The next morning Eden went to the forge building. It was her first time there since most of her gear was accumulated through boss hunt drops. After all this time, she still hasn't explored all of her castle. She didn't even question why the NPC's would even need a place to socialize and rest until finding out about Menky. All she had done before was assume and distract herself with training or the alliance. It was all beginning to get more complicated. Upon arriving, she noticed the furnace was going and there was a lot of basic gear that her troops would wear. She had Erza scan the quality of a pile. Erza told her it was mid tier quality material. The kind she found in boss hunts. Eden asked what the cost of purchasing better quality was. Erza had recommended disassembling the current gear to forge a higher tier. Then she asked how much material could be consumed from the old gear. Erza showed her a list and the consumption cost. Eden then looked for the forger who was an old man working on mending some armor that was picked from the pile. Eden looked at him curiously and then asked, "excuse me sir, may I have your name?" The man took a small jump back in surprise because he had not expected anyone other than General Gabriel to arrive to give him assignments. When the man saw Eden, he respectfully bowed a little and said," I apologize for not noticing you my liege as you walked in, my name is Gunther." Eden signaled him with her hands to stop bowing, "Sir Gunther, there's no need to bow to me. I am younger and I should be paying my respects." Eden then gave a small respectful bow. Gunther shook his hands,"No no no , it's not necessary my liege, you are the castle owner. I am just a villager." he took a quick step closer to Eden and bowed a little more, then asked, "what can I help you with?" Eden pointed at the pile he was working on, and the pile that he had restored. "I apologize in advance since you have already worked on some of these, but I need you to disassemble them and create a higher tier for my army. I will continue to supply you with new material to use until the entire army has their own set." Gunther smiled nervously as he said, "Yes my liege, this may take a while as I am only one." Eden was a little taken aback but not surprised at this new discovery. She looked at Erza and asked, "Is there a way to allocate a few villagers to the forge?" Erza shook her head, "the villagers are under a contract, they will be dismissed to open their spots, but you won't receive the same ones." Gunther looked slightly panicked when Eden hmmmd. "Then I must hire new people specifically for the forge, "is there a way to get one with the advanced skill to forge rare items?" Erza paused as she searched through her archives, then said, "there is not telling when hiring a forger, it's more of a lucky draw. But there is a position of high mages that was recently introduced that doesn't limit their activities to just casting spells. They can be moved to any military assistant position, support or office administrator." Eden took a deep breath and exhaled before asking "I don't really like using magic items unless it's necessary. Just for survival. Is there a rule that it has to be a magic user?" Erza took a moment to scan for requirements, then answered, "No, just have the potential to wield magic. It will show in this meter. As long as the level goes up to the first measurement, they qualify. The highest it goes is 15th implying the magic user is high." Eden thought, this must be how they are trying to incorporate their new captives into the realm. Then she said, "Okay then, Gunther will be in charge of hiring his assistants. Please only higher the ones that meet the minimum. I won't be utilizing the magic tower. At least, I will have grateful subjects that wouldn't be hired anywhere else to be under my protection." Gunther looked at Eden shocked and asked, "you want me to be in charge of hiring?" "Yes, they will be working with you. I need you all to work well together." Then Eden turned to look at Erza and asked, "how many positions can I fill?" "A total of 12. 5 of them will be villagers specifically for the forge. 7 would be from the mage tower. If you had chosen to utilize the tower to its full potential, it would expand the number of mage positions to an additional 14 max." Erza answered Eden. Then Eden took the scroll and the meter that was produced in Erza's hand to give to Gunther. Gunther looked at the meter and asked, "how does the meter work?" Erza answered, you have them point their finger at the symbol embedded on the bottom of the squared item. Tell them to concentrate and envision a light forming at their tip. It will trigger a shock and allow the meter to read their potential." Eden then pulled her dragon gear from her arsenal and gave it to Gunther, "Please use this material for our army. Have the positions filled by the end of the day." Eden walked away with Erza while Gunther was left speechless with the items still in his arms. Then a notification showed at his right on a floating screen that popped up, Congratulations! You have been promoted to Forge Master! These promotions happened whenever Eden gave a villager or someone in her care a new responsibility. They were issued automatically by Erza and updated to Eden's reports. That is how the knights were promoted to Generals. Gunther looked at the dragon armor and thought to himself, this must've been obtained through an event or bought at a high price, why would she give it to be used for material.
"Commander, the guest is arriving. Did you want to meet her at the gate?" asked Erza. Eden looked at Erza who was dressed in trousers, shirt, boots and leather vest. She was ready to spar at the training grounds. "Erza, are you able to change your eyes temporarily?" Erza looked at Eden and said, "my changes are permanent, but I can use a fool's ring for less than 1 hour. It temporarily covers you with a skin of your choice. If you decide on one attribute, then it reduces to half an hour." Eden tilted her head, "do I have such an item?" Erza nodded, "yes, you received them through the events in the chests you win and in some boss drops. Though there is no additional buff added to the user, it's purely for vanity or confusion. It's why it's called the fool's ring" Eden thought, this is probably how spies or criminals get away. We can't tell by the skin they wear. That reminded her of her own avatar skin which she hasn't changed. Eden wanted to check out if Erza would be able to substitute for her, but it would be challenging because Erza didn't know how to lie from what she observed. Then she decided to take the fool's ring and use one attribute to change her eyes to look like Erza's brown eyes with a golden iris. Eden asked, "can I use multiple rings?" Erza nodded as she gave her 5 more, but Eden only used one more to change her hair color to midnight blue. Now they are twins. Eden then commanded Erza to cloak and wait a few feet away so Blowzella's guide isn't blocked from coming closer.
Blozella arrived, accompanied with another person, Muffin. Eden felt a burn in her heart and let out a breath of air. Eden gave a forced smile at them and directed them towards the meeting quarters where the majority of the meetings happen if they are held at her castle. Blozella looked around the room as if scanning the area for someone hiding. Eden had Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristan with her. They were busy, but Eden just wanted to show some courtesy. She didn't want Blowzella to feel Eden was looking down on her if she didn't have her Generals with her and it was also a show of respect from what her novels taught her. She picked them, because their character backgrounds were nobles. Eden kinda laughed at her reasoning. She was basically acting out a play. Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristan bickered over who was going to pull the seat for Eden to sit on. Eden scowled a little, and she told them to stop and pull the chair out for the two guests. They straightened their posture in surprise and walked awkwardly toward the two ladies standing opposite of the round table. It was big enough for 15 people. So their choice of seat was uncomfortable for Eden.
"Welcome ladies, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" said Eden after she got comfortable in her seat. The ladies had their guides take a seat next to them. Blowzella had a dryad for a guide and Muffin had a siren. Eden tilted her head as she considered the reason for their choice. Perhaps it's a reflection of themselves that either they know of or just did it subconsciously. Blowzella answered, " I was wondering if Muffin can join the alliance. She's trustworthy." Eden took a sip of her cup that the servant girl dropped off with grape juice for her and wine for the guests. Then she answered, "that can be arranged, but there might be some changes in the later future, why did she want to leave FOX?" Blowzella asked quickly, "what kind of changes? I wasn't informed?" Eden pursed her lips, "That's going to be discussed in the meeting that needs to be set up." Blowzella looked outraged and said, "are you just focused on power? Because that's how it looks." Eden scowled at the question. The fuck she said, Eden thought. Then she noticed Muffin looking at her intensely. Eden took a deep breath and let it go. "I said it's to be discussed. If I was interested in power, then I'd leave to FTG on my own without caring how you all figure it out. Instead, I'm negotiating with other alliances to help the growth and maximum potential." Blowzella retorted, "we would do just fine, I was the leader of this alliance once but I didn't want it." Eden thought to herself, what the fuck did that mean. She selfishly decided not to take responsibility and now wants to be a fucken leader after all the hard work. Eden narrowed her eyes, "If you feel you can do a better job, then call for a vote. It's in the contract we signed at the beginning." Blowzella stayed silent at the suggestion. Muffin then hesitantly said, "I'm sorry for all this trouble, I just wanted to go to a place that sounded fun. Please don't argue." Eden broke eye contact and looked at Muffin. "You still haven't answered my question. Why are you leaving FOX?" Muffin gulped and said, "it's very cut throat, I just wanted to be in a place where I have a little fun and not worry about constantly going to boss hunts." Eden took a sip of her drink again, "but boss hunts are part of your success. Your armor is next level from mid tier, but not quite the high level. It was a result of being part of a hydra raid." Muffin looked at her armor and cursed herself for not switching to a lower tier armor. It was because Blowzella mentioned Eden respects power that she used all her best items. Then Eden said with a softer tone, "I won't turn you away, if you're looking for fun, then it's fine. But we have made boss hunts more mandatory if you aren't going to PVP. Our PVP players go defend the alliance territories, other castles, join war events and train. You don't have to stay one permanently, just pick one to help out a bit." Muffin smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "If you need help with resources, our team can help. Just be considerate that they also need to grow as well." Muffin smiled and nudged Blowzella that just looked irritated. Then Blowzella looked around and asked, "where is your guide?" Eden responded with ease, "she is actively following my orders." Blowzella stopped looking around and asked, "like what?" Eden let out a breath of air and asked in response, "Do I need to run everything by you Blowzella? Last I checked, this is my castle and I am your Leader." Eden pulled rank to stop Blowzella from continuing to ask questions in front of a newcomer who she didn't know if she can be trusted yet. Blowzella raised her chin and said, "No. I was just curious is all. I also noticed you changed your appearance." Eden tried not to roll her eyes, instead she leaned back on her chair and crossed her legs. Then took off one of the rings that changed her eye color back. "It's merely cosmetic. Pure vanity to accentuate the beautiful features I already have," answered Eden with a little hint of mock in her tone of voice. Blowzella crossed her arms and leaned back into her seat. She was using a skin that she purchased during an event. It was of a long red hair beauty with bright blue eyes. Her lips were permanently a deep red and cheeks rouge. Eden then leaned in on the table with her elbows as support as she placed her chin on her hands that held up her face like a hammock. "What I am interested in is that you wanted a personal meeting of a subject that could have been discussed over mail or private message." Blowzella said reluctantly, "Muffin insisted on visiting your castle because she thinks highly of you." Eden looked at Muffin that nodded fervently. Eden gave her a smirk ,but was not convinced. She then let it go and said, "If this is all you wanted to talk about then we can continue with our day." "Your battle in SVS, I wanted to hear the details for myself since I missed the meeting. I didn't receive an invitation," blurted Blozella. Eden felt uncomfortable reminding her there was no invitation because she was unconscious and everyone who gave a fuck about her was already there. So they did an improv meeting. Then Eden replied, "Yes, I apologize for not remembering to send out official letters to attend." she paused, "However, I do recall sending you specifically an email that the topic wasn't up for discussion and we were not to indulge in any rumors regarding it. Besides, you can see for yourself that there is no record of any battle after the camp attack." Blowzella then asked, can your guide re-send me that report?" Eden looked at the dryad, "there's no need, your guide can pull it up for you. It's an effortless action. My guide is fulfilling my task." Blowzella continued to push the topic of Erza, "When will your tasks be completed, I wanted to see your guide." Eden then felt the burn in her chest again. Does she think I'm stupid? I know when someone is fishing for information when I see it. I used to run a security team before I got sucked into this place. Sir Tristan and Sir Lancelot were standing near the back of the room. They were barely holding it together during the interaction between Eden and Blowzabella. When they saw her last reaction to Erza's whereabouts, they had to stop each other from taking a step forward. Eden heard their movement and cleared her throat. "Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristan, please see to it that these wonderful guests get out safely and promptly. I'll meet you both at the training grounds after I make a stop somewhere else first." Eden then got up and began to leave the room. Blozella said in protest, "you're not even going to walk us out?" Eden didn't turn to look at them and said, "I have an alliance to run and responsibilities to fulfill. Don't expect me to drop everything just to entertain your curiosity."