CHAPTER 7: THE UNITED RACES

**Kuro**

The plan that I devised was too effective.

“…”

Albrecht’s dwarves destroyed all the warehouses in the northern cities that stored food, and some of them even stole tools meant for farming and taking care of livestock. In addition, the curses I cast on the land caused the fishes to die or stop reproducing, and the plants to never bear fruit, or bloom at all. The crusaders melted away, racing back to their cities in an effort to plant crops and save whatever was left in their farm animals, effectively ending the ‘northern crusade,’ and giving the western cities a big sigh of relief.

However, at this rate, the suffering I caused can be tantamount to wholesale murder…a genocide.

So, in my attempt to reverse the situation, I quickly reversed the curses I uttered against the north, with the help of the Lady Helgath, even before the guilds there sued for peace.

However, the damage has been done. If we wouldn’t do something drastic about the situation of the dwarves, we could expect an even worse demographic bottleneck for their population. Starvation would kill most of the northerners, and add to that the events in Hemelin and the east, as well as the conflicts in the south…we might as well let ourselves be devoured by the Seductress without a fight.

Not wishing to wait for the effects of what I did to kick in, I immediately made an appeal to the other races. Three weeks after our sabotage operations, we sent letters to Cherwind, as the land of the Beastfolk were blessed with agricultural produce. I figured that, if I wanted a steady supply of food for the remnant population of dwarves, they would be the best to talk.

Then, another week passed, and we received an answer from the royal court in Malvette. I had the Lady Helgath teleport me to the capital city, straight to the Black Tower’s courtyard, where the Beastman Queen and her ministers came to greet me.

“Kuro,” Ursura sighed before she continued. “Why do you even ask me for permission? You can just barge in and take what you need, and no one will bat an eye.”

“I don’t want to decide by myself,” I replied, taking into consideration that I was the ‘Eternal King of Cherwind,’ I still never dared to abuse the courtesy extended to me.

“You know the answer to your question,” the bear-woman smiled, reassuring her support for my plea. “And we can always ask the Royal Academy to help in dealing with the dwarves’ problems other than food security.”

My eyes immediately fell on the Salis, who was behind Ursura. As always, she was tinkering on her invention; nevertheless, though she was busy, the owl-girl nodded—a sign that she understood, and was listening, to what we were talking about.

“The Eagles can also supply them with fishes,” Chief Ghislaine added. “Lately, we’ve struck a deal with Chief Sekhte of the Isidus, so our food is plenty. Do they also need clothing and other stuff?”

“You have those, too?”

The Eagle chief shook her, though she passed my concerns to Minahaba. The falcon-girl confirmed, “Our farms are working on mass production of textiles, in cooperation with the goblin engineers. I think we—together with the demons—can provide for the dwarves as well.”

“Chief, do you also need medical help?” the Chief Royal Doctor of the Black Tower, Rishnu, asked. Since it was something that concerned the well-being of the dwarves, bringing along medical experts wouldn’t hurt.

“Yeah, bring Tarou and Senna, too.”

“I’ll ask the Royal Inn if they can also lend a hand,” Ursura assured me. “Lady Missy is always asking for you; I think this is a good opportunity to see her.”

“Thanks guys!”

The pouring support for my requests was overwhelming, especially in Cherwind. Once the queen received my letter, they began a campaign to ask the people for donations, and everyone responded in kind.

However, it wasn’t over yet. While we gained a reliable source of food and other basic commodities, there also was this need to ‘impress’ the dwarves that still having second thoughts on joining our side. Playing on their greed and penchant for material wealth, I sought to ‘kill two birds with one stone.’

Yes, I’d like to show them that the Church of the Black God not only takes care of their needs; we are also capable of earning great wealth through the united efforts of each race that lived in Chersea and the Other Realms.

“…”

Well, minus the blatant disregard for tradition and culture that so permeated the post-pandemic world I came from. I understand most of these ‘progressive ideas’ were meant to ‘improve’ and ‘help’ the less fortunate people of the society. And the Lord Louis tried to bring those here; while some were indeed helpful, the other concepts corrupted the dwarven society in the long run.

A proof that one cannot always think with their idealism. Too much of it will be poison.

“…”

Harmony between all races, based on mutual trust and respect. That’s my goal…

----------

“Of course, we are willing to help. The humans will always stand behind their greatest hero.” It was the immediate answer of the Human Saint, Maddie, when I went to the Holy Palatial Gardens to tell them our problem about the dwarves. To make sure everyone heard my petition, she convened the Holy Congress; soon, I was speaking in front of the human kings and queens, as well as to the demon nobles led by the demon lord-president.

“What does our legend need?” the emperor of Chersea put up the question. “My entire household will support their greatest ally.” He made sure that his peers would see him ask; perhaps a part of his ‘grandstanding.’ Well, I guess some things never change. As long as their antics helped me, I wouldn’t mind it.

“You see, great rulers of the human and demon races,” I began, “a while ago, a tragedy happened in Equality, now known by its old name as Cherhom. In the course of conflict while defending ourselves, Her Holiness the Lady Seirna uttered a curse that killed many in the great dwarf city of Hemelin, and destroying their industries, too, crippling their economy. Another war came after it, where the disgruntled northern dwarf cities and guilds organized a crusade against us and our allies. As such, we were forced to cast a famine to destroy the crusaders’ capabilities to conduct war without causing too much bloodshed.”

The entire congress was silent, as if waiting for me to add more context to what I just said. So, I continued, “However, as I have yet to get the dwarves’ full support, my god-powers over the land are still weak and uncontrollable. The result? The famine is too strong than I initially intended.”

“A pity,” the King of Calabria muttered. “The dwarves make the best wares. It’s a shame they are going such trouble because of these careless actions.”

“Your Majesty,” the Amaranthine queen, Jessica, didn’t like the Calabrian king’s words, and shot back, “if you have nothing good to contribute, please keep your mouth shut.”

“I’m just stating the obvious,” he countered.

Maddie, Jessica, Lady Sylvia, and Eris stared daggers at the Calabrian king. It was well-known among the circles of human nobility that he had a bad mouth, and his relationship with the Holy Palatial Gardens wasn’t that good…the Human Saint destroyed the slave trade, to which his fief earned its lucrative profits, after all.

“…”

Oh, even the demons took offense the Calabrian king’s words. They never looked away from him from that point onwards…

“Milord,” the demon lord-president, Prince Hurion Devras IV, stood up. “As the representative of the entire demon race, we wish to express our wholehearted support for your pleas for help. Our factories will be at your disposal whenever you need something. All you have to do is say the word…”

“Can you help me with canned goods?” Preserved foodstuffs were useful in famine scenarios. In the absence of food preservation machines that were so prevalent in my world, canned goods were the temporary solution. After all, Albrecht and his dwarves destroyed the preservation systems of the northern guild warehouses, causing quick spoilage to the food. Even if we keep on sending supplies to Cherhom, the situation would remain precarious should we ignore stocking on food.

“No problem, milord!” Rather than Prince Hurion, it was the Lord Tenguri who quickly replied. “Our factories can always handle your request, no matter how large it is.”

“Can you also provide training to the dwarves on food preservation techniques?”

“We demons will always help at your behest,” the ghoul noble, Lord Vitalis, presented his clan. “And I’m sure the other demon clans share my sentiments…”

The heads of the Usarved, Tambara, Biorno, Orcs and Goblin clans were united in their approval. Meanwhile, the human rulers looked on with a growing sense of jealousy. The harmonious conversation between me and the demon leaders soon attracted the ire of Maddie, who thought Prince Hurion was doing a great job supplanting the humans to help me. So, once she had the chance, she declared…

“I pledge half of my fief’s wealth to your cause, Lord Kuro.” Her words were followed by a deafening silence. Everyone in that room knew the value of the Human Saint’s fief; as the land’s holiest and highest authority, her value could now rival that of the Braunhauers, once Chersea’s richest ducal house.

“Just some foodstuffs is all I need.” I could tell she was not thinking rationally, so I quickly countered her.

“Then I will send food to the demons, so they can process it for the dwarves!” she insisted.

Seeing that the Human Saint would never budge in her statements, the human rulers followed her example. The kings and queens pledged transportation and logistics (including ships and trains), machinery, and teachers (from the Academy). I guess the only one who stubbornly tried not to care was the King of Calabria; but it was fine. I already had too much.

----------

The Lady Hinwe heard of my travels around Cherwind and Chersea, so she came to me one day.

“Hey, asshole!” she greeted me upon teleporting into my room in the Holy Palatial Gardens. “You go around Chersea and Cherwind, yet you didn’t even bother to drop by my palace in Cherwoods!”

“Come on, man, what the hell?” I was still half-asleep. The Elf Saint did come unannounced, and she was not pleased. “I didn’t go on a tour, if you think of me that way; I’m asking around for help!”

“Yes, fucker, I know that at least!” the Lady Hinwe slapped my arm to remove my sleepiness. “Basically, you fucked up getting the support of the dwarves. Well, I don’t really know the exact details, but that’s pretty stupid of you! What I mean is, why don’t you even ask us for help?”

I couldn’t help but be amused, as the Elf Saint pouted. “I already got too much aid in my hands, though I’m thankful for your offer!”

“Asshole!” She pulled one of my pillows, and sent it crashing on my face.

“I don’t want to abuse my privilege!” I cried out in-between my laughs.

The Lady Hinwe could barely keep her annoyance, but she did control herself from completely lashing out. “Kuro, think about my feelings and that of Meanor. While the elves are wary of you—at least, the locals of Cherwoods, aren’t you leaving us out? There are many Chersean elves as well; won’t you consider them supporting you?”

“Ask your people first if they really like to help,” I countered. “We don’t want a repeat of what happened to you before, when you’re just a NEET, and everyone is out to kick your sorry ass.”

“You’re really an asshole,” the Elf Saint said, though she threw herself down on me. A few minutes of silence, and she broke the ice between us. “I wish you rely on us more.”

“I am relying on you,” I reiterated. “I just don’t want to abuse your love for me.”

I saw her cheeks blush, and the Lady Hinwe averted her eyes from me. “Come on, at least we can help with something?”

Her pleading voice immediately melted my heart, and I gently caressed her hair for my apology. Still, I was thankful for her insistence. “Well, hmm…you can do something, really. I was thinking if you can create a book series about agriculture, one that is catered to dwarves?”

“Like the farming manual I did with anime drawings?”

I nodded.

A shrewd smirk appeared on her lips, “As long as you take care of the printing costs, I’m in.”

“Yeah, I can do that, sensei!”

The Lady Hinwe’s expression suddenly brightened up, and she buried her face in my chest. Then, after taking a deep breath, she kissed my lips. “Thank you, asshole! That’s why Meanor and I love you! I’ll just grab my stuff in Cherwoods, then quickly return here to show the draft pages to you before you go back to Cherhom.”

----------

Yes, all of those donations weren’t free; any sensible person would make sure the items and money given were conditional. It may seemed heartless, or shrewd, even predatory…but to end this senseless conflicts and division, I had to be decisive, pragmatic, and quick.

The more we suffer, the greater the Seductress gains strength. At this point, she is just biding her time…

Using all my connections to Chersea, Cherwind, Cherwoods and the Demon Republic, we organized a big ‘relief operation’ aimed at securing and increasing the food supply of the dwarves through the efforts of the other races. Not only do we solve the problem of their hunger for a short while, it would also be a propaganda boost for my goal of ‘uniting all the races of Chersea and the Other Realms’ towards the eyes of the dwarves.

Good thing the beastmen and humans of Ursura’s kingdom sent their surplus food stocks. Maddie, for her part, asked the human kingdoms to donate livestock, as well as gave huge flocks from her own fief. The Lady Hinwe and the elves not only gifted the know-how in growing plants (the elves were always ‘attuned’ with nature, so they were experts in this); the Elf Saint herself also contributed her talents in educating the people of Cherhom in combating the effects of famine, and newer farming and fishing techniques. And last, the demons of Prince Hurion took care in the manufacture of better farming implements, and canned food to replenish the stocks.

As for me? Yeah, I really should be careful in using the god-powers I barely control.

But those didn’t come for free. I mean, any sensible person dealing with rebellions, wars and crusades would make sure that he would get something from ‘helping’ his enemies. It may seem heartless, even predatory; however, to put an end to this endless conflict and senseless division, I had to be quick and pragmatic.

Of course, the northern dwarves were appalled by the conditions we gave to them at first. After all, the Church of the Golden Hammer did grow a firm and powerful influence in those cities, and to bow before the ‘religion’ that brought its downfall was unthinkable. Nevertheless, the good effect of what happened was that, it eventually convinced the northern guilds that further resistance to the Church of the Black God was futile.

And once the signs of the famine I cast to their lands showed its ‘belated’ effects, the northern guilds immediately sought to negotiate with our intermediaries in the southern regions of Cherhom. For that, I had the Rodirrim Mining Guild handle their representatives.

“Your requests are easy to do, though we’ll just require you to sign an agreement with us,” the dwarf lord, Gabriel Rodirrim, presented our demands.

“But Lord Rodirrim,” the lead delegate was aghast to see the banner of the Cole Miners’ Guild beside that of the Rodirrim Mining Guild—a sure sign that the former was involved in the contract. “You let the heathens control you?”

“It is what it is, Lord Gran,” the business dwarf showed his usual smile. “The Cole Miners’ Guild is the current supplier of canned goods, and fresh food stocks in all of Cherhom, via the Church of the Black God. If you have any objections, you may tell those to their queen.”

“What are their terms?”

The Rodirrim chief executive officer explained, “First, you’ll have to agree to sell a portion of your assets to our guild; in return, you will get to keep your guild’s name, systems, and part of the ownership. Second, since we’ll have a part in your guild, you’ll agree never to raise your arms against your benefactors; in return, we’ll invest money in your operations. You don’t have to worry about the supply of your tools, feeds, and seeds, for as long as your guilds are profitable, we will provide you with those.”

“That’s outrageous!”

“Have I also told you those food stocks and canned goods will be given for free until your people are able to plant crops and raise livestock again?”

Silence. Even when the northerners were fanatics of the Golden Hammer, the promise of ‘free food and supplies’ were simply hard to resist, given the nature of the common dwarf. Of course, as they were about to experience hardships—which could easily be avoided by a signature, the northern delegates had no other option but to concur and sign the contract. Besides, compared to the terms of the Church of the Golden Hammer, I think my terms were based on mutual benefits of each side, thus, it was more acceptable and respectable for the dwarves.

I do not aim to lord over them, after all.

----------

As for the southern cities, the loss of the ‘independent’ north deprived the guilds hostile to us of their valuable trade partners. With their economies in danger, and the Rodirrim Guild suddenly acquiring vast material wealth and powerful allies in the west, the opposing southern cities stopped their struggle and began to negotiate as well.

For this, I got the Cole Miners’ Guild to handle their requests, for I was afraid of giving too much power to Rodirrim. They might create future problems for everyone, should they were left to their own in this crucial time of their history.

“…”

With everything falling into place, I guess I could now rest a bit easy. However, the problem wasn’t over yet, as the city of Hemelin and the eastern regions were still desolated. Albrecht and Ashren were still to establish dominance against the criminal gangs they fought against, and the increasing casualty counts from both sides posed a risk in empowering our main enemy.

There was also the matter of ‘replenishing’ the lost population of the dwarf capital city. While it was well-known in my world that a controlled population growth could lead to better economies, too much of it could also doom the country through lower birth rates. See, the younger generation replaced the older people, who would retire from their work (and source of productivity for the economy). But when those young dwarves were already lost, who would be there to replace the aging demographic?

Worst, the loss didn’t occur in a slow manner; it is sudden. Not even Montserrant was prepared to handle the Tragedy of Hemelin’s fallout.

So, the idea of Salis was to allow the dwarf diaspora to come back to their lands, along with willing migrants from the other races. Cherhom was a scenic place, after all; it could benefit from the influx of people ready to settle and develop it.

Though, to encourage immigration, we had to make the ruins of Hemelin and the other eastern cities attractive to new settlers. We should focus our energies on fixing that region soon…

----------

Once again, I was back in the private confines of my mind, where Gaius greeted me with a smile.

“You really won’t stop impressing me with your ideas, Kuro,” he told me as he served a cup of tea on the table before us.

“Is this about the holdings company I suggested?”

“Well, yes,” the former god brought out a cookie jar and set it beside the tea. “That, and the way you used the Dwarf Saint’s god-powers to defeat those dwarf cultists. Even when I was god, I haven’t thought of that. And really, you also shed no blood, considering that you dealt with a mighty army.”

“I just applied what I know in Science. I mean, even if it changed forms, minerals from the soil are still products of the soil, which the Lady Helgath’s god-powers has authority over. Combining Science and magic can be handy, see? Besides, I wouldn’t say ‘no blood’; there were injuries, some were severe. Good thing Her Holiness the Lady Helgath used her god-powers to ‘catch’ those who fell from the sky.”

“Still, I offer my praise and compliments,” he insisted. “You’re like that guy from the anime I watched. The only difference is, you and your ladies make a good team.”

“Let me guess. Is this anime about an emotionless guy who’s too overpowered in his magic and fighting skills, and his sister is head-over-heels for him that other girls are just dust to him?”

“Want me to just say the title?”

“You might get us in legal trouble,” I jested. “And also, you put too much credit on me.”

“No need to be so humble, gringo,” the former god laughed, and then changed the topic. “By the way, since you’re already here, I heard you need something from me?”

I nodded, and explained to him my questions on why Seirna and the Lady Helgath were so adamant on having me keep my distance towards others when I became a deity.

“You really want to know why we gods eventually kept distance from the mortals?” he reiterated my concern, as if he couldn’t believe I asked that. “Haven’t you got your answer? Or are you looking for something else?”

I remained silent, though Gaius knew the answer to his question already. I just continued drinking the tea he served for me.

“Well, see, Kuro…you’re a mortal yourself, right?” he had a sarcastic smile on his lips. “What do you think will happen if you know you got someone all-powerful as a friend?”

“I get what you mean,” I paused for a moment to collect my thoughts. “Mortals tend to abuse the relationship and the privilege that comes with it. But, my argument is, I don’t want to become a deity that is served by the mortals. On the contrary, I’d like to be the one serving everyone.”

“Hey, dumbass,” Gaius chuckled. “Look, this isn’t your political ‘I am a servant of the people.’ We’re talking of godhood here! If the mortals would sense that you’re someone ‘weak,’ they’ll eventually get too comfortable and leave you! Just look at what happened to Hinwe! And we all know that god-powers work only when the people worship their god!”

“Well, you may have a point, but I don’t like the idea of scaring people just for them to have faith in me. If anything, I’d like them to worship me because it makes sense to them.”

“Faith and sense often don’t mix, Kuro,” the former god pointed out. “If it does, then we’ll get fewer atheists.”

“Making sense is always the start of unconditional faith,” I countered. “Look, I want to be a different god, if ever I am to become one. I don’t want to demand faith from everyone; I’d like them to give it on their own. I think it’s better than having the idea of someone up there with a sword ready to strike the mortals.”

Gaius was shaking his head, though he just had to be content with smiles. “Ah, same old Kuro…yes, yes…same old Kuro. Well then, there’s no law in heaven that demands we gods be forceful to our subjects, really. However, because of our daily interactions with them, that we came to be like this. While I agree with Seirna and Helgath, you carve your own road, good friend.”

“Well, it’s not like I wished to become a deity, much more when I’m to become the god of five connected worlds and people,” I stood up and gave him a pat on the back. “But, I won’t shy away from serving with my best when I have no other options. After all, I wanted to create a place where my loved ones—”

“Your harem,” the former god jested.

“My loved ones,” I reiterated, trying to ignore Gaius’ teasing. “I will create a safe place for them, and everyone else…even when I have to do something illegal at times. But of course, to do that, I need all the support I can get. The Seductress, after all, is a formidable threat to my goals.”