Adam was surprised; he hadn't expected that at all. "Wait, the largest merchant guild in Phaos is all well and good, but what does that mean? And responding to all my requests for vegetables whose quality you still don't know seems a bit excessive to me."
Perhaps surprised by his hesitation and questions, Amber explained, "One region here is approximately half the size of the earth. The information we have at the moment leads us to believe that humanity was transported to five adjacent regions, with the Field of the Eternals being the southernmost of this group of regions. To the north of the Field of the Eternals lies the central region of humanity: the Valley of the Elements. "
"So all the races descended to roughly the same place, each in their own corner? That's a strange principle." Adam wasn't sure he understood the reason for this choice of configuration on the part of the GODS.
Amber chuckled, "Always so expressive, but we're not sure, although many suspect an inter-species war event later on."
Resuming her serious tone, she said, "Phaos is the largest city in the Field of Eternals and the third largest city of humanity. It borders the central region and currently has a population of 10 million. It is currently controlled by five major guilds: the Church of Light, DreamLand, the Sons of War, the SkullThrone, and finally, Golden Age."
Sighing, she concluded, "That's what Golden Age represents and the amount of funds we can invest in your development. So the question is, Adam, do you accept an alliance and investment from Golden Age, one of the richest guilds in humanity?"
"Holy shit, I guess you could say I just found the thickest thigh in humanity to hold onto."
Without thinking twice, he exclaimed, "Yes!" laughing, "When you are weak, accept the help of the strong, and when you are strong, help the weak." He pounded his chest with a solemn gesture.
"Good," a small smirk appeared on Amber's face, "Welcome, Adam, to the Cradle of Gems faction of Golden Age, my faction in Golden Age.
In my faction, the focus is on free development. Everyone does what they want as long as they don't harm the faction and respect the simple contract: one of the resources they produce, for you, vegetables, is reserved solely for sale within the faction."
"Free? What do you mean?" He wasn't sure he understood.
Amber chuckled. "You develop however you want: a mega base in your corner, a business in Phaos, a castle in the sky in the central region. I don't care, as long as you produce vegetables. The Cradle of Gems will invest as many resources as you ask for and give you access to unique resources only available within Golden Age."
"One week." With unprecedented seriousness, Amber stared into Adam's eyes. "In one week, we'll be back from our trip and we'll come back here to return to Phaos. Between now and then, show me what you're worth, to what extent I have to mobilize the Cradle for every request you make, whether I have to settle for just one person or put half the guild into action to provide you with what you want. "
"So I have a week to determine how much effort you'll put into me." Adam was resolute; the possibility of having a faction controlling a major part of the human resources ready to do anything to help him was an offer he couldn't refuse.
"Exactly," she said, handing him a gem. "An example of the resources available in Golden Age: a space gem that works like a video game inventory, a Chinese history ring. Put a drop of blood on it and you'll have access to 20 cubic meters of storage space."
She turned and walked towards the exit. "Luna, give him what he wanted plus the map and three shards. Traal, collect the pile of equipment. Let's go, we have a schedule to keep."
She gave Adam one last smile. "I can't wait to see what you're going to show me, Adam. My merchant's soul tells me that infinite riches wait for me at your side."
Adam watched her leave with a final wave, quickly joined by Traal and Luna, who had given him four more books and a large map folded several times.
After one last look at the group, he turned back to the golems. "GUYS, FATE HAS JUST GIVEN US A CHANCE TO BECOME RICHER THAN EVER. DURING THE COMING WEEK, THERE WILL BE NO BREAKS. WORK 24/7."
He clapped his hands to get the golems' attention, which they already had. "We need to produce high-quality fruits and vegetables, so I'm going to improve the seeds we have and make them grow super fast for each specimen to see what effect an improved vegetable/fruit has."
Clearing his throat, "We need as many samples as possible. Skar and Iron, you're going on an expedition. Bring me some berry bushes, vegetables, and a fruit tree of a species we don't have. Farmers, you continue your work. Bob, Bab, you need to transform this base into a fortress. I have faith in you."
He looked seriously at Primo. "Primo, take the two new knights with you as soon as I've finished creating the second one. Bring me some live oxen, cows, and chickens. I'd like to test whether we can offer other products to increase our value."
Heading towards the half-finished knight, he concluded, "One last absolute order: everyone returns before nightfall, regardless of the success or failure of the mission. Understood? Go on, good luck, guys."
...
Five hours later...
"Well, vegetables have a much lower energy limit before major transformation than the tree.
Adam looked at the vegetables in front of him, which were slightly different from normal vegetables. A potato twice the size of a normal potato, with perfectly smooth skin shining like gold in the sun. A carrot of normal size but which seemed to be made of copper, weighing much more than a normal carrot in his hand, and finally an ear of wheat that looked almost normal except for the blood-red veins on each of the kernels.
"All that's left is to taste them to see what you're worth. I hope you haven't become dangerous to humanity by evolving."
Retrieving his grimoire from the hut, Adam checked his stats one last time before taking the potato and biting into it with all his teeth.