The midday sun burned bright over Eterna, gilding the stone roads and wooden houses that had sprung up with astonishing speed. Smoke drifted from dwarven forges, the steady ring of hammers echoing across the village. Goblins carried crates of supplies, Orcs tended the fields, and Lizardmen patrolled with sharp discipline.
The rhythm of life broke at the sound of hoofbeats. From the southern road, a convoy approached—guards flanking a carriage marked with the crest of Blumund.
At the village's edge, Shion's hand instinctively went to her blade.
"Atem-sama, should I deal with them?" she asked, violet eyes gleaming with dangerous eagerness.
Atem, standing calmly with his golden eyes fixed on the approaching banner, raised a hand. His voice was steady, deep.
"No, Shion. They're not here to fight. That crest belongs to Blumund's Adventurers' Guild. Which means…"
The carriage halted. A man stepped out, his armor worn but polished, his cloak carrying the weight of authority. His eyes, sharp and seasoned, scanned Eterna with quiet calculation.
"Guildmaster Fuze," Atem said, stepping forward with a cloak that fluttered faintly behind him. His tone carried both command and welcome. "Eterna greets you."
Fuze gave a short bow, his voice even but heavy with meaning.
"The honor is mine, Atem-dono. I come not merely as a Guildmaster… but as a representative of Blumund itself."
Atem guided Fuze and his attendants through the heart of the village. The Guildmaster's eyes widened with every step.
Kijin sparred under Hakurō's sharp gaze, their blades cutting through the air with precision. Goblins moved in perfect order, carrying supplies with surprising efficiency. Orcs worked the fields under Shuna's soft instructions, while dwarves hammered metal into gleaming weapons and armor.
It was not chaos. It was not savagery. It was a nation.
"This…" Fuze muttered under his breath, "…this is no mere gathering of monsters."
Atem's lips curved faintly.
"Eterna is young, but it grows stronger every day. Our strength is not in fear, but in unity. Orc, goblin, lizardman, dwarf—even human. All who seek peace can live here."
Shion puffed her chest proudly, while Benimaru, silent and watchful, studied the adventurers with narrowed eyes.
They entered a newly built hall, polished and sturdy. Atem took the head of the long table; Fuze and his party sat opposite. The silence was heavy until Fuze broke it.
"Atem-dono," he began, his voice steady, "rumors have reached every corner of Blumund. That a mysterious warrior defeated the Orc Disaster. That a nation of monsters rose in the Jura Forest. That its leader is intelligent… and unlike any we've seen." His gaze sharpened. "I came to see the truth. Now, I do."
Atem leaned back, resting his hands calmly.
"And what is your judgment, Guildmaster?"
Fuze exhaled slowly, then allowed himself a small smile.
"You are not a threat to be crushed… but a force to be respected. Blumund cannot treat you as an enemy."
Atem's golden eyes gleamed.
"Then hear my wish. I don't seek war. I seek cooperation—trade, protection, and knowledge exchanged between us."
Fuze stroked his beard, thinking carefully.
"You have much to offer. Food, iron, manpower… even crafted goods from your dwarves. Blumund has merchants, routes, and allies across the continent. Yes… we could both profit greatly."
By day's end, ink marked parchment. A trade agreement was forged—safe passage for merchants, shared goods, and official recognition of Eterna.
Shuna watched the signing with a gentle smile. Shion whispered excitedly, "Does this mean we can finally show humans what Eterna is capable of?" Atem silenced her with just a glance, but his faint smirk betrayed amusement.
As the sun dipped low, Fuze paused at the village gate, his face lit orange by the fading light.
"Atem-dono… your nation may very well change the balance of this land. Blumund will stand beside you. But beware—power draws eyes. Not all of them kind."
He mounted his horse and led his convoy back south.
Atem stood watching until they vanished, the golden twilight reflecting in his eyes.
"So it begins," he murmured. "Eterna's name will not remain hidden much longer."
From within, a voice like a chime brushed against his mind.
<
Atem's lips curved slightly, his tone calm yet unwavering.
"I was prepared the moment I built Eterna. Let them come."
A few days after Fuze's visit to Eterna, he approached Atem privately.
"Atem-dono, I must return to Blumund to report my findings to the nobles," Fuze said with a measured tone.
Atem's golden eyes reflected the morning light as he nodded calmly.
"Go, Fuze. Speak only the truth. Leave no doubt about what you witnessed."
Fuze bowed deeply. "It shall be done, Atem-dono."
Farewells were brief but meaningful. Atem's presence radiated quiet authority, and even from afar, the monsters of Eterna felt reassured by their leader's composure.
When Fuze finally reached Blumund, there was barely time to rest. Nobles waited, impatient and curious, in the council chamber of the capital.
The room was modest but stately: sunlight streamed through tall windows, glinting off polished tables and brass fittings. Around the chamber, a dozen nobles and high officials sat rigidly, faces a mixture of skepticism and intrigue.
At the center stood Fuze, Guildmaster of the Free Guild, dust-streaked and sweat-matted from the journey. His posture, however, was unwavering. He drew a deep breath.
"Esteemed council members," he began, voice steady, "I have returned from the Jura Forest with firsthand observations regarding the nation calling itself Eterna."
Murmurs rose around the room. One elder noble, hawk-like in appearance, leaned forward sharply.
"A nation of monsters… and you traveled there? Do you expect us to believe such nonsense?"
Fuze met him squarely. "Believe what you will. I report only what I have seen. Eterna is no marauding horde. It is a nation. Organized, thriving, and guided by a single leader—Atem."
A younger noble snorted derisively. "A man? Or… a monster? Are we wasting time on fairy tales?"
Fuze did not flinch. "Not a fairy tale. Atem is intelligent, deliberate, and calm. Even the Kijin, survivors of the Ogre clan, pledge their loyalty. The Orcs, Goblins, and Lizardmen work in coordination, each contributing according to their abilities. Every race, every group, is integrated with structure and purpose."
The chamber grew quieter, though doubt lingered. Another official, fingers drumming nervously, asked:
"And this Atem… what drives him? Is he hostile to humans? Would he seek to conquer Blumund?"
Fuze's gaze sharpened. "I saw no hostility. Atem's goal is coexistence, trade, and mutual prosperity. He does not seek domination. To oppose him recklessly would be folly. To cooperate… may secure our kingdom's future."
A heavy silence followed. Nobles exchanged uncertain glances. Some whispered fears of recognizing a monster nation; others glimpsed opportunities for trade and resources beyond their borders.
Finally, the council leader, an elderly woman with commanding presence, spoke.
"Guildmaster Fuze… your account is compelling. While some remain skeptical, Blumund is a small kingdom surrounded by greater powers. To ignore Eterna would be dangerous. We shall cautiously recognize Atem as the sovereign of his nation. Emissaries and merchants will be sent to establish formal trade, under your guidance."
Fuze bowed deeply. "As you command. I will ensure the relationship remains strong and report all developments directly to the council."
Another noble muttered, almost to himself, "A man—or a monster—ruling a nation… who could have imagined this?"
Fuze straightened, a small, confident smile touching his lips.
"Perhaps, my lords… the world is changing. And those who adapt first will shape it."
Back in Eterna, Atem stood atop a terrace overlooking the growing city. He sensed the ripples of change spreading across the world.
<
Atem's golden eyes narrowed slightly, thoughtful.
"No. Let them judge and act on their own. I will respond when necessary."
<
Atem exhaled softly. The world was watching. Eterna's name had been whispered beyond the forest, and the seeds of alliance—and of conflict—had been sown.