The emerald pillar continued to illuminate the eastern sky.
No one spoke.
Not the Dragon Knights.
Not the Beastmen.
Not even the wind seemed willing to disturb the silence.
The golden World Screen hung above all of Eastern Aetherra.
---
WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT
The Emerald Wildlands have awakened.
The Age of Kings advances.
The first kingdom to conquer the Emerald Wildlands shall gain glory beyond measure.
Warning...
Regional Lords detected.
Ancient civilizations detected.
Titan-Class energy signature confirmed.
Further information will be revealed upon entry.
---
The announcement slowly faded.
The emerald pillar remained.
Visible for hundreds of miles.
Bjorn was the first to break the silence.
"So..."
He looked toward the distant mountains.
"It finally appeared."
Elena turned toward him.
"You know about this place?"
Bjorn nodded.
"My ancestors spoke of it."
"The Emerald Wildlands."
"A land hidden by the System."
"A land where ancient kingdoms once stood."
Sam narrowed his eyes.
"Ancient kingdoms?"
Bjorn looked at him.
"Long before the Age of Kings."
"There were rulers whose names have been forgotten."
"They disappeared."
"But their ruins remained."
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Historical records are incomplete.
However...
Subject Bjorn's statement aligns with fragmented System archives.
Probability...
Ninety-four percent.
---
Elena folded her arms.
"If the Wildlands contain ancient civilizations..."
"...they also contain unimaginable danger."
Bjorn smiled.
"Exactly."
Kael couldn't help himself.
"Now you're speaking my language."
Runa sighed.
"You think every dangerous place sounds exciting."
"It usually is."
Ben chuckled.
"You'll be the first one charging in."
Kael grinned.
"I thought that was your job."
---
Bjorn looked back at Sam.
"You've changed everything."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"I have?"
Bjorn nodded.
"Yesterday..."
"We were preparing for war."
He pointed toward the emerald pillar.
"Today..."
"That war no longer matters."
He looked at Elena.
"My people still need a home."
Elena answered honestly.
"And mine still need theirs."
Bjorn nodded.
"Then neither of us can afford this battle."
Silence settled once more.
Finally...
Bjorn extended his massive hand.
"I will withdraw Base 001."
Shock spread across both armies.
Even Prince Ragnar looked surprised.
"Father..."
Bjorn didn't take his eyes off Elena.
"I ask only one thing."
Elena remained silent.
"When the time comes..."
"Judge my people by their actions."
"Not by their race."
For several long moments...
No one moved.
Then...
Elena stepped forward.
She clasped Bjorn's forearm.
"You have my word."
A roar erupted from neither army.
Instead...
A wave of relief spread across the battlefield.
Thousands of soldiers realized they would be returning home alive.
---
Sam watched the two rulers.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"This..."
"...is how kings should settle disputes."
Bjorn laughed.
"Don't misunderstand."
"If you stand between my people and their future again..."
"I'll fight you with everything I have."
Sam smiled.
"I'd expect nothing less."
The two men clasped forearms.
Not as allies.
Not yet.
But as kings who respected one another.
---
Suddenly...
A familiar voice echoed inside Sam's mind.
Commander...
Priority transmission detected.
Origin...
Commander Dennis.
Sam blinked.
"Dennis?"
A blue communication screen unfolded before him.
Dennis appeared.
Behind him...
The command hall of Base 202 buzzed with activity.
Maps covered every wall.
Officers hurried in every direction.
Dennis smiled.
"So..."
"You found it before I did."
Sam laughed.
"The whole continent found it."
Dennis nodded.
"I saw the announcement."
His expression became serious.
"I'm already mobilizing Base 202."
"We'll march for the Emerald Wildlands within three days."
Elena stepped closer.
"Dennis."
Dennis smiled politely.
"Commander Elena."
"I've heard good things."
Bjorn crossed his arms.
"So..."
"You're the Warlord."
Dennis met his gaze without hesitation.
"And you're the Beast King."
For a moment...
The four rulers simply looked at one another.
The strongest leaders in Eastern Aetherra.
Gathered together for the first time in history.
---
Dennis finally broke the silence.
"Sam."
"I assume you didn't start a war."
Sam smiled.
"We found a better opportunity."
Dennis laughed.
"I figured."
Then his expression became serious.
"The Wildlands..."
"...won't be conquered by one kingdom."
Sam nodded.
"I know."
Dennis looked toward Elena.
"If you're willing..."
"My alliance with Base 101 extends to Base 305."
Elena looked surprised.
"You'd accept us without negotiation?"
Dennis shrugged.
"I trust Sam's judgment."
"If he trusts you..."
"So do I."
Elena smiled.
"Then I gladly accept."
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Alliance conditions satisfied.
Recommendation...
Finalize diplomatic agreement upon returning to Base 305.
---
Dennis looked toward Bjorn.
"As for you..."
"We'll settle our differences another day."
Bjorn grinned.
"I'll look forward to it."
The communication ended.
The blue screen disappeared.
---
The morning sun climbed higher.
Bjorn turned toward his waiting army.
He raised his greataxe.
"Warriors of Base 001!"
Twenty thousand Beastmen struck their weapons against their shields.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
"We return home!"
A thunderous roar answered him.
"GLORY TO THE BEAST KING!"
Without another word...
The Beast Kingdom began its march east.
There was no panic.
No disorder.
Only perfect discipline.
Sam watched them disappear beyond the hills.
Elena stood beside him.
"The frontier is safe."
Sam shook his head.
"For now."
He looked toward the emerald pillar still piercing the heavens.
"The real battle..."
"...is waiting for all of us."