The totem, which consisted of an indistinguishable, formless, and poorly shaped figure, slipped from his feeble hands to sink firmly into the ground. Dust and soil gathered on its surface, where leaves danced in a symphony of colors.
Gold, purple, and black now adorned the previously mundane plains. A vortex of colors formed, and a marble column three meters high rose where the totem had been placed.
With a whistle of unknown origin and the cawing of birds, a new structure materialized out of nowhere. It wasn't of imposing architecture nor elaborately designed, but it could easily accommodate a large family.
This was the famed town hall, something he knew from his induced memories. It would be the future center of his city, and also his dwelling. Over time, it would evolve in line with the growth of his territory.
But the spectacle wasn't over. Two large irregular frames rose, resembling city gates but leading to no apparent destination or exit. A purely extraordinary object, he recalled.
It was truly a celestial gate, transcending the bounds of real science—something fit only for fairy tales or magical novels.
His chest still heaved erratically from the promised effect. For it acted as a gate connecting to an unknown destination, capable of attracting anyone who would ultimately become a subject of his kingdom.
It was magical and seemingly impossible, but his doubts had long since been eradicated, ruthlessly uprooted. Today, not even the presence of a supposed god could surprise him.
Finally, as the extraordinary dissipated, a translucent golden dome rose, marking the boundaries of his current territory, covering an area of 20,000 square meters. It also served as a protective method—the Pollus Crystallization, another marvel of fantastic prowess. Aligned with the sun, it promised an initial period of protection for the lord.
During the day, it absorbed the purest crystallized energy from the solar star, materializing at night to ward off both intruders and vermin.
With the spectacle concluded, it was time to summon his next citizens. He approached the celestial gate near the town hall, its magnificence still evident.
With intricate manual carvings along its body, it bore a subtle sense of erosion that enhanced its regality. It exuded an imposing presence and carried an invaluable architectural charm.
Although the steps to follow replayed continuously in his mind, he could not conceive of a mechanism to make it possible. With one hand over his heart and a long sigh, he proclaimed:
"Come to me, loyal subjects! I, your lord, call upon you from these barren lands without salvation, to defy nature in accordance with divine principles!" he shouted boldly.
It wasn't necessary in the slightest to make a speech or utter any phrase for the summoning—merely the desire to use the sole daily opportunity sufficed. But the moment overwhelmed him, recalling novels and classic texts from his previous world.
For a moment, he felt a small flicker of euphoria, like the spark of a lighter, lingering deep within his spirit. The memories, the sensations long forgotten, and those he preferred to conceal came flooding back.
It was bittersweet, but the blinding flash that followed didn't allow him to dwell further. Like a stone sinking into the sea, resigning despite its hardness, a portal with vibrant colors opened where vast natural landscapes had stretched moments ago.
A transparent door with an enigmatic golden opaqueness, resembling a malleable substance. He had only to wait a second before a foot extended beyond its limits. Slowly, more people emerged until they totaled fourteen.
That was the daily summoning limit for a mere Iron Landlord, who had to live frugally and humbly. Naturally, with rank ascension, the benefits would increase as a consequence.
To achieve that, he needed to gather resources and meet various requirements, which also demanded the disciplined performance of his citizens. At this moment, they judged him from their position. Fleeting emotions flickered in their eyes: doubt, anxiety, fear, and even dread.
In a supplicant posture, they observed him and their future territory. Their faint hopes momentarily fractured by the desolate appearance. It wasn't due to infertile or barren land but rather the constructions that resembled the ruins of an ancient settlement.
"Forgive my insolence... Are you, perhaps, our promised lord?" one of them asked, doubt evident in his tone. He carefully chose his words, trying not to offend.
To this, he could only manage a faint smile. He saw their social and mental states at a glance but also perceived the hidden spirit in these apparent societal invalids.
They were poor, life's ingrates. The evident filth on some revealed their precarious ways of living. But beneath all that wear and tear, the defiance characteristic of the living still remained.
"Calm yourselves; I understand your positions. It is not against me that you must bare your chests, but your backs. For from this day forth, yes, I am your sworn and legitimate lord."
Suddenly and spontaneously, he felt as if the dramatic spirit of the movies had possessed him. His mental state aligned with the ancient classics, assuming a role of responsibility for those now under his wing.
With his confirmation, the elderly man, apparently crippled, who had asked, knelt on one knee, adopting a servile expression. With this example set, the others quickly followed suit, humbly acknowledging his sovereignty.
They weren't loyal, nor powerful. They didn't know the personality of their new master—he could be kind or vengeful, forgiving or merciless. But their first and foremost objective was to earn the favor of this stranger so their lives would not be in peril.
"Please, there's no need. Currently, we all depend on one another. As you can see, there are no shelters built, nor weapons to defend ourselves. Only the future will reveal whether I am worthy of your will," Alexander resolutely stated, rejecting humiliation and adulation alike.
He didn't have the strength or experience to harbor such elusive desires. He had yet to uncover the greatness of the world he now inhabited, let alone find it in personal satisfaction.
Hearing his words, a more refined elderly man took the lead on behalf of his companions.
"Thank you for your mercy, my lord. But… did you say there are no shelters? Forgive me, but judging by the sun's position, dusk is not far, and the night is perilous. Especially in these days, where even the appearance of Genies is not uncommon… I fear that," the old man said, biting his tongue nervously.
His words seemingly affected his peers as well, who shared his experience.
But the most affected was Alexander himself. The fear and unresolved hatred that lingered like a bodiless soul in the elder's eyes struck a chord within him. It was a relatively chilling sight, like a ghostly apparition.
Yet he decided to keep his thoughts to himself initially, avoiding spreading fear among his few citizens. His priority was to organize and stabilize the divided group, not to incite a crisis.
"Naturally, I understand," Alexander replied, "but do not fear, for we are fortunately protected by divine grace. Furthermore, I have been blessed with knowledge of various planes that require only basic resources for construction. And before the sun sets and the world plunges into darkness, we should have ample time."
"Who will build the shelters, though?" asked one of the summoned, braver than the others.
"Those who brought you here," Alexander stated simply, his words silencing all murmurs.
With this declaration, the group immediately set to work gathering wood, stone, and sand. Of the fourteen, seven individuals lacked a certified trade, five were farmers, one was an academic, and the last a lumberjack.
Even more intriguing was Alexander's ability to observe some of their states through magical means, as they were now his subjects.
[Name: Kan]
Identity: Villager of the Desolate Barren Lands, an adept in astronomy and calligraphy.
Lifespan: 71/105 years.
Occupation: Academic, Iron rank.
Loyalty: 55/100.
[Name: Ivan]
Identity: Villager of the Desolate Barren Lands, a man skilled in woodcutting.
Lifespan: 39/90 years.
Occupation: Woodcutter.
Loyalty: 57/100.
The group divided into three teams, each assigned to one of the materials. Four individuals joined the woodcutter, five searched for stone, and the remaining five collected sand. Remarkably, even discarded or scattered materials could be magically recognized and utilized as resources.
But this wasn't Alexander's primary concern. Once the groups were divided, he intercepted the academic, Kan—the elder who had warned him about the Genies.
Kan had come from a humble background. His family had spent their generational savings on his education. Working both in the fields and in academia, he was a man of resilience and character.
"Earlier, you mentioned that the night is perilous and that Genies might appear," Alexander began humbly. "But where I come from, a starry night is a phenomenon worthy of admiration, and Genies are creatures confined to lamps. Can you enlighten me?"
Kan's response was a simple, profound gaze, followed by a faint nod. "I suppose you are not from around here. If the night were merely the jaws of a wolf—dark and reeking of decay—it might be the spectacle you describe. But no. When the last ray of dawn's sun vanishes and the orb hides beyond the horizon, chaos unfurls.
"The hordes of the lost, unbound from their earthly shackles, wreak havoc in the sky, land, and sea. Yet the worst are the Genies—horrific creatures wielding divine power."
Kan's voice faltered momentarily, his tone growing somber. "My homeland, as well as that of my great-grandparents, burned for seven days and was destroyed by a red-maned Genie. It danced amidst the chaos, unleashing death without honor," he concluded bitterly, his words laced with anguish.
Alexander listened intently, the elder's account chilling him to the core. The fear and hatred in Kan's eyes spoke volumes, like haunting echoes of a tragic past.
Still, Alexander chose to set his thoughts aside for now. He needed to stabilize his fragile community, not deepen their fear.
"Thank you for sharing this with me, Kan," Alexander finally said. "We will take your warning seriously. But for now, let's focus on constructing our shelters and preparing for the night. Your guidance will be invaluable in keeping everyone safe."
Kan nodded solemnly, his demeanor softening.
As dusk approached, the groups returned with the gathered materials. With Alexander's oversight and some divine intervention, the construction of basic shelters commenced. These rudimentary homes would provide a safe haven for the group during the treacherous nights ahead.
For now, Alexander's fledgling community had taken its first steps toward survival. The challenges of this strange, perilous world loomed ahead, but with determination and leadership, they would face them together.