Tower of Avarice: A LitRPG story

Chapter 21 – Floor 2: Part 3

As they walked from the Temple steps to the palace of the Mayor of Bellmare, the priest explained the city's layout.

The Temple was located on a hill on the city's eastern side, where five hundred steps carved from stone separated it from the surrounding buildings. It formed the Temple District, along with the houses and buildings supporting the priests and the maintenance of the structure.

From there, the street split into three directions. One led to the Mercantile District, where various shops, warehouses and the docks were located. The center street led to the Residential District, the most extensive section of the city. Finally, the third path led to the Upper District, where large mansions and homes dominated the space.

Mathew attracted stares and excited exchanges as they walked down the cobblestone street. Most of the people he met were dressed simply, but some wore silk dresses and outfits. A cart bearing a wealthy-looking couple passed on the other side of the road, but even they craned their heads to look at him.

Compared to the people of Bellmare, Mathew appeared foreign and alien. Handsome and wearing strange clothing, the rumour of a Champion appearing spread like wildfire ahead of them.

Leading him to an arched gate with a low wall separating it from the other areas, a pair of guards wearing leather armour and holding spears stood beside it. Letting them pass without saying a word, Mathew could feel the eyes on him as they continued up the street.

The Buildings became grander, the area cleaner and the quality of the people’s clothing became much better. There were even flowers planted along the road, with tall, well-maintained trees providing shade to those who passed by.

“Right this way, Champion. The Mayor will have no doubt heard of your arrival.” The Priest said, guiding him to a large, three-story house with stone walls and a red clay tile roof. Large banners hung down the sides of the building from the ceiling, each in purple with the golden bundle of wheat displayed on the front.

Inside, Mathew was greeted by signs of evident wealth. Paintings hung from walls, and statues stood in designated alcoves in the hallways. Going through another set of doors, as guarded as the others, Mathew finally saw the ‘Mayor’ that he was here to help.

The Mayor sat in an oversized chair with purple cushions liberally embroidered with gold thread. He was leaning back in his seat, holding a goblet in one hand. The man was exceptionally overweight. Mathew estimated he was tall and at least four hundred pounds, if not more. He was dressed in robes, black with gold stitching.

A servant stood behind him, cooling him slowly with a large fan in the room's warmth.

“My lord, a Champion of the gods has arrived.” The priest said, clasping his hands and bowing his head as he stepped aside to let Mathew inside. Standing in front of the massive Mayor, Mathew controlled his features, trying to stifle a frown at the sight of him.

This was the person he was here to ‘serve’? He looked well off. Why couldn’t anyone here gather the six crystals that the gods demanded?

“Ah! Our prayers have been answered. Praise to the gods and their divine mercy. I am the Mayor, Tarkam of Bellmare.” The large man said, not even trying to stand up. Mathew didn’t detect any insincerity in his tone, but he got the instinctual feeling that he wasn’t as pious as he was trying to appear.

“I’m Mathew Larson of Manhattan. New York City.” He added belatedly once he realized no one would understand what he was talking about. Then, he realized even by adding ‘New York,’ they wouldn’t have a clue what he meant.

Something bothered him about the Mayor, and Mathew jumped straight in, not wanting to engage with him for longer than he needed to.

“I’ve been tasked with gathering these crystals for you before the Harvest Moon. Point me in the right direction, and I’ll be on my way.” Mathew stated.

“Ah, Mathew of Manhattan! Bellmare welcomes you! We have been hoping the gods would send a Champion to deliver us, and so you have come. What is mine is yours. Consider this your home while you are here.” The Mayor replied, bowing his head slightly.

The response took Mathew off guard. Taking in the building, the servants and the appearance of the Mayor, Mathew expected a man who would seek to use him, to benefit in some way from his presence. Maybe this Mayor was on the up and up.

“Thank you, Mayor. The Crystals?” Mathew asked after a moment of stunned hesitation.

“Of course. The crystals! Please bring out the manuscript for Manhattan Mathew to examine.” The Mayor asked his fan-bearing servant, who stopped and gave a bow before exiting the room. Returning a moment later, he carried a large book in his arms.

Placing it on a table before them, the servant flipped it open and gestured for Mathew to come forward and read.

The book showed six crystal orbs placed on pedestals around an altar with the same bundle of golden grains. A light was coming off of them, forming a halo above.

“The six Bellmarian Crystals. Given to us by the gods of Harvest after the first blight. Once gathered under the light of the Harvest Moon, they will drive back the affliction that infects our soil and grant us a bountiful crop.” The Mayor explained, and Mathew leaned closer to the book to understand better what they were.

“Alright, and the ‘Six Houses’ have them?” Mathew asked, remembering the summary he had been provided on his arrival.

“Yes. The gods have granted each House a single crystal in the spirit of cooperation and goodwill. The ritual will only work if each House willingly brings their crystal to the altar to ensure that we are never at odds. For five hundred years, we have never once missed a cycle.” The Mayor clarified.

“Alright, I think I understand. So, what’s the problem? Were the Houses destroyed, and you need me to clear monsters or undead from them and retrieve the crystals?” Mathew guessed, and the Mayor had a horrified expression at the statement.

“Gods have mercy, no! Nothing of the sort. Bellmare is at peace. The Houses are refusing to bring their crystals to the altar for ulterior reasons. They are demanding a Champion negotiate on behalf of the gods. That is why we have prayed for your arrival.”

“Okay.” Mathew let out a sigh. “How far away are the Houses? Is thirty days enough time to reach them all and make it back before the Harvest Moon?”

“Of course, the Houses each are in a prominent location of Bellmare. They each control one of our districts. You can visit each quite quickly.”

“Wait…They’re all in the city? Then what do you need me for? Just go get them yourself! Why do you need the gods to negotiate for them?” Mathew exclaimed. He was beginning to think that this floor would be nothing like the previous one.

“I can’t, Mathew of Manhattan. The crystals must be voluntarily given to the altar, and what they demand for them is not within my power to give.” The Mayor said, holding up his hands helplessly.

“What do they want? Money? Land?” Mathew asked.

“No, if that were the case, you would not be here. They want change, to be free of the cycle. What we see as a blessing, the eternal ritual to bring about our harvest, they see as a curse.”

“I don’t understand. What’s so bad about it? So, they have to hand over a crystal every year. That doesn’t seem like such an awful thing.” Mathew shook his head, not comprehending the issue. The Mayor shifted uncomfortably on his oversized chair, his eyes flicking to the book and back.

“Turn the page, Mathew of Manhattan. It’s not the matter of handing over a crystal that is the problem.” The Mayor said.

This new image, along with words in a language Mathew didn’t understand, showed a person being covered in holy light. The next picture showed them changing, shrinking, and transforming into a small crystal.

“Please tell me I’m misunderstanding. Where do these crystals come from?” Mathew asked with dread.

“The gods choose a member of the House, their very best, to represent them in the ritual. The crystals contain the life essence of the Chosen, taken from them and sacrificed to the gods. Through giving their lives, they ensure that the rest of Bellmare survives.” The Mayor explained.

“You’re asking me to force them to make this sacrifice?” Mathew asked, and the Mayor shrugged.

“The Houses must willingly give the crystals, or it will negate the ritual. If I were to order them to comply or use force, their resentment toward Bellmare would taint the energy. It would be for the best if you could convince them to do so without bloodshed.”

“But as Champion, it is within your power to…persuade them in any way you see fit. They would see your actions as the will of the gods, leaving the energy untainted. That is why we have prayed for your arrival.”