The question hung in the air, sharp and precise, cutting through the lingering scent of ozone from the shattered gate. My voice was calm, but the words were a direct hit, leaving no room for evasion. "Are you a dimension traveler?"
Misumi Makoto froze. His eyes, which had been darting nervously, suddenly locked onto mine, wide with a mixture of shock and disbelief. The subtle fluctuations in his mana, which I had been observing, spiked erratically, betraying his inner turmoil. His mouth opened, then closed, as if he were trying to form words but found them caught in his throat.
He stared at me, then at Tomoe, who stood impassively behind me, her expression unreadable to him. The realization must have dawned on him: these beings, this place, they were not of this world either. The carefully constructed facade he had maintained, the secret he believed was his alone, had been effortlessly shattered.
A deep sigh escaped him, a sound heavy with resignation. His shoulders slumped, and the tension that had coiled within him seemed to release, replaced by a weary acceptance. What was the point of hiding now? These people, whoever they were, clearly knew more than he could fathom.
"What?! How did you know?!" he blurted out, the question a desperate plea for understanding, rather than a denial.
I watched him, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk touching my lips. I watched anime, I thought, the simple truth a stark contrast to his bewildered expression. Of course, I wouldn't tell him that.
"I know because a week before I felt spatial distortion a bit further from here," I replied, my voice steady, weaving a plausible explanation. "And you have more mana than anyone from this world I have seen."
He looked shocked with the reasoning, but it was a genuine shock. He was actually quite naive, quite 'dumb' in the ways of this new world when he first arrived. His struggles with mana control, his accidental destruction, were proof enough of his lack of experience.
So, expecting too much strategic foresight or worldly wisdom from him was asking for too much right now. He was a powerful but unpolished gem.
"Also," I continued, pressing my advantage, "I am from a different world as well. I came from Yggdrasil. And which world did you come from?"
He looked shocked, but confused as well. The idea of another dimension traveler, especially one who seemed to know so much, was clearly overwhelming him.
He knew that dimensional travel was incredibly difficult, a concept he had probably only just begun to grasp from the Moon God's explanation. The sheer improbability of meeting another traveler, let alone one who seemed to command such power, must have been staggering.
"I am from Earth..." he answered, still absent-minded, his mind reeling from the revelations.
"Earth? As in Midgard?" I asked, raising an eyebrow slightly. The name resonated with my own knowledge, but not in the way he might expect. "Then you are not from my dimension at all."
He got even more confused, his brow furrowing deeper. "What do you mean?" he asked, a hint of unease creeping into his voice. He knew a bit about Norse mythology, enough to recognize 'Midgard' as a name for Earth, so he didn't get too shocked by me knowing it. But he clearly got a bad feeling about my statement.
The air around us seemed to grow heavy, a subtle pressure building. Tomoe, sensing the shift in my tone, subtly adjusted her stance, her hand resting lightly on her katana's hilt.
"Well," I began, my voice dropping slightly, becoming colder, more direct, "I destroyed whole Yggdrasil. Even Midgard as well." I watched his face carefully, noting the subtle shift in his expression from confusion to dawning horror.
"For you to survive," I continued, "you would need to be very powerful, or in an indestructible, important place with thousands of enchantments. You have neither of them. So, you can't be from my dimension as I already destroyed it."
He started sweating, visibly. His face paled, and his eyes flickered, searching mine for any sign of a jest. But there was none. He knew very well I was not joking even a bit, that I had indeed destroyed my entire dimension. The sheer, casual declaration of such an act was terrifying.
"...Who are you?" he asked this time, his voice serious, all traces of awkwardness gone. He even instinctively activated the cheat he got from the Moon God, a subtle surge of raw, untamed mana emanating from him, strengthening himself, preparing for a confrontation.
I felt the surge of his power, a raw, unrefined force. It was impressive, certainly, for a newly arrived dimension traveler. But compared to my own power, it was a mere flicker. I allowed him his moment, letting him feel the weight of his own newfound strength, before I responded.
"Like I said," I replied, my voice calm, unwavering, "I am Zevion, her Lord, and a dimension traveler just like you. Now that we have had this talk, I would like to hire you as well, and have you become my servant."
He thought for a bit, his gaze sweeping over the vast, newly formed landscape of Zeldania's outer perimeter, then back to my impassive face. He knew well enough that even escaping would be impossible, and that any attempt would likely kill him. He also noted that I had been remarkably friendly with him, transparent even, despite my immense power.
He was weighing his options. Freedom, and likely continued struggle and isolation, or servitude to a powerful, mysterious entity who offered sanctuary and understanding. The choice, for someone in his desperate situation, was becoming increasingly clear.
Seeing him hesitate, the internal conflict playing out on his face, I decided to offer one more thing. A small, but incredibly potent, incentive.
"Also," I added, a subtle, knowing smirk touching my lips, "we have Midgard food as well. Or should I say, Earth's food?"
His eyes snapped open, wide with disbelief, then a desperate, almost primal hunger. His stomach, which had been rumbling quietly, seemed to roar in protest. The memory of home, of familiar tastes, must have hit him like a physical blow.
"I accept! No, please let me accept it!!" he cried out desperately, his voice cracking with emotion, like fearing I would go back on my deal. His dignity, his earlier caution, all dissolved in the face of that irresistible offer.
After all, he hadn't eaten any proper food for a week, subsisting on whatever meager, unappetizing rations he could find in the wastelands. And what the Orcs had provided, while sustenance, was not that tasty compared to the rich, varied human food from Earth. The thought of a true, familiar meal was overwhelming.
I smirked, a genuine, satisfied expression. I had him. My Plot Armor Slave #1.
Don't get me wrong, what I needed the most was to do something about 'Plot Armor.' I didn't know if it truly existed as a tangible force, or if it was merely a narrative convenience. But I would rather have it on my side than otherwise. It was a strategic imperative, a way to hedge against the unpredictable whims of fate.
I extended my hand, and a faint, intricate magical script shimmered into existence between us, forming a contract. It wasn't a slave contract in the traditional sense, but a binding agreement of loyalty and service, one that would ensure his cooperation while still allowing him a degree of agency.
"Alright then," I said, my voice firm as the contract solidified between us. "Your first job is to bring those Orcs to help us rebuild here. After completing it, you can have your reward of the Earth food for you and the Orcs."
His eyes lit up at the mention of the food, and he didn't even wait for further instructions. He quickly turned and dashed out, already hungry for the familiar taste of home, eager to fulfill his end of the bargain. His mana flared slightly as he accelerated, a testament to his newfound motivation.
"Tomoe," I called out, turning to my loyal Guardian. "You go as well. Coordinate with Makoto, bring them all and from tomorrow start working on development. Ensure they are properly integrated and that the work proceeds efficiently."
"Yes, my Lord!" she replied, her voice crisp and immediate. She bowed deeply, a flicker of amusement in her eyes as she watched Makoto's hasty departure. Then, with a subtle shimmer, she quickly disappeared from there, her speed rivaling Makoto's own.
Now what should I do? The immediate tasks were set in motion. I stretched, a languid, satisfied movement. I was going to rest today. I was sleepy now.
Just for those who are wondering why I am sleeping, then remember that my race is still fundamentally human. While I possess powers far beyond anything a normal human could dream of, and although if I wanted, I could certainly live without sleeping or eating, existing purely on magical energy, that would put my extra-deluxe super comfy bed to waste.
And that was simply unacceptable. A good night's sleep in a luxurious bed was one of the few simple pleasures I still indulged in. It was a small reminder of my origins, a comfort in this vast, chaotic multiverse.
The next morning, the crisp air carried the scent of freshly cut wood and damp earth. I went out to check the outer part of Zeldania, the newly expanded territory that would soon become our 'royal city.'
The scene was bustling with activity. Orcs, guided by Makoto and Tomoe, were constructing houses and other basic structures. Their raw strength and surprisingly organized efforts were impressive. Mist Lizards, Tomoe's loyal subordinates, assisted them, their agile forms moving with surprising speed as they cleared debris and transported materials.
Misumi Makoto was everywhere, guiding them, cutting wood with precise, controlled bursts of mana, or simply offering encouragement. He looked tired, but a newfound purpose gleamed in his eyes. He had clearly eaten well.
Suddenly, a faint tremor ran through the ground, followed by a distinct thump against the invisible barrier that protected Zeldania's outer perimeter. It was a powerful impact, but the barrier didn't even crack. It merely absorbed the blow, shimmering faintly.
I already knew who it was. The timing was a bit off, but the signature was unmistakable.
I teleported instantly, appearing right in front of the source of the disturbance. Before me stood a grotesque, multi-eyed giant spider, its chitinous legs scraping against the ground, its mandibles clicking menacingly. This was Mio.
Without a moment's hesitation, before she could even fully register my presence, I delivered a precise, powerful kick. My foot connected with her massive, segmented body with a sickening crunch.
The giant spider shrieked, a high-pitched, guttural sound of pain and surprise, as it was sent crashing far away, tumbling end over end, leaving a deep gouge in the earth. Its limbs twisted at unnatural angles, its chitin cracked and broken.
"Geez, it's just morning, and I wanted to get my breakfast, but you have to come now," I said, a bit disgruntled, rubbing my temple. The timing was truly inconvenient.
It was the fault of watching anime, I mused. You never know the exact location or time of any event. The narrative often skipped over the mundane, leaving precise timings ambiguous.
Her mouth was crushed, and her monstrous body was broken by that single, casual attack. Yet, even in her mangled state, I could hear the faint, perverted rants beginning to form in her telepathic communication, a disturbing stream of consciousness. I was in no mood for that.
I delivered another swift, powerful kick to the giant spider, sending her tumbling even further away, silencing her nascent perverted thoughts.
"Two choices," I stated, my voice cold and clear, echoing across the silent field. "Die, or become my servant. If you want the first, make noise once. If you want the second, make noise twice."
She made a disfigured, gurgling noise, then, with immense effort, managed to produce a second, identical sound. Twice. Her will to survive, even in such a broken state, was strong. And her perverted nature, clearly, preferred servitude to oblivion.
I then healed her. A soft, green light enveloped her broken form, knitting bones, repairing chitin, and restoring her grotesque features. She shuddered as the pain receded, her body reforming.
Then, I extended my hand, and a new contract shimmered into existence, binding her to me. "Your name shall be Mio," I declared. "Serve even after your last breath."
She trembled, a deep, primal fear mixed with a strange, new devotion. Her monstrous form began to shift, to shrink, to refine itself. In a flash of light, she took on the same appearance as her anime counterpart: a beautiful, albeit still unsettling, human-like body with unnatural presence.
She quickly knelt down, her newly formed human hands pressed together, her head bowed in absolute submission. "This slave shall devote herself for her master even after the last breath of mine." Her voice, now clear and melodious, held a fervent intensity.
I ignored her fervent declaration for the moment. My attention shifted to the dwarf who had been with her. He lay a bit further away, dazed and somewhat injured from Mio's uncontrolled attack, but not a big deal. His thick, dwarven constitution had protected him from the worst of it.
Though, even if he had died, I could revive him. It was no big deal. Still, I preferred to avoid unnecessary casualties. I extended a hand, and a gentle healing light enveloped him, mending his minor injuries.
I grabbed him by the neck, my grip firm but not painful, lifting him slightly. His eyes, wide with fear, met mine. "Did you guide her here on purpose, seeing people here?" I asked him coldly, my voice devoid of emotion.
He shook his head strongly, frantically, knowing well enough that I could kill him, and inflict fates far worse than what I had just done to that spider. His fear was palpable.
"No! I never even knew there was someone else here!" he stammered, his voice hoarse with terror. "She just appeared, and then she started attacking the barrier! I was trying to stop her!"
He said it strongly, with genuine terror and conviction. As I felt he was speaking the truth – my senses confirmed his sincerity – I freed him, dropping him gently back to the ground.
He started huffing, gasping for breath like he had just died, clutching his throat. I again healed him, ensuring he was fully recovered.
"Fine, I believe you," I said, my voice softening slightly. "So? Who are you? I am Zevion, the Lord of this place."
He quickly scrambled to his feet, bowing deeply, his face a mixture of relief and awe. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Zevion," he said, his voice raspy. "I am Elder Dwarf Beren. I am truly grateful for your help in stopping that... calamity."
Yeah, I am not excited at all. I already have too many Dwarves from Mystic Dwarves to Monster Dwarves in Zeldania. So an Elder Dwarf, while respectable in this world, was nothing special to me. I also had Elder Dwarves among my own forces, far more skilled and powerful than any this world could produce. But forget it, I didn't plan on revealing too much of Zeldania's true might to this world just yet.
"Since ancient times," Elder Dwarf Beren continued, his voice filled with a deep-seated weariness, "that spider would appear to consume everything and then disappear. She would devour our finest creations, our metals, our tools... she was a true calamity." His voice held a profound gratitude. "We thank you for stopping her."
Mio, who had been kneeling silently, now looked up, a faint, almost nostalgic expression on her face when Beren said about eating their creations. She truly was not even a bit guilty for her past actions. Her loyalty was now solely to me, and her past transgressions meant nothing to her.
Well, not like I was going to compensate him for her past actions at all, so it's fine, I guess. My priorities were clear: securing allies, not settling ancient grievances.
"I'd like to switch topics now though..." Beren said, his eyes filled with a desperate hope. He took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "I have a request for you, Lord Zevion, as the ruler of this land."
I already knew where it was going. His people, the Dwarves, were likely in a similar predicament to the Orcs, displaced and struggling. But that was exactly what I wanted as well, so there was no problem for me. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
"What is it?" I prompted, my voice even.
He knelt down in front of me, bowing his head deeply, his gnarled hands clasped together. "Would you allow us, Dwarves, to live on this land? To settle here, under your protection?"
Let's be quick, like how Misumi was. No need for drawn-out negotiations or elaborate displays. Directness was often the most efficient path.
"Sure," I replied, my voice calm, almost casual.
Beren looked up, his eyes wide with surprise, a flicker of disbelief. "We gathered our creations in the wasteland to hide from the thieves, but the land is so harsh and dangerous that— What?! You'll accept us that readily?" His voice was incredulous.
"Well, there's plenty of land," I stated, gesturing to the vast expanse of the newly created subspace. "And if you can get along with others, then it'll be fine." My gaze swept over the Orcs working diligently in the distance.
He looked disappointed a bit. His face fell slightly. It was that easy, despite his resolve to even offer his life if he could find a place for his people to get under my protection. The sheer simplicity of my acceptance made his grand resolve feel a bit anticlimactic, almost unnecessary. He had prepared for a desperate plea, a negotiation, a sacrifice.
"Well, there will be few conditions though," I added, cutting off his internal monologue of disappointment. "That I will be the ruler at all times, and you can't leave my reign ever. You must contribute to all of us, no type of racial discrimination will be tolerated here. You will accept all my orders, and you will always be loyal to me and all my people. If you can accept those terms, then you are welcome here."
My voice was firm, leaving no room for misinterpretation. These were non-negotiable terms. Absolute loyalty, contribution, and adherence to Zeldania's laws. The benefits were immense, but so were the expectations.