“If we tried to gather all of the leaders in one place at the same time, it would likely take the better part of a year, but if I simply send open invitations, they could each send an envoy to meet with you directly. That way, they could all meet you according to their own schedules, without wasting your time. Would that be acceptable?”
King Dalvas was much more accustomed to dealing with foreign leaders who could destroy his kingdom than King Doma was. He did an excellent job of meeting my requests without agreeing to do much of anything. It really made me appreciate how much organization went into groups like the United Nations in my old world.
“I would appreciate it if you could arrange as much,” I said. “Now then, if you wouldn’t mind having the documents drawn up, I’d like to make this agreement official so I can begin work on the border.” That was just my little way of hinting that I didn’t want to be there anymore.
“It would be my pleasure,” King Dalvas agreed.
That was basically the whole meeting. I signed and sealed the documents, and then went straight to making towers. In addition to the ones along the border, I set up a line of towers leading to Gunzverg’s royal capital, then connected them together. This would allow for near instant travel between Gunzverg and Doma. With both countries about to expand their farming output, trade between the two nations was sure to become profitable. While I was there, I learned about Gunzverg’s currency, and it was pretty similar to Doma’s in value and denominations. Perhaps my people could act as money changers.
Once the towers in and around Gunzverg were set up, I didn’t really have much to do besides wait. I took the opportunity to visit King Doma, and inform him of the newly completed trade route. This decision had absolutely nothing to do with wanting to see Gin again, of course—I needed to give King Doma the new sword I’d made. Well, Hammer was the one who’d made the sword itself, but I took it to the Unseen Realm and added some effects to it. I didn’t go too crazy. After all, I didn’t want it to be misused if it ended up in the wrong hands.
I’d put a lot of thought into what sort of weapon it should be. First, I set it up so its abilities only worked within Doma. That way, its powers could never be used for conquest, since it would just become a really nice looking sword anywhere but at home. Next, I gave it an effect that gave the wielder immunities against poisons and diseases, and a neat little effect that absorbed health from anyone who lied to you. That helped fortify the king’s defenses against the top three causes of death for monarchs: poison, illness, and traitors. Finally, I added an effect that made the user more powerful every time they cut down the wicked, but made the sword powerless against the innocent. How did the sword know which was which? Don’t ask me, it’s magic. It was up to the sword to decide, I guess. For a while, I thought about giving the sword the ability to talk, so it could give advice, but I thought that might get a bit annoying. Plus, it could stir up mistrust. So I skipped it.
Anyway, I finished up the modifications to the sword, and brought it to King Doma. When I presented it to him, he asked a very natural question.
“What’s the sword’s name?”
I hadn’t actually thought of one, but I came up with one on the fly: “Justicia. It was created to be the sword of an honorable ruler who protects their people. The name means ‘justice’ in another language.” Spanish, to be exact. Was it a bit cliché? Sure, but it worked.
“I see.” King Doma smiled as he held the sword up. “A fine sword that won’t allow a repeat of my brother’s disgraceful behavior, or similar actions by others.”
“You know, if you really want to stop your brother from repeating something like that, you could just execute him,” I suggested. “That’s a surefire way to put an end to the problem.”
“Well, er, there are reasons—” King Doma seemed to have an excuse at the ready, but I cut him off.
“So you’re going to let the nobles who back him stall the execution until they get a chance to set him free?”
“H-How did you grasp the situation so easily?”
“Because it was obvious.” I sighed. “You love your brother, but he tried to take over the country by killing you. This isn’t the time to pander to your nobles. If anything, it’s a chance to round them up and get rid of them all at once for conspiring with him. Rip the rot out of your kingdom at the source, and make an example of them. If you keep letting them do as they please, they’re going to take over.” King Doma was a good guy, one who chose peace perhaps more often than he should have.
Nobody could say anything against my advice. I knew many of his advisors shared the same views. They just couldn’t voice their position for fear of being viewed as violent or extreme. I wasn’t fettered by any such constraints. I just spoke as I saw fit. Political correctness and diplomatic etiquette weren’t the solution here. Besides, as an injured party, I had a right to demand his execution. The fact I was only suggesting it was kindness, and King Doma understood that. He looked at me with a conflicted expression on his face.
It was at that very moment that the calm, peaceful, only somewhat awkward atmosphere in the throne room came to an abrupt end. Just as silence descended on the room, a door burst open with a loud bang that drew every eye in the room. A little girl, maybe five or six years old, wearing a pink dress and a silver tiara, entered the throne room through the door that had just slammed open. Her hair was very blonde, and her eyes were sky blue. She looked around the throne room as though she were lost, until her eyes met mine.