The emperor sat at the head of the table, silent. Then, he spoke.“We have two choices,” he said coldly. “We either submit willingly, or we find a way to break their hold on us.”Silence fell over the room.“Then… how do we fight an empire that doesn’t use weapons to conquer?”The emperor’s expression darkened.“… We find their weakness.”Back in Aeternum, the night was peaceful. Mies and his wives sat together on the grand balcony, the warm evening breeze brushing against them. It was rare for all of them to gather like this, away from politics and responsibilities.Mina playfully ran her fingers through Mies’ hair. “We should do this more often.”Elijah stretched, smirking. “If we weren’t so damn good at running the world, maybe we’d have more free time.”Andrea chuckled. “Still… seeing how easily we’re shaping the world, it almost feels unfair, doesn’t it?”Bina snorted. “Unfair? Please. If the world wants to enjoy what we give them, they can also serve us in return.”Rafaela swirl
"Having trouble with the carts?"Cedric straightened immediately, his noble pride kicking in. "Ah, President Mies! No, no, of course not. I was merely… assessing its security. One cannot be too careful with, uh, automated devices."Mies smirked. "Right. Well, let me show you how it works."With effortless ease, he grabbed a bottle of Aeternum’s premium wine, scanned it at the self-checkout, tapped his bank token, and finished the purchase within seconds.The screen blinked: "Thank you for shopping with us!"The knight and noble stared in awe."It’s that simple," Mies said casually.Lord Cedric rubbed his chin, intrigued. "Hmm… fascinating. Perhaps this convenience is not so barbaric after all."Behind them, the knight was still holding the bread."What… now?" the knight asked hesitantly.The old woman sighed. "You bag it, dear."As Mies made his way back to Mina—who was now carrying an absurd amount of milk—the TV cameras zoomed in for the closing segment."Today, Aeternum has once ag
The coaster blasted through the tracks at insane speeds, looping, twisting, and hurtling downward with breathtaking force. By the end, the challenger was laughing hysterically while his friend sat completely pale, gripping the seat like his life depended on it."D-Did we just die?!""No, but let’s go again!"Back with Mies and his family, the group had finally chosen their first ride—the Aether Sky Carousel, a floating carousel of beautifully sculpted air beasts that soared gracefully through the sky.Yggdrasil giggled as she rode on a glowing mana-dragon, while Mina picked the biggest griffon she could find.Elijah, sitting beside Mies, sighed. "You know, I never thought this would be our legacy. I figured you’d be conquering nations, not building theme parks."Mies smirked. "Conquest comes in many forms, love."Elijah chuckled. "So, what’s next? Aeternum-brand beach resorts?"Mina gasped. "Mies! Can we do that next?!"Mies laughed. "Let’s just enjoy today first."As the sun set, the
At the arcade section of the park, where visitors could play various skill-based games to win prizes, a new war was being waged.The parents and children had completely swapped roles.A blacksmith father was aggressively trying to win a giant plushie at the claw machine, while his son, looking embarrassed, whispered, "Papa… we can just buy it…"A group of noblewomen were having a fierce shooting game competition, yelling "FOR HONOR!" as they sniped down targets with toy crossbows.A battle-hardened knight was furiously trying to win a whack-a-mole game, determined to defeat "these cursed creatures once and for all."Meanwhile, the children sat quietly eating snacks, watching their parents go feral."...Are we sure this park is for kids?" one child asked.Another child sighed, eating popcorn. "I think we lost our parents today."Back at the Royal Business Tower, where Mies' privately owned entertainment empire was managed, the analysts watched as the profits skyrocketed. An assistant a
And thus, the fast-food empire of Aeternum was born. Within a few months, WcWonalds had exploded in popularity. Massive billboards showcasing juicy burgers and golden fries appeared all over Aeternum. Food carts and small WcWonalds outlets popped up in every major city. Multinational train stations had WcWonalds express counters, ensuring travelers could get a meal anywhere, anytime. Even the foreign nobles and kings were now sending personal envoys just to import WcWonalds to their palaces.At the Royal Business Tower, where the profits of Aeternum’s industries were calculated, Mies, Mina, and the other ministers of Aeternum’s economy watched as the numbers skyrocketed.An economic advisor adjusted his glasses. "Sir, WcWonalds has become the most successful restaurant chain in history."Another analyst nodded. "We’ve already established branches in allied nations. In fact, foreign leaders are practically begging us to open more locations."Mina clapped her hands together, tail sway
As expected, the noble resistance crumbled almost immediately. It started with a few nobles secretly sending their butlers to order food through the Drive-Thru lanes Then, more carriages began lining up at WcWonalds branches late at night, under the cover of darkness.And then, the moment a foreign prince was caught on camera using a Drive-Thru, the entire charade of resistance collapsed. By the end of the month, even the most vocal critics of the Drive-Thru system had personally experienced its convenience.Of course, they’d never admit they were wrong. Instead, they claimed:"Oh, well, we only use it because it’s convenient for our servants.""It’s not that Aeternum was right… it’s just that this one idea happened to be useful.""We could have thought of this ourselves… we just didn’t feel like implementing it."But everyone knew the truth. They loved it just as much as the common folk.Back in Aeternum’s Royal Palace, Elijah was lounging on a luxurious couch, watching the latest ne
“Mina-sama, as the first-ever champion, you have also won 10,000 Aeternum Credits! How do you feel?”Mina smiled, cradling her hard-earned trophy with pride.“I feel fantastic! I knew I could eat more than anyone here!”The crowd laughed and cheered, but then, Mina turned to Eloise.“But you know… I’m already blessed with a wonderful life. I don’t need the money.”The crowd fell silent. Eloise looked up; her face filled with confusion. And then, Mina placed the grand prize in Eloise’s hands. The single mother’s eyes widened in shock.“Mina-sama…?”Mina grinned. “Take it. Use it to build a better future for yourself and your kids. You fought hard. You deserve this.”For a long moment, there was silence. And then—THE CROWD EXPLODED INTO APPLAUSE.“MINA-SAMA! MINA-SAMA! MINA-SAMA!”Even Eloise, overwhelmed with emotion, fell to her knees and sobbed.“T-Thank you…! I-I don’t know how to repay you…!”Mina just laughed heartily. “No need! Just promise me you’ll use it well.”Later that even
By the end of the first week, every WcWonalds in Aeternum had completely sold out of milkshakes. The overwhelming demand pushed production into overdrive, and soon, new farms were being planned to meet the ever-growing market.Though the common people immediately embraced the new drink, reactions from the noble class were mixed.Some scoffed at the idea of flavored milk, claiming it to be nothing more than a childish novelty. Others, driven by their inflated egos, refused to acknowledge the brilliance of something they had not discovered first.And yet, despite their outward disdain, many of them secretly indulged in the craze.Late at night, when they believed no one was watching, high-ranking noblemen would send their personal servants to WcWonalds to secure batches of milkshakes for them. Some even went as far as disguising themselves to visit the restaurants personally, unwilling to admit that they had fallen victim to the trend just like everyone else.Mina found their hypocrisy
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.