In Hallerusia City, Kraltor Family, has found it’s sudden wealth and power as of recently. Kraltor family were known to have their connection with the Principality of Light for as long as they have existed. They originally comes from a mere Merchant family at the Eastern Hallerus Territory, was lifted to noblehood thanks to their relentless sucking up and worship to the Church instead of the Hallerus people and it’s nation.
But when King Robert started to form a close relationship with the Church, so much to bring them into is palace. Kraltor family status were lifted to a whole new level. They were immediately raised to the status of noble in a mere months, then in a mere weeks was lifted to become the nation prime minister, despite not having an ounce of experience managing a country. Yet no one dared to question Kraltor family status, since then they left their home in country side and began living in Hallerusia, lavishly.
“This isn’t just innovation,” one of them muttered. “It’s domination.”Meanwhile, in the industrial zones, workers and truckers watched in stunned silence as the broadcast cut to footage of train containers being loaded by automated cranes, tracking systems updating in real-time on digital boards. The scale, the speed, the coordination—it was absurd by any standard of this world.Even to my modern mind, it felt surreal.Rafaela turned toward me backstage after her speech, her usually composed face tinged with rare emotion. “It’s done,” she said.“It’s only the beginning,” I replied. “But you’ve done well. We all have.”“Does it feel like home yet?” she asked.I thought for a moment.“No,” I answered truthfully. “But it’s starting to feel like the home I always wished existed.”As the train pulled away from the station, thunder rolling beneath its wheels, I looked around me. The citizens of Aeternum didn’t cheer as much as they stood in awe.They understood something now—something unsp
This was infrastructure diplomacy. Standardized technology. Soft power projection at its finest. Every truck we exported? It required maintenance contracts, fuel imports, technical manuals. All routed back to Aeternum. All built on our standards.This wasn’t a sales pitch. It was integration by efficiency. And it was working.I turned back from the balcony. Behind me, technicians in the control room of the Broadcasting Tower monitored the surge in viewership and inquiries.One young intern, barely out of high school, waved excitedly.“President Mies, sir—viewership across the UNA just hit two billion.”Two billion souls, I thought.Watching our trucks. Watching our world. Watching Aeternum.“Let them watch,” I whispered to myself. “This is the convoy of tomorrow. And they’re all invited to follow the road we paved.”Three months.That’s how long it took to go from concept to reality—from the first emergency cabinet meeting to this very moment.I stood at the edge of Aeternum's newly c
I took a slow breath. “Yes. But they demand action. We must reinforce more roads. Build stronger bridges. Train more diesel technicians. Prepare the workforce.”“Elijah is right,” came Rafaela’s voice through the comm-link. “I’ve put in requests for expanded fuel depots, energy audits, production forecasts. Our world has changed—overnight.”As night fell, the general population still buzzed. Stories of roadside sightings, jaw‑dropping videos, and carnival-like crowds filled every tavern and inn. Merchants in Zaredon noted a spike in interest—freight contracts were incoming. Even in Shark Region, logistic drivers were lining up.Over dinner at Black House, Yggdrasil asked me, “Papa, can I ride in one?”I laughed, ruffling her hair. “Someday soon, princess. They’re ours now.”Rafaela poured tea, her eyes shining. “This is just the beginning.”“And the rest of the UNA will follow,” I added softly. “Our roads will see progress. Our trains will carry freight. Our future isn’t medieval—it’s
“Does this mean tourists and travelers get to ride too, or is it just freight?” he asked, a trace of excitement in his voice.“Passenger routes are in planning,” Professor Hartfield confirmed. “Second-phase implementation will connect cities with high-speed rail. Tourism, business, and families will benefit all the same.”Quara chuckled softly. “I might have to take a train to my next interview.”As the program neared its close, the camera panned to a final montage—images of freight trains gleaming in the sun, container trucks loading produce, factories firing up along new rail corridors. The future wasn’t just coming. It was here.Professor Hartfield gave a last nod. “We’re not just building tracks. We’re building arteries—for our economy, for our people, for our shared destiny.”The camera slowly zoomed out as Quara turned back to the screen.“This is Aeternum, moving forward—faster, stronger, and together,” she said. “From all of us here at Prime Time Forum, I’m Quara Raedrim. Good
General Alessia stepped forward, arms folded, her Wasteland uniform immaculate. “And military use?”I nodded. “Freight trains will be doubled as rapid military mobilization units if needed. We’ll be laying down multi-purpose rails. You’ll get your deployment channels.”She gave a small approving grunt and stepped back.Elijah broke her silence next. “This is a complete logistical shift. The Aeternum market won't just expand—it’ll explode. You’re proposing a national industrial surge.”“I’m proposing,” I replied, voice firm, “the next Aeternum Boom. You saw what happened when our agriculture caught up to our tech. Now imagine what happens when delivery catches up to our output.”Across the lawn, conversations buzzed anew.Queen Zanesia of Zaredon stepped beside me. “My ports will be ready to receive expanded freight volumes. Our harbors will need more cranes, but it’s doable.”“Good,” I smiled. “We’ll coordinate with Andrea’s office for funding. We’ll need refrigeration cars, modular l
Jelina nodded. “Much appreciated, General.”We gathered more closely now, forming a convivial circle across the lawn. Bright chatter rose above birdsong and fountain mist.I looked at each face: these were the builders, the dreamers, the hands shaping Aeternum. Taking a breath, I spoke.“I’m proud of this. So much has happened in only three years. But imagine what we will accomplish—together.” I let the words hang softly.They answered in nods, soft smiles, and a unified energy. No veiled diplomatic posture here—only genuine pride and excitement. A vision was coalescing: a nation deeply connected by purpose, ready for its next leap.Soon, we moved inside for the formal cabinet session. But on that lawn, under the open sky, we had already begun—quietly, joyfully, confidently stepping into Aeternum’s promising tomorrow.Under the warm shimmer of a late morning sun, the wide emerald lawn of the Black House glowed with life. The usual calm air of formality was brushed aside today as laugh