The 1.000 year Great Sage ---> COMPLETED STORY

Seya smiled and he went to the next room, with Myko on his tail. In there, he started to make some very long tables, like in the main Dining Room. Zak made those and he was right, that is really the best way to sit a lot of people while using less space. A bunch of long benches that were of the same length as the tables and that room was ready. Some Water and Wind Magic to polish the wood, more Sun Light Crystals on the ceiling and has soon as Seya and Myko left to take care of the other room, the Maids of Company arrived, to prepare every table. On the next room, Seya did the same thing. More long tables, long benches, and Crystals on the ceiling. Seya left, signaling the Maids of Company that the other room was ready and he went to talk with the cooks.

In the kitchen, an elder man that looked like he was the most experienced judging by the way he was giving out orders, approached Seya as soon as he saw him. After a deep bow, the cook pointed with his arms to the entire kitchen.

- Sir, these Home Appliances are amazing! And we even have a way to exhaust the smoke from the Stoves, to the open-air outside! There's freshwater coming from those Crystals near the sinks! Gaya told me that it was Milord who did all this. She explained to us that these Appliances are made in your lands down below and they are a major selling product in the Kingdom of Rohan. I never saw anything like this in the Empire! It is so easy to use and the speed that it allows to prepare food for so many people, astonishes me! And these Appliances use Magic Crystals! All this must have cost a fortune! And to be used for preparing food for common people that up until yesterday, were slaves!

- Yeah, these Home Appliances were really a good idea. I made the first of these some years ago, for my parents. I had to wait some years until I could make more to be sold. I see that while you are making food, there's also prepared food arriving. Did you have any problems while ordering the food or anything else?

- No problem whatsoever, Sir. When some of my guys went to the two Inns of Sir's lands and they asked for the food, plates, and tableware, they had everything prepared! Seems that they received that request from Baron Frank early this morning, following Sir's orders. And when we went to get more from other Inns of the Kingdom, the same happened, they had everything ready. They told us that those were the orders of the King, following Sir's indications. They just gave us everything, they didn't even ask for money!

- Ok, but did you make the accounting for everything that you received? Because this time was an emergency, but I need to pay all that because I will not return anything. I need to have plates, glasses, and tableware for future visits.

- Yes, Sir, we did. But paying all that, it will be a fortune!

- Don't worry, I have more money than in the Kingdom's safe. In fact, the Minister of Finances was nagging me for some time, for me to start spending my money so that the currency continued to flow in the Kingdom. He was afraid that sooner or later, I would have every coin available in the Kingdom! Heheheh!

- Sir… that's unbelievable… How is that possible?

- I have a lot of ideas and equipment like the Home Appliances under the Ownership Law and every time that one of those is sold in the world, I receive some money. Well, actually, I don't get even more money because some equipment takes a while to make and we are having delays on answering to so many orders. Talking about that, I didn't make tables or placed the new games in the Entertainment Room! And for you and for the other Cooks, Servants, and Maids, I didn't make in here tables and seats for you to be able to eat when the Dining room is full! That will just take an instant… Gaya, can you make in that corner over there, some tables and seats, like the ones that you made to the rooms?

- …||… Of course, Father, how many tables and seats? …||…

- Enough for all the staff to eat. I need to go to the Entertainment Room to prepare everything in there, before having lunch.

While Seya quickly exited the kitchen after thanking the cooks for all the work, Gaya was slowly making the tables and the seats, under the surprised look of the elder Cook. Myko rushed after Seya, he was distracted looking at the new tables growing from the floor, like if they were trees.

Going through the main hallway and following the signs at every intersection, Seya and Myko took a while to get to one of the several Entertainment Rooms spread inside Gaya. Seya asked Gaya to make one table and four seats, while he took from his Compressed Dimension, a box of games, the 'Heiji's Favourite Games'. He placed that box on top of one table and he opened it. Under the wondering look of Myko, Seya placed on the table the boards and the game pieces in there on their right position in each game and he asked Gaya to use the same Magical Program that she used to copy the furniture, but that time, the target was the games and the box.

- Remember young Gaya, first, make the table, the four chairs and then the box and the games on top of it, ok? Or else, you will make them without a table underneath and everything will fall.

- …||… Yes, that would be stupid of me, right? Hihihihi! …||…

Gaya did as she was told and slowly, a new table and four chairs were made. Then, the box, the boards and the pieces on their right place, on top of the table. Seya nodded, it was perfect.

- Yes, just like that. You can make more like this, enough to fill this room. But leave some space between the tables, so that people can walk around them. When you finish this, can you make the same on the other rooms? Or you don't know where they are?

- …||… Yes, I know. There are four Entertainment Rooms, one in my lower level, two at the middle and a last one in the upper level. But these rooms are big, compared with Father's room. …||…

- Yeah, just do these tables, chairs, and games in this room and the other one in the middle level. The one in your upper level and the one at the lower level, just make some tables and chairs. I think those rooms can become a Casino for our visitors but I need to create the games for those.

- …||… A Ca…sino? What's that? It's a weird word! …||…

- It's just a room with special games where a person can win or lose some money. Well, most of the times, the person loses his money… But it's fun and also a good way for us to entertain our future visitors. I'll make some games for that room, later on, now it's time to eat while you take care of the two Entertainment Rooms, ok?

- …||… Yes, Father, leave it to me! …||…

Seya left, followed by Myko that was still looking back, watching the tables and chairs being created so easily. So many advanced Magic's done just like that, in instants, was more than enough to make him go pale and almost faint, but he was getting used to seeing wonders upon wonders happening in front of him with such an astonishing easiness that looked like something that only the Goddess could do.

Myko gathered some courage and he questioned that strange Marquess.

- Sir, forgive me for questioning you, but why so much care for mere BeastKind and Human slaves? It is like this all over the Kingdom? Are all the Nobles so kind?

- Well, maybe not all Nobles, but slavery is not allowed or looked upon as a natural thing as it used to be in the Empire. I told you when you arrived here, I'm a Half-Breed RabbitKind on my father's side and Human on my mother's side. Seeing so many people that up until now had such a rough life, pains me. Since I took possession of my lands, I tried to save from the Empire any slave that I could. In fact, the fall of the Empire and the release of the BeastKind slaves was an old dream that I had, for these last years. And now that it happened, I'm so happy that I may seem too anxious or I lose my patience when others are doubting my intentions. I know it's my problem because I hide so many things about me that other people tend to doubt or underestimate me but over these past years I always tried to not attract too much attention upon myself and I'm still doing it.

- Like I did. I doubted everything…

- Yeah, but up until now, you managed to be worst than many others, you annoyed me so much that I am still mad at you. Maybe it was the way you acted or the tone of your voice that messes with my nerves! Every time I hear you speaking, I feel a shiver on my spine. Now, do you mind stop speaking? I am starting to think that I made the wrong choice, on having you like my shadow!

Myko went silent again and he just nodded his head.

While Seya was in the Entertainment Room, little Aria was alone in her room, enjoying the Jacuzzi and talking with Gaya.

- Yeah, I really like this, it's so relaxing! Gaya, how is everything going with those people that arrived from the former Empire?

- …||… They are being taken cared off, my Goddess! Father Seya is making sure that everything is perfect and now he's placing some games in the Entertainment Rooms, for those people to enjoy! I have an amazing Father, don't I? …||…

- Yes, you sure…

Before Aria could finish her sentence, she felt a trembling in the air. She looked in the direction of that weird sensation and a man slowly appeared in the middle of her room. He smiled and made a slight bow.

- Greetings, Goddess Aria, I'm Gabryel, the Investigator.

Aria shivered. She knew that name and that man's reputation. But the nerve of that guy, breaking-in into her room and interrupting her relaxing time. From surprised, Aria turned angry and she shouted.

- You… How did you manage to enter here? And who allowed you to sneak into my bedroom?

Sensing Aria's mood and by hearing her screams, Gaya thought that Aria was in danger and everyone living in there as well, so, she reacted.

- …||… My Goddess, I will protect you and everyone else, I will take care of this enemy! I can't allow life to come to harm and I must always protect and defend the innocent!…||…

Before Aria could say Gaya to stop because that guy was more dangerous than he looked, four tables were created instantly, that surrounded Gabryel. A wall of tables and chairs appeared, separating Aria from the reaches of that strange man. When Gabryel was smiling, amused by that reaction from a living mountain, the next action from Gaya took his smile away. From the walls, the floor and from the ceiling, came hundreds of sharped Magic Crystal spears that quickly surrounded Gabryel, stopping near his skin and restraining him. And then, Gaya increased the speed of the special Magical Program that Seya infused into her, even before she was alive. The ability to gather Magic. In seconds, Gabryel felt his Magic leaving him. He tried to hold his Magic and for a few moments, he seemed to win, but Gaya was faster and he fainted. Aria had her mouth wide open.

- Gaya, what did you do?

- …||… I learned how to copy tables and chairs with Father Seya. Teacher Titania taught me how to change some portions of my walls. And this Magic Collect was Father Seya that infused into my Crystal before the Goddess made me alive. Are you ok? I think now it's safe. Shall I call Father Seya to help us? …||…

Little Aria got out from the Jacuzzi and she became enveloped in a strong light. When the light faded, Aria, the Goddess of Creation was there. The complete and powerful form of the Goddess, with her long, yellow, and curly hair, that was laying on the floor, fully dressed in a long white dress.

- No need, I can take care of this nuisance myself. Retrieve those sharp edges and remove the tables and chairs, will you?

- …||… Of course, my Goddess, in an instant. I never saw you looking like that, you are pretty! …||…

Aria smiled by that innocent remark. When Gabriel was prostrated on the floor, completely knocked out, Aria approached him, gave him a little of Magic and she slapped him until he woke up. Gabryel sited on the floor, still feeling dizzy. He had a lot of trouble to focus his sight but when he managed to do it, he was surprised to see the complete form of Aria.

- Goddess Aria, it's an honor meeting you! I'm sorry if I came in by surprise as I did. I was not expecting this kind of treatment. Or my reaction! I don't faint often and I don't usually have a physical body with Magic that when losing it, makes me faint! This was a first! This Magical Mountain is more powerful than I thought! What happened? My Magic disappeared instantly. I could feel it leaving my body but I couldn't do anything to prevent it. I became weak so quickly!

- It's just a small thing that my dear Seya learned when he was still a baby and he taught this mountain. Gaya, how are you feeling? Can you handle all the Magic that you absorbed?

- …||… I… I am having problems with it… Teacher Titania is helping but since it's gathered in my Crystal, I just need to let it stay there. Father Seya made this Program so that I could gather Magic for the next three years, but this man had a lot of Magic, all my Crystal is full of Magic! All! It's amazing! And frightening! I don't need three years to help Father Seya, I'm ready…||…

- Well, at least this nuisance over here did something good. Don't tell Seya what happened, I'm going to talk to him later. And now you, Gabryel, what are you doing here?

- I just came to greet you and to inform you that I was going to start my Investigation.

- Investigation of what? And who sent you here, Gabryel, the Left Hand of the Gods?

- They did, of course. You see, the Council of the Gods is receiving periodic Reports from Examiner Tilia about your Seya so that they can decide what will happen to him when his time in this world ends. But my Investigation will be about trying to find what his actions are doing to the world and to the people living here. The Reports and my Investigation will help the Council to decide.

- That's strange, they normally don't do that, right?

- Yes, but Seya is a special case, as you are aware of. His actions are changing the world itself. The speed that the people that live here are evolving and learning, is astonishing. Even you are being influenced by him. It was him that asked you to grant life to this mountain, right? Did you ever create a Magical Being because someone requested you, in all these past Millennia?

- No… Never… You are right, that guy is influencing me too much… But I don't mind, Gaya was a good idea.

- I think the same, as all of his ideas, so far. But what will happen in the future to the people? Will they continue to evolve and become more curious and search for further improvement? Or will they stagnate again, after Seya is gone? What about Gaya? Will she become your helper in taking care of this world? Or she will try to destroy it? That's why I'm here, to find those answers.

Aria nodded. Suddenly, she approached Gabryel and poked his chest.

Gabryel gulped. He could be the most powerful Investigator that even some members of the Council of the Gods feared, but Aria was different. She was in a different league because as easy as she created life, she could change that same life into something else. Or destroy it completely. And he had no wish to be turned into a fish or a microbe, like what happened to his predecessor, Millenia ago. That guy was powerful but he annoyed the wrong God.

While Gabryel was shacking under the gaze of Aria, Seya arrived at the Dining Room. The food was already served and everyone was eating. He frowned because he couldn't find an empty spot anywhere and that was maybe the best because eating amongst the former slaves could make them nervous. Seya looked at Myko and pointed with his head to a nearby group of BeastKind, the same group that was with him when he was at the Checkpoint.

- You can go eat with your friends over there, I'm going to see how things are going in the kitchen and I'm going to eat there. I need to write some notes while I eat, for some projects.

- Sir, wouldn't be better for you to eat in your room? It would be quieter.

- I don't mind the noise. In fact, it even helps me think. After lunch, I'm going to my Laboratory. When you finish, meet me there, I may need your help with some tests.

- As you wish, Sir.

Myko made a deep bow and he went to the table where his friends were. Seya watched him going while thinking that maybe he could change for the best, as long as he kept under control that bad temper. But then Seya remembered that he too suffered from a very serious case of sudden changes of mood.

- Maybe it's something that I caught from Lionelia, like a disease or bacteria that the LionKind has! I used to be calmer, before meeting her! Heheheh! Well, there's no remedy for this, so, I just need to keep myself under control…

Seya went in the direction of the kitchen, smiling to everyone that looked or waved at him. In the kitchen, there was a table with three women and an empty chair next to the older Maid of Company that talked with him previously. Seya went casually to that empty chair and asked the woman.

- I'm sorry to bother you, but is this seat taken?

- Sir! No, no one was using it, but Sir wants to seat next to us? Because sitting at the same table of mere Maids of Company like us, can damage Sir's reputation!

Seya sited and he smiled while asking.

- What reputation? That I'm one vindictive with a bad temper and easily annoyed Half-Breed RabbitKind? I don't care less about my reputation. I let my work and my actions speak for me.

The older woman made a small smile.

- That's a very honorable way of life. Sir's parents have raised you well if I can be so bold as talking about Sir's parents like that…

- My mother won't mind for sure and she would be proud of hearing you say that. I bet that my father during his youth used a lot of times the special service that your kind of job provides, so, I wouldn't worry about him too.

- Ahahah! Yes, Rolland Hinamoto, the most outstanding human adventurer of the past centuries! His adventures as the worst and most annoying thorn in all the Empire are legendary. He made quite a reputation by robbing every Castle or Palace that he could infiltrate and taking slaves with him to the Eternal Forest. Sometimes, putting his life in danger and taking several weeks hidden because of those slaves instead of escaping all alone. There are still songs and stories being told about him, up until now.

- Yeah, I heard that he was well known amongst the slaves of the Empire. Maybe you could tell some of those stories and songs to Gaya, I'm sure she will like it.

- It will be an honor, Sir.

- If you don't mind my question, I noticed that you have some influence amongst the Maids of Company that came here with you, why is that?

- Well, when I was younger, I worked as a Maid of Company. I had quite a reputation because of my expertise in that line of work. Over the years, I managed to save money from the hidden tips that my customers gave me. As a CatKind slave, every earning that I would get, I had to give to my owner. But from the tips, I always managed to take a little for me. I learned how to read, write and do some maths because I paid a customer that worked as a personal tutor to some young Nobles. He tutored me and I learned. That granted me the knowledge that I used to help a lot of the girls that are here. Recently, when the Nobles Conclave ordered that every slave should be released, my owner was a personal friend of one member in the Conclave and because of that, I was released immediately. The other girls came to me because they didn't know what to do. I think I've become more or less as their leader and mentor over these years and they always seek my advice. I heard from some customers that through an opening in the Dark Barrier, a slave had safe passage to seek refuge and I guided our group. Along the way, we picked up some Noble's Mistresses that because they were BeastKind slaves, were also released. And since their owners didn't want that anyone knew that they once had a BeastKind Mistress, they had to run away or risk being killed to maintain the secrecy.

- I see… I suppose there are more Maids of Company that can arrive or more Mistresses.

- Yes, there are. I left messages and instructions to some of my acquaintances, customers and other slaves to where I was going and if anyone wanted a better future, to follow me. Either today or on the next days, I'm sure more will arrive. I hope that's not a problem for Sir and they can also be granted refuge.

- Not only refuge, but I can guarantee a place for them to live if they want to stay in my lands. If they choose to go somewhere else, I can help with that.

- But Sir, despite that being very noble and honorable, it's also unheard off, so much consideration for mere Maids of Company. Especially, BeastKind!

- Well, I'm a Half-Breed RabbitKind, it's natural that I want to help my people. Since I'm dating the heir to the throne of the BeastKind, it's the obvious thing to do. And your line of work doesn't bother me. In fact, I admire what you do, I'm sure it's not an easy job, especially because of the type of customers that you can get. I bet that some are not appealing, handsome, or nice. And you must be an expert in everything that you do, to please your customers. But, for instance, are there some customers that just want to talk, get some company, ear you sing or do some kind of performance and not only physical interaction? Because that kind of thing is even more difficult to accomplish.

- But of course! I'm surprised that Sir, being so young, knows so much about this type of subject. But it's true, we are very knowledged in various sorts of entertainment, not only in physical interaction. The physical part is just a small portion of what we do and most of the times, our customers don't even ask for that. And some of us, like myself, have so much expertise in the entertainment area that our customers pay just to hear, see or talk with us. Our time is well paid, but we had to endure a very long and demanding training, to achieve such a degree.

- I bet that a Maid of Company trains since a very young age…

- The best ones do it. If a slave has passed a certain age or if he or she can't learn everything, they can still work, but they can only receive certain customers. The less demanding ones. Meaning, the ones that just want the physical part.

- That's… amazing… just like a Geisha… and there's also the normal prostitutes… this is just too perfect to be true! On the new house that I'm going to create in my lands, I can have the entertainment zone, for the women and men with that kind of expertise, and another section in a separate house, for the normal physical interaction! I know that 1.000 years ago, the Elfian Great Sage was also very knowledged in your line of work, meaning, the entertainment part. I know that she taught all that she knew, to the LizardKind and up until today, there are females among them that are truly amazing performers, just by following her teachings. A Maid of Company, or a Geisha, as it's known amongst the LizardKind, is a very respected and honorable line of work and they only do the physical interaction if they want, in fact, a customer falls in disgrace if he demands it! In other countries, a Maid of Company is always looked upon as a lower and shameful job, mostly because they only do the physical interaction. But entertainers like you that trained all their life since very young, I never knew it existed outside the LizardKind prairies!

- Well, there's a bunch like that right here… I didn't know that our line of work had such a history…

Seya stopped for a while, thinking. He then smiled, he had an idea. A crazy one, indeed.

- Do you mind telling me your name? We have been talking all this time and I didn't ask until now.

- I am Miriam, Sir. I'm used to people not wanting to know my name, so, I kind of not gave too much importance to Sir not asking me.

- Miriam, I have an idea. Besides the new house in my lands, and taking this opportunity of having so many Maids of Company in here, I need that you find the ones that have special skills, the Geisha ones, because I have two Entertainment Rooms begging for their services. The others that are only prostitutes, I prefer that they learn a different job and avoid that line of work while inside Gaya. Because we have a lot of children and families that could find that insulting, seeing men coming and going from their rooms. To those that want to continue that line of work, they can work in the new house that I'm building. But not here.

- If I can be of assistance in that matter, I will gladly do it. But what is Sir's idea for those… Geisha? Did I say it right?

- Well, a Geisha can work in those two Entertainment Rooms, either by performing on the stage or just talking and keeping company to the visitors. The physical part, I wish that could be avoided. Unless the Geisha wants it, of course. I can't forbid something like that, I'm not their owner!

- Sir… like that, a Geisha is a Maid of Company with many expertises and a Maid of Company is just a normal prostitute?

- Yes, if you put it that way. A Geisha is special, it's mostly an artist, a performer, has great knowledge about a lot of subjects and their clothes, makeup, hairstyle, and way to act, has a lot of nuances and to master it all, one must study and train for several years. But a Maid of Company, or prostitute, can be a Geisha in training, because she or he must train and learn everything that they can, to ascend to that honourable step. Like that, the view that other people have about the Maids of Company will surely change, and very fast. Like what happened in the LizardKind case. Nowadays, a LizardKind Maid of Company is a future Geisha. Some achieve that rather easily, while others keep on training until they became one. But the recognition is still there, and as I said, it's a much-respected line of work. There is one female member of the Ten Clan Conclave that's an old Geisha. A very famous one, she is an amazing musician and dancer. The Ten Clan Conclave is their form of Government and from a Maid of Company she became a Geisha and her expertise and wisdom granted her the recognition of her Clan that chose her as their Chief.

- Amazing… it's a wonderful idea… and a Maid of Company becoming a member of the Government… that's impressive! I would love to meet such a female…

- Well, since I finished eating, I need to go do some work. If you can take care of that group of Geisha, ask Gaya to point you into the direction of the two Entertainment Rooms, one in the upper section and the other in the lower section. Those are the ones where the Geisha can work and perform. After that, ask Gaya to talk to Master Aku Kiro and say to him that you have already talked with me and that you wanted to meet the Clan Chief Myneko Ywasaky. I'm sure that he will help you. And like that, you two can talk and maybe with her help, you realize how a Geisha is viewed among the LizardKind.

- Yes, Sir, it will be an honour! I don't know how to thank Sir for this opportunity! And for Sir's explanation!

- Don't mind that, this is just me being selfish. I only want you and your friends to live in my lands or in here so that I can receive more visitors willing to spend their money.