Chapter 3: Getting Situated

“You’re getting better,” I yawned from the makeshift throne I created from Cornerstone.

Watching Mike, Darrin, and Alan fight was making my brain rot. I realized they were probably similar to me when I first started, but I couldn’t help but find openings in their every attack. It didn’t help that none of them came equipped to properly fight.

That gave me an idea. I twisted one of the rings my knights resided in. “Bedivere, are you there?”

The knight I’d first met in the lava cave emerged and gave a slight bow. “How may I serve you today, My Liege?”

“Do we have weapons or armor that may suit these guys?”

He followed my gaze to the fighting trio. “Camelot Castle does have an armory. Your kingdom still lacks the required mana to produce anything significant, but it should still be an upgrade for your colleagues.”

“How do we get more mana?” I asked, confused by the statement.

“Grow your population,” the knight replied. “Most kingdoms increase naturally over time, but you can import citizens from other kingdoms. There is also the other way.”

“The other way?” I asked, even more confused.

“You can, ahem, increase your concubines,” he replied, clearing his throat uneasily.

“My, what? Why?” I gasped, unsure how to answer.

“As the sovereign, you have certain rights, certain duties to your land,” Sir Bedivere went on to explain. “This is a magic only you possess. A royal heir, even the act of creating one, provides a large infusion of mana to the kingdom.”

By that point, the sounds of fighting had died down. I turned to find Mike, Darrin, and Alan staring at me.

“Are you saying he gets to screw his way to glory?” Darrin asked.

Mike chuckled. “I’ll gladly take your place if you aren’t up to it.”

“Me too!” Alan chimed in, raising both hands for emphasis.

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I mulled over the situation for a couple of days. The armory provided level-five equipment. Bori and the other dungeons tried granting treasure as well, but as they were still children, their rewards weren’t much better. It was strange, considering I’d received a nice gift from Bori in the past, but we concluded that was because of our bond as father and daughter.

While I did my part to grow the kingdom, the only person I wanted to do it with was still apprehensive around me. I visited Isa daily, doing my best to ensure she was comfortable and had everything she needed. She spent the majority of her time with Zelle and Nax, who were currently possessed by her parents, so it was hard to get a moment alone with her.

It was the middle of the night when it finally happened. I’d gone to the kitchen for a late-night snack when I found Isa sitting alone at the table. Her nose was red, and she looked as though she had been crying.

She jumped when she noticed me. “Oh, it’s you.”

My heart sank the way she said it, like I was the last person in the world she wanted to see.

“I can come back later,” I offered, turning to leave her in peace.

“No, it’s fine. Please don’t go,” she sighed, pushing an empty plate away. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Is everything okay?” I asked. “Is there anything I can do?”

“It’s not that,” she whined, fidgeting with her hair, something I used to find adorable. “Everything here is fine. It’s just, well, you know how Zelle is my mom currently, and there aren’t any actual men on this island.”

She looked at me pointedly. I turned away, unable to meet her gaze. Were we that broken?

“There’s always Derrin and…”

“Those are offworlders…” she made a gagging motion.

“I’m an offworlder,” I replied, turning back to watch her reaction. “Did I turn you off to a whole planet?”

She shook her head defensively. “No. That’s not it. I just…just…can’t with them.”

“What can I do?” I asked, feeling sick, offering to help her find another man. “I can go back to Dabia and…”

“No!” she snapped suddenly. “Er, I don’t know. I’m just frustrated. I have all this pent-up energy and don’t know what to do with it. I’m angry with myself for getting my friends into this mess. I’m frustrated with my parents for leaving me and dying. I’m mad at…mad at…”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

She looked straight at me but couldn’t find the words to describe her feelings.

“How about we spar?” I recommended throwing her the only lifeline I had left.

“Spar?” she asked. “Y-you want me to fight you?”

“Will it make you feel better?” I asked.

She stopped to consider it for a moment. “I dunno. Do you mind trying?”

“Not at all,” I replied, smiling for the first time in what felt like forever.

She returned an unsure smile of her own. “Okay. Let’s spar.”

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Our sparring felt intimate to me, and I didn’t want to share it with anyone else. Isa raised her fists, and I did as well. She bobbed and weaved as she circled to the left. I did my best to mimic her moves, but she was more skilled at pugilism. When she was in range, I braced myself and lowered my guard the moment she stuck. She surprised me by sending in a kick instead of targeting the opening I intentionally made for her. Her foot connected with the side of my head, and I crashed to the ground.

I picked myself up and was surprised the forceful blow didn’t knock me out. I couldn’t tell if it was because of my high level or if she held back, but I decided I couldn’t let my guard down for the next strike. Her scowl told me she didn’t approve of my going easy on her either.

The subsequent flurry of blows caught me off guard even through my defense. She rained down punches and kicks, which made me stagger back. Then she sent a final kick to my groin that I felt all the way to my core.

“W-why?” I gasped, doubling over in pain.

Isa towered over me, gasping and looking as though she wanted to continue pummeling me. I squeezed my eyes shut and clutched my groin as another wave of pain shot through me. Moments later, I felt her breath on my face and opened my eyes to find her face inches away from mine. She was still breathing heavily, and her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes widened when she saw me looking, and she threw herself back, landing in a crouch.

I sat up, wanting to ask if she was okay, but still unable to speak. Instead, I only managed to grunt. “Low blow.”

“S-sorry,” she mumbled, turning her back to me and walking a few steps away.

I pulled myself to my feet and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing!” she shot back defensively. “I told you I’m stressed. Sorry, this was a bad idea.”

I reached out a hand as she hurried from the kitchen. There was a gap between us, and it felt like it was getting wider. I sat at the table and buried my head in my hands.

“Fancy a snack?” Sir Lamorak asked, materializing behind me.

“No thanks,” I grumbled. “I lost my appetite.”

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Ceru returned a few days later, providing a much-needed distraction from both Isa and the chaotic training with the other players. She brought a surprise with her. The ogres managed to broker peace with the orcs of Mount Drunder. Each set up camp outside the castle, sending delegations to make official introductions to the throne.

“The orcs humbly request a home in the mountains,” Gorlag, the orcish delegate, began. “We ask that the kingdom provide resources to aid us in our endeavors.”

“Granted,” I replied, happy to add to the population finally.

The ogres came next with a similar request. The only difference was that, as Chonu of the clan, I couldn’t represent both the kingdom and the clan. Ceru stood in my place. “Greeting, Chonu. Your Chana humbly requests you allow our clan to make their home in the trees by the sea.”

“I accept,” I couldn’t help but smile as I noticed her belly had started to swell.

When it was time for them to make their pledges, both sides fought over who would serve me the best.

“Orcs are weapon masters and should be your bodyguards,” Gorlag announced, pounding his chest for emphasis.

“Nobody guards Chonu’s body but me,” Ceru countered, marching up to the throne only to be followed by Gorlag.

The two of them bickered for a bit before Sir Lancelot appeared and pulled them apart. “Remove yourselves from the throne at once. The duty of protecting the king has always fallen to the knights of the Round Table. The two of you will have a seat at the table and no more.”

That seemed to satisfy both of them as they returned to their delegations at the foot of the stairs. An old man wrapped in a tattered robe with a grey beard that fell to nearly his knees approached next. He gave me a toothy grin, bowing slightly. “King Alexander the Great. It’s been far too long.”

“Deductus,” I said, always on guard when dealing with the gods.

Iris wasn’t having it either, and she uncoiled from her home on my tattoo to appear beside me. “Look who it is. The champion of the orcs.”

Decuctus’s smile didn’t waver. “Greetings, Lady Iris. Tragic meeting you this fine day.”

Iris rolled her eyes. “You’re obviously here to ask for something, so just spit it out.”

“Astute as always, my fair goddess,” Deductus continued, winding Iris up. “I do indeed come with an offer. As you may be aware, I am the god of logic. With that in mind, I believe I can be of assistance when it comes to fortifying the island. It has come to my attention that we are at risk of an invasion, so it is in all our best interest to work together and fortify the borders.”

I looked at Iris, who reluctantly nodded. “He may be annoying, but he is good at tactics. I suppose it wouldn’t kill us to hear what he has in mind.”

“For starters, I would like to set up a patrol of the perimeter to report back if there is any activity off-coast,” he began.

Lancelot nodded. “We already do that. As ghosts, we are better suited than the living when it comes to matters of scouting. Physical troops will be better utilized setting up a perimeter around the castle.”

“The orcs will secure the perimeter,” Deductus replied.

“That isn’t fair,” Ceru cut in, marching fearlessly up to the god. “The ogres are more than capable of…”

“Never fear, Lady Chana,” Decuctus addressed her by title. “I have already considered the ogres and come up with a strategy for your larger physiques. You will help erect fortifications. While we are naturally protected by the lake to the north and mountains to the south, the passes must be barricaded to prevent invasion in the event an enemy makes it past the beach.”

“We can handle that,” one of the ogres shouted.

Ceru looked at me, and I nodded. She turned back to Deductus and sighed, the fire gone from her eyes. “Chana will obey her Chonu.”

After that, Deductus turned to me. “It is imperative that you accept the denizens of the underworld as soon as possible. The aquans and the Eaglin play vital roles in my plan. It might also behoove you to invite humans from Dabia to round out your population. As I understand things, Albion will gain magical enchantments as your population grows.”

Once he was done with his speech, the old god returned to the orcs and spoke quietly with them. Lancelot stood behind me, watching everyone as they left. “That is quite the interesting bunch you’ve picked up. When I was alive, we used to hunt orcs for sport. Now, it seems, I am to lead them into battle. Your reign promises to be quite interesting, even if it might be short-lived.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

Lancelot snickered. “Even Arthur lasted a few years before declaring his first war.”