With the ministerial meetings complete and the Anti-Corruption Bureau set in motion, Rahul turned his attention to his first mining operation.
He planned to exchange a 5 km² plot of Earth with an equally sized plot from Mercury. Being the planet closest to the Sun, Mercury was rich in minerals and ores. Even a single 5 km² patch could yield billions in resources, enough to fund several key initiatives in Athenia without destabilizing the treasury.
Security would not be a concern—Rahul personal guard, handpicked and entirely loyal to him, was already in place. Every movement, every operation, would be under strict protection, ensuring no interference.
Now came the critical task: selecting the exact plot of land on Earth. It had to be wasteland, a region unused or barren, so that its disappearance would cause minimal disruption. He wanted a location that would not provoke protests or complaints, one that would allow the mining operation to begin quietly, efficiently, and without drawing attention.
Rahul spread the maps of Athenia across his chamber desk, scanning the wastelands, calculating distances, and noting proximity to habitations. Every detail mattered—accessibility, secrecy, and environmental impact.
This is the first step, he thought. Careful, calculated… the kingdom will not see the change, but the wealth will start flowing, and with it, the power to reform everything.
After careful examination of the maps, Rohan finally identified a suitable location for his first mining operation. The plot was deep within the wasteland, about 10 km inside, and surrounded by mountains—forming a natural, self-contained area. Its isolation ensured that any activity there would not disturb nearby settlements, while still remaining accessible enough for logistics.
The nearest town, Palaepicia, was only a short distance away. Its population of around 100,000 to 200,000 people made it significant enough that the mining operation could have a meaningful impact on the town's development. The influx of resources, employment, and infrastructure improvements from the mine would inevitably benefit the town, and in turn, the town's growth would strengthen the surrounding region and improve the country's overall structure.
This area offered the perfect balance: security, isolation, and potential for strategic growth. Rahul nodded, satisfied. The first step toward using the Mining System to reshape Athenia had finally taken shape.
Rahul summoned Rachit, the head of security in the royal palace. Rachit was more than just a commander—he was Rohan's brother, a bond forged in childhood and strengthened over the years. After coming of age, Rachit had joined the special forces and risen through the ranks to become the trusted protector of the royal family. Their closeness went beyond duty; Rahul knew he could trust Rachit with anything.
Yet, this time, Rahul decided to withhold certain truths. He did not reveal the Mining System or the plan to swap land with Mercury. Instead, he framed it as a mission based on intelligence from a foreign country.
"Rachit," Rahul said, "I've received intel about a potential opportunity for a piece of land in the wasteland near Palaepicia. If this information is true, it could bring significant funds for the kingdom—enough to kickstart some essential projects and expenditures."
Rachit's brow furrowed with curiosity. "And you want me to…?"
"I need you to come with me," Rahul explained. "We must investigate this quietly and confirm whether the intel is accurate. No one else can know about this yet. If it proves worthwhile, we can take steps to secure it and benefit the country."
Rachit nodded immediately, trusting his brother's judgment. "Understood, Your Majesty. I'll prepare a secure team. We'll move carefully and ensure nothing is compromised."
Rahul allowed himself a small smile. With Rachit at his side, he could operate in secrecy, protecting both the operation and the kingdom's interests—without revealing the extraordinary secret of the Mining System just yet.
Rachit had already organized the security for the mission, ensuring that every precaution was taken to protect both Rahul and the operation. Within a week, the two set off for the wasteland near Palaepicia.
The journey itself was not particularly difficult, though it took two to three days by train, following the basic rail lines that connected the town to the surrounding regions. To avoid drawing attention, they disguised themselves, rotated appearances, and moved as a normal team rather than a royal delegation. Every detail had been planned meticulously to ensure their presence went unnoticed.
Finally, after several days, they reached Palaepicia. They rested in the town for one or two days, allowing Rachit to continue securing the surrounding area while Playa Pisia coordinated operations within the town itself. Rachit, ever vigilant, made sure that no disruption or unexpected incident could compromise the mission. Though he was reluctant to take on such a risky task, he trusted Rahul's judgment. After all, the young king had convinced him that this location could prove critical for the kingdom's future, and Rachit's loyalty to Rahul—and to the crown—was unwavering.
After their brief rest, they set out toward the selected plot deep in the wasteland. When they arrived, Rahul turned to Rachit. "Stay here," he said calmly.
Rachit blinked in surprise. "Do you… know about the mining, the soil content… all of it?" he asked, curiosity and concern mixing in his voice.
Rahul smiled faintly. "Don't worry about it. You stay here. The mining team will arrive in about a month. I'm just here for a preliminary examination of the land."
Rachit studied his brother's face, sensing the seriousness behind the smile. Though he didn't fully understand the plan, he trusted Rahul implicitly. With a nod, he took up his position to maintain security, ready to protect the mission at all costs while Rahul began his first assessment of the land.
Rahul stood in the hollowed basin of the chosen wasteland, the mountains hemming the sky into a narrow ring. He spoke aloud, steady and deliberate.
"System"
"Ding. Yes, Host. —convert this five square kilometer plot to Mercury. Swap this area between Earth and Mercury for mining."
A calm mechanical voice replied in his head.
"Confirm, Host. Do you wish to proceed? Next swap available after 365 days."
He did not hesitate. "Proceed."
A new tone. "Acknowledged. Swap will complete in forty‑eight hours. Note: immediate swaps risk detection. Forty‑eight hours allows naturalization and minimizes anomaly signatures."
Rahul let out a short, startled laugh. "I thought it would be instantaneous."
"No. Rapid alteration increases the chance of detection and instability. Allowing time reduces systemic shock. Proceeding."
He watched the air feel thinner for a moment, as if reality itself adjusted around that hollow. Then nothing outwardly changed—no flash, no tremor. The system's work was silent and invisible by design.
Rahul turned and walked back toward the encampment, already planning the steps that mattered most.
"Rachit," he said when he found his brother on the ridge. "Keep this contained and secret. Do not tell the council. No press. No rumors. Hold the perimeter. If anyone comes near, redirect them with routine patrols."
Rachit nodded, expression unreadable but firm. "Understood. I'll tighten patrols and rotate teams. Nothing leaves the camp unless you say so."
"What about the survey?" Rachit asked.
"Survey team in one to two months," Rahul answered. " After one to two months the specialized crew goes in to secure extraction points and begin preparations."
He added quietly, "Before that, finish the military cleanup. Aditya's bureau will audit finances and procurement across the garrisons—root out ghost contracts, shell vendors, diverted fuel lines. We need the army professional, disciplined, and clean before mining begins. The mine must never become a prize for an internal cabal."
Rachit's jaw tightened. "I'll work with your orders. The troops will follow rotation schedules and strict inventory checks. I'll make sure no one pockets a single bolt."
Rahul looked once more toward Palaepicia in the distance—the small town that might soon be the first to feel the ripple. He felt a strange calm: the system had granted him the leverage; now it was time for human work—patience, discipline, and quiet ruthlessness where necessary.
"Remember," he said, "this is not a treasure to flaunt. It's a seed. Plant it right, and the country grows. Expose it, and we get vultures."
Rachit saluted. "Then we plant."
The system hummed faintly in Rahul's mind: Mining Operation — Level 1 Initiated. Swap complete in 48 hours. Next available swap: 365 days.
Rahul turned away and began drafting the orders he would send to Aditya and the military command: audits to launch immediately, rotation tightening, and a confidential list of senior officers to monitor. The real work, he knew, would be slow, careful, and unspectacular—but it was already underway.