Weeks of practice on the road had made it easier for Ajax to use his Shadow Mana to hide himself, he had even started to make a breakthrough on learning how to use [Mana Skin] to copy the effects of [Camouflage] but any time he tried using both together the Shadow spell would fail to mask the layer of Mana that [Mana Skin] was made out of.
Ajax’s first stop after returning to the capital was House Manashaper’s manor. He knew he had arrived before Xavier, Arianwyn and Elara so there was no rush and he wanted to pay his in-laws a visit. More than that he also wanted to inform them of the decision to leave for the Wild Lands shortly.
“Welcome back.” Duke Manashaper greeted Ajax with open arms. “It brings me such joy to see you again.”
“You just want to examine [Telekinesis] in person.” Duke Manashaper was cut down by his own son. “How is Lexi, we heard about the attack.”
“Lancel is with her and the rest of my family.” Ajax was quick to reassure them, he also subtly ignored the mention of [Telekinesis] there would be time for that later. “The attack is one of the things we have to discuss, unfortunately we are a little short on time.”
“The elves won’t be back for a few days yet, we have plenty of time.” Duke Manashaper paid no mind to his son's remark and welcomed Ajax into the manor.
Patrick and the rest of his squad as well as the Collectors were led to a welcoming area for guests while Ajax was led deeper into the manor. This was slightly upsetting for Patrick, his orders were to guard Ajax until he saw the king. The only reason he didn’t even attempt to push the point was that he knew in his own home Duke Manashaper could kill the entire squad and Ajax, there was no threat he couldn’t deal with that his squad could make a difference to.
“So what’s this about having no time?” Duke Manashaper became more serious, he didn’t lose all his jolly attitude, a clear mark of having grown up as a commoner and working his way to nobility through power.
“I plan to leave for the Wild Lands shortly after I return to Lessis.” Ajax matched the change in attitude.
“Hmmm, I see.” Lexi's father nodded slowly, his mind rapidly thinking through what would happen. “You’ve already made the decisions for how to build your duchy, you might have more you want to do but you need a new normal to settle before you add anything more.”
“Hopefully this will -” Ajax tried to explain his reasoning but was interrupted.
“Stop any more attempts, yes.” His father in law cut him off. “No point in trying to attack your family who knows how strong you’d be when you return, too dangerous. You might have assassins coming after you but I doubt they will be so powerful that you can’t at least run away now that you are expecting them.”
“This still doesn’t explain the lack of time while you wait for the elves.” Duke Manashaper pointed out.
“The retainers I brought with me.” Ajax said by way of explanation. “I plan to bring them with me into the dungeon and get them the boon. They are the first adventuring team I joined for my first delve and they are trustworthy enough while also having the potential to push further.”
“Oh by the gods, show him [Telekinesis] and then we can go, I have questions regarding the reason a royal representative was sent to you.” Ajax could see his father in law’s impatience and did agree that it was important for him to be informed about the twenty thousand or so former slaves that would soon be populating his duchy.
“I can’t control the output all that well.” Ajax said by way of apology as he lifted one of the glasses from the table in front of them, the glass shot upwards and smashed straight into the ceiling. “But there it is.”
“Wait, you can’t just leave.” Duke Manashaper said, a little lost between the spell that was still affecting him as he floated a foot off the ground and the recent display of [Telekinesis]. “I have questions, so many questions.”
“Best you make your own deductions before I give you my explanations, that way you might see something I missed.” Ajax said as he and his father in law stood up to leave to another room.
Ajax couldn’t help but chuckled at the indecision on the Duke’s face as he left the room. Floating a foot off the ground without gravity meant that the Duke couldn’t follow them, sure he could have dispelled the spell easily but then he wouldn’t be able to analyse the new Mana type.
The next two hours were boring as Ajax and his father in law were joined by a few more members of House Manashaper as he informed them of the incident that took place with House Septimus, the bet that followed and the result.
“That is a lot to consider.” Ajax agreed with the assessment of House Manashapers merchants. “Twenty thousand former slaves is a lot, especially since they probably only counted the workers when they gave you their numbers, chances are there are two or three thousand more in young children that can’t yet work.”
“What why?” Ajax was surprised. “They sell young slaves in the Empire. I would have thought they would count them.”
“A slaver would, so would a merchant.” The man nodded. “But a noble wouldn’t, with large manpower requirements like this they know their workers need to be kept healthy and motivated. Allowing them to couple up and raise children is a great motivator while also increasing the workforce in time for a much cheaper investment than buying more slaves.”
Twisted as it was, Ajax could see the logic. It was something he would have to keep in mind when trying to help his new citizens adapt to life outside the Empire. It would also mean that it was likely for those who were extremely good at their jobs to resent being freed as it would mean a short term step down in their own self worth.
“Twenty thousand people is a lot.” another member of House Manshaper noticed the realization Ajax was having and moved to change the subject. “I understand the need for building another city but why build it there? Are you looking to block the trade route to the Empire?”
“That’s not why I want it built there but I have to admit I do like having that option.” Ajax answered. “More than that it also gives a reason nobody would question for why I want to build it there.”
“Another change you want to make?” His father in law guessed. “Can’t do it all now you’d spread yourself too thin and things would slip through the cracks as you build up the duchy but you can make preparations.”
“I’ve given you a lot to think about.” Ajax said as he rose from his seat, he was the only one to do so as he knew the meeting would continue long after he took his leave. “Get in contact with Lexi, my grandfather or my sister once you come to a decision.”
WIth that Ajax headed for the guest area where the Collectors were waiting. He might have gotten to practice his magic on the road to the capital but he was still confined to a carriage for most of the time. He was a little restless and he was looking forward to a dungeon delve to work out some of the boredom.