The following days were much calmer, allowing me to recall and think about everything I had done. There was no dread or panic, no disgust with myself or disappointment. After everything was said and done, I emotionlessly looked at the events that took place during the last few months, realising there really was no other way around. My ruthless law was greeted with cheers and support from the common folk, who could finally feel safe from the nobles and their abuse of power. My Inquisitors and Truth-seekers were everywhere, searching for criminals. There was no unnecessary cruelty since, in front of my Truth-seekers, torture was simply a waste of time. The people who supported rebels in words only or those whose involvement was minor were left in their homes. The people who had never supported the last Cridian nobles, who were the majority of those living in that region, were taken from their homes and led south. At first, they thought they were being punished, but quickly changed their minds when they saw their new homes. The Dungeon City of Glimmervale was ready, and Talla waited in anticipation of her new residents. The temporary City Lord and other officials were already at their posts, and I just knew that Knys was smirking as he welcomed the stunned settlers. Other people who had been moved from the northeast also reached their new homes, and there were no complaints from them either.

In the meantime, I was informed that Beryl had finished her project. We inspected it, and my Queens were delighted, so we, and by we, I mean me, started the construction. It wasn’t particularly a secret that we needed that building, like yesterday, so there was a lot of magic involved in its construction. Still, the massive building growing in the eyes of the curious spectators was a sight to behold. Lavender realised she needed houses for her Dryads' helpers only when the construction was somewhere after its midpoint. She started looking through the possible locations to build their homes, only to discover that there was nothing that suited them. However, as we both visited the various places, I noticed something that had never happened before. The city of Avalon was, simply put, cramped. That was bad for plenty of reasons.

"Theon? I don't remember this many people living in the City..." Lavender looked around as we were on our way back in the carriage.

"Yes. I think Sigismund underestimated the power of hearsay. If the last census is correct, we currently have a quarter of a million people living in Avalon," I replied with my hands crossed in front of me.

"That's bad! I know we have the best healers, but I'm afraid of contagious diseases." She looked at the family, who looked as if they were searching for accommodation. "What are we gonna do?"

"Are you asking about diseases or that Avalon is overcrowded?" I inquired, and she sighed, thinking I was underestimating her worries. "Don't get me wrong, the risk of contagious diseases is always real. But most can be completely avoided just by increasing the sanitation levels. That problem was solved long ago since every home in Avalon has access to running water. Also, during mandatory education, people are taught to bathe or take showers regularly."

"Ohhhh..."

"So it's less of a problem here than an overcrowded city. After we reach the point of overpopulation, plagues might become our main concern again. So I have two solutions for our problems. One that will also take care of the Dryad's need for accommodations as well." I took a deep breath and checked the calculations for a second time. "I am going to expand Avalon."

•••

"That's going to be a huge investment... Are you sure you can pay for the upkeep?" Amber studied the model of Avalon that showed only one noticeable change: that the Northern section would take sixty percent of the Middle Castle.

"I made the calculations and considering my skills, the number of people living in all dungeon Cities…Ummm, yes," I replied.

It was an explosive change to the surface area. Admittedly, that would purge my mana vaults of most of my mana again, but it was worth it. However, after I became the King of Arcadia, mana had stopped being my biggest problem. With over eight hundred thousand people living in all dungeon cities of Arcadia, the mana economy was a thing of the past. Still, one stupid decision and I could be in trouble, so there was a rule to always leave the mana for the next upkeep.

"Okay then..." Luna spun the model in frustration. "This is useless without a scale, Theon. At least put it side to side with the current Avalon."

"Right." With a single tap of my finger at the war table, a much smaller Avalon showed nearby.

"Are you joking?! It's almost three times as big!" Luna proceeded straight into a panic.

"But with this, I don't plan to expand Avalon for a very long time. Who knows? Maybe for another century or two?" That silenced my Vixen completely and guaranteed me a few awkward glances. "What? I accepted the fact that I have become part of the landscape."

That made them chuckle, at least. I displayed the sizes of both, but they focused on the planned expansion. After studying the models, Aoi asked, "You will enlarge the Upper Castle?"

"A bit. Now it will have a one-kilometre radius," I admitted, and that news was met with sparks of happiness in their eyes. They looked as if they already had plans for new space.

"The City will add seven kilometres to the radius... That's absurd." Irene had finally found her voice.

"And the Lower Castle is another two kilometres, making everything ten kilometres in radius. Oh, heavens... That makes Avalon a twenty-kilometre-wide city!" Amber sat heavily, but then she tapped her lips thoughtfully.. "But we have already started having housing problems. So expanding Avalon is actually a great idea."

"And we will have space for your Dryads, Lavender." I grinned, making her sigh.

"Should you spend your mana so haphazardly?" Lavender replied with a worried voice. "I have this strange feeling that you are doing this because of me."

"No one can prove anything," I grinned blatantly.

"How are you going to do it this time?" Hestia asked curiously.

"Probably the same way I did it last time. I hadn't thought out the whole logistics behind the expansion yet. I wanted to talk with you before I start planning..." I stopped, feeling the burning gazes of all my wives. "What?!"

"Now you have people to do that," Irene pointed out.

"But..." I tried to oppose it.

"Nope. It would have been the Major's problem anyway," Aoi interjected.

"All right... Fine!" I threw my hands in the air, feeling irrational anger, but after I took a deep breath, I smiled. "You are right. Sorry."

"So it's decided?" Hestia asked and looked at the other queens, who nodded in agreement.

"Yes." I smiled.

•••

Sigismund opened the letter from King Theon's office and paled slightly. He had not expected that Lady Hestia would hear his prayers so quickly, but after offering his gratitude, he sprung to action. It would be a nightmarish operation but one that would make much more room for the people to live. The Dwarven lord quickly called all his advisors, and they started planning. His Excellency, the King, expected the plan of operation to be ready as soon as possible.

"Oskar! Avalon is going to be expanded again," Sigismund yelled to his adjutant.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"That's great news, sir!" the younger Dwarf replied from his desk.

"Yeah. But we have to prepare an evacuation plan for EVERYONE!" In the sudden silence of the room, a muffled thump of a toppled-down chair was like a crack of lightning.

"Oh, fuck..." Someone vocalized what had started troubling everyone in the room.

"Pretty much and as fast as possible." Sigismund loudly clapped his hands. "Move up, kids! Don't disappoint our King!"

•••

Prince Leonard was informed that Lady Rose had asked for an audience, and his heart almost skipped a beat. He was so excited that he almost overlooked that she also wanted to meet with his sister. She was waiting in the office and was as gorgeous as usual...

"It's nice to see you, Lady Rose," his sister welcomed the beautiful Half-Elf with a friendly hug.

"Likewise, Princess Cassmira." She smiled and then officially bowed to Leonard. "Prince Leonard."

"What brings you to us, Lady Rose?" Leonard bowed to her a little lower than was necessary.

"On behalf of Queen Amber, I came to relay this message to you." She took out a wax-sealed envelope and gave it to him with a warm smile. "In case of any questions, I can offer some explanations."

A little bit disappointed, Leonard took the letter and broke the seal to read the letter. Then he reread it and gave it to his sister. "I'm in shock..."

"Sorry, Lady Rose, but this is a bit overwhelming." Cassmira put down the letter a moment later and took a deep breath. "But... Why?"

"The Dungeon we are in wants to expand. Since we and the Core are unsure what effects it could have on the people inside during the process, we were asked to leave Avalon briefly. It's a minor inconvenience, but it surely is the safest option." She smiled brightly, which was slightly suspicious.

"Has this been done before?" Leonard asked, still a bit confused.

"Oh yes, actually, it was a few months ago," Rose replied again with a friendly smile, but Leonard felt he missed something important.

"It's not a problem. How much time do we have to prepare?" Cassmira assured the woman.

"Thank you for your understanding. The expansion should begin tommorow. It's really one, if not the biggest cons of living in the Dungeon. Do you have any other questions?"

"Umm..." Leonard had one, though he wasn't sure if inviting her to lunch in these circumstances was a good idea.

"No, thank you very much, Lady Rose." Cassmira stood up, and the Half-Elf followed in kind, exchanging the pleasantries.

Leonard followed them to the exit, and right after the doors behind her closed, he let out a miserable sigh. His sister turned towards him angrily, but instead of yelling, she took a deep breath. After she took a closer look at him, she smirked and stabbed her finger into his chest, directly over his heart. "You fell for her?!"

"I... I couldn't... I... I..." He stuttered and lowered his head with a sigh. "Yes..."

"Oh, brother... My stupid little brother." She patted his head and smiled softly. "For real?"

"I think... It's just as if I forget about everything when she is nearby. What's worse, I am afraid to ask her..." He buried his red face in his hands. "I love her..."

•••

"I love her..." Rose heard through the not-fully closed doors behind her, and her heart started pounding like crazy.

The Half-Elf almost ran towards the carriage, and the only thing that stopped her from sprinting was that she was carrying out this mission on behalf of Queen Amber. She entered the carriage and sat heavily, waving her hand in front of her face to get more air. Her heart pounded heavily, trying to break free from her chest. Rose felt so strange and awkward that she couldn't determine what she felt at the moment. Excitement, nervousness, happiness, and anxiousness; everything at once. When the doors closed, she very discreetly looked at the embassy building, ever so slightly parting the curtains that usually obscured the windows. She almost fainted when she noticed the prince watching her carriage. She just hoped he hadn't noticed her.

"It's not good, Rose... Keep breathing." She buried her face in her hands, but in reality, she wanted to dance and sing. "Oh, Gods... What should I do?"

A month ago, she broke up with her boyfriend and promised herself to be more careful. Then, he arrived. A handsome, chivalrous man her age that had instantly charmed her. Since the moment Metaka's royal siblings had arrived in Avalon, she wasn't herself. She wouldn't admit, just like that, that she had fallen for him. That wasn't a good idea at all... He was a Prince, for crying out loud!

"He really loves me?" She felt her cheeks burning and giggled, thankful no one could see or hear her. "Oh, Gods..."

•••

In the evening, the plans were ready. I looked through them and weakly nodded in acceptance, which made the Queen-Saintess chuckle in amusement. She knew exactly what I had been thinking.

"Theon, the people have been observing you. Don't be surprised they tried to copy you. Just... Everyone assumed you had armies of helpers." Irene leaned over the table and snatched the plans to give them a look. "Do we start tomorrow morning?"

"Not exactly... I already sent scouts to clean the area from monsters. The Adventurers will follow soon after to ensure everything is safe." I ignored the remark about my helpers. She was right anyway.

"All right! Sigismund has prepared an excellent plan."

"Indeed. Once our Vassals conquer the Twilight Caverns Dungeon, I will send them to the Mountain Dungeon. It is time for Dwarves to reclaim even this tiny bit of their legacy."

•••

The next day was busy, and many people were anxious. However, those who had already lived through the first expansion calmed down everyone around them, turning their nervousness into excitement. They took only food, water, and blankets with them because Lavender had turned the entire thing into a festival of sorts at the last moment. However, the idea was so brilliant that I bought a bit more land and created a few attractions for children. The entire operation was turned from a minor inconvenience to a grand picnic party. A giant Ferris wheel, a few carousels, and rows upon rows of other typical festival games awaited the people, and while I knew it was just not enough to avoid long lines entirely, it surely would lessen the stress. The people soon started to arrive at the location, and the children took over. The designated area for picnicking was slowly filling up with adults who tried to secure the nicest spots while children formed bigger and smaller bands that roamed the area and played various games like tag and hide-and-seek. The Guardsmen Corps took care of any misfortunes, great or small, and just two hours later, it was apparent that the event was a tremendous success. There were still a few hours until Avalon should be empty, but the news circulated so quickly that the people hurried to see the festival.

Some prisoners sentenced to death agreed to participate in the experiment in exchange for changing their sentence. They would stay in Avalon during the expansion, and if they died, they died, but if they survived, their sentences would be lessened to life. They were located in various places within Avalon, guarded by the Praetorians. And just like that, a few minutes before noon, everything was ready. I closed my eyes and implemented the changes. The roaring noise of gritting stones and a flash of mana scared some people, but most were too busy having fun even to notice that Avalon's gatehouse was now next to the festival field. Of course, those riding the Ferris wheel would later tell the incredible stories of that event. I instantly checked on the prisoners and discovered no one was seriously hurt. Well, except for one unlucky guy who was hit in the back of his head by a potted plant that had slipped from its usual place. But even he was relatively okay. I kept my promise and changed their sentences. They were going to work, but they would live. With that, I knew the people could stay in their homes during further expansions... After securing all heavy objects that might fall on them.

Some of the people returned home as soon as it was possible. Naturally, it wasn't possible for anyone who had children. They formed long lines to the carousels and the Ferris wheel that hadn’t shrunk at all, even when the sun was about to set. Only the intervention of Lavender herself, who created a large tree with a platform she teleported upon and promised that this place would be available for the entire week, was finally enough for most of the children to return home. As she teleported away, the tree changed slightly, to the children's delight, with a slide spiralling around the tree trunk from the platform she had stood on. With that, I had a small amusement park growing right under the walls of my castle. My city, Avalon, was now big enough to accommodate the growing population comfortably. However, to prevent the overgrowth of the capital, I had already started planning the construction of satellite cities that would be conveniently connected with Avalon. However, I faced a problem as old as humanity: the need for a transportation system. Well, it wasn't a big problem for me or the people of Arcadia in general. The system of roads was growing with each day. Once the construction of my navy was completed, we would build airships that would carry the passengers around my kingdom. But... I needed something fast and preferably now.

"Ian is going to love this. I'm sure of it." Amber pointed out with a broad smile as she put down the plans for the city-wide fast train network.

A few planned train lines that would move around the Middle Castle. The idea was to create three lines: a fast one with four stops, one in each of the four districts, and two regular lines with more frequent stops. The beauty of that system was that I could easily build the system underground like a metro or elevate it above ground like some train lines in Japan or Chicago. Trains were a safe idea that worked on Earth, so they would also work on Nilmerthis. The only problem-not-a-problem was how to create one. As usual with such matters I dropped it at Ian. He loved such challenges. Besides, if we managed to build a train, we could build the railway network.