Hollow Ascension

Chapter 29: Under Currents

The guildhall had settled into a new rhythm of order and expansion. The guild's influence over the western towns had solidified, their markets now bustling with traders, while guild adventurers patrolled the streets, a silent assurance of the protection they provided. But beneath this veneer of stability, Kael sensed the undercurrents of tension growing, both within the guild and in the surrounding regions.

Kael moved through the corridors of the guildhall, his steps purposeful as he made his way toward the council chambers. The air inside was thick with the weight of recent developments. Finn and the scarred woman stood by the large map table, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. Other council members crowded around, eyes fixed on the map that displayed their growing territory.

"We have reports from our western outposts," Finn began, nodding at Kael as he approached. "There's movement from the smaller mercenary bands near the border towns. They're not happy with our presence and have started rallying together."

Kael leaned over the map, examining the marked positions of the outposts and the surrounding towns. "Expected," he said calmly. "Our expansion has threatened their control over the trade routes and their source of income. They'll attempt to push back, but they're fragmented. Our goal is to ensure they stay that way."

The scarred woman crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "So, we keep them from uniting against us. But how? If we act too aggressively, we risk driving them into each other's arms out of desperation."

Kael straightened, considering their options. "We need to sow discord among them," he explained. "If they can't trust each other, they can't unite against us. We spread rumors of betrayals, sabotage their attempts to coordinate, and approach some of the smaller factions with offers of neutrality in exchange for trade. Divide and conquer."

Finn nodded slowly, his eyes thoughtful. "If we approach the smaller bands, we can potentially turn them into informants, feeding us intel on the larger mercenary groups. It gives us leverage."

"Precisely," Kael replied. "Those who ally with us will gain protection and support, while those who resist will find themselves isolated. The key is to make it clear that cooperation with the guild offers the only path to security and prosperity."

The scarred woman's gaze flickered over to Kael. "And what about the towns that remain hesitant? They've seen our strength, but some still resist fully integrating with the guild."

Kael allowed a small, calculated smile. "We show them the cost of their hesitation. Subtly, of course. We prioritize our support and trade agreements with the towns that have pledged their loyalty to the guild. When the benefits of cooperation become clear, the hesitant ones will have to choose between isolation or joining us."

Finn exchanged a glance with the scarred woman, then nodded. "We'll send out envoys to the smaller mercenary bands. Make them offers they can't easily refuse. At the same time, we continue to reinforce our outposts along the borders to demonstrate our resolve."

Kael nodded in agreement. "Leave the distribution of resources and intelligence to me. I'll ensure our approach is balanced—enough pressure to keep them fragmented but not so much as to provoke open rebellion."

[Contract Progress: New Objective – Suppress Emerging Threats: 20%]

Over the next few days, Kael orchestrated the guild's response. He sent out carefully chosen envoys to the smaller mercenary groups, offering terms of neutrality in exchange for limited access to guild trade routes. The terms were clear: agree to the guild's conditions, and they would be left to operate unchallenged. Refuse, and they would find themselves squeezed out of the region's economy.

At the same time, he began spreading rumors through the guild's network of informants. Whispers of betrayals and secret deals circulated among the mercenaries, planting seeds of distrust that would hinder their attempts to organize against the guild. It was a subtle game of manipulation, one that Kael played with a deft hand.

Lena, now fully embedded in Kael's circle of trusted operatives, approached him one evening with a report. "Our efforts are working," she said, handing him a scroll. "Several of the smaller bands have accepted our terms. They're wary of each other and see cooperation with the guild as their best chance for survival."

Kael unrolled the scroll, scanning its contents. It confirmed what he had hoped: the mercenary bands were fracturing, turning their focus inward rather than outward toward the guild. Perfect, he thought, his eyes gleaming. The first step is complete.

"Good," he replied, rolling up the scroll. "Maintain contact with those who've agreed to our terms. Keep them under surveillance, but do not interfere unless they break the agreement. We need them to believe they've made the right choice."

Lena nodded, a hint of respect in her gaze. "And the ones who refuse?"

Kael's eyes darkened. "They will find that their refusal comes at a cost. Our outposts will tighten their control over the trade routes, cutting off access for any who oppose us. They'll either come to us willingly or be left to wither."

[Contract Progress: New Objective – Suppress Emerging Threats: 50%]

The days passed, and the guild's strategy unfolded with precision. The smaller mercenary bands that had agreed to the guild's terms began to enjoy the benefits of trade and security. Those who refused, however, found themselves increasingly isolated, unable to move goods or secure their own borders without guild interference.

Kael received word from the western outposts that one of the more stubborn mercenary groups had attempted to force passage through a guild-controlled trade route. The outpost had repelled them with ease, reinforcing the guild's dominance over the region.

"They're testing our resolve," Finn remarked as he and Kael walked through the courtyard, discussing the latest developments. "But every time they push, they're only proving the strength of our position."

Kael nodded. "They're desperate," he replied. "And desperation breeds mistakes. We need to keep the pressure on, subtly. Ensure that the towns see our efforts as maintaining order rather than oppression."

Finn glanced at Kael, his expression thoughtful. "You've managed to keep this balance so far," he acknowledged. "The guild's influence is growing, and the region is stabilizing. But what about the Red Maw to the east? They've been quiet since we started expanding westward."

Kael's gaze shifted to the horizon, where the sun dipped below the mountains. "They're watching," he said quietly. "Waiting to see if we overextend ourselves. That's why we must continue to fortify our position here before turning our attention eastward. When the time comes, the Red Maw will find that they're facing a force they can neither outmaneuver nor overpower."

[Contract Progress: New Objective – Suppress Emerging Threats: 75%]

In the following weeks, Kael's strategy paid off. The mercenary bands that had opposed the guild found themselves increasingly unable to operate, cut off from vital trade and resources. Some disbanded entirely, while others quietly approached the guild's envoys, seeking terms of surrender. The towns, witnessing the guild's effective suppression of threats, began to align themselves more fully with the guild's interests, solidifying its presence in the region.

The council convened once more to assess their position. Kael stood before them, his demeanor calm and composed as he delivered his report.

"The mercenary threat has been effectively neutralized," he announced, indicating the western region on the map. "Our outposts maintain control over key routes, and the towns have begun to rely on us for trade and protection. We've achieved a balance of power that allows us to look forward—to the east."

The scarred woman studied the map, nodding slowly. "We've come a long way," she said. "But the Red Maw won't be so easily subdued. They're cunning and ruthless, more so than the Iron Fang."

Kael met her gaze, his eyes cold and calculating. "That is precisely why we must approach them differently," he replied. "We need to present ourselves not as a rival, but as an inevitability. We do not challenge them openly; we make it clear that we are the region's new power, and they can either join us or face irrelevance."

Finn crossed his arms, his eyes narrowed in thought. "We've built a reputation in the west as protectors and traders. If we can leverage that image when dealing with the Red Maw, we might be able to outmaneuver them."

"Exactly," Kael said, a faint smile curving his lips. "The Red Maw thrives on fear and intimidation. If we offer them a path to coexistence, while subtly demonstrating that we're beyond their reach, we can force them into a position where they must negotiate."

The council members nodded, the room filled with a sense of cautious optimism. The guild had strengthened its position, and now, with the western territories secured, they were ready to turn their attention to new horizons.

[Contract Progress: New Objective – Suppress Emerging Threats: 100% – Threats Suppressed]

Kael left the council chamber, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. The guild's expansion was unfolding exactly as he had planned, each move calculated to maximize their control while minimizing open conflict. The region was bending to the guild's will, and at its heart, Kael remained the unseen architect, guiding every decision from the shadows.

He walked through the courtyard, where adventurers trained and prepared for upcoming missions. The guild was thriving, its members motivated by the victories they had achieved. They don't realize it yet, he thought as he observed them. But they're part of something much larger, something I'm shaping with every step we take.

As he moved toward his quarters, his thoughts turned to the east and the looming encounter with the Red Maw. It would be a different kind of challenge, one that required a careful blend of diplomacy and strength. But he was ready. The guild had become a force to be reckoned with, and Kael intended to continue molding it into a power that no rival could challenge.

"The world is beginning to take notice," he murmured to himself as he entered his quarters. "And they will learn that the guild's rise is inevitable."

With the western threats suppressed and the towns firmly under the guild's influence, Kael prepared for the next phase of his plan. The region was only the beginning. Soon, the guild's influence would extend far beyond its current borders, and Kael would be the one to guide it there, silently pulling the strings from the shadows.