Central City, Chuta's House.
"Thank you all so much for coming… This marks one more year...", I paused briefly to think about what I wanted to say, but also to reflect on the scarce time that remained.
"One more year of progress, happiness, and unity for our Kingdom… I do not wish to speak for too long, as I often speak with you and do not want to bore you at a party," I joked a little to lighten the mood.
Laughter erupted, some more subtle, others livelier and more expressive.
"You are not boring, Young Chuta," someone commented from the back.
"I hope not... Or else, I'll have to give you more work, Upqua," I replied, recognizing the voice of my brother, who had called me 'Young Chuta' so as not to be discovered.
The laughter continued.
The speech, which began as a simple thank you, transformed into a meditation on the journey we had traveled.
"We have united peoples who once saw each other as strangers," I said, raising my voice so that everyone could hear me. "We have come to know lands and peoples we had never seen before. We have sailed further than our ancestors ever dreamed, and we have sown the seeds of a kingdom that is flourishing with strength."
"Long live Chuta!"
"Long live the Kingdom!"
"Happy Birthday, Young Chuta!"
The shouts and applause echoed through the hall.
My eyes scanned the faces of those who had accompanied me on this journey.
I saw the unwavering loyalty of the generals, the maternal warmth of my mother, and the solid support of my father Hyba. Upqua and Chuquy smiled at me with pride, Fiba stood by their side, with a serene expression and a subtle joy in his eyes that only I seemed capable of noticing. My younger siblings jumped for joy, infected by the celebration.
Faoa and Ubatas nodded fervently, already thinking about the next innovation they could conceive. The High Priest Simte, with a smile of pure benevolence, blessed the moment with his presence.
A small firework, one of the many we had developed, exploded in the night sky, casting an ephemeral light of colors into the room.
In that instant, in the midst of the celebration, the pang of reality struck me. I could not allow myself to forget that each year, each achievement, was a race against time.
An additional year of life for me, but one less year of preparation for the Kingdom.
The rest of the night passed in a haven of peace.
I sat with my three fiancées, Umza, Nyia, and Turey, tasting sweets and playing a strategy game that Upqua had taught them. We were just children, enjoying a moment that the weight of the future made all the more precious.
The conversations with the generals and bishops were more relaxed, blending military strategy with anecdotes from the past.
Almost at the end of the party, when the number of guests had already thinned out, Chewa, one of the leaders of the Suaza Chamber of Commerce, approached me.
"Young Chuta, my most sincere congratulations," he said with a bow and the same humility as always.
"Thank you, Chewa," I replied. "It's good to see you. Is there something you need to know?" I asked him.
Chewa seemed a little hesitant.
"I do not wish to disturb this important night," he answered. "I only need to have a meeting with you, Young Chuta, when you have time to inform you of a matter."
I nodded, accepting his proposal. Then we talked about a couple of things concerning trade, but only casual comments, without mixing the festive atmosphere with work.
The next morning.
The fresh spring air flowed through the window of the meeting room in my house. Chewa was waiting for me, seated formally.
His greetings were a mix of familiarity and respect.
"Young Chuta," he said, his deep voice echoing in the empty room, "I will never forget how you gave me your support. When I was a simple worker on the river, no one would have listened to me. Thanks to you, today the Suaza Kingdom flourishes. You know you have my support, no matter what you decide to do."
"I appreciate your words, Chewa," I replied, getting straight to the point. "Now, tell me what you have come to inform me."
Chewa took out a rolled-up map and spread it across the table's surface.
He informed me about the towns he himself had built under the 'Controlled Expansion by Concession' initiative in what they called the North Zibá, which would be known in the future as 'North America'.
"Our explorers and merchants have reached beyond the Rising Sun coast, as you well know," he continued, pointing to a spot on the map that corresponded to the future peninsula of 'Florida'. "We have come into contact with several cultures: the Penascolas, the Apalachee, and the Seminola."
Chewa explained that the approach had been friendly, though with some initial tensions that were eased with demonstrations of military power and gifts of gold, emeralds, and food.
"The envoys from the Department of External Relations are already in the area, learning their language. The priests and cardinals are also there, studying their religions and beliefs. We believe integration is possible, but we wanted to consult you first."
My mind worked at a dizzying speed.
The North Zibá.
A new front, a new stronghold, a new opportunity... and a new burden.
The speed at which the kingdom was growing was a testament to the success of my vision and the support I had received, but also a source of immense pressure.
One week later, the main meeting room of the Government House.
I stood on the stage as usual in front of the ministers and guests from the Suaza Chamber of Commerce.
"The findings of Chewa and the Chamber of Commerce are a significant step forward," I said, looking at each of them. "The question is, how should we proceed?"
The Director of the Department of External Relations, a man with experience in uniting peoples, was the first to speak.
"The friendly approach is promising. Initial analyses suggest there is no single unified political entity in that area, which gives us the advantage of negotiating with each people individually."
The Minister of Commerce, showing his support for Chewa, spoke about the potential of the new maritime routes.
"The coasts are rich in resources that we lack. The official and private ports in the area will benefit the entire kingdom, and they are already doing so."
The Minister of Security was more cautious, discussing the risk of military overextension.
"We need to establish garrisons in the new settlements to protect our citizens and our new allies. But we must do it in a way that does not look like an invasion... Also, as Young Chuta raised, private ports or towns must fear an official garrison, and they can also have private garrisons."
After a long debate, an agreement on a plan was reached.
A special committee would be created, made up of representatives from the Department of External Relations and the ministries of Security and Commerce, to oversee the annexation of the new territories.
"This time, it will not be me who gives the speeches of union," I reflected with joy. "The kingdom now moves on its own."
At the end of the meeting, I felt quite relieved.
The existence of such a competent team to handle these matters allowed me to breathe and focus on the long-term vision.
The expansion of the kingdom into the North Zibá was a sign of our success, but also a reminder that time was running out, and the enemy, though invisible for now, was becoming more and more real.
Three weeks later, North Sea City.
The fresh sea breeze caressed my face.
I was at the Navy Academy, reviewing the curricula for the first generations of cadets, when a messenger handed me an urgent letter.
"The East Ocean expedition has returned. In one hour, they will anchor in the port," the message read.
A wave of excitement ran through my body.
It was not just the return of brave sailors; it was the confirmation that the kingdom's vision extended to the ends of the earth. I ordered preparations to be made for a welcoming festival, a spontaneous celebration to honor their effort and courage.
When the expedition's ships entered the port, the pier was filled with shouts of joy and applause. The people of the city received them as true heroes.
At the front, on the King of Shooters, was Sogeking, whose sun-tanned face glowed with a mixture of pride and relief.
The next day.
In the naval regiment, the atmosphere was one of complete seriousness and professionalism.
I sat at the head of the table, with the expedition captains by my side. Sogeking, with a map drawn by his assistant on the table, began to recount the journey.
"Young Chuta," he said, pointing with a finger. "We sailed south along the coast, just as you ordered us. The currents are fierce, and the sea becomes capricious, but my crew, the best the kingdom has ever seen, knew how to dominate it. No current could stop us!"
The regiment's colonel cleared his throat, and Sogeking, with a disguised smile, straightened up.
"What the captain means," one of his companions intervened, "is that the currents in the south are stronger than we had anticipated. We mapped the wind and tide patterns. The temperature dropped sharply, the air became heavy and icy. Our recommendation is to avoid sailing those seas in cold seasons."
The captains handed me their logbooks, full of detailed notes on the flora, fauna, and geography of the new coasts.
I observed the maps, feeling a mixture of amazement and admiration.
My kingdom was growing at a pace that even I, with my knowledge of the future, found dizzying.
Two weeks later, Central City.
Back in the city, a messenger from the West Region arrived at my house. The young man, in his naval uniform, looked exhausted, but his eyes shone with contained excitement.
"Young Chuta," he said, his voice breathless with fatigue. "The Western expedition has returned. The captains are on their way to the city to give their report."
I nodded and signaled to an aide to offer him something to drink.
The messenger did not move.
There was something more.
"They also asked me to inform you of something important," he said, in a low, reverent voice. "The captains believe they have found a passage... a passage that crosses the South Zibá and connects the two great oceans."
The usual calm of the room was shattered for me.
The news hit me with the force of a lightning bolt.
My whole life had been marked by the need to build a kingdom strong enough to face the Europeans. And now, an unexpected discovery gave me a strategic advantage that completely redefined the future.
A passage between the oceans.
Control over global trade.
The ability to move ships and armies from one side of the continent to the other, while the rest of the world sailed around the South Zibá.
This was a miracle, a gift that not even in my most optimistic memories had I dared to imagine.
My plans now had to change.
.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Chuta spends his birthday with the main characters of the Kingdom. Then he learns about the peoples of North America, specifically in the southeast.
This knowledge is added to the known kingdoms of Africa. Little by little, more peoples are added to the Kingdom's knowledge.
Will this change the Kingdom's culture?
Unnecessary Fact of the Day: The Mayans had extensive trade networks that stretched from central Mexico to Costa Rica, exchanging goods such as obsidian, jade, salt, feathers, and cocoa.
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Read my other novels.
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future (Chapter 70)
#The Walking Dead: Emily's Metamorphosis (Chapter 18)
#The Walking Dead: Patient 0 - Lyra File (Chapter 3)
You can find them on my profile.]