The alliance had been forged.
The war had been avoided.
But across Eastern Aetherra...
No one believed peace would last forever.
The Emerald Wildlands had changed everything.
Now...
Every kingdom was racing against time.
---
Outside the western gates of Base 305...
Commander Elena stood with her captains.
Beside her were Roland.
Lysette.
The Dragon Knight Corps.
Across from them stood Sam and the delegation from Base 101.
Ben.
Zora.
Leon.
Runa.
Kael.
The Goblin Warlord King.
The Goblin Mage.
For a brief moment...
No one spoke.
Then Elena smiled.
"I'll see you in the Emerald Wildlands."
Sam nodded.
"And next time..."
"I hope it's under better circumstances."
Elena laughed softly.
"I think it will be."
She turned to Ben.
"Take care of your Commander."
Ben grinned.
"I've been trying."
Kael couldn't help himself.
"Keyword..."
"Trying."
Everyone laughed.
Even the Dragon Knight captains.
The tension that had once existed between the two kingdoms had completely disappeared.
---
Leon suddenly stepped forward.
He looked toward Captain Roland.
"Your scouts."
Roland nodded.
"They're excellent."
Leon gave a rare smile.
"So are yours."
Roland returned the smile.
"The next time we meet..."
"We'll compare notes."
"I'll hold you to that."
The two scout commanders clasped forearms.
A promise between professionals.
---
Captain Lysette approached Zora.
"I've copied the mana circulation array we discussed."
Zora handed her a small crystal.
"And I've included my improvements."
Lysette's eyes widened.
"You've only seen it once."
Zora smiled.
"Once was enough."
The two mages exchanged respectful bows.
Neither viewed the other as a rival anymore.
Only as fellow scholars.
---
Runa slung her bow across her shoulder.
She looked toward the walls.
"Their archers are disciplined."
Elena nodded.
"They've been training for years."
Runa smiled.
"So have mine."
Elena chuckled.
"I look forward to seeing them."
---
Finally...
Bjorn's messenger approached.
He carried a small wooden case.
"For Commander Sam."
Sam accepted it.
Inside rested a beautifully carved black medallion bearing the crest of Base 001.
The messenger bowed.
"A gift from King Bjorn."
"He said..."
"If the roads of Aetherra ever become dangerous..."
"Show this."
"No Beastman under Base 001 will raise a weapon against you or your companions."
Silence filled the road.
Ben looked impressed.
"That's..."
"A tremendous gesture."
Sam carefully placed the medallion inside his cloak.
"Tell your king..."
"He has my thanks."
The messenger smiled proudly.
"I will."
---
The gates of Base 305 slowly closed behind them.
BOOOOOOM...
The journey home had begun.
---
The road west was far more peaceful than before.
There was no looming army.
No fear of ambush.
Only the sounds of nature.
Birds sang among the trees.
Crystal butterflies drifted between patches of wildflowers.
Mana flowed gently through the forest.
Even the monsters seemed unusually quiet.
---
Kael stretched his arms.
"I almost forgot what relaxing feels like."
Ben laughed.
"You call carrying a Frost Spear relaxing?"
"It's lighter than it looks."
Ben looked at the weapon.
"I don't believe you."
"You shouldn't."
---
Ahead...
Leon suddenly raised his hand.
Everyone stopped immediately.
Runa was already scanning the treeline.
"What is it?"
Leon crouched beside the road.
He touched a footprint.
Then another.
He stood.
"Travelers."
Ben frowned.
"Bandits?"
Leon shook his head.
"No."
"Refugees."
Moments later...
A group slowly emerged from the forest.
Old men.
Women.
Children.
Several wounded soldiers.
Their clothes were torn.
Their faces were exhausted.
The moment they saw Sam's group...
They froze.
Fear spread through their ranks.
Their eyes immediately landed on the Goblin Warlord King.
Then...
The Goblin Mage.
One little boy hid behind his mother's leg.
Sam stepped forward.
His voice remained calm.
"You don't need to be afraid."
An elderly man slowly approached.
He leaned heavily on a wooden staff.
"You..."
"You're Commander Sam?"
Sam nodded.
"I am."
The old man's eyes filled with relief.
"We were trying to reach Base 101."
Ben looked surprised.
"Our base?"
The old man nodded.
"We've heard..."
"...that no one is turned away."
Silence.
Sam looked at the frightened families.
Then toward Ben.
Ben already knew the answer.
He smiled.
"I'll start organizing supplies."
Zora nodded.
"I'll check the wounded."
Runa knelt beside the children.
"It's alright."
"You're safe now."
Kael removed his travel pack.
"I've got enough food for everyone."
The Goblin Mage quietly floated forward.
Its staff glowed with soft green mana.
A healing spell washed over the injured.
The refugees stared in disbelief.
An undead...
Healing people.
Tears filled one woman's eyes.
"I never imagined..."
Sam smiled.
"At Base 101..."
"We judge people by their actions."
"Not by appearances."
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
New Base Mission detected.
Escort the refugees safely to Base 101.
Reward: Unknown.
Sam smiled.
"Looks like our journey home just became a little longer."
Behind him...
Everyone smiled.
Not one person complained.
Because this...
Was exactly the kind of kingdom they were building.