On the Aeternum side, the mood couldn’t have been more different. The soldiers, aware of the psychological impact their stillness was having on the enemy, were brimming with confidence.“This is genius,”Private Luthar said, his voice filled with admiration.“The President doesn’t even need to lift a finger, and they’re already falling apart.”Sergeant Maia, a veteran soldier, nodded.“That’s why I serve him. He doesn’t just fight wars—he wins them before they even start.”Another soldier chuckled.“Can you imagine what they must be thinking right now? All those nobles and commanders, shaking in their boots, wondering when we’re going to strike. It’s beautiful.”The soldiers also appreciated the transparency I had shown by sharing the compiled evidence of Alemia’s crimes. For many, it reinforced their faith in Aeternum’s leadership and the righteousness of their cause.“I’ve served in armies before,”Corporal Darius said,“But never in one where the leader actually tells you why you’r
“You know what I appreciate most about this war?”he asked, his voice thoughtful.“It’s the transparency. The president told us everything—why we’re here, what we’re fighting for. I’ve never served in an army like this before.”The others nodded in agreement.“That’s because there isn’t another army like this,”a veteran said proudly.“We’re not just fighting for a paycheck or some king’s ego. We’re fighting for something real—for justice, for the people who’ve been suffering under their rule.”The soldiers’ confidence was unshakable. They knew they were on the right side of history, and the enemy’s disarray only reinforced their belief in the righteousness of their cause. As the sun began to set, the Aeternum Army remained motionless, their lines unbroken, their discipline unwavering. On the horizon, the camps of Crown Prince Amariss and Queen Romella descended further into chaos, their once-proud armies teetering on the brink of collapse. Inside the Dragon One, I stood at the observ
Meanwhile, in the Aeternum camp, soldiers discussed the situation in hushed but animated tones. The transparency of the president’s leadership and the reports of the Alemia government’s incompetence had ignited a fiery determination among them.“Did you hear the latest report?”one soldier asked, leaning over his meal tray.“The queen herself admitted to being a puppet for the nobles. Can you believe that?”Another soldier scoffed.“It’s disgusting. They let their people starve and suffer while they live in luxury. No wonder Aeternum had to step in.”A younger recruit, still fresh to the army, spoke up hesitantly.“Do you think we’re really doing the right thing? Taking over an entire nation?”The veteran sitting next to him clapped him on the shoulder.“Kid, we’re not just taking over. We’re fixing what they broke. Look around you—this isn’t a war for power. It’s a war for justice.”The recruit nodded slowly, his doubts fading.“I just… I’ve never seen a leader like the president bef
In the heart of New City, the nerve center of Aeternum’s military operations—The Black House War Room—was abuzz with activity. Communication officers called out coordinates, screens lit up with battlefield updates, and every second was accounted for as the final stages of the Alemia campaign unfolded. Vice President Elijah, seated on the imposing Command Throne, presided over it all with her usual steely composure.But then, a phone rang—a call not routed through the usual secure military channels. The sudden interruption brought the entire room to a halt. All eyes turned to Elijah as she picked up the receiver.“This is Vice President Elijah,”she announced firmly.A familiar but timid voice greeted her.“Vice President Elijah… this is Queen Romella of Alemia.”The room fell into complete silence. Every officer present held their breath, straining to catch any hint of what was being said. The weight of the unexpected call hung heavily in the air.Elijah’s voice turned ice-cold, her t
“It’s over,”she announced, her voice echoing through the chamber.“The Alemia Royalty Faction has fallen—quietly, and without resistance.”The officers in the war room erupted into a flurry of activity, relaying the monumental news across Aeternum’s military network. But amidst the chaos, there was an undercurrent of somber resolve.“This is why Aeternum must lead,”one officer murmured to his colleague.“Their so-called queen waited until the very end to take responsibility—and only when her back was against the wall.”Another officer nodded.“At least she’s surrendering. But the damage is done. Her people have suffered for far too long. It’s time we clean up this mess.”Elijah listened to their hushed conversations; her expression unreadable. Though her demeanor was calm and composed, a storm of thoughts churned within her mind. She knew that this surrender, while significant, was only the beginning. The real work—rebuilding Alemia and bringing it under Aeternum’s banner—was yet to
“What do you want to do, Your Excellency? Should we accept her surrender?”I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of the decision before me.“We’ll accept it,”I said finally.“But under our terms. She will relinquish everything, including her dignity as a monarch. She’ll serve as an example of what happens when leaders fail their people. Let her live—but only just enough to remind everyone of the cost of her failures.”Elijah’s tone softened, a hint of respect in her voice.“Understood. I’ll finalize the arrangements and have her surrender publicly acknowledged at the right time. This war is finally nearing its end.”I sat back in my chair, my gaze drifting to the reports strewn across my desk. The Alemia Nation, a land plagued by incompetence and corruption, was finally crumbling. Its remnants would soon be swept away by the strength and unity of Aeternum. In the background, the low hum of Dragon One’s engines served as a steady reminder of the impending victory. The final steps were
“This is why I serve Aeternum,”he said.“Our government doesn’t hide anything from us. The President shows us the truth—the corruption, the suffering, everything. We’re not here for conquest. We’re here to fix what’s broken.”A sergeant nearby nodded.“And the Crown Prince? He deserves everything that’s coming to him. My wife is from Alemia, and she told me stories of what that man has done—taxing people into starvation while throwing lavish parties. It’s disgusting.”Another soldier, a former immigrant from Alemia, added,“It’s not just him. The entire royal family let this happen. But the fact that the President is willing to spare Queen Romella and preserve a part of Alemia’s heritage? That shows we’re not here to destroy—we’re here to rebuild.”Even the officers echoed similar sentiments. In the command tent, a group of captains discussed the decision over steaming mugs of coffee.“This is why we’re different,” one of them said.“Other nations would have razed Alemia to the groun
“[To the citizens of Aeternum, know this: our soldiers, our leaders, and our government are united in our cause. We fight not for conquest, but for liberation. We fight to bring light to a land that has known darkness for far too long. And we fight because we believe in a better future for all.]”As she reached the conclusion of her address, Elijah’s voice softened slightly, carrying a note of hope.“[Let us move forward together—with courage, with resolve, and with the knowledge that we are on the side of justice. Aeternum stands as a beacon of hope, and together, we will bring peace to Alemia Nation. Thank you, and may we all stay safe in the hours ahead.]”The response to Elijah’s address was immediate and palpable. Across Aeternum, workers paused their tasks, families huddled around radios, and soldiers standing in the encampments felt a renewed sense of purpose.In one bustling Aeternum farm, a group of farmers stood together, their hands still muddy from the fields, listening in
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.