Chapter 143: New Faces In Eldoris

Three days later Eldoris came into view. Tanaka paused at the crest of the hill overlooking it. The settlements had grown significantly in his absence. New structures bordered the old ones and several groups of monsters were busy at work, widening the roads leading towards the city. Beyond them stretched the gates of Eldoris.

"You’re home!" Sora’s exclamation echoed from behind Tanaka. The slime had insisted being part of the welcoming party and had told him of everything that had been in Tanaka’s absence during the whole long walk. He was positively bouncing with excitement. Tanaka looked at him. "You’ve told me this for the past hour." "Because we’re home!"

Sora bounced again. Raishin silently observed them. The people they were visiting were already gathering up their belongings. The walk through the mountains hadn’t been difficult, but three days of travel had weakened some of the elder monsters and children. A few of the human mages looked especially run down. Tanaka turned to speak to them.

"We’re here. Once inside the city you’ll be informed of where you can sleep. There’s no need to make arrangements on your own, you understand?" The elderly woman who had been representing the rest of the mages inclined her head. "Thank you King Tanaka." "Just Tanaka will be enough." She gave him a small, sad smile. "Alright I’ll try not to forget." Tanaka turned back to travel down the hillside. Sora once more bounced after him.

---

The guards standing sentry at the gates recognized Tanaka and opened them. Word spread of his return to the people of the city before the travelers even reached the buildings themselves. "King Tanaka has returned!" At this the people rushed out to see what was happening. Goblins stopped to stare at tools in mid-grip. Orcs paused their dinnertime wrestle matches. A group of Star Wolves trotting down the street stopped dead in the middle of the street, and a few Lizardmen left their chatting circles to observe.

Upon seeing the group following their king, the monsters’ reaction was swift. "Humans?" One of the Orcs turned sharply. "Why are there humans here?" Another moved closer and peered at the group with suspicion. The humans, sensing this, instinctively clung together in a group. Tanaka had seen this.

"Residents of Eldoris, from now on." All further questioning was silenced. Tanaka took his people further within the city. "These humans were imprisoned in Varkesh. I freed them, and they have chosen to follow me to Eldoris. They will be our neighbors, so treat them with respect." A Goblin waved his hand. "Stay with us then?" Tanaka nodded. "They will," Sora was looking from the magical group again before turning back to Tanaka. "Will these people live with us?" "Yes!" The excited little slime was running towards the nearest human.

"Hi there! I’m Sora!" The older woman blinked at him. She turned to Tanaka as if asking for clarification. Tanaka only said he was friendly. Sora was very happy to be friendly. That trait made the woman laugh. "My name is Elaria." "I’m Sora!" He turned to the others. "Everyone, these are our new neighbors!" Tanaka marveled at how much easier that had been than he expected as the others followed his lead. It would be a long time before they were completely comfortable with the situation, but the first step had been made. Eldoris would no longer be solely or even mostly inhabited by monsters.

---

Relia arrived shortly afterwards, bringing several of the people who served the city’s leadership council with her. She took one look at Tanaka and said, "You’re back." "Yep." Her eyes ran up and down him looking Tanaka over for injuries. "You’re fine," "I am," "Good." She frowned. "I’m not letting you out of my care right away if you pick another fight right after I finish patching you up." Tanaka blinked. "You’re going a bit far," Relia gave him a level, unimpressed look. "You slept for a week." Sora bounced over. "He’s okay now!" Relia lightly patted his head.

"Yes Sora, I’m coming to terms with that." Raishin stepped forward. "The trip was reasonably smooth. No combat casualties, and we arrived safely along with your supplies." "Good," said Relia. "We should get set up with some living accommodations for our guests." Eldrin arrived, his band of Goblins carrying writing instruments and such.

"Already spoken with some of the settlement managers," he reported, "and they should have available space for everyone, though some of the buildings will need repairs." "That should be fine," said Tanaka, "make sure the families stay with each other. I’d rather not lose any more children to the complications of our meetings." Eldrin nodded.

"The humans?" Tanaka looked to Elaria. "They’ll need a place to study and practice their magics. Can we set up such an area?" Elaria was clearly impressed. "You remembered," "Of course, you certainly didn’t travel all the way here to idle away your time," A soft laugh escaped her. "No, I suppose we didn’t." She grew more serious.

"My companions and I have spent years learning the properties of magic, but before we can understand how your race uses it, we will need to familiarize ourselves with your abilities." Tanaka nodded. "Fair enough. We can start with the theory and basics of it. Then we’ll be able to put real practice to what knowledge we gain, since we understand the differences." Eldrin was making notes fast enough to send word spreading of the upcoming school within the surrounding areas.

A greater goblin leaned close enough to ask, "Will we be taught human spells?" Again Elaria spoke before Tanaka could. "Several of you may be. Magic use varies significantly due to several factors. We’ll know what each individual spell requires before we can continue," The goblin nodded.

Tanaka saw a few others were taking the news in. That was good. He wanted these new residents to be more than charity cases. The people had shown potential, and Tanaka wanted to offer Eldoris as an opportunity. But there were still others arriving that he needed to speak with. Those from Varkesh. ℴℴ𝘮

Already some were interacting with the Eldoris residents. Others stood in uncomfortable clusters outside the gates away from the watchful eyes of the curious city. A young Varkesh woman walked up to Tanaka with her son. "King Tanaka?" He turned to face her. "Uh huh?" "Will we get jobs here?" Tanaka looked the woman over.

"Certainly. Once you arrange a space to stay we can let you know what work is needed here," "What about my son," "He can stay here with you, once he reaches an appropriate age he can have just as many opportunities as the other children." The woman’s relief was visible even from where she was standing. She was not alone.

Tanaka turned to the other guests. "This is true of everyone of you who decided to come. You are not in any way obligated to accept our care simply because you are our wards. You are welcome to the opportunities available to all residents." Several of the newcomers glanced towards each other. One of the people formerly opposed to Tanaka’s rule turned to him.

"You truly would let us walk away live our own lives?" Tanaka turned to regard his questioner. "Of course, I expect compliance with the law system of this country. As I would expect from our other visitors," Tanaka paused. "But neither will I expect any sort of special loyalty from anyone simply because you crossed a country." The man nodded. He was unlikely to accept Tanaka’s offer now, but he would not refuse him either. So far, for this city, the people had been friendly.

---

By evening the new residents had been assigned sleeping accommodations. The mages had found a space that might eventually serve as their classroom, and the families were settling in. Those wishing to work were being introduced to Eldoris’ officials. Though not everyone was adjusting to the change. Despite the general goodwill, some people of Eldoris were still suspicious of the presence of humans, and some of the newcomers did not feel right staying where they were.

Still, by this point no one had attempted assault or dismissal. For the time being, that would have to suffice. Tanaka looked over the building that would be the mages’ living quarters as Elaria spoke with Eldrin of the possibilities for teaching. Sora was busy showing off the Varkesh children the sights of the city. Already the slime had befriended two of the newcomers. Tanaka allowed himself a small smile. Perhaps things would work themselves out. Raishin joined him.

"The state of the kingdom is changing," Tanaka nodded. "It always has," Humans and monsters from another nation, as well as new opportunities. The city was not the same place it had been when he left. It probably always would change, but that was no reason to be unprepared for it. Eldoris had its first permanent residents of a new species. It also now had guests that had, in the past, directly challenged that residency.

Though they did not share history, customs, or beliefs, they were in many ways the same as those currently under his care. A home was something they had in common, and Tanaka intended to remind them of that.