Kojo lay in the grass completely warm out.
" I'm really not cut out for this." He said with a sigh. One of the female centaurs with a white mane knelt down and presented him with a glass of water on a tray.
" Thank you Rose." He said sitting up and taking the drink. It tasted sweet and thought it looked like ordinary water it gave off a slightly yellow hue and sparkles in the sunlight.
" I hope it is to your liking,my Lord." She said.
" What is it?" Kojo asked.
" It's cider made from gold apples. They are one of the rare species of tree we brought with us when we relocated here." Rose answered.
" I see. It's very tasty. Thank you." Kojo smiled at her.
She blushed and rose to her feet. Kojo got to his feet and looked at the crowd. He was exhausted because he had to take time naming them. In this world names are everything and can be a brand of allegiance to a higher power depending on the circumstances. In this case , they had all agreed to serve Kojo as their master and that had caused a remarkable change due to the bond that had been created between them Some would call this change, others, Evolution. Many of them had climbed one step higher up the evolutionary ladder. Kojo's arcana was that vast ,enough to trigger this change. They also received gifts. When servants are given names they also receive gifts from their master which they are to cultivate and hone in order to be of better use to their life. In this case,all the traits that Kojo had gotten from his months of slaying beats that had accumulated into abilities like his Barrier Creation had been broken down into sub skills which they could then cultivate and improve through their own hard work. Sysia was the one who was in charge of this process and distributed it among them such that each individual had a unique ability of their own. Even if two people got the same ability,they would vary in terms of output or application. This, coupled with the act of bestowing named a country's worth of people heavily drained Kojo. He was also able to store their names in his database so he wouldn't forget.
For the Centaurs,who numbered 2230, he named their leader,the one who confronted him,Chiron after the character from Greek mythology,hoping he'd emulate his wise and demure character and Rose the one who served him the cider was his wife.
For the Minotaurs who numbered 2450, their leader was named Ovid.
Gnomes who had evolved to look like little children with pointed ears numbered at 3211, their leader was named Heinz , Merfolk,who had gotten the ability to now walk on kamd as long as they kept hydrated were a total of 2699 and led by Proxima.
The Harpies numbered a total of 2456 and led by Altair.
The Lizardmen number 3500 were led by Gabi
Orcs totalling 4500 led by Bern.
Gorgons totaled 2440 led by the three sisters he named,Kalori, Euna and Gwen.
Shaperlings,the massive scorpion-like creatures he'd fought had now shrunk and taken humanoid form although their stingers still remained numbered 2000 and were led by Eduar.
They totalled 65,486. That wasn't nearly enough. Even with the people who were already in Ekron and its surroundings it would take quite some time and quite some effort if things would work well.
That was a big if. Kojo had been invited to the living spaces of the people in the tower. While so he was also having a conversation with the trio of Philip,Jack and Glenn back at Ekron through the use of Astral Projection. His body was moving on autopilot but his mind was busily trying to convince the three elders of his plan. Mord and Mal were also present and listened intently from their positions behind the Duke.
" I see what you're trying to do but that's truly a Herculean feat." Duke Philip said.
" I knew you'd come up with something crazy but this is balls level of crazy." He said with a laugh.
" But seriously though,how are you even here?" He asked.
" Well technically I'm not." Kojo answered." It's a little hard to explain."
" So your plan is to bring in the races that were living in the tower to Ekron. " Jack said rubbing his chin.
" I see where you're coming from. Theres enough space to accommodate them and enough resources to go around. Even the beats would serve as nourishment to a carnivorous race such as the Sharplings."
" I know right." Kojo said but Jack cut him off.
" Believing that things will just keep getting better once they get here is a shallow minded way of thinking."
" Even if we agreed we must consider various factors. Why were they put in the Tower in the first place. Was it because they posed a danger or were in danger. If they posed a danger then that could put our people at risk. If they were in danger then it's even more so because people who are after them will mow us down just to get to them." Glenn pointed out.
" And even if we set that aside what about the people? How are they going to feel when suddenly different races begin to walk among them." Mord said.
" Kojo it's a good thing your trying to do but remember our people also matter. Opal is living on the edge because of the high concentration of beast due to the Mystium deposits. The reason most of them are still here is either because they are too scared to travel or have nowhere else to go. If these races come here it will only bring animosity to those who have had an encounter or lost someone to a beast." Mal added to what his brother had said.
Kojo sat for a while and began to contemplate. Then he spoke up.
" Let them leave."
" Huh?" The others said together.
" I said let them leave. If they feel intimidated or whatever stupid reason and want to leave them let them. Well build a better place without them. Ever since I came here this place has been stagnant. The only big break you guys got was during the tournament and even that left more of a negative impact. I know about what's going on. The unrest from the threat of Decorum. The strain of being a border city with the Adonis Empire. And do you know what I think ? Fuck all that!
We can take the risk and make this place a fortress with the increased number of fighters capable of warding of any invaders or attackers. We can cut down on the beast population and make use of the fertile lands this place has to offer. With a race like the gnomes, excavation of Mystium from the underground depositories won't be an issue then there are the plant species that were kept in the tower from longa ago and are constantly extinct. We could make so much profit if we took the risk instead of worrying about people. If they wanna go let them. You'll see them running back here when we start to shine like the jewel we are. And if you lack the balls to go ahead with it then I will. I've already told the king about this and will take full responsibility." Kojo said.
The room was silent.
" Well if you put it like that then,I guess it's worth a shot." Jack said with resignation knowing that once Kojo had made up his mind he wasn't going to back down.
" If things get wrong you'd better be prepared to shoulder responsibility on your own." Glenn said folding his arms.
" I knew u could trust in you guys."
" That's my boy. " Duke Phillip said cheerful with a loud laugh.
" Don't encourage him Philip." Glenn said with a glare.
" Honestly." Jack added while rubbing his temple. Mord and Mal smiled at each other.
" So when should we be expecting them?" Jack asked.
" Well I didn't really consider the impact it would have in the people."
" Huh. You mean you didn't think this through and came this far on a whim?" Jack asked.
" Kinda." Kojo answered, running his hand through his hair and chucking nervously. Jack was prepared to strangle him.
" Ok how about we give them a weeks notice about the changes we want to make?" Kojo suggested. "Well also Include that all who are not in surport of this can feel free to leave. That way we can get rid of anyone who'll try to cause any trouble and release those who want to leave but feel bound to this land."
" People who decide to stay as well as those who feel bound can still cause trouble." Mal pointed out.
" But still ,it would be more convenient if we gave them options." Mal shrugged.
"Ok. If that's all then I'll leave the rest to you." Kojo said getting up.
" So how are you going to get back to the Capitol?" Glenn asked.
Kojo just smiled and flashed him the peace sign before vanishing startling the group.
" Well I'll be damned." Duke Philip said.