Chapter 18-469: Lands Down Under (2/2)
The Land was healing, as was the spirit of those living upon it.
I could feel his chi humming as he joined me in feeling it, relaxing imperceptibly. “It is good to feel that we can still build such places together,” he sighed softly, standing there and sensing the whispers below the serenity.
“It helps to actually be able to see the Good in people,” I agreed. “I can tell you have questions. Please, go ahead with them.”
“They are many who are calling for me to become the King of Australia.” He paused to check my reaction, but I showed nothing. “Do you think that is a wise move for me?”
“Mmm. I think that is an incredible move for Silver on the board of the game of gods. It will show that they are truly transcending racial politics and trusting a responsible man to do the job right. You have what it takes to do the job, and you’ve already taken that first step. I think you are asking a deeper question, yes?”
He sighed in defeat. “It is the dream of my people...”
I shook my head once. “You are Landbound to Australia now. You can never be King of Japan regardless. That dream is now for the next generation, and will probably not happen until a King is born of the islands. Indeed, getting all the islands to embrace the same King will probably prove more difficult than you think.
“Stand in Australia and make it and all its people into something greater. Japan is now a wasteland, basically going to be nothing more than a colony once its Shroudzones are addressed. I understand you have been beginning that work, and inviting Juniors in to participate. It is a wise move. The Shroudzones are densely packed, yet still far inferior to Russia. It is a good place to quickly train more Juniors.”
He sighed as if a load had been lifted from his shoulders. “There have been calls that when this is over and the Shroud is gone, we should return to settle the homeland.”
“You were born here. This IS your homeland, as the islands of Nippon will inform you directly. It does not mean they will not accept you, but you are not born of their soil, and the fact your forefathers were is irrelevant to them. Bloodlines are a human thing, not a Place Spirit thing.
“They are also ignoring the fact that when the Shroud goes down, it is not the end.”
He took a deep breath. “It is a new and very perilous beginning.”
“Yes.” I opened my eyes to look at the seats and stands carved all about, the time and effort that had gone into this.
All grayed by the Haze, and losing something because of it.
“Having the undead to focus on right before you is a wonderful thing. Defeat them, and all problems are solved. But when the Shroud goes down, the Stages begin, the Divine and their competition look your way, and suddenly, there are far, far more problems to deal with than before, and they are neither simple nor so basically dealt with as the undead.
“You have a shadow of those Stages visible in the Felldeep and the Hollow World. Magic breeds mutation and monstrosities. The Divine often have favored races and servants they bring into the worlds beneath them. For instance, Angar happens to love the yuan-ti. What do you do when the serpent-men have a Divine backer who starts increasing the numbers of them born among humans?”
Kentai frowned deeply, and sighed again. “What is the term? There are so many ways for powerful entities to fuck with us?”
“You’ve been listening to Sama,” I smiled slightly. “And that is exactly true. The solution?”
“Get powerful. Protect yourself. Protect your own. Protect everyone else. Make a difference,” he recited promptly.
“A King is solidly right there on Make a Difference. The bloodline of those from Nippon does not have the power nor the numbers to secure the islands against what is coming, especially since you will be de facto invaders for this generation.
“Were I in your place, I would first defer any attempt to settle there for a decade in the future, in order that the people can fully adjust to what a true magical life will bring, and if you can even afford to spend the people to do the job.
“I would then only dispatch Seniors there, specifically those willing to bring up a second family in a dangerous environment. Their children will be the new natives of the island.
“I expect the island will change VERY quickly once magic comes and there aren’t humans around. The native spirits and the gods will have great fun with the remnants of the culture, and Fey and magical creatures are going to proliferate like mad there.
“You aren’t going to be able to just resettle the islands. With magic coming, you’re going to have to win them back.”
“First, defend what you have,” he agreed quietly, nodding. “By only allowing Seniors to go there, that gives us eyes on what happens there, without risking our younger generation.”
“This generation grew crazy powerful, crazy fast. Future generations aren’t going to be able to do the same... but they won’t have the Shroud suppressing them, either. They won’t have to resort to Double Helix nonsense to Level. But there is an exception, and that is if the things that are out there decide to make things... interesting.”
His dark eyes flashed, and his hand dropped to the katana at his side. “Living in interesting times...” he murmured knowingly.
“A generation. You’ll be a King for one generation, maybe two. When you’ve prepared a successor and you know the world, aye, if the people don’t need you any more, lead some dreamers back to Nippon and see what you can do there.
“But you’d best prepare well, because it won’t be like the dreams left behind a century before.”
He nodded once again in understanding. Prepare in the peace... except there would be no peace, only change...