CHAPTER 3: THE DUKE OF MAVERNY'S TRIP TO CHERWIND

***The city of Malvette, capital of the Kingdom of Cherwind…***

After the newspapers picked up the story of his marriage proposals, his life had never known silence ever again. Royals and the nobility would often drop by the duke’s estate for visits, some were sincerely happy with the recent event, and many were trying to get his favor for their own interests. Commoners would also flock to Maverny, sending him gifts and well-wishes. Of course, Kuro didn’t want to send them off with nothing in return, so he always ensured to meet with them whenever he had the chance. Although, even with such a joyous occasion, Kuro could feel he was being exhausted like a candle…

So, the Duke of Maverny decided to take a break and leave Maverny and Chersea for a while. Eris volunteered to entertain their guests while he was gone, so she was left in Dupree Palace. As for Kuro himself, he took the train and crossed into Cherwind as soon as he could. A few days later, he was in the Black Tower at Malvette, where Ursura and the other officials of the Kingdom of Cherwind welcomed him, their king. Initially, he thought it was another instance of forcing himself to greet and talk to ‘guests’, but he was impressed that the Beastfolk lords and ladies could read his mood, and so they left him alone to enjoy himself.

Well, Kuro guessed there’s also that part of Ursura being intimidating. She would always make sure the other beastfolk would never ‘go past their limits’ whenever they are with their king. At these moments, he’s thankful for her presence, really.

“…”

Still, even when the Beastfolk and humans of Cherwind often minded their own businesses, Kuro would don a disguise whenever he went around in Malvette, or some place outside the capital region. This was to minimize people approaching him, since he was here for a break, anyway. The disguise also helped him (and Ursura) in determining the problems faced by the populace, be it a corrupt official, or a failed harvest, for the individuals the disguised king spoke to were honest with their words compared as to when they knew he was their monarch.

They think he’s some minor official sent by the Black Tower to look into their problems…

In any case, this time, Kuro thought of going around in Malvette, and dropping a visit to the famous ‘Royal Inn’. It was the first ‘hotel’ in all of Cherwind and beyond, and under the joint ownership of Madame Bellefort and her former ‘employee’, Lady Missy, their business operations expanded to Chersea, the Federal Republic to the north, and recently, in Cherwoods. The Royal Inn gained favorable reputation with many nobles, and rich commoners, that it became synonymous with the phrase ‘quality vacation’. Proof of it were conversations like,

“So, where are you going in Cherwind, Kuro?”

“I’m thinking of taking a break from all the fuss about my engagements.”

“Ah, so you’re taking a Royal Inn, huh? Have fun then!”

Haa…time flies too fast, Kuro reminisced. He could still remember when Madame Bellefort and Missy were with him, traveling in one of the Cherwinds’ dirt paths before the kingdom was founded. It felt like yesterday, though at the same time, he felt proud he was part of their success. Whenever Kuro looked into that towering building at the middle of the city square, he couldn’t help but say to himself ‘Hey, if not for our plan, Malvette would still be divided along racial lines’.

“…”

W-Well, there’s nothing wrong with being happy with what they achieved, right?

Any case, now that Kuro thought of it, did the Royal Inn got bigger compared to the last time he was here? If he remembered right, there was that towering building there; but now, there were two smaller ‘wings’ to each side! And, uh…did they build a small courtyard with a fountain to welcome their guests?

“Did you like what you see, milord?”

“!!!” The King of Cherwind nearly jumped in surprise when he heard a familiar voice speak to him from behind. Turning around, Kuro saw Missy, with a smile on her face and a wagging tail on her back. “I…I, uh, what do you…” he tried to confuse her that he was someone else, brought by his reflexes. But then, Kuro realized it was a futile effort…

“I can’t mistake your smell for someone else. From where I was earlier, I can tell it’s you,” the dog-lady replied. “After all, you’re dear to me, milord! But, don’t worry; Her Majesty the Queen Ursura told me that you’re taking a break, that’s why I won’t blow your disguise.”

“Ah…thanks,” was all that he could say. Though Kuro knew her personally, it was still kind of embarrassing to be caught.

Nevertheless, Missy didn’t mind that. She continued, “Dear customer, what you’re looking at right now is the newly-expanded Royal Inn of Malvette, Kingdom of Cherwind. Under the wise guidance of my teacher and benefactor, Madame Bellefort, we bought the old shops that formerly occupied the place. But don’t worry; we didn’t expel them. We just gave them a right to sell in our hotel, just like what the Lord Kuro of Maverny told us before.”

“Oh…so you took my—I mean, the Lord Kuro’s suggestions, huh?”

The dog-lady nodded. “It’s a successful idea. The lords and ladies loved the concept of shops inside the place they like to spend their vacations.”

Yes, it’s like the features of prime hotels and resorts in Kuro’s world. Good thing the nobles and rich commoners loved to spend their money on anything that was ‘trendy’, plus the economy was doing well, and so the idea worked.

“Would you like to have a room to stay?” Missy asked. “We always have a reservation for our distinguished guests!”

“Just a normal room is fine,” he told her. “And I’ll pay for my lodging; don’t give me any discount.”

The dog-lady then winked at the king and pulled his hand. “Let me show you the other improvements we made,” her grin reached both of her ears, as her tail wagged vigorously. Perhaps Missy’s been waiting for this moment to show-off the fruits of her (and Madame Bellefort’s) labor.

----------

When Kuro entered the Royal Inn, it’s like he went into another world. Far from the hustle and bustle of the streets of downtown Malvette, the hotel boasted gilded statues of beastmen heroes of old, and velvety carpets and curtains that adorned every floor and window as far as the king’s eyes could see. There were also new amenities that was enough to take everyone’s breath away. Well, Kuro had to calm himself for a bit, for he thought was being reminded of his old world. And an improvement from their previous setup, there were now several servants rushing around to take care of guests, with the Madame Bellefort and Missy relegated to a supervisory role.

As what the disguised king expected, nobles and rich commoners frequented the lobby, obviously larger than his last visit. There were receptionists from various races (humans, beastfolk, demons and elves) behind the main counter, which served also as the directory for the rooms and reservations. Missy explained that they opted to have each race represented, to be sensitive to their diverse clienteles’ needs.

Uniformed bellboys assisted the visitors, and elevators powered by steam engines were installed at some hallways. Kuro thought that the only thing that lacked for the Royal Inn to resemble a full, 5-star hotel in his world were the lamps powered by electricity.

“Electricity?” Missy asked him when she heard Kuro whisper. “What’s that, milord?”

“Ah, something that powers machines and devices in my world,” he replied. “Well, it can be produced via the steam engines we use here, but I don’t think we need electric lamps here. It rarely gets dark, and that stuff requires research. I, for one, don’t know how an electric generator works. I was not a science teacher, after all.” The king muttered the last part of his words to himself, though the dog-lady still picked it up because of her enhanced hearing.

“Huh? Sa…Sayans…?”

“It’s a subject in my world’s education system where it explains the laws of nature,” he explained, and added, “ah, the Royal Academy of Cherwind also teaches science, under the Directress, Lady Salis.”

“I see…” Missy fell silent; she seemed thinking of something.

Well, Kuro was aware that science was not that widespread and developed yet, as this world also ran in magic concepts and ideas. Moreover, the dog-lady had no formal educational background; she only learned to read and write through the Madame Bellefort’s guidance.

“Milord, we may not have electricity-powered lamps,” the dog-girl then revealed, “but we got magic-powered ones instead.”

“Hoh?” Kuro’s eyes nearly popped from its sockets when he heard that. “You mean, magic-powered flames, or candles?”

“No, it’s exactly as you say, milord,” Missy insisted. “Only without the electricity you’re talking about.”

What she said definitely piqued his interest. “Can I see that lamp you’re talking about?”

----------

Missy then led the disguised King of Cherwind to his room, which she specifically chose because it was close to one of their ‘elevated’ pools, located at topmost (fifth) floor of the right wing building of the Royal Inn. Kuro requested that she gave him a small one, since he preferred that his bed was in a tight space for that ‘home-y’ feeling.

Yep, even when the King is in his Dupree Palace, he always surrounds himself with books or folding screens. He’s not really comfortable in wide spaces the nobility often uses to sleep or work in.

Well, aside from that, the dog-lady showed Kuro the ‘magic-powered lamp’ she was telling him earlier. Much to his surprise, it was strangely similar to an incandescent bulb, particularly the shape of the glass. When he asked her how to use it, Missy directed his attention to a device hidden in one of the cabinet doors of the room.

“They call it the ‘mana bank’,” the dog-lady explained. “The guys at the Royal Academy said that it stores magic from humans, demons or elves, and converts it to power that makes this bulb glow.”

“Ah!” Kuro couldn’t help but blurt out. “This is a magic battery, then!”

“Battery? Is that how it’s called in your world, milord?” Missy chuckled. “Well, in any case, that’s how it’s used. And, because some of the rooms and halls are in the ‘hidden’ parts of the hotel, it’s helpful in illuminating the area. We just have to make sure it’s charged once the mana is depleted.”

“Ooh…this is a nice addition to your hotel,” was what Kuro said. However, deep inside, he was thinking of asking Salis about the ‘magic-powered lamp’. If the king remembered right, she was focused on developing her steam engines to make it more efficient and durable; the thought of inventing a light bulb was unlikely, since the people of Cherwind (as well as the other realms) were used to a land where the sun (or whatever light it was up there) never set.

But, before Kuro went to the serious stuff, he’d like to enjoy his break for now…

----------

***The Royal Academy of Cherwind…***

Egged by his curiosity about the ‘magic-powered’ light bulb, Kuro traced the origin of such an invention from his old world, and found himself staring at the grand, gilded façade of the Royal Academy. Led by the Directress, Lady Salis of the Owls, he wanted answers from the kingdom’s best scientists and inventors.

“…”

And of course, the owl-lady was not only pleasantly surprised by his sudden appearance, she was also excited to show Kuro her newest devices.

“Kuro, look!” the Directress proudly led to him to one of the academy’s storage rooms. “This was the newest version of the steam engine I’m making. This model runs on fewer amounts of water, perfect for places like Cherwoods, especially its desert interiors.”

“Hoh…” the duke, impressed by her work, completely forgot the reason he was there. “So, how do you operate this thing?”

“Well, first, you only need to put in a few pails of water, and wait for a few minutes until it reaches the boiling temperature,” Salis explained. “Then, once done, you’ll only have to pull this lever…”

The owl-girl did what she said, and the steam engine roared to life. Kuro, who stood near it, quipped, “The heat is also bearable for a human!”

“Yes,” Salis puffed her chest, “I made it so it won’t be torturous for those elves to operate a steam engine in such a scorching place. Now, they can have a continuous supply of water from the Gulf of Cherwoods.”

“Ah, yes, it’ll be helpful for their irrigation.”

“And, if they need it to operate a light bulb, then they just have to connect a ‘mana bank’ to charge it, then place a light bulb once it is fully-charged.”

The duke fell silent. He suddenly remembered why he was there. “Wait, a ‘mana bank’?” he asked. “Oh yeah, that’s the one I saw in the Royal Inn! You guys really made those, huh?”

The owl girl nodded. “We’re the ones who made that, from a suggestion of one of our students.”

“Oh?”

“Yep, he’s a halfling, really,” Salis continued. “His record says he’s a half-elf, quarter-human and dwarf.”

“I see…can I meet this guy?”

“I’d like to introduce him to you,” the owl girl paused for a bit. “However, he received a letter last time, summoning him back to his land, Equality.”

“Ah, so he lived there?”

“Yep,” Salis then fell silent once again for a few moments, as if she remembered something. “Hmm…now that we’re talking about him, I just realized it’s been a while since he was gone.”

“How long?”

“About nine months?” she replied. “Which is unusual. Tobias is always excited to come here, having heard about us before. He promised he’d be back after several weeks, but it’s already months!”

“Probably got some serious matters to attend to,” Kuro pointed out, before adding, “a halfling friend of mine told me that there’s a problem in Equality lately. So, his long disappearance must be related to that.”

“Well, I just hope he’s fine. The school year’s about to end, as well; if he misses out on our last test, he’ll have to stay back a year. It’s unfortunate, though. Tobias is one of our talented students.”

Kuro said nothing. He did encounter such ‘wasted talents’ in his stint as a teacher; bright, promising students would enroll for a school year, only to waste that chance because of unforeseen circumstances, like trouble at home, or loss of interest in studying. While it was something he didn’t wish to happen, it was a common occurrence…Salis would eventually had to get used to such ‘tragedies’.

In any case, at least his visit here solved his curiosity about that ‘magic-operated’ light bulb…

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**Kuro, a week later, the Dupree Palace…**

It felt like my ‘vacation’ in Cherwind was not enough. After all that travels around the beastman realm, once again, I found myself staring at the white ceiling of my private study, in Dupree Palace.

Ever since word got out that I proposed marriage to the saints—as well as the other ladies that became involved with me in my long adventuring days from Chersea to Cherwoods, there was a huge fanfare and talk among the peoples of the four races—humans, beastfolk, demons, and elves. Generally, the view was favorable, mainly because those races see me as some sort of a ‘living legend’, akin to the likes of my old student, Cassandra David. Maddie and the other ladies (and my male friends as well) did a great job spreading ‘heroic tales’ (I label it propaganda) about me. The Lady Hinwe’s manga series on all my adventures was a hit, and combined it to the noble titles, fiefs and accolades I received, it’s no rocket science the Cherseans would form a ‘larger-than-life’ figure of ‘Kuro of Arles’ worthy of standing among the holy saints of this world and of the others.

I asked Eris about a related issue before, “Are the saints supposed to not fall in love to anyone during their tenure?”

“Well, there are cases they did,” she explained. “After all, human saints are expected to reign until they die, so there are those who married their lovers. Those men kept a low profile, and in all of those, it is the men who married into the household of the saint. It’s one of the peculiarities of your situation, Kuro. The Lady Madelaine is the one who is willing to marry into your house, not the other way around.”

“Oh…?”

“You have to remember that all the Human Saints become influential and powerful once they are acclaimed. And that privilege usually extends to the noble house to which they belonged. That’s why you’re a ‘role model’ to the commoners; you gave them a sense of hope that they can cross the societal boundaries and become the legend that you are right now.”

“Makes sense to me…”

“As for the other saints…hmm, now that I think about it, the Lady Ruro of the Wolf admired the Lady Madelaine’s ancestor before, Sir Jimmy Nee. But I never heard her talk of any other lover, save for her current ‘master’, which is you. The Lady Hinwe, for her part, is only interested in you as well, because you’re the only man who captured her heart. Perhaps you can also ask her about the lives of the previous elf saints, if you’re interested in that matter.”

“Well, I guess it’s fine. Any case, the Lady Natasha is the first-ever demon saint, right?”

“Technically, she’s the second,” the duchess corrected me. “But she’s the first ‘officially acclaimed’ saint. The Lady Cassandra David is considered the first; you can ask the Lady Noir about this issue. But from what we know now is that the Lady Natasha Bellingsen is actually the reincarnated Lady Cassandra David in demon form. So, if you ask me, it’s like a continuation of her previous self’s reign.”

Yep, Eris’ explanations were logical. But then, it’s not really my immediate concern. While I do believe the holy ladies had the right to choose whom they’d love, the consequences of such affections directed to just one person (me) sure had its downsides. Now, everyone knew I was the ‘most blessed and favored’ man around, and those who seek to increase the fortunes of their respective houses would no doubt conspire behind me.

After all, they found a sure ‘line’ to connect to the saints. For them, I’m the messenger to the ‘demi-goddesses’ of these realms.

But those fuckers’ goals be damned, I won’t easily hand my ladies to anyone, though they may freely choose others if they lost their feelings for me. They’re the reason I wanted to get the god-powers and finish the Seductress for good.

“!!!”

God, the image of Seirna being all red and shy suddenly crossed my mind. What the heck was that? I mean, I’d been thinking of ways to her to pass her god-powers without the ‘kiss’, but Gaius said it’s impossible. And the very thought of Seirna getting all chummy and romantic towards me was just…unthinkable. I can only shiver in fear imagining it.

“For some reason, I can’t help but think you’re blaspheming me…though I also don’t want to get ‘chummy’ and ‘romantic’ with you.”

I almost jumped from my seat when Seirna suddenly appeared, floating above me in my private study. I immediately asked her, “How long have you been looking into my mind?”

“Ever since you thought of that time when the Lord Gaius told you it’s impossible for me to pass the god-powers to you, other than the ‘kiss’.”

My heart almost stopped in embarrassment when I heard her say those. But Seirna quickly relieved my fears when she continued with, “It’s alright. I’ve long accepted that the Lord Gaius wants you as his successor.”

“Oh…”

“It’s quite painful and annoying at first, but well, I have to admit, otherworlder…” she sighed. “You’ve proven yourself repeatedly.”

Hearing her praises for me sounded so awkward; I found myself speechless.

“Of course, the Lord Gaius will be the best for me always,” Her Holiness reiterated. “You come in a far second.”

“Tis fine,” I replied with a chuckle. It’s not like I was aiming to be her ‘number 1’, nor I desire to be in her ranking as well.

“Why do you have to be my ‘number 1’?” she countered, causing me to check on the talisman she gave me before.

“It won’t work on me,” Seirna confirmed. “I’m the one who created those, so I know how to counter its effects.”

“Alright,” I put the useless talisman back inside my pocket. “Well, as for the ‘number 1’ thing, it’s connected to my desire to become a…well, you know…a god.”

“Heh, you finally found your reason to be a god,” she clapped her hands. “And the Lord Gaius led you to believe that the only way to do that—pass the god-powers—is for the saints to trust and ‘kiss’ you. For short, we should fall in-love with you first?”

I could only squirm in silence as Seirna recounted to me the events that convinced me to attain godhood. However, amidst those words, a question came up in my mind: Wait, is there another way to transfer the god-powers without the romance?

“There is,” the Overseer Saint replied. “Or, ‘there are’. First, you can ‘devour’ the wielder, and it’s impossible for a mortal like you, let alone kill that wielder so you can ‘eat’ it. Second, you may force it out, though, again, it’s impossible for you. It requires magic, after all…some spell that can’t be uttered by mortal lips. And third, uh…well, let’s just say you shouldn’t limit it to just ‘kissing’. Any intimate act borne out of trust is enough to pass the god-powers to you.”

“So, when you say ‘intimate acts’, you mean…?”

Seirna just nodded. I knew from her expression alone she didn’t want me to continue what I had in mind. Well, I guess we could both agree that it’s unlikely for us to reach that level of relationship. However, another question rose in my mind…

“Ahem…if you’re going to ask why the Lord Gaius—under the influence of the Seductress—didn’t become a god when he killed you before, the answers are…first, the god-powers you held back then are incomplete. Second, those god-powers did pass to him, though as an unwilling person, the god-powers he took was of negligible effect. After all, the High King of the Gods designed its passing as something to be enjoyed, not forced.”

“Oh…”

“Isn’t that why, even as the Lord Gaius has become mortal, he survived for that long inside that cold, dead world? And to think that you shot him in the head, too, remember?”

“Ack! So that explains things!”

“Well, in any case,” Seirna finally stopped floating and sat on the table before me. “I’m actually here to discuss your efforts to godhood.”

“What, should I stop it?”

“I know you’re joking,” Seirna had a sarcastic grin on her lips. “But I don’t intend to prevent what the heavens already decreed.”

“Huh?”

“See, all indicators are leading to that, your eventual ascension to being a deity. If the High King isn’t in favor of it, then He would’ve put you down long before the idea has taken root in your mind,” the Overseer Saint pointed to my forehead, and smiled. “Besides, you’ve already seen your ‘god’ self, which means you’re meant to become a god. Who am I—a lowly saint—to stop that?”

“Look into my heart. I intend to step down once I destroyed the Seductress,” I reiterated. “While I admit the idea of wielding the power to control everything is something I find ‘nice’, I’m afraid I would be consumed by it.”

Seirna’s smile on her lips vanished when she heard my statement. I thought she was angry, as she suddenly grabbed the collar of my clothes. But, she said, “Now, I can see why everyone—including the High King of the Gods—trusts you. I don’t know with you, but the mere thought of being aware of your limitations is something worthy of the god-powers.”

“I’m digging my own grave, no?”

She nodded, with an amused face.

“It’s a pain in the ass, though!” Like, man, listening to simultaneous prayers and weighing on the consequences of what you’d allow and forbid…it’s a lot of work!

The Overseer Saint burst out laughing, “First time I heard someone say the god-powers are a ‘pain in the ass’!”

I’m speaking the truth, though! I thought you’re looking into my heart?

“Yes, yes…that’s why I’m laughing! You’re really saying what you mean!” she wiped the tears in her eyes, as she was about to cry from laughing. “Anyway, I still have some grudge on you, since you ‘usurped’ the Lord Gaius’ throne. So, to spite you, I’ll help you become a god—like it or not—because you hate that idea!”