“The Maidens will lead the mission. Their unmatched skills, combined with the support of the Special Forces under Captain Lionel, will ensure success. This is a surgical operation—precision and stealth are paramount.”Lionel chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair.“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. Watching the Maidens in action is a rare privilege, and I’d be lying if I said my team wasn’t looking forward to it.”Selie smirked.“Captain, try not to get too distracted. We still need you to keep up.”Lionel held up his hands in mock surrender.“Noted, Colonel. I’ll make sure my team stays focused.”I stood from my chair, signaling the seriousness of the mission.“Selie, you and the Maidens will infiltrate the capital. Your objectives are threefold: map the city’s fortifications, gather intelligence on troop deployments, and locate key targets for our final assault. Captain Lionel, your team will support from a distance—ensuring extraction points are secure and ready for the operatio
“You know, it’s said that the Maidens could topple an entire city if they wanted. I mean, we’re special forces, but compared to them…”He trailed off, shaking his head. Lionel smirked, glancing back at the young sergeant.“Compared to them? We’re kids playing soldier, Miles. But remember this: tonight, we’re part of something bigger. So, keep your head in the game.”After an hour of steady driving, the convoy finally came to a halt roughly one kilometer east of Alemia Capital City. The soldiers disembarked quietly, their boots crunching softly against the dirt. The chilly night air bit at their skin, but it wasn’t the cold that sent shivers down their spines—it was the sight before them.In the faint moonlight, Alemia Capital City loomed in the distance like a wounded giant. Its once-mighty walls were battered and crumbling, scars of relentless conflict etched into its stone.Surrounding the city, like a cancerous growth, were countless makeshift camps—hundreds of thousands of tents s
“Count Dracul,”she began, her voice firm and unwavering,“I trust you’ve gathered the intelligence we requested. I need a full assessment of the current situation in the capital—numbers, key locations, morale, everything.”Count Dracul inclined his head and moved to his desk, retrieving a thick file of documents.“Of course, Lt. Colonel. I anticipated your arrival and prepared these reports. They contain detailed accounts of the enemy’s troop movements, the state of the Queen’s court, and the overall morale of the capital’s populace.”He handed the file to Selie with both hands, his gaze flickering nervously as she began flipping through the pages with meticulous precision. The room fell silent save for the sound of rustling paper. Dracul, despite his composed exterior, felt a bead of sweat trail down his temple. Selie’s reputation for strictness was well-known, and he could only hope his work met her exacting standards.Selie’s sharp eyes scanned the documents, her brow furrowing sl
“The Crown Prince’s forces are as undisciplined and chaotic as this file suggests?”Count Dracul, standing stiffly at attention, nodded firmly.“Yes, Lt. Colonel. They are barely a shadow of what they once were. Their troops are underfed, underpaid, and completely demoralized. The noble’s squabble among themselves, and neither the Crown Prince nor the Queen has the wit or leadership to unite them.”Selie raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair with an expression that was equal parts disbelief and disdain.“So, they’re little more than children playing at war,” she muttered under her breath, her sharp tone betraying her disappointment. “It’s almost laughable. If this is what they call leadership, it’s a wonder they lasted this long.”For the next few minutes, Selie cross-referenced every point in the dossier with Count Dracul. Every troop position, every supply depot, and every weakness listed was corroborated. Dracul’s responses were quick and precise, each answer adding weight t
“Summarize the troop positions and supply lines,”Selie instructed Maiden Aria, who was already pouring over a detailed map of the city.“Yes, ma’am,”Aria replied, her voice calm and professional. Meanwhile, Maiden Liana compiled a list of key figures within the enemy forces, cross-referencing them with the profiles provided by Count Dracul.“Do we need to wake the President?”Victoria asked as she filed her portion of the report. Selie shook her head.“No. The situation doesn’t warrant it. This is less of a war and more of a clean-up operation. The enemy forces are barely worth the effort. We’ll brief him in the morning.”The Maidens nodded in agreement, their movements efficient and precise as they continued organizing the information. Selie couldn’t help but feel a mix of satisfaction and disappointment as she reviewed the compiled intelligence. The state of the Crown Prince Amaris and Queen Romella’s forces was abysmal.“The Crown Prince’s forces are exhausted, demoralized, and p
“You’re telling me this is the actual state of their forces?”Selie nodded, her expression unwavering.“Yes, sir. I confirmed all the information personally during the mission, and cross-referenced it with Count Dracul’s intelligence. The data is accurate.”The absurdity of the report was almost too much to process. According to the findings, the Crown Prince Amaris and Queen Romella’s forces were in complete disarray. Each side could barely muster 10,000 combat-ready soldiers, and those were in poor condition. Their leadership was non-existent, their strategies laughable, and their morale utterly shattered.“It’s like they’re begging to lose,”I said incredulously, setting the report down.“How did they even make it this far?”“They haven’t, sir,”Selie replied with a faint smirk.“They’re just floundering, hoping to outlast one another. Both sides are puppets, controlled by the nobles and vassals around them who are more interested in their own power plays than the war itself.”I le
“Enough,”I said, my tone firm but calm.“I understand your frustrations, but we must remain focused. This isn’t about them—it’s about us and the legacy we’re building.”Bina and Lucas nodded, though their anger was still palpable. Eliza wiped a tear of laughter from her eye, her grin fading as she straightened up.“We’ll use this situation to our advantage,”I continued.“Their incompetence is our opportunity. At 1:00 PM, we’ll begin the march towards the Central Region. Every front will advance simultaneously, stopping just 2 kilometers from Alemia Capital City.”The generals listened intently as I outlined the next steps.“When we reach that point,”I said, my voice carrying the weight of the moment,“I will address the nation through a live broadcast on Aeternum Media. The people need to see our resolve, our strength, and our commitment to ending this war. This isn’t just about conquering Alemia—it’s about uniting this land under the banner of peace, stability, and progress.”Bina
“Good afternoon, citizens of Aeternum, people of Alemia, and brave soldiers of our army.Today, we stand at the cusp of history. Today, we march towards the final chapter of a war that should never have been necessary but became inevitable due to the greed, corruption, and incompetence of Alemia’s rulers.For too long, the so-called leadership of Alemia Nation has plagued this continent with its tyranny. Their greed led them to exploit our kindness, pillage our ships, and harm our people. For months, they ransacked our trade routes and embezzled millions of gold coins from our donations meant to help their suffering people. They took what was given freely and returned betrayal.But this war is not only about Aeternum’s justice. It is about liberating a land that has been drowning in oppression for decades. Alemia’s nobles and leaders have ruled with fear, corruption, and cruelty, subjecting their people to a life of suffering, where crime and evil fester unchecked. Their governance ha
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.