Chapter Eight:
The knight was above Aquiloria, again. Having consulted a map he had eventually navigated to the city of Divitiae, noted as an economic and industrial powerhouse.
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Journal Entry – The Monopolist:
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I am afraid that this one may be disappointingly short. The fourth Ætharch is based in the Aquilorian city of Divitiae. Rumours swirl about his ambiguous parentage, likely spawned by supposed peculiar accent. Trying to identify him in a sea of businessmen will prove futile, investigate large businesses instead.
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Be aware that sufficiently large businesses may employ private armies to defend their interests, attracting too much attention may result in confrontation, seeking assistance seems a sound strategy to employ here.
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The Ninth
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Ser Drakonsarius had made his way to a local order branch to seek assistance for his mission. All craft belonging the Order came with maps of the regions of Empyrea. However, Drakonsarius had found an extra map of the kind usually only in possession of the Dragoon-Mage and the three Dragonlord-Commanders. The map marked all Dragoon outposts in Empyrea.
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Upon entry, he had given his purpose and was escorted to the office of whoever was in charge by two stoic Dragoon Archers clad in midnight blue cloaks, wielding recurve bows with bow strings that glowed, and quivers full of shimmering arrows – They were Skyward Marksmen, the elite archers of the Order. He was ushered to the office of whoever was in command of the Order force in the city.
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He sat behind a desk, reading an important looking letter. He wore the light armour of a Dragoon-Archer, he had frown lines on his tired face, he looked up at Drakonsarius when the Skyward Marksmen had left and closed the door behind them.
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“Greetings, I am Senior Dragoon-Captain Draques. What brings a knight to our humble branch in Divitiae?” He spoke politely, but his voice had a harsh, firm edge to it, this was clearly a man used to authority.
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“Sir, I am Ser Drakonsarius. My mission delves into matters of great importance, I seek thy assistance and the aid of thy forces.” The Dragoon kept his voice level, he knew fine well that the Senior Dragoon-Captain would normally outrank him significantly. Unsurprisingly, that lined face twisted into a frown at this, evidently displeased by the audacity of the knight to request such a thing. “I must inform thou that thou lacks the authority to commandeer the entire Order force in this city.”
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Drakonsarius had been given a weighty signed document by Drakonvyr that gave him emergency powers within the Order, it detailed his mission to vanquish any doubt. He outranked even the three Dragonlord-Commanders of the Order with it, and could assume authority over any forces in an area to aid him in his mission. He gave it to Draques. Who read it, frown deepening and then disappearing when be saw the signature.
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Draeques eyed Ser Drakonsarius with a measured gaze, understanding etched across his weathered features. “The forces at my command art skilled yet limited, but, in the name of Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr, they art at thy disposal. Kindly inform us when they art needed, and we shall be ready.”
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Drakonsarius thanked him and left.
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Not long after, he bumped into an impoverished looking man who was holding a thick notebook, pencil poised to write.
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Drakonsarius apologised for the unintended collision. The man waved it off casually and introduced himself, “No harm done. I’m Stanley Quint, a systematic meritocratic rank four citizen of Aquiloria, and a writer.” He glanced at Drakonsarius’ distinctive armor, noting the emblem of the Order. Curious, he inquired, “What brings a member of the Order to the southeast? Something important, I presume?”
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Drakonsarius nodded, “Indeed, I’ve been sent to assess the economic stability of the region. Can thou share some insights? What are the major businesses in the city?”
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Stanley Quint shared details on two prominent businesses in Aquiloria. “For clockwork wonders, visit Cogsworth Machina. They’re based in the Clockwork District, known for designing and manufacturing intricate clockwork-powered contraptions. It’s one of the leading companies in that sector, showcasing impressive innovations.”
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He continued, “And if thou art interested in aeronautics, then Caeli Rector Co is the go-to. They specialise in aeronautical design and construction, and they’re headquartered in the Skyward Heights. It’s the largest aeronautics company in all of Empyrea, ranking third among the top companies. Quite a marvel in the skies.”
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Upon arrival at Cogsworth Machina he politely requested to speak with whoever was in charge. The sound of clockwork machinery was omnipresent here, and rather loud.
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The reply was quite snide from the employee he asked.
“Oh, the knight has a pressing matter concerning clockwork and gears? A knight’s forte usually lies with swords and shields, not the delicate intricacies of machinery,”
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The employee’s snide remarks persisted. “Perhaps you took a wrong turn at the last castle, Ser Knight. Clocks and springs are our dragons, not fiery-breathed beasts,” the employee sneered, reveling in their own cleverness.
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Drakonsarius, usually impervious to such provocations, felt the strain of patience wearing thin. The rhythmic clicking of the surrounding machinery seemed to echo the tick of his growing annoyance. However, he maintained his stoicdemeanourr, determined to gather the necessary information.
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As the mockery escalated, the employee, fueled by misplaced confidence, ventured into treacherous territory. “Maybe thou aught to go back to the southwest...there are intricacies here that might be too much for a Cerulean.” a smug smile playing on their lips.
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Ser Drakonsarius, deciding not to reply, simply drew his sword and pointed it at the employee’s throat.
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The employee, momentarily taken aback by the shift in atmosphere, hastily retreated. “I... I meant no disrespect, good sir. Just a bit of jesting, of course,” they stammered, the pretence of confidence shattered.
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Ser Drakonsarius, satisfied with the abrupt change in tone, was led to the office, the plaque on the door read Magister Cogworth.
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Magister Cogworth sat behind an imposing desk cluttered with intricate clockwork devices, a testament to the ingenuity eman ating from his own creation. Despite his success, anxiety etched lines into his forehead, betraying the weight of responsibilities that accompanied his position. His thin, meticulous beard framed a face worn by tireless dedication.
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As Ser Drakonsarius entered, the Magister looked up, his eyes flitting between the knight's Order insignia and the steel-clad figure before him. "A knight from the Order in the Clockwork District is an unusual sight. What brings thou to Cogsworth Machina, Ser Knight?" Magister Cogworth inquired, his fingers absentmindedly tapping a small cog on his desk.
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Without preamble, Ser Drakonsarius explained his “mission” to assess the economic stability of Aquiloria. The Magister's anxiety seemed to intensify, his eyes darting to the clock on the wall as if time itself were an impending threat. "Economic stability? Clocks and gears may be my expertise, but I am no seer of financial futures," Magister Cogworth remarked, a nervous chuckle escaping him.
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Ser Drakonsarius pressed further, seeking insights into the impact of Cogsworth Machina on the region's economy. Magister Cogworth, now fidgeting with a pocket watch, delved into a convoluted explanation, blending technical details with financial intricacies. The knight, unaccustomed to such discussions, strained to decipher the complex tapestry of economic dynamics.
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"I'm curious about the key players, the architects of progress in this district. Could you enlighten me on the major businesses that steer the gears of industry?" questioned Ser Drakonsarius.
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"Certainly. Cogsworth Machina, of course, is at the forefront. Our innovations have propelled us to a leading position. Then there's Caeli Rector Co., our counterparts in aeronautical wonders. Both companies contribute significantly," explained Magister Cogworth.
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Ser Drakonsarius, feigning casual interest, leaned in and asked, "Ah, Caeli Rector Co. How doth thy relations fare with such a prominent establishment?"
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"Relations are amicable, but it's a competitive field. Each company strives to outdo the other in technological marvels. Healthy competition, I'd say," replied Magister Cogworth, choosing his words carefully.
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"Healthy indeed. Magister, in your esteemed opinion, who holds the reins of influence in Divitiae, or even the whole of Aquiloria? The decisions that shape the economic landscape, are they in the hands of a few, or is power more evenly distributed?" probed the Dragoon.
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"Influence is distributed among those who contribute significantly to our region as a whole. We have a council of meritocrats, where decisions are made collectively," responded Magister Cogworth.
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Nodding approvingly, Ser Drakonsarius continued, "A meritocratic approach is admirable. But Magister, if one were seeking to navigate the intricacies of industry here, where might they find the compass pointing? The compass of influence, that is."
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"Influence is not concentrated in a single place. It's a tapestry woven by the combined efforts of many," paried the magister, the knight found himself enjoying this duel of words.
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Feigning gratitude, Ser Drakonsarius concluded, "thy insights are invaluable, Magister. I shall take these notes back to my Order. One final question: What challenges do businesses in the Clockwork District, and the rest of Divitiae typically face?”
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As Ser Drakonsarius navigated the conversation, he subtly probed for information that could shed light on whether Magister Cogworth might be the elusive Monopolist. The questions were framed within the context of his false mission, leaving room for interpretation while aiming to gauge the magister's reactions and potential connections to the Covenant.
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Magister Cogworth leaned back in his chair, contemplating the question. “Challenges, Ser Knight, are the heartbeat of progress. In the Clockwork District, the relentless pursuit of innovation sometimes stirs a tempest of challenges. Resource scarcity, technological bottlenecks, and the ever-present spectre of industrial espionage are among the storms we weather.”
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He continued, “Maintaining the delicate balance between competition and cooperation is another challenge. While we strive to outdo each other, collaborations are often necessary for grand breakthroughs. It’s a dance of ingenuity and pragmatism.”
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Magister Cogworth’s response hinted at the intricacies of the Clockwork District’s challenges, offering a glimpse into the complexities Ser Drakonsarius sought to unravel. The knight concluded that the Magister spoke true and was not the fourth.
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As Ser Drakonsarius enters the grand foyer of Caeli Rector Co., he is pleasantly surprised by the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The spacious lobby had an large emblem in the centre, a golden airship, above the airship read The Caeli Rector Company, below it was a motto, written on an unfurled scroll, it read Ruler of the Skies. There was a slight hum of activity that suggested an active workplace. The receptionist was a young man, he had an enthusiastic and friendly look to him. The corporate environment seems to exude efficiency without sacrificing humanity, leaving Ser Drakonsarius with a positive impression.
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The receptionist caught his eye, as the dragoon had removed his helm, before speaking. “Welcome to Caeli Rector Co.! How may I assist thou today?”
The knight launched into his request “I seek an audience with whoever is in charge here. I am on a mission to assess the economic stability of the region, and I believe a discussion with the leadership of such a prominent company would be beneficial.”
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The receptionist took note of his name. "The Baron is expecting you," he exclaimed with a friendly smile. He provided clear directions to the Baron's office, guiding the Dragoon Knight to the third floor.
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As Ser Drakonsarius ascended, he couldn't help but notice the lively atmosphere within Caeli Rector Co. Aeronautical engineers fervently debated airship designs, their enthusiasm echoing through the corridors, the knight caught snippet of these debates. “No, no, the structural integrity is paramount. A well-designed frame ensures the airship’s durability.”
“Elemental crystals? Practicality matters more than mystical notions! Stick to conventional methods.”
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Finally, reaching the designated door, Ser Drakonsarius took a moment to gather his thoughts. He rapped gently, announcing his presence as he awaited admission to the inner sanctum of Caeli Rector Co, its highly polished brass plaque simply read MAGISTER.
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The door began to open.
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