Geis woke early. Aurora had already prepared breakfast. The guild members were expected soon.
'Today is step one,' he thought. 'Talent arrival.'
A chime sounded.
[Progressor Notification: Talent Arrival Imminent]
He nodded. 'Good.'
A carriage approached the palace gates. He looked out the window. The clockmakers were the first to arrive, followed by watermill engineers and metalworking artisans. Fifteen people in total.
Aurora met them at the entrance. "Welcome to the palace," she said.
Geis walked down the stairs. "You are here to assist with a project. I need your skills and attention." His tone was calm but firm.
The artisans bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty," they said.
Geis motioned for them to follow him to a meeting room. Aurora carried the lists and supplies.
Inside, Geis spoke. "We are traveling to the Eastern Frontier. There is a site that requires work. You will design tools, build containers, and help manage resources. Do you understand?"
The artisans nodded. Some whispered to each other, impressed by the tone.
Geis continued. "I will give instructions, but you must figure out solutions. There is no existing method."
A clockmaker asked, "What kind of tools will we need, Your Majesty?"
"Simple pumps, barrels, ropes, and pulleys. Nothing complex yet." Geis tapped the list Aurora carried. "These are immediate requirements."
The artisans murmured among themselves.
Geis added, "You will have workspace and supplies at the palace until departure. Tomorrow, we leave for the Eastern Frontier."
He paused. "Questions?"
A watermill engineer raised a hand. "How deep is the site?"
Geis shook his head. 'Exact measurements unknown.' "Unknown. You will have to assess on site."
The group nodded. They understood the limitations.
Geis turned to Aurora. "Prepare letters for guides in the Eastern Frontier. Also, arrange horses, carts, and food."
Aurora nodded. "Already in progress."
He returned to the system.
[Progressor Update: Eastern Frontier Opportunity]
[Site Access: Pending]
[Talent Arrival: Complete]
[Resource: Subterranean Combustible Liquid]
[Opportunity Window: Limited]
Geis read the update. 'Everything is aligned. Next step: travel.'
He then checked supplies.
[Supplies Prepared: Horses, carts, food, basic tools, barrels, ropes, pulleys, guards]
'Ready for expedition,' he thought.
By midday, the artisans had unpacked and examined the tools. Geis supervised without giving direct instructions. 'They need to learn themselves,' he thought.
[Progressor Check: Talent Assessment]
[Clockmakers: Observing materials]
[Watermill Engineers: Discussing flow systems]
[Metalworking Artisans: Inspecting barrels and tools]
Geis noted the observations. 'They are analyzing efficiently.'
He walked to the window. 'Eastern Frontier,' he thought. 'Distance: 3 days by horse. River faster, but heavy supplies require multiple trips.'
He returned to the group. "We will travel in shifts. The first group carries basic tools and supplies. The second group carries heavier containers and barrels. Clear?"
They nodded.
Geis turned to the system. [Progressor Recommendation: Expedite travel with staggered loads]
'Followed,' he thought.
Evening came. The group gathered for dinner. Geis used the time to explain the purpose briefly.
"There is a site underground," he said. "Contains a resource that is valuable and rare. You will help extract it. No one else can know."
The artisans looked at each other. Clockmakers whispered. Engineers nodded. Metalworkers stayed silent.
Geis continued. "Success depends on cooperation and innovation. I will give guidance, but solutions are yours."
[Progressor Update: Eastern Frontier Opportunity]
[Talent Preparedness: Confirmed]
[Travel Plan: Confirmed]
[Extraction Readiness: Low]
'Low readiness is expected,' Geis thought. 'First test. Nothing more.'
Aurora cleared the dishes. "Geis, everyone is ready for tomorrow?"
"Yes," he said. "We leave at first light."
The night passed. Geis reviewed the system.
[Progressor Scan: Update Complete]
[Next Scan: 24 hours]
[Resource Extraction Method: Unknown]
[Site Hazards: Unknown]
'We will learn on site,' he thought. 'Observation, trial, adaptation.'
Morning arrived. Horses were prepared. Carts loaded with supplies and tools. Guards lined the route. The artisans mounted their horses. Aurora checked every detail.
Geis mounted last. "Move out."
The group traveled east. Roads were narrow. Forests on both sides. Guards kept pace. Carriages moved slowly but steadily.
[Progressor Update: Travel Phase]
[Estimated Time to Site: 1.5 days]
[Hazards Detected: Moderate river currents, uneven terrain, forest animals]
Geis studied the terrain. 'River transport is not an option until we reach the junction. For now, horse transport is necessary.'
He checked the system.
[Progressor Recommendation: Assign two guides familiar with the terrain.]
Two guides appeared at the front. Geis nodded. 'Good.'
During the journey, Geis observed the artisans. They discussed tool design, fluid handling, and structural support. Clockmakers sketched ideas. Engineers calculated flow rates. Metalworkers assessed barrel strength.
Geis remained silent. 'They are discovering methods themselves. I only provide constraints and objectives.'
Evening came. The group camped near a small river. Fires were lit, tents pitched. Geis reviewed supplies.
[Progressor Update: Travel Complete 50%]
[Site Condition: Stable]
[Resource Flow: Unknown]
He instructed the artisans to review their designs. "Prepare sketches and materials for tomorrow," he said. "We locate the labyrinth and begin preliminary testing."
Clockmakers and engineers nodded. Metalworkers examined barrels and ropes.
[Progressor Reminder: Opportunity Window: Limited]
Geis noted the reminder. 'Time is critical. The first test is tomorrow. Observation only. Small-scale extraction.'
The next morning, the group reached the area near the rumored labyrinth. The forest is thick, ground is uneven. Ruined temple visible in the distance.
'Entrance likely collapsed,' Geis thought. 'First step: clear debris.'
He instructed artisans. "Clockmakers, watermill engineers, metalworkers. Work together to locate or clear the entrance. Use tools. Safety first."
They began work. Metalworkers moved rocks. Engineers measured floor stability. Clockmakers suggested levers and pulleys. Collaboration started immediately.
Hours passed. Dust and sweat. Progress is slow but steady. Geis observed. 'Not enough for extraction yet, but entrance almost clear.'
[Progressor Update: Initial Access Attempt]
[Site Entrance: Partially Cleared]
[Potential Hazards: Moderate]
[Extraction Test: Not yet possible]
Geis nodded. 'Next step: excavation and basic sampling. Once the site is open, test small barrels of liquid.'
He noted supplies. Barrels, ropes, pulleys, sand for fire control, and water buckets.
'Safety first. Observation second. Extraction last.'
By evening, the entrance was cleared enough for small barrels. Artisans checked the walls and debris. Geis instructed them to collect small amounts of liquid.
[Progressor Update: Extraction Trial 1]
[Volume Collected: 2 barrels]
[Flame Reaction: Ignites on exposure]
[Handling Procedures: Stable with sand and water control]
Geis nodded. 'Data recorded. Method verified. Next step: scale slowly.'
Aurora approached. "Everything alright?"
"Yes," Geis said. "We will continue tomorrow. Method works on a small scale."
[Progressor Reminder: Opportunity Window: Limited]
Geis looked at the horizon. 'Site secured. Talent cooperating. Initial extraction successful. Next step: method improvement and scaling.'
He sat by the fire. Artisans cleaned tools. Guards kept watch. Aurora prepared a simple dinner.
Geis checked the system one last time.
[Progressor Status: Active]
[Next Opportunity Scan: 24 hours]
[Resource Handling: Initial Success]
[Extraction Scaling: Pending]
'Step one complete,' he thought. 'Step two begins tomorrow. We learn, improve, and expand. Infinite opportunities ahead.'
The black liquid remained in barrels, still, burning quietly when tested. The flame reflected in Geis's eyes. He did not know all the answers yet. He only knew he had to act.