Logan Mercer sat alone in the private guest room the Merchant Coalition provided for him. The walls were clean and reinforced with polished wood panels unlike the cracked and worn boards of Outpost Brinn. A soft lantern glowed on the table showing the carefully folded cloth containing his two prototypes. The room felt too quiet. Too comfortable. Like a place designed to settle thoughts that did not want to settle.

He leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. His mind replayed Thalen Voss’s words again and again. Partnership. Protection. Distribution. Influence. The Coalition offered everything a craftsman might dream of. A facility. Resources. Guards. Merchants who respected skill and profit. But Logan also heard the other side beneath the polished words. Control. Expectation. Responsibility. Every weapon he crafted would be part of a larger system. Guided by the Coalition. Managed by their interest.

Not manipulated by kingdoms but still directed by someone.

He rubbed his forehead. Back home he worked under contracts too but nothing this big. Nothing that could shape national security or shift war across continents. This was bigger. Sharper. Heavier.

A knock sounded on his door. Logan stiffened then opened it cautiously. A young woman stood in the doorway wearing simple merchant attire layered with reinforced straps. She looked calm but alert the way trained scouts did. Her eyes carried focus and intention.

She bowed slightly. Logan Mercer. My name is Lira. I was sent by Officer Thalen to check on your comfort and answer any questions.

Logan stepped aside. Come in.

Lira entered quietly and closed the door. Her movements were efficient. She glanced once at the wrapped prototypes but did not stare too long. Respectful. Controlled. Coalition behavior.

Logan asked. Did Thalen send you to watch me or help me

Lira answered without hesitation. Both. We help by watching. We watch by helping.

Logan gave a dry laugh. That sounds like a corporate motto from back home.

She tilted her head. I do not know your home but the Coalition believes in mutual benefit. We protect trade by understanding threats. You are a potential threat and a potential partner. So we watch you. And we help you.

Logan sat again. You are honest.

Lira nodded. Lies slow trade. Truth fuels it.

He leaned forward. Tell me something. If I join the Coalition what happens next What does my daily life look like

Lira sat across from him. You will receive a forge facility. You will craft under your own rules but within a safe perimeter. You may request materials equipment and rare cores. You may hire assistants. You will live in comfort and security. But you will also be monitored to ensure no kingdom attempts to infiltrate your work.

Logan asked. And if I refuse

Lira paused. The realm will continue moving. Word of your weapons will spread. Kingdoms will send more agents. Some will come with gifts. Others with blades. The Coalition will still offer protection but not dedicated support. You will survive only by running.

Logan sighed. So protect me or hunt me.

No Lira said. Protect you or watch others hunt you.

Logan shook his head. This world is exhausting.

Lira gave a small smile. That is why merchants thrive. We turn chaos into advantage.

Logan looked at the prototypes again. If I join you I will shape war. Even if I limit what I build someone will use my work to kill.

Lira nodded. Weapons kill. But weakness kills more. The Coalition aims to control damage by distributing power evenly. When one kingdom grows too strong wars grow brutal. When power stays balanced wars end sooner.

Logan narrowed his eyes. You truly believe that

She answered without doubt. I have seen it.

Logan stood and paced slowly. He thought of Rhea. Of Outpost Brinn. Of how their weapons broke and cost them lives. If he could improve weapons maybe fewer soldiers would die. Maybe small outposts like Brinn would not fall under mercenary raids. Maybe balance was not just a merchant’s ideal but something real.

Lira spoke softly. Logan Mercer I do not ask you to trust us fully. I ask you to consider that the world will change with or without you. But with you we can change it with purpose.

He turned slowly. And what purpose is that

Balance she said. And peace where possible.

Logan stared at the prototypes. They were glowing faintly under the lantern light.

Lira stood. I will leave you to think. Officer Thalen will meet you again at sunset.

She walked to the door but paused. One more thing Logan Mercer. If you decide to partner with us your name will become known across the realm. Fame brings danger. But it also brings a voice people cannot ignore.

She left.

Logan sat again and rubbed his face. Fame. Influence. Purpose. Danger. All tangled together in choices he did not ask for. But he was here now. The realm would not slow down for him to breathe.

He closed his eyes. The sun dipped lower. The weight of the world grew heavier.

Soon he would decide the direction of war.