Chapter 3: Pursuit of power.
After all the recent events, Michael leaned back into his leather chair and sighed.
The voice in his head laughed and said, "You moron. Why did you fall over?"
Michael failed; after all, he could not lean into a chair that was not there. While rubbing his head, he stood up and dusted off his skirt before he rubbed butt a little too firmly. His estrogen rushed into his mind while the smith ran over to him and offered him his hand. Michael blushed and grabbed the smith's hand.
Once Michael was on his feet, the voice in his head said, "What are you doing? Pervert!"
Michael ignored the voice and thanked the smith before asking about the sword. The smith escorted Michael into his smithy and handed him the sword he commissioned. Michael grinned when he grasped his new weapon. It was flawless. But, why did the smith give his sword to the princess so willingly?
Michael grabbed the sword and swung it in the air. "Thank you, smith. This sword is perfect for dealing with small mobs." Michael knew the sword was a supplementary weapon similar to a modern-day pistol.
Michael ignored the woman in his head and placed her armor into his inventory and before he purchased a set of standard gear from the smith.
Once Michael opened his inventory, Michael saw that he still had all his old items and abilities as a player, however instead of a keyboard, the game system activated with his mind. He also seemed to have learned how to use a sword and suspected he could use his primary weapon, the bow without any issues.
After Michael obtained the sword and gear, he entered the restroom and entered the changing room. Inside there was a female servant; she wore the same basic set of leather armor Michael purchased.
The servant smiled and removed Michael's outfit. While the girl undressed him, Michael looked at his figure in an old silver mirror. He had short black hair and brown eyes, which was common in his world, but abnormal in this world. Most NPC's or none-player character's had rare eye colors, such as blue, grey, and red.
Michael gulped while looking at his own naked figure but focused on obtaining the mines and the left smithery. The voice in his head pleaded for Michael to go into the castle, but Michael ignored it and decided that city hall is more important.
Because he purchased commoners outfit, he entered without a problem. He approached a woman and inquired about the mines. The attendant said, "The owner of the mines is baron White."
Michael nodded and left city hall and headed toward the baron's house; he wondered how the baron obtained ownership of it and why the mine was so run down.
"Michael it's a stupid mine the state of the kingdom is more important."
Michael screamed internally, "Shut up."
Once he rebuked the woman, he felt a little pain in his head. Michael closed his eyes and told the girl in his head, "Useless girl. I don't care that you're well-meaning, your stupid fight with your brother cost the kingdom much harm. Even when your being invaded, you and your brother fight yourself's instead of for the kingdom."
The girl roared, "What do you know!"
"I have all your stupid memories. Something I wish I could forget."
The girl defended herself, but Michael ignored the woman. Controlling the mine is more important than the princesses drama. If Michael managed the mine, he would obtain power. Power is more important than a title or wealth.
Michael reached the gates of the baron's house and approached them. A guard greeted him from a slight distance and said, "Do you have business here?"
From outside the baron's half-wall, which covered the outskirts of his residence, Michael could tell that the baron did not have too much wealth; it seems he was selling everything inside the household.
"I wish to make a purchase."
The guard nodded and said, "Five gold coins please; I will return them once you leave."
Michael paid the entry fee and entered the household. Once inside, another guard handed him a bidding token. "The auction is being held inside please mind your manners."
Michael nodded and followed the guard. A vast amount of treasures where displayed. While none interested him, he knew NPC's and even some players loved these objects. Minor guilds used these objects as buffs to lure players into joining them. Each player had to pay for the use of the buff's which gave the guild income in exchange.
No guild would allow its members a free ride, but they had to keep in mind players are self severing. People were not troops which could be used at will.
A baron's residence works in the same way; the baron is trading buff's for gold. Few guilds would sell their buffs because they could be upgraded as the guild grew.
Above the stage, there was a sign that said, "Allowed anyone to request if an item was not listed.
After inspecting all the objects, Michael approached another guard and said, "I wish to purchase an item not listed."
The guard replied, "What object?"
"A deed."
"The household cannot be purchased."
Michael shook his head, "I would never insult the baron, that is not the deed I am interested in."
The guard nodded and escorted Michael deeper into the baron's household and into one of the baron's business room. It's a simple place with books on the wall and many chairs. There was a small line to meet with the baron. However, Michael could tell the baron needed a massive injection of funds because every person handed him a promissory note or some coins.
Once it was Michael's turn, a guard approached him. "The baron is ready for you." Michael nodded and approached the baron.
The baron smiled but did not beat around the bush. "Which item are you looking to purchase?"
Michael bowed respectful and said, "I am a humble merchant interested in the mine."
"You're interested in a useless place?"
Michael lowered his head and replied, "For a lowly merchant, the small number of exports it yields could provide my family safety for years to come."
The Baron smiled and said, "I'll sell you a 50% share for a million gold."
Michael stared at the baron and said, "Sure, but I want management rights."
The Baron leaned back and said, "I am interested in working with you, merchant. However, I suspect our conversation will take some time. I will have to deal with the others first."
Michael stood up and bowed before the baron. "Of course."
After baron dealt with the nobles and other merchants, he called Michael into the living room. Michael bowed before the baron again until he heard the baron say, "Princess, please don't bow."
Michael sighed and sat down. "I don't intend to use my position to pressure you."
The baron smiled and said, "I have not sided with you nor your brother in the dispute for the crown. Why would you help me?"
"We both know, the one who controls the mine has all the power."
The baron leaned forward. "Are you saying, I hold more power than your father."
Michael leaned forward and gazed into the baron's eyes with his own. "We can."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone