“The Riverside Region will do just that. The fisheries will create jobs, stimulate local economies, and foster innovation in aquaculture. This isn’t just a project—it’s a movement toward a better future.”. (Andrea)As the meeting concluded, Andrea and the ministers were jubilant. Plans were already being set in motion to announce the news to the public, and excitement rippled through the Ministry.For me, the moment was bittersweet.“(Every step forward is a reminder of the distance yet to be traveled. But if the people can find joy in these small victories, then perhaps we’re on the right path.)”Sitting at the grand desk in the Ministry of Resource headquarters, I allowed myself a brief moment of satisfaction. Approving their proposals had been straightforward, but the significance of these decisions would ripple across Aeternum for years to come.“(This is what true leadership is about—empowering others to excel while maintaining control of the vision.)”I had barely spent an hour
“I heard you were in your office,”. (Elijah)she began, her voice like a soft melody.“I thought you were supposed to be on the frontline.”. (Elijah)I rose to greet her, taking her hand in mine.“I decided to tackle the backlog first…You know, since I am here now… The frontline will wait—it’s moving at a deliberate pace anyway.”Her lips curved into a small smile, but her eyes lingered on me with concern.“You’ve been working yourself too hard. You didn’t even let anyone know you were coming back.”. (Elijah)Before I could reply, she gestured, and moments later, the kitchen staff entered, carrying trays laden with a sumptuous lunch.“I took the liberty of arranging this,”. (Elijah)she said, her tone light yet commanding.“You’ll eat properly today.”. (Elijah)I chuckled, guiding her to the table by the window.“You always know how to manage me, don’t you?”As we sat down to eat, the conversation shifted to lighter matters. Elijah’s grace and elegance made every interaction with her
“Welcome back Your Highness…,”. (Major Fontana)Fontana said, his voice filled with respect. Lieutenant Colonel Selie stood tall beside him, her crisp uniform and confident demeanor a reflection of her discipline and efficiency. As my second in command, she had always been dependable, but it was her initiative and sharp mind that made her invaluable.“Selie,”.I said with a nod.“I trust everything has been handled in my absence?”.She stepped forward, falling into step beside me as we made our way to Georgina Castle.“Your Highness, I ensured that the troops stayed active during the lull. With the soldiers under my command, we eradicated every criminal faction and enemy cell within the city and its outskirts.”. (Lt. Colonel Selie)Selie’s report was precise, but her words carried a quiet pride.“The city is now completely secure. Trade routes are open, and the citizens are thriving. Georgina City isn’t just holding steady—it’s flourishing. Your troops are the reason for that.”. (Lt.
The heavy doors of Georgina Castle closed behind me as I ascended to the upper floors, the weight of the day finally settling in. The castle’s architecture, a blend of medieval grandeur and modern Aeternum design, offered a commanding view of Georgina City. I stepped onto the balcony, the cool night air brushing against my face, and gazed out over the bustling city.“(Georgina has changed. Not long ago, these streets were plagued with crime and fear. Now, even at this hour, the lights shine brightly, and the sound of laughter echoes through the air.)”The city was alive. Markets remained open, their lanterns casting warm glows over vendors and customers alike. Groups of travelers from the surrounding regions roamed the streets, marveling at the safety and vibrancy that had become synonymous with Georgina.As I observed the scene, I reflected on the strategic importance of Georgina City. It wasn’t just another victory; it was a key to the eastern region of Alemia.“(Larger than New Sun
The Northern Region of Alemia had become a bastion of order and stability under Aeternum’s relentless advance. Every step taken by the Aeternum forces under General Eliza’s leadership left a lasting mark—one of liberation and peace.Villages that once cowered under the shadow of constant raids now thrived. Markets reopened, children played in the streets, and trade routes flourished. The Aeternum forces didn’t just sweep through the land; they rebuilt it. Engineers, medics, and diplomats followed close behind the military, ensuring that each liberated territory was integrated seamlessly into the growing Aeternum domain.Enemy resistance, while sporadic, was met with calculated force. Eliza’s forces didn’t simply eliminate the threat; they dismantled the very foundations of the enemy’s control. Supply lines were cut, strongholds reduced to rubble, and leadership decapitated with precision strikes.It was no wonder that whispers of Aeternum’s inevitability began to spread. To the Alemia
“The President’s arrival always signals a shift in momentum. Whatever he has planned, it will undoubtedly be decisive.”. (Colonel Giuseppe De Gianna)Eliza leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.“I don’t know about you, Giuseppe, but I’m itching to get started. The Central Region won’t know what hit them.”. (General Eliza)Giuseppe laughed lightly.“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, General. Your energy is infectious. Though I must admit, I share your enthusiasm. The Eternal Night Division is ready to stand by your side, as always.”. (Colonel Giuseppe De Gianna)Eliza’s cheerful expression softened slightly, revealing a glimpse of her focused resolve.“Then let’s make sure everything is in place. When the President gives the word, I want the Northern Front to move like a storm.”. (General Eliza)While the Northern Front basked in the unchallenged dominance of the Aeternum Royal Air Force, the Southern Front was marked by grueling ground and naval warfare. Yet, under
Unlike the other regions, where battles and skirmishes carved paths to liberation, the Western Region of Alemia had never known the chaos of war during this conflict. This serene anomaly could be attributed to the Gust Ducal Family, led by its dignified patriarch, Duke Oliver Gust.From the very beginning of Alemia’s Civil War, Duke Oliver Gust had pledged his allegiance to Aeternum, a decision that would forever shape the fate of the Western Region. The Duke, a good statesman and a visionary leader, recognized early on the transformative potential of Aeternum governance. By aligning his house with Aeternum and swearing loyalty to its President, he not only secured the safety of his lands but also elevated his status to the Governor of Alemia.Under his leadership, the Western Region flourished. It became a shining example of what could be achieved under Aeternum’s rule—an oasis of peace, stability, and prosperity in a nation otherwise marred by war.The Western Alemia Region stood as
The city of Gust, the capital of the Western Region, radiated an aura of peace and prosperity that seemed almost otherworldly to those who had known nothing but strife. The towering walls stood strong yet inviting, adorned with the Aeternum insignia—a symbol that had come to mean safety and order to the Alemia people.As they passed through the gates, the refugees were greeted by sights and sounds that filled their hearts with hope. Cobblestone streets bustled with activity, but not the chaotic kind they had fled from. This was the lively hum of a thriving community: merchants hawking their wares, children laughing as they played, and townsfolk chatting amicably by fountains that sparkled in the midday sun.An elderly man, his face lined with the hardships of life in the war-torn northern regions, clutched his walking stick tightly as he stopped to take it all in.“Is this... really Alemia?”he asked, his voice trembling with disbelief. His daughter, holding her infant child close to
“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