Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem

The days were a little duller and slower with Alzara on a mission and without anything else happening. There was only so much they could plan when everything they planned hinged on their success in the capital, after all.

That was why Zach eagerly awaited every scarce report Derot managed to send him, even if he told the latter that they weren't important and that he should focus the more important matters. But reading about Derot's adventures was more exciting than training.

***

"Maz, did Jessecke submit her report about the stock?" Derot asked while sifting through the papers his subordinates presented him.

"No, sir."

"Damn it. She needs to get better at stuff like this." Derot scowled as he started looking at the information in the papers. They hadn't lost as many transport caravans this week, nor had any warehouses burned down. Their customers and clients were still scarce, but the few they had were too loyal and powerful to be swayed by the merchants' harassment.

If it continued like this, they could rest easy. Things were calmer than they had been in months.

That was precisely why Derot was on edge.

"If it's any consolation, Jessecke did make a cheaper and more efficient recipe recently," Maz said to ease Derot's frustration.

"Mm, the only problem is that it needs Buglewart. That's something one of Kadricke's followers has a monopoly on. Ask if there's an alternative."

"You got it, sir." Maz nodded and turned around to leave and carry out Derot's request and fulfill his duties.

"Oh, and Maz," Derot said just before Maz left. "Get me details on our production the last couple of days."

"Right away, sir."

Derot didn't look up as the door closed behind Maz. He looked at the papers in front of him with a deep frown. He sighed and massaged his nose bridge.

Something wasn't adding up.

It only took Maz half an hour to get the documents Derot requested, and it only took Derot half an hour to go through the pile of papers detailing the types and amounts of potions they had produced, sold, and stocked over the last few days.

In the same span as their carts had stopped being raided and their warehouses stopped burning down, their production had decreased slightly.

Derot glanced up at Maz, who was patiently waiting for his next order.

"That will be all for now."

Maz nodded and left.

Derot looked through the documents again, this time comparing them to other papers of the past. He frowned.

Only certain types of potions were affected. All the more difficult potions that Jessecke were in charge of were being produced at a greater rate than normal, thanks to the increase in available resources.

"Damn it…" Derot cursed. He figured out what was going on. Unfortunately, he didn't know what to do about it. He glanced at a portrait of a woman on the wall for several long seconds.

"Fuck it," he eventually said and got up.

He left his office. He placed his hands on the railing and looked out over the vast underground space of lines of workbenches and alchemists working to churn out potions and fill the air with a thick herbal and chemical smell. He grabbed a wrench and tapped the railing twice loud enough for the metal clinking to reach all the alchemists.

Then, he waited until everyone finished their potions. He had to tap again to help Jessecke realize it was time for a break, though.

Derot cleared his throat and spoke with a voice loud enough to reach all the dozens of alchemists.

"As all of you know, we are currently going through a period of trials. We have just recently been dealing with a shortage of materials that, while not completely over, we can now see the horizon of. But our next trial is already upon us. Some of you know what I'm talking about.

"You all are safe here but your loved ones aren't. Although I wish I could protect your families, I don't have the power. As such, you may do as you see fit. Do what you think is best for yourselves."

Some of the alchemists had no idea what Derot was talking about. Others had pale faces and sweaty palms, unable to look at Derot. Even now, he was being lenient, despite them sabotaging his business.

"But I am asking everyone to take full advantage of our overflowing storages and produce as many potions as possible. Each potion above the quota will grant you a reward. I'll set up a list in the afternoon. And as always, not reaching the quota isn't important. It's just a goal to motivate you. If you have any questions, feel free to come to my office whenever."

Derot had said what he wanted to say, so he returned to his office and let the alchemists return to work. They had a lot to do, after all, just like him. He still needed to go through the reports, adjust the budget, and write letters to the distributors about a change in production.

After a while, there was a knock on his door and a tired alchemist entered.

"Varas," Derot greeted. "What can I do for you?" He asked kindly. Varas was one of the alchemists who had suddenly started making a bunch of small errors that led to defective products about the same time as their supplies got back on track.

Varas avoided meeting Derot's gaze and fiddled with his fingers in the middle of the office.

"Y-you already know what's going on, right?" He asked nervously.

"I have an idea," Derot responded, still with a benign tone and smile.
Stay tuned with empire

"I'm sorry!" Varas bowed and apologized profusely.

"T-they have my daughter!"

Derot got up and walked around his desk to help Varas straighten up.

"We'll have to do something about that. For now, tell me about how they told you this and what they wanted you to do."

Varas' eyes lit up in joy as Derot comforted him.

"Of course! They wanted me to sabotage the production as much as possible without getting caught or, if I get caught, try to bring down as much as possible with me."

"I see." Derot nodded, his brain already working, even as Varas continued explaining.