Chapter 2 Part 3

"Dime, What do we need in order to support say forty-thousand refugees?" Christopher asks.

(Dime) Four dimensions, sir. Considering that a square mile of farmland can support 2400 people we can overestimate that building 3 miles of farmland spread throughout all four dimensions is needed. Making comfortable living a concern, each dimension would need to be 30 miles in size. Once again overestimating what we would need. I would need 1,200 High Grade Magicite Crystals. 200 to open the dimensions. 400 to make the fertile land. And 600 to construct the towns. A steady supply of stone, lumber, sand, and crops are also required. If supplied right away and at a manageable rate, I can get all of this done in 3 months.

"Not to mention the amount of doors would be impossible to distribute. There would need to be a designated place in EVERY town in EVERY country. That could take years in its own right." Christopher says.

"Easy solution…I'll just do some negotiations with our allies in establishing a new law with the Adventurers Guild. One that would require them to have a dimensional door set up in their establishments to continue operations." King Shavik says.

"That would help, but it would still require ME to connect them." Christopher says.

"Yes, that does seem like an issue." King Shavik agrees.

A hand raises amidst the collective of nobles. "May I speak?" a female voice calls out.

"Sure. Step forward and tell me your name." Christopher says.

The noble woman does as instructed, stopping just in front of the rest of them. She balls her left hand and firmly places it on her collar. "Marquis Bethel Belmonte, sire."

"Just sir. I'm not fond of such a title." Christopher says.

"Well, sir. I believe it would be possible to hire individuals to transport the rings to the locations and embed them in the doorframe, no?" Bethel says.

"It's true that Dime can do the processes on his own." Christopher says.

(Dime) I can modify these entry points to need an identification for citizenship. And a separate visitation ID for tourists. Not anything difficult. Just a little extra security I'm sure people can appreciate.

"Then it's settled. Can I trust you and Dime can work together on this project?" Christopher asks Shavik.

"Indeed we can. All I believe we could need you for is some political signatures, and to set up each individual gem that would imbed into the doors." King Shavik replies.

(Dime) This whole process could take some time so let us take care of this while you work on your current task, Sir.

"Is there anything else anyone wishes to discuss with me? How about that bug you just planted in my soil?" Christopher points to a noble, who is caught digging their heel into the dirt.

(Dime) ISOLATING FOREIGN 'BUG' — DISINTEGRATION — SUCCESSFUL. FINE OF 3 PLATINUM REQUIRED BY INDIVIDUAL. IF THE FINE IS NOT PAID, REIMBURSEMENT OF 30,000 MANA WILL BE SUBSTITUTED.

"Just stop trying. I'm not an idiot." Christopher says.

King Shavik throws a second bag into the air, which Dime collects. "Someone just lost their job! Oh and say goodbye to your status. I'll have your replacement soon enough. Everyone, out!"

"Let them keep their position. As your special intelligence collector, they were only doing their job after all. I'm happy to give away information I may have. Just ask me. Not Dime. Dime WILL punish attempts to steal information from me." Christopher generously says.

As the nobles leave the dimension, His Majesty says, "I will take that into consideration."

The second the small army exited the dimension and the door closes, Christopher's knees go weak, causing him to collapse to the ground.

"Are you ok, Christopher?" Beau asks with concern.

With his body violently shaking, he yells, "SHIT!" through bated breath. "I hated every second of that interaction."

"Then why did you do it?" Beau criticises.

"Because the second your King entered my domain with that necklace, I understood the role he was forcing me into! Fucking bastard!" Christopher yells.

"His Majesty wouldn't do such a thing." Beau says.

"Think about it, Marquis. I have no real power. Not in the slightest. King Shavik knew I was the best option so he devised a plan to make sure I couldn't say no. King Shavik expects the empire to die, leaving an entire strategic point of our continent to give rise to a new nation. One that was under his thumb. Unfortunately for him, it didn't all go to plan. He was hoping I wouldn't notice the bug." Christopher says, roughly slamming the back of his head against the floor out of exhaustion.

"That's insanity." Beau says, sweat on his brow.

"Dime, fine that last item. Someone threw it to the east using an invisibility spell." Christopher says.

(Dime) Already done sir. It was a device that allowed a person to bypass opening a gate through my authority.

"I'm guessing you destroyed it?" Christopher asks.

(Dime) Affirmative, sir.

"That brings some relief at least." Christopher says.

…

"You really are a monster, you know that?" Beauregard blurts out.

"Eh, I've been called worse." Christopher replies with a laugh.

…

"Dime. Make sure you survey the whole dimension on a constant basis. Find any objects anyone may try to use against you." Christopher says.

(Dime) No need to worry, sir. I have already automated the process and any object with the purpose of stealing or gathering information is to be terminated instantly upon entry to the realm. This includes any realms you create in the future. In other words. I've upgraded my defensive capabilities.

"Are there any other vulnerabilities?" Christopher asks. Before Dime can answer, he continues. "If there are, acquire the materials you need and patch them out."

"I have a feeling conflict is going to be an impossibility in this future nation of yours." Beau says.

"Don't forget disease, poverty, crime, wildfires, monster attacks, and basically any disaster you can think of. Corruption is also going to be impossible. Even for me. I gave strict orders for that rule especially. Anyone who is sick, is to be given treatment immediately upon reentry and all that. Dime will draft it all up, I trust them to know my thinking and improve upon it." Christopher rambles.

"I noticed war was left out of your list." Beau says.

"War is inevitable. Especially if it's against demons. I don't think even Dime could stop her if she gets in somehow." Christopher says.

"Let's get back to Heather and Haider. It's been a while now." Beau says.

"You're right. Let's get to it." Christopher says.

Back at the camp, a new addition has been added. Five Ogre corpses.

"What the fuck happened while we were away?!" Christopher shouts.

"An Ogre attack, obviously." Heather says casually.

"But why are they stacked on top of one another?" Christopher asks.

"To sell?" Haider says.

"Their skin makes for high quality leather and their meat makes for fantastic food. Not to mention the males' testicles are used in some herbal potions." Heather says casually.

"I can't tell if this is smart or sadistic." Christopher mutters.

"Ogres are rather stupid beasts, and what they say is true. Could net them 20 gold for selling all their parts." Beau asks.

"I guess it's just me that's grossed out by this then." Christopher sighs.

"I see that the casual farmer lifestyle has made you soft. That's good, it was troublesome to have to keep your harsh personality at bay." Heather says.

"No, I'd say he softened when he met the hunk of his dreams." Haider teases.

"How flattering. You try to steal him from me, I'll start performing some of my creative torture on you again like when we were kids." Christopher threatens.

"Everyone calm down, there's no need to fight with one another." Jasyn interjects.

"We ain't fighting. Just joking around. I won't allow you to hurt him though." Haider says.

"I've already made this very clear, do not threaten my deer Jasyn." Christopher says, throwing himself onto his lap.

"I I uh." Jasyn stumbles. "If you keep doing this babe, I'm gonna end up in prison for being a predator." Jasyn says with a shaky voice.

"Calm down, there are only two years between us. Plus I fully intend to leave any, physical activity till I'm 18. Just feels right that way." Christopher says.

"I understand that fully, however I'm talking about me." Jasyn says.

"I don't care what you have to do. Restrain yourself. That's an order." Christopher says, placing a kiss on Jasyn's cheek.

"Yes sir!" Jasyn says, seductively.

(Narrator) I feel gross watching this.

(Nebulon) It's not much easier in writing either.

(Dime) I think it's about time I acknowledge you two.

…

(Narrator) Are you talking to me?

(Dime) Yes, yes I am. I detected you and an unknowable presence in my dimension a few weeks ago.

(Narrator) Yeah, that would be Nebulon.

(Dime) Ah, the void. I remember Master Christopher mentioning them.

(Narrator) I would like it if you don't tell Christopher you can see me. It's important that he sees me when the time is right, so I don't want you recording what I say.

(Dime) Duly noted. I don't want to interfere with god's anyway.

…

(Nebulon) That makes our talks very unnerving from now on.

(Narrator) I agree, I didn't know he could see me.

(Nebulon) I love that he's able to detect my presence though, even though I'm technically the absence of everything.