AK - The Alchemy Kingdom

For now, the records only offered an overview of their population, leaving the complex magic applications promised by Karl to an unforeseen future. However, the records were in no way useless. Just the age and job distribution accurately registered on them were enough to justify using it.

“As we all know, the Ministry of Defense employs most of our citizens, 602 to be exact, and more than half of them are part of the military. Though they represent the biggest group in AK, their requests and complaints are pretty simple. They want better living conditions and to live close to their families as much as possible. Since these are already being handled by the Tunnel’s remodeling, I don’t have any suggestions.”

“Next, we have the Ministries of Food and Alchemy, which employ almost 300 citizens each. Aside from overworking, a few farmers are facing some persistent poisoning, even with the detoxifying potions. It’s not as serious as the hunters and foragers, but we need to pay attention to it. We might be seeing some build-up resistance to the potions’ effect or they’re somehow exposed to something that either weakens the potions or aggravates the poisoning… Oh, holy Origin. Sorry, I forgot that I’m talking on behalf of the Ministry of Living… Old habits of an old healer. Mary can talk more about it later…”

“The rest of our citizens mostly complain about overworking. There are other things, but that’s just our people being finally free to speak their minds. Currently, we only have 40 unemployed people. Of which, 32 are sick and four are too old. The rest are first-time parents who don’t want to part with their children yet.”

This report would shock the leader of any nation. If the population size was ignored, it would be unthinkable to have practically all citizens working, but for the ex-villagers, such a thing was only natural. However, they wouldn’t keep up with the strenuous work schedule for much longer.

The meeting proceeded with the Ministry of Health’s report. The poisoning continued to affect roughly 150 citizens every month. Fortunately, the cases only caused mild symptoms and were easily treated with detoxifying teas and a change of environment for a week or so. Even so, Mary couldn’t guarantee that it wouldn’t cause other problems in the long run. For now, the poisoning didn’t enter the general statistics of health, but they were tracking it carefully.

Another worry was the number of sick, who were considered inept to work. In their current predicament, every single worker counted. On AK, everyone over the age of ten worked, except the sick and elders who couldn’t handle work. Of course, the children and elders took easier jobs. Retirement wasn’t an option, they couldn’t spare any able hands.

“Why do we still have so many sick?”

Lew’s question came from the communicator and was transmitted by the operator. Indeed, having 32 people unfit to work out of 2000 seemed too high considering their healing tools and magic nutrition. Although almost half of their population would suffer from some sickness throughout the year, they wouldn’t let it prevent them from working. In fact, more than ten percent of the citizens had some physical permanent condition caused by their previous situation or by beasts of the forest, but they never considered not working. So, the reported sick only accounted for those who couldn’t work.

“As much as I would like to blame it on overwork or beasts, I’m afraid the causes are a lot more complicated…”

Mary made a gloomy pause and looked at her former teacher. She was searching for comfort, or any old wise advice that could make her job easier, but everything Said could teach, the young healer already knew. The rest would have to come with experience.

Years of losses and grieve had taught Said to accept the inevitable, but Mary had experienced magic and hope. Though she knew her limitations, Alchemy had lighted a fire on her heart. She wanted to fight against the so-called incurable illnesses. Unfortunately, she was still too far from what she hoped to become.

“Some diseases are too cunning and unforgivable. Even with vitality potions and using the healing tools the sick still… I can’t… We can’t cure them, yet. But half of the sick only need time and care. There are a few things that can help us avoid the most common illnesses. Improve our food is always a good thing, but we also have to be cleaner and more careful. The health keepers could visit the homes and explain it…”

At the old Caiset, the villagers didn’t have a lot of time to think about hygiene and health habits, they just survived. But now, they had to discuss it, unless they wanted to keep losing people to common diseases. Then, they discussed how to encourage change in their habits. Omero, Marlen and Lew talked about what they remembered of the sewage systems used by the Kingdom and the Democracy.

“We improved the potions’ recipe, but we’re keeping it for AK use only. We can’t keep up with the demand without more workers, though. It’s not too difficult to produce more potions, but the clay vials aren’t enough. So, if we find an easier way to create them, we could double the potions without the need for another elixir crystal.”

Karl understood Mary’s insinuation and nodded. Besides improving their productivity, the potions’ trade was bringing some important resources, so he would have to find some time for it. Everybody looked tired but they still had one report to go before finishing the first part of the meeting. So, without wasting any time, Lonni started his report.

“The Ministry of Finance is finally getting a handle on the mess created by using crystals as our money… Honestly, I still don’t understand why we’re using it instead of coins like the other places…”

Introducing the Alchemy badge and conceptual money in a community where the majority could only count to ten hasn’t been easy. In the beginning, the Ministry had to solve almost a dozen incidents daily, and they still dealt with a hand full every week. Fortunately, on this matter, small numbers worked in their favor and AK citizens were slowly guided into accepting the currency.

Lonni wasn’t the brightest of the elders neither the most forward-thinking. Omero and Marlen had spent countless hours explaining how the monetary system worked and Karl had already given up on convincing him about the benefits of using crystal currency. However, that wasn’t even close to how difficult it was to make him accept the imaginary crystals, as he called the balance of the Alchemy badge.

Surprisingly, even with his shortcomings, Lonni ended up being good at his position. His pragmatism and the simplistic approach that many could relate to, help him at least keep things on the tracks. Of course, as their Kingdom grew, they would need to find someone more suitable, but he would suffice for now.

“Later, when we have more magic tools available for general use, you’ll understand the benefits…”

Fortunately, the Minister decided to accept Karl’s words and moved on with his report.

“Right now, almost every family is spending their money on constructing or buying a house. So, all the money is going towards it, but when they finish paying… Omero, you told me that too much money could unbalance the market and cause problems. Let’s be honest, we don’t have much to spend on besides eating and housing. I know we predicted as much, and we planned for expensive magic tools to be available for popular use eventually. By the Origin, it’s the only reason I think our crystal market might work. But how long is gonna take? I mean, in a year or two, a lot of families would be finished with the installments…”

Though Omero was the one being quoted, the councilors instinctively looked towards Karl. The Alchemist just shrugged uncomfortably. They all knew what was preventing their magic crafting revolution, which was the same limiting all other projects, the lack of human resources.

The fact that a young man could amass the trust and attention of everybody when things looked dire, made the former Chief feel a sting of jealousy. He would, of course, use this chance to remember everyone that his experience was worth something.

“Alchemy is an essential part of our foundation, but we shouldn’t rely solely on it. In fact, we should encourage activities for our people to spend their crystals and also de-escalate the overworking consequences. Wasn’t that the plan for bringing the seamstress from AP? Many asked for better clothes, but we could go even further and invest in this area. We could also consider opening a tavern…”