V3: Chapter 10:

…

The assembly room was straight out of the game.

A circular table big enough to get shouting matches in, where each chair was personalized for each leader, and there was enough space beside them for their highest-level Champions. The tiles were plain white and the circular room had pillars that hung the crests of the nation. Instead of torchlight, orbs of magic shone upon the room, and in the corners there were little trays filled with confections and drinks for the long meetings ahead.

This was a room where leaders would meet, where the lives of hundreds of thousands would be decided, and all I could think about was that a really, really strong bomb could wipe everyone out in the room. All the dumb memes about the forces of evil just deciding to bomb the meeting room opportunistically came to mind.

Contextually, I knew that the room was a massive overture diplomatically. Everyone was going to be on 'equal' footing with no one at the head of the table, and everyone was going to break the same bread and drink the same food. Without context, it looked like a security disaster waiting to happen. Two champions for each present leader meant fourteen living weapons of mass destruction equidistant from one another and each other's leaders.

This meeting could and should be online.

It won't only save money, but there'll be less powerful people armed to the teeth ready to pounce on each other present.

But, until I built the T3 Wonder that'll reintroduce society to the internet, that wasn't going to be happening. And, I was going to build it eventually, because I'm getting sick and tired of having all my orders and reports come via parchment. The sooner I can get everything electronic and transmitted instantly the better!

Until then, though, I had to deal with the prime assassination opportunity and powder-keg hybrid that was this meeting room.

Oh, and of course, the Forgers decided to come along with the Scholars, despite their differences.

Yep.

The goddamn Goblins and Dwarves were going to be involved in most major, diplomatic event of the Citadel Era.

Yeah.

This is going to be a shitshow.

…

Goblins.

In most games, they were runty, ugly, and stupid green creatures that were a step up from rats as enemies for the player or party to roll over. Some games had them be dangerous, introduce the player to tactical enemies that used debuffs, but overall they disappeared after the early-mid game. Even if you cover up a three-foot, green mob in plate armor and magical weapons, it's still kinda capped in terms of stats.

You'd think that the devs would take the easy route, but they surprisingly went for something vaguely different with the Goblins. If I recalled their lore correctly, they were the planet's last remaining scientists that kept to themselves in a the last, flying city left on the entire planet. Sure, they were scrawny, but that was for more efficient use of space and resources, and their brains remained big. They went around in their flying city looking for Ancient Secrets and storing them for study and research and generally be an annoyance for anyone who wanted nice things. Their claim, of course, was that everything was too dangerous to be in everyone's hands, and that they had to spend time studying and l learning, before giving what's safe over to everyone else.

Their air units are some of the best in the game and they don't have siege mechanics, but they can capture Citadels and lock them down.

Yeah, there's a reason why I'm interested in making aerial transportation work with flying horses and magic, besides getting things where they need to be.

Then, there were the Dwarves.

They were the military researchers and logisticians who managed to hole up in bunkers and literally carve out nations in rocks. Technology deteriorated loads, and there were lots of things they couldn't remake, but they kept their technical documents, carved them into stone, and were also out for Artifacts and were ardent about making everything shiny theirs. However, while the Goblins kept things secret, the Dwarves were more willing to work with other people, share information, and fight whole wars for their goals of re-elevating everyone with all of the new tech.

If you want metal boxes with big guns, you go with the Dwarves, and lots of those metal boxes are capable of shooting up really, really well.

You can see why the two hate each other.

Meanwhile, as far as I'm concerned, the two factions are both annoying pests that don't use Artifacts right. Dwarves reverse engineer and get huge research bonuses. Goblins store things away and get big research. Meanwhile, I want those artifacts out on the field getting things done. Figure things out later, when we're all safe, dammit!

Anyway, I moved to meet with the Scholars of the Skies' leader and the leader of the Forgers of the Mountains with Khalai.

You'd think that Khalai would dress properly for the occasion, but that wasn't the case.

"This is the first time I've seen you so frustrated, Jackie. Are you sure it's alright to let these two in?" Crop top, short-shorts, and choker. Well, their fantasy equivalents at least. The dude was barely covered by 'dancing' silk clothes that covered far, far too little. The brown-skinned, toned, and white-haired High Justiciar of the Wardens of the Caverns, the leader of the whole race, probably had less than a square meter of cloth on him and showcased most of his body. "They demanded entry and demanded the other be banned. That should invalidate their presence outright."

"We'll see what we can do. They have lands that I'd like to see growing food, rather than dying from a drought." I was already thinking up of contingencies once Khalai did something heinous like stealing a man's wife or stealing a woman's husband. All the times I rejected him has led to him just getting more and more extreme. Like a martial artist training hard to win the next match and overcome an obstacle, Khalai was trying to gain greater lewdness… and was becoming too powerful. "They are here. They made the trip. They only need to retract their words and they will be able to participate."

The Guardians, the Conquerors, the Wardens, the Scholars, and the Forgers were here.

That was far better attendance than I expected, especially so early in the game.

It was sad that the Merchants and the Academy weren't here, but I wasn't exactly going to expect the Merchants to provide aide for free or for the Academy to work with me, even in a crisis.

Yeah, in the end, this was a massive milestone and will make things easier, so I was all for getting these guys to work together.

So, even if it would make me look like a simpering idiot, I'll beg these guys to stay and at least contribute to the meeting.

Pride and honor are luxuries of the strong.

And, I'm sure as hell not strong, yet.

Still, though, the day will come when I can roll over everyone and that'll be very, very pleasant.

…

Interlude: Celia

…

Catherine floated through the walls of the guest manor created by the Wardens and entered my temporary office.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

The Wardens had accounted for everything in their preparations. My guards were all housed on site, I could do my work even while away from my home, and none of my people wanted anything. Months ago, the reports were that this place was struggling, it's people living in slums, yet when I looked outside upon the city beyond.

"It seems that the King of Wisdom has brought forth another miracle."

"Such is the case. The buildings are whole and functional. Not mere facades. Workshops are churning out necessities and weapons. The warehouses are full of metals and gems, and public order is strict." Catherine reported with a small curtsy in her ghostly form. The dark cloak and clothing she formed around herself to feign mortality turned into a luxurious ballroom dress and my teacher retook her typical appearance. "The King of Wisdom came here to prop the Wardens up, to prevent them from being overtaken by all others, and succeeded. This place will be unassailable before any army could arrive that could threaten it."

"Save for his." I cast my gaze upward and tracked the flight of flying horses and carriages. They descended onto the ground. Prized beasts used for labor, but their efficacy was beyond question. "How long before he turns those containers into troop carriers? Or, perhaps, fill them with mages who could cast spells onto the battlefield below?"

"Given the beasts are easily trained for war, I am sure that they already can." The King of Wisdom possessed something the entire continent could only look upon with fear. In the span of a few years, he not only took over two Citadels, revealed the return of the enemies of the Ancients, challenged the Academy, and humbled my people, but he has also created a wonder that would allow for him to avoid all the dangers of travelling on land… and allow his armies' supply lines to be nigh-unassailable. "We will need many watchtowers and to invest in the creation of flying swarms."

"Catherine, if all those beasts are already trained for war, then it would be trifling to have half their number come forward as flying knights. By my count, the King of Wisdom has at least a hundred. Our swarms will be overwhelmed and towers broken, then they will simply return to their earlier duties." The hallmark of any powerful warlord was their air corps. The blazing speed of a flying horse, a strong lance, and magics that protected and hurled them forward were undeniable. The strongest warlords had dozens at their command. The King of Wisdom had so many he could make most of them act as couriers. "All we can do, if we wish to fight against the King of Wisdom, is to brace for death and despair. For now."

Catherine bowed at my words.

"For now."

And, that was the end of the matter.

I stood from my table and looked upon myself.

Appearance was important, so I took the clothes of a general to showcase my nation and people to the rest of the continent. All the other peoples of the continent thought that we were weak, that we could do nothing against the King of Wisdom, and now we needed to present ourselves as mighty and strong. White trousers, boots, a short red jacket with epaulets, and a feathered cap. I'd considered donning my people's crest upon my chest in silver with a ruby at the center but decided against it. Anything extravagant would only invite ridicule.

And, I already had concerns regarding the showcase of our newfound strength.

"How did the last tests with the firearms go again?"

"Twenty percent misfires for the long weapons. Thirty for the short." Catherine explained simply, while we walked into the hall. My personal guard still remained my Blood Knights in scarlet plate and mystical weapons. However, now, they all had companions bound them. Skeletons covered in simple iron plates and who carried muskets and pistols. Their weak swings were replaced by the crack and boom of firearms and their frailty somewhat negated by armor. Against the bandits that tried their luck against my people, they were powerful additions. All they did was march, reload, and fire upon the enemy's general direction, but with enough guns in the right direction, it was enough. "Shall we not announce our showcase?"

"It doesn't even compare to what the King of Wisdom shows every hour of the day. There will be no show." I shook my head and gestured for my guards to follow. The hall soon filled with the sound of marching metal boots and the light jostling of weapons. "You are sure that the King of Wisdom has not armed his own men with these firearms, correct?"

"The latest news we have on the experts he procured say that they are hard at work making better versions as of this very moment. None of our spies can hope to infiltrate the workshops he has created." I nodded at the news and felt a nervousness in my gut at the thought. He intended to create mightier weapons, before devoting himself to creating a functional manufacturing line, whereas I have already spent so much to build one for what we now have. How much better were the firearms he intended to field over the ones I've already invested so much into? "But there are no signs of construction of any facility to make them, even with the passive purchasing of materials to make powder and recruitment of so many alchemists, it will take time for whatever is composed to be mass produced. We hold the advantage. For now."

For now.

Those words I said earlier returned to me, and I sighed and frowned, before running a hand through my hair. I'd had it cut short to further present myself as a military leader, yet it was already quickly growing. Catherine had moved in and given me a small bow to tie it into a loose ponytail at my nape and it looked presentable enough.

Image.

Military expansion.

Technological progress.

Espionage.

Expenditure after expenditure.

Investment after investment.

Town after town created, factories established, ruins scoured, and more.

My people and myself were completely committed to survival, to ensuring that we could overcome the King of Wisdom, yet… here I was utterly laid low.

I stepped out into the day and beheld another Citadel with flourishing lands around it. Jack had arrived, swiftly befriended the Wardens and their people, and raised this land up to equal all the other Citadels already arisen. His mere presence stops dozens of petty warlords from trying to raid these lands, and gave all those aspiring for a second Citadel pause, and after mere months neither could hope to assail the fledgling nation. As he did that, his nation kept producing more and more, and even completed his great work that has given all others pause.

His armies can arrive anywhere within a week.

The skies are his to conquer at his command.

The Wardens are his allies and the Conquerors are all but guaranteed to stand by his side.

The Scholars and the Forgers, so ardent foes since time immemorial, put aside their differences to meet with him personally for the first time.

The Academy feared him.

The Merchants could barely feign indifference.

And, finally, my people could hardly raise a sword in his presence.

The last time that we met and spoke to one another, I had accused him of claiming to rule the continent entire by giving himself the responsibility of stopping conflicts across the continent.

Now, as I looked upon all his works, I realized a simple fact:

He hadn't called my claim a lie.