Giant God Race Education (1)
“I was just worried you might've kicked off something this massive without even basic preparations.”
“Well, with three harvests under our belt—tens of thousands of sacks at a time—food shouldn't be an issue, but I'm not sure they are worth that much.”
That was Lattis speaking.
Kainus looked genuinely flustered as he asked, “My lord, did you really stockpile a million sacks?”
“Stacked 'em up with preservation magic and everything.”
“In a famine like this... that much wheat...”
Lattis chimed in at Kainus's words. “Aigoo, don't get me started. We had so much grain pouring in that we kept expanding the warehouses nonstop.”
“That much?”
“Come see for yourself! I'll show you.”
The retainers who'd just returned from expeditions still wore skeptical expressions. Not that I could blame them—I wouldn't believe it either. No normal method could produce that much grain. Especially since the territory's population hadn't even hit 300,000 before the 1.5 million newcomers arrived. Each city had its silos, but fearing theft or embezzlement, we'd built massive underground vaults beneath the main castle. Every one brimmed with grain.
“Holy hell, what is this?”
“Demeter's blessing.”
For a moment, I felt Demeter's gaze upon us. When praising gods, you had to do it right—they were more childish than kids sometimes.
“Without her, we'd never have yields like this.”
I could practically see the gods squirming in boredom. Looked like something big had to pop off soon.
It was the third day since the Giant God Race arrived. Kainus had taken charge immediately upon his return, seizing control of the administration and issuing orders left and right. Thanks to him, things were stabilizing fast. But even he wasn't omnipotent. While he juggled a dozen crises without a moment's rest, I'd stepped away for a breather.
Slumped over, I pondered one dilemma.
“Should I drink this or not?”
In my hand was a high-grade mana potion. I'd only recently downed a mid-grade one, so I planned to wait until my body adjusted. I'd picked this up two months ago at the Tower of the Gods, along with massive quantities of divine seeds and growth agents. That was why we had a million sacks of wheat stockpiled. With the Giant God Race here, farmland would expand, and this fall's harvest would be insane.
Gulp!
As I slacked off, Kainus burst into the office, looking downright rattled.
“What's up?”
“My lord, trouble's finally hit.”
“Oh! For real?!”
I shot up from my seat. I'd been hoping those Giant God Race bastards would stir something up. Sure, steady development mattered, but soothing the bored gods and boosting preferred viewer counts wouldn't hurt. Somehow, my preferred list was stuck at 10—no movement.
“So, what kind of trouble?”
“You sound almost like you've been waiting for them to screw up.”
Kainus's jab cut sharp.
“Ahem, when did I say that?”
With a sigh, Kainus laid out the details. “The Giant God Race is rejecting the administrators' rule. And to top it off, the administrator of City 1 got beaten to death by them.”
“What?! Beaten to death?”
“Protests demanding autonomy guarantees are popping up across multiple cities too.”
“These fuckers have lost their minds!”
My brow furrowed, but inwardly, I thought, Perfect. The dead administrator was a shame, but this could entertain the gods. Sure enough, they started tuning in one by one.
The eastern edge of the territory, near the front lines. We'd built ten new cities. They weren't fully complete, but the frameworks were up—dwarves would finish once Giant God Race laborers pitched in.
That's where the incident blew up. A massive protest unfolded before City 1's walls.
“Guarantee our autonomy!”
“Guarantee it!”
“We don't want central rule! We'll pay tribute—just give us autonomy!”
From afar, it was a sight. No way could a few thousand troops control 200,000 Giant God Race in City 1. Especially given their massive builds—they probably didn't fear soldiers one bit.
“How the hell did you escort them with just 2,000 troops?”
“It was rough.”
“...”
That said it all. I could gauge Kainus's efforts without more words.
Now, how to deal with these insolent pricks.
Bam!
I kicked off the hilltop, landing amid the Giant God Race and laying into them with fists flying.
Krraaang!
“Gaaah!”
“Aaaargh!”
I focused on their leaders, pounding mercilessly. They went down in seconds, but the crowd's mood turned even uglier. Humans really were forgetful beasts. After all they'd suffered in the north, you'd think they'd remember—instead, they acted like clueless idiots. Especially with Carlton leading the charge this time.
“Urgh.”
“Carlton, what the fuck is this?”
“My lord, we agreed to become territory folk—not submit to central control.”
“That's what becoming territory folk means.”
“We're different! The Giant God Race holds autonomy per tribe, united as a confederation.”
“So you're rebelling over governance now?”
“Of course not! We wouldn't defy a lord blessed by gods. We just want autonomy guaranteed!”
“Same difference.”
“It's not!”
My fist trembled. I could kill Carlton right there. But that'd just rile them up more.
“Carlton, wanna bet on it?”
“What kind of bet?”
“Pick 50,000 warriors to fight me! You're a warrior race, right? If I lose, you get autonomy.”
I infused my voice with mana.
Murmurs rippled through instantly.
The Giant God Race were warriors to the core. Even converts still had that blood—they never backed from challenges. And 50,000 against 1? I prodded them further.
“I'll fight alone. If you can't take me even then, submit quietly to my rule!”
The gods were finally perking up, muttering it'd be worth watching. Time to seal the deal.
“If I lose, just pay light tribute. I'll guarantee autonomy and let you keep an army.”
“...!”
“If a warrior race won't take this bet, just swallow your shame and accept rule.”
“Rooaaar!”
The Giant God Race went berserk. Refusing now would be utter humiliation—might as well drop the name.
“Fine! We accept!”
“I want oaths from the entire Giant God Race.”
“How?”
“Stake your warriors' honor. Submit signed consent forms with your names. Deadline: tomorrow.”
“When's the duel?”
“Sunset tomorrow!”
“Hm! Luring us into a prolonged melee?”
“Nah, you'll surrender in under 30 minutes—that's my promise too.”
Their eyes gleamed. No matter how they sliced it, the terms favored them.
That evening, elders representing each city gathered. Formerly tribe chiefs, they'd unified under Carlton as high chief upon arrival, taking elder roles.
Anyway, the lord had promised city autonomy—with one condition.
“Hmph! Even a great lord can't handle 50,000 handpicked Giant God Race warriors!”
“One condition, yeah.”
“Us providing arms? No issue!”
The elders brimmed with confidence. Consensus had formed across the Giant God Race camps; they'd signed oaths staking honor and names. For them, that was ironclad—as long as the lord lost.
Carlton knew the lord was strong. But he had one weakness.
“The lord will fight without killing or maiming us much.”
“Impossible in a 1-vs-50,000 battle. Casualties are inevitable.”
“If mass slaughter happens? Tribes won't follow him.”
“So chief's point is...?”
“We turn that against him.”
“Ooh!”
Exploit the lord's position. Ruling the Giant God Race left him constrained—he'd proposed 1-vs-50,000 himself, which was absurd.
“Round up our strongest warriors!”
“Got it!”
Wrapping up the day's work, Kainus and I toured the territory before heading back to the castle. Once there, time for that high-grade potion. Surpassing Grand Master realm would let me subdue 50,000 Giant God Race without harm.
“My lord, be cautious. They're clever folk. They'll sense your limits and exploit them.”
“Yeah, probably.”
“Any countermeasures?”
“Overwhelming power!”
“Hm.”
Kainus fanned himself with his fan—a magical one chilling the air like AC on a sweltering day.
Whoosh! He snapped it shut.
“Could it be you proposed 50,000 because...?”
“They'll have to pick their best for autonomy's sake. No need for separate recruitment, right?”
“...!”
Kainus's eyes widened in admiration, unfiltered.
“Hahaha! Brilliant, my lord! This Kainus learns from you today. Recruiting 50,000 elites like this...”