“Katsíki.”

I heard a sweet voice call.

I opened my eyes to find myself sitting on Yna’s lap only we weren’t in her cabin.

We were in Shiru’s house. In her dining room to be specific.

I looked at the table and saw a bowl of vegetable soup just sitting there.

“You know I can eat meat in this form, right?” I asked as I grabbed the spoon that was next to the bowl.

“I know.” Yna said as I ate.

“How are things going?”

“Pretty good, all things considered. None of the Stormhawks have made a move, fortunately, but we are getting hit pretty hard and often by Liland knights.”

“Those are the ones that don’t belong any legion, right?”

“Yep. They know those guys are replaceable and so they are making them participate in reckless attacks. Fortunately for us, your bolts are beyond effective against them. However, it’s only a matter of time before a proper legion makes an appearance.”

“We’ll be ready when they arrive.” I said.

Yna chuckled before running her hands through my hair.

“Yes we will.” Yna said as I finished eating.

Shiru and Erna were still sleeping and so we snuck out of the house.

We were supposed to go to the war room but I instead led Yna to the large building to the northwest of Coh.

It was basically a gigantic kitchen and I wanted to see how everyone was doing

We entered it and were immediately met by an ocean of aroma’s.

Unfortunately, the area where food was actually handled was sealed off and so Yna and I walked down the dim corridor that led to the management offices.

We entered the office area to find Dama speaking with the head cook about various things.

He noticed us and promptly dismissed the cook before walking towards us.

“Good morning. Is there anything you need?” He asked but I shook my head.

“I wanted to see if there was anything you needed, actually.”

“Oh? Well, there’s not much. The supply chain is operating efficiently and thanks your darkness powered carts, we are able to transport goods and materials at an incredible rate. Also, Serylea says that the road to Mount Jivu is almost completed. You know, for someone who cannot use darkness, she sure knows how to manage the creation of darkness based structures.” Dama said with a sweet smile.

“Yep! That’s my student for ya!” I said while puffing my chest.

“Anyway, bye. I’ll be in the war room if you need me.” I said while turning to leave.

Dama waved us goodbye as we left.

We then made our way into the war room where Thneia stood.

“Good morning.” I greeted.

“Morning.” Thneia greeted with narrowed eyes.

“Were you looking for me yesterday?” I asked as Yna and I took our seats around the large table at the centre of the room.

“Yes, but that can wait. Some Liland golden knights were spotted a few kilometres north of the Eimvals. Don’t worry, I already sent Rix there just in case the Kommáti need help.”

I nodded before looking at the map.

I then looked at a marker that represented the far western land called Disahn.

I heard it was mostly in ruin and there was a chance it was secretly being run by humans.

I had sent an group to investigate the city and they gathered evidence that proved that the Aureate King, as he called himself, was a human who ruled over Disahn within a walled off section of the city.

I could have gone to him and asked him to join the United Expanse Forces as an ally but he ruled over nothing but savages and sand so there was no point in that. Not yet, at least.

The land further west was in a similar state of ruin, although their reasons for falling into a state of savagery remained unknown to me as I hadn’t sent anyone out there yet.

I looked even further west and so Rahadiya.

The city itself was unusable, but the land around it was quite green. Not to mention the fact that it was next to what Thneia called the Ernese ocean.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

There was probably fish in that ocean but creating a large fishing operation all the way in Rahadiya would take up a considerable amount of time.

Time I didn’t have.

I’d have to leave this to my genius of a student!

“Ower, can you bring Serylea here?” I asked as Yna stretched her arms.

“Headin’ out?”

“Yep.” Yna said while standing.

“Alright, stay safe out there.”

She nodded before teleporting away.

I then glanced at Thneia’s who’s eyes were glowing noticeably brighter.

I ignored her before returning my gaze to the map.

I’d have Serylea manage the construction of a town on the coast of Rahadiya. A long stretch of land called Wanae.

As a bonus for all her hard work, we could even name the town after her.

Serylea...

Se… lea…

I suck at names.

Ower eventually returned with Serylea and I told her my plan.

“How much more time do you need to finish the Eimvu road?” I asked.

“Oh, I don’t need any more time. We’re actually ahead of schedule. The magicians in Eimval are a hard working bunch, so yeah.” She said prompting me to nod.

“How much time do you think you’d need to build an entire town and a pier by the Coast in Rahadiya?”

“Mmm… two weeks, at least.” She said.

I nodded before tapping above the marker that represented Coh.

“Don’t worry about the ships. I’ll create a ton today oh and moving the ships around in the water shouldn’t be too big a deal for darkness magicians.” I said.

Serylea nodded before making an expression I didn’t quite recognize.

“Umm… do have any more adjustments to make… to the… you know…”

I tilted my head in confusion before quickly realizing what she was talking about.

“No, I think it’s done. Although I’d appreciate your help with Kenos’s little pet project. This really isn’t my style, but I wanna find a way to make it hit harder.”

“Are you talking about the Anti Caligo Ordinate? Mmm… I’ll have to inspect the sheath a bit more before making any conclusions.” Serylea said.

“Alright, bye for now, then.” I said before Ower suddenly appeared and disappeared alongside Serylea.

I then sighed before facing the map once more.

“The land around the city is also quite fertile.” Thneia said while walking towards me.

She wore a much larger version of the UEF uniform and it made her look both intimidating and kinda cool, but there was no way I was telling her that.

She stood next to me and joined me in inspecting the map.

“You could also create four teleportation outposts here and here.” Thneia said while pointing at two points in the Western Wilds.

“Mmm… good idea. Did you catch that, Ower?” I asked.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good. Go tell Han what you just heard.” I said before leaning back into my chair.

“Are you tired?” Thneia asked.

“Nope. I’m… mmm… I just a have lot to think about, is all.” I sighed deeply.

“I see. Does resting atop Yna’s thighs bring you some sort of comfort?”

“Somewhat. It works wonders when I’m stressed.”

“I see. So it would not work with just any other woman.”

“What are you getting at?” I asked with a raised brow.

Thneia returned to her gigantic chair before plopping onto it with a thud.

“I would like to offer you comfort, since Yna isn’t here.” She said. Her face expressionless.

“Mmm…” I groaned.

“No, it’s fine. I’d rather we focus on our work.”

[Dammit.]

“Alright.” Thneia said.

I nodded before returning my gaze to the map.

.

..

I blinked several times and realized that it was noon.

I tore my eyes away from the map before hopping off my chair.

“Off to Southern Coh?” Thneia asked.

“Yes.” I said while walking towards the exit.

“Would you mind if I carried you there?”

I stopped before glancing at the Draconic Knight.

[Let her do it!]

I know what you’re hoping for, but she’ll treat you just as harshly as Yna when we switch.

[YOU DON’T KNOW THAT FOR SURE!]

Kenos cried prompting me to sigh.

“Fine.”

Thneia then picked me up and to me to a large open area in Southern Coh where I had a bunch of magicians work alongside me in building a fleet of twenty five ships. Twenty large ones and five smaller ones.

I used all the information I knew about ships back on earth, although my knowledge was only surface level.

I made sure the ships were sturdy and leak proof all while working alongside other darkness magicians to find the best way to propel the ships.

We decided to use dark propellers which would be operated by magicians within the ship.

Thneia and I were then alerted by the sounds of heavy breathing behind us and so we turned around to find a certain bald man staring at us.

“Oh. Hi, Mikael-“

“Is it true?” He asked with trembling eyes.

“Are you really… a dragon?”

“Yes.” Thneia said flatly.

“My goodness… Oh- where are my manners. My name is Mikael and I part of the order of Flamouriá. Please, allow me to serve you!” Mikael yelled before falling to his knees and smashing his forehead into the ground.

Thneia looked at me but all I did was shrug.

“Err… I am currently serving-“

I raised a brow.

“Working alongside Katsíki to defend the Expanse and I am in no need for any servants, although you look capable enough.” Thneia said prompting Mikael to raise his head, revealing his pained expression.

“Then please allow me to worship you in all your glory!” He yelled.

“Sure-“

A loud explosion filled the air and u looked up to find a silver spear hanging vertically in the sky.

“We’re under attack! Head to cover!”

Someone yelled and my people all ran into any nearby buildings as they had practiced so many times before.

But I didn’t want this.

I didn’t want my people to live in fear.

Thneia must have noticed my glare and her eyes glowed as the sky was littered with silver Spears.

This was a result of the Spears being jammed into the layer of distorted space above Coh.

“Lord Katsíki, there are three silver knights up there. Should I-?”

“Kill them all.” I said through gnashed teeth.

Thneia nodded before lowering her posture, she then jumped into the sky and I heard a sound that resembled the sound jet engines made as she got higher.

I had since learnt that the Sun Spears, the motherfuckers who had dared to kill my people once before, were a Legion that’s specialized in aerial attacks.

I wanted to make sure that they either died or forever lost the will to fight.

A tube of flame the size of a tornado then shot out of Thneia’s mouth and sent out a Shockwave that shook the Expanse.

Thneia couldn’t fly and so she plummeted towards the ground before landing with a massive crash, sending up a ton of dirt.

I walked up to the crater she’d made and looked up to see several charred bodies falling from the evening sky.

I then locked eyes with Thneia as smoke rose from her nose and mouth.

“Good job.” I said before turning to face Coh.

I passed a flabbergasted Mikael and walking towards the southern gate with Thneia in tow.

I noticed that she’d gotten her uniform quite dirty and so I gestured towards her place of residence. A large building where she and her men stayed. It was called the Dragon Borrow and was mostly empty due to all the Draconic Knights helping with our war efforts.

“Go get changed. I don’t want to trouble those who clean the war room by covering the place with ash and sand.” I said while walking into the gate but Thneia walked up to me before staring at me once more.

“Could you join me?”