The Council looked down upon the stranger that had just appeared on their city, the man known as Erwin Rommel from Earth. They looked upon this man, his piercing blue eyes intelligent and full of wisdom. His face, although aged, was still full of vibrance and energy. His posture was not like any other at his age, ramrod straight from countless years in the military. Although this man could not speak their language, they were sure that he was no savage. Then there was the matter of his clothes, unlike anything that they have ever seen before, a tan-brown uniform with an iron cross upon his right breast, striking red stripes with gold embroidery upon his shoulders, four pockets—two near his hips and two upon his chest, a brown pants with high boots, and a strange hat upon his head, adorned with an regal eagle and a silver symbol with gold borders.

All in all his image was commanding and powerful, of man who had seen all that Life had to offer and had not shirked away from it. To the warriors in the room, they sensed that this was a man who had faced war many times and had emerged unscathed, more in victory than in defeat. This man was a man of mystery, a man who had seen things that they could not hope to imagine, a man who now stood before them as a beacon of hope.

They had deemed him so because of the way he had arrived, through a beam of light in which the priests of Lux declared to be a sign from Light herself.

So they looked upon this man with a mixture of hope and suspicion, after all, belief in Light would surely fade after she had not answered their prayers. They believed that either Light was not real or that she had abandoned them and that they should spurn her as well. And yet here was a man that the priests claimed to be a messenger of Light, their hope in the darkness of Night, their weapon with which they would use to retake what was once theirs. But could they trust this man, would he truly deliver on what they hoped he would? Would he truly be the answer? Only Time would tell, they had no choice but to trust in him and in Light, that they were not abandoned just yet.

But as they were not able to communicate with him, they decided to place him somewhere safe for now until he could be taught their language. And it was in the privacy of his room that the Surveyor showed himself to Erwin in the form of the Librarian. After all, it too was curious, it had indeed sensed a sliver of Light’s power when this foreign presence had arrived. But why him? Surely Light wouldn’t choose any random mortal, it had to be one that had achieved great success, one who was capable of helping Alliance. It was curious but it could wait, after all, the Alliance was already on its way to it.

As the floating cities slowly moved towards Otium, its people working day and night in order to move their floating cities. Their cities, the largest of which was five miles in diameter, were linked to a fleet of small boats that either used the wind or pure manpower to move the cities the direction that they wished. Luckily, the ocean currents were with them so their progress was far faster than usual, their current speed allowing them to reach Otium after the passage of a year.

It was slow going but progress was being made, hope fueling the people as they looked out towards the distant horizon, towards Otium. And it was thus that the floating cities of the Alliance began to move, one of the greatest fleets to grace the oceans of Agleon since the days of the Pirate Lords. And because of the civil war, the orcs had no knowledge of the humans making their way to Otium, too busy heading to the center of Occasus to fight in the first proper war.

Life was energetic for the people, they had been stagnating, slowing waiting for death; but now, with hope literally on the horizon, they now had something to strive for. A life without purpose is a life not worth living and that was the life that these people had previously lived. But now, with the hope of their races’ survival in sight, the people of the Alliance worked with great energy. Erwin watched this with nostalgia, his people once worked and smiled as they did now, all for the good of the Fatherland. But then fear wormed its way into his mind, would they fall as the Deutschland did?

Determination formed in his heart and he vowed right then and there that he wouldn’t let that happen, things will be different. The Surveyor saw this change and wondered just what history this man possessed, it wanted to dissect his mind and see all that there was to see but it held itself back, doing so would break his mind and thus render him useless. It would be a shame if such a fascinating new variable was unable to do anything to the current situation.

And so the Surveyor just let him be for the moment, making sure to learn as much as it could from observation alone. And it was right to do so, Erwin Rommel spent most of his time writing and muttering in German and so the Surveyor was able to gain a rough understanding of his language. It wasn’t easy but to a being whose mind can work on millions of things at once, it was not too great of a challenge. And with its newfound understanding of German, it was able to read Erwin’s various writings, mostly about his old home, about the rise of a man called Adolf Hitler, his experiences of the wars he fought and his family.

The parts about Erwin’s old home and family was certainly interesting but it was Hitler’s rise to power and wars that caught the Surveyor’s interest. Hitler, a man who attained power through his charisma and visions of the future. It was a shame that the Surveyor couldn’t absorb his memories, it was such a waste of a magnificent specimen of a human. A man who took a broken country and gave it purpose, giving in the strength to fight against more than half of the civilized world. A man of his genius was one hard to come by and the Surveyor was wistful for a moment, if only it had been sent to Earth.

Then there was the aspect of war, a war that used great machines that delivered great destruction. Warfare was on a totally different level in Erwin’s world than in Agleon, with weapons that far surpassed those here, far more efficient in killing than swords and bows. It memorized the descriptions that Erwin had put into his writing, not too detailed but enough for the Surveyor to begin replicating them, although they may not be capable of working.

And that’s what it spent most of its time doing as the Alliance slowly made its way to Otium, relying solely on Erwin’s descriptions to create guns. It had a particularly hard time with the bullets as Erwin did not really provide any detailed descriptions, only saying that they were little metal cylinders full of gunpowder which when ignited would propel the bullet out of the rifle. With more than a couple thousand of its selves creating different interpretations of what Erwin said, the Surveyor finally created one not too dissimilar from those found on Earth.

Of course, the design itself was not entirely the same but it worked, although not as well as those made on Earth. It would have to wait until Erwin personally came here and allowed it to read his mind, only then would it be able to create successful replicas. But until then, it continued to play around with the guns it had made, experimenting with what sizes they would continue to work at. Eventually, it found itself playing with guns that were as tall as mountains, firing shells which were four meters in diameter.

This was all in a world that it had created, it obviously couldn’t experiment on Agleon as it had no wish to introduce such a weapon here, it still wished the experiment to be as untainted as possible. And it was certainly glad that it did so in another world, the level of destruction that could be reached with the great guns that it had made were on the level with a meteor smashing into Agleon, although the gun was often destroyed in the process. And another thing that the Surveyor had discovered that the guns weren’t that accurate, although it was because it was ignorant to the fact that these guns should have been rifled. Erwin had not placed that in the description and so the Surveyor did not know.

But it was enjoyable nevertheless, to listen to the roaring thunder of the guns and the destruction that said guns would produce. It wondered if Erwin’s world had reached such heights with their weapons or had they developed far superior weapons? It wanted to know but sadly it was trapped here. Perhaps it would visit this Earth soon, or even send a piece of itself but for now, it would rather focus on Agleon. And so it continued to experiment with these weapons, finally deviating from the descriptions that Erwin made and making its own.

Finally, after the passage of a year, the first of the Alliance’s floating cities had arrived in sight of Otium. As they approached, hope filling the hearts of the people, a Custodian appeared in the air.

It spoke, “People of the Alliance, welcome to Otium. I shall now tell you the rules of Otium, should they be broken it will result in a permanent ban of the offenders. One, there is to be no conflict in any shape or form. Should two or more be involved in violence, they shall either be killed on the spot or expelled from Otium.

Second, there is not to be stealing, those that steal shall have their hand separated from their arm and if that does not work, they shall be killed.

Third, you cannot take items of Otium off of it, any offense shall be punished by death. Otium is a separate entity of this world and what it produces cannot be brought to the outside.

And usually people cannot stay for more than a week but the Librarian understands your special circumstances and so for the first time, Otium shall allow you to occupy the living spaces of Otium. But in accordance with this, you shall not be provided with what Otium can provide, which is the best of food. It would not be best for you to become depended upon Otium so the Librarian has asked that you still make your own food. Please remember these words to heart, there shall be no mercy even if the offender happens to be a child.”

Having finished what it said, the Custodian created a gate and stepped through, leaving the people in awe. The hope had overrun the worry of the rules, the people excited for the first time in years. In fact, they could hardly wait to enter Otium and when the first city docked, the people almost stampeding but the Custodians along with a small contingent of stone soldiers prevented them from going wild.

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Under the supervision of the Custodians, the people were quite docile as they began to explore their new home. The children ran out and romped around on land for the first time in their lives, Erwin watching them in in a mixture of amusement and nostalgia. He remembered his children running around and playing years ago, when he lived in a time when the Deutschland was a better place. He then set his eyes on the strange pyramid at the center of this place of greystone, wondering just what lay within. Suddenly, a Custodian approached, singling him out of the rest of the crowd.

His guards, nervous, stepped forward to defend him but the Custodian paralyzed them with a casual gesture of its hand.

It then greeted Erwin, “Hallo Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel, der Bibliothekar möchte dich sehen. Bitte komm mit mir.”

Erwin pleasantly surprised, to think that he’d hear his father tongue once more in this world. But now, curiosity began to fill his mind, just how did this being know about Deutsche?

And so in order to answer the growing number of questions, he said, “Ich werde kommen.”

The Custodian nodded and began to walk away, Erwin following behind. It opened a gate in front of it and stepped through, Erwin hesitating only slightly before he stepped through as well. Within the gate was the floating garden of Ieros, the strange unearthly flowers glowing in the perpetual twilight. As he looked around, he suddenly saw a figure that had not been there previously, it was the Librarian sitting at a circular table.

He said, “Bitte setzen.”

Erwin took a seat and the Librarian asked, “Möchten Sie etwas Tee?”

Erwin said, “Ich hätte gerne welche.”

Upon hearing confirmation, the Librarian created some tea and poured some for Erwin, pouring himself a cup as well. They spent a few moments just appreciating the taste of the tea, Erwin finally placing the cup down, about to ask a question when a voice spoke inside his head,

Hello Erwin Rommel, I am the one they call the Librarian. If it doesn’t trouble you I’d like to speak like this. Your language is quite fascinating but I find it hard to transmit my desires as I have not yet fully comprehended your language.

Erwin nodded and was about to speak when the Surveyor said, You need not speak, just think your answer and I shall know. Do not worry, I cannot read your mind unless you permit it.

Erwin was gladdened by his words but was still suspicious. How do I know for sure?

The Librarian’s voice said, Well I cannot prove it to you so you’ll just have to believe me.

Then how are you able to speak Deutsche if you were unable to read my mind?

The Librarian answered, Simple, I observed you as you wrote and spoke in German in your private time. Pardon me but you were a fascinating specimen, a transmigrator from another world.

Erwin felt slightly uncomfortable, this being had been watching him?

I... I see.

And from your writings, I have become quite curious about your world, especially about these “guns” you speak of. I have made some replicas but I cannot ascertain their accuracy without your memories. May I?

Erwin’s discomfort disappeared when he heard the word “guns.”

Such weapons were possible?!

The Librarian nodded. Well as well as I was able to make them.

May I see them?

The Librarian waved its hand casually and a gun showed itself, mostly following Erwin’s descriptions but differing in small ways. Overall, it was extremely accurate, the surprised Erwin giving his praise.

Very well done.

He then asked the most important question, Does it work?

In answer, the Librarian took the gun and created a bullet, a cylindrical base with a conical tip. It wasn’t too different from the bullets Erwin knew and once more he was surprised, the Librarian’s gun wasn’t all that different than the ones he knew. He watched as the Librarian loaded the weapon, placing it in the chamber which he then locked into position.

He then handed it to Erwin, saying, You may shoot.

Erwin took the rifle into his hands, running his hands over the familiar shape. He then inspected the barrel, seeing that it wasn’t rifled. He hadn’t He then took it and aimed, bracing himself for the kick. He then pulled the trigger, the familiar crack and gout of flames and smoke exploding from the barrel, the bullet whizzing off into nothingness. He relaxed, looking at the gun with a grin on his face. It was always so exhilarating to fire a gun, to feel the kick, to hear the sharp thunder, and to smell the acrid scent of gunpowder.

He handed it back to the Librarian who asked, Was there anything wrong with it?

Erwin said, Well the shape could be more streamlined, the bullet’s shape was similar but not like the ones I know.

Once more the Librarian asked, May I see them?

Once more hesitant, Erwin was silent as he pondered his choices. Finally, he said, Very well, I... I allow you.

The Librarian nodded and held a hand, a dark sphere manifesting in it. From the sphere a tendril extended and touched the forehead of Erwin, a cool sensation filling his entire body through his head. Then he felt something else, something searching through his mind as he could only stand there, helpless. It was a feeling that he disliked as it was a situation in which he could not fight back at all, he never even had a chance to fight back. But as swift as that sensation came, it left and the Librarian was silent for a moment as the tendril returned to the sphere, the same sphere reabsorbed by the Librarian’s shadow.

Finally, the Librarian said, Ah, so I did make a few mistakes. So, it should look like this correct?

Before him appeared a familiar looking weapon, his personal Luger, a Walther P-38 with elegant oakleaf motifs etched into the black metal of the barrel with his name engraved in gold onto it. It also possessed a gold-plated hammer, safety, and trigger as well as a checkered walnut grip with a small medallion saying, “Deutsches Afrika Korps.” He picked it up, nostalgia filling his eyes as he remembered just how many times this faithful companion had saved his life.

He returned his luger to its rifle place in the holster at his left side, the Librarian saying nothing. It was his payment to Erwin for allowing him to see his memories. Of course, the Surveyor had seen more than just detail about guns but Erwin didn’t need to know about that. But a single gun was not enough to pay for all that so the Surveyor said,

As gratitude for allowing me to see your memories, I’ve decided that your weapon will never run out of ammunition. You shall still need to reload it but you will never find yourself empty of magazines for your Luger.

Erwin looked at his luger in awe and then turned to the Librarian, bowing his head.

Thank you, Librarian. Your gift is too much for what I gave.

The Librarian shook his head.

Nonsense, you have given me an entirely new subject to learn, you have reminded me of how little I know. And besides, if you are to make a change in this world, you need something to help you stand against those who can use magic. I’d like for you to show me the genius of the man called the Desert Fox, a man that managed to defeat his enemies even when in every conceivable disadvantage. It would be... fascinating.

As Erwin beheld the sight of the Librarian, he seemed to see a smile blacker than the shadows of the Librarian’s hood, the silver eye glowing brighter than before. But the moment he blinked, the sight was gone and the Librarian appeared normal once more.

The Librarian then gestured to the other guns it had created from Erwin’s memory, saying, These can be given to you but there is a price. You possess the capacity to learn magic and become a great mage at that but you must give that up in order to use these weapons. The same rules apply as with your Luger, they will not run out of ammunition. Of course, these can only be used by you so please, choose wisely. You can also ask me to create another weapon if you so wish, I believe you spoke of something called a “grenade,” correct?

Erwin thought on this for a moment longer, more weapons would be nice but then there was the tempting offer of magic, could he truly learn it? But he already knew how to use guns and e didn’t know how to use magic or knew how long it would take for him to master it. Logic said that guns were the way to go and he listened to what logic said.

As tempting as the offer of magic is, I will choose the guns... wait, any weapon?

The Librarian nodded, Of course.

Once more, Erwin thought he saw the Librarian smile once more, as if it knew what he was thinking about.

Shaking off the thought, Erwin said, Well I want a tank, one of the tanks that I used in Afrika.

The Librarian’s dark smile seemed to grow wider as he nodded. Excellent choice, Erwin Rommel. But I cannot summon it here, I will create it outside. The same rules shall apply to this tank, unlimited fuel, ammunition, and should it come to harm, it possesses the ability to repair itself when outside of combat. It will need to devour the necessary resources which need only be in contact with its surface. Do not worry about a crew, it possesses a limited sentience, enough for it to fire its secondary weapons at the enemies surrounding it, however, the main gun and the movement of the tank is still up to you. Is this satisfactory?

Erwin nodded.

It’s like a dream come true.

The Librarian nodded.

I expect great results, Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel, shake the foundations of this world with the might of Earth. Now, I believe you’d like to give your new weapon a test drive?

With excitement, Erwin grinned.

Of course I am!