“Would you believe me if I said I was blessed with health and knowledge?”

  I let the question hang in the air. A blessing would be the best way to explain away any advanced knowledge I would reveal, if only they would believe me.

  “Blessed? By whom?” He asked, with awe and confusion in his voice.

  “I don’t know. God, perhaps? A reward for good deeds or something. We are a small community now. We could use all the help we can get, right? My new knowledge,” I tapped my temple, “would be very useful.”

  I held their gazes, one by one.

  Elder Erickson came forward. “My lord, would you consider becoming our leader?” he asked, with hope in his eyes.

  The question left everyone in the tent stunned.

  “Erickson!” Elder Hyde, if I remembered correctly, hissed at him angrily.

  “He risked his life for us, despite his noble station,” Erickson said, looking from one Elder to another. “He has experience leading both soldiers and civilians. Do we have anyone more qualified?”

  “He is not one of us!” The old man spat the words out like venom.

  “Not by birth, no, but how many of us would be alive if not for his help? Do our scriptures not clearly say, ‘All those who do the will of God are your brothers?’ I would be honored to call him one, for what he has done for us.”

  “I wouldn't mind following him as well.” The voice, younger and deeper, came from somewhere behind me. I turned around to see Lothar there.

  “You have no say in this matter!” Hyde directed his anger at him.

  Ignoring him, Lothar addressed the whole assemblage, his tone respectful but unwavering.

  “Honored Elders, you were discussing our safety. While I would defer to your wisdom in most matters, none of you have any experience with military affairs. Lord Jack does, and he used it to help us escape. He almost died helping us, when he didn’t have to. We need as much help as we can get.”

  While they debated the matter, I noticed that the question of whether I should become their leader hadn’t even crossed my mind. My narcissism had already destroyed one life, I would not let it destroy another.

  While it was undeniable that I could do a lot of good for the people of this world as a leader, I would have to be very careful. I didn’t suffer from impostor syndrome, but had the opposite problem. If I let my mind run free, I would get swept in the tall tales it liked to weave and fail miserably, just like the last time, except thousands of people would also pay the price.

  Could I help them without becoming their leader? Perhaps, but a lot of my work would not yield quick results. If the people got impatient, I wouldn’t have anything to show. I finally decided I would rather have a more entrenched position, despite the risks involved. All I needed was the Council's support.

  “I promise not to be a tyrant, since I have no army to enforce tyranny anyway.” I reflexively tried to lift the mood, but quickly reined myself in. This was a serious matter. “Look, you need a different organizational structure, now that you've stepped onto the bigger stage.”

  I saw nothing but confusion on their faces.

  “You are no longer subjects of any nation, protected by their military. You are a stateless people, ripe for subjugation or even enslavement by anyone who can.” I looked each of them in the eye to emphasize the severity of their situation. “Sovereign nations, uh, realms, exist in a state of anarchy, where might makes right, and you are quite short on it. I can help you with that, but I will not take such responsibility lightly. It must be backed by authority. Not just yours, but mine.”

  I could see the gears slowly turning in their heads. I never bought into the platitude that 'anyone who wants power is unfit to have it'. Power was a tool, nothing more. A dangerous and very addictive one, disastrous in the hands of idiots, but a tool nonetheless. What mattered was what its wielder intended to do with it. I knew what I wanted to do; run Civilization in real life. Explore the world, expand my nation, exploit natural resources to enrich us and exterminate any threats to our well-being.

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  “Elders, if you declare me your leader, I promise you a very capable military within a year, and more. We will create a cradle for our new nation so strong that none shall dare attack us. Those who are foolish enough to do so will shatter against our shields. I promise to you that I will not take any major decision regarding the fate of our people without consulting with the Council first.”

  Most of them still looked unconvinced. Elder Hyde didn’t seem like he would budge even if I presented him with his deepest desire, while Erickson and the other Elder were on my side. I just had to convince the indecisive ones.

  “If you are worried about me setting up a dynasty that rules over your people, you need not worry. I don’t want to establish that kind of government anyway. We will form a republic, with power shared between me and the Council. I will have the final say only in times of war, and the next leader after me will be chosen by the people and the Council. I will be your first, and only, Supreme Leader.”

  Elder Hyde was still opposed to the idea, and I saw it in his hardening eyes he had decided to threaten me to get his way.

  “Don't think you can force me into it, Elder,” I spoke before he could, my voice low and steady. “Training a competent military force requires a free mind. A shackled one will give you knowledge that's flawed, or riddled with failure points. You could torture me to your heart’s delight but you still wouldn't know if I did it.”

  My words landed like a punch. The two undecided Elders exchanged glances. Seeing how one Elder and the leader of their warriors were openly backing me, with another one eager to join in, they seemed to have a change of heart, but still didn’t vocally support me.

  “How about a trial period?” I suggested, bowing slightly. “Make me the acting Supreme Leader, and if you are not satisfied within, say... three months, we can revisit the arrangement.”

  That should be enough time for me to develop some weapons to impress them, and for the soldiers to grow closer to me.

  The undecided Elders quickly nodded, happy with the compromise. The crotchety Hyde was still against it, but it turned out that four out of five votes were enough to make that decision.

  “This will not end well, mark my words!” he told the others. Regardless, I was now the new leader of the Cha people.

  That evening, I found myself looking at thousands of pairs of light-colored eyes.

  “Everyone!” Elder Erickson shouted. “The Council has come to a decision! The free Cha will establish the realm of Chadom in this valley.”

  Cheers erupted. A thunderous applause that reverberated throughout the land. Once it subsided down, he continued.

  “Moreover, we have decided to elect another to a position of power and responsibility. Viscount Jack Nobart gave up his station to help us out. He might be young, but he has experience in leading both commoners and soldiers. In light of his sacrifice and commitment towards the Cha, the Council of Elders has decided to make him the acting Supreme Leader of Chadom! May we all prosper under your leadership.”

  The cheers this time were more sporadic. While many were thankful for my help, I was in the end, not one of the Cha. I understood their apprehension.

  While I smiled and waved to the crowd, I was busy castigating my mind on the inside.

  Did I just get myself declared Supreme Leader? Why couldn’t I think of a better title? Good going, you stupid brain. Are you going to implement a cult of personality next? Make sure everyone has a picture of me in their non-existent homes and have the same silly haircut? Now I'll be thinking of Kim Jong Un every time someone addresses me.

  Thankfully the ceremony was short, and I got too busy to ruminate on my mind's treachery. There was a lot of work to be done.

  ──────── ??? ────────

  The Capital of Nanon Kingdom

  The cool sea breeze swept through Hohenburg Castle’s vast halls, but it could not dislodge the air of anticipation that lingered in the air. A tall woman with dusky skin walked with urgent but sure steps to one of the balconies that faced the sea, the skirt of her flowing green dress trailing behind. The guards stood aside and opened the doors to let her out. On the other side, a short young woman with fiery red hair was casually watching the sea. Her elaborate gown of white and pink silk only accentuated her generous curves. The stunningly beauty would have taken Reshma’s breath away any other time, but at the moment, worry was coiled within her like a serpent, ready to strike.

  The Princess gave her a weak smile and got up to meet her.

  “Did you hear the news about Amlain?” Reshma asked her.

  “Yes.” Laira let out a long sigh. “Another realm swallowed by Zoran.”

  “You are sure about it?”

  “The last of the Handelsman family’s members that lived there arrived in the capital a week ago. Oberstein had a talk with them.”

  “The powerful merchant family?”

  Laira nodded in response. “If you want to sense a realm’s pulse, ask the merchants.”

  “So, what is our plan?” Reshma asked, nervously clutching her hands. “Only Sindhu and Nogaal stand between us and them now, and Nogaal,” she chuckled despite herself, “hardly counts as a united realm.”

  “Father is working on expanding the Royal Army. He’s also considering building an alliance.” Laira reassured her, and grasped her thin, long hands.

  “With Sindhu.” Reshma finished. “Will that be enough though? Sindhu has a lot more people than us, but…” She let the rest trail off.

  “But Zoran has far, far more. They can defeat Sindhu at their own game.” Laira gave a short, hollow laugh. “Their famous human wave tactics are not going to work this time.”

  “Bloody idiots!” Reshma spat, extricating her hands in anger. “Neither of them care one whit about their own people. If Zoran takes Sindhu or Nogaal, we are next, and there will be nowhere to run! What are we going to do?” She asked the princess, her voice tight with frustration.

  “Accumulate power. We can’t match them in numbers, so we’ll have to find another way.”

  Laira squeezed Reshma’s slender hands and chuckled at the reversal of their roles. Usually it was the happy-go-lucky woman comforting her, but Laira understood that she was scared for her homeland. She met her confidante’s gaze, rose on her tiptoes and kissed her softly.

  “Fear not, dearest, we will find a way.”

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