The system’s gift

Emberhaven flourished. The walls stood tall, crops grew lush, and alliances with Ravenholm and Marivelle were beginning to take shape. Citizens felt safe, leaders felt empowered, and merchants began to flow into the valley. By all accounts, Lyrus' vision was becoming a reality.

Yet, in the midst of this progress, a subtle unease crept into Lyrus' thoughts. Everything felt stable—but perhaps too stable. They had followed traditional methods of kingdom-building: strong defenses, fertile land, skilled leaders. While effective, it lacked the uniqueness he envisioned. Emberhaven risked blending into the fabric of ordinary nations.

One evening, Lyrus sat in his unfinished mansion, gazing out over the settlement. The question gnawed at him: How do I make Emberhaven extraordinary? Something that would stand apart in history, not just for strength but for its foundation, its design, its soul.

As he mulled over the issue, the familiar hum of the system surged. His vision blurred momentarily as a new message illuminated his mind:

[System Notification: Divine Ascension Unlocked.]

[New Ability Acquired: Creation of Ascended Beings.]

A rush of energy coursed through him, unlike anything he had felt before. His body felt lighter, his mind clearer, his senses sharper. The system whispered knowledge to him: he had surpassed human limits. He now held power akin to a demigod, capable of reshaping the world in ways no mortal could.

The feature allowed him to create beings of unparalleled power, beings loyal to their assigned leaders, but with an intelligence and strength that dwarfed even his most gifted generals and guardians. These beings could take on the most daunting tasks, ensuring Emberhaven thrived in ways other kingdoms couldn't replicate.

One thought struck him immediately: butlers. Not servants, but protectors, mentors, and guides, each uniquely suited to serve and enhance their designated Guardian or General. These beings would embody strength, wisdom, and loyalty. They would anchor the identity of Emberhaven's leadership, creating a family-like bond that no enemy could fracture.

But one would be different—a head butler, forged to serve only Lyrus, stronger than any other. This being would not just protect him but act as an extension of his will, ensuring Emberhaven's vision remained pure and unstoppable.

Lyrus smiled, feeling the weight of his new abilities and their implications. Emberhaven's transformation had only just begun.