Monroe

Chapter Four Hundred and Twenty. United Nations, Part One.

Kellan flew through his gateway, a massive circle of braided flame, resplendent in gold, silver, platinum, red, orange, blue, and purple.

He had opened it a minute before, waiting to ensure that it was properly noticed and appreciated before he passed through it, soaring from the skies above Harbordeep to those above London.

The streets were crowded and grew even more so as people rushed out of buildings to stare up at his majestic form.

Kellan let out a burst of Vi'Radian Flame, as he began to increase his speed, his flight describing a tight spiral. Rotation after rotation, he expanded the spiral, his speed ever increasing until he was certain that to the eyes of the poor tier five humans beneath him, he was merely a blur.

It took only a matter of moments until the entire city was illuminated by the spiral of flame above them, banishing the shadows and bringing a teasing promise of summer's warmth to the cool day.

He appeared above the center of the spiral, quickly inspecting it. It had been a long time since he'd worked a ritual this size.

Taking a deep breath, he bellowed, his voice carrying across the city.

"I am Kellan Garvardes,Defender of Thayland, Blessed of Vi'Radia, Sovereign of the Skies," he roared, "on behalf of my World, I have graced your skies! Know that any who seek shall always find shelter beneath my wings! As a demonstration of my benevolence, BE HEALED!"

Kellan leaned down and released a wisp of azure flame, directing it to the center of the spiral.

The flames ignited, mimicking the colors of his portal as the spiral of flame separated into tens of millions of tiny, perfect Dragons, formed of flame, each one diving down to one of the people on the streets.

On contact, they unleashed an adorable little roar followed by a minuscule gout of flame before diving inside their targets.

He could feel the mana crystals in his inventory disappear as the ritual took hold. Tens of millions vanished in an instant. It pained him to spend so many, but one of the quotes from Earth described the need rather well. You never got a second chance to make a first impression. He knew what the people below would be experiencing, and he expected that videos of the event, along with the System description, would spread rapidly.

You have been offered a temporary Divine Blessing from Kellan Garvades, Blessed of Vi'Radia, The Timeless Flame.

This blessing will last for 81 hours. Over this duration, your body will be purified by 'Kellan's Vi'Radian Flame,' correcting all genetic anomalies as well as congenital defects. This process, once complete, is permanent and will ensure that any children conceived will benefit from the same effect.

In addition, this blessing will allow the user to employ a minor healing effect, 'Kellan's balm.' The user may choose to reserve a single point of mana regeneration to receive a constant healing effect equal to the user's Endurance.

Would you like to accept the Temporary Divine Blessing of Kellan Garvades, Blessed of Vi'Radia, The Timeless Flame?

Verbally articulate or mentally project 'Yes' or 'No.'

He could sense his blessing taking hold beneath him.

If asked what single aspect of the System update had pleased him the most, he would have had to say the interface. It had taken almost no time at all for people to accept whatever the System told them.

It made interacting with them so much easier, as while they (quietly, in their own minds) might question him, they wouldn't question the System.

With a smile, he dove down toward the United Nations building, having seen many photographs of it during his research. When he was a mere one hundred feet above the street, he shifted his form, performing what he knew was called a super-hero landing, although he only allowed his knees to flex slightly on impact. Nothing would ever force him to even a single knee.

The crowd parted before him as he approached the entrance to the building, where a small woman gaped up at him.

"My name is Kellan Garvades," he said. "I believe I'm expected."

"Hail to the King," Bob murmured as he watched the video on his armband.

More than ever, he wondered why he was here.

"Bob!" Kellan's voice boomed across the room, and he looked up to find the Emperor of Thayland approaching him in his humanoid form with a smile on his face that still managed to convey the fact that the humanoid being was, in point of fact, a Dragon.

"Your Majesty," Bob replied as he stood up before bowing.

"In these circumstances, let's just go with Kellan," Kellan reached out and shook Bob's hand.

"Ok," Bob said uncomfortably. "I'm still not sure why I'm here. I told them they should just take whatever you offered, but they insisted."

"I'm sure they just want to negotiate a few of the finer points," Kellan shrugged as he summoned his throne next to Bob's chair, which caused two other desks and four chairs to be pushed to the left and forward.

He gestured for Bob to sit, following suit once Bob had done so.

"I'm not sure what they don't understand about 'Dragon,' but somehow they just don't get it," Bob complained. He wanted it to be perfectly clear to Kellan that whatever the United Nations tried to pull, he wasn't party to it.

"Hopefully, my demonstration was illustrative of my benevolence," Kellan murmured.

"Hopefully, all parties realize you could have just as easily wiped the city off the map," Bob grumbled in reply.

"I can't imagine that I'd need to do that," Kellan shook his head.

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Bob shook his in turn. "We've had this conversation," Bob said. "It still holds. Don't worry; we can imagine that for you."

"Indeed," Kellan's smile was definitely draconic.

"Just so I understand, this whole thing is about people from Earth not wanting to pay their taxes?" Bob asked.

"They don't seem to mind paying my taxes," Kellan replied. "It seems that there are some of them who would rather become my subjects, renouncing their claims of citizenship on Earth. The United Nations appears to object to my 'poaching' the citizens of Earth for my hoard."

"Probably don't care about the people, just the taxes," Bob shook his head.

"I'm afraid you may be correct," Kellan sighed. "While I will be the first to admit that due to my nature, I am often an absentee ruler, when I do awake to halt the tide, I make every effort to ensure my people are as safe as they can be while righting any wrongs that occurred during my slumber. The taxes I collect are necessary to meet those ends, as well as my own needs, which I freely confess are not meager."

"I'm guessing that ritual cost you a few mana crystals," Bob said quietly.

"Sixty-two million four hundred and seventy-six thousand, nine hundred and twenty," Kellan replied. "Ten for each person in the area of effect."

Bob blinked. "That's insane," he muttered. "I can't even imagine channeling that many mana crystals through my matrix."

Kellan smiled, this time more gently, without quite as much Dragon-y-ness. Which was absolutely a word.

"You perceive all beings as equal to one another," he began. "It's an admirable trait and speaks volumes to your character, but you are wrong." He shook his head. "There is a qualitative difference between my matrix and that of a lesser species. It goes beyond attributes and natural affinities. Even were you to reach the peak of tier ten, you wouldn't be a match for me, even now when I am a full tier lower."

Bob blinked. 'Trebor?'

'He is correct,' Trebor replied instantly. 'Although I do not know why,' the AI sounded frustrated. 'That knowledge is apparently reserved for a higher tier.'

"Have no fear," Kellan continued, "I suspect that as you advance, the System will continue to shape you until you are my equal. It seems to reward those who seek to ensure that its users prosper."

Bob opened his mouth, but Kellan raised a finger to silence him, then pointed to the upper rows, which were filling with people. "It seems we are about to begin," Kellan said.

Kellan smiled as the functionary called the session to order before turning the chairmanship of the meeting over to the Prime Minister of Great Britain, who immediately addressed Kellan.

"Your Majesty," Prime Minister Turpin began, "The reason your presence was requested is due to the reluctance of some of the citizens of the nations of Earth who accepted a contract to work on your world, to return home."

Kellan nodded languidly.

"International law makes provisions for citizens who seek asylum for a number of reasons," the Prime Minister continued, "however, in the absence of claiming asylum, the law refers matters of immigration back to the individual nations. Although it might seem counterintuitive, the issue of skilled citizens seeking employment in other nations is one that has long ago been decided. Surrendering one's citizenship is not an act to be taken lightly, and speaking only on behalf of Great Britain requires a not inconsiderable amount of paperwork."

Prime Minister Turpin paused to allow the chuckles from the chamber to fade, allowing a ghost of a smile to cross his features. "We make light of it; however, the fact remains that citizenship involves not only the responsibilities of the nation to her people, but also the responsibility of her people to the nation itself. While it is rather uncouth to discuss the matter in such vulgar terms, the truth is that a naturally born citizen of Great Britain has benefited from her national health care and national education at the very least." He shook his head. "It's more likely they've also enjoyed the benefits of our public utilities, such as the roads, rail, and of course, public rubbish removal," he continued to smile.

"As a citizen, it is expected that you will contribute to the common good by way of tax, regardless of the endless debates regarding how such funds should be assessed and allocated," he continued. "Surrendering one's citizenship is to put aside the contract that binds the individual to the nation, forever severing that bond. I doubt that many of our citizens who have expressed a certain reticence to return home have fully considered what that means. While Great Britain will not be closed to them, they will find that many of the privileges they have enjoyed will no longer apply. While we certainly won't hold a citizen who truly wishes to leave, and has an offer from another nation to accept them, we would like the opportunity to have our representatives sit down with our citizens and ensure they are fully informed."

He glanced at Kellan. "I'm certain that His Majesty, the Emperor of Thayland, isn't coercing any of our citizens; however, there is also the concern that someone else might be, for any number of reasons. To this end, I call for His Majesty to return our citizens who have completed their contracts."

The Prime Minister took his seat to polite applause.

Kellan stood and walked to stand behind the podium, which was dwarfed by his twelve-foot-tall form.

"It's a pleasure to be in this chamber once more," Kellan began, a broad grin stealing across his features as he leaned forward. "I promise not to move it this time," he faux whispered.

"I appreciate Prime Minister Turpin laying out his concerns so concisely," Kellan continued. "I confess that Thayland lacks the depth of law enjoyed by Earth. Until very recently, immigration between the two nations on Thayland was restricted to those who were so devout in their religious beliefs that their zealotry threatened the social fabric of one of the nations. Without over two hundred sovereign states, our international laws were much simpler." He paused to shoot the chamber another grin. "To be fair, the laws for my empire, which encompasses the entire planet, are also far simpler. When I was reading some of the history of Earth, I came across a phrase that pleased me. 'Ignorance is no defense before the bar of justice.'" Kellan shook his head. "I have shamelessly appropriated it, and it is quite literally etched in the stone lintel above the entrance to my court. Now, my country, despite our planets being of similar size, is quite small in terms of population. Perhaps this is part of the reason why my legal code is only two pages long," he continued. "Certainly, none of my citizens can claim ignorance of the law."

His smile sharpened, and he gestured. A portal opened above and in front of him, from which books began to rain down onto the floor.

"This," he spoke loudly over the impact of the books on the floor, "is the legal code of Great Britain. Well, a small part of it," he chuckled. "More specifically, this is the tax code for Great Britain," his smile was now predatory as the pile of books continued to grow. "Your long-standing belief that ignorance is no defense before the bar of justice is rendered moot when you have promulgated a system of taxation so complicated that no one save for those who have made its study their life work can possibly claim to understand it."

He pointed to the still-growing pile of books. "Even then, the experts often disagree!" Kellan shook his head. "Is it any wonder your people seek to escape to a place where they needn't concern themselves over the vagaries of a bloated legal code? Instead they can simply delve a Dungeon, pay the tax on doing so, and go about their lives, secure in the knowledge that the matter is completely settled."

The flow of books had finally tapered off, and the final volume landed on the top of the pile with a *thump*.

"Oddly, my concerns mirror your own," Kellan continued. "I am concerned that the people who might choose to seek a better life beneath the shelter of my wings may find themselves stymied by some sort of convoluted legal argument, another form of coercion which I freely admit I am unfamiliar." He shook his head. "Even were I versed in your laws, I lack the personnel to ensure that my potential citizens have representation. After all, my nation numbered a mere two hundred thousand souls before our worlds met. I suggest that any nation that has reason to question one of their citizens decision to immigrate to Thayland send a representative to meet with them. I will provide transportation, as well as room and board for those investigators."

He smiled grimly. "I have arranged for each person who wishes to remain on my world to fill out the applicable forms for their respective governments, copies of which have been emailed to the delegates representing their former nations in this chamber."

Kellan looked around the chamber as low conversation began. "I will keep none against their will," he said loudly, lacing his voice with Air and Flame to carry. "At the same time, should you seek reprisal against those who have sought shelter beneath my wings, you would do well to consider your legends of my people." His smile broadened. "Don't steal from a Dragon's hoard. Make no mistake, I consider my people to be my most precious of all possessions."