To carry out a social reform, the biggest issue had to be addressed first.
“From now on, you don’t need to offer all surplus production to me. Offer only 20% of what you produce.”
Currently, nearly all the wheat produced, aside from what the Tinyfolk consume, is offered to me.
Under the guise of faith, they obeyed without question, but having nothing for themselves left them feeling empty.
So, as painful as it is, the first step is reducing the offerings.
“Let each individual take the remaining production based on their labor contribution.”
It’s only natural that without ownership, there’s no reason to strive.
They’d just live like cogs in a machine.
So.
You take what you work for.
It’s time to move their civilization under this simple yet fundamental truth.
“Conflicts may arise in this process, so apostles, prepare countermeasures accordingly.”
Understood.
With private property comes the concept of individuality within a community.
Conflicts are inevitable in this transition.
It’s better to establish a legal system in advance.
I’ll help lay the foundation for those systems.
“System, impart knowledge of currency and legal systems to them.”
[Transferring ancient currency and ancient legal system knowledge will cost 7.2 million won.]
“Do it.”
The cost of transferring each technology stings now,
but it’s an investment for their well-being.
Soon, exclamation marks appeared above the apostles’ heads, and they bowed to the heavens.
We will refine the knowledge bestowed upon us by the Master of the Dimension.
“The knowledge I’ve given you isn’t complete. Use it as a foundation, but improve upon any shortcomings. Do that through the Academy.”
Understood.
If we built an Academy, we should make good use of it.
This sets up the first layer of societal safeguards, but it’s not enough.
A few more measures are needed.
“Ensure everyone rests one day a week!”
Until now, the farms were collectively managed.
The Tinyfolk only worked as much as necessary, but with private farms, things will change.
Some will definitely overwork themselves.
Capitalism is about toiling to provide for your children.
Some Tinyfolk will overwork in hopes of a better future for their descendants.
A six-day workweek is the safeguard for that.
I’d love to introduce a four-day workweek, which I couldn’t do in reality,
but that’s not feasible yet with their population size.
It’d uproot Ribbon Corporation’s foundation.
Instead, though it’s not quite a substitute…
“Twice a year, hold festivals and let everyone enjoy the day.”
A day to play, eat, and drink without worrying about tomorrow.
By providing such days myself, I aim to give them hope and leisure.
The apostles diligently recorded my words.
We will follow the words of the Master of the Dimension.
“For the festivals, hold a martial tournament at the Colosseum to select the strongest warrior and a harvest festival to celebrate the year’s bounty.”
We will remember the martial tournament and harvest festival.
“One last thing.”
Please speak.
“Be happy.”
Really, my goal is to get their happiness to 100%. Well, now that we’ve changed the metric…
Fine, even with the new metric, let’s aim for 100 happiness.
I don’t want them to fall into being mere tools for me.
That doesn’t align with how I want to live going forward.
I hope those under me don’t become that either.
Understood.
“Then get to work.”
The conversation with the apostles ended there.
I hydrated my parched throat and observed the dimension.
I wanted to see what changes would unfold firsthand.
The apostles in each village gathered the residents and spread my words.
The idea of private farms didn’t fully sink in yet, and there was some murmuring,
but when the word “festival” came up, everyone broke into wide smiles.
Having a day to carefree eat and play was something to rejoice over.
“Once the other social policies take root, things will stabilize further.”
The wheat harvest might dip temporarily because of this,
but I’ve stockpiled enough to cover it.
What’s lost now will be made up for later.
I gazed at the map without much worry.
“Be happy.”
Really.
Listen when I tell you.
“System, turn off dimension observation and set the time dilation back to normal. And if anything unusual happens in the dimension…”
[An apostle of the Bloodkin seeks the Master of the Dimension.]
“Huh?”
What’s this? Did they have more to say?
“Call them.”
[Summoning the Bloodkin apostle.]
I greet the Master of the Dimension. –
“Yeah, why did you call me?”
I have one request and one thing for you to confirm.
A request and something to check.
“Tell me the request first. If it’s worth hearing, I’ll consider it.”
Yes. We request that you increase the number of apostles.
“Right.”
Currently, there are three apostles for the Tinyfolk and one for the Bloodkin.
With six villages, there’s definitely a shortage of apostles.
Ribbon Corporation is short-staffed too; I can’t let them suffer the same.
“System, increase the number of apostles so each village has at least one.”
[Would you like to appoint apostles automatically?]
“Yes. Select the best candidates based on their faith. Oh, and the new apostles will be under Apostle 1 but equal to the others.”
Apostle 1 holds a special position, but the rest should be equal to avoid power struggles.
[One additional Bloodkin apostle and one additional Tinyfolk apostle will be appointed.]
[Appointing apostles costs 2 million won.]
I’m spending close to 10 million won in one day.
But it’s not a waste.
These apostles will help manage things more broadly.
“I’ve appointed the apostles. Since you’re Apostle 1 for the Bloodkin, manage their growth well.”
Oh, thank you, thank you!
“And the thing you wanted me to confirm?”
It’s a report from the Academy.
A report from the Academy.
That’s got my interest.
I reactivated dimension observation and zoomed in on the Bloodkin apostle.
He held up a crude scroll and said,
Some scholars at the Academy are researching dimensions.
“Hmm? Dimensional research?”
Yes. They’re studying where other dimensions might be, how to find them, and how to access them.
This is pretty intriguing.
I was just starting to worry about exploring other dimensions.
The current One Direction is vast, but it’s lacking in new resource supplies.
To secure resources like aluminum, oil, or coal in the future, I’d need to check out other dimensions.
“I didn’t know such research was possible!”
They used knowledge left by our ancestors before they served the Master of the Dimension.
“Oh, right.”
The Bloodkin developed a unique apostle unit even without a dimensional master.
They must’ve built on that knowledge.
“They’re doing well.”
Thank you.
“So, what you want me to confirm is related to that, right?”
Yes. Let me first share the findings.
The apostle unrolled the scroll and pointed to a section.
Recently, traces of attempts to access our dimension from nearby ones have been detected.
“Access attempts? You mean invasion?”
Their intentions are unclear. But the scholars believe that as these traces increase, we’ll eventually encounter new beings.
Encountering a new species.
My first meeting with the Bloodkin was a disaster, so naturally, I felt uneasy.
What if they attack the moment we meet?
What if they have a far superior civilization?
We could end up forcibly subjugated.
“Should we bolster our military?”
Their level is estimated to be similar to ours.
“Why’s that?”
If their level were higher, they wouldn’t be making attempts—they’d have attacked directly.
Coming straight in without trial and error.
That’s a bit scary.
We ask for guidance on how to handle them when we meet. With your instructions, we can respond swiftly.
“Hmm.”
The moment of encountering another species.
I suddenly thought of movies about meeting aliens.
Most depicted wars, but some showed exchanges.
In some cases, those exchanges led to faster progress.
Our civilizations are growing well together, but we’re still lacking in unknown forces.
Other dimensions might have superpowers or magic-like technologies.
If we could learn and apply those,
our civilization would grow even stronger.
That makes exchange seem like a decent option.
“I’ll look into it further and let you know.”
“Investigate nearby dimensions more thoroughly. There might not be a dimension where everyone can live together.”
Understood.
The more information we have about dimensions, the more choices we get.
The Bloodkin apostle said they’d instruct the Academy to invest more in this.
“Good work. Thanks to you, my knowledge is expanding.”
No, it’s an honor that our small knowledge is of help.
“I’ll look into it and get back to you as soon as possible.”
Understood.
I cut off the Bloodkin Apostle 1’s consciousness.
Then I immediately called the system.
“System, do you know anything about nearby dimensions?”
[No accessible information is available at this time.]
“So there’s no way to prepare in advance.”
[If the dimension’s level increases, we can pinpoint coordinates more accurately.]
“Raising the level means subjugating other dimensions and advancing our civilization?”
[Correct.]
The system’s words gave me a sense of direction.
“Call Tinyfolk Apostle 1.”
[Summoning Tinyfolk Apostle 1.]
I greet the Master of the Dimension. –
“Apostle 1, what I’m about to say must be handled discreetly.”
Understood.
“The Academy confirmed attempts to access our dimension. Did you hear?”
I received a report recently.
I was worried about a lack of information sharing, but thankfully, the friendly relations between the Tinyfolk and Bloodkin were holding strong.
“Assemble a reliable scouting team and gather them at the Academy.”
You mean…
“We don’t know what intentions those accessing our dimension have. But if they cross over, they’ll likely come through the Academy.”
It’s just a hunch, but sometimes hunches are right.
“Before that, as soon as the research is complete, take the scouting team and cross into that dimension.”
A preemptive strike.
“First, gather information. If they come with hostility, subdue them by force and make them submit, like with the Bloodkin.”
It feels a bit like building a colony.
Unlike imperialism, I’ll treat them as equal beings with dignity.
So.
“If they show friendly intentions, resolve it through dialogue. Form an alliance.”
Understood.
Apostle 1 mulled over my words and then cut off their consciousness.
I leaned back in my chair.
What will the outcome be this time?
Enemies or allies?
Alliance or subjugation?
The answer came the very next day.