in your way of life.

Morrg grunted approvingly, his massive shoulders relaxing slightly.

And economically speaking, I added, turning toward Fargill, the labor and services provided by purchased slaves contribute significantly to the enclave's prosperity.

Fargill's eyes brightened with interest, his clawed fingers steepling together. "At least our esteemed guest understands basic economics," he muttered.

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Which is why I'm not suggesting elimination without replacement, I said. I'm proposing a solution that satisfies your needs while eliminating the dangers.

The chamber grew quiet. Akassi tilted her head, skepticism etched across her wrinkled green features. Sathrak's tail twitched irritably against the stone floor.

"And what might this miracle solution be?" Sathrak asked, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Perhaps you'll conjure workers from thin air?"

It's quite simple, I replied. I will create a substitute workforce. Mechanical laborers that will outperform human slaves in every conceivable way.

Five pairs of eyes widened simultaneously.

They will require no sleep, no food, no rest periods. They won't fall ill or die from the volcanic fumes. They'll need only periodic maintenance to function at peak efficiency.

I leaned forwards, letting my masked face wear a gentle smile while my mental words filled their minds.

They will be completely obedient. No training required, no risk of rebellion or escape attempts. And most importantly, I added, looking directly at Morrg, I can manufacture them here, eliminating the need for raiding parties that endanger this settlement's secrecy.

Morrg's nostrils flared, his massive fists clenching. "You seek to render my warriors obsolete?" he growled.

Before he could continue, Fargill leapt to his feet, excitement overtaking his usual composure. "How much?" he demanded, eyes gleaming with calculation. "What would these mechanical slaves cost to produce?"

I will create them for free, I answered, on one condition: all human slaves currently in the enclave must be freed.

The chamber erupted into murmurs and exclamations. Yudron stroked his beard thoughtfully while Akassi whispered frantically to Sathrak.

Fargill, however, remained focused on business. "And what would we charge for these constructs? What's their market value?"

Sell them for whatever price you wish, I replied. Even at half the cost of a human slave, they would provide superior return on investment. They won't sicken, die, or require constant supervision. Their productivity remains consistent indefinitely.

A slow, greedy smile spread across Fargill's scaled face. His claws tapped rhythmically against the table as he performed mental calculations.

"How many could you produce in a week?" he asked, voice hushed with anticipation.

With proper materials, I could create ten functional units within seven days. Production would accelerate as I refined the process.

Fargill turned to his fellow council members, eyes alight with possibility. "Think of it! Mechanical workers that never tire, never complain, never require feeding. We could expand operations throughout the entire mountain!"

I watched the transformation sweep across the council. Where moments before there had been hostility, now seeds of consideration took root. Even Morrg's fury seemed tempered by calculation.

I had found their leverage point; not in appeals to morality, but in the promise of greater profit. In the end, greed won out.

Monsters and humans truly were similar.

Sathrak's tail lashed against the stone floor, his reptilian eyes narrowing. "There's a critical flaw in your proposal," he hissed. "What happens to these human slaves once freed? Where exactly do they go?"

The question hung in the air, cutting through the council's budding excitement.

We would return them to their homes, obviously, I replied, as if stating the most natural conclusion.

Sathrak's laugh was cold and humorless. "Obviously?" He rose to his full height, claws spread wide in exasperation. "And when these freed slaves return to their villages with tales of a hidden monster city deep within the Hellzone, what then?"

The chamber fell silent as his words sank in.

"Word would spread quickly," Sathrak continued, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Human nations would learn of a large, independent monster settlement, one that has repeatedly attacked their villages and kidnapped their people for generations."

I felt the logical trap closing around me. Sathrak's reasoning was sound.

I hadn't considered that, I admitted, my mental voice subdued. The war frame's hydraulics hissed softly as I shifted position, buying time to think.

Akassi leaned forward, her ancient goblin face creased with concern. "The secrecy of our enclave is our primary defense," she said. "Once lost, it cannot be regained."

I processed this complication, running through potential solutions. The mechanical slaves were a viable replacement for labor, but the existing human captives presented a significant security risk if released.

I could speak with each slave personally, I finally offered. Convince them to keep the enclave's existence secret in exchange for their freedom.

Five faces registered varying degrees of skepticism.

"You believe humans would honor such a promise?" Sathrak asked incredulously. "After being kidnapped, dragged through a Hellzone, and forced into slavery?"

Morrg snorted derisively. "They would return with armies at their backs. Humans never forget slights against them."

I straightened, tendrils unfurling slightly. It's the only ethical path forward. We cannot continue enslaving them, nor can we simply... dispose of them.

The implication hung heavy in the air. Morrg's expression suggested he found the latter option perfectly reasonable, but he remained silent.

To my surprise, Fargill rose to my defense. "Vardiel is quite persuasive," the kobold merchant said, his shrewd eyes calculating. "If anyone could convince these humans to hold their tongues, it would be our mechanical friend."

Yudron nodded slowly, stroking his beard. "The Prophet speaks through Vardiel," he reminded the council. "His wisdom will guide us all during such a difficult time."

Akassi tapped her staff thoughtfully. "Perhaps... with the right incentives. Compensation for their suffering might loosen their desire for vengeance."

"Bribes?" Sathrak hissed. "You suggest we pay those who would destroy us?"

"I suggest we consider all options," Akassi replied sharply. "Before dismissing a solution that eliminates both moral and practical problems."

Morrg slammed his fist on the table. "These mechanical slaves cannot possibly match living workers," he growled. "They lack intelligence, adaptability-"

My constructs possess both, I interrupted. They learn, adapt, and improve over time. You've seen this with my scout spiders and other units.

Fargill's eyes gleamed with interest. "The economic advantages alone warrant consideration," he said. "Even if only half the slaves keep their word, we gain mechanical workers that never tire or die."

Tension crackled through the chamber as the elders exchanged glances. Finally, Yudron called for a vote.

"Those in favor of allowing Vardiel to proceed with this plan?"

Yudron's hand rose immediately, followed by Fargill's eager claw. After a moment's hesitation, Akassi raised her gnarled green hand.

"Those opposed?"

Sathrak's scaled hand shot up, followed by Morrg's massive fist.

"Three to two," Yudron announced. "The council grants permission to proceed."

Sathrak's tail lashed angrily. "I maintain that the security risk is unacceptable," he hissed.

Morrg grunted in agreement. "And I maintain that mechanical slaves will prove inferior to living ones."

I inclined my head toward the council. I understand your concerns. I will proceed with caution and keep the council informed of my progress.

Without further discussion, I excused myself and left the chamber, the war frame's tendrils coiling tightly around me. The hydraulics in my body hissed softly as I descended the stairs, my mind already busy designing worker units.

The task ahead was daunting. I needed to create functional mechanical laborers that could replace human slaves in every capacity: farming, mining, construction, domestic work. Each unit would require specialized tools and programming.

More challenging still was the question of the slaves themselves. How could I possibly convince people who had been attacked, kidnapped, and enslaved to remain silent about their captors? What argument could possibly overcome their justified anger and desire for retribution?

The truth was, I didn't believe it was possible. Not entirely. Some would surely break their word once safely home, regardless of what promises they made while still within the enclave's walls.

But I had to try. Those humans deserved freedom, regardless of the risk. And if some betrayed their promise... well, perhaps the enclave would need to face the consequences of its actions eventually. It was only a matter of time before they were discovered, after all.

For now, I would focus on what I could control: designing the mechanical workers that would make slavery obsolete. The first step toward ending a barbaric practice that had persisted for far too long.

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