Disc 2: Land of Castles and the Lion. Ch. 4: Storyteller

Common Day jumped to the floor, while Western Land Slave found a position near her boss. He wasn’t mad at her interruption, but he didn’t show any appreciation for her either. The table was pentagonal, with one faction leader occupying each end of the table. Common Day recognized Ground Nebula, with Pretty Anarchy Emerald at his right. Satis was behind the mafia section, and Black Tongue was leaning against one of the walls.

Everyone in the room was expectant of the Harvesters’ boss reaction. Since he was the most violent between the presents, all factions would rather avoid any unnecessary conflict with him. He gave his assent, so Common Day continued:

“Good people of Stone’s Water—

In recent days, we’ve faced two great enemies: the blazing sun that sees us all, and our very own brothers and sisters, raging now through the streets of this beautiful city.

And at least the sun, from time to time, is shown a little respect.

I’ve had the chance to travel, to witness astonishing events. So today’s spectacle hardly surprises me. Humanity’s history is steeped in conflict—what could I possibly tell you that you, wise and educated people, don’t already know?”

Black Tongue and Satis seemed about to burst into laughter. Pretty Anarchy Emerald at least pretended to pay attention.

“I’ll be honest: I don’t believe enough is being done to confront this crisis.

And don’t get me wrong—the crisis is not the current invasion, nor the death of god, nor anything of the sort.

No, the real crisis is a moral one.

So, in this small but distinguished Sober Gathering, I present the key points of the plan that will save this community.”

He gave a fast look at the five leaders in the pentagonal table. Now they were paying more attention.

“First, the greatest enemy is the passivity that plagues most of the residents of Stone’s Water. Everyone’s concerned only with the immediate future. Most can’t be bothered to look beyond the few remaining months. And those who do imagine a longer future only think of surviving at someone else’s expense.

Second, if we fail to act on that, we’ll be crushed by those fanatics who already walk in the streets.

Yes, they may be mad—but nothing is more dangerous than madmen with power.”

At that moment Floating Man entered the room and took a seat next to the Arianism Order representative on Stone’s Water. The theologist used the normal door to arrive.

“Alas! That power comes from the most fanatical of all: the Golden Shogun, who dreams of establishing an imperial regime and dragging us centuries backward.

Third, Stone’s Water has been divided long before the invasion. That, too, is a source of its weakness.

Just look at how easily not only armed forces but outsiders from other communities have walked in—people who never lifted a finger for this place, yet now accelerate the collapse of an already apocalyptic economy.

If we worked together, wouldn’t it be far easier to tackle these deeper problems?”

He made a brief pause to look with the Left Eye. No enemies near.

“Fourth—and this should be clear by now—those supposedly conflicting interests that divide Stone’s Water today? They’re not real. Just look at the people sitting at this very table and everything becomes clear.

So, listen closely to the plan I propose:

To restore a strong community, we need to strike from multiple fronts.

Let the Arianism Order once again take a central role in spreading a religion that is healthy—one that confronts the extremist narratives of the Counter-Crusaders at their root.

Of course, not everyone will be persuaded by faith alone. That’s where the Guild comes in—to provide pleasure services for those who need something more than a sermon. And for the more extreme cases, don’t we still have one of the strongest mafia on this side of the peninsula?”

Common Day gave the leader of the Harvesters a smile. The demoness was about to burst of laughter.

“So I say this: let the Provisional Political Council of the Community once again ban drugs. On one hand, let the ban be backed by a new religious message. On the other, consumer spending will shift—either to the faith, or to the Traders-Workers Guild’s services.

And now, our guest of honor might ask: ‘What’s in it for me?’”

He could feel the tension in the air. For the plan to work, it required the Harvesters.

“My answer is simple: a forbidden economy is a more valuable one.

If people can’t legally access their vices, wouldn’t it make perfect sense to have a military operation distributing high-value narcotics through the underworld?

Look at the beauty of this virtuous circle: instead of being weakened by internal squabbles, wouldn’t it be wiser to channel our nature into religion, pleasure, and vice?”

Now Black Tongue was winking at him. Pretty Anarchy Emerald was looking at the table, avoiding his gaze.

“This is my humble proposal—and yes, of course, it includes a plan to kick the enemies out of our house.

But make no mistake—

Without a long-term pact among those gathered here in this Gathering, the day will come when the Lion devours us all.”

And now the final touch. Please let it work.

“Let us be the Stone in his path.”

Western Land Slave burst into applause and let out a cheerful whistle. She was napping through the rest of his speech.

But it was Suavemente Groove, the boss of the Cane Harvesters of Saint Hyacinth, who truly broke the silence with his words.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve heard countless stories about the northern mafia—the land I come from—being the terror of this peninsula and beyond. If my comrades here agree… let’s fucking go!”

And finally, everyone stood up to applaud.

What followed were the discussions of the details. In that, Floating Man and Pretty Anarchy Emerald were an enormous help, being insiders in their respective factions. After shaking hands with each leader, particularly with Suavemente Groove, Common Day requested Satis’ release. The mafia boss agreed, his demeanor pleasant. It seemed that he was already losing interest in her.

She took a selfie with everyone present before going back to Common Day.

He excused himself and went to the bathroom with Satis, needing to vomit without more witnesses. Common Day didn’t remember ever doing something so embarrassing—not even in school. He was also paying the price for overusing the Left Eye on so many people.

“My servant, you’ve done a great service. I’m so proud to have granted you my powers. I was also moved to tears when you—”

“Everything. Everything is going according to our goals.”

The demoness was left with a smile hanging in the air.

“These people, now they are truly condemned. Don’t you see it? Stone’s Water will free us from all those madmen. Hear this, Satis-chan. Right now, the most certain possibility is the destruction of this world in less than a year.”

He paused and gargled with water.

“But if, for whatever reason, the world survives, we’ve just created a stable system that will keep people subjugated for the rest of their lives. Remember this: killing them is not enough. We need to ensure their constant struggle! Oh, you have no idea how much I long to witness their misery for decades.”

She hesitated at first, but finally, she gave him her devilish smile.

Common Day threw up a little more until his stomach was empty. Food underground was terrible.