“[ An investigation is not possible without a solid reason, Governor Duke Oliver….The Memorandum is only proposing to stop the war…..and we must obeyed our Cabinet constitutions….that proposing a memorandum that were signed by the people have rights to be addressed in this hall…..sure, it was upsetting….but we must uphold our constitution no matter what…]”.(Vice President Elijah / Radio)“...What the heck?…is this for real?…”.(Suchong)Suchong the owner of the place were glued to his steps has he was about to served his regular customer/friend table. Of all thing that he had listened to this morning, this is perhaps the most ridiculous stuff that he had heard about.“Oh…it’s real alright….listen….everyone in the cabinet hall were groaning right now….if the Vice President herself were talking about it…..it sure did happened…Tsk!…”.(Old Corg)“Aren’t the war is ongoing right now?….from the recent report…our troops already made it’s way to liberate almost half the nation already…..”.(Jar
“….Hmph!!!…you know what!….I am sick and tired of these stupidity….I am sure that those that used our legitimate channel to do our nation harm!….and I am going to do something about it!!..”.(Old Corg)Old Corg swallowed his just arrive breakfast quickly and stood up, with a serious face and angers in his voice.“Oi..old man…where are you going?…”.(Suchong)“I’m going to the Cabinet Hall building!…”.(Old Corg)“To do what?..”.(Suchong)“I am protesting the heck out of everything!!…”.(Old Corg)“What?!…hold on a second…Old Corg…are you sure, you want to do this?..”.(Suchong)Rushing to grab the old man arms and hold him in place, Suchong had to rush. The Old Man were serious this entire time and he is truly going to do what he said he is going to do. Holding a protest, in Aeternum, especially in New City is not a small matter, as Aeternum is a government that listened and attentive to it’s people, if the Old Man were to start a protest, things will easily explode into something
“That land it about to be liberated!…the people were about to be saved!….and we….WE are about to get the glory and honor of winning a war!!….we..all of us had hands on changing the future for the better!…..we are about to obtained what we had dreamed about for years!!…..and it was about to be stopped?…by what by a memorandum that might as well be concocted by a traitors?!……I say to hell with that!…..not gonna happen….Over my cold dead body!…I’m going to make sure that nothing, no one will stop this war!….either you join me…or get out of my way, Suchong!…”.(Old Corg)Finished his shouting bout, panting and gasping for air, Old Corg vicious eyes did not change at all. His speech were heard by everyone in the area, and it does truly affected those that were listening to him. Like a beckoning call to arms, everyone in the restaurant started to stands up and surrounded the Old man. People on the surrounding also started to walk towards the crowd and combined, in just a few dozens seconds,
“calm the protester and make sure that they do not do anything troublesome…tell them to wait, as I will come out to meet them…”.(Minister Mina)“Understood, madam..”.(Aeternum Police Commissioner Layla)Leaving the now hectic cabinet hall, Aeternum Police Commissioner Layla head back out, and just right outside the door, the entire Cabinet Hall were already filled with Aeternum police officers. Nearly half of the Police officer in New City were being pulled out of their station and duty and were tasked here to maintained the order and safety of the Cabinet Hall and building. Almost all the station chief all over New City were waiting right outside the cabinet hall door.“Chief…so…how was it?…Did Madam Minister said anything?..”.(Captain Mimal)“Chief….the situation outside is about to reach the boiling point…hundreds, if not thousands are already gathering outside…”.(Captain Gorry)The 2 Demi-Human police captain, were looking extremely worried about the growing situation outside. It
“We better do our job….let those politician do theirs…god…..I hope they solve this problem quick…soon enough…we would be overwhelmed…”.(Aeternum Police Commissioner Layla)Getting their new order, Layla along with all the police captain leave the cabinet hall and head out to the streets, this time they all had their work plans out for them, for their duty this time is to just make sure that nothing damaging would happened. Certainly this is a troubled time, especially when the military is busy elsewhere, usually this kind of controlling situation would be much more manageable if the soldiers were with them to control the situation, as the people would be more calm when they sees soldiers calming them.Meanwhile inside of the Cabinet Hall, the situation weren’t Getting any better, the 2 opposing side were getting more and more heated, especially when the religious faction chimed in.“We all should obeyed the rules and our constitutions!…this is ordained by us by our government…and the
“Sister….”.(Mina)“What is it?..”.(Elijah)“It’s happening….we have protest outside….and looks like is continues to grows…”.(Mina)“Seems like our expectation has became true…”.(Elijah)Learning this, Elijah slyly smirked, her plans has already started to come together.“Yeah….but, I feared that the crowd might be too riled up…..also, they are continuing to grow larger…My commissioner are clearly worried that this situation might grow and become out of control…”.(Mina)“Now…we don’t that to happen do we..”.(Elijah)“Yes….you should start the next phase now….whilst I will go outside and select someone to talk here…”.(Mina)“You go and do that…I’ll handle the situation here..”.(Elijah)Mina nodded and walked away, naturally like a show as soon as she moved, the rest of the staff inside the Cabinet Hall also suddenly spring into action, making all the Cabinet members became very aware that something had happened, and it seems like it isn’t something good.“Ladies and gentlemen…may I have
“Things are slowly going out of control…”.(Governor Duke Oliver Gust)“You think so?….ahaha….well, that is the difference between us and the other governments….our people can think for themselves….and they wanted us to hear about it….unlike the other nations….our people were not merely just a sheeps….amazing isn’t it….”.(Colonel Alessia Di Gianna)“Sure…that’s great…but still….with that amount of people outside….things can easily spiral out of control…and that shouldn’t happen…especially now..when we had a very crucial decision to make…”.(Governor Duke Oliver Gust)To many of the old lords, this situation is certainly unsettling to be in, but for many Aeternum born leader, this situation is just something that is to be expected, as things like this is what made the Aeternum governance to be different and unique. At the same time, right outside the Cabinet Hall Building, the crowds that starts at most at a hundreds people has now grown into thousands, traffic, business and now even sch
“Commissioner Layla….” Minister Mina’s voice cut through the din of the crowd, carrying a weight of authority that had been honed through years of public service.“Yes, Madam Minister!” Layla responded, relief palpable in her tone. “Thank God you’re finally here. Look at the crowd, Ma’am. The numbers have kept increasing…” Aeternum Police Commissioner Layla’s voice trailed off as she gestured toward the masses.Minister Mina’s gaze swept across the scene, taking in the sea of faces. “I can see that… It’s even more overwhelming than what I saw from the inside. Is the situation under control?” Her words were calm, but there was an undercurrent of urgency.“Somehow… somehow, the people are still in a reasonable mood. So far, no one has attempted to cross the barrier we’ve set up,” Commissioner Layla replied, her voice tinged with cautious optimism. She gave a wry smile as she motioned toward the crowd, clearly indicating that the protest line had not yet breached the police barricades.“
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.