After the elimination operation, that were done last night, today were supposed to be the cover up mission for all of Aeternum personnel. I know for certain that the last night moves will make a significant impact on the economic side of all the Wasteland, after all, all the major Wasteland cities were the hub of economy of the entire Wasteland. Everyone from all over the Wasteland goes there to trade and make living, thus I think that why not make these occasion to help the masses forget the guilds and the abusive merchant groups much faster. By simply becoming their unsuspected hero, in the times of their distress.With such moves, and Aeternum Traders coming into the play after being invited by the Lords themselves, I can fully eliminate the threat of Aeternum getting any powerful competitor on the market. With these way, Aeternum can enters the market with a high credibility and will have much more impact in changing the Wasteland society. This will make sure that Aeternum will ga
As soon as he got the approval from the President, Team Leader Stewart ended the call and slowly made his way back to the cafeteria cabin, where the Lords were all waiting. By now, all the guest were already gathered inside the cafeteria cabin, even the madams and the young leaders of the wasteland were all gathered, after all, they were all waiting for a nerve wrecking decisions that will solved their problems. It may be just a few minutes since Team Leader Stewart were gone, but at that time, all the lords were already finished one shot their coffees several cups already.“Mr.Smith…did the Airship passenger were able to dine on all of these beverages and snacks?…all of the things that we have eaten in the last minutes…all of them seems rather high end…I am wondering about these..mind to say your opinion?..”.(Linda Stammler)Linda Stammler is the wife to Lord Louis Stammler, She is quite a gentle madam of the Stammler House, she is a Half Elves, a very elegant and intelligent lady, s
“Oh..that, Our President also will take the same approach to all of the lords cities too…Since you have mention the issues to us…my subordinate in the other cities will also do the same as we did here…so there is no need for concerns of such discrimination were to happen at all..”.(Team Leader Stewart)“Is that so?….then that is a relief…ahahaha..”.(Lord Reqkin Rivgog)“That’s right…this is all thanks to Aeternum willing to help us…I was about to worry just now…my domain were a little bit farther away from here…if his Highness President didn’t help me…I might get back to my city with everything probably in a bad shape…”.(Lord Aluthia Alantar)Once again, the laughter continues in the room, at least now all of the lords knew that Aeternum is truly a dependable ally. Sure it was an inconvenience and inconsiderate of them to just suddenly request for such help in such a short notice. At such point even if Aeternum denied their request none of them can actually said anything back at all.
All the Lords when they heard about the terms, felt like this is some new information and knowledge for them. Because not once they have ever thought about the importance of currency, but surprisingly Aeternum are really adamant about the Wastelands using Aeternum Currency. Which made they think quite deeply about these matter, but for now, no matter how they think these is not at all a malicious intent from Aeternum. They just didn’t use the Continent regular currency, that is all, so if they don’t used it and also they were offering to process the exchanged it themselves. To all the lords, this is just a simple matter, at the end of the day, what is matters to them is solving the problem that were in front of them.So after a brief seconds of reading the documents and ensuring there is nothing wrong with it at all, Lord Louis Stammler as well as the 3 other lords signed the documents then returned it back to Team Leader Stewart, who then stamped the documents and handing it down to
In Stammler City, at the Market Area, the situations has became much more gloomier and dangerous by the seconds, as people realized that the Guilds and all the large Merchant groups stores, where they used and always sells their wares, are clearly will not open at all. They have waited for over 5 hours right now since 6 in the morning now the sun in over their heads, yet there is no one that is willing to solved their problems at all. The city guards were strict and did not allowed anyone to come close to the closed areas. The Lords Mansion were fully guarded and no officials has yet stepped forward to say anything about the matter.“What is going on!!?!!…what am I gonna do?!..my whole village has worked hard to hunt for these leathers…who is going to buy them?!…how am I going to buy any foods?!!…Ahhhhh!!..”.(Villager Hunters)“Sir guards please…let us meet the lord…or even anyone!…my whole family is depending on me!…please..help me…help all of us!!..”.(Poor Peddlers)Wails turns to a
The arrival of the Lords and also Aeternum Traders fortunately calmed the masses down before the situations got out of control. Everyone decided to wait, as the Lord are preparing for something, which surely an annoucement to explained the entire situations to everyone. Whilst the Lords and the guards were setting up the place for the Lord to speak. Meanwhile a lot of Aeternum Trader staff, already doing their works. Off loading all the Merchandise, setting up tents and tables.Compared to the lords and the City guards who in the middle of everything, the appearance of Aeternum Traders is far more eye catching to all of them. With their carriage and their neat and healthy looking appearance, it was clear to everyone that these bunch of new people is certainly not a slaves or any common Demi-Human like all of them. What is even more interesting to the masses is when sacks of grains and spices were taken out of the wooden crates and then pilled up neatly on top of the pallets, these set
The first reactions to many of the people of Stammler City, the Independent State of Aeternum is certainly something that many of them didn’t know about, they knows that it was a country in the Central Continent, but what are Aeternum really was, they didn’t know too much about it, and the reason why the Lord were so confident about it also something that they didn’t understand too much. Naturally everyone just keep quiet and be patience as they continues to listened to the lord speech, at the end of the day, for the masses, they didn’t really care who it is as long as they can sell their wares and find ways to feed themselves and their families, it was already enough for them.“All 4 of the Lords of the biggest domains in Wasteland has come together to create an alliance, with Aeternum…and we have decided to discard and expelled the Guilds…Aeternum has provided us with a better options of choice…which will help the entire Wasteland become more advance!…these is what I truly believed!
Once Lord Louis Stammler finished with his transaction demonstrations, he left the Aeternum Trader area, which is now already filled with customers. And decided to looked over everything from on top of the wall, after all, no one will be able to get comfortable with him being around the people, he is the Lord of the city, his people have to stay of their tip toes around him. At the moment, he can finally heave a sigh of relief, because truly the situations has already settled down, the masses has calmed down and started to smile again, the Market Areas has started to shine once again, the local merchants that have their own stalls, surprisingly didn’t opened their stall at all. Rather they all flocked at the Aeternum Traders.The locals shops that opened right now, is the tavern, restaurants and the smiths. All the foods related stalls were all close so, currently in the market Area, the only stall that is opened is Aeternum Traders ones. Surprisingly everyone were fast to adapt, they
The project would take time—perhaps years—but its impact would begin in weeks.“Once the roads are in place,” Merrica said, entering her chamber with a report in hand, “we’ll be able to move goods faster, respond to crises quicker, and prepare for the second phase: economic zone development.”Helen took the report with a tired, but satisfied smile. “This… this they will see. This they will believe.”“And when they do,” Merrica said, “they’ll follow.”Late that night, as the wind howled against the palace windows, Helen stood in her private study, gazing out at the flickering torches lining the city streets. In her hand was a smooth, curved stone from the first road pile—just a plain stone, but to her, it was the beginning of a foundation.Her fingers closed around it as she whispered to herself, “Let this road lead us to a better kingdom.” And with that, the first steps into a new Hallerus had begun.The throne room had seen war plans, council betrayals, and royal declarations. But on
The ministers eagerly pointed out their favorite places from their student years.“Over there—that café served synthetic ice cream you have to try.”“That’s the district where I first saw a holographic opera.”“This is where I spent hours in the central library—eight floors of pure knowledge.”Helen listened with quiet amusement and growing wonder. These weren’t just stories. This was the future.They stopped first at a shopping promenade, where modern boutiques lined the plaza. Aeternum fashion—streamlined, elegant, tailored for form and comfort—was on full display.Helen tried on a pale blue dress lined with iridescent threads that shifted color slightly under different lighting. She admired herself in the mirror. Regal, yet free. She hadn’t felt this light in years.Merrica chuckled as she twirled slightly. “Careful. You’ll make the palace tailors obsolete.”Next came the Aeternum cuisine district. The aroma of spices, imported meats, baked delicacies and exotic fruit blends filled
Meerkat sipped from his flask; eyes gleaming. “Monster cores alone could offset our collective energy reliance on Aeternum’s hybrid reactors. If those dungeons are stabilized and regulated under UNA protocols, we’re looking at a resource boom.”Angela arched an eyebrow. “All that assumes stability. A kingdom can’t regulate dungeons if they can’t regulate their own court.”“Well,” Meerkat said with a shrug, “that’s what Merrica’s for, isn’t it?”They all laughed lightly—because it was true. The man’s reputation preceded him. Hallerus may have signed with a queen, but Merrica had built the bridge.Kaneda leaned forward. “It’s risky, but it’s a calculated risk. We’re not signing blind loyalty here. We’re watching. Evaluating. But make no mistake—if this works, Hallerus becomes the keystone of continental connectivity.”Redwall drummed his fingers on his knee. “I suppose that’s why we’re here. Not to clap at the signing. But to see if the queen is truly changed.”“She is,” Angela said qui
“And now, a major announcement: With the signing complete, Hallerus Kingdom is formally inducted into the United Nation Alliance as its thirty-first member. This marks a turning point—not only for Hallerus, but for the entire Central Continent.”“The UNA, now composed of thirty-one sovereign nations, officially becomes the largest unified alliance in the world’s history—its reach, economic power, and strategic cooperation unmatched by any prior coalition.”“Following this event, Aeternum has confirmed it will begin a nationwide rollout of its Super Stores, factories, and humanitarian infrastructure in Hallerus territory. In exchange, Hallerus will provide critical resources and cultural integration into the alliance structure.”“Public reaction is already beginning to surface—here in New City, spontaneous celebrations have begun in the multicultural districts where former Hallerians live. Meanwhile, markets across the UNA are surging in response to the stability this alliance signifie
“I don’t forget betrayal easily,” I said. “And Aeternum doesn’t forget pain lightly. What happened between us—it scarred people. People who trusted Hallerus. Soldiers who bled for your freedom. Civilians who saw us pulled out overnight.”“I know,” Helen said. “And I accept the cost.”“But,” I said, letting the word hang before softening my tone, “I do respect accountability.”Her eyes met mine. “Then we start again?”“We do,” I said, extending a hand.She took it. Her grip was firm.“We bury the hatchet,” I added. “But let’s be clear—this is not a return to old friendship. This is a new foundation. One built on lessons learned.”Helen nodded. “Agreed.”Merrica exhaled, satisfied. “It’s what both sides need.”I looked at Helen, voice calm. “You have a second chance now. Few leaders get that. Don’t waste it.”She nodded again, quietly this time. “I won’t.”“Good,” I said. “Because your people need you more than ever. Rule wisely. Rule well. Let this alliance be your legacy.”For the fir
“We’ll export more to Hallerus—especially food. You’ll need it. In return, we’ll import more raw ore and minerals. Your mining sector’s still decent, right?”“It is.”“Then let’s grow that. More volume, more jobs, more imports on both sides.”He beamed. “Thank you, my friend.”I smiled back. “You’ll find I don’t just use the whip.”“A carrot, then?”“Always. A balanced hand is how you keep control. Too much punishment, and you push people away. Too much reward, and they forget who they owe.”Merrica nodded slowly. “You’ve become a real ruler.”I stood, offering my hand again. “I became what this world needed.”He shook it. “And I’ll make sure Hallerus becomes what Aeternum can trust.”We stood in silence for a moment longer. The sound of cheering still floated in faintly from the streets below. Somewhere out there, Queen Helen was being paraded through New City—through a modern marvel built from vision and precision. Through a world she couldn’t have imagined a year ago.And now, she’
“They’re… happy to see us?” she asked, disbelief in her voice.Duke Merrica gave her a half-smile. “Some of them, yes. The others are watching. Judging. As they should.”One young woman in the crowd, her hair wrapped in Aeternum’s signature style, waved a small Hallerus flag and called out, “Welcome back! My family’s from Archenport—we’re with you!”Helen felt a warmth rise in her chest. Her lips curled, hesitant, but sincere. She lifted a gloved hand and waved back.Her ministers behind her smiled with relief. The people hadn’t forgotten them. Or maybe… maybe Aeternum’s citizens were willing to forgive, even if their leaders were not.Still, with each new marvel the city revealed, her pride took another small wound.Digital traffic signs shifted in real-time. Elevated walkways moved gently above the streets. Tall towers bore solar glass and climate control systems beyond her comprehension. Everything was clean. Efficient. Vibrant.Hallerus, by contrast, was still struggling to clear
“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.