Naturally the meetings doesn’t just about Aeternum become the providers for everything that all the allied nations desires. In returned for the allied nation request, Aeternum also have some profits too, for examples, one of the major ways is that, Aeternum will be ships that would be traversing the rivers systems, after the water ways were secured, will not be taxed by any nation at all, these is in returned for Aeternum contributions of leading the front line of the operations. Another incentives that Aeternum would obtained is that for the Associations, the allied nation will only be able to imposed only 5% tax income on all the associations.Even at 5% everyone already thought that that were more than enough for them, after all, one of the notice that Aeternum gave out is that all the Associations transactions will all be done and using, Aeternum Credits. And by now, everyone knows that Aeternum currency is much more expensive than the Central Continent universal currency. Little
At Fridays after the International Allied Conference ended, Aeternum had gone back to it’s previous life flows. The Aeternum national mega projects were still in progress so naturally everyone got back to resume their duties as usual, thanks to the Conference were considered as a national events, the Government has made the last day of the conference as the National holiday, enable every single Aeternum attend the final days of the conference to watched the conclusions of the meetings. Naturally for such occasions Aeternum not only learned and took notice of the essentials matters from the meeting, but they also celebrated the days and enjoyed their free times as much as they can.For Aeternum that already get used to Aeternum semi modern lifestyle in these current medieval era, rather than continues to being fascinated too much at the marvel of the Broadcasting technology, for Aeternums they viewed the new broadcasting technology as an achievements for Aeternum. And a sign that Aeter
I am Currently at the Black House inside my Presidential Office, compared to the work that I have before, recently after conference, thanks to it, I have to work for another day. Personally in my opinion the meeting were a successful ones, be it on the display side or the relationship side, so I am quite satisfied with the overall result. What even made me extremely happy is that thanks to that meetings, all the allied nation has unintentionally revolved around Aeternum for every single thing that they asked for. Also, clearly the display of Aeternum Navy might has made all of them think carefully.Thanks to these meeting, Aeternum has become a fully acknowledge power to all of them. I enjoyed the looks on their faces when I told the that Aeternum has basically secured the entire water routes in my country. And when they saw the snippet of that actions, they immediately fold, from then on, all of them knew and already learned that from now on, they could never again think of anything
After a few hours of business at the Black House, dealing with everything that I supposed to do and approved before I set off to the Wasteland tomorrow, with Yvone. It can be said that it was great, each hours the Black House received reports from all the Associations troops that were sent out to all the allied nation, saying that they have arrived safely and already started on the constructions of the Association base on their designated locations. And at the same time, the Guilds elimination task force also has gotten connections with the Allied nation Royal Palace and already make a moves against all the Guilds that were existed on those country.Though it was only on day one of the operation, the Associations Troops already over performed themselves ahead of the scheduled. Truthfully, I have never asked or gave them any sort of indications or scheduled for them to proceed as they arrived at their destinations, all of those kind of things I delegated them to the Leader of the Troop
As the Adventurer Association have Claire Valkary on it’s helm, for the Mercenary Association on the other hand, it has the stout and also famed Orthum Bronzehammer as it’s Head Director, one of the famous hero of the Dwarven races of these times. Orthum Bronzehammer, is actually one of the first generation liberated slaves that were brought to Aeternum by me. At that time, no knows about his tales. According to his story he is actually apart of a resistance organization that went around the Central Continent, with the band of his brothers, moved from place to place to liberated oppressed slaves from tyrannical rulers.His campaign is quite successful at that times, that he managed to become a wanted person on over 20 countries at that time. Sadly on one occasions, he and his band of brothers were entrapped in a scheme of betrayal, of which destroyed his resistance groups, made him cast away his identity and finally being captured as a war slaves, of which coincidentally were bought
As for the Merchant Association, the appointment of the positions of the Head Director, to me is quite hard to find the candidates at first. Compared to the 2 Association Head Directors that were quite famous already in their field, I was having a hard time to find the correct candidates, to the point where it actually took me 2 days to deals with it. Surprisingly, the candidates that are now already appointed to the positions were actually being recommended by 2 rare figures in Aeternum, one is Aeternum loveliest daughter Yggdrasil and another one is Aeternum hidden guardian, The Earth Ancient Dragon that resides at the New City Mountain parks, Griksu’um.As I were slaving away in my office finding a suitable candidates, Griksu’Um visited my office with Yggdrasil and a Dragon-kin behind his back. Although he can just transformed himself into a humanoid form, the Ancient Dragon decided to just come to the Black House in his original form, which actually created chaos on that day. Luck
Meanwhile, at the Nirewin City, which is the capital city of Kingdom of Nirewin, today was a great day for the City of the Half-Elves, not only the forest were calm and tranquil, Today is also the day, when Aeternum large convoy were also scheduled to arrived. Right after the International Alliance Conference ended, on that day, the Aeternum Airship comes to their city, which shocked everyone because here in the Nirewin City or even the entire of the Kingdom of Nirewin, they have never saw an Airship before they might heard about it, but never witnessed it before. The People of Nirewin were now in their better days after their Royals decided to be allied with Aeternum a year ago.Since then, their Entire Kingdom has stopped getting harassed by the Alemia Nation forces. They also saw a significant reduced of slave hunters in their territory, being a Kingdom filled with Half-Elves and Wood Elves, they are constantly being harassed by the Slaves Hunters that after the populations of the
The Arrival of Aeternum Airship fleet, weren’t just attracted many attentions from the Allies citizens but it also attracted the attention of all sides, especially those that were clearly already starting go against Aeternum motives and also the Alliance. In the Angel City, the Capital City to Dukedom of Angela, ever since the Queen Duchess and Crown Princess has come back from the Alliance Conference, there has been a lot of murmur going on inside of the Dukedom Royal Court. Which is something that the Queen Duchess has already expected already, because thanks to the Dukedom of Angela which is now official entered the International Alliance Conference, thing are about to get very serious in the Dukedom of Angela.“YOUR HIGHNESS QUEEN DUCHESS!!…look, we don’t mind that you have decided to sided and joined the Alliance…but to joint and also permitted their shaky associations to be able to established their power here…that is something that is unacceptable to many of us!…”.(Baron Reinol
“But that’s not all,” he said. “We’re not just building stores. We’re buying land.”Elijah’s eyes narrowed. “Land?”Andrea arched a brow. “Personal Aeternum-controlled territory?”“Exactly,” Mies said. “We’ll negotiate the purchase and designation of sovereign Aeternum land within Hallerus. Locations where we will build permanent structures—embassies, farms, factories. Property they can’t touch. Not legally. Not politically.”Andrea crossed her arms. “You want to turn this alliance into territorial leverage.”“I want security,” Mies said. “We trusted them once. And they betrayed us. This time, we own the pieces on the board. If they want access to food and prosperity, they give us something real in return. Soil.”Elijah nodded. “No oversight from their monarchy. No interference. Full extraterritorial jurisdiction.”Mies smiled. “Exactly. We build an Aeternum that lives inside their walls. One they can’t tear down without declaring war.”Andrea added, “And when we build those farms and
“We’re proud Aeternians now,” said one local organizer. “But we remember where we came from. If we can help fix the old home while serving the new one, why not?”In university lecture halls, students debated passionately.“Strategically, re-integrating Hallerus into Aeternum’s economic sphere is a no-brainer,” one economics major argued. “We’ll be able to shape their policies from within.”“But trust is a currency too,” another replied. “If we spend it on the wrong partner again, we might pay more than we think.”In a small park in the east district, a group of Aeternum veterans sat on a bench, medals on their coats, eyes on the screens showing news footage of Andrea’s visit.“You remember that street?” one said, pointing.“I remember clearing it house by house,” another replied. “They cheered us one day. Chased us out the next.”The youngest of them, silent until now, finally spoke.“We gave them peace once. Maybe it’s time to give them a future.”Silence followed. No one disagreed.
“Accepted,” Helen said firmly.Andrea paused. “You are aware that this pricing is higher than what our allied nations pay?”“I am.”“And that it reflects the cost of your past decisions.”“I am aware.”Andrea’s expression didn’t soften. But there was a shift. A sliver of respect, perhaps.“We also request that Queen Helen and her full court travel to New Concordia,” Andrea said. “To sign the official alliance treaty in Aeternum, under President Mies' direct oversight.”That stung.A silent reminder: You no longer stand as an equal.But Helen did not flinch. “We will come.”Merrica remained quiet beside her, eyes locked forward, proud but weathered. He knew this was necessary. He knew, like her, that survival always demanded a cost.And this was the only path forward.Andrea stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “Then prepare your delegation. You have one week.”As Andrea and her entourage exited, Helen remained still, her hand brushing the edge of the map of Hallerus that lay on th
“I can prep the full economic framework in three days. I’ll soften it slightly—give them just enough dignity to sign without choking.”“Good,” I said. “Let them keep their crown and their pride, as long as we own their economy.”Andrea gave a subtle nod. “Then I’ll schedule the official visit. They’ll come to us.”“And when they do,” I said, voice cold and precise, “we’ll welcome them with smiles. And let them know who holds the scales now.”Andrea paused. “Anything else you want me to add in the background?”“Yes,” I said after a moment. “Tell them we’ll open an Aeternum Super Store in the capital as a gesture of goodwill. Make it sound benevolent.”Andrea smirked. “And on the inside?”“It’s a spearhead,” I said. “Once we’re in, we don’t leave.”“Understood, Mr. President.”The screen blinked as the call ended. I turned to Elijah, who was already compiling the summary.“Draft the formal invitation,” I ordered. “Summon Queen Helen and her full court to New City. They’ll arrive as sove
“This city is broken,” she said at last.“Which means it’s ripe,” Jessica added with a glint in her eye. “Imagine if we opened Aeternum Super Store branches here. Not just in the capital—but in every major city.”Robert nodded. “We’d dominate the market before they even knew what hit them. Food, tech, textiles. We could monopolize the entire consumer chain.”Andrew chuckled, finally seeing the silver lining. “We’d be heroes to the people. And villains to the nobles—well, if any are still left standing.”“People like what fills their stomachs,” Jessica said. “Right now, they’re starving for quality. They’ll welcome us like saviors.”Andrea folded her arms, surveying the square again. She could already envision the clean, modern storefronts replacing the crumbling stalls. Self-sanitizing kiosks. Subsidized food packs. Nutritional water stations. Supply chains optimized by Aeternum AI logistics.“This city’s a blank slate now,” she said softly. “Their failure is our opportunity. And this
“Minister Andrea, Her Majesty sends word. She invites you to join her in the council chamber once your tour is complete.”Andrea nodded without looking at him. “Tell her I’ll return shortly. Let her know the city has spoken louder than any court could.”The young man paled but bowed again and hurried off.Andrea resumed walking. “They’re ashamed. Helen saw the city, I’m sure. She knew I’d see this mess.”“She should be ashamed,” Jessica said. “But she’s trying. And she listened to her uncle, at least.”“Yes,” Andrea admitted. “That’s the only reason we’re even here.”They continued walking in silence until they reached the edge of the once-thriving industrial sector. The machinery was still, some pieces looted, others rusting like ancient bones. Andrea crouched beside a discarded engine part, running her fingers over the insignia stamped on the metal.“Aeternum-built,” she whispered. “We left it here. And they left it to rot.”She stood, her voice tightening. “No more gifts. No more r
“I come bearing news from President Mies,” Andrea said. “He has authorized me to reestablish economic relations between Aeternum and Hallerus.”The words fell like rain on droughted soil. Gasps. Whispers. And then—cheers stifled by etiquette.Helen blinked. “You’re serious?”Andrea raised a brow. “I don’t waste time, Your Majesty. Our logistics and trade units will begin routing initial shipments within two weeks. In exchange, we’d like preferred trading status for key Hallerian exports. Wheat. Marble. Blackvine spices.”Helen nodded rapidly. “Of course. Anything.”Andrea turned her gaze slightly. “Be aware: the initial tariffs will reflect… the past breakdown in our diplomatic relations.”A slight smile touched her lips. Not warm. Calculated.Helen bowed her head, just enough. “A fair penalty. One we accept.”Andrea’s expression softened—barely. “Good. Then consider today the first page in a new chapter.”Helen stepped forward. “Minister Andrea, may I speak plainly?”Andrea nodded on
“We’re sending an envoy,” I said. “I want a diplomatic team ready to leave within the week. Formal clothes, soft language, but firm posture. They’ll deliver the proposal to reopen channels with Hallerus.”Andrea raised an eyebrow. “And if they hesitate?”“They won’t,” I said. “Helen’s smarter than she was. She knows what Aeternum means now—not just power. Stability. Progress. A future. Her people know it too. They’re already lining up to buy our products again. Her economy needs us more than she’d ever admit.”Andrea took notes. “Do we offer full partnership or just trade?”“Start with trade. Let her work for the rest.”Elijah crossed his arms. “You’re playing the long game.”“Always,” I said. “She showed backbone. Now she has to show consistency. If Hallerus stays clean, stays reformed, we talk alliance in two years. Maybe joint ventures. Maybe intelligence sharing.”Andrea looked up. “And if they regress?”“Then the gloves come off,” I said. “I owe Merrica nothing now. The ledger is
“Shadow diplomacy?”“Shared progress,” I corrected. “No puppet states. No conquest. We build allies, not subjects.”“And if she fails?”“She won’t.”“You trust her?”“I trust momentum.”Silence settled between us. Weighty. Calculated.“She came to the edge,” I said. “She looked down. She chose to climb.”I placed my palm on the table. Pulled up the interlink data from the last ACIA relay. A still frame of Helen and Merrica, standing beside a new council—half of them former commoners. Not a single noble.“She’s rewriting the code of kingship,” Elijah said.“She’s writing history.”Elijah nodded. “I’ll alert the Council of Governors. Phase One integration can begin. Cultural exchange programs. Civil training volunteers.”“Quiet. Measured.”“As always.”I watched the horizon past the glass. My reflection stared back. Older now. Sharper.“Hallerus lives,” I said.Elijah placed the closed folder back into his case. “And Aeternum listens.”I sat behind the presidential desk, sunlight spilli