Things've been lookin' up in up in the Chronometric City lately. Or Chronometria, as the King calls it. Bah, I say. If the people want to name the city differently, I can't be bothered to tell 'em otherwise. Chronomet selected me to run the city proper— not for me to take issue with names and other political nonsense.

That aside, it's amazin' how fast things get done when nobody is taking a cut or throwin' wrenches to get extra clout. It's ALMOST like corruption causes social decay— who knew? Literally everyone but the rich folk, I reckon.

So, without the usual nonsense roadblocks, buildin' after buildin' has gone up in short order. It's like a damn miracle.

Then, a whole bunch of dragons come swarmin' out the city portal like an invadin' army. Our hearts were heavy; the dragons' reputations precede 'em. Everyone here thought it was a subjugation party. Even me— I didn't know what to expect!

Imagine my surprise when they walked over, kneeled to lower themselves to my height, and asked to help build the city. Asked! They can talk! What in his name did Chronomet do?!

He's a damn god alright.

Now instead of one buildin' goin' up, we got three, five, seven! Our efficiency is off the charts, and it keeps risin'! These dragons are work-a-holics of the highest order, smart as hell, and they literally never get tired. Drop a bag of 'cee-ment' or whatever Chronomet said, on their scaly head? They ignore it! They're built like honest-to-god walkin' forts.

Speakin' of god, we ain't cherishin' those 'gods' jerkbags no more. Not after Chronomet announced what they did, said, and why he had to kill one. No siree. We're buildin' a shrine to Chronomet and just him in this city. I don't see why not; he's basically our patron god!

I see Porrthai walkin' up to me.

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/094.png]

"Hello, mayor Yvilos. I would like to request permission to take a day off."

Huh, this kaizen. He's my hardest worker after the dragons. What's his deal?

"Porrthai, you're more than welcome. We're well ahead of schedule. In fact, we might need to build another city just to keep these dragons busy. But, is somethin' wrong?"

"Not at all, mayor. Rather, I've seen, uh, 'video' of Chronomet's sermon in his newly built temple. I simply MUST visit. It's not only the sights and sounds; his sermon pulls at my heartstrings. I yearn to witness his grand designs in person."

Woah. Never took him for the religious type.

"Certainly, Porrthai. Since you're visitin' our patron god's temple, I'll give you the day off— pay included. Chronomet's provided funds and schedulin' allowance specifically for this purpose."

"Ah, patron god! That's true. After all, he's a patron to my daily wage for tomorrow. Alright, thank you Yvilos. I'll see you next week."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Heh, okay. Maybe he still ain't religious.

The weekend's another matter, though. Chronomet has declared three-day 'weekends' on our 11-day weeks. He said it was important to rest and not work ourselves to the bone.

Weekends, well, we're not required to rest! It's just, nobody can be required to come into work, 'cept durin' a military-level emergency. I don't know what military emergency he expects; he runs the whole damn planet.

Next, since anythin' that gets done on a weekend is entirely voluntary, it gets paid somewhat better than weekday work. A lotta poorer folks like that requirement. They like it a lot. I haven't seen a shift in people's finances, yet, but I imagine this will lift the lower class.

Which will be quite good for my daughter's merchant business. She's basically cut me out of the loop. Eh, whatever. She clearly knows what she's doin' better than I ever did, and it gives me more time to run the city.

I heard through the grapevine she's launchin' three new mineshafts outside the city tomorrow. I said, 'hey, why didn't you tell me?' She says 'dad! I'm busy.' Ahh, man. My daughter's more of a work-a-holic than the dragons. She's gonna own the whole city's merchant trade at this rate.

I was worried for my daughter's safety, but Chronomet explained to me that her actions will provide more funds for rich people. So, he didn't think they'd go after her. I told 'em, 'greed.' He looked at me baffled, like he couldn't understand why people were so greedy.

Dragon— greedy?! You conquered the whole damn planet!

I didn't have the heart to tell 'em. Besides, I think he's got the right idea. I just asked him to make sure my daughter's safe. I think these dragons are keepin' an eye out for her.

Or, um, at least the ones actin' as guards surely are. The city law enforcement has been top-notch ever since. None of the city's guards want to make a single mistake while a dragon's callin' the shots. Perhaps they don't need to specifically protect my Charlisa if the whole city's kept spotless.

Now, of course, most folks are still dead-tired from that mass evacuation. I doubt many will come to work this weekend. I mean, havin' a job ain't explicitly required or anythin', but I get the sense laziness is frowned—

I eye a pair of dragons carryin' a massive solid steel pile that should require a crane.

{"What are you DOIN'?!"}

I throw my hands up while rolling my eyes.

Ah, right. Them damn dragons. Oh, but of course THEY'LL be here. I'm sure of THAT.

"You two, what the heck?! That's gotta be moved by crane!"

One of 'em shouts back in her gravelly dragon voice.

"Ah, sorry Yvilos! It seemed pretty light to us so we figured we'd move it! Should we take it back to where we started?"

No, damnit. You already carried that forty-tonne pile up a thirty percent grade. The hell are you thinkin'? You're gonna kill someone.

"Bring it to where it's gotta go. Just pay attention to the weight and grade; if you accidentally drop that pile it might crush someone! Work site safety, okay?"

"Sure thing Yvilos! What if we flew the rest up the hill?"

What? Can you... DO that? That thing weighs forty tonnes! I'm not even sure how you're carryin' it, never mind flyin'.

"Uh, is that, um. Possible? I, uh, I can let you do a trial run. Remember: safety first!"

"Oh, absolutely! Dragon wings carry us via the spatial plane! It's like we are cranes; I guess? Chronomet told us this through his mind link!"

Spatial plane? Mind link? You know what, fine. Whatever! Just do it.

"Yeah, then go for it! Those things are a real pain in my rear! I don't even understand why we're buildin' such a tall tower on a hill considerin' we gotta move the damn things up here. It'll make the whole job a hundred times easier!"

They both unfurl their wings. Dang, those are almost as impressive as Chronomet's.

"Alright! Here goes!"

Another, deeper voice sounds from the smaller dragon behind her.

"Gimme the signal."

"Yep, now."

They both float into the air. Holdin' a forty tonne pile.

I stare blankly at them for a moment.

...

I shake my head.

I'm gonna go back to doin' sensible work. I can't deal with these dragons' shenanigans.