“.…Welcome to Air Nest 05, Madam General Eliza, Major Holgun and Major Fontana…Looks like the 2 of you…seems a little bit shocked…”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)A thin Colonel with full dark colored military uniform greeted, General Eliza company at the landing pad. In Aeternum Military structure, Black Colored uniform is something that can only be wear by a division or a person that is under direct control of the President and the Royal family, and thus, this colonel position is quite special. And also the fact that this Dark Colored uniform appeared in this hidden base, do invoke curiosity from a lot of people, this including the 2 Major.“Of course,Sir….I never thought that I will meet the fame Eternal Night Division again…the last time I meet them is in the Wasteland…”.(Major Holgun Iron Horn)“Oh~ you meet my division?…that’s nice…that division that you meet were led by my Master and also our Leader, Madame Colonel Alessia Di Gianna…she is now stationed there….to develop that regi
“a Yeti-Demon Hybrid?….that is just….outrageous…”.(Major Fontana De Ark)“I know, right?…Hahaha….by the way, that is a Tier 7 Monster, right there…the combination or rather the demon possession has forcefully raise the Yeti, normal tier 3 by 4 tiers….here..this kind of monster is like an infestation..”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)With a casual smile on his face, the Colonel just revealed the Tier of that monster before them, and it was dangerously high. Everyone knows that Aeternum do dealt with monsters that were above Tier 3, but that were on the seas, where such news were already becoming a common one, but now to know that there were also another region within Aeternum that produce a land monster with high tier, that is worrying information, enough to give everyone a nightmare every night.“Don’t be too shock and afraid….because of this monster like that…there are dozens of secret base within this northern region…that monster is also why our nation were so rich…despite we do not ha
A matter of dealing an entire region in secret, is not something that were supposed to be mention casually, yet here are the Colonel just spurt out the words before the groups saying that the entire region were already within Aeternum hands and then the Northwestern Region is already being prepared for attack.“We have all the targets, in surveillance…we already relocated all the villagers into towns…so there is no need to relocate them anymore…you can just stroll in and officially take control of the 2 towns and the Frozen Peak City at any time you wanted, General…”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)“Good…that’s takes a lot of weight off my shoulders…Even His Highness were a bit frustrated that we had to waste a lot of time to relocates people….since you have done it…then my job would be easier…”.(General Eliza)“I am happy to serve, Madam General..”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)“Um….Sir Colonel, did you really able to do it?…not to sound like I am questioning you or anything…but what you j
“Madam, may I suggest something?…”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)“What is it, Colonel?…”.(General Eliza)“I am suggesting for my men to assist you in this part of the war….we already had the shadow control over the region….I am suggesting that like in the Georgina City…my men can make the Frozen Peak City as the punishment ground for all the enemies…making that city as their last ground…”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)At this moment, the Eternal Night Division were only on the monitoring side inside the Northwestern region, and his suggestions would make the fight end much faster and much more efficient.“Why do you want to do that?..”.(General Eliza)“Well…there is many reason actually….one being is that, we need the entire Northern region to be under us as soon as possible…you see…without us being the official ruling power in this region..our men, especially the one that were stationed here….we cannot move freely…also…we feared that the Underworld Dimension Miasma might just spread out…
After Agent Marisko and Eliza left the castle to do their own duty, I finally able to get some personal time for myself. In these time of war, from the start I supposed today were the only day where I am able to just lounge around and do nothing at all. Everyone were on their way to do their own work, of which I am sure that they would be able to them spectacularly. Marisko would surely be doing something over the top, she missing those nobles and lords, do put her in a depressing mood. To be honest, that part is not her fault at all, after all, who knows that those rats would ran away unnoticed.Also, I never ordered her to capture them at all. But somehow she viewed the incident as her mishaps, and everyone also looked at it that way. Naturally I told her that it was not a big deal at all, but I am sure that she won’t viewed it that way. In fact, everyone around me would do just that, these people were just to hardcore, and personally I would not want to change that or even interfer
“Selie, Make sure to take pictures, Videos and documented everything here….we can use this to paint more horrendous stuff and degrade this stupid nation image even more with this… ”.“Yes, Your Highness…”.(Lieutenant Colonel Selie)Selie just come to me this morning, so since then she had taken her role as my Secretary, so when I am roaming the castle she and her team joined in as well. For me since I do this roaming, might as well create a documentary and records at the same time, to preserved a history so to say. Aeternum is a nation that is barely a few years old, so we need to create a history records for ourselves. So this is one of them in the making is supposed.“Hmm…this golds would be a waste if we just leave them like this…i also wanted to remodeled this entire floor as well…..Gerard, have the maid and staffs to emptied the entire floor here…carried everything out to the front lawn…from the bed to everything…I want them out and laid on the lawn….make sure, not a single thing
“Sir, all the stuff, from the basements has been moved safely on the lawn…and already finished being categorized..”.(Lieutenant Colonel Selie)“Oh, Thank you Selie…..hmm…that is quite a lot of stuff…”.“Yes, sir…all the gold and silvers items….are approximately weights around half a tonne…”.(Lieutenant Colonel Selie)That is quite shocking, all the sex toys that comes from the basement floor, the fittings, the luxurious items were actually that much. That previous lord is true scumbags, truly, even the furniture’s were all a high class ones, they all would surely bump the cost even higher.“What a waste….well, melt all the golds and silver and turned them into ingots…..as for the furniture’s….the bed and bedding, pillows all the stuff, that can be contaminated…just burned them all…the bed frames, sofa’s and other stuffs…clean them all….we can resell or use them later…”.“Understood, Sir….would all this be your personal loots sir?..”.(Lieutenant Colonel Selie)“Yes….The castle and ever
Meanwhile, in Aeternum the sudden cabinet meeting were being held in New City. Naturally the entire New City populace who still busy living their everyday lives noticed this, as anyone can see whenever Aeternum high level official were getting busy, rows of executive cars would roam the street, multiple Airships would land all in the same area, the Government District. People instantly knows that something big about to happen and everyone hoped that they would found what it is through the Aeternum radios, as everyone knew and believed that Aeternum news is always the source of true and verified information about everything in this world.“.…What is going on?….I suddenly being summoned here…..I heard that this was urgent….”.(Governor Duke Oliver Gust)“Oliver…it’s nice to see you again….I don’t know…I also got the same notice as you….VP Elijah called me in a hurry to get myself here….but…from the looks of it…I doubt that it would be something nice…I never seen the Ministers were this u
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.