Chapter 150: Into A Larger World

The road from Eldoris to Varkesh was finally coming together. Slaves from both sides of the conflict worked to clear the path while Drakar oversaw the more challenging parts of the construction, laying stones on uneven ground, building bridges over small ravines, and marking the positions for supply stations along the road. The road was far from done, but Tanaka was perfectly content with what he saw. And then the dwarves arrived.

A group of emissaries from the Dwarf Empire had learned of Eldoris’ territorial expansions and recent annexation of Varkesh, and were curious to see the new venture. They were trade-focused envoys, but when they saw the effort that had gone into the road construction, the craftsman among the delegation offered their services for the road-building project in exchange for exclusive trading rights. Tanaka accepted their offer. The change they made was immediately noticeable.

The dwarves reinforced the foundation of the buildings, improved the drainage system, reshaped the roofs to better resist seasonal rains, and shared their knowledge of more durable chimney construction, and how to support wooden buildings. A number of rough shelters were transformed into the first real homes in Eldoris. Eldorin craftsmen took careful note of everything the dwarves did, and would later replicate the techniques they saw on the newly-built roads leading into the capital. Tanaka personally spent hours with the dwarves discussing road construction for the newly founded settlement.

“We should connect the main roads to the smaller streets,” he said, tracing a small diagram on a piece of parchment. “If we only build one main road through the town, it will be difficult to get from the capital road to the residential district,” he explained. The main dwarf, a broad-shouldered craftsman named Brogan studied the drawing. “You’re right, we can build smaller streets connected to the main road with stone-paved streets to allow easier passage for merchant carts,” he said.

“Exactly,” Tanaka said. Tanaka tapped another section of the parchment. “And I think we should begin assigning names to the streets,” he suggested. Brogan arched an eyebrow. “Names?” he asked.

Tanaka nodded. “We can’t keep referring to everything as the district or market square. Eventually, the Dominion will grow, and people will get lost trying to find a building simply because they describe the nearest landmark,” he explained. He tapped the main road. “This street will be Dominion Way, the road through the market district can be Merchant’s Row, and the street leading to the northern gate should be called the Verdant Road,” he proposed.

Brogan studied the proposed names for a moment before nodding in approval. “Takes up too much space to remember, but otherwise, fine,” he said. “That’s the idea,” Tanaka said with a small smile. “We should number the buildings and keep a log so people can go to a specific building without asking half the town,” he added.

The dwarf chuckled. “You’re building a kingdom, not a village,” he said. Tanaka smiled. “That’s what I’m attempting,” he replied.

—

Eldoris grew quickly over the next few weeks. The arrival of the dwarves had greatly improved the rate of construction, and the growing trade relationship with the Varkesh provided both new materials and additional merchants willing to risk the journey through monster lands. It was hard to ignore what was happening in Eldoris, and soon even the monsters that had once shunned the village were considering expanding their operations into the growing town. Eldoris was no longer a rough settlement.

It had proper residential streets, a thriving market district, workshops, storage buildings, and a communal bath that had been renovated and expanded. The new school was still under construction, but the human mages had begun teaching selected monsters the basics of mana control. The dungeon that had once been a simple test of strength and constitution was now a multi-tiered complex of different biomes, monsters, and challenges.

Malachiel had taken it upon himself to renovate the dungeon, dividing it into sections with varying environments, monsters, and puzzles that would test the adventurer’s wit, as well as their strength. It was even possible to survive a visit to the dungeon, if one knew where to go and what to avoid. Or maybe it wasn’t. It was uncertain if Malachiel’s motivation for overhauling the dungeon was simply boredom or if he actually wanted to give adventurers a real chance at survival.

Nethaliel wasn’t any better, in fact, she was far worse. She had followed Malachiel around during the entire renovation, asking endless questions that the dragons had grown tired of answering. “How strong is the Origin Dragon?” she asked. Malachiel adjusted a formation of stones.

“Very,” he replied. “Stronger than you?” “Yes,” Malachiel said. “By how much?” “Enough,” he replied. “What happens if you fight one?” “I lose,” Malachiel said.

“Could you escape?” she asked. “Probably not,” he replied. “Have you tried?” “Nethaliel, I’ve told you several times already,” Malachiel turned sharply to glare at the young dragon. “And your answers were boring all three times,” she said.

True Dragon of Flames closed his eyes. For the first time in ten-thousand years, he regretted his release from the seal. Zarathiel had returned to his mountain after a short visit to the settlement, and had no interest in getting involved with the daily affairs of the growing town, which Tanaka had no desire to change. Tanaka didn’t need more problems to deal with, and a Wyvern Lord was hardly the right person to entrust with such responsibilities.

—

Tanaka preferred to observe Eldoris from his human body. Walking the streets of Dominion Way, stopping occasionally to watch the ongoing construction or listen to the concerns of the townspeople. It always amazed him to see different races working together, and talking to each other as if it was entirely normal. The growing Dominion was large, but not as big as the Syrathen Empire, nevertheless, it had clear definition, and it was no longer simply a settlement, but a town with a growing population of Goblins, Orcs, Ogres, Star Wolves, Kijin, humans and many other different races.

Trade was booming, and knowledge was spreading. The road to Varkesh would greatly simplify the journey between the two settlements, and for the first time, Tanaka could witness the fruits of his labor. The small town was growing, changing, learning. Tanaka stopped near a group of children that were playing near one of the new buildings.

One child pointed at a sign near the edge of the street. “Lord Tanaka, who chose the name for this street?” the child asked. Tanaka looked at the sign. “I did,” he said. “Why?” the child asked. “Because most of the shops and stalls will be located here,” Tanaka explained.

The child nodded in understanding. “Where will the school be?” he asked. “Near the center of the residential district, when the construction is done,” Tanaka replied. The children began arguing about what classes they wanted to learn, and Tanaka smiled as he walked away.

For the first time since he started his journey, Tanaka realized he was no longer measuring his accomplishments in skill points and enemies defeated. He was proud of the road, the buildings, and the children asking about the school. Small things, things that he knew wouldn’t last forever, but at the same time, something that would outlive him and the next generation.

—

Tanaka returned to the administration building later that evening. Malachiel was waiting for him, and Nethaliel was at the table, studying a map of the Dominion upside down. “How long have you been here?” Tanaka asked. “Long enough,” Malachiel replied.

Malachiel studied the map. “Your territory is expanding,” he said. Tanaka sat across from him. “That’s the idea,” Tanaka replied. “Then I have something for you,” Malachiel said.

Malachiel stood and approached the window. His crimson aura spread out from the building, flowing through the streets of Eldoris, across the new houses, the workshops, market district, the buildings where human mages taught classes, and past the monsters that had called Eldoris home for years, and those that had only recently arrived. There was a brief sensation of warmth, and a subtle change in the air, but most people paid little attention.

Nethaliel nearly fell off her chair laughing. Tanaka, on the other hand, felt something shift inside of him. The link to his allies that he had originally received to facilitate cooperation between monsters of different species was growing, changing. Something was happening to it, and he instinctively reached out to see what it was.

His mana linked to familiar faces, Sora, Relia, strangers, and hundreds more. It was happening again. [Unique Skill Evolution Conditions Fulfilled.] [Territory Link is evolving.] [Territory Link is now: Dominion Nexus]

Tanaka’s eyes widened as new memories flooded his mind. Dominion Nexus allowed him to create a tenuous spiritual link to anyone that linked to his territory. Using the skill, he could share thoughts over long distances, sense life and pain, and even share some of his mana when needed. It was a limited ability, not even comparable to the Soul Corridor Tanaka remembered from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

He couldn’t freely access the minds or bodies of those linked to his territory, and it required a lot of focus to send or receive a message. A few hundred souls were now linked to him, and attempting to communicate with them all simultaneously would be extremely taxing. Nevertheless, it was still a significant change.

Tanaka no longer simply shared his territory with others. In a very real sense, they were now a part of him. “Interesting, isn’t it?” Malachiel asked. Tanaka looked up at him. “You knew this would happen,” Tanaka said.

“I suspected something like this would occur. You have been connecting more and more lives to your territory, and my aura simply accelerated the process,” Malachiel explained. Tanaka pondered the new skill for a moment. For the first time, the sheer number of lives he was responsible for became clear to him.

It wasn’t simply a matter of defending his territory and people. They were no longer just assets to be protected. They were individuals, with their own hopes and dreams, and they placed their trust in him. Tanaka smiled. “Thank you, Malachiel,” he said.

The True Dragon waved him off. “Don’t mention it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go answer another hundred questions about the Origin Dragon,” Malachiel said. Nethaliel appeared in the doorway. “Brother! I have more questions!” she shouted. Malachiel’s smile vanished.

Tanaka chuckled as the True Dragon of Flames reluctantly followed his sister out of the room. Outside, the streets of Eldoris were busy. The Dominion was growing, and the road to Varkesh was being built. The school was being constructed, and the new alliance with Varkesh opened up new possibilities for trade and expansion.

But the growth of the new nation wasn’t the only thing that would change in the days to come. In a small village on the edge of Bravelm, a young cat beastfolk girl stared enviously at the students of a magical academy from beneath the eaves of a nearby building. Her name was Lynessa, and soon enough the road to Tanaka’s ever-expanding world would lead to her.