Reliable Power is an Asset - 2

Blessings weren't something you could ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just pick and choose perfectly. You had to take what came.

'Expedition supply consumption reduced... It's meh, but not essential.'

Considering the large population and the need to run multiple expeditions, it was decent enough. The other blessings that came up alongside it were in such terrible condition they were utterly unusable anyway. In the end, I had no choice but to advise Shatinbelle Silkraise to pick that one.

Along with that message, at the start of Year 4, I sent over the metal. Hoping the dwarves would faithfully turn it into weapons.

I'd have loved to ship stuff from this world's workshops, but even I couldn't pull that off. Money aside, it'd draw unwanted police attention.

And so time passed. They needed fuel, so I sent fuel.

'Well, this should get them through a regular "storm" at least.'

That world faced a massive storm every four years. A ferocious gale laced with freezing winds that ravaged the land, bent on destroying all life and warmth.

'They've adapted to it, though.'

Surviving the mega-storm that hit once a century was next to impossible. But the smaller ones every four years weren't a huge threat to them. They had to pour fuel like water to maintain heat, sure, but a well-prepared colony wouldn't get wiped out.

With my fuel support, they wouldn't have to worry about winter.

'And what triggers these storms...'

Storm Hearts. Countless Storm Hearts were scattered across that world. Each generated storms in its region.

Retrieve a region's Storm Heart, and the storms there vanished—until the next mega-storm reset everything.

A Storm Heart was proof that a region was fully stabilized until the next big one. Offering it to the queen brought immense honor to the governor, naturally.

'I've done just about everything I can.'

I'd given Shatinbelle Silkraise the best options. Sent supplies as needed. But eventually, I had to step back.

After I'd exhausted my help, all I could do was hope she'd prove a capable governor.

Overcoming the storm wasn't that hard in itself, but an incompetent one could easily screw it up.

'Time's the real issue.'

If problems arose, an ordinary person could take their time fixing them. But not Shatinbelle Silkraise's colony. They couldn't afford damage—they had to avoid it entirely and dive straight into exploration the moment Year 5 began.

'Nothing for it.'

Worrying now was pointless. I'd done my best. I flashed a relaxed smile, settled my mind, and waited patiently.

Praying her colony came through safe.

A lot had happened.

Shatinbelle Silkraise had learned that book knowledge had its limits. From food vanishing in seconds to mishaps that shouldn't happen even in practice runs—countless surprises.

Yet her efforts and schooling weren't wasted.

"Everyone, stay sharp. Seal every gap in the buildings tight! Once the storm hits, there'll be no time for repairs."

The colony ran with astonishing stability. Shatinbelle Silkraise was promising talent. She moved like a veteran governor who'd stabilized multiple colonies.

Her orders were precise. Whenever supplies were needed, the "merchant beyond the trading post" provided, and his advice was spot-on.

Plus, colony policy made happiness crucial. Most settlers gladly accepted her rule.

'Let's see...'

But the storm was uncharted territory for her. Her old self might've scoffed, "Storms? I studied plenty in school." The current Governor Shatinbelle Silkraise, though, had matured enough to admit her ignorance.

"Complete the heating systems and double-check our stockpiles."

When the storm struck, foraging outside was near impossible. They'd stockpiled plenty of food already. But this colony had neglected food stabilization. If the stores spoiled or contaminated, disaster loomed.

'...It's coming.'

Time passed. From distant lands, the frost winds blew.

The storm approached.

"Hmm..."

Shatinbelle Silkraise tilted her head, surveying her subordinates.

"Any long-time locals here? This is my first real governor gig."

"First time? Impressive talent. Best Joinkind governor I've seen."

The dwarf replied without looking up.

"W-Well... I owe a lot to that merchant. I'd be lost without him."

"Can't deny that."

The dwarf's gruff voice made her frown.

"No need to agree so quick! Show some respect for your governor."

"I am. The courage to ask for help without hesitation, thorough self-awareness—not what you'd expect from a rookie Joinkind governor."

Shatinbelle Silkraise wasn't sure if that was praise or an insult, pulling an awkward face.

"Anyway, ask away. What do you want from an outsider?"

"Were storms always... this easy to endure?"

"Not impossible. With enough food, warm homes, ample fuel—manageable."

"As I thought."

"Not ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like this, though. Your achievement. Be proud."

"Really?"

"This fuel first."

The dwarf tapped the wall. Heat flowed through the pipes.

"Probably that world's 'black mud oil.' But purity's unreal."

"That good?"

"Eturneras might manage it. This purity? Heat output? Impossible in a colony. Feels criminal using it in heaters instead of forges."

"Not using it means we all freeze."

"Half would. Half survive. Big deal."

Shatinbelle Silkraise clicked her tongue.

"...Fine. Other reasons?"

"Everything's abundant. Food overflows, folk are happy."

Even as they spoke, the dwarf's eyes never met hers. His hands fiddled nonstop with finely made plastic Legos.

"Indoor toys aplenty, bellies full."

Active races like orcs or lizardmen hated confinement—storm lockdown was stress itself, no matter the comforts.

But humans, Joinkind, dwarves? They didn't mind warm homes with good conditions. Joinkind relieved stress designing clothes from excess fabric. Humans and dwarves had board games, Legos for safe indoor fun.

In this colony, the storm wasn't a trial to endure—it was a legal, cozy vacation.

"I see..."

Shatinbelle Silkraise nodded slowly.

"Nothing special, then."

"Nothing special."

Words aside, it was special. Perfect food, fuel, happiness, building materials—a colony like that was extraordinary.

The storm passed. They were ready, blocking it effortlessly.

"One thing left."

She steeled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠herself. She'd received so much. She'd traded some goods back, but he didn't seem to need them.

His goal hadn't changed from the start.

"I must find the Storm Heart."

"Well done. Storm survived?"

"Of course. Your support let us endure solidly."

"The blessing?"

"Not chosen yet. Awaiting your guidance."

"Hmm..."

Things had gone smoothly overall. But the third blessing was disappointingly vague. With massive population and happiness secured, it was time to scale industry based on numbers.

We'd made weapons, armor, prepped scouts grudgingly, but time was tight.

"Here they are."

Shatinbelle Silkraise recited the blessings. I read them calmly.

"...A shame."

Either would've been huge if they'd appeared in Year 3. Engineering covered a broad range. Speed over quantity, but still a boon for development.

Research wasn't bad either. Production mattered more here, but pivoting to research focus from Year 4 wouldn't hurt.

For the colony's long-term future, picking one made sense.

'But not for me.'

I was in a rush. Had to secure the Storm Heart before too late. I'd prioritized the colony so far, but now I had to push my needs.

"The final blessing—"

Shatinbelle Silkraise announced the last option.

Not generally well-regarded. From her tone, she knew it too.

Expanding territory here meant big risks—clashes with natives or beasts, or cursed ancient lands.

'Wait.'

I tilted my head, checking the colony's status.

'Weapons and armor are solid. Big population means decent army size...'

But could they snag a Storm Heart? No massive magic backup, no super-soldiers.

'Blind expansion is basically suicide... but.'

I decided.

"Take the third blessing."

"I figured you'd say that. But we must consider carefully. Even if scout EXP rises, the gains won't be huge."

Her words were sensible. If I were playing the game, I'd agree.

"If time's needed anyway, wouldn't the first be better?"

"No. Choose the third. And—"

I smiled faintly.

"Assign as many people as possible to scout parties. Send them all out exploring."

"Hm?"

"Every direction. Every inch of land."

With Shatinbelle Silkraise's colony and my support, they could pull it off.