Chapter 17 - Making Connections

After hours of walking through the desolate wilderness, Siverra finally reached a small town that seemed to be on the brink of collapse. The town was surrounded by barren, lifeless land, and the buildings appeared to be weathered and dilapidated, with cracks running through their walls and roofs. Siverra's keen senses were on high alert, as he cautiously entered the town, wary of any potential threats.

The townsfolk appeared to be a pitiful sight, as if they were all on the verge of death. They had sunken eyes, pallid skin, and an overall emaciated appearance. Siverra couldn't help but wonder what could have caused such a calamity to befall these poor people.

As he approached the town center, he was greeted by an old man, who tugged on Siverra's black robe with gold lining, a garment that gave him an air of danger and power. The old man was evidently in dire need of assistance, and he pleaded with Siverra for help.

"Sir.. can you help us? You look very powerful," the old man said, his voice trembling with fear and desperation.

Siverra regarded the old man with a piercing gaze, sizing him up before responding in a monotone voice. "I'll help you.. on one condition."

The old man's expression turned to one of trepidation, and Siverra couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. Perhaps he was being too harsh, but he needed to be certain that these people could handle what he had in store for them.

"I'd like.. you people to test a theory of mine. If I told you that I could temporarily house you.. As well as allow you to gain strength.. would you accept?" Siverra asked with a sly grin, knowing full well that he had piqued the old man's curiosity.

With a bright gleam in his eyes, Siverra turned towards the old man and spoke in a calm, steady voice, "Y-yes. That's everything we would need! We would graciously accept my young savior!" The man was taken aback by Siverra's gracious response, his eyes widening with surprise.

Siverra then did something that shocked the man, something that made him doubt his own senses. He opened a portal to some sort of dimension, and it came from thin air! The old man couldn't believe what he was seeing, and neither could the other villagers who had gathered around them.

The villagers were all amazed by Siverra's incredible power, and they stared in awe as he handed each of them a book containing the best skills to cultivate. It was a gesture of generosity and kindness that they had never expected from a stranger.

As they entered the portal one by one, Siverra was extremely excited. He could feel the dormant mana in their bodies, just waiting to be awakened. Living in this mana-abundant air had made their bodies stronger, but they needed a little push to reach their full potential.

Siverra had finally found what he had been looking for, a starting point for his forces. He knew that he needed more than just himself to complete what he wanted to, he needed backing as well as power. He planned to become a god, and he would do whatever it took to achieve his goal.

As he watched the villagers disappear into his dimension, Siverra couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. "It's slowly coming together," he thought to himself. "I'll also be sure to assist the God of Order. Having a God's favor when I'm trying to become one seems pretty important. I will set my base of operations up at this village."

As Siverra looked around, the silence of the village was palpable. It was almost as if the village had been cut off from the rest of the kingdoms, as if it was a world of its own. Siverra's sharp mind, however, was already working on how to transform the village and make it a thriving hub of activity.

With a wave of his hand, Siverra began to use his vast array of magical abilities. The buildings in the village began to move around like pieces on a chessboard, as if they were mere toys in the hands of a master builder. Resources seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and Siverra set to work creating walls and fortifications that would make the village impregnable.

As the transformation progressed, the village began to take on a new form. No longer was it a collection of ramshackle buildings that barely held together. Instead, it now looked like a mighty fortress, the walls and outer defenses made of solid stone and iron. The interior of the buildings was no less impressive, with floors made of marble and other materials of the highest quality.

Siverra worked tirelessly, expanding the base and making room for further growth. This was to be the cornerstone of his new kingdom, the place where his ambitions would take shape.

But a fortress was nothing without inhabitants to defend it. Siverra knew that he needed followers, individuals who shared his vision and would be willing to fight for it. He opened up his pocket dimension and let loose his Crocoplant, his first follower and, he hoped, his fiercest.

Siverra smiled as he watched the creature move around, already planning on how he could make it even greater. It would be a protector of his kingdom, a force to be reckoned with.

But one follower was not enough. Siverra knew that he needed more connections, more allies. He needed to make himself known, to present himself as a figure of grandeur and power. Only then would he be able to attract the followers he needed to make his dreams a reality.

He felt a deep desire for more majestic clothing that would reflect his elevated status and showcase his wealth and strength. In order to achieve his goals, he knew he needed to amass a significant amount of money and build an army. Fortunately, he had a clear idea of how to get started.