77 Convincing the Balt Guild (1/2)

”Acting in the shadows?” Jard's eyes narrowed as he realized how deep this simple discussion would be. ”Haven't they always acted in the shadows?”

”This is true, but never like this. You already know enough about the black market district, but this is far worse than what we imagined,” stated Rydel. ”Let us sit as we explain everything.”

”Right.” Jard motioned for everyone to take a seat around the table in the center of the room. Once everyone was seated, the goblin queen was the first to stand and present her case.

”Allow me to explain the situation of my people. Within the past year, I have managed to unite the goblins under me and build a great city in the third level of the mine. I understand that you and the other humans typically come to the mine during certain times of the year, correct?”

Jard nodded and said, ”Yes, we only allow mining for four months in the year, leaving the mine with ten months to recuperate and regrow any harvested crystals.”

”That's why you were unaware of the changes we created until recently,” explained the queen. ”First, let me tell you that there isn't much left for you to mine this season, so I ask that you stop permitting entrance until the next harvest.”

”Why isn't there anything left for us?”

”Because, to speed up our city's development we used the azure crystals throughout our architecture, giving off natural light and increasing the city's durability,” said the queen.

”But making an entire city filled with azure, that would mean you and your people would grow stronger over time. Wouldn't that mean you'd become a threat to the Reinolt Kingdom as time passed?” asked Jard.

”If you don't trust me, then it would appear so,” admitted the queen. ”However, it was the Royal Court that helped us grow so quickly.”

Jard didn't respond but his face was enough to show his surprise as he waited for the queen to continue uninterrupted.

The queen continued, ”The Royal Court came to us and offered materials and weapons to strengthen us. I'm not certain who the man was, he concealed himself and his level well. But I can assure you that he was a higher level than I.”

”But why would they help you?” Jard couldn't resist the question.

”The Royal Court wasn't always very clear about their reasons to help,” answered the queen. ”Sometimes they wouldn't explain themselves, while others they only wanted to gain a powerful ally.”

”But, if the Royal Court was behind this, why were you capturing adventurers? I know that it was common for us to not get along, but you mentioned being forced to do so?” questioned Jard.

”That's where it gets complicated,” sighed the queen. She shook her head as she spoke, ”A couple of months ago, right before you human's began to enter the mine, we received a command from the Royal Court. Before, they agreed not to give us orders or to interfere in our city, but they threatened to cut off support and possibly storm the city if we didn't cooperate.”

”I gave in and permitted to follow along with their request.” The queen's shoulders shrank as she continued, ”We were asked to house trolls within the city.”

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”Trolls!?” Jard was startled by such an unexpected revelation.

”Yes, trolls. At first, there were five of them and we were forced to let them stay in the palace. However, they planned to bring more and migrate a whole tribe to our goblin city.”

”An entire tribe…” struggling to believe the concept, Jard glanced at the serious Rydel. Seeing the hunter's nod was enough to fill him with unease.

”I'm sure you already know what it is that trolls are after, so I won't get into too much detail. But I am sorry to say that us capturing you humans was a means to appease the trolls, which we had no way to reject”

”But if the Royal Court had you house trolls, doesn't that mean they've been working with the trolls as well?” Jard reasoned.

”You're exactly right,” agreed the queen. ”Had I known that accepting their help and becoming reliant on their steady supplies would turn against me so quickly, I wouldn't have accepted their support.”

”Does that explain the issues in the mines, Jard?” asked Rydel.

”Yes, that's enough to understand the situation.”

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door, followed by a voice, ”Sir, is there something wrong? You're meeting with the council is—”

”Enough of that, I'm busy learning about the truth of the azure mine. Immediately shut it down for exploration. We've been tasked by the king himself to govern the mine, so make sure to not let a soul in, even if it were the king. Is that clear?” shouted Jard.