After several days, Noir and I returned to my village, armed with the information I needed from Urthur. The transformation was astounding—my village had grown significantly and embraced modernization. A river now flowed through the heart of the village, providing a clean water source. Eto, with apparent ease, had redirected water from the lake to the village.
The buildings had undergone a makeover, painted and constructed with smooth bricks. My personal house stood proudly with two stories, adorned in blue and white bricks, topped with a triangular white smooth stone roof. As I greeted the villagers and workers, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in the progress.
Entering my house, the interior was equally impressive. The floor boasted a light brown wood, and the furniture had evolved. Chairs, paintings, tables, sofas, and other modern amenities filled the space. The second floor housed my bedroom and kitchen, the latter featuring white counters and a surprising addition—a refrigerator. I marveled at the advancements, realizing we even had switches to control the lights.
The village had truly blossomed, and I couldn't be happier with the collective effort to turn it into a thriving and modernized community.
As I stepped outside my home, the joy of witnessing the village's growth enveloped me. The village had expanded threefold in size, now hosting a population of around 300 villagers, not including the workers. Bursting with happiness, I decided to gather everyone in the heart of the village to share a few words.
Ascending into the sky, I positioned myself just above the crowd, ensuring everyone could see and hear me. I commenced my speech, expressing gratitude to the diligent workers and builders who had played a crucial role in the village's transformation. Acknowledging their efforts, I announced Eto Tratarossa as the personal protector of the village, responsible for ensuring the security and safety of all inhabitants. His role extended beyond protection, encompassing assistance in construction and various other tasks.
"Noir Tratarossa will be my personal assistant," I continued, "She will accompany me everywhere I go. For Gulaino, he is the chief of this village when I am not around. Everyone will have to do as he says. Now, I will make sure this village will be recognized as a Kingdom one day. As for now, I will focus on making it a recognized city. So everyone, every adventure, every person, every good beast, EVERYONE will be accepted here. I will not tolerate someone to be looked down upon, everyone in this village will be treating everyone good no matter what!"
The applause and praise that followed my speech resonated in the air as I descended to join the festivities. Nightfall brought a sense of camaraderie, and as I walked into my house, Eto and Noir were engaged in a cooking competition for my dinner. Their banter and rivalry were palpable, with Eto saying, "You little bitch, I will make sure to crush you in this competition." Noir responded "Haha! You think you will beat your older sister, you dumb fuck?"
"Eto, Your food is Poisoned," I gulped, conveying the unexpected revelation. Eto's face mirrored disappointment, while Noir found amusement in the unexpected turn of events. The culinary competition had unwittingly unveiled more than just cooking skills, revealing a mixture of rivalry and camaraderie.
The next day marked the beginning of a new adventure, one more challenging than before. Eto had informed me that to become a recognized city, I needed the approval of two kingdom's Kings. My journey started with Noir at my side, venturing towards the Kingdom of Kislot, the largest and presumably the most advanced among the five kingdoms.
As we traversed the woods near Kislot, a peculiar sensation gripped me. A presence approached. Alerting Noir, we readied our weapons—my scythe and her axe. The nearing figure emanated a powerful mana, reminiscent of Eto's own energy. Fear crept in, and I urgently shared my realization with Noir. "But this can't be....." I said in fear. "THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF MANA AS ETO!"
Suddenly, a voice echoed, freezing us in our tracks. "You're not allowed to move until I say otherwise." The person revealed himself with bright yellow eyes, a calm expression, and a towering stature. Shirtless, donning baggy white pants and shoes, he stood at 6'3" with a well-shaped body. As he approached, he asked, "Why are you in my territory? And why is your aura so menacing?"
Stammering, I replied, "I am here to talk to the king of Kislot. I want to gain its recognition for my village to become a recognized city." The man standing before us said, "I am Ixion Mercia, The 2nd Demon Lord and the King of Kislot."
The encounter with Ixion Mercia, a formidable figure with a dual role, left us standing in awe, unsure of the reception we'd receive in the kingdom's quest for recognition.
Ixion's stern exterior softened as he apologized for the abrupt encounter, citing the heightened tensions he faced. Relief washed over me as he invited us to discuss my request. Together, we entered the Kingdom of Kislot.
"Welcome to my Kingdom of Kislot," Ixion greeted us formally. With a snap of his fingers, we found ourselves in an elegant cabinet—red walls, black furniture, gold accents, and a throne-like chair for Ixion. Two other chairs stood before the desk, where we were invited to sit.
Ixion began the conversation, "What would you do if I legally recognize your village as a city?" I expressed my vision for the village—to create a kingdom where everyone could live freely, without fear or discrimination. Ixion, intrigued, smiled and assured his support.
"You won't have to worry anymore, Tatsuya. The Kingdom of Kislot gives you permission to become a city. We'll provide all the support you need," Ixion declared. With a snap, a paper materialized, and he signed it. Handing it to me, he stated, "Here you go, Tatsuya. You have my approval. I'll personally speak to the King of Hyogan, a good friend of mine, for his approval as well."
Joy radiated through me, and I profusely thanked him. Ixion revealed our imminent departure, arranging with the King of Hyogan. I inquired about the use of "we." Ixion clarified, "Indeed. You'll stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we leave to attend to this matter as fast as possible."
As details unfolded, the air was filled with anticipation and newfound possibilities for my village's future.
Exiting Ixion's elegant cabinet, we were greeted by a lady assigned as our escort. Tasked by Ixion, she offered to assist us in exploring the kingdom. Grateful, I expressed my desire to wander around, and she assured me of her constant presence.
As we strolled through Kislot, marveling at its modern infrastructure, malls, shops, and guilds, inspiration blossomed. The kingdom exuded progress and prosperity, a stark contrast to the medieval setting of my own village. A visit to a clothing shop in a mall revealed a world resembling my old one, complete with modern attire for various occasions.
Exploring the vast kingdom, encompassing malls, shops, and stunning architecture, consumed eight hours, and we hadn't covered even 5% of it. As night descended, our escort guided us to Ixion's castle, where a lavish room awaited us. Adorned with paintings, expensive furniture, and a desk of black wood and gold, the room reflected the grandeur of Kislot.
The next day, Ixion materialized in our room, announcing our departure for Hyogan. We hastily readied ourselves, and with a snap of his fingers, we stood before the familiar kingdom. Guards welcomed us, granting access to the King of Hyogan's castle.
Approaching us, the elderly King Kyron O'Gallagher introduced himself. Around 50 years old, with brown hair and beard, he extended a warm welcome. The encounter marked the beginning of our diplomatic journey in Hyogan.