True Magician

Chapter 179

Eldonia.

A week later.

I was sitting on the sofa in the same room where I had spoken with Mistiora, leaning back and staring blankly and wearily at the stone ceiling.

How much can change in a week? Not much, really, because it was impossible to accomplish anything significant in that time, especially after such an event as a large-scale military campaign against the capital of what seemed to be a fairly large, albeit weak, kingdom.

Or so I thought...

- "M-my lord..." I heard a trembling male voice in front of me. "I-I did everything you told me to, b-but they won't listen to me. They keep bringing me their money and practically demanding that I start building temples and statues in your honor. I... I just don't know what else to do to..."

- "Ha..." I took a really long breath, and the voice immediately fell silent, clearly trembling with fear.

Who was that? The King of Eldonia, of course. And now I didn't even need to look to see that he was almost crying because he couldn't carry out my order. And the order was...

- "Tsk," I clicked my tongue, causing the king to let out a frightened squeal, then quickly cover his mouth with his hand, accompanied by a loud slap, apparently on his own lips.

In one damn week, every damn resident of this damn city started praying to me, even if they didn't know my name or face, but only saw a tiny silhouette when I cast the spell. Of course, I had a rough idea of how things would turn out, but this fast? Heh. Now it's just a headache.

Initially, I wanted them to devote all their energy to developing their country, as the king had announced, but almost two-thirds of the city, and then the entire country, where details of my stunt had spread, began to practically demand the construction of temples, statues, and other religious crap.

And that was in one damn week!

I closed my eyes, then opened them and looked at the king of Eldonia, who was practically lying on the floor.

...well, at least it's some kind of movement, not complete boredom where I would just sleep and that would be it. Heh.

- "Okay, then let's do this," I began, at which he flinched and cautiously raised his gaze. "Only one temple. One, and not a brick more. All the rest of the time and money will go toward developing the country. When Eldonia becomes at least equal to Eostia, then they can do whatever they want. I hope you read that book I gave you?"

- "Y-yes!" the king exclaimed immediately.

- "Good. Then you know what to do, right?"

- "Y-yes!" he repeated.

- "Wonderful. You are dismissed," I said, and he flew out of the room, bowing to the floor first.

Well, the king of Eldonia is still a scatterbrained idiot, but if he follows the book containing the basics of statecraft, something sensible will come of it.

- "Sir," said Mistiora, who had been silent until now and was standing behind me. "I thought the gods liked to be worshipped and have temples built in their honor."

- "Consider me an exception," I shrugged and, creating a cup of coffee, took a sip.

"But let's change the subject. You've been wanting to tell me something for several days now, haven't you? What's on your mind?"

After a short silence, Mistiora sat down opposite me and took a deep breath, apparently to prepare herself for the conversation.

- "I've been thinking about this for a while, but..." she began uncertainly. "What... does Olga think of me?"