Inside the main recording studio, The Vice President and the President is right now seated behind the famous presidential desk and currently speaking directly to the Camera that were recording both of them. Today is the recording session of the national address, that would be aired at any time soon in perhaps 1 or 2 weeks later, when the war is about to happened.“After the meeting with the Aeternum Cabinet’s…and by the grace of mine and the 5 ministers…we have decided that…the Alemia Nation tyranny, dishonest and crimes shall be mettle with our military retaliation…The People and Nation of Aeternum will now, hereby declaring a War against the Alemia Nation and it’s leaders…and the innocent people of Alemia Nation…I gave you all my word and promise…as long as you did not rise up and went against me and my army..your lives will be spared, as I know and sure that many of you are the victims of these tyrannical nation…lay down, your fights and weapons and stay in your house, then wait…as
As days passing by, every industry in Aeternum were on full swing and working at full capacity, after working for 7 days continuously, every industry from foods all the way to ammunition has already achieved their quota and even reached surplus of supply, that will all be designated as the resource for the war campaign, and thus for some industry their workload has returned to normal. Though at the moment since the excitement of the aspect of war were still something that keep everyone anxious, the environment in the work place were just as the same as it was when they were chasing the deadline. But none of the factory superior that were belonged to the Resource Ministry ever clarified the situation, so at this moment the workers didn’t even know that if they are working on the war supplies or not.“Madam Minister, all of our industry has reached their quota and all the surplus has been transferred at all of our military resource depot…ready to be utilized at any moment…”.(Resource Mi
When it comes to Aeternum business, It was safe to say that thanks to the President devise, the Aeternum Resource Ministry owned business and industry were treated like a mega corporation, doing business and transaction with business minded approach rather than representing a nation industry. This is why Aeternum were always profitable and easy to accumulate wealth, unlike any other nation, Aeternum does not, openly using it’s nation power to perform a business, and also opened to do transaction not just to the other nation but also to many of the independent merchant group. Usually for many nation in these era, the government of a nation rarely doing business directly to with the merchant group, as many views the Merchant were just some lowly money grubbing bunch that does not have any honour and loyalty.In some way, that sentiment were true, these merchant groups were rich, and they aren’t that loyal either and as always they gained their position of power by buying their position.
For Andrea, she had already have a detailed category of type of people that would never betrayed Aeternum and their nation agreements, and as always those that were of Non-human nation is always be the one that is trustworthy. Mountain Kingdom of Froatlan, Kingdom of Nirewin, Grand Coastal City of Meerkat are the nation that is confirmed to never take advantage of Aeternum misfortune and honesty. These is the small nation that got their status alleviate thanks to Aeternum and thanks to their nature they would always be someone that is easy to speaks too. On the other hands the Nation of Humans and the merchant groups were the one that need to be handled with more finesse, as they greed just like right now were clearly apparent in their face as they were waiting from Andrea for the Minister Kenny Questions.“I hope there would be no issues with the supplies….right?.”.(Mountain Kingdom of Froatlan, Finance Minister Kenny)“About the availability of the supplies….I assured you that there
By now it was already clear to many that the way Aeternum does things is very starkly different from any other people or nation in power do their business. One of the most obvious is that, Aeternum has never been a nation that has it’s people or officials goes around to another nation or organization and begged them to do something for Aeternum benefits. Aeternum never beg, never flatter nor never ever do anything that would put them into a disadvantages. Yet despite the shows of an obvious difference, a lot of people still considered Aeternum to be just like any other nation out there. And at the moment, there is one person in the meeting room before Andrea, who actually thought that Aeternum would need any of these people to thrive.The Swingbell Merchant Group, is definitely a giant in Central Continent economic landscape, they had business that spans all over the continent, with an history that dated back for over 100 years old. Thanks to their enormous wealth and history, they we
Although everyone before Andrea were wearing their best ‘shocked’ expression on their face, all of them were more or less the same as the current Marcus Swingbell. They all have also tried to do the same thing as the Swingbell group in their business, charging price as they pleased the farther away from Aeternum, and sometimes, they even blamed the Aeternum for the price hiked. Such tactics is normal, but for something like these, such practice as long as you don’t get caught, it was all free game for everyone, Aeternum also knew this and doesn’t really nitpicking with any of them, but when someone is trying to irritate, the Aeternum, then they would be just like Marcus Swingbell, everything was peeled opened. Marcus Swingbell has overstepped his boundaries, and when that happened, the first one to cut the rope with him, is Dukedom of Angela Finance Minister Jeremy.“Defamation?!…Dear Lord!…Marcus Swingbell!…is that true?..”.(Dukedom of Angela Finance Minister Jeremy)“What?…Minister
Closing in on the end of the first weeks after the Cabinet decision broadcast, there was a lot already happening. One being, that many of the allied nation government were already already informed and in the know that, Aeternum would soon be launching it’s war against the Alemia Nation. Certainly, when the news reaches to them in an official letter signed by me and delivered personally by the Aeternum ambassador in their nation, the reaction were mostly varied, but it boils down to everyone didn’t said a single word, against Aeternum effort and just rather took a tactics of standing by on the side line and watched. Most of the other government concerns is that would there be any complication on the economic side, naturally it would be none so everyone just settled down and keep quiet, aside from Dukedom of Angela.“I heard that, Queen Duchess asked you a favour?….”.(Andrea)“yeah…apparently it was like that…according to her, some of her nation merchant has been too overbearing recentl
At the seventh day of the week, Sunday, after the 7 days of the Cabinet Meeting broadcast, the populace of New City were all spending their morning at the Largest Cathedral of Faith, In New City, it was the Cathedral were named as, The Royal Kaiser Cathedral, named in honour of the Aeternum Royal Family named. Unlike the usual morning sermon at the Cathedral, where each religion would be separated on their own hall of beliefs. Today the Morning Sermon or Morning Prayer, were being performed at the Centre Hall, it was safe to say that previously this Centre Hall were just a massive area for the Cathedral management to do their business and the faithful to rest and waited to enter their house of belief and worship.Yet today, the Centre Hall were furnished and set up to become the Sunday Morning Sermon area, with all the religious head come together in harmony and in faith for today event. It was a big sermon event safe to say, and even the Cathedral entrance door were opened and conf
“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