There was no party, there was no great parade and fanfare for our return. The capital city was still in ruins after everything was said and done. There is little reason for celebration. The Godiva docked at the broken palace and we disembarked only to separate once more as her mother practically tackled Godiva herself. I am still confused with my emotions so I leave with a farewell because there is always work to do.

The flight to our destination is used to run inspection on the ironclad. It turns out the shot against that tower was the last two shells remaining for the main guns, the broadside cannons still had a few, but not enough to engage in meaningful battle. Despite being weaker than we initially designed, we also note that the armor held remarkably well. This makes sense as we designed the armor to handle attacks from one of the strongest mages in the world, not the normal knights and other mages it actually fought against. Eight crew members were injured during the fighting due to the gaps in the broadside cannon ports. This will be easy enough to fix later. In the end, the ship requires repairs and restocking of ammo, but aside from that it could easily go into battle once more. It performed exceptionally well. Markus and I agree that during the repairs he needs to finish the ship, focusing on its propulsion mostly as overall we are happy with the slightly weaker armor as it allowed for the ship to be highly mobile.

We aren't headed for the hangar at the academy, In fact, everything within that building has been torn down and moved elsewhere. All that remains is a large, empty building.

We are headed to my greatest project, one that I requested of the Schneemacher family. The Godiva flies carefully through the snow-capped mountains, passing the various fortresses of the icy noble family. We blast the horn once for a group of children playing in the snow who appear to cheer for us as we pass. We pass by the last of mountainous civilization, expertly navigating through the highest peaks, passing over the towering threshold reveals the work I am the most proud of.

In the once desolate valley, a flat area where a glacier once sat in times long past, surrounded by a ring of jagged mountains is a city slowly forming. Aqueducts and the currently empty shells of buildings are the only thing standing. The aqueducts create artificial rivers within the valley that receives no rain due to the shield of mountains. Surrounding these false rivers are trees and slowly expanding grass, past the natural-looking areas are more grid-like irrigation trenches where row crops have only just started growing. The deep black desolate soil of the valley contrasts sharply with the green slowly consuming the once-dead land. Within a few years this valley will become a verdant paradise, temperatures kept mild due to the mountains surrounding and the weather always good due to the same alpine shield.

We fly over the city, passing by the many wooden transport airships bringing supplies into the city. The only complete building is a single hangar building built into the side of one of the mountains. Along with this hangar are various docking coves for airships, and a long gently sloping road descends from the docks and into the city under construction and the foundations of multiple other hangars being built, hopefully for more future steamer ships. The big gates of the hangar open for the ironclad as we set down gently on the large docking struts designed purposefully for this ship.

After landing I disembark as the workmen immediately get to work repairing and refitting the Godiva. Unfortunately, it will be a good while before it is combat capable again, both due to needing more ammo which will take a bit to produce, but the propulsion system is being reworked. When it is back to combat readiness it will be the fastest airship in the world by a large degree, even though it is still close to being the fastest in the world with the poorly designed temporary propulsion.

I leave the workers to it and dodge past people so as not to get in the way. I make my way down to the under-construction city. At the moment everything is still under construction. The streets are slowly coming together, using the dark gray stone of the nearby mountains utilizing the rubble produced during construction. The waste stone is carved into bricks and held into the ground with easily sourced mud and clay.

The incomplete buildings slowly climbing into the sky are a bright white color and are coming together far quicker than what should be possible at the tech level this world currently is in. This is thanks to my newest invention, cement. The buildings are practically being printed, formed in large sections using reusable molds, and then filling the molds with what I remember is concrete. With a nearby quarry of white limestone, slag from the blast furnace, gravel produced from the same quarry, and white sand from a nearby lake. This produces bright white concrete and removes the need for the transportation of heavy stone bricks for the majority of construction. Of course, some buildings are being constructed with stone bricks and tiles, but these are at the request of individuals who either fund the construction of that building or are working on that building.

There are thousands of workers working on hundreds of buildings, shops, homes, apartments, and other important structures that are the first to be produced. Every worker is a freed Frontiersman, not only are they receiving monetary compensation from various sources, but they also are being granted a home in the new city. That's the point of this city, not to be a money-making scheme, which will make me some good money of course, it is meant to be a place to live for the Frontiersmen, all of us. A place free of persecution, and a place of freedom.

Workers wave to me and I hail them back as I walk through the streets which are slowly coming together. Eventually, I made it to the central building of the city to what I decided would be the centerpiece of the city. Once arrived I put on some work gloves and got to work, helping out with the construction of this great monument...

Perspective shift to 3rd

Blake kneels in front of the altar in the main basilica of Serena found in the capital city. He closes his eyes trying to think of a prayer to his patron, but can't think of anything. He had always been a militant atheist back on earth, it still feels strange to pray to something even if she visited him before. His prayer session comes about because of confusion, as Blake has no idea how to feel right now. He had never expected this situation to happen.

On one hand, he is happy that Godiva, his fiance is safe from the Lusthardia kingdom's royals. He is also happy that the Sakura Lady or whatever he name was, is dead. Both of these things make him happy, especially since he didn't have to work very hard to get it done. On the other hand, he feels disappointed and... guilty inside because he did nothing to win these victories. Isa had done all the work. Planning, execution, and taking the damage. Blake feels very confused about this because he had never once felt guilty for someone else doing something. His entire past life and this life too he had never complained about someone else doing the work for him, but in this situation, he feels wrong. He got the girl in the end and is still considered a victor, normally he would feel happy.

There was a big parade for him in town. Isa took no responsibility for what happened, in fact, he had told everyone that Blake had defeated the enemy false hero. This left Blake as the hero the people wanted, and for that, he received all kinds of praise and other boons from the nobility of the kingdom. None of it felt good. Blake of course smiled for the crowds, but on the inside, it felt hollow. Something he had never expected. He asks himself,

"Is this what those Isekai MC's feel? Is it supposed to be this way?"

Finally, Blake finds his words for the goddess and speaks lowly,

"Oh goddess... why did you choose me? I have yet to be your glorious hero...I failed your tasks... why do I still try?"

There is no response for a moment before a calming female voice fills his head. A voice he recognizes as the goddess. She gently speaks,

"My glorious hero, do not dismay. I chose you because you are the only one who is capable of bringing me glory. Do not fret about the Outcast Isa. He is a non-issue for your journey and his time is soon up. He has done his role in your life well, he has been a great help in defeating foes you cannot at the moment and that has all been part of my plan my beloved hero.

Remember from your shows and... Mane-Guh that the hero always has a party alongside them. Isa is simply part of your party, and all of his feats are yours as well. His glories are all in your name and he only takes the front now as you are in the... training arc... of your story. You have not reached your potential yet."

Blake's eyes light up and he smiles at the altar. He bows his head and says,

"Thank you, my goddess. Your words are wise and I will continue to live in your glory."

There is a bright flash of light before Blake as the glowing figure of a woman appears in front of him. He knows this to be the goddess. He doesn't notice that no one else in the church can see her glowing figure. Blake raises his eyes in awe toward the goddess who then announces to him,

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"As a reward for choosing your partners so well I will grant you a new power, a power I have taken from the fallen god Bullhard. Your faith is your spiritual armor, but now it will be your physical armor. I will grant you the armor of faith, taken from the vanquished enemy.

Rejoice my hero as you will bring me more glory through this new power."

Blake looks at his hands as the same armor that Sakura wore begins to form around him. It of course looks different, with more holes in the face, it looks like the armor did before Isa caused it to adapt to his specific style of combat. Blake inspects the armor before excitedly replying to his deity,

"Thank you, my goddess. I will use this armor to protect your faith and to bring you the glory you deserve."

The glowing deity doesn't speak for a moment before suddenly saying,

"It is rather disheartening to me how little you have been able to celebrate your victory. I think it is in order."

A group of priestesses of the large church approaches blake. All of them are silent with their hands folded in prayer. The goddess then continues,

"I believe some pleasures of the flesh are in order."

Blake's eyes go wide and he gets a small sinking feeling in his gut before asking,

"But my goddess... I am betrothed."

The goddess raises her hand and explains,

"Do not fret, those are the morals of your old life. You are a hero. You deserve to have enjoyment such as this. It is your goddess's orders after all. Will you deny my gift?"

Blake shakes his head and replies,

"No, I humbly and gratefully accept, but...is it... consensual?"

The goddess laughs and tells him,

"They listen to their goddess. I spoke to them directly and they accepted their duty. Have fun, my hero."

Before he can respond she is gone leaving him both excited and confused. Despite how it seemed the priestesses never saw the goddess, they simply heard her voice in their minds and in their faith are willing to accept their task. As they undress for the hero, Blake hears the goddess's voice one last time,

"Oh... my hero... before you begin... Isa...soon your journeys may part...and he will become the enemy..."

Before Blake can respond he is practically pounced on by the group of women as his "Reward" is dispensed...

Back to Isa

It has been a week since I decapitated the Lusthardia Kingdom and only now I have been called to the capital. I board the Godiva and sail to the palace where King Alrius has expected me.

The ironclad hovers just above the main courtyard as a long gangway is extended. I walk down the ramp and many royal knights give me shouts of praise. I wave to them with a smile a bit confused about what is going on. I enter the palace and am directed to the throne room which is empty aside from the king, Godiva, and Duke Hasslerouge who practically is glaring at me for some reason.

I give a short bow to the king, bending at the waist. He waves it off and he then starts,

"I'm going to get this over with as soon as possible, I know you will appreciate that."

I nod and he smiles at me in a not exactly friendly way. He then says,

"Despite your not wanting any glory for what you have done I wish to show my gratitude. I've heard of your little city project and I think it is rather nice.

So I am ceding that entire valley from the Schneemacher domain, which they have already been told of, and it will be yours. Not the Hasslerouge, not royals, yours.

This means I am granting you a noble title for yourself, not for the Hasslerouge family. If you wish you may create a new family name and sort of start a dynasty, or you can keep it as a branch family of the Hasslerouges. Your call."

I blink rapidly, taken by surprise by this reward. I think it's a reward at least. I never really expected this. The only social rank I ever planned on gaining was the Hasslerouge consort position and just kinda doing my own thing, but this in theory will grant me lots of benefits, most of all in terms of taxation and trade, as well as autonomy from any other noble house.

I exhale loudly and respond,

"I will gladly accept this reward, but for the second half, I'll need to discuss it with Duke Hasslerouge.

Moreso, what responsibilities and titles do I gain from this reward? I need to know what I'm getting into."

The king nods seemingly satisfied with my answer and he answers,

"Technically you will be a baron in rank, this is due to having a singular city and community under your name, but I will be granting you the title of Earl. Of what is up to you as I haven't heard of the name of your little city yet. This puts your social ranking just below the four high noble families. A very good title. This is of course because I understand your capabilities and your city I feel will output as much as any major earldom we have within our borders.

As for responsibilities, that is more complicated. First, all taxes are on you. You pay to the royal capital directly, but how you get the money for this is up to you. So long as they are paid. Second, if a levy is called you must answer. It is hopefully never going to be called. Lastly, you will have to attend certain meetings of nobility here in the capital to discuss the going ons of the kingdom. This is basically a progress report and a place to ask for royal or other noble aid or offer it yourself. With the hero's party, you gave amazing progress reports and your record keeping was immaculate so this shouldn't be an issue and may eventually lead to you not needing to arrive."

I nod and with a smile he says,

"Let me know when you decide on how you will structure your new house and the name of your earldom so I can make it official."

He points toward a side room and says lowly,

"Please do so in the next hour."

I laugh and Duke Hasslerouge and I enter the side room and sit across from one another. He holds me in a stern gaze and I joke,

"You look happy to see me."

This makes him crack up a little and he shakes his head with a light laugh. He then tells me,

"I don't know how to feel about you right now Isa. On one hand, I am incredibly happy that someone holding my family name is doing so well. On the other hand, you leave me at a crossroads of what to do and you complicate any plans I had."

I nod and reply,

"I see. Well in order to keep your worries at bay let me explain what I plan to do,

I will of course marry your daughter. That will happen and she will be eligible to Inherit your title. That has not changed in the plans. I also plan to keep in touch with you. "

He shakes his head and asks,

"What of royal support?"

I scoff and answer,

"I am against absolutism. I see my ascension as less power for the royal family and gives you another ally for the noble faction, especially since the Donnerstein lost some credibility. I do not like absolute power, I think it is a corupting force. I will of course support them from foreign threats and possibly some domestic but aside from that nothing else.

As for your ambitions. I will not stop you unless you get in my way."

He looks me in the eye for a moment and then he says,

"I regret choosing you."

I respond coldly,

"But you did, and now you must live with it. You chose the wrong piece to be your pawn."

He laughs and looks away saying,

"You're right. I will have to do what I can."

I lean forward and he turns to face me, we lock eyes for a moment and then I say coldly,

"Duke Hasslerouge, this is the first day ever we have looked one another in the eyes, and I don't expect it to be the last.

I am incredibly thankful to you for freeing me from true slavery, even if it were of a different kind, but do not mistake that thankfulness for obedience. That is something I know you understand by now. You have looked down on me so far as a master, today... today I am truly free and we see each other eye to eye, and you know it.

We both know you still hold some blackmail over me, with the actions you tasked me to commit, but remember this, if you try to burn me down.

I have nothing to lose...."

I return to the King with Duke Hasslerouge behind me, his expression stoic. I give the King a quick bow and tell him,

"I am naming my new household the Yotesden house. Isa Yotesden, in honor of my home.

As for the city, it will simply be called the White City, or Urbs Alba."

The king smiles and then announces, making an overexaggerated motion with his hands,

"I now pronounce you, Earl Isa Yotesden of Urbs Alba...."

I stand atop a watch tower built over the White City overseeing its construction. It has been six months since my elevation in status and much has changed. A day ago a tunnel through the mountains was completed, we cultivated some cool glowing moss in the tunnel to light the way, which connects to a main royal road and gives a ground connection to the city. There was much celebration during this event as it allowed for more resources to flow into the city for better construction.

As days pass by I watch smokestacks climb into the sky over the city, spewing steam into the air as great steam engines turn machines producing more materials and tools for construction. Every day more Frontiersmen enter the city, either refugees from the Lusthardia Kingdom or recently freed slaves the Schneemachers bought following our agreement.

Great workshops produce weapons and armor that are then shipped to the Lusthardia Kingdom where I may have started a slave revolt along with a regular power struggle civil war. Their motive is to free all slaves and after they will set up shop here in the White City.

Slowly over time, the streets begin to become busy with people going about their days. The wondrous smells of food from different Frontiersmen cultures fill the air at all hours as commerce expands within the city. Buildings vary greatly in style, with some hybrids of multiple cultural construction styles. The only similarity is the white concrete and stone used in construction.

Above the city more steamships begin to sail through the air, some ironclad warships, some simply wooden vessels with steam turbines turning great blades pushing them through the air.

Progress marches forward at a steady pace as steam networks expand and the Frontiersmen further understand the technologies I introduced to them. I learned recently someone was experimenting with what I know to be electricity. I anticipate the results highly.

After one year of construction, the centerpiece of the city is complete. A massive building towering into the sky with three free-standing domes with the central one with a massive spire. The inside is decorated by the best artists of all Frontiersmen culture. I call it the Grand Cathedral because that's what it looks like, but its purpose is important. Within it is a large maze, like a mausoleum but without corpses. On these walls are the names of people who were lost to the fall of our kind. Every name that can be remembered is etched onto the wall with care in remembrance. A monument to our grief, and a monument to our determination to not remain slaves.

A sign to show that our industrious nature brought about by lack of magical ability, which everyone else thinks is out greatest weakness is in reality our greatest strength...

To us,

Weakness is the Greatest Strength...