***The city of Malvette, capital of the Kingdom of Cherwind…***
After the newspapers picked up the story of his marriage proposals, his life had never known silence again. Royals and the nobility would often drop by the duke’s estate for visits, some were sincerely happy with the recent event, and many were trying to get his favor for their own interests. Commoners would also flock to Maverny, sending him gifts and well wishes. Of course, Kuro didn’t want to send them off with nothing in return, so he always ensured to meet with them whenever he had the chance. Although, even with such a joyous occasion, Kuro could feel he was being exhausted like a candle…
So, the Duke of Maverny decided to take a break and leave Maverny and Chersea for a while. Eris volunteered to entertain their guests while he was gone, leaving her in Dupree Pace. As for Kuro himself, he took the train and crossed into Cherwind as soon as possible. A few days ter, he was in the Bck Tower at Malvette, where Ursura and the other officials of the Kingdom of Cherwind welcomed him, their king. Initially, he thought it was another instance of forcing himself to greet and talk to ‘guests,’ but he was impressed that the Beastfolk lords and dies could read his mood, so they left him alone to enjoy himself.
Well, Kuro guessed there’s also that part of Ursura being intimidating. She always ensured the other beastfolk would never ‘go past their limits’ whenever they were with their king. At these moments, he’s thankful for her presence, really.
“…”
Still, even when the Beastfolk and humans of Cherwind often minded their own businesses, Kuro would don a disguise whenever he went around in Malvette or somepce outside the capital region. This was to minimize people approaching him since he was here for a break, anyway. The disguise also helped him (and Ursura) determine the problems the popuce faced, be it a corrupt official or a failed harvest, for the individuals the disguised king spoke to were honest with their words compared to when they knew he was their monarch.
They think he’s some minor official sent by the Bck Tower to look into their problems…
In any case, this time, Kuro thought of going around in Malvette and visiting the famous ‘Royal Inn.’ It was the first ‘hotel’ in all of Cherwind and beyond, and under the joint ownership of Madame Bellefort and her former ‘employee,’ Lady Missy, their business operations expanded to Chersea, the Federal Republic to the north, and recently, in Cherwoods. The Royal Inn gained a favorable reputation with many nobles and rich commoners, and it became synonymous with the phrase ‘quality vacation.’ Proof of it was conversations like,
“So, where are you going in Cherwind, Kuro?”
“I’m thinking of taking a break from all the fuss about my engagements.”
“Ah, so you’re taking a Royal Inn, huh? Have fun then!”
Haa…time flies too fast, Kuro reminisced. He could still remember when Madame Bellefort and Missy were with him, traveling in one of the Cherwinds’ dirt paths before the kingdom was founded. It felt like yesterday, though at the same time, he felt proud he was part of their success. Whenever Kuro looked into that towering building in the middle of the city square, he couldn’t help but say, ‘Hey, if not for our pn, Malvette would still be divided along racial lines.’
“…”
W-Well, there’s nothing wrong with being happy with their achievements, right?
In any case, now that Kuro thought of it, did the Royal Inn get bigger compared to the st time he was here? If he remembered right, that towering building was there; now, there were two smaller ‘wings’ to each side! And, uh…did they build a small courtyard with a fountain to welcome their guests?
“Did you like what you see, milord?”
“!!!” The King of Cherwind nearly jumped in surprise when he heard a familiar voice speak to him from behind. Turning around, Kuro saw Missy with a smile on her face and a wagging tail on her back. “I…I, uh, what do you…” he tried to confuse her that he was someone else, brought by his reflexes. But then, Kuro realized it was a futile effort…
“I can’t mistake your smell for someone else. From where I was earlier, I can tell it’s you,” the dog-dy replied. “After all, you’re dear to me, milord! But, don’t worry; Her Majesty the Queen Ursura told me that you’re taking a break, that’s why I won’t blow your disguise.”
“Ah…thanks,” was all that he could say. Though Kuro knew her personally, it was still kind of embarrassing to be caught.
Nevertheless, Missy didn’t mind that. She continued, “Dear customer, what you’re looking at right now is the newly-expanded Royal Inn of Malvette, Kingdom of Cherwind. Under the wise guidance of my teacher and benefactor, Madame Bellefort, we bought the old shops that formerly occupied the pce. But don’t worry; we didn’t expel them. We just gave them a right to sell in our hotel, just like what the Lord Kuro of Maverny told us before.”
“Oh…so you took my—I mean, the Lord Kuro’s suggestions, huh?”
The dog-dy nodded. “It’s a successful idea. The lords and dies loved the concept of shops inside the pce they like to spend their vacations.”
Yes, it’s like the features of prime hotels and resorts in Kuro’s world. It was a good thing the nobles and rich commoners loved to spend their money on anything that was ‘trendy’; the economy was doing well, so the idea worked.
“Would you like to have a room to stay?” Missy asked. “We always have a reservation for our distinguished guests!”
“Just a normal room is fine,” he told her. “And I’ll pay for my lodging; don’t give me any discount.”
The dog-dy then winked at the king and pulled his hand. “Let me show you the other improvements we made,” her grin reached both ears as her tail wagged vigorously. Perhaps Missy’s been waiting to show off the fruits of her (and Madame Bellefort’s) bor.
----------
When Kuro entered the Royal Inn, it was as if he had gone into another world. Far from the hustle and bustle of the streets of downtown Malvette, the hotel boasted gilded statues of beastmen heroes of old and velvety carpets and curtains that adorned every floor and window as far as the king’s eyes could see. New amenities were also enough to take everyone’s breath away. Kuro had to calm himself for a bit, for he thought he was being reminded of his old world. And an improvement from their previous setup, several servants were rushing around to take care of guests, with Madame Bellefort and Missy relegated to a supervisory role.
As the disguised king expected, nobles and rich commoners frequented the lobby, which was obviously rger than on his st visit. Behind the main counter, receptionists from various races (humans, beastfolk, demons, and elves) served as the directory for the rooms and reservations. Missy expined that they opted to have each race represented to be sensitive to their diverse clientele’s needs.
Uniformed bellboys assisted the visitors, and elevators powered by steam engines were installed in some hallways. Kuro thought the only thing cking for the Royal Inn to resemble a full, 5-star hotel in his world were the mps powered by electricity.
“Electricity?” Missy asked him when she heard Kuro whisper. “What’s that, milord?”
“Ah, something that powers machines and devices in my world,” he replied. “Well, it can be produced via the steam engines we use here, but I don’t think we need electric mps here. It rarely gets dark, and that stuff requires research. I, for one, don’t know how an electric generator works. I was not a science teacher, after all.” The king muttered the st part of his words to himself, though the dog-dy still picked it up because of her enhanced hearing.
“Huh? Sa…Sayans…?”
“It’s a subject in my world’s education system where it expins the ws of nature,” he added. “Ah, the Royal Academy of Cherwind also teaches science under the Directress, Lady Salis.”
“I see…” Missy fell silent; she seemed to be thinking of something.
Well, Kuro knew that science was not widespread and developed yet, as this world also ran on magic concepts and ideas. Moreover, the dog-dy had no formal educational background; she only learned to read and write through Madame Bellefort’s guidance.
“Milord, we may not have electricity-powered mps,” the dog-girl revealed, “but we got magic-powered ones instead.”
“Hoh?” Kuro’s eyes nearly popped from its sockets when he heard that. “You mean, magic-powered fmes, or candles?”
“No, it’s exactly as you say, milord,” Missy insisted. “Only without the electricity you’re talking about.”
What she said definitely piqued his interest. “Can I see that mp you’re talking about?”
----------
Missy then led the disguised King of Cherwind to his room, which she specifically chose because it was close to one of their ‘elevated’ pools, located at the topmost (fifth) floor of the right-wing building of the Royal Inn. Kuro requested that she give him a small one since he preferred that his bed be in a tight space for that ‘home-y’ feeling.
Yep, even when the King is in his Dupree Pace, he always surrounds himself with books or folding screens. He’s not really comfortable in wide spaces the nobility often uses to sleep or work in.
Aside from that, the dog-dy showed Kuro the ‘magic-powered mp’ she had told him about earlier. Much to his surprise, it was strangely simir to an incandescent bulb, particurly the shape of the gss. When he asked her how to use it, Missy directed his attention to a device hidden in one of the cabinet doors of the room.
“They call it the ‘mana bank’,” the dog-dy expined. “The guys at the Royal Academy said that it stores magic from humans, demons or elves, and converts it to power that makes this bulb glow.”
“Ah!” Kuro couldn’t help but blurt out. “This is a magic battery, then!”
“Battery? Is that how it’s called in your world, milord?” Missy chuckled. “Well, in any case, that’s how it’s used. And, because some of the rooms and halls are in the ‘hidden’ parts of the hotel, it’s helpful in illuminating the area. We just have to make sure it’s charged once the mana is depleted.”
“Ooh…this is a nice addition to your hotel,” was what Kuro said. However, deep inside, he considered asking Salis about the ‘magic-powered mp.’ If the king remembered right, she was focused on developing her steam engines to make them more efficient and durable; the thought of inventing a light bulb was unlikely since the people of Cherwind (as well as the other realms) were used to a nd where the sun (or whatever light it was up there) never set.
But, before Kuro went to the serious stuff, he’d like to enjoy his break for now…
----------
***The Royal Academy of Cherwind…***
Egged by his curiosity about the ‘magic-powered’ light bulb, Kuro traced the origin of such an invention from his old world and found himself staring at the grand, gilded fa?ade of the Royal Academy. Led by the Directress, Lady Salis of the Owls, he wanted answers from the kingdom’s best scientists and inventors.
“…”
Of course, the owl-dy was pleasantly surprised by his sudden appearance and excited to show Kuro her newest devices.
“Kuro, look!” the Directress proudly led him to one of the academy’s storage rooms. “This was the newest version of the steam engine I’m making. This model runs on less water, perfect for pces like Cherwoods, especially its desert interiors.”
“Hoh…” the duke, impressed by her work, completely forgot why he was there. “So, how do you operate this thing?”
“Well, first, you only need to put in a few pails of water, and wait for a few minutes until it reaches the boiling temperature,” Salis expined. “Then, once done, you’ll only have to pull this lever…”
The owl-girl did what she said, and the steam engine roared to life. Kuro, who stood near it, quipped, “The heat is also bearable for a human!”
“Yes,” Salis puffed her chest, “I made it so it won’t be torturous for those elves to operate a steam engine in such a scorching pce. Now, they can have a continuous supply of water from the Gulf of Cherwoods.”
“Ah, yes, it’ll be helpful for their irrigation.”
“And, if they need it to operate a light bulb, then they just have to connect a ‘mana bank’ to charge it, then pce a light bulb once it is fully-charged.”
The duke fell silent. He suddenly remembered why he was there. “Wait, a ‘mana bank’?” he asked. “Oh yeah, that’s the one I saw in the Royal Inn! You guys really made those, huh?”
The owl girl nodded. “We’re the ones who made that, from a suggestion of one of our students.”
“Oh?”
“Yep, he’s a halfling, really,” Salis continued. “His record says he’s a half-elf, quarter-human and dwarf.”
“I see…can I meet this guy?”
“I’d like to introduce him to you,” the owl girl paused for a bit. “However, he received a letter st time, summoning him back to his nd, Equality.”
“Ah, so he lived there?”
“Yep,” Salis then fell silent again for a moment as if she remembered something. “Hmm…now that we’re talking about him, I just realized it’s been a while since he was gone.”
“How long?”
“About nine months?” she replied. “Which is unusual. Tobias is always excited to come here, having heard about us before. He promised he’d be back after several weeks, but it’s already months!”
“Probably got some serious matters to attend to,” Kuro pointed out before adding, “A halfling friend of mine told me that there’s a problem in Equality tely. So, his long disappearance must be reted to that.”
“Well, I just hope he’s fine. The school year’s about to end, as well; if he misses out on our st test, he’ll have to stay back a year. It’s unfortunate, though. Tobias is one of our talented students.”
Kuro said nothing. He did encounter such ‘wasted talents’ in his stint as a teacher; bright, promising students would enroll for a school year only to waste that chance because of unforeseen circumstances, like trouble at home or loss of interest in studying. While it was something he didn’t wish to happen, it was a common occurrence…Salis would eventually have to get used to such ‘tragedies.’
In any case, at least his visit here solved his curiosity about that ‘magic-operated’ light bulb…
----------
**Kuro, a week ter, the Dupree Pace…**
It felt like my ‘vacation’ in Cherwind was not enough. After all that travels around the beastman realm, I again found myself staring at the white ceiling of my private study in Dupree Pace.
Ever since word got out that I proposed marriage to the saints—as well as the other dies that became involved with me in my long adventuring days from Chersea to Cherwoods, there was a huge fanfare and talk among the peoples of the four races—humans, beastfolk, demons, and elves. Generally, the view was favorable, mainly because those races see me as some sort of a ‘living legend,’ akin to the likes of my old student, Cassandra David. Maddie and the other dies (and my male friends as well) did a great job spreading ‘heroic tales’ (I bel it propaganda) about me. The Lady Hinwe’s manga series on all my adventures was a hit and combined with the noble titles, fiefs, and accodes I received, it’s no rocket science the Cherseans would form a ‘rger-than-life’ figure of ‘Kuro of Arles’ worthy of standing among the holy saints of this world and of the others.
I asked Eris about a reted issue before, “Are the saints supposed to not fall in love to anyone during their tenure?”
“Well, there are cases they did,” she expined. “After all, human saints are expected to reign until they die, so there are those who married their lovers. Those men kept a low profile, and in all of those, it is the men who married into the household of the saint. It’s one of the peculiarities of your situation, Kuro. The Lady Madeine is the one who is willing to marry into your house, not the other way around.”
“Oh…?”
“You have to remember that all the Human Saints become influential and powerful once they are accimed. And that privilege usually extends to the noble house to which they belonged. That’s why you’re a ‘role model’ to the commoners; you gave them a sense of hope that they can cross the societal boundaries and become the legend that you are right now.”
“Makes sense to me…”
“As for the other saints…hmm, now that I think about it, the Lady Ruro of the Wolf admired the Lady Madeine’s ancestor before, Sir Jimmy Nee. But I never heard her talk of any other lover, save for her current ‘master’, which is you. The Lady Hinwe, for her part, is only interested in you as well, because you’re the only man who captured her heart. Perhaps you can also ask her about the lives of the previous elf saints, if you’re interested in that matter.”
“Well, I guess it’s fine. Any case, the Lady Natasha is the first-ever demon saint, right?”
“Technically, she’s the second,” the duchess corrected me. “But she’s the first ‘officially accimed’ saint. The Lady Cassandra David is considered the first; you can ask the Lady Noir about this issue. But from what we know now is that the Lady Natasha Bellingsen is actually the reincarnated Lady Cassandra David in demon form. So, if you ask me, it’s like a continuation of her previous self’s reign.”
Yep, Eris’ expnations were logical. But then, it’s not really my immediate concern. While I believe the holy dies had the right to choose whom they’d love, the consequences of such affections directed to just one person (me) sure had its downsides. Now, everyone knew I was the ‘most blessed and favored’ man around, and those who sought to increase the fortunes of their respective houses would no doubt conspire behind me.
After all, they found a sure ‘line’ to connect to the saints. For them, I’m the messenger to the ‘demi-goddesses’ of these realms.
But those fuckers’ goals be damned, I won’t easily hand my dies to anyone, though they may freely choose others if they lose their feelings for me. They’re why I wanted to get the god-powers and finish the Seductress for good.
“!!!”
God, the image of Seirna being all red and shy suddenly crossed my mind. What the heck was that? I mean, I’d been thinking of ways for her to pass her god-powers without the ‘kiss,' but Gaius said it’s impossible. And the thought of Seirna getting all chummy and romantic towards me was just…unthinkable. I can only shiver in fear imagining it.
“For some reason, I can’t help but think you’re bspheming me…though I also don’t want to get ‘chummy’ and ‘romantic’ with you.”
I almost jumped from my seat when Seirna suddenly appeared, floating above me in my private study. I immediately asked her, “How long have you been looking into my mind?”
“Ever since you thought of that time when the Lord Gaius told you it’s impossible for me to pass the god-powers to you, other than the ‘kiss’.”
My heart almost stopped in embarrassment when I heard her say those. But Seirna quickly relieved my fears when she continued, “It’s alright. I’ve long accepted that the Lord Gaius wants you as his successor.”
“Oh…”
“It’s quite painful and annoying at first, but well, I have to admit, otherworlder…” she sighed. “You’ve proven yourself repeatedly.”
Hearing her praises for me sounded so awkward; I found myself speechless.
“Of course, the Lord Gaius will be the best for me always,” Her Holiness reiterated. “You come in a far second.”
“Tis fine,” I replied with a chuckle. It’s not like I was aiming to be her ‘number 1,’ nor do I desire to be in her ranking.
“Why do you have to be my ‘number 1?'” she countered, causing me to check on the talisman she gave me before.
“It won’t work on me,” Seirna confirmed. “I’m the one who created those, so I know how to counter its effects.”
“Alright,” I put the useless talisman back inside my pocket. “Well, as for the ‘number 1’ thing, it’s connected to my desire to become a…well, you know…a god.”
“Heh, you finally found your reason to be a god,” she cpped her hands. “And the Lord Gaius led you to believe that the only way to do that—pass the god-powers—is for the saints to trust and ‘kiss’ you. For short, we should fall in-love with you first?”
I could only squirm in silence as Seirna recounted to me the events that convinced me to attain godhood. However, amidst those words, a question came up in my mind: Wait, is there another way to transfer the god-powers without the romance?
“There is,” the Overseer Saint replied. “Or, ‘there are.’ First, you can ‘devour’ the wielder, and it’s impossible for a mortal like you, let alone kill that wielder so you can ‘eat’ it. Second, you may force it out, though it’s impossible for you. It requires magic, after all…some spell that can’t be uttered by mortal lips. And third, uh…well, let’s just say you shouldn’t limit it to just ‘kissing.' Any intimate act borne out of trust is enough to pass the god-powers to you.”
“So, when you say ‘intimate acts,' you mean…?”
Seirna just nodded. I knew from her expression alone she didn’t want me to continue what I had in mind. Well, I guess we could both agree that it’s unlikely for us to reach that level of retionship. However, another question rose in my mind…
“Ahem…if you’re going to ask why the Lord Gaius—under the influence of the Seductress—didn’t become a god when he killed you before, the answers are…first, the god-powers you held back then are incomplete. Second, those god-powers did pass to him, though as an unwilling person, the god-powers he took were of negligible effect. After all, the High King of the Gods designed its passing as something to be enjoyed and willingly given, not forced.”
“Oh…”
“Isn’t that why, even as the Lord Gaius has become mortal, he survived for that long inside that cold, dead world? And to think that you shot him in the head, too, remember?”
“Ack! So that expins things!”
“Well, in any case,” Seirna finally stopped floating and sat on the table before me. “I’m actually here to discuss your efforts to godhood.”
“What, should I stop it?”
“I know you’re joking,” Seirna had a sarcastic grin on her lips. “But I don’t intend to prevent what the heavens already decreed.”
“Huh?”
“See, all indicators are leading to your eventual ascension to being a deity. If the High King isn’t in favor of it, He would’ve put you down long before the idea has taken root in your mind,” the Overseer Saint pointed to my forehead and smiled. “Besides, you’ve already seen your ‘god’ self, which means you’re meant to become a god. Who am I—a lowly saint—to stop that?”
“Look into my heart. I intend to step down once I destroy the Seductress,” I reiterated. “While I admit the idea of wielding the power to control everything is something I find ‘nice,’ I’m afraid I would be consumed by it.”
Seirna’s smile on her lips vanished when she heard my statement. I thought she was angry, as she suddenly grabbed the colr of my clothes. But, she said, “Now, I can see why everyone—including the High King of the Gods—trusts you. I don’t know with you, but the mere thought of being aware of your limitations is something worthy of the god-powers.”
“I’m digging my own grave, no?”
She nodded with an amused face.
“It’s a pain in the ass, though!” Like, man, listening to simultaneous prayers and weighing on the consequences of what you’d allow and forbid…it’s a lot of work!
The Overseer Saint burst out ughing, “First time I heard someone say the god-powers are a ‘pain in the ass!'”
I’m speaking the truth, though! I thought you were looking into my heart.
“Yes, yes…that’s why I’m ughing! You’re really saying what you mean!” she wiped the tears in her eyes as she was about to cry from ughing. “Anyway, I still have some grudge against you, since you ‘usurped’ the Lord Gaius’ throne. So, to spite you, I’ll help you become a god—like it or not—because you hate that idea!”
