"System: The special effect is no longer valid. Rebooting the system… Checking work processes... No problems found... Processing new information… The system was shut down for 3 months, 5 days, 9 hours, 52 minutes, and 12 seconds."
As I thought, Satkin was lying. What can you do, under the threat of death, people might spout any nonsense.
"System: You have absorbed a core fragment... the fusion was successful. You have received 12,000 XP"
Wow, but the dragon didn't lie. Even his shard gave me so much experience. I wonder how much experience you can get for the shards of Satkin?
Approaching the fragments of Satkin, I swallowed the largest piece.
"System: You absorbed a core fragment... the fusion failed."
At the same moment, it seemed to me that someone hit me in the heart. I almost fell over from this feeling.
A system, why did it fail?
"Core absorption depends on many factors. Such as the desire of the core to be absorbed, the similarity of the cores, as well as the proximity of their bloodline. Taking these factors into account, there is about a 60% chance of each core being absorbed. It's mainly because the core doesn't want to be absorbed."
What a touchy one. Taking the cores one by one, I began to absorb them.
"System: You have absorbed a core fragment... the fusion was successful. You have received 800 XP"
"System: You have absorbed a core fragment... the fusion was successful. You have received 500 XP"
"System: You absorbed a core fragment... the fusion failed."
"System: You have absorbed a core fragment... the fusion was successful. You have received 1200 XP"
"System: You absorbed a core fragment... the fusion failed."
"System: You absorbed a core fragment... the fusion failed."
"System: You absorbed a core fragment... the fusion failed."
Is it my luck or the chance is below 60%? Of all the fragments, I successfully managed to absorb only 3. It seems that only my bad luck can be blamed here. The system, show stats.
"Name: Augustine
Race: The Great Dragon of Alteration (Lv 15\80)
XP 9100\15000
HP 930
MP 1625
Attack 131(149)
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Protection 160(172)
Magic 390
Speed 300
Mana Purity: 660
Skills: Chosen One (3lv), The Highest Magical Kinship, Learned the Highest Magic (2lv), Dragon Breath(4lv), Claws(6lv), Scales(5lv), Hunting (2lv), Poison Resistance(2lv), Aura of the Dragon King(3lv), Flight(3lv), Sense of Danger(2lv), Master(1lv), Dragon Core(1lv), Natural body change"
If we consider that I had level 5 or 6 before entering, I can assume that my subordinates have not fought with anyone yet, or they were defeated too easily. Without hesitation, I flapped my wings, heading to the nearest settlement. There weren't many people there anymore. Seeing me, everyone came out and started bowing to me.
Ignoring them, I went to the elders. Inmi was already waiting for me.
- We were expecting you, Master. How was your conversation with your father?
"Pretty good. I almost don't regret the time spent."
- This servant is glad to hear that you are satisfied.
"It seems to me, or is there fewer tsaesci in the district?"
- That's right, the elders decided to send half of all the tsaescis to your possessions first. Mostly men. They are currently engaged in the construction of a settlement, as soon as everything is ready, we will immediately move to a place that is closer to you.
"Hmm. Has something happened during my absence?"
- I guess nothing serious happened. However, this servant does not communicate much with the dragonoids, so he cannot say anything that does not relate to these lands.
"I'll be heading home soon, there's no need to accompany me. But first, prepare some food for me."
- As you wish.
…
The journey to the castle took at most a week. Landing in the city, I looked around. The construction of a city has begun around the mountain, it looks like they are planning to expand the city.
The servants took me to my new abode. A large spacious room made of white stones, the ground covered with soft leather, as well as servants ready to come at the first call. Not life but a fairy tale.
- Master, I am very happy that you have finally returned - Sean went inside with Andre, the old man was smiling gently.
After having small talk, I asked him
"How's the progress? Are there any problems?"
- At the moment everything is great. Except for a few details that you, as our king must personally consider.
"I'm listening"
- First, we need to solve the problem with the monetary system. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Green Union, we can not worry about resources, however, because of this, it is difficult for us to control people. - Sean shook his head with a contemptuous expression - Although we consider it unnecessary, Andre claims that it is necessary to start minting coins. The main problem is what we should make them out of. We don't have gold mines, and other precious minerals are better used to create weapons and buy additional materials for the observation points
As I understand, at this moment all of the countries adhere to the idea of mercantilism. In essence, it's the idea that the countries have to keep as many values as possible so that their economies are as independent as possible. The idea, as time has shown, limits the economy. However, who cares? I'm not trying to create an ideal country here, as long as it functions normally and stably produces weapons, supplies, and soldiers, I don't see the reason to make the utopia. As long as my servants are satisfied, they'll work hard for me, so what's the point?
After thinking about it a bit, a brilliant idea came to my mind. Taking out a palm-sized scale from my body, I poured dragon energy into it, and then taking the form of a dragonoid, I wrote the rune *Light* on it. I poured in so much energy that it will last for 10 years. Fortunately, the rune is simple and does not require much energy.
As a result, I had a beautiful scale in my hand that glowed faintly.
- This will be the biggest currency. I will create no more than 100 instances. If the currency gets serious damage, then it will throw out all the light inside, after which it will go out. This should be enough to separate the fake coins from the real ones. I handed the scales to Sean. He gently grabbed it and twirled it in his hand, and then said
- I'm sorry in advance, but I have an idea.
- I'm listening.
- Are you able to change the shape of scales? If you gave each *coin* a unique look, and also recorded its feature in advance, we could completely secure it.
After thinking about his suggestion for a while, I decided to give it a try. Imagining how I hold the scales, I began to imagine how carefully I cut them out, like a clay sculpture. Surprisingly, I managed to do it without much effort. I even managed to draw a simple image of an Orc on it. As a result, I had a fancy scale with sharp edges and a simple orc pattern in my hand.
Sean examined it and said
- If you draw your noble face, then you can be sure that no one will be able to fake it.
- I guess you're right. However, it doesn't look like anyone can even fake it. - While saying this, I conjured a wind blade. It divided the scales into two pieces. -The drawing of the orc is even inside the scales, this is hardly possible to repeat. - Having lost interest in this problem, I said - Later I will give you 30 * coins*. Send 10 to the union of greens, and distribute the rest to different countries. Let them know our highest currency by sight.
Although the idea may not be perfect, what do you expect from an old mage? If it fails, we will lose nothing, but if it really gets popular, only I'm able to do these coins.
- What about the other problems?
- There are still problems with the legislation. At the moment, human cities are judged according to the laws of Elvengal. Just tell me how we should change the laws. We'll do the rest ourselves.
Hmm... that reminds me of something. But I can't remember. Alright, I'll think about it later. As I said before, I'm not trying to create a utopia, it's a thankless task. Therefore
- You don't need to give them any rights. Change the laws so as to show my absolute power. The life of one dragonoids is much more valuable than the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Keep them on a short leash. The experience of the past has clearly shown us how dishonest they can be
If evaluated in terms of combat power, many strong human magicians will not be able to resist the average dragonoid, but more importantly, unlike humans, I have no doubt about their loyalty. We also include a high development potential, and now people can only be useful as laborers.
Andre bowed and left the room. Sean followed him in silence.