The cheers lasted until sunset.
Victory banners fluttered proudly above the walls of Base 101.
The bodies of the fallen monsters had already vanished into countless motes of System light.
Only shattered crystal remained scattered across the northern plains.
The people of Base 101 celebrated.
But inside the Commander's Manor...
The leaders of the kingdom had already returned to work.
---
Sam stood before the large crystal map of Eastern Aetherra.
The emerald light of the Wildlands pulsed steadily.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Kingdom Defense Event remains active.
Regional monster migration continues across Eastern Aetherra.
Base 101 has successfully defended the first wave.
Additional attacks remain possible.
Sam nodded.
"So we don't celebrate yet."
---
The council chamber gradually filled.
Ben entered first.
The blue cloak of a Vanguard General rested proudly across his shoulders.
Behind him came Zora.
Leon appeared moments later, as silent as ever.
Runa and Kael followed together, still carrying their weapons from the battlefield.
Mira arrived carrying fresh medical reports.
George and Master Doran entered while quietly discussing the Alliance Hall.
The Goblin Warlord King stood behind Sam's chair.
The Goblin Archmage floated silently nearby.
---
Sam looked around the room.
"Reports."
---
Ben stood.
"The northern defenses are repaired."
"The Vanguard has returned to full strength."
He smiled.
"The soldiers are... excited."
Kael laughed.
"That's one way to put it."
Ben nodded.
"They defeated an Elite Regional Monster."
"They finally believe they can stand against anything."
Sam answered calmly.
"Confidence is good."
"Arrogance gets people killed."
Ben's smile faded.
"I'll make sure they remember."
---
"Mira."
"The wounded continue recovering."
She placed several scrolls on the table.
"No fatalities."
"Nearly eighty percent of today's wounded have already returned to light duty."
She looked toward Sam.
"The Medical Corps is ready for another attack."
---
"George."
George immediately rolled out another blueprint.
"The Alliance Hall survived."
He grinned.
"We lost one support beam."
"We've already replaced it."
He pointed toward another section of the plans.
"At this pace..."
"We'll finish ahead of schedule."
Master Doran nodded.
"The forge is keeping up."
"We've doubled production since yesterday."
---
"Leon."
Everyone turned toward the Scout Captain.
Leon placed the broken emerald crystal he had recovered onto the table.
"I couldn't catch them."
Silence filled the room.
"They escaped."
He continued.
"But they left this."
Zora examined the crystal.
"It isn't magical."
"No."
Leon answered.
"It's something else."
Inside his mind...
Rex immediately analyzed the fragment.
Unknown technology.
No match within Eastern Aetherra.
Sam looked toward Leon.
"Keep investigating."
Leon nodded once.
"I already have."
---
"Runa."
"Our archers recovered over ninety percent of the arrows fired today."
George looked impressed.
"Seriously?"
Runa smiled.
"We don't waste supplies."
Kael folded his arms dramatically.
"Archers count arrows."
"We count victories."
Runa looked at him.
"And who covered your advance?"
Kael cleared his throat.
"...The archers."
The room laughed.
---
"Mira began gathering her reports when she noticed something."
"Commander."
She looked toward Kael.
"You should sit down."
Kael blinked.
"Why?"
"Because you've been bleeding for the last fifteen minutes."
Everyone turned.
There was indeed a long cut across Kael's side.
Kael looked down.
"...Huh."
"I didn't notice."
Ben burst into laughter.
"I absolutely believe that."
George laughed so hard he nearly dropped his blueprints.
Even Leon...
Very slightly...
Smirked.
Mira sighed.
"Medical ward."
"Now."
Kael scratched the back of his head.
"...Yes, Commander."
---
As Kael turned to leave...
Mira followed beside him.
"You need to stop ignoring injuries."
"They heal."
"Eventually."
"They also get worse."
Kael smiled sheepishly.
"I'll try."
"You said that last time."
"...I know."
Behind them...
Ben quietly leaned toward Zora.
"I give it a month."
Zora smiled without looking away.
"You're optimistic."
---
Across the room...
Leon stood beside the crystal window.
Runa walked over.
"You disappeared after the battle."
"I was tracking someone."
"Find anything?"
Leon handed her the broken emerald crystal.
Runa studied it carefully.
"I've never seen anything like this."
"Neither have I."
She looked at him.
"We'll figure it out."
Leon nodded.
"I know."
For a brief moment...
Neither spoke.
They simply stood together overlooking the kingdom.
Ben noticed.
He slowly nudged Zora.
Without turning her head...
She quietly smiled.
"...I noticed too."
Ben folded his arms, trying very hard not to grin.
"Our boy..."
"...finally found someone who can keep up with him."
---
At the head of the room...
Sam watched his officers.
Some were laughing.
Some were discussing strategy.
Some were already planning tomorrow.
A few months ago...
Most of them had been strangers struggling to survive.
Now...
They were family.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Kingdom analysis complete.
Military Strength... Rising.
Economic Growth... Rising.
Citizen Satisfaction... Rising.
Probability of long-term kingdom stability... Exceptionally High.
Sam smiled.
"That's because I'm not building this kingdom alone."
Outside...
The lights of Base 101 shone brightly against the night.
The kingdom never truly slept.
It simply prepared...
For whatever tomorrow would bring.