The Commander's Manor had never been so full.
Leaders from three kingdoms walked beneath the same roof.
Officers who only days ago had prepared for war...
Now spoke as allies.
Inside the great council chamber...
A massive round table occupied the center of the room.
At its heart...
A mana crystal projected a three-dimensional map of Eastern Aetherra.
The Emerald Wildlands pulsed with a brilliant green light.
Its borders shimmered constantly.
As though the land itself were awakening.
One by one...
The Commanders took their seats.
Sam.
Dennis.
Elena.
Around them sat the leaders of their kingdoms.
Ben.
Zora.
Leon.
Runa.
Kael.
Mira.
George.
Master Doran.
Captain Roland.
Captain Lysette.
Dennis's Vanguard Captain, Marcus.
His chief strategist, Evelyn.
Atlas entered last.
George followed close behind.
The two were still discussing blueprints.
"...If we reinforce the support beams with mana steel—"
"No, no," Atlas interrupted excitedly.
"You'd reduce the weight by using a crystal lattice instead."
George's eyes widened.
"...You're a genius."
Atlas grinned.
"So are you."
Doran sighed.
"They've been talking like this for an hour."
The room laughed.
Even Sam smiled.
---
Sam rose to his feet.
The chamber gradually became quiet.
He looked around the table.
"We all know why we're here."
He gestured toward the glowing map.
"The Emerald Wildlands."
"The greatest opportunity..."
"And perhaps the greatest danger..."
"Any of us have ever faced."
Everyone nodded.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Long-range analysis complete.
Regional stabilization continues.
Estimated time until full access...
Twenty-two days.
---
Dennis stood.
"My scouts have already begun mapping every approach to the Wildlands."
He pointed toward several roads.
"I recommend establishing supply lines before the expedition begins."
George immediately nodded.
"I can have fortified supply stations built along these routes."
Atlas leaned forward.
"I can improve them."
Everyone looked at him.
He adjusted his goggles.
"My engineers have developed mana-powered cargo wagons."
"They carry three times the supplies."
"And they don't tire."
George's face lit up.
"We're building those."
Atlas smiled.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
---
Elena stepped toward the map.
"Our Dragon Knights will provide aerial reconnaissance."
She pointed across the forests.
"We'll monitor monster migrations and report anything unusual."
Roland nodded confidently.
"The skies will belong to us."
Leon calmly spoke.
"My Shadow Scouts will verify every report on the ground."
Dennis smiled.
"Air and ground."
"Perfect."
---
Zora and Lysette exchanged a glance.
"Our Mage Corps should cooperate," Zora said.
"We've already begun sharing research."
Lysette nodded.
"If the Wildlands contain ancient magical formations..."
"We'll need every advantage."
---
Ben crossed his arms.
"What about command?"
The room became quiet.
"If all three armies march together..."
"Who gives the orders?"
It was a fair question.
No one answered immediately.
Finally...
Dennis spoke.
"We don't need one supreme commander."
He looked toward Sam.
"We need trust."
He turned toward Elena.
"And clear responsibilities."
Sam nodded.
"I agree."
He pointed to the map.
"Each kingdom keeps command of its own forces."
"But when one kingdom discovers something important..."
"It shares that information immediately."
Elena smiled.
"No secrets."
Atlas nodded.
"No unnecessary competition."
Ben looked around the room.
"I can work with that."
---
Suddenly...
Rex spoke.
His usually calm voice carried an unusual urgency.
Commander...
New System notification detected.
Priority...
Maximum.
A golden chime echoed throughout the chamber.
DING!
A brilliant screen appeared before every Commander.
Then...
It expanded until it filled the entire room.
---
WORLD SYSTEM
Alliance Evaluation Complete.
The First Three Kingdom Human Alliance has demonstrated exceptional cooperation.
Special Reward Granted.
Alliance Headquarters Unlocked.
Eligible Kingdom:
Base 101.
Additional Construction Option Available.
Alliance Hall
Requirements:
10,000 Stone
5,000 Mana Steel
2,000 Crystal Glass
500 Mana Crystals
Function:
Permanent headquarters for allied kingdoms.
Advanced communication.
Joint military planning.
Shared research.
Future alliance upgrades available.
---
Silence filled the room.
George's mouth slowly fell open.
Then...
He looked at Atlas.
Atlas looked back at George.
Neither spoke for three long seconds.
Then both shouted at the same time.
"WE'RE BUILDING IT!"
The entire room burst into laughter.
George slammed both hands on the table.
"I don't care how much work it takes!"
Atlas adjusted his goggles with a grin.
"This will be the greatest building in Eastern Aetherra."
Doran folded his arms.
"I suppose I'll be forging nails for the next month."
George laughed.
"No."
"We're forging history."
Sam looked around the table.
At Dennis.
At Elena.
At Atlas.
At the leaders who had once been strangers.
Now...
They were building something far greater than a single kingdom.
They were building humanity's future.
Outside...
The emerald pillar continued to shine across the horizon.
And somewhere deep within the Emerald Wildlands...
Ancient eyes slowly opened.
Waiting...
For the kings who dared enter their domain.