Carlos woke up early, feeling the morning breeze caress his face. The sun was just beginning to paint the sky with orange hues, and the sound of birds echoed through the mocambo. With the exorbitant profits from the previous month, he couldn't contain the smile that insisted on appearing on his face with every thought.

  "I'm going straight to the construction site today," he announced to the guards who positioned themselves beside him. "The city hall can wait."

  As he walked along the main road, his feet slid over the clean pavement. The contrast with the irregular paths of other settlements was notable. Suddenly, his eyes landed on a group of workers, all moving with energy, although exhaustion was already beginning to mark some faces. In the center of them, a black, pot-bellied man was shouting orders.

  "Good morning, Benguela!" Carlos greeted, approaching. "How are things around here?"

  Benguela turned, wiping the sweat from his face with a rough cloth.

  "Chief!" he exclaimed with a tired smile. "Everything is going well. We have many new recruits, but the pay raise has given everyone new energy. And about the extra thousand men you promised..."

  "Yes," Carlos gently interrupted. "They'll start at the final stretch, at the meeting point with the merchants. We need to cut down trees and remove stumps. If the new recruits here are doing well, we can relocate half of them there."

  As Benguela watched the workers—some digging, others spreading sand and granite, and the last ones laying concrete blocks—Carlos noticed the synchronized rhythm of the work.

  "You know, Chief," Benguela commented, lowering his voice, "we received over a thousand new recruits recently, but most were directed to cement and block manufacturing, in addition to transport. The smell of cement already permeates their clothes."

  Carlos nodded, watching a group carrying heavy bags.

  "It's hard work, but necessary," he reflected aloud.

  "Exactly," Benguela agreed. "And speaking of work, I wanted to talk about the bricklayer who stood out the most. He has potential. I'll leave him here while I instruct the new recruits who will start working from the trade point. Since he'll be taking on more responsibilities, perhaps we can adjust his position?"

  Carlos laughed, the sound echoing lightly in the morning air.

  "You don't need to ask me that, Benguela. Talk directly to Aqua. Higher responsibility means higher pay, that's the rule." He paused, studying the man's face. "And the studies for Minister of Civil Construction? How are they going?"

  Benguela looked at the ground, uncomfortable.

  "I went to the night classes, Chief, but..." He sighed. "Studying isn't for me. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. I'm fine as I am. I'll leave the position for the younger ones."

  Carlos placed his hand on the man's shoulder, feeling the rough fabric of his shirt.

  "That's fine, Benguela. The important thing is that we live the way we want to. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to speak with Maria about the other new recruits who will start working clearing the path for the road."

  Upon leaving the settlement, the landscape changed radically. The streets and sidewalks gave way to uneven dirt paths marked by wagon wheels. The air now carried the strong smell of dense vegetation and damp earth. Few people were around—only some transporting goods.

  The walk to the Lagoon Mocambo was short. The place seemed deserted, with only the wind whispering through the leaves. Carlos headed to the second largest wattle and daub hut and knocked on the door.

  The door opened almost immediately, revealing Maria with a warm smile.

  "Good morning, Chief Carlos!" she greeted, stepping aside to let him in. "Please, come in."

  She sat on a rustic wooden chair and indicated for him to do the same. On the table between them, a tray displayed shiny chocolate bars.

  "You know, Carlos," Maria began, picking up a chocolate bar and taking a slow bite, letting the sweet treat melt in her mouth before continuing, "at first I was skeptical about this whole salary for chiefs thing... But after experiencing the wonders of your mocambo"—she made a dramatic pause, spreading her arms—"I confess: I'm now addicted!"

  The sweet aroma of chocolate seemed to fill the space between them. Carlos smiled, taking another piece for himself.

  "Glad you like it! This is our newest delicacy," he said, holding the chocolate up to the light coming through the window. "And we also have a new factory just to produce it. We can make it because the cocoa, tomato, cabbage, and potato seeds I ordered from the merchants have finally arrived."

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Maria's eyes widened, clearly impressed.

  "Really? What else are you producing?"

  "A little bit of everything," Carlos replied enthusiastically. "But if you want a recommendation, you have to try the pizza they're selling at the market. It's delicious! The dough is covered in melted cheese, tomato sauce, pepperoni......"

  He made a gesture with his hands as if holding an imaginary slice. Maria laughed, shaking her head.

  "Sounds tempting! But speaking seriously"—she placed the remaining chocolate on the table—"about Daniel..."

  Carlos leaned forward, interested.

  "How is he? Is his recovery going well?"

  "He's almost fully recovered!" Maria's eyes shone with pride and relief. "The priest said he'll be completely healed in a week. You know what's funniest?"

  "What?"

  "He swore he'll never go to battle again"—she laughed, a warm sound that echoed in the simple room—"But he wants to repay you for what you did for him. He said he'll help build the... what's the name again? 'Prosperity Road'?"

  "That's right!" Carlos confirmed, his face lighting up. "Prosperity Road. I would be very grateful for his help. We need all available hands."

  Maria picked up another piece of chocolate, examining it against the light.

  "He'll be thrilled to hear that. And I... well, I'll love having him nearby, in a safe job"—her voice softened for a moment, filled with emotion.

  Maria showed a slight, mischievous smile.

  "But I must say, this idea of giving salaries to the settlement chiefs to bribe them is excellent. I didn't think you had the courage to say that in front of Ganga."

  Carlos broke into a cold sweat. I hadn't realized that was a form of bribery. I just wanted them to see how good life was in my mocambo... And I had just gotten annoyed with Ganga Zala spending my money on frivolities...

  With a slightly hoarse voice, Carlos responded.

  "Well, I'm just doing what's best for the quilombo."

  Maria bit into another chocolate bar, this one dark chocolate.

  "I must say this plan is working. These chocolates that I can buy with the money... are an excellent bribe."

  The conversation continued for a while longer before Carlos said goodbye. As he left, he thought: "Ah... I'm tired of walking so much. Now I understand why Aqua wanted to stop being a mocambo chief. It's too much walking!"

  When he finally reached the army barracks, he barely had time to react when a figure magically appeared in front of him.

  "Aaah!" he shouted, instinctively stepping back. "Ah, Specter... don't scare me like that!"

  Specter kept a stoic face, but his eyes betrayed a spark of amusement.

  "Sorry, Carlos. I usually observe my men without being noticed. I turn invisible, monitoring them. When I saw you, I decided to appear. Did you come for the new weapon test?"

  "Yes, the—"

  "Not here," Specter interrupted with a discreet gesture. "Let's go to the testing field I prepared."

  They walked to an area surrounded by sharpened wooden stakes, where soldiers trained with flintlock muskets. The sound of stones being thrown—simulating grenades—echoed through the air. They passed through all of them and entered an isolated area.

  In the center of the field, leather bags were piled up. Near the area where the group was standing, iron grenades were lined up.

  "Sorry for interrupting you earlier," Specter explained, lowering his voice. "There are new recruits, not yet fully trustworthy. That's why I keep firearm tests away from prying eyes."

  "No problem..." Carlos looked toward the bags. "I see you've already prepared the tests for the smokeless powder I sent you."

  Specter nodded, his face serious.

  "Yes. And this time, we'll stay at a safe distance. I don't want anything flying in our direction."

  Carlos felt a twinge of shame.

  "Sorry again about what happened last time…"

  "Don't worry," Specter dismissed the subject with a wave. "It was my fault for not following your instructions. But let's begin."

  Immediately, a warrior with a fire gem in his hand activated it. He ran toward the bags, left it there, and returned at high speed, as if his life depended on it. Everyone present threw themselves to the ground, covering their ears.

  The explosion followed immediately. The ground shook violently, a shockwave swept across the field, and fragments of earth, stones, and grass flew in all directions. This time, however, there was almost no smoke—and the blast was much more powerful than expected.

  Even with his ears covered, Specter stood up dazed.

  "My God..." he murmured, looking at the destruction. "It's as if Xang? had descended his axe with a lightning bolt upon the earth..."

  Carlos noticed the mixing of the figure of God with an orixá, but remembered the Catholic benzedeiras his mother used to consult, who invoked God and saints in rituals the Church would hardly approve of.

  Specter looked at Carlos with a mixture of fear and respect. He seemed distant, almost oblivious to the chaos that had ensued.

  And to think... that a man could bring to earth a power that should belong only to the heavens.

  The tests with the grenades were also impressive, showing frightening effectiveness.

  In the end, Carlos sighed, contemplating the wreckage.

  "Unfortunately, this type of gunpowder will be our last resort. I still haven't figured out how to mass-produce the components. And mining pyrite to extract sulfur is becoming unsustainable. I already asked Francisco for sulfur... I hope he's found a supplier for us."

  After exchanging a few more words, Carlos began his way back. Specter watched him leave, but now with a new respect—and a hint of apprehension—shining in his eyes.