Prelude to Autumn

The summer went passed quickly after King Adrian's reformation of the kingdom was implemented. The event itself was held on the sixth day of the fifth month and the people have started calling that day "King Adrian Day" for how important it was.

It was now the eighth month of the year. The leaves have turned red as the autumn season was finally arriving. The Kingdom of Vathria has seen incredible development for the last three months since the announcement.

The domestic economy had finally started running. With the added incentives by the Kingdom, thousands flock into the city hall to pitch their own business ideas but only a handful of those applications were accepted as the King personally reviewed each individual requests to start their businesses. Only people with the highest qualifications could gain the government tax cuts and funds. The people who weren't accepted were upset for a while but the King reminded them that if they could open their business independently and have it be successful, the government will also grant them tax cuts. This news invigorated everyone's drive to work harder.

Out of the 10.540 civilians, over 5.000 were of or under the age of eighteen. This number seemed high but it made sense knowing that before their transportation to this new world, many children were evacuated to the castle. 5.000 of these children were required by the state to underwent the primary and secondary education. The various academy has finally started to operate. The majority of children entered the Knight and Mages school as they want to serve the kingdom and gain glory but many also entered other vocational schools like the trade academy, civil academy, agricultural academy, and so on.

After the Vathrian military opened its recruitment, thousands also flock to apply but only 500 people were accepted to underwent training as the selection process was incredibly strict. In addition, in an incredibly rare occasion, the Intelligence Department, a secretive branch of the army, also recruited around 20 promising candidates to join the mysterious branch.

The infrastructure development has also been running very smoothly. All of the houses in the suburbian housing region have been finished so everyone had received their own house. Almost all of the roads had also been finished within the inner city so the King now ordered a road connecting the elven tribe, the mines near the mountains, and the farmlands outside the city. The various department buildings were also finished. Finally, construction of the irrigation and sewage channels were also underway.

For the first time in 6 months since their arrivals, the citizens felt as if they finally regained their daily life again. Children go to school, parents go to work, and in their free time, they go downtown to eat at restaurants that have opened up and shop at clothing stores and markets that have opened since the King's business incentive.

The suit and tie was also finally a staple for professionals and workers and almost everyone was finally wearing one. Morgan Randolph the designer also opened a boutique near the castle, where it had been established to be a district for more expensive products. Males were not the only ones to wear a suit since Morgan also modified a version of the suit that women could wear as well.

1.000 elves have also started living in the city area and started working in various industries. Many of the elven warriors have started training together with the Vathrian military as they were awed by their strength and skills. Some of the younger elves have even entered academies and educational institutions.

It was only around 3 months left before King Adrian wanted to have first contact with other kingdoms to conduct business and trade and the promised time to rescue the elves in other kingdoms were also approaching. It was a crucial time for Vathria.

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"We will now begin the extraction of the elves. Our scouts have spied on those humans that were helping the elves....they call themselves Vathrians and their origins are quite mysterious....but they have great powers before them as they have also built a city near the elven settlement...it is best if we manage to extract the elves without the Vathrians' involvement as they seem to be quite strong...many of our scouts were captured although I have personally casted a spell on them so that they'll die before they can spill anything..." An attractive man with long hair was standing gallantly in front of thousands of men. They seem to be in some sort of fortress somewhere on the higher grounds.

"Boss! With their involvement, are you sure we can still get the elves?" A mercenary asked.

"And if not...are you going to run away?" Slaven turned to the man and pierced him with his eyes.

"N-no...that's not what I mean..." The mercenary quickly retracted his question in fear.

"Of course we will....Realistically, we won't get all of them as our scouts reported that many elves have started moving into the Vathrian city....However, we WILL get the elves in the tribal territory and destroy the entire tribe in the process....tell me...do you all believe in your God?" Slaven asked.

"Yes boss!" Everyone replied.

"The glory of Manu brings us here!" Another mercenary shouted.

"Yes....many of you are of the Manu religion and what does your religion say about the elves?" Slaven asked.

"They were created to serve the humans!" The mercenaries answered.

"And what does your religion say about the humans?" Slaven asked again.

"Humanity is superior to all of the other races! The days of the other races' reckoning will arrive under the glory of Manu!" The mercenaries shouted together, as if under a trance.

"That's right. We have a noble and holy cause by being here. All of YOU will not only be honored by the King of Lancester, but also by Manu. Now, are you willing to let these Vathrian humans coexist with your servants? Or are you going to bring true justice to this lower race?" Slaven kept asking these questions.

"We will bring justice to the elves!!!!" The mercenaries shouted in joy.

The mercenaries continued shouting and praying for a long time. Slaven walked back to his tent by himself.

Slaven sat at his bed and opened an enclosed pendant from his pocket. The inside of the pendant showed the burnt picture of what seem to be a woman but it was too hard to make out.

"Mother....I'm close." Slaven had all but remove his arrogant and cold behavior he usually showed to his men and enemies. All was left was a sad boy.

"The Kingdom of Lancester....the Manu lunatics....these mercenaries....I have used them all for this moment, Mother." Slaven said to the pendant.

"Mother, I miss you so much....if it weren't for the elves..." Slaven hugged the pendant to his chest. His voice was occasionally cracking under extreme sadness and burden. The lips quivered and eyes melted with tears.

Slaven stood up with a face of conviction. "Mother...I'm truly close. Even if I can't capture all of them...I still promise to ruin their civilization and especially the man who murdered you.....Galather."