When they asked me for help naturally, I am more than happy to assist them. After all, currently their sentiments has completely made them abandoned the Guilds and also the Merchant Groups that they have hailed as their ally. At time like these Aeternum has to swoops in and made sure that they would be relying on Aeternum no matter what and make them feels comfortable to do so. It was very apparent that even now, they still have some consideration and careful around their approach towards me and Aeternum, after all, at the end of the day, Aeternum is a new force. The only credibility that they can trust is their Children accounts and also the fact that Aeternum has just unraveled their biggest concerns for them. But then again, such stable relationship can be pursued in a long period of time. Right now it was important for me and Aeternum as a whole to take a careful approach.“To be honest with you all, there were a lot of approach that these people would take in all difference circu
As I were developing Aeternum to the level of it is right now, naturally along the way I have to make a non profits policy, and one of them is The Bad Harvest Help Packages policy. Which is a policy that is only for the small time local farmers of Aeternum, Sure the Aeternum Resource Ministry is the largest agricultural monopoly of the entire Aeternum, monopolizing the 70% of the Agricultural produce in Aeternum, but about 5% of the remaining 30% is actually belonged to the Aeternum small time farmers, that are belonged to Aeternum citizens, mostly to those that were the families that have land of their own.These local farmers were the one that has been selling their produce In the local village markets, and some of them were even coming together to make a Trading Company that sells their produce in the Supermarket as the local produce suppliers. I allowed such practice after all, the 5% produce of vegetables and grains is also quite big, beside it encourage Aeternum to be competitiv
The suggestion for the lords to lower their pride and literally asking Aeternum for their good will at the very first day of both party were just about to become friends, clearly upsets all the Lords. Seeing their child stood up and speaks of such embarrassing actions angers all of them enough for them to really shows their furry before their guest which is me. Reqkin Rivgog did not held back at all as he shows his Aura, that easily engulfing the entire Ball room, to the point all the young leader were force to kneel on the floor.“Is this how I raised you, Qekin?!…even if the time is hard, is these they way that Rivgog family members should act?!!..”. (Reqkin Rivgog)“But, Father!…the time has warranted us to act like so!..We cannot let our people suffers anymore!…this is an opportunity that we should grab onto right now!!…Beside, we don’t supposed to just asking for aid blatantly!…we can come up sit some suggestions too…but we really are desperate from changes right now!!!..”. (Qeki
When I simply stated to everyone that, although I can’t fully give them what they wanted. Which clearly what they all also need and looks very much wanting it, but can’t because of their pride. When I provided them with another options naturally everyone would agreed to it in an instant. Sure they are prideful of themselves, but at the same time they were already suffocated with no other options left, after all, the Demi-Human race is innately honest and also prideful, that is just their natures. Thus when there is no other option, and the option that I provides allowed them to keep their little sliver of their pride intact, naturally they would jump on it and agreed to it immediately.Thus, another options has been made, and I called these impromptu agreements as the Aeternum and Wasteland Settlement Good will Act. Aeternum will acquire all the stocked piled foods, that they bought from the Merchant Guilds and the Merchant Groups, at half price that they bought them. But instead of b
Thanks to the signing of the successful alliance and on top of that a way out of their current predicament, the vibes within the Ball Room, is rather light and filled with positivity, all the lords has started to opened up to me about various of stuff, they even went ahead and introduced me to their wives and children. Surprisingly these people really do take care of their linage very well, all of them can be considered an elite on their own levels. For example the Lady of the Stammler Family, Elondia Stammler, is a Winter Fox Demi-Human, naturally her beauty is top notch. But at the same time what impressed me about her is her ability as a politician.In a secret, Agent Smith told me that it was Elondia Stammler who pushed her husband and send Amalinde Stammler towards Aeternum. She even the one that warned her husband to keep a clear line between the Wasteland powerhouse and the Guilds and Merchant Groups. But unfortunately, In the Wasteland and also the Demi-Human culture, a marrie
Although the Wasteland people didn’t particularly eager to leave the Wasteland, it cannot be said that they didn’t want to do such things at all. The living condition in the wasteland is harsh so naturally there were those that wanted to find opportunity elsewhere. Instinctively the Wasteland people knew that Wasteland is the safest place for them to roam around, as there were less racism here than any other places. But as people they yearned freedom to do whatever they want thus venturing out of their home is something that they wanted to do. In actuality, there is no such thing as travel ban that were put against the wasteland officially by any nation at all. But everyone knows that Demi-Human and non-Human race were nearly all of them flocked and exiled at the Wasteland.Thus the naturally Humans who felt superior to these other races wanted them to stay there and also with the influence of the human supremacist like Church of Light enforcing the thinking that Humans should be kept
As soon as the meeting ended, rather than staying at the Stammler Mansion, as Louis Stammler invited and insisted that I stayed there for a night and enjoyed their hospitality. I declined their invitations, stating that I can’t do so, because I have a lot of jobs to do at the moment, so instead, once again, Aeternum appearance made an uproar in the Stammler City as Aeternum Airship landed right outside of the city wall. A lot of people went rather crazy with the latest technology appearing before their eyes, thankfully all the city guards were already informed about these matter, if not there will be an endless trouble for me.“How’s your visit there, Master….is it good?..”. (Colonel Yvone)“It went as we expected…it is going great,…now that they have leaved everything to us…it will be much more easier for us to deal with everything…”.As the Airship flew on route to the Aeternum Wasteland Base, I am resting inside the Airship pilot cabin. To me I liked these place, because I can see
All of Maiden Unit as well as all of Aeternum upper echelon that has been working together with me since the start, all of them were not normal at all, sure they looked like they were on the outside, but when it comes to me, they all were like a zealous pious believer, that believes truly that if anything that is against me or anything that does not followed my will, all of them should be eradicated at once. Although I like these kind of thinking from all of them, at times it kinda feels scary too. After all, they often leaned towards the extreme first rather than thinking like an average people, that is why Yvone said something so ominous easily like that.Because she knows that if I were to just said, to conquer everything in the bloodiest manner, even Elijah and the sisters would say yes and be the first one to arrived here. Their devotion to me is unshakable at all, but right now for the current me, I don’t feel like spilling to much blood like I used to before, sure, with Aeternu
“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
"Your Majesty, to attempt full restoration in so short a time—""Will cost," she interrupted. "Yes, I know. But the people have paid enough. Now it’s our turn."What followed was a flurry of action unlike anything Hallerus had seen in decades. Labor crews moved out in droves. Merchants were granted tax reprieves to reopen. Public works officials received emergency authority. For once, the gears of governance turned swiftly.But still, the people watched with wary eyes.In the village of Elbarrow, a merchant shook his head as soldiers repaired a broken bridge."They say it’s Queen Helen’s will," he muttered. "But we've heard such promises before.""Aye," replied a farmer, watching with folded arms. "But maybe this time it sticks. She walked among us, didn’t she? My cousin swears she saw her with the duke."Rumors of the queen’s journey spread like wildfire. With them came cautious hope.One evening, at a small gathering hosted by village elders in Merrowind, Helen removed her hood and
"Transparency will be paramount. Council sessions will be documented, and decisions made in conjunction with the Crown will be communicated openly. This is not a move to consolidate power, but to distribute it wisely, ensuring that the governance of Hallerus reflects the will and welfare of its people."Lord Dallren, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, such a council could indeed bridge the gap between the Crown and the nobility, fostering unity. I support this initiative."A ripple of agreement spread through the assembly.Helen continued, "Furthermore, to address the grievances of our citizens and promote economic growth, we shall implement reforms aimed at equitable taxation and the eradication of corrupt practices that have long plagued our administration."Duke Merrica added, "These reforms will not only strengthen our internal stability but also enhance our standing among neighboring realms, fostering alliances and trade relations."Viscount Rellan,
A murmur of agreement rippled through the assembly.Helen's gaze swept over the room, her eyes meeting those of each noble in turn. "I have summoned you here not only to reaffirm our unity but to propose measures that will ensure the stability and prosperity of Hallerus for generations to come."Viscount Rellan, his earlier defiance now replaced with a veneer of compliance, inclined his head. "Your Majesty, what measures do you propose?"Helen took a measured breath. "Firstly, we shall establish a council comprising representatives from each noble house. This council will serve as an advisory body, ensuring that all voices are heard and that governance is conducted with transparency and fairness."Baroness Yvette Darrow, her scepticism barely concealed, arched an eyebrow. "And what powers would this council hold, Your Majesty?"Helen met Yvette's gaze unwaveringly. "The council will have the authority to propose legislation and oversee its implementation. However, ultimate executive p