When did he begin to see life in a much calmer way?
Damian believed that everything should be taken more slowly after having lived for five hundred years; now his perception of time is different from that of humans, resembling that of elves.
He understood the elves' perspective on the passage of years; everything was much slower, leading many to believe it was the best way.
Human life is short.
So short that Damian had buried ten generations of generals, subordinates from the chamber of commerce, and many more. He wasn't enthusiastic about seeing how his soldiers, in whom he invested resources, died over the years.
Everything was asleep.
Parents, children, and, at some point, grandchildren—all of them had been laid to rest after a hundred years. Damian had a few elves under his command; they were in special positions where their great qualities shone over the years.
"Frieren, what will become of our lives in another five hundred years?" Damian asked a very human question that everyone has asked at some point in their lives.
What would the future be like?
In an apple tree forest, Frieren extended her hand and said, "No matter how many years pass, we will live hundreds of centuries before feeling death ever closer to us."
"You are as direct as ever." Damian murmured with a smile.
The world had changed completely; there was no war, and technological evolution was ever-growing. Damian would ensure that all this remained balanced, to the point that magic would not be overshadowed by technology.
As they spoke, the sunset was growing darker, and the night was slowly falling.
For a long time, everyone in the world had been fighting for what was right; now there had come a time of peace that made humans weaker and led them to commit foolishness that was punished by more than death.
For all the achievements of the world to be beneficial, they must not fall into the feelings of ambition, ambiguity, and pleasure. Those who seek those sensations without effort will not serve the new empire.
"Should we return later?"
"Travel for a hundred years after our last child learns what is necessary."
"Will you take another disciple?"
"I don't know..."
Damian smiled. He would never forget anyone and would always keep in mind the benefits of this victory. He still needed to be strong to bury the children of all his subordinates and train the new generations to advance further in science, technology, and magic.