Bello, Mondeville, and Sarah were sitting around a table in the sunshine enjoying a cup of coffee.

The Kobolds were not numerous in the village and could be counted on the fingers of one hand, without taking into account the guard and the two drago-Kobolds.

Relationships were quite good and business was starting to pick up. Everyone had found their place and was moving back and forth between the village and the dwarf fortress.

Mondeville looked at the cup and its contents.

"Look at this cup. What a meaningless object... yet we sit in the sun, all alive and have luxurious homes... Without Hans, we would be in tents plowing and dying of labor, while, here, we live in luxury and comfort... Yes, there is everything to rebuild but... we don't have to fear thirst, hunger and predation... though..."

Sarah: "That's true...and when I look at Kate and the little ones, their arguments...Actually, it's very human... Even Hans has kept a part of humanity. He could have wrecked everything, taken out his anger on Waspy, even taken us as a snack, but he spared us. He still has something human in him..."

Bello: "Yes, I feel sorry for him"

Sarah: "What about us?"

Mondeville: "The fact that we did not attack or participate against the elves gives us a political advantage. Their command center is destroyed, and most of the army is destroyed or scattered... but as with any war, there are casualties and I think that within a day or two, refugees will arrive in droves, driven by misery and hunger.

Fortunately we have reserves here in the village but we have to see this as an opportunity.."

Bello: "How?"

Mondeville: "Besides the soldiers, there are craftsmen, farmers and also mages with their knowledge and skills. What if, instead of being slaves of the empire, which is destroyed, we become guides? Even if our life is shorter than theirs, do not forget, they have Tyrant but obviously those killed by Hans, do not come back... but we, we have the Kobolds..

I certainly wouldn't want to become a Kobold myself but I would prefer that to eternal rest... It's lucky that we have a deity to listen to us... even if it's evil...It hasn't done us any harm so far though.. "

Bello: "The Djizia..."

Sarah: "Yes, Bello is right..."

Mondeville: "I am a soldier and I have seen countless men die. I know every one of their names and every night I hear them complaining and asking why... So even if I had to sacrifice a limb or a fortune to save even one, then the Djizia should be considered a blessing. You have to think of it as an insurance policy. Even if it doesn't "cover" everything, it has the merit of existing and other than on paper or in our hearts. "

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Sarah: "When you look at it that way, yes, it does look different."

Mondeville: "This is exactly what I wanted to show you: Events are seen and perceived by each of us differently and that's why we shouldn't make hasty decisions."

Bello: "Get to the point..."

Mondeville: "Carnage is exhausted... he's used up all his resources... the drones are like frozen and when we call Cabal, there's nothing... he's finished...

On the other hand, we have Yuri...and he's either allied with the Ummites or he's taken control...

The destruction of the empire must have upset all his plans for conquest.

He wants the supremacy of Russia, but that doesn't make sense now.

We have a few representatives of each nation here and, as far as I know, only here can we stay and develop. The other continents are wild, or burned and generally inhospitable. Let's leave the reconquest of the world to the archaeologists and to the following generations... the work, there is infinite..."

Bello: "What about Yuri and Hans?

Mondeville: "I don't know but I think Hans will have to die or live like a cornered beast, having exhausted his resources and, at best, end up as the pope of his own cult... let's leave him... he's too dangerous... but the problem comes from Yuri... he has his sights set on other worlds and the Ummite empire... He is one step ahead of us.

Then, by surprise, Yuri himself came to sit at the table.

Everyone stood up in surprise.

Sarah : "How!!!"

Yuri: "Good day Chancellor...don't worry, it's only a very advanced holographic projection...let's say that I also have my cup of coffee.."

And they sat back down, the table being large enough to keep a respectful distance.

"Ah, morning coffee... it's always the best..

General Mondeville... I always feel respect when I say your name...and, regarding the waves of refugees, you are absolutely right.

But, as a token of mutual trust to be restored, a shuttle has deposited sufficient food and supplies to face what awaits you.

To avoid any belligerent initiative, we have taken the first step: You have remained neutral in this conflict, and that is to your credit. And it is up to the Chancellor to lead humanity, or what is left of it, to its past glory, but you will not be alone. The Ummite Empire watches and almost never interferes in internal affairs but you will be good guides for the elves."

The general pulled out one of his spare Havanas.

"Yuri... You make it sound like we're in a fairy tale...but there's always a villain in a fairy tale..." and he fixed his gaze on the former Soviet.

The latter began to smile

Mondeville: "Do you produce your dominators on the assembly line?"

Yuri did not appreciate the scathing remark and showed his true face of psychopathic executioner.

"If you want to live free but under my rule, you must eliminate the dragon and his cult. Otherwise, there's a saucer with the dominator in it just waiting to unfold. Take it or leave it."

Chancellor: "Commander Yuri, you've already left us to our fate... why should we trust you anymore ???? put yourself in our shoes..."

Yuri: "Open your eyes... you are surrounded by monsters and cowardly dwarfs...

What will you do when they outnumber you and with your technology? Imagine a famine, they will eat you up.

And when they vote to replace you??? They reproduce faster than you and you will be overwhelmed at best and digested at worst..."

The general lowered his head, Yuri's arguments being inevitable.

Sarah: "I think we have a chance... Look at Kate, she hasn't lost her humanity and I think we could live together.

Yuri : "So why not ask her what she thinks???"