Scamming the Scammer

While Zrathno is coercing the players and the few non-players that went with him, Astur has more or less determined how to approach Zrathno's request.

"Yeah, this isn't possible with my current materials…"

Astur has determined that Zrathno's request can't actually be completed with alchemy right now. While not strictly impossible, Astur doesn't have any ingredients on hand that have traits that can assist with space combat. The only way to get such ingredients would be if she disassembled Zrathno's ship and used the metal of its hull as an ingredient or if another high-quality spacecraft either landed or crashed nearby. The first is something Zrathno would never let her do, not even he knows how to restore it if something breaks after all, so there isn't a chance he would let Astur tear it up. The second is just is unlikely, Astur's luck isn't very good, thus it's rare for fortunate opportunities to drop out from the sky on demand, it's not like she's the protagonist of a novel or anything.

But that's when it hit her. Even if her luck isn't good, she has effectively infinite tries when it comes to rolling the roulette on her Authorities, even if the duration diminishes after each uses, she just has to develop stronger drugs. So long as she gets the right one, it wouldn't be too hard for her to complete Zrathno's request. And since Zrathno isn't aware of what needs to be done, a fun and harmless thought popped into Astur's head.

Not long after Astur began working out the details of her new plan, Zrathno's group arrived in front of Astur's house, more specifically in front of the barrier, where Elizabeth is floating around in a strange position, watching the Oulvgar who work Astur's mushroom field go in and out of the barrier.

"At least your downfall has been prevented," Ystur says, letting go of a pushcart with several metal boxes on top of it.

As Ystur approached Elizabeth, she noticed something different. The barrier has two layers. And Elizabeth is stuck in the middle of them. Moreover, the shape of each layer is positioned in a way to keep Elizabeth stuck with her body in the air, as if in the middle of a small jump. The two layers of the barrier prevent her from falling and moving in any other direction.

"Yes, very funny," Elizabeth rolls her eyes, "Now can you please go and tell your mother to let me move."

"I'll think about it," Astur says as she walks outside, "But you look silly like that so I think you're fine for now."

"Astur! I--"

Astur moves quickly and places a piece of tape over Elizabeth's mouth. Saving her ears from Elizabeth's complaints, while also blocking out Elizabeth's thoughts that are ringing through her mind as Elizabeth complains about Astur in her head.

"Now that the loud Vampire is a silent Vampire, we can move on," Astur says.

"MMFFPH!"

Ignoring Elizabeth's muffled sounds, Astur continues and points to the side door of her house, "Bring the materials into my workshop."

Leisurely walking over with no sign of having carried anything, Zrathno asks, "Is everything ready?"

"Almost. I have most of what I need but there are a couple of things missing. And it's on you to get them. Most craftsmen would have you supply all the materials, but I'll be nice and only make you go get the stuff I'm missing," Astur says.

Zrathno can practically see red flags all over Astur's words. Nice and Astur don't belong in the same sentence. It's not like he doesn't believe Astur can do nice things, it's just that he thinks this is definitely not only because Astur's giving him a discount. She's definitely looking to gain something from this.

Although no one can see, Zrathno narrows his eyes beneath his helmet, "What do you need?"

"I need you to raid the Headquarters of the Church of Light and go take some of their treasures. I can disassemble them and use them as ingredients."

"..."

Zrathno is certain he's figured it out. The second part is probably true. But He believes the first part is definitely a lie. Astur doesn't need anything from the Church, she just wants to screw them over without lifting a finger.

"You're crazy. I'm not so insane to raid the Headquarters of a God, don't think I didn't check on the situation of the planet before I landed."

"Tell me something I don't know. Joking aside, you don't actually have to raid the Church Headquarters, only one of the larger cathedrals that house some useful treasures and relics."

"Do you really need these items?" Zrathno asks suspiciously.

"I do. They're absolutely necessary," Astur said without a hint of dishonesty.

Zrathno doesn't believe her in the slightest. But he also doesn't have the means to reveal her lies either. He's not an Alchemist and the players that are Alchemist are too low-level to know what they're doing.

Giving up on the previous matter, Zrathno asks, "And what is it you want in return for the enhancements?"

"Your planet should have its own version of the EXP Potion. I want some of those. And I want the blueprints to a decent gun. I can reverse engineer and improve the EXP Potions and I need some good weapons to arm my military. Both serve to strengthen my Nation's position."

Zrathno doesn't find any problem with what she's asking for and it's within reason, so long as he ignores the Church raid.

"That's fine. But you're not getting my monkey tech."

"I didn't want it and you don't even have the blueprints for the. So when are you setting out for the Church? I can't get started before you bring me those items after all."

"Do you really think I don't know you're bullshitting me?"

"Nah, I'm being totally serious, I need the stuff the composes those holy treasures."

"Fine, I'll leave later tonight," Zrathno says as he returns to his ship.

With Zrathno gone, Astur walks over to Elizabeth and removes the tape from her mouth. And with a mere thought, Astur changed the permissions of the barrier to let Elizabeth go.

Elizabeth's wanted to keep complaining, but she quickly figured out that if she kept trying to complain she'd be stuck here all day.

"Here," Astur says with her sleeve rolled and her arm stretched out.

Taking the invitation, Elizabeth chomps down on Astur's wrist and after a short time, she starts drinking Astur's blood.

A few seconds later, Elizabeth pulls herself away and wipes her mouth, "Why is your skin always so tough?"

Astur shrugs, "Dunno, I'm just built differently."

"Fine, let's just leave it at that. So do you really need to bother the Church for whatever it is you're doing? Not that I mind, in fact, I'd rather you do it."

As Ystur and the players are returning, having finished their job, Astur walks back to her workshop, "We are Demons on a world where a Demonphobic viewpoint has been pushed onto the views of the many, when do I not need to bother the Church?"