Kingdom Building: Civilization Starts with Divinity-Chapter 59: Ruined Good Will or Something Really Cool!

Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Ruined Good Will or Something Really Cool!

Suddenly, a massive, almost evil smile appeared on Alchemy’s face.

’You’re not the only one who can test others, monkey. Your true nature is still that of a monkey trained to be in a circus or zoo.’ Alchemy chuckled maliciously.

As harsh as her thoughts were, she was a bit more than just a little annoyed. She knew for a fact that Nera could feel the killing intent through their connection. Whether she reacted to it, or rather if she was in a position to was unknown to Alchemy.

The specifics didn’t matter. What did matter was that Nera noticed and was already in a bad mood. Any more, and she might actually go berserk. As good of a read as she had on Rio’s personality, she still didn’t know how patient he’d be with Nera attacking him full force.

"What is there to talk about, exactly?" Alchemy questioned without turning.

"The-The deal, of course. It was just a test to see if-"

"To see what? If I was worthy of this power, I held? Well, let me tell you something. Even if I wasn’t, it doesn’t matter. If I fall, then all of this will crumble with me. Not a single fragment of a ruin will remain." She let out a fake sigh.

"Even before we met, didn’t I tell you? Even before we met, I was sure I had gotten the message across. Sincerity is a very important thing. Being a dishonest businessman is asking me to stab you in the back for my own personal gain. Why shouldn’t I? You’d clearly do the same."

Rio didn’t know how to react. He was at a loss for words.

’Did I miscalculate? No, surely not. Was it an act? Did I get led into this newborn’s trap? What was the trap then? Was all of her ignorance from the point we first met all fake? No, that doesn’t matter. I can’t miss out on this opportunity. This is the perfect chance to push our research further! Should I disable her and keep her locked away? No, that stupid mutt would never let that go. What should I do? Think, think!’

Even if she was a specialist, mental manipulation has evolved a lot in the modern world. Getting a mere monkey to slip up and get desperate was well within her capabilities.

And desperate he was.

Rio’s very nature had betrayed him. If he didn’t wish to fall victim to Alchemy’s antics, he should have never let his species be called the Knowledge Seekers, if he even had control over such a thing.

"We’ll join you!" Rio blurted out before Alchemy could get too far away.

Alchemy froze. It was her turn to widen her eyes in shock.

’What?!’

"What?" Her thoughts accidentally escaped.

"I-it’ll take some convincing, but I’m sure If it’s for the pursuit of knowledge, my Knowledge Seekers will be willing to serve under you, little- no, Goddess Alchemy Ennis."

’EH? EH EH EH EH?’

No other thoughts could correctly enter Alchemy’s mind. None that she could adequately comprehend, at least.

This wasn’t the plan. She was just trying to get a free labor force.

Alchemy took another deep breath, which Rio mistook as another sigh.

"Do as you wish... But I’m expecting to hear back." Alchemy stated.

"Y-yes! I will return with good news!" Rio said, quickly scurrying away, eventually launching himself with his tail up to a tree.

It only took him a few seconds before he was out of sight.

Alchemy tried to keep herself together but failed, falling to her butt with her knees trembling.

"W-w-what... What just happened? System, what did I just do?" She said, hyperventilating.

|<Possibly acquired another legendary feat.>|

Seeing the pop, Alchemy couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

"Is this... Am I in a dream right now? System, can you pinch me or something?"

|<Notice: Administering minor shock!>|

Electricity pulsed through Alchemy’s body, causing her to spasm briefly before falling onto her back.

Her deep, sporadic breaths began to slow, her heart rate following soon after.

{Mother Goddess! Are you okay?! Someone, report what happened?!} Nera shouted as she came into view.

Not that Alchemy could see her. She barely processed Nera’s voice.

{W-we don’t know! Mother was talking to that monkey, and then he left. Shortly after, Mother became like this! We weren’t close enough to hear what they were talking about!} The nearby Verminae responded, beginning to swarm Alchemy.

Nera picked up her pace to check up on her mother, but Gravana’s pace suddenly shot up, becoming a blur for even her eyes.

"Disciple! Are you okay? What happened? What did that damned monkey do to you?" He questioned in a hurry, lifting Alchemy’s head to see if she was injured or not.

"T-teacher?" Alchemy questioned, looking up at her teacher.

What she saw, however, wasn’t just her teacher.

But her teacher was bloodied and bruised, unable to move one of his arms as it was completely shattered.

Grabbing her head, Alchemy quickly got up.

"I... I don’t know. I might have just ruined any potential goodwill that the Knowledge Seekers might’ve had for us." She said, her tone nothing more than a husk of what it usually was.

As defeated and distraught as a woman could be.

This wasn’t fear. No, to an extent, Alchemy knew that Gravana wouldn’t let Rio do anything to her. Not easily, at least. Further, she had to believe that Rio wouldn’t act for such a petty reason.

"Or I did something really cool. I don’t know to be honest with you.

But then again, Gravana decided to take her in as a disciple for an equally fickle reason. Who’s to say that Rio wouldn’t move similarly but in the opposite direction?

"Mother Goddess! Please be clear! What happened!" Nera questioned as she arrived, her panic even greater than Gravana’s.

"I can’t explain..." Alchemy said outright.

"Just read my memories. I... I don’t know."

"Mutt..." She said, catching herself before any more words escaped her mouth.

"Gravana... Inside her hut, get my Mother to her throne. It has healing and calming properties for her... Please."

If not for how dire this situation seemed, Gravana’s mouth would be gaping at the fact that Nera, of all people, was willing to call him by name. Aside from Rio, Nera was probably the person who hated him the most.

"Right!" He responded.

Now wasn’t the time for such thoughts. Discarding them for the time being, Gravana picked up Alchemy with his remaining good arm and rushed into the hut.

The door was a little small, and as such, a minor amount of destruction was left in his wake, but that wasn’t important right now. The system would repair that in no time.

"AGH!" Sapphire shouted.

What the system couldn’t repair was the sheer horror Sapphire, who was resting for the day since she didn’t understand any of the smart stuff, felt.