Bloom

Guido was annoyed.

All attempts to negotiate with the humans had failed.

Gold was ignored.

Platinum was stared at blankly.

Even diamonds had triggered no response.

What did these creatures use for money, wooden tokens?

After interrogating one of the ‘scientist’ captives he’d managed to acquire Guido was shocked.

The money used here was nothing! Credits! Bah, who can trust these ‘computers’ not to take their cut!

A whole world that trusted money held in a non-physical form, madness!

What happened if someone cut the power supply?

What happened if someone stole it all?

Were they just going to wave their hands and magically more money would exist?

Guido couldn’t fathom the practically brainwashed trust these people had in currency that didn’t exist!

Their wild claims of being able to make diamonds as easy as baking pies fell on deaf ears. It was clear these lunatics had no clue of reality, it was almost a blessing he was around to enlighten them.

Since negotiations had failed, and there didn’t appear to be any common ground, Guido was pissed.

Pointing at the few captives he’d acquired so far he said, “Head back to the Pit. As long as you don’t do anything stupid, no harm will come to you.”

Watching the departing backs of his captives, Guido took out a mismatched leather book. The book was almost a quarter of his size, and sheathed in ebony black dragonhide. On the cover of the book was a titanic embossing of a white tree with blood red veins.

“Hmph, it’s time to teach these savages the real value of contracts.” Guido mumbled as he thumbed open the books pages moving towards the middle. The pages seemed to flicker forward faster of their own accord as if agreeing with him.

“Ah, here it is.” Guido said smiling as he placed his thumbprint down on the page.

There was a short flash of light, and suddenly a well-dressed nobleman was standing right next to him. The nobleman was clearly human, although his red eyes and white hair would definitely stand out in a crowd.

“Alfred.” Guido said scratching his chin. “I’ll be in your care.”

Alfred stared at the short goblin before sighing, “One-tenth?”

Guido chuckled, “One-tenth, and you can even have the ones in armor for dinner. Aren’t I such a great Boss providing a meal, while you work? I’m not even charging you for it!”

Alfred rolled his eyes, before falling into step beside Guido.

Thinking hard, Guido watched as the book’s pages flipped towards the back.

“Yeah, that’s a really good suggestion. Thanks, buddy!” Guido said, as he saw the debtor’s picture. Placing his thumb down, there was another flash of light.

A tall bruenette dressed in a tight silk dancing costume appeared. Emerald green eyes blazed at her surroundings before she noticed Alfred, and then Guido.

“Hello again, good to see you Emerald.” Guido said, his tone respectful.

“Two-fifths.” Emerald said, her tone sharp.

“Two-tenths!” Guido said, showing sharp teeth as he grinned.

“One-fifth!” Emerald said, glaring at the short green goblin dressed to the nines.

Guido sighed, “Fine, deal.”

Waving his two servants off, Guido flipped to the front of the book, activating a few lower level contracts.

A cook, a waiter, and a harp player all appeared after the two powerhouses had set off.

Guido stared at the cook, “I’m hungry. Make it something delicious while I wait.”

Bowing low the cook took a frying pan out of nowhere, as well as other assorted cooking items and ingredients. All the items appeared to hover at the perfect height, while a mysterious flame appeared under each of the pots, pans, and other assorted equipment.

Guido sat down at a single table of the perfect height, in a chair of perfect proportions provided by the waiter.

“A civilization without magic, money, or value. I have no idea what Tree is thinking.” Guido said, as he watched his meal being prepared. Taking out a small communication stone he said, “Goldnose to Worldeater, copy?”

“Worldeater, here.” Tree said on the other end.

“Goldnose to Worldeater, I’ve sent two servants to clean up, and herd non-combatants to me following the mental map you gave me.” Guido said his nose twitching as the scent of frying meat filled the area.

“Estimated time to completion?” Tree asked.

Guido sighed and said, “I sent Emerald.”

“Oh? Isn’t that one of Mishra’s favorite training partners? Did you make sure she understood not to damage anything besides the human guards?” Tree said, his tone curious.

“Of course Boss. I’ll bear any costs if she makes a mistake.” Guido said, as he started sweating.

“Oh! Well that’s fine then, as long as you take care of the cost of any mistakes, I don’t mind.” Tree said, his tone filled with amusement.

“Boss, just curious, what would you rate the value of this installation at?” Guido said, his mind spinning with calculations.

“Mmm…probably….priceless.” Tree said.

“P-priceless?” Guido said, “Ah, that’s great then. I need to pay attention over here, Goldnose out.”

“Worldeater out.” Tree said, his tone bright.

Guido gulped as he put the stone away in his breast pocket.

Opening the book once again, he flipped directly to the back pages.

Sometimes cost was relative, he thought pressing his thumb down on page after page.