The rescued mages and sorcerers listened attentively to Alex's presentation and summary of the current situation. He didn’t provide detailed explanations of their location or destination since Alex didn’t want their positions to be known precisely. When they asked Alex about the bail they would have to pay for their release, they were hugely surprised by his response. The conditions were very lax; they were no longer even treated as prisoners, and Alex only required them to contribute something valuable to his cause.

Initially, the freed captives didn’t know how to repay Alex. Something valuable could be anything, but they didn’t want to test his patience. Alex’s subtle threats and display of power had been effective. More than anything, the fact that the human and his faction could move through the forest made him much more important in the eyes of the foreigners than he realized.

After several days of marching, the large entourage returned home, each leader going back to their central settlement to continue the ongoing war. Alex returned to his capital, which had transformed significantly since his arrival. The now-large city was organized with well-defined streets and a center of large buildings made of processed wood. Many of these buildings housed the burgeoning bureaucracy of Alex’s government. It was true that as you moved away from the center, the houses were made of increasingly crude materials, but the truth was there wasn't enough capacity to process raw materials, nor were there enough Dwarves.

Although the city might not be much compared to Human or Elven cities, let alone a Dwarven metropolis, it was a huge leap forward for the Gnoll and Resh standards. The mages were surprised to see true cooperation between species. Neither Gnoll nor Resh dominated the other, and both species had begun to coexist peacefully.

As they settled into their new temporary homes, almost all the rescued began inspecting the new town, its inhabitants, and its needs. In the coming days, they approached Alex with ideas, technologies, and revolutionary knowledge to improve his city and kingdom. This partly fulfilled the cost of their rescue. The only thing they had to do was help implement and share these technologies, and they would be free. Everyone agreed, and to Alex's surprise, they also asked for residency rights. Each one, for one reason or another, had things to do in Iretar and needed to move through the free cities. Having access to Alex's city was always useful, so Alex had no reason to refuse and agreed.

Only two people failed to contribute something of value to the city: the Elves. They claimed religious reasons for not using their knowledge to pay, which greatly displeased Alex. Although the option proposed by both Elves to pay in cash wasn't bad, Alex found the opportunity to receive knowledge invaluable. The fact that the majority had done so on their own left him with the sweet taste of victory.

What was even more insulting was that both Elves had approached him to try to hire him as a mercenary to fight in their war against each other.

“Why the long face, kid? From what I heard, you received some pretty interesting new toys,” Lin said one day, appearing in his hall.

“Miss Lin, I was just thinking about a small problem,” Alex replied.

“Miss? How rude. I am Lady Lin. What’s your problem, kid? Maybe I can help,” Lin responded.

“Lady? But aren’t you like 280 years old? In any case, I don’t know how much to charge the Elves. I’m really tempted to just kick them out and cut off contact. I’m not interested in maintaining relationships with such problematic people.”

Lin raised her fist, annoyed. “Lady is the title of an unmarried maiden, it has nothing to do with my age, which you will never mention again.”

Alex could only nod repeatedly at the Dwarf’s threat.

“Besides, it would be a real waste to let them go just like that. Both kingdoms desperately need those vile Elves, so I’m sure they’d be willing to pay a great price to have them back. Contrary to what they might be trying to make you believe, they are almost royalty or on par with the head of government,” Lin added.

“Oh, I really don’t know much about the political situation of the floating islands and the Elves there. Then, Lady Lin, can you advise me on the initial price I should negotiate?” Alex asked.

Lin lowered her fist and smiled. “Ask both sides for 50 offerings of their respective Light Leaves. Having Lunar and Solar Light Leaves will be extremely useful for your cultivation and other rituals. Since the floating islands are one of the few places where they can be harvested, this may be your only chance for years to come. If you want, you can add monetary compensation, but I advise you not to pass up the opportunity for the Light Leaves.”

Alex thought for a few moments and, under Lin’s watchful gaze, went to a desk and took out a map he had acquired thanks to the marquis. Otherwise, acquiring maps was an impossible task without an influential person.

“Good map you have there, boy. I see you’ve prepared yourself.”

“Knowledge is fundamental for good planning. What do you think of taking their commercial possessions in these four cities?”

“Well said. If you don’t know your surroundings, it will be impossible to act according to the circumstances. As for those cities, they’re of little use if you don’t know where you want to go. If you ask me, I recommend taking their possessions in Nyxhaven to open a route to the north, Nikrin as the closest city, and Lasa for navigating east.”

“You’re right. More than strengthening my presence in Iretar, I should look to expand my operations outward. Any recommendations on who I should contact first?”

“I was never a prime minister of any city, boy. I wouldn’t know who would be the best partners for you.”

“Then let me ask you a bit about the northern situation. I understand that the Kellenar Empire, which is quite far from here, has been very active in the sector.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve heard the same. What are you getting at, boy?”

“Is it possible that the major conflicts in the floating islands are their doing? Or, to get straight to the point, do you think we can take advantage of the situation?”

“Boy, I see you want to fish in troubled waters,” Lin thought for a moment and then burst into laughter. “Sure, why not? Those stuck-up Elves deserve it for isolating themselves. At the moment, they have no one to trade with because everyone fears Kellenar, or rather, because it has increasing influence over their governments.”

“But their influence doesn’t reach here.”

“For now, watch your tongue, boy.”

“I will never bow to Kellenar, or better said, to any of Sera’s minions.”

Lin’s eyes widened in surprise. “Boy, you’ve chosen to fight an enemy too big for you.”

“She started the fight; I’m just protecting myself from her deceptions and her minions.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Bah, don’t worry about the Dwarves. They owe her nothing anymore. Since the fall of our last empire, we’ve wandered everywhere, and while many have taken refuge in Alliance cities, few have found a true home. The exiled Dwarves long for their own land, one which, I’m told, you are willing to provide, Supreme Commander.”

Alex felt the change in the atmosphere when his title was mentioned. He couldn’t help but straighten up in front of Lin’s stern gaze. Those present also felt a slightly suffocating atmosphere, and the Dwarves working nearby feared Lin was about to pick a fight with Alex.

“I promised my help to create a metropolis when the time came. My help still stands.”

“Does that mean you will mobilize the Gnoll and Resh to help us build a metropolis?”

“That’s not how our system works. My help comes from my own pocket, from the things my personal domain’s subjects and workers contribute. The Gnoll and Resh tributes are government resources, and I can’t use them at my own whim.”

“What are you saying? If you’re a King, or are you just a puppet?”

“Lady Lin, look around the city, the fields, and the barracks.”

“I have.”

“And what interesting things did you see?”

“Nothing besides a handful of ragged and hungry Gnoll and Resh.”

“Just ragged and hungry? Did you see any other race or any other problem?”

“Of course, there are a few Dwarves as well. As for problems, I didn’t see any, but we’re far from the front.”

“And do you know why there are no problems here?”

“Again, you speak in circles, boy. What are you getting at?”

“The reason why both groups trust me and accept my leadership is because I respect them both. I have never acted against their interests or favored one over the other. It’s true that the Gnoll pay most of the taxes with which I trade, but they also receive most of the benefits I obtain with these taxes. In short, my government works by separating the groups and recognizing their individuality.”

“You mean my people will have to use their own resources to build a metropolis? If that’s the case, it’s useless. Obtaining the resources might barely be possible, but without a large amount of labor, it’s impossible.”

“But there is labor. Haven’t you seen the kingdom’s population? And each day, we liberate more and more.”

“Boy, you contradict yourself. First, you said you couldn’t use the Gnoll, and now you suggest sending them to the mines.”

“I don’t think it’s impossible to find Gnoll willing to work for the Dwarves for the right price.”

"Ah, I get it now. It's true you banned slavery, so you mean that if we pay enough, we could employ the labor of other species. That could certainly work, although slave labor was mostly used in the past. I don’t think such a system would work here.”

“Because it’s forbidden.”

“Because they are the majority, boy.”

“If the Gnoll wanted to enslave the rest, they could do it with their numbers.”

“So, what stops them?”

“Me.”

Alex ignited his tattoos, and the crimson glow that came from his eyes quickly extended to the nearby Gnoll, who knelt down, as well as to the Resh, who also knelt before Alex.

“I am the guarantor of the law. It is my duty as King, not to do as I please with others’ possessions, but to ensure they are safe in their hands, including the integrity of the Gnoll, the Resh, and the Dwarves.”

Alex extinguished his aura and retracted his tattoos, allowing his subjects to return to their tasks.

Lin fell into contemplation and soon nodded. “I like you, boy. I think you could become a worthy King, and I see you will act correctly in your role as Supreme Commander.”

“So, what’s your verdict?”

“I will help you, boy. For now, I have to depart with Grant on other missions, but I will make sure to send you every Dwarf I find on my mission.”

“There’s nothing more I could ask for. Of course, I’m willing to invest in you as well.”

“Don’t think you can conquer me with trinkets.”

“I wasn’t trying to woo you.”

“You don’t feel capable of courting a lady of my caliber?”

“It’s not that. I simply don’t want you to regret the 200 years you spent without me,” Alex finished with a smile.

Kragash had arrived and seemed to need Alex’s help, so he left Lin behind.

“Presumptuous brat, thinking he can flirt with this lady.”

“Master, this is the first time I see someone reject you so openly,” Grant interjected.

“I wasn’t rejected,” Lin simply snorted, crossing her arms and refusing to elaborate further.

A few moments later, Kragash entered the cabin and saw that Lin and Grant were still present.

“Miss Lin, my master recommended I seek your help to communicate with the Elven Ladies about the discussed content.”

“Why doesn’t the boy come to do it himself?”

“Unfortunately, something unexpected came up, and he had to leave immediately.”

“And he couldn’t think of anything better than to throw those problems onto others’ shoulders? Typical useless king.”

“On the contrary, he recommended I wait to resolve these matters. However, I insisted on helping him, as most of the details have been reviewed. Only the execution of the plan remains. We wouldn’t be useful subjects if we couldn’t even do that.”

Lin was impressed by the young man’s display of loyalty. Not only he but also those around him, whether Gnoll or Resh, showed the same submission, a need to prove their usefulness as if they didn’t want to lose him, as if they feared he might leave them. This was a testament to Alex’s popularity and how beloved he was by his subjects.

“I understand, boy. I’ll help you as much as possible.”

“I couldn’t ask for more. After all, I wouldn’t want to be confused by the Elven Ladies’ wordplay. My Elvish isn’t very good since I learned it recently.”

“Where did you learn Elvish? I understand you might have learned our language from my kin, but there were no other Elves in the settlement, as far as I’ve been told.”

“There used to be an Elf who stayed with us for a few months. He taught my master some Elvish, and I learned along with him.”

“I see. When do you plan to hold the meeting?”

“Everything is almost ready. The delegations from both groups will arrive in a few minutes.”

“Are you sure about treating them together? Those old ladies hate each other to death.”

“I gave little consideration to their rivalries. My master has already decreed that their fights and conflicts are none of our business and that we will not get involved. If they want to fight each other, they are free to do so outside our borders.”

“Boy, I see you don’t give a damn about anything unrelated to your master.”

“Why should I, Miss Lin? The world has watched with apathy and patience as our people have been subjected to extreme cruelty for centuries. The only person who has extended a helping hand is my master.”

“I’m sure even the boy can’t be as good as he seems. He must have hidden motives.”

“He has motives, but he doesn’t hide them. He has already revealed that he expects the unconditional support of the Gnoll to face the invasions from other planes.”

“You mean he expects to use you as cannon fodder, and you’re okay with that?”

“If that’s the price to pay for freeing us from the curse, why not? It seems cheap to me.”

“…”

“…”

“No one can free you from that curse. It’s not within the power of mortals.”

“Maybe, but it doesn’t hurt to try.”