Morning arrived quietly over Base 101.
Golden sunlight spilled across the growing kingdom.
The streets were already alive.
Builders carried stone through the northern district.
Farmers tended endless fields of grain.
Blacksmiths filled the air with the rhythmic sound of hammering steel.
Merchants opened newly built shops within the expanding marketplace.
Children laughed as they ran through the streets.
The refugees who had arrived only yesterday were already helping wherever they could.
Some repaired homes.
Others unloaded supplies.
Several craftsmen had already joined George's construction crews.
Inside his Commander's Manor...
Sam stood before the large crystal window overlooking Base 101.
He watched his kingdom awaken.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Population update complete.
Current Population...
5,846
Citizens continue arriving daily.
Economic production...
Increasing.
Food reserves...
Stable.
Military readiness...
Excellent.
Sam smiled.
"We've come a long way."
---
A knock echoed through the room.
"Commander."
"Come in."
The door opened.
Ben entered first.
Behind him came Zora.
Leon appeared a moment later without anyone seeing him enter.
Runa followed with her bow resting across her back.
Kael carried the Frost King's Spear over one shoulder.
Finally...
Mira entered carrying several reports.
Sam looked around the room.
"The council's all here."
Mira smiled.
"Not quite."
Another knock sounded.
George burst into the room.
"Sorry!"
"I was arguing with Doran!"
A voice echoed from the hallway.
"We were discussing engineering!"
George crossed his arms.
"It was an argument."
Master Doran stepped inside with a tired sigh.
"It was."
The room filled with quiet laughter.
---
Sam took his seat.
"So."
"Let's hear the reports."
---
Ben stood first.
"The Vanguard has officially surpassed one thousand two hundred soldiers."
"The new recruits are progressing quickly."
"We've also begun joint combat drills between human soldiers and Goblin Warriors."
Sam nodded.
"Results?"
Ben smiled.
"Better than expected."
"The goblins fight differently."
"Our soldiers are adapting."
---
"Mira."
The Commander of the Medical Corps stood.
"The refugees have all been examined."
"No outbreaks."
"No serious illnesses."
She placed several documents on the table.
"We've also opened a second medical station in the eastern district."
"Our healers can now treat nearly twice as many patients."
Sam smiled.
"Excellent work."
---
"George."
George immediately stood.
"The Military Academy is sixty percent complete."
"The Noble District has begun construction."
"The marketplace expansion is nearly finished."
He grinned.
"And..."
"I've already started planning another wall expansion."
Ben laughed.
"We just finished the last one."
George shrugged.
"I like building."
---
"Doran."
The Master Blacksmith folded his arms.
"The first production line for Mana Steel equipment is operational."
"We're producing enough weapons to fully equip fifty soldiers every week."
He looked toward Sam.
"If Atlas truly possesses the engineering skill we've heard about..."
"I'd very much like to meet him."
Sam nodded.
"I think you'll get your chance."
---
"Zora."
"Our Mage Corps has begun studying the Mana Crystal ore."
"We're discovering new ways to amplify spell efficiency."
She smiled.
"The Emerald Wildlands may accelerate our research even further."
---
"Runa."
"The Archer Corps has expanded to four hundred and fifty."
"Our new Windpiercer Bows have dramatically increased effective range."
She glanced toward Leon.
"The scouts continue finding excellent recruits."
Leon replied calmly.
"They're yours."
"For now."
Runa smiled.
"I'll take what I can get."
---
"Kael."
The Spear Captain rested the Frost King's Spear beside him.
"The Spear Corps has reached two hundred and fifty."
"The new recruits have stopped dropping their spears."
Ben laughed.
"That's progress."
Kael grinned.
"It is."
---
Finally...
Sam looked toward Leon.
"The Shadow Scouts?"
Leon placed several maps onto the table.
"The roads between Bases 101, 202, and 305 have all been secured."
He pointed farther east.
"My scouts also confirmed something else."
The room became quiet.
"What?"
Leon tapped the emerald-colored region.
"The Emerald Wildlands..."
"...are changing."
Inside his mind...
Rex immediately responded.
Commander...
Long-range mana readings increasing.
Environmental stabilization progressing.
Estimated time until full access...
Twenty-five days.
Every officer looked toward the glowing map.
The emerald region pulsed brighter than before.
It almost seemed...
Alive.
---
Before anyone could speak...
DING!
A golden screen appeared before Sam.
Then another appeared before every officer.
---
WORLD SYSTEM
Emergency Announcement
Recognized Alliances are now eligible to establish an Alliance Council.
Requirements:
Representatives from all member kingdoms must attend.
Location:
Base 101.
Attendance Requested:
Commander Sam — Base 101
Commander Dennis — Base 202
Commander Elena — Base 305
Additional alliance candidates may attend as honored guests.
Meeting Objective:
Coordinate the first expedition into the Emerald Wildlands.
---
Silence filled the Commander's Manor.
George blinked.
"So..."
"We're hosting?"
Ben smiled.
"The first Alliance Council."
Zora looked toward Sam.
"Looks like we'll have guests."
Kael laughed.
"I hope they like the new manor."
Mira smiled.
"I'll make sure they're well cared for."
Leon quietly looked toward the eastern horizon.
"They'll come."
Sam slowly stood.
A smile spread across his face.
"Then let's give them a welcome worthy of Base 101."
Outside...
The emerald pillar still pierced the heavens.
And across Eastern Aetherra...
The kings had begun to move once again.