The eastern plains slowly grew quiet.
The thunder of twenty thousand Beastmen marching toward Base 001 faded into the distance.
For the first time in days...
The smell of war disappeared.
Commander Elena watched until the last black banner vanished beyond the hills.
"He really left..."
Ben slowly sheathed his sword.
"A king who keeps his word."
Kael rested his Frost Spear against his shoulder.
"I was honestly looking forward to fighting him."
Runa rolled her eyes.
"Of course you were."
Kael grinned.
"I still am."
Leon calmly spoke.
"You'll get your chance."
Kael looked at him.
"You think so?"
Leon nodded.
"I know so."
"The next time we meet..."
"It won't be over farmland."
Everyone's eyes drifted toward the emerald pillar still shining beyond the eastern mountains.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Hostile forces have completely withdrawn.
Battle probability...
Zero percent.
Mission updated.
Primary Objective: Prepare for the Emerald Wildlands.
Elena turned toward Sam.
"Commander."
Sam looked at her.
"Before you return to Base 101..."
"There is something we need to do."
Base 305
The massive gates opened once again.
Dragon Knights lined the road.
This time...
Not for war.
For celebration.
As Sam's delegation entered the city...
The citizens applauded.
Children waved excitedly.
The tension that had gripped the kingdom for days finally lifted.
"They didn't fight..."
"The Beast Kingdom actually withdrew..."
"We're safe..."
A little girl looked at the Goblin Mage.
Instead of hiding...
She waved.
The Goblin Mage looked at her.
Its blue soul flames flickered gently.
Then...
It gave the smallest nod.
The little girl smiled brightly.
Ben noticed.
"They're getting used to our undead."
Sam smiled.
"They're getting to know them."
The group entered Base 305's command hall once more.
Only a handful of people remained inside.
Commander Elena.
Commander Sam.
Ben.
Zora.
Leon.
Captain Roland.
Captain Lysette.
The atmosphere was calm.
Elena walked toward the great map of Eastern Aetherra.
Her hand rested on Base 305.
She took a slow breath.
Then looked directly at Sam.
"When I first heard your name..."
"I expected another ambitious Commander."
She smiled faintly.
"I was wrong."
Sam chuckled.
"It happens."
A few quiet laughs spread through the room.
Then Elena's expression became serious.
"The Emerald Wildlands will change Eastern Aetherra forever."
"No kingdom should face it alone."
She looked Sam directly in the eyes.
"Commander Sam..."
"I wish for Base 305..."
"...to officially join the alliance between Base 101 and Base 202."
Silence filled the command hall.
Ben smiled proudly.
Zora closed her eyes for a moment.
She had hoped for this.
Leon quietly watched Elena.
Searching for even the slightest hesitation.
He found none.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Alliance Proposal Detected.
Evaluating...
Trust Level...
High.
Strategic Value...
Extremely High.
Recommendation...
Accept.
Sam stepped forward.
Without hesitation...
He extended his hand.
"On behalf of Base 101..."
"I gladly accept."
Elena clasped his hand firmly.
The moment their hands met...
The room filled with brilliant golden light.
Every Commander froze.
WORLD SYSTEM
Alliance Expansion Confirmed.
Current Alliance Members
Base 101
Base 202
Base 305
Alliance Status: Active
Alliance Benefits Unlocked
Secure Kingdom Communication
Shared Emergency Alerts
Allied Territory Recognition
Joint Military Operations
Shared Expedition Rights
Future Alliance Technologies Available
The golden screen suddenly expanded.
It rose into the heavens.
Visible across all of Eastern Aetherra.
WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT
The First Three Kingdom Human Alliance has been established.
Base 101
Base 202
Base 305
May their unity strengthen humanity throughout Aetherra.
Far away...
Base 202
Dennis looked up from his command table.
The announcement reflected in his eyes.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"He actually did it."
One of his generals looked confused.
"Commander?"
Dennis laughed.
"Sam just recruited another kingdom."
He folded his arms.
"Our alliance just became a lot stronger."
Far to the south...
Base 187
Deep beneath the mountains...
Massive gears rotated endlessly.
Mana furnaces roared.
Thousands of engineers rushed through an underground complex.
At the center of it all...
Atlas stood before an enormous metal giant.
More than fifty meters tall.
Its chest remained open.
Engineers carefully lowered a glowing mana core into place.
Suddenly...
The World Announcement echoed through the cavern.
Atlas looked up.
"The First Three Kingdom Human Alliance..."
He adjusted his goggles.
Then smiled.
"So..."
"The kings have begun choosing sides."
He looked back toward the giant machine towering above him.
"Increase production."
An engineer saluted.
"Commander?"
Atlas folded his arms.
"If three kingdoms are preparing for the Emerald Wildlands..."
"We can't afford to fall behind."
He looked up at the enormous construct.
"Project Titan..."
"...must be completed."
All around the chamber...
Engineers answered as one.
"YES, COMMANDER!"
The giant mana furnaces burned even brighter.
Far to the east...
Base 001
Bjorn stood atop the walls of his capital.
The announcement echoed across the kingdom.
Prince Ragnar stepped beside him.
"The humans are growing stronger."
Bjorn nodded.
"As they should."
Ragnar frowned.
"Doesn't that concern you?"
Bjorn smiled.
"No."
He looked toward the distant emerald light.
"A weak ally is a burden."
"A strong rival..."
"...makes everyone stronger."
Back inside Base 305...
The golden light slowly faded.
Sam and Elena released their handshake.
Neither spoke for several moments.
Finally...
Elena smiled.
"Welcome, ally."
Sam returned the smile.
"The future of Aetherra just became a little brighter."
Outside...
The emerald pillar still reached toward the heavens.
Waiting.
Calling.
For the kings of Eastern Aetherra.