“..Louis…..Kuh!…Louis?…”.(Lord Duke Windstorm The 5th)“For someone who is known as the Coldest Tyrant Duke….you are awfully…dull….”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)“Who?….are..you….?..”.(Lord Duke Windstorm The 5th)Amidst his wandering thoughts inside a room where everyone were his subordinate, a voice that was alien to him, and on top of it all, speaking to his in an informal manner, Duke Windstorm the 5th that were already in a foul mood, felt the mocking from the voice is very scathing. Moreover it was a voice that he didn’t know, and also the Baron Louis that were supposed to be right behind him, seemed so silence, all of a sudden. With an annoyance in his action and voice at first, the Duke turned around in anger, but as his eyes adjusted to the new scenery behind him, his anger turns to bewilderment.“Who am I?….well….I am sure that by just looking at me….you would definitely know…who am I….Duke Windstorm…”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)“What?..”.(Lord Duke Windstorm The 5th)Right
“You should just surrender quietly when asked…..yet, you fight for your meager power and reign…..so futile….you already saw us in front of your gates…and yet here you are devising a way to repel us instead of opening your gate and welcome us as your new lord……What do it even expect from an old coot like you…a tyrant and a fool….I guess….this is your end……from now on…Frozen Peak City belonged to Aeternum…”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna)“.….…”.(Lord Duke Windstorm The 5th)The Duke of Frozen Peak City were unable to refute anything nor he can even replied to the mocking tone of the Aeternum Colonel before him, as before he even got the chance to even utter a single word, a sword slashed already separating his head from his neck. All that he can do is watched as the Colonel mockingly smiled at his dead corpse. As the duke corpse started to lose it’s warmth, the dulled silenced throne room started to began to bustling with noises. At the same time, a blonde young woman enter
In just a few dozens minutes, the tightly shut city gates of Frozen Peak City were opened wide, and under the cover of the dark night, Aeternum soldiers pours in, and somehow took over the city in a rather quiet and peaceful manners. No fighting or even skirmished happened the City garrisons, guards and even the Duke Windstorm private army were all obediently following the order made by the Aeternum soldiers. It was as if the entire city organization were seemingly agreed before hand that the transfer of power just happened as it should be. As a matter of fact, 90% of the Officers that were incharge of the Duke army and city security all of them already long pledged their loyalty to Lady Mirabella Windstorm, and they all have been agreed to follow her lead, and wanted to changed their service from the tyrant duke to the magnanimous authority that is Aeternum. And once the Duke issues were settled, naturally everything else fall into it’s designated place easily.“My Lady…all the gates
“Well…you might be able to do as you want, agent Mirabella…there is an Observer coming in here…he come with us all…he would be the one that taking the lead in managing and taking control the city for awhile…so you can just go wherever you want…Wow…looks like you both had done a great job!….good~”.(General Eliza)“..Madam!..”.(Colonel Guseppe De Gianna & Lady Mirabella Windstorm)As the two were talking casually, the carefree voice spoke from behind the two, and it was the ever so carefree, General Eliza entering the room with a beaming smile.“At ease, you two…looks like we all can sleep in a proper bed tonight…right Holgun?..”.“yes, Madam..”.(Major Holgun Iron Horn)“Both of you…good work~..we don’t even have to fight at all….with this…our work here had simply done…who would’ve thought that we are able to conquer the entire Northern Region in just a week time…Simply amazing…”.(General Eliza)Casually strolling inside the wide hall, General Eliza were visibly in a happy mood
"I am fine, Madam General... in fact, I feel *refreshed*."Lady Mirabella's voice was steady as she spoke, her gaze unwavering."The Windstorm family has been the object of my hatred since I was a teen. That man killed my entire family because he coveted my beauty and body. Now that he’s dead and the entire family is destroyed... I am beyond happy. I am... *satisfied*."Lady Mirabella's smile widened as General Eliza's concern failed to penetrate her mood. She spoke nothing but the truth of her feelings. Her happiness gleamed like the first light of dawn after a long, sleepless night. The revenge she had long nurtured had finally reached its conclusion, and the success was nothing short of remarkable. Her story was so tragic, so filled with despair, that not a soul could muster sympathy for the dead Duke who had caused it all."Well,"General Eliza replied, eyeing her carefully,"if you say so... but it leaves me with a sour taste to simply hand you the satisfaction of revenge."She p
"Great,". (General Eliza)General Eliza continued, pleased with the transaction."After all, for the Alemia Region, we have a special arrangement. The East and South belong to Countess Jelina, and the West and Central to Duke Oliver. Why shouldn't the North have its own representative noble?".(General Eliza)"Yes, Madam General, I agree,".(Lady Mirabella) Mirabella responded, her voice resolute."The Windstorm family will stand as loyal supporters of the Aeternum government, no matter the circumstances. I will personally ensure it.".(General Eliza)"Good. Now, from today, Mr. Throltyhs here will serve as the Temporary Observer for Frozen Peak City and the entire Northwestern region. Lady Mirabella, prepare to announce the Windstorm family’s surrender at dawn. The Duke is dead, and the transition of power to Aeternum will be official. Good news shouldn’t be hidden for long, should it?"(General Eliza)"Understood, Madam General,".(Lady Mirabella) Mirabella replied, bowing slightly."
What's happening out there?".(Jackie) Jackie, the owner of Jackie’s Bar, asked nervously as the commotion outside grew louder. He calmly wiped a glass, trying to maintain his composure."Yeah,".(Remy)another patron, Remy, chimed in,"why all this noise in the middle of the night? Is there a war?".(Remy)"War? Nah!" .(Labou)Labou, another regular, scoffed."Even if the world burns in war, nothing ever happens here, not with that cowardly Duke in his castle. We’re stuck under his rule forever, doomed to rot in this place.".(Labou)The other patrons grumbled in agreement, resigned to their bleak fate. None of them realized that, in just a few moments, they would be proven wrong. Change was already upon them. Still at time like this when the noise outside were clearly ominous, they should just mind their own business, nothing good will come out if they became nosy for others business, in this Frozen Peak City, it was always like that, the Duke and his men were always known as a tyrant,
“Umm….um…welcome sir…to this humble tavern…Jackie’s Tavern…..I am Jackie the owner of this humble establishment…umm…is there anything I can help you with sir?..”.(Jackie)Nervously Jackie who just barely to gather his wits, carefully and respectfully greets the 2 soldier before him.“Well…there is something that you can help us with….and we would be very grateful if you and your patron here can help us as well….we need you to help us spread the news to the rest of the city….”.(Aeternum Soldier)Despite the 2 soldier seemingly so imposing and so fear inducing to the crowds and to Mister Jackie as well, the way they talked and approach everyone seemed so calm and collected as well as friendly, enable everyone to calm down a little bit and also sobered up from their drunkenness. Even so their Uniform, gait and their holstered weapons do induced the other to be polite and obeyed these soldiers, it was their undeniable aura that made them abide to these 2, Naturally for the 2 Aeternum sold
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.