I sat on the throne, gazing down at the crown in my hand. It was pure gold, yet shaped like a serpent devouring its own tail.
A perfect circle.
The eyes of the serpent were the only jewels embedded within the piece two piercing blue diamonds that shimmered in the dim light.
I lifted my gaze and returned my attention to Kivana, who stood beside the throne, a scroll in one hand and a sharp calm in her voice.
"Right now, we have exactly six hundred residents within the capital," she said. "We need to begin preparations to expand that number."
I nodded slowly. "And how do you propose we do that?"
"First, we must restore the mines. Our treasury is functional but limited.. Once production resumes, we'll have leverage to stabilize trade routes. After that, we announce your return to the world."
I frowned. "Can that not wait? I would rather remain unannounced for a while longer."
She sighed, though not unkindly. "If someone meant to kill you, they would have done so the moment word spread of your weakened state. The fact that you're still breathing means either they fear you… or they still don't know."
I crossed one leg over the other, feeling the weight of the crown in my hand. "Very well. The capital's development takes priority. Besides, you've already assigned jobs, haven't you?"
She nodded. "Most major roles are filled. But the positions are empty in practice. We don't have the people to fill them."
"We're paying citizens for holding titles, but not for the actual work," I said, piecing it together aloud.
"Exactly. It's ceremonial at best," she replied.
"If we want the capital to function, we need a real economy. A system of exchange. Goods, services, trade."
I sighed. "These are all rooted in purpose and productivity. That means attracting laborers, artisans, families. People who will live here, not just serve a function."
"In short, we need to spread word, at least throughout the forest," Kivana replied, offering a small smile.
She was absolutely right. An economy cannot thrive without a system of equal exchange, not merely in coin, but in value, in effort, and in mutual trust.
Right now, our kingdom was like a perfectly constructed machine that lacked its most essential component, fuel.
"Then we focus on population first," I said. "And let everything else follow in due course."
My old followers have long since died, casualties of the enemies who tore this world apart in my absence.
Rebuilding an army and strengthening myself must also become a priority.
In that regard, I should attempt to summon any who might still remain loyal.
If most have perished, then I must gather every capable soul I can find.
"Shall I call everyone back?" I asked.
Kivana shrugged lightly. "Like Mirabel probably explained, the ones who have returned did so by instinct or curiosity. The rest likely will not respond to a flare of power alone."
Judging from her words, my followers are still present within this realm.
I know for certain that many exist across various domains including the Hell, the Heaven, the Spirit World, and the Astral Sea.
There is even a realm known as the Sea of Time, a place that connects every potential timeline, every possible event, converging them into singular, inevitable outcomes.
That is why the, this world I now stand in, contains only one fixed timeline. It functions as a baseplate of higher dimensional law.
Paradoxically, future events here are visible, but only because this realm enforces a singular, dominant reality.
Alternate outcomes exist, but only in less stable realms.
Here, only one timeline will come to fruition. It is a matter of dimensional mechanics.
"Did I have a way of calling you all before?" I asked.
She took a moment to think before answering. "There was one method. You used to call us by layering your voice with mana. You could control where it went."
So I just screamed loudly with magic? How ridiculously simple.
"I'll try that later. For now, send out any volunteers willing to spread the word to the smaller settlements. Offer extra compensation for the effort."
Kivana laughed softly. "Why not just send out your dark crows?"
I blinked at her, confused for a moment, then it clicked.
[The king had regained a memory of sorts, one that caused him to ponder.]
Of course. I had a method for information relay. A cohort of crows, all granted immortality by my own magic.
Am I immortal? Well, I suppose it is not out of the question. I was asleep for an eon, after all.
I snapped my fingers, and a crow materialized on the back of my hand. It screeched once, then flew to perch atop the throne.
"These are not especially useful. They only respond to me."
Kivana stepped forward, reached out her arm, and allowed the crow to walk along it. It bit her ear, not hard, but just enough to prove a point.
"I can control them," she said casually. "And I am fairly certain Albert is still alive."
"Albert?" I asked. "Was he another follower of mine?"
She nodded, her expression tight. "Though calling upon him is something only you can do."
That meant Albert could potentially control the crows or even train them to respond to others. It was worth investigating.
I tried to recall his name, but my memories failed me. I sighed at my own frustration.
I snapped my fingers again, summoning another crow, this one darker than the rest, shadows bleeding from its feathers.
"Find Albert," I commanded.
The crow vanished instantly, dissolving into a wisp of black mist.
"Alright, that should take an hour," I said. "What should I do in the meantime?"
Kivana chuckled. "I think you should speak to Malachi. You did say you wanted to form an army, did you not?"
Was she reading my thoughts? What a curious little pest.
Perhaps I should stop calling her that, especially if she can hear me.
"I doubt that bastard would wait even a second before showing up," she said with a grin.
She opened her arms wide as the crow lifted into the air. Then, as her arms closed, Malachi appeared between them, his form wrapped in benign shadows.
Did the bastard manifest just because she wanted to hug him? For that insult alone, I should revoke his curse.
Malachi turned to me and bowed. "What is it, my king?"
I sighed. No, I promised not to speak useless words. That should apply to thoughts as well.
"You know of Michael, yes? I want him, and anyone else who seeks the title of knight, to begin their training immediately."
Malachi scoffed. "You do realize you made a rule that all knights must be related to me, right?"
I paused. Why would I do something like that?
Before I could answer, Kivana nudged him and said, "Do not lie. The rule says they must be related to the version of you who defines knighthood. Not by blood, by conviction."
I looked at him, puzzled, and he sighed. "Fine."
Then, without another word, he vanished, leaving me completely confused.
I glanced back at Kivana, who smirked knowingly. "Ah, I forgot you do not remember how the two of you met. It is such a heartwarming story."
I made a mental note. I needed to start remembering.
I want to understand the bonds I share with these people.
They all have such unique personalities.