Chapter 76: Chapter 5.28 - Homecoming
"We planned for this. Besides giving a boost to our population and increasing our overall productivity, it also weakens our neighbors." Serin said, a bit exhausted from this specific meeting with the representatives.
"But we weren't expecting so many!" Ephraim commented.
Ephraim was right, of course. Serin thought that Operation Candydrop might bring in maybe a few dozen to at most 100 immigrants. There were over 1200 currently enroute to the gates of Haven, mostly families but many adventurers.
The serious influx had made Edel activate the entire protectorate. Serin was exhausted and frustrated. It was the middle of winter and many of these people came on foot, with very few arriving on a cart. Serin requested fulltime production of food which would suffice the influx of populace, but he still had to work to set up temporary shelter in the merchant's quarters and set up emergency stations for first aid, and set up large firepits to keep the area heated. Although the immigration office was staffed, it was meant to take in and interview maybe 10 people a day. At the current rate it would take half a year to take everyone in, and Serin knew that wouldn't work.
Serin started to speak, "First thing that is understood, these people traveled thousands of miles to get here, so although they might not have been dying, they were far from living a decent life, as that trek is miserable. Second, I have no plans to turn them away. Some of them might not survive a trip home and their home countries may execute them on the spot for treason."
Serin looked, "Edel, how many of your soldiers have the skill in lie detection or are proficient with the spell equivalent?"
Edel nodded, "we have 12 that have it beyond Novice level or proficiency."
Serin nodded, "Sort out those who are level 20 and below and level 21 and above. No one at level 20 or below would be skilled enough in subterfuge to make it through a proper screening. Setup an intake that detects any magical device, have it bagged, identified, and returned to the owner. While they are waiting for it to be identified, double check their level, and then proceed with the standard intake questions while observed by someone using detect lie. Anyone over level 21 should be referred to senior staff."
Serin continued, "do not break up families, but instead process them in tandem. No need to cause undue stress. When in processing is complete, hand them back their magical belongings and have them move to the audience hall for naturalization"
Serin looked at Edel, "Do you see any adjustments that must be made for public safety?"
Edel commented, "Yes. We need to have multiple guards posted at each step of the way, in case someone is a saboteur. Additionally, we are working round the clock and if this continues we will have to pull guards from city patrol."
Serin nodded, "Fully activate the protectorate and have the strongest members placed first, with the weaker ones interspersed farther from the region entrance."
Serin looked at Dana, "Are there any issues that the House of Masks can foresee with this plan?"
Dana looked, "I recommend having a few of the Lancer Gole pulled from their current duties and have them move throughout the caravan under guard. Their ability to read the surface thoughts of others in proximity without casting will ensure the greatest possibility of reducing spies from entering under false pretenses."
Serin commented, "there are multiple enchanted items and spells that keep surface thoughts from being read. What if someone has these activated?"
Dana nodded, "If someone feels the need to hide what they are thinking, that means we should probably question them further."
Serin looked at Dana and showed a raised eyebrow, "Have no fear, Lord, the Lancers only use this ability on citizens with permission, usually for training. Although it is an extreme invasion of privacy, it will be like popping in a dislocated joint. A bit of pain and then people can be on their way."
Serin didn't like it. But he knew the safety of his citizens required ensuring that anyone being welcomed into their nation did so not under false pretenses.
Serin continued, "What about a contingency for Hero class levels and high level subterfuge classes?"
Dana smiled, "The dungeon guides have volunteered to babysit anyone over level 50, and we do not let more than 2 through the gates at a time. Their questioning is a bit more rigorous."
Serin nodded, "Alright. I leave it in your capable hands. As batches are ready for naturalization, have them moved to the audience hall, and ensure that each family or individual is given a welcome packet to go over the common buildings, the school, and relevant facilities such as government assistance, and acclimation. We need to make these new citizens feel at home."
Serin looked at the representatives for Humans: Jericho, Allister, and Darius. "The hardest job will be given to you three. You are now responsible for meeting with every single person individually, introducing yourself, and ensuring that their needs are being met within reason. This includes job placement, apprenticeships, Academy entry, and basic housing needs. The list of available housing is updated daily at the governance office."
They seemed to understand. Allister immediately raised his hand. "Are we allowed to task out other humans to act as tour guides? It might be worth it for the three of us to initially meet with each family, but it will be difficult for us to personally cater to all of the new residents."
Serin nodded, "Yes, but make sure whoever you send has a good head on their shoulders. I know some of the humans in our city have almost no Charisma and it will be difficult to foster those initial good relations if there is a lack of connection."
Allister nodded and Darius smirked. He knew Serin meant some of his people, but also phrased it to include some of the older humans that came as slaves that still to this day were not fully accepting of the different races in the Nation.
Serin looked around, "Any other issues before we start? The line of immigrants has been waiting for a few hours."
Nods were given all around, and with the meeting adjourned, everyone settled in for a very difficult winter.
***
It took almost two weeks. Two weeks or 24 hour processing, emergency shelters, and full protectorate activation. Two weeks of formal meet and greets, answered questions, and rehoming. Two weeks of attempted saboteurs, spies, and assassins.
Ouf the 1277 people who came through Haven's gates, 1213 were admitted and naturalized. The remaining 6% of people who attempted to come through the gates were a mix. Of the 64 not admitted for naturalization, 17 were merchants attempting trade contracts. They were turned away and told to return in 6 months when the immigration crisis had passed. The remaining 47 were spies, saboteurs, and assassins. Most were caught during the Lancer's initial pass which checked surface thoughts without a spell, and then verified during a separate interrogation. Some made it all the way through to Dana due to their level and training, but because of the system put in place to identify level and segregate, they were 'handled' discreetly. The newest citizens would be given a brief overview of the racial differences, but Serin didn't want to blatantly point out that the 2nd most populous race ate humans.
With that Sorted it was nearing the end of the immigration train when Serin was called for a special naturalization. Confused, as Serin headed to the room he was shocked as he saw people he had given up on seeing again in his lifetime.
Serin saw his parents, Sara and Ben, along a gaggle of his unnamed brothers and sisters. It was the first time he had seen his newest younger sister as she was too young to walk still. With tears in his eyes, Serin ran over and hugged his parents. They embraced him back. No words were shared between them for quite a bit of time as they stood together, happy in a family brought together.
***
"So you got married! And you made me a grandmother."
"I am beholden, mother. It is a bit different than marriage. And yes you are a grandmother now."
Serin realized when he had his family move into his home that he would need to make it bigger. Additionally, Serin realized that an adventurer and former slave weren't the best at decorating a home. The first thing Serin got when having his family come in was a barrage of issues with his home. From missing tiling and doors, to chairs and tables, to plates, cups and flatware.
Serin's mother continued, "How have you been living?! And with a son! I have seen tenant housing with more accommodations!"
Serin commented, "There is an indoor bath large enough to fit 20 people!"
Sara commented, "Yes but you have 3 towels!"
Serin couldn't argue. He knew he should accept that he was wrong, he may be Lord of Haven and Sovereign of 7 races, but he was terrible at decorating and keeping a house."
Sara just went over and fawned on Olma, "Olma dear, we will fix this right up. We should have a few dresses made for you."
Olma smiled, "I am fine! I have my work outfit, my armor, and my formal dress."
Sara then commented, "Yes but what about around the house? What about for sleep?"
Olma, without batting an eye or understanding context, "Well then I am usually Naked."
This caused Sara to skip a beat, made the children laugh, and Ben to laugh at his flustered wife.
Serin continued, "I agree, mother, that I have been neglectful at the more mundane parts of our life together, but rest assured that I have cared for the family. Nok is already in the earliest grade of school and our Academy is a live-in facility."
Sara just grew impertinent, "Well I hope the school has uniforms! And furnishings so children can study."
Serin then went and held onto Olma eliciting a smile from her, "As for Olma, please understand that there might be some adjustments. You have to understand that what humans perceive when it comes to cultural norms or even moral imperatives are not universally recognized. So something that might be considered forbidden are commonplace here, and vice versa."
Sara frowned, "Like what?" Serin realized he might have to backpedal a bit, so he spun the next statement in the best possible light, "Well, slavery in all forms is outlawed. There are minimal taxes which go towards services for the populace, and every elected position is voluntary and unpaid. Every citizen is guaranteed housing and rations if they are unable to provide for themselves, and childcare and education are our two top priorities."
Sara could tell that Serin was holding something back, "And what would be something we would frown upon." Serin may be lord, but his parents still saw him as their bright eyed oldest son. "Well, we have a need to grow our diverse population, so those efforts are encouraged by the governing bodies."
Sara nodded, "that doesn't seem too odd. Our own burb had a Summer dance to encourage the young to wed. That is where I met your father for the first time."
Serin laughed, "Yeah it's something like that." Serin didn't want to explain the previous harvest festivals. He didn't want to explain why childcare was administered with assistance from the government. He did not want to explain how some of the races in his nation have doubled or tripled their populations in a few years. Serin didn't want to explain that although he was not on board, his own wife was totally OK with him marrying another person of non-changeling descent.
Some things are awkward to talk to your parents about and he needed to ease his parents into this new world they have moved to.
Sara was smiling, "Who is your local carpenter? I want to commission a family table."
Serin just breathed. He didn't want to explain that they mostly import wood as their forests were left unmolested, making wood one of the most expensive imports they had. "I will have some imported for you, and I will show you on the map where the few carpenters live."
Ben looked confused, "Why don't we just cut down the trees in your surrounding forests. Hell there are 12 good trees within a 2 minute walk of your front door!"
Serin smiled at his father. "Father, that happened for other cities right?"
Ben nodded and Serin continued, "And most big cities had serious problems with monster infestations right?"
Ben nodded and Serin smiled, "We do not. And for good reason. We do not severely impact the world around us and instead live with it here. For that reason, the world doesn't fight back."
Ben understood, "Then why do you still order wood from other nations?"
Serin smiled, "Because they sell it. Either they dont have a problem with monster infestations, or don't think of it as a threat. Either way it is not my problem."
Ben nodded. His son had become colder than he remembered. "Any other changes to living i should take into account?"
Serin smiled, "We will have time. Let's make dinner first. I will invite a few representatives of the various races to introduce their people. That should answer your questions."
Serin looked at his younger brothers and sisters. They were out playing Tag with Olma, and she was letting them win. Serin looked at his parents. "They explained the Academy is mandatory, right? And they told you why?"
Sara frowned, "No. they had mentioned they were going to enroll our children into the school but we didn't know why."
Serin smiled, " We keep a better eye on children in a classroom and to date none of our human younglings have become content. The few that were close were turned away from that path and are now on the path to be productive citizens. I am not alluding to my siblings being on that route, but no child is given special treatment here. Also by making the academy mandatory, it fosters inclusion between the races, which are extremely diverse."
Sara nodded. It wasn't how they were used to things, but Serin's small nation had flourished.
Serin looked at his Kingdom Management screen. He was no longer overabundant or even abundant on all of needs of his people. Instead he was "meeting demand". He would have to allocate more resources towards automated farms and housing.
There were definitely going to be growing pains in the future.
***
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Srinlife
Srinlife I have mentioned before, I write what seems to naturally come and i don't edit after the fact. If it doesn't fit and causes conflict, so be it.
Several times I have written myself into a corner and had to determine a feasible solution or compromise, because i don't go back and edit story.
In a few chapters, you will realize I have written myself into a corner again, this time a pretty serious one. I haven't figured out how to get out, but you and I will be along for the ride.
As always,
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