“Now then,” I let out a heavy breath, “Is there somewhere to sit? I’d like to spend some time discussing our plans.”
“Directly behind you, Lord Kristoph.” Maree gestures past me. I turn around to see a grand throne with a back carved into the shape of an hourglass.
“Oh, I guess that makes sense.” I look back to my compatriots and peer around them. “What about you all?”
“What d'you mean?” Zhaohui tilts her head to the side and places a finger on her chin.
“I mean, where will you all sit? I’m not going to sit and speak with you all while you’re forced to stand.” I put my arms up to the side in a pseudo shrug. “How can I get you all some chairs?”
They’re all uncomfortably quiet for a moment. Eventually, Maree speaks up, “You could use your magic to create temporary seating. But it’s not nec-”
“Fantastic!” I make sure to keep her from protesting any longer. “Though… How do I do that?”
“As one with such immense power, My Lord, you may simply will it into existence. Wave your hand and it shall be done.” She gives a sure nod to pass the floor to me.
“Alright, here goes nothing.” I hold my hand out, palm towards the room, and imagine a set of four chairs. There’s a flow of energy that shoots through me, like electricity, before crackling inside my fingers. When I open my eyes, a purple glow floats just in front of my right hand and four glowing, purple facsimiles of chairs rest behind each of my generals. “Well, that’s new. Did it work?”
Zhouhui wastes no time in plopping down into her chair and puts her feet up on Sowande’s. “Worked for me! Though you could’ve made them a bit more comfortable, if I’m being honest.”
“You insolent child! You dare speak to our Lord in such a manner?!” Anlon turns to her and begins berating her.
I let out an uncontrollable laughter that causes him to stop and all of them to look up at me. “Anlon, it’s fine. Really. Next time, I’ll make you a recliner, Z.”
“Sounds like a deal!” Her smile drops to a pout as Sowande pushes her legs out of his chair and takes a seat beside her. Maree sits down next as Anlon takes a minute before relenting. I smile and nod and turn to take my place on the throne. As I walk out of the sigil, the purple glow disappears - making the room noticeably darker.
As I turn around and take my seat, I notice their faces are masked in shadow from this distance. “Hold on, let’s try this.” I wave my hands up and out as hundreds of small, glowing orbs fly out and litter the room like purple stars. Instantly, the room becomes significantly lighter and their faces are covered in a pleasant hue. “Much better. Now then, Anlon.”
He immediately stands back up to attention, “Yes, My Lord!”
I laugh at him and wave my hand down to tell him to sit. “Please, relax.” He sighs and returns to his seat. “I’d like to know the size of our army.”
“We have 8,000 skeletal soldiers, 3,000 demon horses, 2,000 goblins, 200 ogres, and 100 giant spiders of various elements. That is only counting our actual troops. We have countless weaponry and supplies for our troops, Sir.”
“And, what is around our castle?”
“Our castle is located within a cave at the base of a mountain. In front of our castle are open grass fields and forests to the North with a large lake to the South.”
I interlace my fingers and rest my elbows on the armrests of the throne. “Hmm… Perfect.” I let my hands rest in front of my mouth as I ponder the numbers and my plans. “Anlon, tell your soldiers that for the next month or two, they’re not an army, but a workforce. If we’re going to want an empire, we’ll need a capital. I’d like them to spend the next two months building a central city in front of our castle: residential, commercial, trade routes, the whole nine yards. Additionally, we’ll need to build farms and barns. My plan is to try and start by attracting farmers with an offer no other kingdom can.”
“What is that, Mister Kris?” Zhaohui has tilted her chair back and has her hands behind her head.
“I’m the Demon Lord of Time, right?” They all nod. “What if I were to pause time over our lands to create a perpetual Spring? They’d be able to grow their crops year round. That’s at least a three to four month period they wouldn’t typically have. Three to four months of uncontested sales. We’ll be the only kingdom in the lands with fresh crops to trade all year round.”
Sowande strokes his chin in thought. “In theory that could work. If you can make it happen, it’d be a remarkable benefit for our people. Is that possible, Maree?” He looks to the elf whose eyes are closed in thought.
“It’d be near impossible for most… But given Lord Kristoph is the manifestation of Time made flesh, I’d say it would be as simple as snapping his fingers.” She holds up a hand and snaps to emphasize her point.
“Well, we’ll go outside and try that after our meeting then.” I clap my hands and smile. “As for Maree, your magic is natural, correct?”
“Yes, Lord Kristoph.”
“In the time that Anlon’s troops are working on our capitol, I’d ask that you focus your studies on finding ways to make our lands richer and better for our people.”
“It would be my pleasure.” She smirks at the idea and seems to be immediately considering all of her options.
“Similarly, Sowande, I’d like you to consider your research into the study of medicine. If we could begin to master and train others in the field, we would have no need to rely on the magic of clerics.”
“Thank you, My Lord. Nothing would make me happier.” His face shows the honesty in his statement. He looks positively ecstatic.
“What about me?” Zhaohui finally sat up and crossed her arms with a pout.
I smile down at her and chuckle. “How about, for now, you give me a tour of the castle?”
She immediately lights up with a bright smile. “Yes! Oh my gosh, this is gonna be so fun! Can we start now?!” Zhaohui is practically bouncing in her seat.
“Sure! But we have to start with the outside.” I stand up and the four mirror my action. I wave my hand and disperse the chairs from behind them. “Well, everyone, you have your orders. Let’s get to work.”
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