The Next Morning
The morning sky in Zerio City looked gloomy, like the remnants of a wound that hadn’t healed. Arya, Dina, and Charlotte walked slowly toward the city center. The gazes of the citizens they passed were full of suspicion, and whispers endlessly followed their steps.
“Hey, isn’t that the ruler’s wife?” someone whispered.
“Yes, what is she doing here? And those... two kids with her?”
“Last night the servants said Exone attacked the ruler’s residence. Could those two be Exone?”
“Are they going to execute her in public?”
Dina leaned her face close to Arya and whispered quickly, “Hey Ar, they’re talking about us. Why do they think we’re going to do a public execution?”
“Just let it be,” Arya replied softly, as calm as usual.
Charlotte tightened her cloak. “Will this be alright? Look… the people don’t seem to like me.”
“Relax, Ma’am,” Arya said in a reassuring tone. “I’ll explain everything.”
They arrived at the city square. Arya stood on a pile of stones and raised his hand. Wind magic was used to amplify his voice so it could reach every corner of the city.
“HELLO EVERYONE! CAN YOU GATHER IN THE CITY CENTER?!”
A small uproar broke out.
“What’s this about?”
“Is it another tax collection?”
“No idea! But if we refuse to come, we might get killed!”
Soon, citizens began arriving, forming a large crowd that filled the square.
After making sure everyone had gathered, Arya shouted again, “INTRODUCING! MY NAME IS ARYA! THIS IS DINA, AND THE WOMAN BESIDE ME IS CHARLOTTE, THE WIFE OF THIS CITY’S RULER! THERE’S SOMETHING IMPORTANT YOU NEED TO KNOW!”
The people began raising their voices.
“Is this about taxes again?!” someone shouted angrily.
“We don’t have any money left!”
Charlotte lowered her head, holding back shame and guilt.
“NO!” Arya responded loudly. “THIS ISN’T ABOUT TAXES! MAYBE YOU’VE HEARD THE NAME EXONE?”
“Exone?” the people murmured, some hesitantly.
“Isn’t that the group that executes corrupt rulers?”
“Is this going to be a public execution?”
“NO!” Arya shook his head firmly. “WE, EXONE, HAVE KILLED THIS CITY’S RULER! AND NOW, WE RECOMMEND HIS WIFE—CHARLOTTE—TO BE THE NEW RULER!”
The crowd immediately turned hostile.
“A new ruler? DON’T JOKE!”
“What’s the point of having another family member in power?!”
“We don’t trust her!”
Charlotte lowered her head even more, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.
Arya looked at the people one by one. “Then what do you want? Do you have your own recommendation?”
“No…”
“Yeah, we don’t know who to trust…”
“We’ve lost faith in rulers altogether!”
Arya sighed. “FINE, I’LL SHOW YOU THE FACTS. THE RULER’S WIFE IS ACTUALLY A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE! SHE TRIED TO STOP HER HUSBAND FOR YOUR SAKE, BUT BECAUSE SHE’S A WOMAN, SHE COULDN’T FIGHT BACK!”
He pointed at Charlotte. “IF SHE WASN’T A GOOD PERSON, DO YOU THINK I’D LET HER LIVE?! DO YOU THINK EXONE IS NO DIFFERENT FROM THE CORRUPT RULERS?!”
The crowd began to fall silent.
“DO YOU THINK WE EXECUTE TYRANTS JUST TO HAND OVER THE CITY TO SOMEONE JUST AS DEPRAVED?! I, ARYA SETYA, LEADER OF EXONE, GUARANTEE—CHARLOTTE IS THE RIGHT PERSON TO LEAD THIS CITY!”
Arya’s voice echoed firmly across the square. No one from the crowd responded.
Charlotte took a deep breath. “No need to do that, dear. If they won’t accept me, that’s okay.”
Arya remained standing tall. “HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE CITIES AZURA AND OITER? THEIR RULERS WERE ALSO MY CHOICES! LOOK AT THEM NOW, THEY’VE BECOME MORE PROSPEROUS!”
The people looked at each other.
“Azura and Oiter? Aren’t those the cities that suddenly became prosperous after their rulers were killed?”
“Yeah, they said the new rulers were chosen directly by Exone…”
Arya raised his fist. “YOU JUST NEED TO BELIEVE. I WON’T BETRAY THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ME! WE’RE NOT NOBLES! WE’RE KIDS FROM ABANDONED VILLAGES! BUT WE HAVE A DETERMINATION—TO CHANGE THIS WORLD BY EXECUTING CORRUPT RULERS AND THAT DAMNED KING!”
Slowly, the citizens began to lower their heads.
“Forgive us…”
“Please lead this city to a better future…”
“We believe in you, Exone!”
Charlotte smiled. Dina also smiled slightly beside her.
Arya nodded. “Good. I’ll also help rebuild this city. And now, Madam Charlotte, please introduce yourself.”
Charlotte stepped forward with trembling, yet determined, steps.
“O-okay,” she said. “Citizens, I apologize for my husband’s actions over the years...” She bowed deeply. “I promise to work hard to restore this city. Please… give me one chance!”
“If you’ve made a promise, we believe you!”
“Please lead us, Madam Charlotte!”
The people bowed in respect. Charlotte bowed again, softly crying. Dina watched her proudly.
Arya turned to Charlotte. “Ma’am, are there still food supplies in the mansion’s warehouse?”
Charlotte nodded. “There should be. My husband loved hoarding…”
“Good. Citizens, follow us! We’ll head to the food warehouse and fill your bellies!”
“Alright!” they shouted with newfound energy.
At the Food Warehouse
The citizens followed Arya, Dina, and Charlotte in droves toward the warehouse behind the mansion. The smell of old wood and rusted metal greeted them as the large doors were opened. Inside, tall shelves were filled with sacks of wheat, salted meat, dried fruit, and several metal boxes containing household equipment.
Arya inspected the warehouse’s contents briefly, then nodded in satisfaction. “Hm… the amount is enough for now.”
As soon as the people saw the piles of food, chaos broke out.
“Food!”
“Give it to me first! I haven’t eaten in two days!”
“My child hasn’t eaten at all!” cried a mother in tears.
“Calm down! Don’t fight!” Dina shouted, raising both her hands. “There’s enough for everyone, so don’t panic!”
Arya nodded. “Don’t push each other. If the food gets destroyed, you’ll be the ones who suffer.”
Charlotte stood by the door, watching her citizens scramble as tears welled up in her eyes. Her eyes glazed as she saw the greed born of hunger and suffering. Arya gently patted her shoulder.
“Ma’am, this isn’t their fault. They’re just hungry,” he said softly.
Charlotte nodded, trying to compose herself.
After the people calmed down and the food was distributed, Arya turned to the adult men who had finished eating. “Those of you who are full, follow me. We’ll cut down trees to build houses.”
“Alright!” they answered enthusiastically.
Arya raised his hand. “Teleport!”
In an instant, they were transported to a forest about two hours away from the city. The citizens were stunned.
“Where are we?!”
“We’re… in a forest?”
“Why are we suddenly here?!”
“Relax,” Arya replied as he pulled out dozens of axes from his storage. “Take these. Cut down enough trees. I’ll be back later.”
“O-okay!”
Once again, Arya vanished in a flash of light.
Back at the Food Warehouse
Arya arrived just as the women had finished eating.
“I need your help. We’re going to make fertilizer.”
“Understood!”
“Ready!”
Arya led them out of the warehouse to an open area, then brought out animal manure, dry leaves, and soil from his storage.
“Mix all this into the soil over there. This will become fertilizer.”
“Ugh… mixing poop?”
“Can this really become fertilizer?”
Arya gave a small smile and pulled out several clean cloths. “Cover your nose and mouth with these. The smell is bad, but the result will make your stomachs full later.”
The women began working. Though disgusted at first, they slowly got used to it. The foul smell turned into work spirit.
While they were mixing the fertilizer, Arya went to look for suitable farmland.
At the Farmland
Arya stood over a wide stretch of land, checking the soil quality with his palm.
“Hm… this is spacious enough, and the soil is suitable.”
He raised his hand. “Loose Soil!”
The soil loosened perfectly. He nodded in satisfaction, then began creating farming tools and nails with his magic.
After finishing, Arya teleported back to the forest.
“Are you done?” he asked.
The men pointed at the pile of wood behind them. “Is this enough?”
Arya nodded with a chuckle. “Pretty fast. The axes are sharp, huh?”
“One swing and it falls right down!”
“Your axe is amazing!”
“That’s incredible!”
Arya chuckled. “Alright, Teleport!”
In an instant, the wood and the men were transported back to the city.
“I’ve prepared a blueprint for simple houses. Here’s the equipment. Even beginners can build these. If anything’s unclear, just ask.”
The citizens checked the blueprints provided.
“This is so detailed!”
“Even the foundation is explained!”
“Thank you so much!”
Arya left them and returned to the group of women.
At the Fertilizer Site
“Is the fertilizer ready?” Arya asked.
“Yes!”
“This much… are you sure it can all be used?” one woman asked.
“Of course,” Arya replied. “I’ll take it to the field now.”
Teleport! The fertilizer was instantly transported to the prepared farmland.
Arya spread the fertilizer while using Swap! to speed up the process across the land. After finishing, he used Loose Soil! again to mix the fertilizer into the soil.
Suddenly, he stopped and slapped his forehead. “Damn… I forgot the seeds!”
He teleported back to the food warehouse.
“Ma’am, are there any stored plant seeds here?”
Charlotte thought for a moment. “I don’t know… wait, I’ll look.”
Dina pointed to one of the sacks in the corner. “That one, that one. Lots of seeds.”
“Which one?” Charlotte asked.
Arya narrowed his eyes. “Seriously, Dina?”
“You think I’m lying?” Dina pouted.
Arya opened the sack and his eyes widened. “Wow, you’re right! Thanks, Dina!”
Charlotte was also surprised. “Oh, there really are some!”
Dina folded her arms. “See! Hmph!”
Arya quickly patted Dina’s head. “Yeah yeah, sorry. I’ll spread them now!”
Teleport!
Arya returned to the field, scattered all the seeds on the soil, then returned to the warehouse.
“Ma’am, everything’s done.” He handed a stack of papers to Charlotte. “These are notes on finance, agriculture, construction, and other matters. Just follow what’s written here.”
Charlotte trembled as she received the papers. Her eyes welled up.
“Th-thank you so much!” she said, bowing to Arya.
“Eh?! Ma’am! Stand up, stand up! No need for that!” Arya panicked.
Dina widened her eyes. “Woah! Ar! You made a woman bow to you?!”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Charlotte slowly stood. “Thank you for all your help. I’ll never forget this kindness.”
“No need to think about it,” Arya said with a smile.
“Y-yes, Ma’am! Don’t worry about it!” Dina added, flustered.
Arya looked at the brightening morning sky. “With this, we can soon continue our journey to the capital.”
Charlotte nodded. “Be careful. Good luck. Thank you… from the bottom of my heart.”
Arya bowed. “Likewise. We’ll take our leave.”
“See you, Ma’am!” Dina called. But as they walked away, she whispered to Arya, “Hey, why did you do all the work alone? I ended up looking useless…”
Arya chuckled. “I just wanted to look cool. So? Did I look cool?”
“Not at all!” Dina replied, blushing.
“Huh? Why is your face red then?”
“Shut up, you!”
They both laughed as they left the city. The citizens stood behind them, waving and repeatedly thanking them.
Somewhere Else
Jupiter narrowed his eyes from atop a cliff facing west. The wind blew his black cloak. A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I… can’t wait any longer.”