Another day had dawned upon the boarder town of Lindenburg, the sky above less gray than it had been of late. Now that winter had come to a close and spring had begun nature itself was showing new life with each passing week. It was in this once conflicted town of societal outcasts that I found myself. As the town itself now answered wholly to its goddess without the involvement of the crown on either side of the boarder there were great adjustments that were still to be made. This would be my biggest experiment yet and I believed a positively successful one.

It has been several days since my official occupation of the town and the worst of the criminals had already fled. I had made it abundantly clear that the murderers, rapists, and slave owners who had previously called this place home were no longer welcome here. While the moral framework of this place was going to take a while to acclimate to a more wholesome version it was something I was willing to pursue. There was no shot for there being no crime but getting it as low as possible is my ultimate goal. That this would be a place where you didn't have to lock your doors at night and neighbors could rely on each other.

The first thing that had been addressed was the lackluster town defenses. All of the walls, gates, and towers are old and broken down. Because this town is such a hotpot for conflict between both kingdoms it had seen its fair share of siege warfare. Stone crumbled and cracked, wood molded, and the once pale mortar was blackened with soot. The situation was so bad it was likely the next siege this town faced would be its last. This simply would not do. If the town was to be under my protection it would be protected.

Over the last several days I had spent a great deal of time personally working on the defenses. Using my magic and immense goddess size I had quarried a huge amount of fine stone from the nearby mountains, forming it into sturdy blocks at least ten by twenty and ten high. These were then transported to the town through my golden portals and stacked outside the town. The wood was easy to obtain by effort of my size as well and was easily logged by my bare hands. Then once all the materials were gathered the construction had begun.

First I had demolished the old walls and towers, smashing them with magic and might. All of this rubble cleared away through a portal into the nearby valley until I figured out what I wanted to do with it. This left Lindenburg completely defenseless and made more than a few people question my benevolence. However I assured them to have faith in me and I believe they were quite vindicated with the faith they put in me.

With my own two hands I took the stone and logs to craft new walls and towers. It was just like playing with building blocks and toy logs, a task even a child could accomplish. At least if they were two-hundred feet tall like I was. Working through the nights I kept intensely focused on my task and though I doubted my work myself it thankfully came out beautifully. Now the town had powerful and thick walls of strong stone. The gates were brand new, and the towers stood in actually useful condition. It was about thirty feet from the ground to the top of the walls and the towers were about fifty feet tall.

All in all the results impressed even me, much less the shocked and overjoyed townspeople. Both the duke and duchess were brought to tears seeing their town's perimeter restored to such radiance they had never seen before. These walls were manned now by soldiers loyal to Lord Quarely and myself, but later will be militia from the town trained to hold a sword and bow. This was my promise to the people of my town. That if they stood with me I would show them how to defend themselves, to carve out a life without needing to throw themselves to the mercy of a king.

At this very moment however I was walking through the town in my human child size. There were some things I wanted to get settled such as taking inventory of the food stores and supplies. Also I needed to know how many tradesmen the town had and which it might need. I also wanted to show various locations for things like hospitals and fire stations. All important things for anyone ruling over a population of this size.

Alongside me were the duke and duchess of the town: Ludis and Margret Hempenmiemer. They were here because I had allowed them to continue being the rulers of the day to day activities and they needed to know what I had planned and what I expected. It was my hope that by teaching these humans with limited authority compared to mine how a proper and righteous ruler operated they would be able to pass this down to future generations of humanity, even if I was no longer around. This was something I remembered my father in the other world wanting for his people and something I knew he wanted here as well.

Also accompanying me was one of my newest worshipers slash servants. His name was Rattagan Bounapart and he was a knight of some renown far in the past. Now however he was a headless undead monster who rode a rotting zombie horse, his head tragically separated from his body. Yes he is a dullahan. Ever since finding him wandering lost through the forest I had taken him in as one of my personal paladins, restoring his damaged skull to a magical pumpkin as a measure to preserve it. He was loyal, good hearted, and very practical.

He was clearly a good man while he was alive and even now he would continue being one after death. How exactly he was raised in the first place I had no idea, but I figured it had something to do with lingering necromancy from Barthenor's castle. This was collaborated by the lich and with little convincing he agreed to let Rattagan take up permanent residence in his castle. That is during the times the dullahan isn't out on a mission from me.

Rattagan was accompanying me today because I wanted to show him my own flavor of statecraft. As a knight who had previously owned a small fief of his own it was important that he understand how I operated so he could emulate it. Having someone actually educated in this kind of thing available to assist me running ruler stuff is actually amazing. I mean people will still have to get used to his condition but I feel that wouldn't be too much of a problem. If I can handle integrating werewolves into human society a lone undead rider shouldn't be too much. As a first step in this I was going to have Rattagan report the progress made in Lindenburg to Quarely.

Along the cobblestone streets of the town the four of us walked, the undead horse stabled for the time being. I was back in my usual outfit with one of my books floating alongside and above me as I had been using it for various illustrations of concepts. All three of my acolytes were quite fascinated with everything I was explaining to them. Though some of it was quite baffling to them.

At the moment we were discussing the fire stations. I had my book open with a detailed picture of a firetruck being used to put out a fire in some apartment building.

Ludis was looking on in disbelief.

“So this great metal machine connects to underground rivers that were placed there by man? And it can send a whole river into a fire anywhere in the town?”

I nodded and moved the pictures to flow over both pages, the scene changing to a overhead view of underground pipe networks.

“Yup!” I replied with a smile. “As you see here these huge tubes are called pipes and are made of both stone and metal. They carry water all throughout the town as well as taking sewage back to a big treatment plant.” The picture changed to show a gravity filtration system. “The water flows through a large area of rocks, dirt, sand, and such to filter the contaminates out before the final treatment.” I shrugged. “Where I come there was chemical treatment but we'll have to make due with boiling it.”

Ludis shook his head in disappointment.

“Such a vast and complicated system. It is too much for humans to achieve. Perhaps in your world of goddesses, but not here.”

A beaming grin appeared on my face as pride welled up inside me.

“Actually a similar system has already been implemented in a village called Doovlin. Its pretty small scale but it has all the fixings. Pipes, filtering, and at least one big boiler.” I pointed to Rattagan. “He's seen it.”

Rattagan nodded his neck as his head was under his right arm at the moment. The blue flames crackled as he spoke in his deep voice.

“I have indeed seen what Goddess Jenna speaks of. Clean water being delivered to one's home. I never would have imagined such a system, one mundane without magic besides.”

Margret let out a wistful sigh as she trailed behind her husband.

“I can only imagine it. To think clean baths could be drawn up every night without having to wait for it to be drawn from the well.”

I rolled my eyes and grinned again while walking backwards to look at her.

“Yeah I figured that would be the first thing a rich lady thought of.” Then I turned back around to walk facing forwards again. “I think the applications in safe cooking are more valuable though.”

Ludis nodded in agreement, his mind clearly wandering to thoughts of vittles.

“Indeed.” He then paused for a moment before speaking again. “But back to the notion of this firefighting force. In what manner are they paid? Normally everyone pitches in with such things. But if this so called pipe system is to be implemented these men trained in its use shall surely demand much.”

I shook my head as my book floated back over to me and closed again.

“Not really. Usually firefighters are volunteers and paid a rather average wage. They are neither rich nor poor, but as its a pretty easy job once you're trained its more about serving their community than being wealthy.” I waved my left hand in the air at my side. “You'll see once people start getting involved.”

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While we walked down the street we had passed by many of the townspeople going about their daily lives. Most of them avoided being near us and eye contact. This was due to their being both a goddess and dullahan just moseying around like they owned the place, which we did. There was also a social stigma with avoiding contact with the ruling class as well which meant even the duke and duchess were intimidation factors. There were however some people who were willing to overcome their fears to speak to us, generally addressing me directly. Their list of questions was never ending and I answered them honestly.

Once such questioner was a woman who now stepped nervously out from under the nearby building overhang and to the edge of the street where we were passing by. She looked to be in her mid twenties and by the prayers floating around in her head she was still questioning how devoted she should be to me. She was dressed in rather plain clothing and while her profession was unknown to me now she was clearly poor.

“E-Excuse me... Miss goddess- I mean great goddess!” Her quick apology coming with a bow.

I came to a stop and turned to face the woman which caused the other three to stop as well. Both nobles seemed quite worried how I might react to being questioned by a local so called peasant as they were thinking about how uncouthly they would react themselves. Rattagan was the only one completely relaxed as he had seen me interact with all sorts of people already.

There was a pleasant smile on my face and I put my hands on my hips in fists.

“Yeah what is it? And try to relax.”

The woman took a deep breath and kept her head bowed.

“Y-Yes goddess. Well I wanted to ask if what I heard is true.” She gulped. “That we no longer will pay taxes?”

I nodded my head and my eyes closed as I smiled wider.

“Yup! No taxes!”

This made the woman look up in utter shock, her eyes wide and mouth agape. There were similar reactions from the people around who might have stopped to overhear the conversation as well. None of the ones with me were surprised however.

Finally the woman spoke again, her head quickly bowing again.

“Well um if i-its allowed to be asked great goddess.” She said timidly. “W-Why...? And how?”

I crossed my arms over my chest and flicked my head to gesture to the nobles.

“I'll tell you the same thing I told them. While no one is going to have mandatory payments taken from them there will still need to be money paid into the town to pay for things like repairs or roads.” My book fluttered about and floated from on my right to my left, though it didn't open. “Everyone is free to donate what they feel like which will be collected by the Hempenmiemer's as before. Then they will use the funds as appropriate.” My head tilted to the left. “See the community will only be as prosperous as the people that make it up want it to be.” My head then went back to straight. “Interesting huh?”

The woman lifted her head slightly to get a peek at me. Her voice was filled with awe and some confusion as well.

“Yes my goddess. Surely you are as merciful as you claim.”

I nodded and dropped my arms to my sides again.

“Well I've got to be going now. Stay safe!”

With a somewhat blushed face the woman got down on her knees to properly bow to me as I turned and walked away from her, the rest of my posse following behind. The Hempenmiemer's were particularly intrigued with how I handled the woman's questions though they said nothing. “Is this how she interacts with everyone regardless of status?” They wondered. Those that truly knew me knew that wasn't quite the case either.

So our walk continued through the town until we reached a somewhat centralized location that served to house most of the town's markets. Like was to be expected with the thaw these stalls were already becoming much more active. Though there was not much fresh produce to be found there were still all manner of supplies and tools here. This was a town on the boarder of two kingdoms after all and it would never be lacking in trade. Though it was noted by Ludis that it there was much less activity than before.

Margret was the one to speak next with her observance of the situation.

“I would think it has to do with all of the rather unseemly people being driven from the town.” She let out a deep sigh. “Much of trade here was of the black market sorts.”

Ludis nodded and crossed his arms over his stomach. The look in his eyes was one of both concern and relief with his mustache twitching.

“Yes I agree. Though it was an unfortunate state of affairs such underhanded dealings were the backbone of our economy.” He shook his head ever so slightly. “Now I wonder how we can ever get on.”

My mouth lifted into a coy smile as my hands grasped each other behind my back. I then bobbed back and forth from heel to toe.

“Oh I'm not really worried about that.” I replied quite even in tone. “I understand why you allowed it, I really do.” I then turned to look up at the two nobles which made them quite nervous. I then looked away and shrugged my shoulders with a sigh. “It's all in the past now though don't worry. We're going to turn this town into an actually prosperous place. That required the trash to be taken out though.” With another smile I lifted my left hand and flicked my hair back. “Honestly those scum were lucky I didn't partake in a spot of the old ultra violence myself.”

Rattagan's deep haunting voice spoke up.

“Goddess Jenna can be quite violent indeed.”

Ludis was still recovering from the slight fright he took due to my comments, a bit of sweat on his forehead. He lifted his hands in a defensive manner.

“Oh I've no doubt about that!” He said bashfully. “If the way she took the town is any insight we are quite lucky indeed how much she restrains herself!”

I looked straight ahead at nothing in particular. My eyes began glowing brightly for just a moment but then faded back.

“I really do.”

I was thinking about all the evil people who had hurt those I loved about and those who still wandered the world. Evil was always there no matter what world you're in or how much you try to exterminate it. These dark thoughts faded away I as thought about how righteousness was too everywhere evil was. The battle between good and evil really s eternal it seems.

With my mood thus darkened and then lightened again I smiled and put my arms in front of my stomach, the fingers tented and interlocked.

“Well this brings me to another important topic. That being tradesmen.”

Ludis looked at me quizzically.

“Oh? What about them goddess?”

I walked to the side of the street out of the way and started pacing in a small area. I did this while I started putting my thoughts into words.

“I'll need a complete list of all the different kinds of tradesmen we have living in Lindenburg. You know. The tailors, the bakers, the candlestick makers. The whole nine yards.” I stopped and looked out into the market. “Blacksmiths, cooks, farmers, carpenters, and any and every job you can think of. We need to know who we have living here so we know what kinds of people we'll need. We'll also need itemized lists of inventories. Things like supplies, tools, food, and materials.” Then I looked back my three companions. “You don't know how important these kinds of things are. Maybe you do but really you don't, at least not fully.” With a wistful sigh I looked back into the market and then into the sky. “I really want this town to be everything it can be. To prove a point.”

There was a silence from the three of them which allowed the sounds of the town to propagate around us. Eventually however after several moments Ludis spoke after clearing his throat.

“A-And what point, pray tell, is that my goddess?”

I answered while still looking up into the deep blue sky. My voice was almost distant as my words trailed out.

“I can feel the pain and anger of the many lives we've lost to violence. When I look up I get this longing to forget this all and flee into the hills. But the people of this kingdom look up to me for salvation. Who can save them for this terror of the future? But I believe the fire within every soul can never be put out. I'll lead them. I'll show them. I can't tell them how this will end but I can tell them they need to fight for a brighter future. A more wonderful world is possible, with or without goddesses. That is the point.”

I then came down from these lofty thoughts of forlorn optimism. With my mind came my gaze which fell down upon these two nobles, their faces reflected the emotions I was feeling.

“You two are ruling over the first town officially owned by a real goddess in a thousand years. The path forward is one not trodden in generations. Who but my father knows what the future holds? Not even I do.” I then turned fully to face them and put my arms behind my back. “If you want out now's your chance. Or will you follow me?”

At this point there were tears in their eyes. What future these nobles were imagining or what doubt they still held I didn't bother looking into. The raw emotion on their faces was proof enough that they had been moved by my little speech, not that I had been trying to manipulate them at all. They had just had a heart to heart with a goddess. Both of them fell down to their knees and got on their faces before me. Those few people who walked by the area we were in looked quite surprised.

“Yes!” Ludis exclaimed through his tears. “I offer myself to you goddess!”

Margret was sniffling herself, her eyes running over. “My life is yours my wonderful goddess! Lead us into this future please!”

I smiled down at them, my owns eyes getting just a bit moist. Yes these two humans once collaborated with the worst scum imaginable, or at least looked the other way for it. But they were willing to change their path in life and under the proper observation I believe can actually do some good in the world. In them I saw the potential for all humans, nay all sentient life. Sentience truly is the greatest curse imaginable. As well as the greatest and most beautiful gift. I still don't think I deserve this position of power, but like these two, I'm going to do my very best with it.

“Well.” I said turning to face away before I got outwardly emotional. “There were a few more things I wanted to talk to you two about before heading out.” I smiled a little. “Come on and pick yourselves up.”

Both of the nobles shuffled to their feet and recovered from their emotions. They dusted themselves off and tried to recover their proper noble mannerisms. Both I and Rattagan waited for them to finish, the dullahan being silent for this entire ordeal. He was thanking me for his own similar experience that he had had with me.

As for the people that were looking on at the scene a quick stern glance from me was enough to disperse them. Not only were they frightened of my displeasure but there was that added social faux pas of being caught staring at something you shouldn't be. Thank goddess for that.

So my companions and I continued our walk through the town, or conversation passing through the subjects I still had nagging on my mind. To the forefront was the implementation of a hospital. These people were aware of what a herbalist was and I explained this as that but on a larger scale. Modern medicine was far and away from us now, but the very concept being planted was important. Also I went briefly into schools and how this too would help with things such as hospitals and the trades.

It was a lot too go over in the day I was staying here and eventually evening came and I had to release the two exhausted nobles back to their castle. They had much to do after all. Their lives as actual proper rulers had just begun. Rattagan however was tireless being an undead. So for him I put forth the planned task of delivering updated news of the this town to my good friend Quarely. I mean yeah he had never met the dullahan before but I was confident at this point he was used to all the zany servants I had hanging around.

Thus did another administrative adventure come to a close. My headless knight was sent off on his mission and my two new noble vassals prepared for their new duties. I however took the evening to retreat to the village of Doovlin and relax just a little with my most bestest of worshipers. There was still technically a war going on and I need to get a breather when and where I can.