Chapter 29: Suprise

News spread about the fall of Ghalvhir with the combined forces of the rebellion army and the merfolks.

However, in the sea, other news spread.

A few merfolks who escaped in time during the chimera sea serpent's rampage told tales about what truly happened.

The atrocities the humans committed made their hatred towards those who live in the land rise.

But, their trust for those who helped them accomplish their goal of eradicating humans increased as they did their job of gathering all the attention to themselves.

While many died, the merfolks mourned and celebrated that their children and their grandchildren will no longer have to experience such things.

But... for the powerful territories, Ghalvhir's fall was a sign of war.

A start of something that will break the current balance in the power by those who were responsible for the kingdom's ruin.

...

After days of travelling, Leon and his party arrived at their destination.

"Whoah!"

"A barrier of that scale... I wonder just how powerful the tower master is?!"

The magicians clammored from a distance, while Leon and Persephone did not know what was going on nor did they know where the barrier came from.

"Maybe it is from barrier talismans we got from before?"

Leon thought but soon threw that idea away after they got closer and closer.

He touched the barrier which rejected his entrance.

Shing!

A hologram that resemble Aldo appeared.

"Hello, I am the artificial intelligence that father created, Olad"

"What?"

Leon said in confusion.

A faint light came out from his eyes and scanned everyone.

"It is good to see you back, Sir Leon. Your identity tag has been created. You may now enter the city"

After touching the barrier once more, his hand went through, granting him access to the city.

While Leon and Persephone looked around to see the city's development while they were away, the magicians had complicated and mix feelings.

They felt the abundance of mana in the air which made them happy, but saw many different species which made them uneasy.

They, who never interacted with other species before, could not help but feel uncomfortable from seeing them.

"Leon! Persephone!"

Marco rushed to them with a brigth smile.

"These people must be the magicians, huh"

The magicians felt offended from how Marco looked at them from head to toe.

But for the sake of making a good impression towards the magic tower master, they did not said anything and kept quiet.

"Olad, can you bring them to their new homes"

Shing!

Olad appeared.

"Of course, Sir Marco"

He turned towards the magicians.

"Please follow me. I will be taking you all to your new residence"

"What... are you?"

One of the magician's asked.

"I am an artificial intelligence that father created who is in charge of overseeing matters happening here in the city"

"By father... do you mean the tower master?"

"That is correct"

As it was their first time seeing about something unheard of, the magicians were in complete awe towards Aldo who they have never met.

The magicians then followed Olad as Marco brought Leon and Persephone somewhere else.

"This is...?"

Leon asked as he looked at the five story building just a hundred meters in front of the castle.

"Oh, this is my company. I built one so that I will have my own space for my work just like Aldo"

After entering the building, the two saw a few demi human workers working on what seems to be administritive jobs.

They then entered his office at the top floor.

"You bouth this thing from the <Market>"

"Yeah. It is easier that way and I had some spare points anyway. Now, without further ado I while be updating you both as to the current events that happened here in the city"

Marco then explained to the two what he and Aldo, along with the demi humans and the trolls, accomplished during their outing.

From the completion of the drainage, sewer, and canal system within the city.

Draft layout of building that will be used for the residential areas and markets. The small workshops and smithies by the forest and farms near the river.

An academy near the desert being built by golems which will be under Aldo's jurisdiction.

The creation of the 'Church of Enligthened Rebirth' that worships the God of Repentance and Land which is actually Marco himself.

More cities entering trades with their city, and are now using their currency for the sake of buying the 'special wine' from them.

The two were amazed at the speed of development that took place while they were away.

"A lot sure happened"

"I know rigth"

"Anyway that is good and all, but what is up with that barrier and A.I.?"

"Oh, that? There are five watchtowers creating an enormous magic circle that is being fed energy by an altar, thus creating the giant of a dome barrier.

While it is weak, it is better than nothing since it automatically rejects anyone who is not registered by Olad"

"And how did Aldo created this Olad?"

"As you know, there are altars capable of continously generating one spell which is typically used for barriers.

The altar being used for the city's barrier came from one of the cities I enslaved. Meanwhile, Aldo somehow got his own altar.

Using said altar, he turned it into a computer and created his own A.I. to carry out simple tasks within the city and grant permission of access as long as you are inside the city"

The two were amazed and became speechless, especially Persephone who does not know how it was possible.

"Then... if there is an A.I. where is its memory or 'data' being stored? Also, can that thing hear us from here?"

"I don't know the answer for the first one since the altar for that is inside the magic tower. As for the second one, absolutely not. While it can see and hear everything within the city, Olad is unable to enter any building that we do not want him to enter. Especially the castle"

"That is good to hear"

Leon let out a sigh of relief.

"At least I know my privacy is still being respected"

"... Sir Marco"

"Yes, Persephone?"

"If we are able to restrict Olad, can others do the same?"

"Not at all. Other than the first ten citizens of this place, no one else has command over Olad. Of course, he still prioritizes Aldo but it is better since there is someone who can take care of the small things for us.

What's better is that, he naturally is unable to enter anything we buy from the <Market>"

"So... you bougth this for-"

"No . I bought this because I wanted it to be sturdy. Unlike when we build things, pretty much everything in the <Market> is either brokenly amazing or out of this world"

As he looked through the window, Leon felt a sense of competitiveness as two among the five of them were steadily gaining power. Both in influence and authority.

"I will be making my own office then"

After catching up with each other, Leon went out to buy his own building while Marco led Persephone to the basement where the corpses were being stored for her to eat things that will not be use for the wine by her request.

Poof!

Many were startled after a three story building suddenly appeared out of thin air.

"Now... I have more things to do as well. Olad, can you tell your father to come see me?"

"Father is busy at the moment. I am afraid that such a thing will not be possible"

"Then... tell him that he either lets me go in his tower or I force myself in. I am pretty confident about the weapon I have right now"

"May I know the subject of your discussion will be?"

"It is about this city's overall administration, laws, policies, and regulations"

"Understood. I will deliver exactly what you said to father"

Olad bowed and told Aldo what happened.