What?..”.(Jackie)In a casual manner, Sergeant Johnathan cheerfully speaks and mention that now the city has changed it’s owner, there is no wind or even typhoon that land on the city today, and yet changed already come and a shocking one at that.“…What?..”.(Remy & Other Patron)The shocking gasp and reaction does not stop at just Jackie alone, in fact the entire tavern heard what Sergeant Johnathan were talking and they to react with the same degree of shock as Jackie, some patron were even so shock that they glasses of beers and wine slipped from their hand and crash on the floor, signify just how bewildered and shocked everyone was.“Sir…sir…did you say…that Aeternum has occupied the city…THIS city?..”.(Jackie)In an exaggerated manner, Jackie pointed his finger down to the ground questioning the reality.“...Yes, that’s right…as of a few hours ago…we…the Aeternum military had liberated the Frozen Peak City and it’s entire territory….we have defeated Duke Windstorm the 5t
“...Sir…..is this real?…please slap me…I want to know if this is real and not an illusion….”.(Jackie)“Wait, What?…Slap you?..”.(Sergeant Johnathan)Presented with an odd request, Sergeant Johnathan were bewildered, as this is the first time that he was requested of such bizzare request from another grown man.“Don’t worry, Here you go, Mr. Jackie……”.(Sergeant Mosely)“AH!!..it hurts!..”.(Jackie)Not waiting a beat, Sergeant Mosely entrained the man request and delivered a crisp slap across Jackie’s cheek, which clearly snapped the tavern owner in an instant. It was a comical situation for everyone but with the man himself reeled in pain, it was safe to assume that he would now accept the reality of the current situation.“Why the heck that you slap the man?..”.(Sergeant Johnathan)“He asked for it….I give him just what he want…the sooner that he realized that we aren’t messing around…the better…”..(Sergeant Mosely)“Yeah, I know…but you don’t have to backhand the poor man jus
“FREEDDOOOMMMM!!!!…yeah!!!..”.(Remy)“Finally!!!…..we are free!!!…”.(Tavern Patrons)Happiness spread all over the tavern in an instant, and everyone were dancing with a wide smile plastered all over their face, they link their hand over their shoulders, and dance like there is no tomorrow. It was a stark difference of the atmosphere just a few minutes ago, before the crowd feels like there were a sword hanging over their heads, and now, they were all feeling like they were way up over the cloud nine. Naturally the celebration continues for a few more dozens minutes, and this entire time the 2 officer just silently looking at the crowd with a smile, understood that it was time to give these gloomy folks the time for them to celebrate uninterrupted.“Sorry, sir…I got carried away….please tell me…no..tell US..what you want us to do…we will all do it right away…we will make sure that everything you want will be done right away..”.(Jackie)Done with his celebration that takes minutes, Jac
“Great…I am counting on all of you….by the way….are any of you have any information that can help us?…any information will do…”.(Sergeant Mosely)“I have one, Sir!…there is a few Merchants that need to be apprehend sir!..”.(Tavern Patron)“Really?…then come here and tell me…”.(Sergeant Mosely)Expecting that this time around that they were only here to informed people of the great news, with the pouring information that can lead to easing up Aeternum works in clearing the city of all the vermin's that plaguing the city, Sergeant Mosely and Sergeant Johnathan untimely opened the information collecting table. Nearly all the tavern patron has information on many corrupted figures and organization, naturally since all these folks comes from different background and works, and the aspect of easing up Aeternum duty in cleaning the city everyone willingly stepped up and tell their tales.At the same time, the rest of the patron that already given up their information comes out pouring from t
“Sir!!!…that the company!!…that one!…they sold the flour at exorbitant price!….they also sold the Aeternum aid packages as well!!…”.(Concerned Citizens)“So these shrewd merchants are not only corrupt..but also a robber!!…MEN!!…arrest everyone in that building!!!..”.(Aeternum Officer)“YES SIR!!!…”.(Aeternum Soldiers)“NO!..Please mercy!!…please sir!!…I am innocent!!…”.(Shrewd Merchant)“Shut it!…over a dozens people complaint and make a report about your evil deed and you tried to denied it!…we will carefully interrogate you all and force you to reveal the truth!!…”.(Aeternum Officer)“NOOOO!!!!!…”.(Shrewd Merchant)On one side, the people were calmly getting audited at their house and cooperating calmly, and on the other side, the Aeternum soldier were going rampant of arresting all the figures that were getting complaint of their evil deeds and dragging all the arrested to the prison. It was a chaotic scene transpire all over the city as the morning comes, no one can anticipate thi
“Sir Throltyhs….I don’t know how to say this….but…this city hall…rather than calling them a city hall to manage the city…it was just a useless building…their records were nothing short of a mess…documentation were almost nonexistence…all records were being misuse, altered and just falsified to served the previous lord will….it was a mess……”.(City hall Vice Director Robert)“Well…to be honest…I don’t expect much of any usable stuff here, Vice Director Robert….heck…even all the other Observer team have the same problem that we are facing right now…”.(Temporary Observer Mr.Throltyhs)“.…This people weren't just incompetent….they are all just literally useless…I remember just how spotless and well organized everything was when I left this place….and yet in just a few months span…they managed to destroyed everything…...”.(Apprentice Pouler)Apprentice Pouler is once the person that worked in this city hall, and when the Duke take over after Aeternum retreat he was dismissed,
“By the way…what is the progress on the temporary court hall, Vice Director?…”.(Temporary Observer Mr.Throltyhs)“We are just passed the 20% mark of completion, Sir….we estimate that, tomorrow the construction will be done and we can soon use them at will…”.(City hall Vice Director Robert)Vice Director Robert proudly and calmly reported what is going on, right outside the city hall building, right at the centre of the city. The Aeternum military engineers were busy building a temporary court, as per their usual order.“Great…we need to have them done as soon as possible…his Highness president put an emphasis on this matter…we need to give the people closure and ease of mind….at the same time we need to punish all those evil noble and lords….all that, so that we can gain more support in order to built up this city…”.(Temporary Observer Mr.Throltyhs)“I agree….by the way, sir…who would be the judge on the court tomorrow?..”.(City hall Vice Director Robert)“Well…General Eliza..would t
“...Vice Director Robert….you might want to wipe that smile off your faces….we all know that the General..seems rather unlikely to be on such position…..but…remember…she is A general of our military….and also…a General of an Air Force…..also…most of the people forgot, that she is actually…a member of a Maiden Unit…..”.(Temporary Observer Mr.Throltyhs)“Oh….”.(City hall Vice Director Robert)“For a person like her….she can be decisive, serious…and also very cold hearted when she needed to…”.(Temporary Observer Mr.Throltyhs)With that reminder, the smile instantly vanished of the vice director face. When he got reminded that the person that he was thinking lightly, at the end of the day was an Aeternum General, and one thing is for sure, Aeternum general is not the kind of people that anyone can disregards at all, if there is anyone out there that dares to even think of doing so, they are just getting an express ticket to death. Nevertheless, it was safe to say that the casual Vice Dir
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.