The Alliance Council continued long into the afternoon.
Maps covered every section of the great round table.
Supply routes.
Water sources.
Mountain passes.
Known monster territories.
Every detail mattered.
The Emerald Wildlands would forgive no mistakes.
---
George stood beside Atlas.
The two engineers had somehow covered an entire wall with sketches.
Mana-powered bridges.
Portable watchtowers.
Mobile supply depots.
Crystal-powered wagons.
Atlas adjusted his goggles.
"If we build these before the expedition..."
"Our supply line efficiency will increase by at least forty percent."
George's eyes sparkled.
"Forty?"
"We can do better."
Atlas grinned.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Master Doran rubbed his forehead.
"They're going to bankrupt my forge."
George looked offended.
"Invest."
Atlas nodded.
"Exactly."
The room erupted with laughter.
---
Meanwhile...
Ben stood beside Marcus, Base 202's Vanguard Captain.
Wooden blocks representing soldiers covered the map.
"If monsters attack from both sides..."
Marcus moved several pieces.
"My infantry locks down the center."
Ben nodded.
"My Vanguard pushes through here."
He slid another block across the map.
"Then we split the enemy."
Marcus smiled.
"I'd fight beside you anytime."
Ben extended his hand.
"And I you."
The two captains shook hands.
---
Not far away...
Zora and Captain Lysette studied an ancient manuscript.
Mana circles slowly rotated above the pages.
Lysette looked amazed.
"I've never seen this rune structure."
Zora smiled.
"It isn't complete."
She added several symbols with mana.
The circle suddenly stabilized.
Lysette's eyes widened.
"You solved it..."
Zora chuckled.
"We solved it."
---
Outside the manor...
Runa stood on the training field.
Roland joined her carrying a practice bow.
"I've heard you're the finest archer in Base 305."
Runa smiled.
"I've heard the same about you."
Roland planted five wooden targets across the field.
"Friendly competition?"
Runa accepted immediately.
"You're on."
Around them...
Soldiers from both kingdoms gathered to watch.
---
Farther away...
Kael stood across from a lancer from Base 305.
Both held wooden practice weapons.
"First to three points?"
The lancer nodded.
"Agreed."
The sound of clashing weapons echoed across the training grounds.
CLACK!
CLACK!
CLACK!
Nearby soldiers cheered every exchange.
---
Elsewhere...
Mira walked through Base 101 with several of Base 305's healers.
She showed them the kingdom's medical facilities.
"Our hospitals are organized by severity."
She pointed toward different wings.
"Critical patients."
"General treatment."
"Long-term recovery."
The visiting healers exchanged impressed glances.
One quietly whispered,
"...We've never seen a medical corps this organized."
Mira smiled.
"We learned through necessity."
---
Inside the Commander's Manor...
Only the four Commanders remained.
Sam.
Dennis.
Elena.
Atlas.
The atmosphere became more serious.
Dennis folded his arms.
"We've discussed logistics."
"We've discussed supplies."
"But we still haven't answered the biggest question."
Sam looked at him.
"Which is?"
Dennis pointed directly at the glowing emerald region.
"What exactly are we expecting to find?"
Silence settled over the room.
Atlas finally spoke.
"I've spent years studying fragments from the Age of Kingdoms."
He walked toward the map.
"My engineers uncovered ancient records beneath Base 187."
He tapped the center of the Wildlands.
"They all point here."
Elena looked at him.
"What do they say?"
Atlas took a slow breath.
"That the Emerald Wildlands..."
"...were never abandoned."
The room became still.
Dennis frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Atlas met everyone's eyes.
"I mean..."
"If those records are accurate..."
"...someone may still be living there."
No one spoke.
Even Rex remained silent.
---
A soft chime echoed inside Sam's mind.
Commander...
Historical archive updated.
Probability of surviving ancient civilization...
Twenty-eight percent.
Probability increasing as additional data is acquired.
---
Before anyone could respond...
DING!
Another golden screen appeared.
Not just before Sam.
Before every Commander.
---
WORLD SYSTEM
Regional Zone Update
The Emerald Wildlands will fully stabilize in...
21 Days
Expedition Registration Available.
Alliance Expedition Registered.
Participating Kingdoms:
Base 101
Base 202
Base 305
Additional kingdoms may register before stabilization.
Regional Bosses:
Unknown.
Regional Lords:
Unknown.
Ancient Civilization Status:
Classified.
Titan-Class Energy Signature:
Confirmed.
Prepare accordingly.
---
The golden screen slowly disappeared.
No one spoke.
Twenty-one days.
That was all the time they had left.
Sam looked around the room.
At Dennis.
At Elena.
At Atlas.
Then toward the emerald light shining through the manor windows.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"Looks like..."
"Our countdown has officially begun."
Far beyond the borders of every kingdom...
Deep within the Emerald Wildlands...
A pair of ancient emerald eyes opened in the darkness.
Watching.
Waiting.
For the kings who were coming.