A Chronometric Defect

When Chronomet visited my royal court for the second time in two days— I was slightly honored, but mostly worried. The first time was very good news, but since becoming a king, I've learned good news is the exception rather than the norm.

Disappointingly, my past experience has held true. Chronomet detailed to me what he'd discovered from the documents I'd provided. The fact he was back so soon made perfect sense in this respect; what he showed me didn't make any sense at all.

He pulled out a three-dimensional image inscription. However, this inscription did not produce your typical mental image; it was a moving picture that projected off of the inscription slab. He called this 'video.' He said he invented this inscription just to show me the danger we were facing. On the one hand, I'm grateful he's expended such great effort to convey his concern. On the other...

The video started by showing me. I mean, myself. Where I was sitting. It showed me as I moved around, too, like it was taking more pictures somehow.

That was baffling enough, but what it did next was mind-boggling. The view of this 'video' got further and further away. It showed my palace, then my city of Fridellia, then the region surrounding Fridellia, then my whole country of Shridenia, plus some of Eritromi and The Purified Heavens.

Chromomet called this technique 'zooming.' We call it 'magnification.' He contended that, while it was indeed magnification, the point was how the magnification changed over time. Therefore, 'zoom,' as in 'to move.'

An interesting concept.

The next part was appalling. The landmass of my nation of Shridenia lifted up and moved off to the side. Displayed underneath was... A monster. Just one monster. This thing is so big; it's underneath almost my entire country.

The instant I saw that, I lost my royal composure and shrunk into my throne, staring at it with wide eyes. He has no reason to lie about this. I wish he did, but he doesn't.

He explained he wants to evacuate everyone. Then he wants to, and I quote, 'blast the hell out of it.' It's good that he's gung-ho, because I don't think there's anyone else on this planet who could handle a monster of such massive size and power. Except, evacuation will take time.

Well, that's what I thought, anyway. Chronomet showed me his improved magic cart plus a survey of where he plans to build a new city.

The magic cart must be seen to believed. It doesn't ride on wheels; it floats on the air itself. I've never seen anything like it! I took a drive in one of them and was stunned to arrive one town over from Fridellia within minutes. How fast is this thing? Moreover, the fact I can power it entirely with my own weak Mana is absolutely amazing.

I was amazed by Chronomet's cart, but his new city is a thousand times better. First, he made use of Shridenia's previously worthless southern wastelands. Great— we've wanted to develop that region for generations. Moving people there, however, has consistently proven intractable. Between the lack of food, too many monsters, and no reason to build?

We couldn't make anyone settle and stay.

Chronomet bombarded the entire region, killing off most of the monsters. Well, fine. That solves that, I suppose. He's ridiculously powerful— as a god should be, I suppose.

Then, he conducted a land survey. He displayed the results of this survey with the same 'video' inscription as before. He was pleased with the rubies, emeralds, gold, iron, copper... I had no idea my Shridenia was sitting on the motherlode of all resource caches. This region seems to possess every resource under the sun. From what little I know about underground resources, this seems impossible, but what am I supposed to do when the proof is placed in front of me?

The one thing he overlooked (and I was all too happy to point out) was a small pocket of Mana Crystals. To me, they stood out on his map like a blazing star. Chronomet had no idea what they were.

So long as you don't mine a whole Mana crystal pocket, it can be 'grown' by feeding it Mana. You just need to redirect the ground's natural leylines. Those who study the structure of the underground are exceedingly rare, but we simply MUST hire someone to harvest these.

Mana Sources! We can manufacture Mana Sources! Only The Purified Heavens and Dracon State have these wonderful crystals— that's why they're the top two global powers! The Purified Heavens uses Mana Sources to power their city shields, while Dracon State uses them to feed their dragons. Most dragons don't bother to eat meat if you give them enough Mana Sources.

Speaking of which, I asked him about Dracon State.

He said he can't be bothered with other countries right now. The fact Chronomet hasn't so much as contacted the Dracon State is baffling, but... He's evidently contented himself by helping my Shridenia. I appreciate that.

Dragons do as dragons please, I suppose. I never thought I'd be smiling while thinking that all-too-common phrase.

In any case, if this was how he intended to get me to move Shridenia's capital city? I'd do it in a heartbeat even if there was no monster emergency.

Perhaps noting my excitement, he stated a harsh condition. He'd be allotted a permanent leadership position over the new Shridenia. In other words? It'd be his Shridenia. My direct lineage would still be kings and queens, making most decisions, but he would have the final say. It'd be similar to how Aitos ran Haitos. Plus, none of my collateral family can be considered for the title without his appointment.

For most royalty, that's... Very tough to deal with. Honestly, I don't care. My goal as a king has long been to provide safety for my bloodline and for my people. In just two days I've learned I failed spectacularly at both. I'm surprised he's not replacing me outright.

Sigh.

Chronomet then explained he put this condition forth because of Tengerii, which he's annexed from The Purified Heavens, plus Achiton and Haitos, annexed from my Shridenia. He also claimed to have annexed the entire nation of Eritromi.

I thought, 'of course he did.'

I knew there was nothing I could do about his Shridenian annexations, so I've done nothing. I'm sure the people of Eritromi felt the same. He's far too strong.

Which is why when he mentioned building a city down in the southern wastelands, on top of a Mana Crystal deposit of all things? He was effectively saying I could choose to join him or remain king of a dying Shridenia.

We'd be effectively evacuating to his cities, at least in the short term. He claimed I could take my people elsewhere if I was worried about entrapment. He even offered to assist if we were unable to secure viable land for our new cities.

He repeatedly assured me that dragons like himself have no need for trickery. If he wanted to forcibly take my country? He'd take it. Which... Is true. He's already captured Achiton and Haitos.

I suspect he'd wait for us to build new cities, assemble a proper military, then he'd take it all anyway. He seems to like doing that; his favorite thing is showing off. Any chance to display his might is happily welcomed. My people building a whole new set of cities, only for him to then demand their submission is... Probably what he'd enjoy most.

I shake my head and roll my eyes.

Dragons do as dragons please, alright.

Sure, he drives a hard bargain, but the benefits he's offering are undeniable. A literal god wants to turn my relatively small country into a superpower, likely with the goal of uniting the entire planet under his capable wings.

Frankly? I'm sure he can do it. He's already too powerful to be contested.

I glance at the broken sword that I've put on display. It's a clear example of Chronomet's imperviousness, so I figured he'd like it. However, despite it being a blatant attempt to flatter him, that sword does indeed prove that normal human weapons can't so much as mar his scales. My flattery is not false or overblown. Perhaps only the genius mage, Ainthia, stands any chance against such a monstrous dragon.

Absurdly, it's been four short days since he appeared. From what I've gathered, he could've been killed by a decent team of mages at that time, like your typical dragon. A threat, certainly, but nowhere near godly.

Four days pass and he's beyond human comprehension.

How strong will he be tomorrow?

The next day?

I feel myself involuntarily shiver.

Oh? That's odd. I don't fear Chronomet's strength. He's too powerful for me to understand. How could I be afraid?

I dismiss the weird feeling.

Who am I to tell him no?

Why should I say no?

Is there a reason?

Taking up a position in a national government means having responsibility to the people of that nation. It's why countries create lackluster 'Minister of Magic' roles whose job is to get paid and involve themselves with magic duties on rare occasions. It's mostly a lure: it attracts talent and builds the country.

I mean, if a god wants to insert himself in my country's leadership? Even if it's at the top; I'll still agree.

Enemy country: you have ten billion armored troops? I have one god. Please sign this unconditional surrender.

Thank you!