Morning settled over the Silver Kingdom.
The Alliance Hall had become the heart of the kingdom overnight.
Messengers hurried through its grand corridors.
Officers entered and departed with new orders.
For the first time...
The Silver Alliance had a true home.
---
Above the capital...
The golden countdown shimmered.
EMERALD WILDLANDS EXPEDITION
13 DAYS REMAINING
---
Inside the Alliance Hall...
The enormous crystal table displayed a detailed map of the Emerald Wildlands.
Sam stood at its head.
Around him stood his Generals.
Ben.
Kael.
Runa.
Leon.
Zora.
Mira.
George.
Master Doran.
The Goblin Warlord King.
The Goblin Archmage.
Dennis and Elena appeared through mana communication above their alliance seats.
Atlas stood in person beside George, already studying the map with intense interest.
---
Sam placed both Guardian Keys onto the crystal table.
The instant they touched...
WHOOM...
Both emerald hearts began glowing.
Thin streams of green light stretched across the map.
Everyone watched silently.
The light ignored mountains.
It ignored rivers.
It ignored monster territories.
Instead...
It converged upon a single location.
Deep inside the Emerald Wildlands.
George's eyes widened.
"...That's impossible."
"It isn't on any map."
---
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Ancient mana detected.
Matching energy signature confirmed.
Probability: Ancient Kingdom Ruins.
---
Atlas adjusted his goggles.
"An entire city..."
"...hidden from history."
George nodded slowly.
"If that's an ancient capital..."
"...its engineering could be thousands of years ahead of ours."
Master Doran smiled.
"And its forge."
Zora's sapphire eyes shimmered.
"The magical knowledge preserved there..."
"...could change everything."
---
Ben stepped forward.
"When do we leave?"
Sam answered without hesitation.
"Tomorrow."
---
He looked around the Alliance Hall.
"Ben."
"Prepare the Vanguard Corps."
"Yes, Commander."
"Kael."
"Take the Spear Corps."
Kael struck his fist against his chest.
"It will be done."
"Zora."
"Your mages will support exploration."
"I understand."
"Mira."
"Prepare enough medical supplies for a month."
She nodded.
"I'll have everything ready."
"Doran."
"Bring every tool you think you'll need."
The old blacksmith grinned.
"I was already packing."
George laughed.
"I knew you would."
---
Sam turned toward Leon and Runa.
"The two of you leave at sunrise."
"Your mission remains unchanged."
Leon gave a single nod.
"We'll uncover the truth."
Runa smiled confidently.
"And we'll return."
Sam placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Come back safely."
---
Outside the Alliance Hall...
The entire kingdom had already begun preparing.
Supply wagons rolled through the streets.
Blacksmiths loaded spare weapons.
Healers organized medicines.
Engineers secured surveying equipment.
Hundreds of soldiers assembled beneath the Silver Kingdom banner.
High above the walls...
The Crystal Giant silently watched over everything.
Its emerald eyes never left the horizon.
---
As evening approached...
George and Atlas stood together atop the Alliance Hall.
The wind carried the banners of the four allied kingdoms.
Atlas looked toward the distant Emerald Wildlands.
"You know..."
"I used to think building machines would change the world."
George smiled.
"And now?"
Atlas looked toward the Silver Kingdom below.
"I think..."
"...it's people who change the world."
George laughed.
"Good."
"Because we've got a lot left to build."
---
Far away...
Deep beneath the Emerald Wildlands...
Ancient stone doors trembled.
Dust fell from forgotten ceilings.
For the first time in countless ages...
Green light flowed through ancient runes.
A voice echoed within the darkness.
"...The Keys..."
"...have returned..."
Two crimson eyes slowly opened.
The Forgotten Kingdom...
Had begun to awaken.