A few hours later, as the sun dipped into the horizon, Mies arrived at the parlor. He stepped inside, his eyes scanning the thriving business that Mina had built. Pride swelled in his chest as he watched the people of Aeternum embracing this new experience.Mina, standing behind the counter, grinned as she approached him. “Welcome, my love. You came just in time.”“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Mies replied, pulling her into a brief kiss before glancing at the mysterious silver tray she held in her hands. “What’s this?”Mina’s tail swayed with excitement as she lifted the lid, revealing a single bowl of ice cream—but this was no ordinary flavor. The smooth, rich texture gleamed under the warm light, with specks of golden honey swirls infused within.“This,” Mina declared, “is my ultimate creation—Royal Honey Delight.”Mies raised an eyebrow. “Honey?”“Not just any honey,” Mina smirked. “This is made from the rarest nectar, harvested from the Queen’s Blossom—a flower that only b
The first Aeternum Cheese Festival was held, where people experienced the joy of a cheese pull for the first time. Some even cried tears of happiness. Restaurants rebranded their entire menus, highlighting dishes like garlic butter steak, blue cheese salad, and honey butter toast. Bakeries began producing butter croissants so soft and fluffy that customers claimed eating them felt like being “hugged by the gods.”A high-ranking noble in an allied nation, upon tasting truffle butter for the first time, immediately declared a national holiday.The foreign nobles, already suffering from their ice cream obsession, completely lost control.Some demanded that their governments negotiate exclusive cheese trade deals with Aeternum. Others, too embarrassed to admit they were addicted, secretly hoarded Mina’s butter in underground vaults. One noble tried to pass off Aeternum cheese as a holy relic, claiming it was a gift from the gods themselves.The rival dairy industries in foreign nations si
Mina, naturally, supplied the cheese. Elijah, with his business expertise, helped refine the logistics of ingredient sourcing and pricing. Andrea, ever the perfectionist, worked on ensuring quality control.And Mies? He was the mastermind, carefully overseeing every aspect, making sure Papa Pizza would be the greatest food establishment Aeternum had ever seen.The Aeternum Classic – Simple, timeless, and beloved by all. A thin, crispy crust topped with rich tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh basil, and olive oil. The Noble’s Delight – A luxurious pizza with truffle-infused cheese, thinly sliced beef, and aged balsamic glaze.The Farmer’s Feast – A hearty pizza loaded with roasted vegetables, smoked sausage, and creamy goat cheese. The Battle-Ready Special – A meat-lover’s dream, featuring spicy salami, roasted pork, grilled chicken, and extra melted cheese.The Sweet & Savory Sensation – A controversial yet delicious pizza with honey-drizzled cheese, caramelized onions, and crispy bacon.
“I NEED ANOTHER ONE!”The waiters, trained to serve elegantly, now found themselves dodging nobles lunging for second and third servings.While the nobles were having their own crisis upstairs, the commoner’s downstairs were experiencing a different kind of joy. For many, this was the first time they had ever tasted something like this. The way the cheese melted perfectly, the balance of flavors, the crispness of the crust— it was unlike anything they had ever eaten before.“This… this is what royalty eats every day!?”“No wonder the President always looks so powerful!”“Mama! Can we eat this every day!?”Some were even seen crying from happiness.Even adventurers, hardened warriors who had faced dragons and war, were seen fighting back tears as they chewed.“I have traveled across kingdoms… and I have never tasted something this good.”As the night came to a close, the staff—exhausted yet triumphant—looked at the final earnings report. The first day’s revenue?An unfathomable amount.
Papa Pizza had become more than just a restaurant.It had become a symbol of aspiration. And while Aeternum’s allies embraced it with joy, the non-allied nations… reacted differently.Unlike the allies of Aeternum, many nobles in rival nations were not pleased. Not because the food was bad—they hadn’t even tried it yet. It was the principle of the matter. Papa Pizza was an Aeternum-owned establishment.And for rival nobles, this was an issue. Why? Because Aeternum had already introduced fast food with WcWonalds, which they could dismiss as “commoner food.”But now, they had introduced high-class dining…And the worst part? Their own people loved it. Their own nobles were traveling to Aeternum just to dine there. Their own commoners were demanding that similar establishments be built.It was humiliating. The ruling class of these nations—so used to looking down on Aeternum—were now watching their own people praise a restaurant owned by a foreign power.“This is preposterous! How dare t
world devoured slice after slice, their faces twisted in expressions of pure bliss."Mmmh!""What is this?! It’s… It’s so simple yet… SO PERFECT!""The flavors! The balance! The texture! This is divine!"Even the most arrogant food critic, who prided himself on hating everything, took a bite and nearly fell out of his chair. Jean-Pierre trembled. His masterpiece—the dish he had poured his entire soul into—was being ignored. Instead, these noble fools were eating fast food.Like commoners. He couldn’t accept it. But the judges had already decided. With a deep breath, the royal head judge stood up and declared:"By unanimous decision… The winner is—Papa Pizza!"The room erupted in thunderous applause. Jean-Pierre, the once undefeated culinary master, stood frozen in place. His hands trembled. His pride shattered. And then, with his head lowered, he fell to his knees.The duel’s outcome shook the world. Jean-Pierre Gaston, the Imperial Chef, had lost to a simple pizza. Nobles who once l
Aeternum had always been known for its technological marvels and superior products, but with easy transportation, its goods became more accessible than ever before.From freshly preserved gourmet food to luxurious household items, Aeternum’s influence began to seep into every aspect of daily life across the continent. And the people? They loved it. Why eat old, stale bread when you could have Aeternum’s fresh-baked soft rolls that lasted for weeks without losing their taste?Why wear itchy, poorly-made foreign garments when you could buy Aeternum’s finely woven, stain-resistant fabrics? Even Aeternum’s entertainment industry was making waves. With their crystal-powered moving pictures, stories from Aeternum began flooding into neighboring lands, captivating audiences with rich tales of adventure, romance, and heroism.It wasn’t just about selling goods anymore. Aeternum was selling a way of life. And everyone wanted in.But not everyone was pleased. The non-allied nations watched in d
The people were asking too many questions. The smugglers were getting bolder. Even their own guards and soldiers were caught listening to Aeternum’s broadcasts in secret. A revolution wasn’t just coming—it was being broadcast live.In an attempt to regain control, the non-allied nations did the only thing they knew how to do—They cracked down. Massive raids were conducted in the dead of night. Entire villages were searched. Merchants were arrested. Radios were smashed in public squares.But no matter how many products they confiscated, no matter how many smugglers they punished, it didn’t stop. Aeternum’s influence was already too deep. The people had tasted the forbidden fruit—and they weren’t about to let go of it.What made matters worse was that not everyone in power was loyal to the cause. Behind closed doors, even high-ranking nobles were secretly buying Aeternum’s products for themselves. Some were sneaking off to allied territories under the guise of “diplomatic visits” just s
“Then Mies will destroy Hallerus.”Helen turned sharply toward him. “You think he would go that far?”Merrica didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”Helen stared at him, searching for a lie. A hint of hesitation. But there was none.“He will not give you mercy a second time, Helen,” Merrica said. “If those nobles push for war, if they even dare to challenge Aeternum—you will lose.”He took another step forward, his voice heavy. “And I will not be able to protect you.”For the first time in their conversation, Helen looked away. Merrica saw it. The fear. The realization.She already knew everything he was saying was true. She had just been too proud—too trapped—to admit it.Silence hung between them. Then, at last, Helen spoke.“…What do you want me to do?”Merrica finally allowed himself a small sigh of relief.“You already know what must be done, Helen,” he said gently. “You must take back your court.”Helen slowly nodded, though her expression remained grim. “Those nobles will not leave peace
“Merrica understands that if Hallerus moves against Aeternum, we won’t hold back.”Kasuma gave a knowing smirk. “And you won’t hesitate to destroy them.”I met her gaze, unblinking.“No.”A heavy silence fell between us.Kasuma leaned forward, her voice softer but firm. “You don’t want war with Hallerus.”“No, I don’t,” I admitted. “The people of Hallerus don’t deserve to suffer for their queen’s mistakes. Merrica doesn’t deserve to be put in that position.”Kasuma studied me for a moment before sighing. “Then let’s hope Duke Merrica succeeds.”I ran a hand through my hair, my thoughts swirling. Visma was controlled. Chaos was their prison, and we held the keys. Hallerus, however, was different.It was once an ally, a friend, a brother. But betrayal had shattered that bond. Still… I didn’t want to be the one to crush it completely. I drummed my fingers on my desk. If Helen could be saved, then perhaps—A knock interrupted my thoughts.“Enter,” I called.An ACIA officer stepped in, bowi
The Merchant Guild Leader, Darvio Vinn, who had profited the most from blocking Aeternum trade. His warehouses stored inferior goods at premium prices, keeping the economy strangled in his grip.The General of the Royal Army, Lionel Ferin, who had bled the treasury dry with excessive military spending, preaching about “independence” while weakening their forces with outdated tactics.They had to be removed. One by one, quietly, without causing suspicion. But how? Merrica could not simply accuse them—Helen trusted them. If he moved too boldly, she would see him as the enemy.No, he had to be careful. He had to play the game. Merrica stood, pouring himself another glass of wine. He would begin by exposing the corruption—turning the people against the parasites that fed on Hallerus.The merchants would learn how Darvio Vinn had been overpricing basic goods. The military officers would see how General Lionel Ferin had been wasting funds on obsolete strategies. The court would hear whisper
At a local tavern, I overheard a group of soldiers drunkenly complaining."Our weapons are old.""Our rations taste like pig slop.""Did you hear? Even Alemia is receiving Aeternum goods now.""We should have never broken ties."I smirked. They knew. Their queen had failed them, and their nation was falling behind while the rest of the world thrived under Aeternum’s soft power. The people of Hallerus were not fools. They saw the rising prosperity of the allied nations, the luxurious goods, the technological marvels, the entertainment, the food. They could only watch in envy.At sunset, I met with Duke Merrica Murrs at his estate. His once-proud posture had been replaced with exhaustion. His eyes, which once held confidence, now carried deep regret.We sat in his grand study, the silence stretching between us. Finally, he spoke."I should have stopped her."I said nothing."I vouched for her. I believed in her." He exhaled, shaking his head. "And now, my people suffer because of my mis
Meanwhile, in Yulga, Maria sat comfortably in her study, reading the latest reports.Lysander stood beside her, amused. "Another assassin failed. This is getting predictable."Maria smirked. "Vismal thinks he’s playing chess, but he’s only moving pawns."She set down her glass, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Let him keep trying. Let him think he has control.""And when he finally realizes he doesn’t?" Lysander asked.Maria leaned back, exhaling softly. "By then, he won’t be king anymore."While King Vismal wasted his energy plotting assassinations, he failed to see the true danger.His nobles squabbled over the black market. His people secretly craved Aeternum goods. His own soldiers whispered of defecting.Visma was rotting from the inside out. And Maria? She simply watched it happen. She wasn’t just controlling the black market. She was controlling Visma’s fate. One failed assassination at a time.King Vismal III believed he could eliminate Maria Yulga. He believed he could take
"Oi, you got the stuff?""Yeah, yeah, keep it down!"A merchant nervously looked around before handing over a carefully wrapped package."This is the good stuff—straight from Aeternum. Papa Pizza’s special cheese blend. Got it from a merchant who knows a guy who knows a guy."The buyer, a Visma noble in disguise, snatched it eagerly."Finally! I’ve been dying to try this! You have no idea how boring Visma’s food is compared to Aeternum’s cuisine!""Yeah, yeah, pay up first.""Fine, fine—how much?""Two hundred gold pieces."The noble nearly choked. "T-Two hundred?! That’s robbery!"The merchant smirked. "And yet, you’re still going to pay it, aren’t you?"The noble gritted his teeth, but handed over the money anyway. Aeternum’s products were so desirable that people were willing to spend fortunes just to get a taste.And that was exactly what ACIA wanted. By controlling the underground economy, Aeternum achieved multiple goals:Economic Control – Even though Visma banned Aeternum’s pr
The people were asking too many questions. The smugglers were getting bolder. Even their own guards and soldiers were caught listening to Aeternum’s broadcasts in secret. A revolution wasn’t just coming—it was being broadcast live.In an attempt to regain control, the non-allied nations did the only thing they knew how to do—They cracked down. Massive raids were conducted in the dead of night. Entire villages were searched. Merchants were arrested. Radios were smashed in public squares.But no matter how many products they confiscated, no matter how many smugglers they punished, it didn’t stop. Aeternum’s influence was already too deep. The people had tasted the forbidden fruit—and they weren’t about to let go of it.What made matters worse was that not everyone in power was loyal to the cause. Behind closed doors, even high-ranking nobles were secretly buying Aeternum’s products for themselves. Some were sneaking off to allied territories under the guise of “diplomatic visits” just s
Aeternum had always been known for its technological marvels and superior products, but with easy transportation, its goods became more accessible than ever before.From freshly preserved gourmet food to luxurious household items, Aeternum’s influence began to seep into every aspect of daily life across the continent. And the people? They loved it. Why eat old, stale bread when you could have Aeternum’s fresh-baked soft rolls that lasted for weeks without losing their taste?Why wear itchy, poorly-made foreign garments when you could buy Aeternum’s finely woven, stain-resistant fabrics? Even Aeternum’s entertainment industry was making waves. With their crystal-powered moving pictures, stories from Aeternum began flooding into neighboring lands, captivating audiences with rich tales of adventure, romance, and heroism.It wasn’t just about selling goods anymore. Aeternum was selling a way of life. And everyone wanted in.But not everyone was pleased. The non-allied nations watched in d
world devoured slice after slice, their faces twisted in expressions of pure bliss."Mmmh!""What is this?! It’s… It’s so simple yet… SO PERFECT!""The flavors! The balance! The texture! This is divine!"Even the most arrogant food critic, who prided himself on hating everything, took a bite and nearly fell out of his chair. Jean-Pierre trembled. His masterpiece—the dish he had poured his entire soul into—was being ignored. Instead, these noble fools were eating fast food.Like commoners. He couldn’t accept it. But the judges had already decided. With a deep breath, the royal head judge stood up and declared:"By unanimous decision… The winner is—Papa Pizza!"The room erupted in thunderous applause. Jean-Pierre, the once undefeated culinary master, stood frozen in place. His hands trembled. His pride shattered. And then, with his head lowered, he fell to his knees.The duel’s outcome shook the world. Jean-Pierre Gaston, the Imperial Chef, had lost to a simple pizza. Nobles who once l