…maybe we are overthinking this a little bit too much…”.(Major Fontana De Ark)“I guess the pressure to do your very best has gotten into you all, huh….Gentlemen….I am the one that is pushing this agenda….naturally, I will be the one that making sure that everything will go as planned…all that you all have to do is perform as good as you all can do…the rest leave it to me…”.“Understood, Sir…we all just might be a little bit nervous…after all…this is the first time we are going blitz like this…as far as I am concerned…no one has ever done things like this ever before…”.(Sergeant Leku)I decided that it was time to calm everyone a little bit, the one who was pushing the idea to finish this war faster was me, and naturally, I had to take responsibility for it. The stage is already set for this war and so does the way to do it, tomorrow everything will happen so fast and so easily, that even my own soldiers will be wondering what they were doing.“Just because no one has ever done
“Good…now you’re getting the picture…”.It was a fact that there will be some empty villages ans town within out targets, with the amount of people that has come to New Sunder City recently, it bound to be true. Recently the influx of people that were coming to this place has been increasing daily, and so does to the Pearl City, hence comes the questions, where does this people were coming from, the answer is from all the surrounding places in the territory. For the New Sunders City, these extra population comes from these small settlements.With them coming here,meaning that there 80% chances that the target will will be just an empty shell of a settlement and posses no values at all, and that is why I am sending the Recon team ahead of time, to make sure that if there is an empty target, we will move on right away and focused on dealing with only those that have a resistance in it. Right now if my calculation is right maybe there will be just a few of this settlement that weer far a
“Good, Marisko…you have done what I asked of you perfectly…controlling the underworld will give us many benefits in the future…congratulations…”.“[It’s an honour, Sir….all I’ve done…it is all for you and Aeternum…]”.(Supervisor Agent Marisko)I give credits where credits are due, and for intelligence agents like Marisko, although she cannot get a public recommendation, a words of gratitude from me is enough for her, and perhaps she is half Maiden unit herself, that appreciation from me meant a lot to her as well.“By the way…I know that you aren’t calling me just for this….is there anything you wanted to say to me?..”.“[Yes sir….I have assumed soft control of the entire Georgina City, Sir…ever since the war started and our forces has controlled the New Sunders City and Pearl City…the People Resistance here has been motivated to do the same thing…and hence I have provided them with motivation and ways to do it….and as a result…we are now controlling the entire city….secretly….]”.(Sup
“[I am glad to be of assistance, sir…..but….a show?…what do you mean by that sir?..]”.(Supervisor Agent Marisko)“.….right now, everyone are still a little bit worried and skeptical on whether this war we started is a good one or not, right?…..so…what if…I can conquer Georgina City…in a day…..and also all by myself?…”.In a brief of a moment, I got a funny idea, and with the entire Georgina City already under Marisko control, then surely I can do something with it. So I decide for it to be a show, a moment of absurdity that will be written in all the historical epic. And not just some fabricated and exaggerated story, but a true real one.“[….Sir….let me get this straight….so you were saying that you wanted to conquer Georgina City all on your own?….just with a single person?…]”.(Supervisor Agent Marisko)“That is correct….tomorrow…I will flew to Georgina City and on my own…I will conquer the city…won’t that be something that will stroke the fire of motivation to our soldiers….and per
Right inside the castle of the City lord in Georgina City, the lord's study chamber right at this moment, were filled with a lot of people, naturally at the lord's desk, is A.C.I.A supervisor agent, Agent Marisko, or she is more well known to the public with her created image, Lady Marisko, a simple revolution leader who decided to rally the entire Georgina City resistance to launch a coup, against the Georgina City Lord and all the nobles, in secret and also succeed. She is a revered woman, an honorable fighter that is admired by all the resistance members, though secretly she is also the Madam of the Underworld and Aeternum intelligence agents.“My Friends…..today I called you all here…is to delivered a good news…and that is….Aeternum….is coming to liberate us…”.(Agent Marisko)“What?…..fuh~…finally they come here to us….have you succeeded in convincing the Aeternum to come here and rule us like before, Lady Marisko?…”.(Bald Bob)“Of course, she did, Baldy…it’s Lady Marisko we were
“What a great news, Milady…I am sure that there is many things that we had to prepare…to truly welcomed, His Highness president to our city….correct?..”.(Sir Joseph) Being the leader and always the driven figure in the mass, Sir Joseph woke up from the masses reverie and asked his leader that were seated before the crowd.“Of course Sir Joseph….we have much to prepare…..that is why in called everyone here not only to deliver this great news…but also to ensure that the city as well as all of us prepared properly for our next chapter of life….First of all…….It has been promised to me by the President of Aeternum….that all the noble that we have captured….all of them will face the strictest trial and punishment, by the Aeternum court of law, of which they will be judged by the President himself…hence we must prepared this vermin…to be punished by him…Second…to those evil soldiers that we have detained….tomorrow…they will all be vanquished by Aeternum soldiers…these 2 act….will be known
150 kilometers away from the New Sunders City, Aeternum Military has already progressed far up towards the Northeastern Alemia region, and the progressed has been going extremely smooth. This conform the president, Ministers and the cabinet predictions that currently, aside from the Alemia Central region, every else, the territory defense were weak. And the enemy is far weaker than even initially expected, the attack force that were led by the President himself, has already progressed about 2/3 of the distance towards the first goal, the Georgina City.“Sir…that is the 245th village, that has fully abide and acknowledge of Aeternum governance…since this village is particularly small and depopulated…we have gave them the order to relocate at once…”.(Lieutenant Colonel Selie)“Where are they going?..”.“Electra Town, Sir…it the midway town about 100 Kilometer away from New Sunders City….that town already have our Apprentice taking over the town management….”.(Lieutenant Colonel Selie)“
“Agent Marisko really do her due diligence as well…non of the villages or town populace rejected us in any way at all….they were expecting us with a smile and readily come with us…following our arrangement with glee…all those villagers has their own land…yet they all readily abandoned them at will…”.(General Eliza)“Not that they wanted to leave their only prized property they had….but they know that if they do not move out from their dilapidated village…they will die…they are exposed to monsters and bandit attacks….the already so poor people cannot bear the burdens of this war…before us they are stuck….now that we are here, offering them a safe place and prepared to send them off safely….they will take the offer no matter what….Marisko just make sure that these people understood that option well….they already have ample time to think about it…and when we came…the process is easier…”.The fact that the entire replacing process were quicker and easier is all thanks to Marisko following
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.