“Andy Greg,”.he began, his eyes narrowing slightly,“CEO of Saint George Hospital. I trust you’re aware of why I’ve singled you out.”.Andy Greg, a man who had once carried himself with confidence and pride, now looked uncharacteristically small. His shoulders tensed, and his face twisted into a grimace as he struggled to compose himself.“Mr. Sai,”. (Andy Greg)he stammered, attempting to summon a bravado that was nowhere to be found,“I don’t understand what this is about. There must be some mistake—”. (Andy Greg)“There is no mistake,”.Mies Sai interrupted, his tone leaving no room for doubt.“The mistake, Mr. Greg, was thinking you could sell out Virtue Medical without consequences.”.Sai’s words were razor-sharp, cutting through the flimsy excuses Andy Greg was trying to muster.“Let me outline your crimes, for the benefit of the room,”Sai continued; his demeanor unflinching.“Selling shares of Saint George Hospital to a U.S. congressman—Johnathan, I believe—without authorizat
“Leave,”.Mies Sai finally said, his tone as cold as the steel that fortified his reputation. In that one word, the fates of 120 CEOs were sealed. No one argued. No one negotiated. They filed out of the room, their footsteps echoing down the long hallway as the heavy doors closed behind them. Yet even after they were gone, the tension lingered, a palpable reminder of the purge that had just taken place. For several long moments, the room remained quiet, the remaining executives too stunned to move or speak. Then Catherine Kent, the formidable CEO of Virtue Financial, rose from her seat. Adjusting her posture, she stepped into the center of the room. Her commanding presence, though less severe than Mies Sai’s, was equally impossible to ignore. “Now that the cancer has been excised,”. (Catherine Kent)Catherine began, her voice steady but urgent, “We must turn our attention to the threat at hand. The meddling of the United States government is not something we can overlook. Their i
As the meeting adjourned, Mies Sai retreated to his private suite at the resort, seeking a moment of respite. Yet, it wasn’t long before the quiet was disrupted. As was her habit, Catherine Kent strode in unannounced, her signature confidence leading the way. Following close behind were Marcuez Vega, Ran Hyun-ok, and Maria Hills—all key members of Virtue Financial’s inner circle. The four quickly made themselves comfortable in his living room, their casual demeanor betraying the gravity of their roles. These were not just trusted subordinates but individuals who had earned the rare distinction of being counted among Mies Sai’s friends. The camaraderie they shared allowed them to breach formalities, though none would dare undermine his authority. “So, are you really sure about this?”. (Catherine Kent)Catherine started, leaning back against the plush sofa. Her tone was light, but her expression revealed a deeper concern.“Pulling out of the U.S. is… monumental.”. (Maria Hills) Maria
As they left the suite, a solemn determination settled over the two. They knew the responsibility that awaited them and the trust that had been placed in their hands. The era of Mies Sai’s unrelenting presence at the helm was shifting, and with it, Virtue Financial was poised to enter a new chapter. The decision to rebrand Virtue Financial and its subsidiaries as Virtue Financial International sent a clear and defiant message to the world’s governments: meddling in the company’s affairs would no longer be tolerated. Catherine Kent, representing Virtue Financial, alongside Marcuez Vega of Virtue Constructions and Maria Hills of Virtue Medical, led this bold transformation. With the term "International" now tied to their names, the subsidiaries stood unified, prepared to face the retaliation of meddling powers with a calculated and unyielding stance. Two days after the pivotal meeting, Catherine Kent stepped into the spotlight, holding a press conference at Virtue Financial Internatio
“Russia is prepared to provide land, tax exemptions, and long-term agreements to ensure Virtue Financial International flourishes in our markets,”. (Minister Schevenko Schevenkova)he promised, his words carrying both paternal pride and professional precision. Katerina’s lips curved into a smile at her father’s proposition.“That’s quite a generous offer, Father,”. (Katerina Schevenkova)she teased lightly.“But let’s not forget, generosity alone isn’t enough. Virtue Financial values stability, reliability, and a future we can depend on. What assurances can Russia offer to make this a seamless transition?”. (Katerina Schevenkova) Schevenko chuckled, his pride evident.“Ah, Katerina, you’ve learned well. Virtue Financial will have the full support of the Kremlin. Legislation can be passed swiftly to accommodate your needs, and we will ensure that no external interference—”. (Minister Schevenko Schevenkova)he glanced briefly at Jonathan“—jeopardizes this partnership.”. (Minister S
“Gentlemen,”.he said, his voice carrying a calm yet commanding tone.“Welcome. I’m glad you could join us.”. The ministers exchanged excited glances, realizing that their efforts had brought them face-to-face with the man who could reshape their nations’ futures. The real negotiations were about to begin. The meeting between Mies Sai, Jonathan Togo, and Schevenko Schevenkova began with a calm that belied the magnitude of their discussion. Within the luxurious café at Mies Sai’s private resort, the atmosphere was cordial yet laced with purpose. The two ministers, initially hesitant, found themselves disarmed by the straightforward and accommodating manner in which Mies Sai addressed their concerns.Jonathan Togo, seated opposite Mies Sai, could not help but reflect on the moment. He had known Virtue Financial International to be immensely wealthy, but witnessing this meeting in real-time underscored a truth that left him in awe: this was not just a corporation. It was a global entit
Meanwhile, chaos erupted in the United States as Virtue Financial International began its systematic evacuation. Subsidiaries, branches, and investments vanished from the American landscape one by one, leaving behind a void that sent shockwaves through the economy. Protests broke out across major cities as employees, shareholders, and citizens struggled to comprehend the loss.Within the White House, panic ruled the day. In the Oval Office, the President paced back and forth, his phone clutched tightly in his hand.“Have we gotten through to Catherine Kent yet?”. (The President)he barked at his Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff shook his head, beads of sweat visible on his brow.“No, sir. All our calls to Virtue Financial International are being ignored. Emails, messages—everything’s bouncing back or left unanswered.”. (Chief Of Staff)The President slammed the phone down on his desk.“Damn it! Do they not realize the damage they’re doing? Without Virtue Financial’s investments, our
“I’m angry. We’re all angry. But we need to ask ourselves: Why did this happen? Why did Virtue Financial International feel so pushed that they had to make this drastic decision? Could it be… could it be that we drove them to this? That our own government’s greed and mismanagement pushed this great company to its breaking point?”. (News Anchor Kelly Clark)The shift in tone startled viewers. For a moment, the rage simmered down, replaced by a collective pause for thought. Online forums lit up with debates as people began dissecting the deeper causes of the crisis.As the evening approached, Kelly Clark returned for another segment, her fiery demeanor replaced with visible frustration. Her hands gestured emphatically as she addressed the audience.“Virtue Financial International isn’t just leaving,”. (News Anchor Kelly Clark) she said, her voice tinged with desperation.“They’re taking with them the livelihoods of thousands of Americans. They’re taking critical medicines, cutting-edg
“It is said that if knowledge was water,” said their guide, a half-elf librarian named Vestra, “then Aeternum’s library is the ocean.”In a grand central chamber, they passed under a dome showing a starmap that changed with real-time sky positions. Every known nation had a section—yes, even the smallest and poorest. Aeternum had made it a point of pride to gather the history of every people in the continent, even those now forgotten by time.“This is… our old crest,” Queen Inariel whispered, her fingertips trembling as she reached toward an illuminated tome. “From three centuries ago… when our land was still one forest, before the wars divided it…”“We thought this was lost,” murmured Thelric as he came upon a scroll written in his kingdom’s ancient language, long dead and unspoken.Their tour grew quiet. There was no mocking here, no pompous declarations of Aeternum’s superiority. Only quiet reverence. A nation this strong, this secure, chose to preserve—not dominate. It guarded the
A knock at the door interrupted the quiet hum.It was Director Kwak Lum, again dressed in his signature dark blue robes, his draconic features smiling as he entered.“Honored guests,” he said, bowing respectfully. “Allow me to welcome you, on behalf of the Aeternum Crown and President Mies Sai. You are the first stars to light the Summit’s sky, and we are honored by your presence.”The gathered leaders rose and bowed in return.“We will ensure your time here is not just comfortable,” Kwak Lum continued, “but fruitful. Tours of the city have been arranged. Economic delegates will arrive within days for pre-summit discussions. And the Four-Leaf’s hot springs are now fully prepared—though I dare say our chefs may be the true stars of the Resort.”Laughter rippled through the room.As Kwak Lum left, Queen Inariel turned to the others. “Let them come in airships. Let them come with fanfare and marching bands. We came with purpose.”“And humility,” Brogath added.“Let’s make sure the world
Ambassador Roland cleared his throat. “Director Kwak… if I may speak freely?”“Always, Ambassador Roland.”He stood, brushing a hand across his waistcoat. “We are humbled. To house our people in such a place… it is more than any of us expected. We… we feared being seen as the weaker voices among the UNA.”Kwak Lum’s smile broadened, his eyes gleaming like starlight. “We do not see you as weak. We see you as family.”The moment lingered in silence, the kind that needs no words. Roland sat down; cheeks slightly flushed but heart a little lighter.Outside, beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, the sprawling city continued its dance of preparation. Massive floral displays were being installed at the roundabout leading to the Summit Plaza. Colorful banners were raised in quick succession, displaying the names of each arriving nation. Already, the delegation from the Dukedom of Angela had arrived in a train of shimmering glass carriages. The Republic of Telvinia’s airship hovered just beyond
“Attention citizens of the Free Nation,” a cheerful voice echoed across cobblestone streets, “this is an international broadcast. In four weeks’, time, the UNA Summit will commence in New City, Aeternum. Thirty-one proud nations will stand together under one flag of progress, cooperation, and shared security. We celebrate an era of peace—an age of unity…”The words echoed like thunder in the council chamber.Outside, people paused to listen. While many among the elite scowled and turned away, others in the lower districts paused, curious. Some even smiled. The promise of unity, safety, and growth was seductive—especially to the common folk, burdened by Triangle Guild’s centuries of unchecked power and exorbitant fees.Kennedy noticed it. “Look at them… even our own people are considering it.”“They’re weak,” Carn muttered. “They don’t understand what’s at stake.”Alphonse’s brow furrowed. “Or maybe they do. Maybe they’re tired of being bled dry by guild taxes and levies. Aeternum gave
In New City, President Kaiser Mies Sai met with his advisors. The room buzzed with discussions about the upcoming summit and the potential threats from dissenting nations.Advisor Elena: "Mr. President, intelligence reports suggest increased propaganda from the Principality. They aim to discredit the summit and our initiatives."President Mies: "We anticipated resistance. Our focus remains on unity and progress. Let their words be drowned by the chorus of cooperation and shared prosperity."The President's resolve was clear. The UNA would not be deterred by the dissent of those clinging to outdated and oppressive ideologies.As the summit drew nearer, the world watched with bated breath. Supporters of the UNA saw it as a beacon of hope and collaboration, while detractors viewed it as a threat to their traditional power structures.In the Principality of Light, the Church intensified its rhetoric, urging its followers to resist the UNA's influence. Yet, whispers of dissent emerged even
The Ministry of Infrastructure has begun preparations to reroute major traffic corridors to accommodate the anticipated diplomatic convoys and foreign delegates. The Ministry of Culture is also curating a week-long cultural exposition to showcase Aeternum’s diversity and progress.President Mies’ spokesperson confirmed that multiple major policy announcements are expected during the summit’s plenary sessions, including topics rumored to include:Official designation of the Aeternum Credit as the UNA’s preferred trade currency. Establishment of the UNA Education Oversight Bureau. Expansion of continental transport infrastructure, and. Strengthened defense cooperation under UNA guidelinesNo foreign media has yet been granted interview access to the President ahead of the summit, but sources within the Black House suggest the upcoming event is being viewed as “a generational turning point.”"The world is watching. The people are ready. And in five weeks’ time, New City will become more
Aeternum would continue to offer education, security, and infrastructure assistance—but always in a way that ensured we maintained our lead.We would teach them how to build schools, but we would own the publishing rights to the most advanced textbooks. We would help them create local militias, but they would still call for Aeternum troops when true threats loomed.We would help them modernize, industrialize, prosper—but they would know, always know, that Aeternum had already blazed the trail further ahead. I didn’t want vassals. I wanted allies who could never quite catch up—because they didn’t need to. They needed us to lead.I rose from my chair and walked toward the window. New City stretched into the horizon, its shining towers and clean streets proof of what discipline and vision could achieve.If left alone, the world would fall back into darkness. If left to their own devices, these medieval kings and nobles would tear each other apart again. The future needed guardians. The U
I knew what was at stake. We had to uphold this example. We had to show, beyond doubt, that the age of “Human First” was over.That the only supremacy left was the supremacy of character. Wisdom. Unity. Vision. And if we could carve that truth into the very soul of the UNA—if we could bury the old hatreds under libraries, not graves—then maybe, just maybe, this world could finally, finally leave its chains behind.I stood up from my chair, moving to the window. Out there, the city pulsed—an endless, living testament to what was possible when walls were torn down, not built higher. I closed my eyes for a moment. I didn’t want to be remembered as the conqueror of nations. I wanted to be remembered as the architect of a new era.One where no child was born inferior. One where no citizen was condemned by the shape of their ears or the color of their skin or the tail on their back. One where power didn’t mean oppression—but opportunity.Aeternum would be the beacon. And the UNA? The vessel
I took another sip of tea, letting the warmth spread through me.Because here’s the delicious irony: by copying our education system, they didn’t just adopt our books and schedules.They were adopting our mindset.Every child who learned using our curriculum. Every teacher trained by our methods. Every official who quoted Aeternum textbooks. They were all little seeds planted deep within foreign soil.In ten years?Those nations would think like us.In twenty?They would be like us. All without a single sword being drawn. I leaned back in my chair, utterly content.Without armies, without bloodshed, we were gaining soft political power over thirty-one nations.Real power.The kind that shaped futures. Mina clinked her cup lightly against mine in a silent toast, her green eyes sparkling.“To the future?” she teased.I smiled, lifting my cup.“To the future we’re writing,” I said.And out there, beneath the quiet, darkening sky, the seeds of a new world had already begun to bloom.The n