Joji stood in the soap factory and watched the kobold workers go at their labor with brisk, eager hands. He had chosen kobolds for two simple reasons.
They were dirt cheap, costing him less than a quarter of what it took to hire a human, and their senses were sharp enough for finer work.
Some stood over the roses, sorting them by hand and lifting each bloom to their noses before tossing aside any flower that had begun to rot.
Three more batches lay before them, each of a different kind. Lavender. Chamomile. Oats. Each awaiting its turn.
Sid stood beside him, looking more lost than useful. He had only come to look around.
Business had its secrets, and he had learned long ago not to ask too many questions unless he wanted trouble finding him.
Even so, his eyes kept straying toward the women standing near the knight. Daisy, Lena, and Nike had come along as well, each of them wanting a look.
"Lil Sid, what are you looking at? Focus," Joji said.
