While Rahul and Rachit surveyed the chosen land for the Mercury swap, Aditya had been working tirelessly in Athenia, laying the groundwork for the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Using his intelligence, organizational skill, and absolute loyalty to the king, he quickly established a multi-level framework for the bureau, delegating responsibilities, setting protocols, and defining clear chains of command.
His first target was the military, the institution most critical to the kingdom but also rife with corruption. With the Defence Minister's prior approval and the king's direct authority backing him, Aditya's team faced little interference as they began auditing reports, letters, and transaction records across the army, navy, and air force.
What they uncovered was staggering. Ghost contracts, embezzled funds, fake procurement orders, and misappropriated supplies—the scale of corruption extended from low-level personnel to senior officers. Many low-ranking soldiers and administrators were arrested immediately, while some high-ranking officials attempted to use their connections to escape scrutiny.
However, the king's direct orders combined with the Defence Minister's explicit support meant that most of the culprits had nowhere to hide. Within a single month, Aditya had purged a significant portion of corrupt personnel, creating a clear chain of accountability across the military, navy, and air force.
By the end of the month, the foundation of a stable, professional military had been laid. Corruption had not been completely eradicated, but the structure was now strong enough to prevent abuse and mismanagement from spiraling out of control. The armed forces were now disciplined, auditable, and under direct supervision, ready to serve the kingdom's needs for both security and the upcoming strategic operations.
Aditya reported back to Rahul that the framework was operational and that the first wave of audits had strengthened the backbone of the kingdom's most critical institution—a necessary step before the Mercury mining project could proceed safely.
The military personnel now fully understood the king's intent: Rahul would maintain strict oversight over the army, navy, and air force, calling key officials into the palace every two or three days. This constant attention ensured discipline, accountability, and rapid implementation of reforms. The entire chain of command was shifting under his careful guidance.
The ministers noticed the unusual activity but had no idea of the full plan. They sensed change, a tightening of oversight, but the details remained a mystery.
Meanwhile, a survey team was dispatched to the chosen wasteland plot, preparing for the Mercury mining operation. Word began to spread among the high-level business community that the king was personally inspecting a mining site. Naturally, many businessmen attempted to secure contracts, hoping to profit from the project. However, they were quickly disappointed. Rahul had deliberately kept the plan secret, signaling that contracts would only follow his controlled strategy—no shortcuts, no favors.
By this point, the military, air force, and navy were largely restructured and disciplined, with regiments and units strategically relocated near the area to protect future operations. In the two months Rahul had spent in this world, he had transformed the military into a functional and efficient institution, capable of supporting both national security and the forthcoming mining endeavors.
Simultaneously, the Anti-Corruption Bureau had begun taking strong shape. With Aditya at the helm and a growing team across multiple departments, audits and investigations were proceeding smoothly. The bureau could now operate in parallel across various units, gradually rooting out inefficiency and corruption while strengthening the foundations of Athenia.
Rahul surveyed the results with satisfaction. Step by step, the kingdom's infrastructure, military, and governance were being prepared for the far-reaching initiatives he had planned, all while maintaining secrecy and control.
The reforms and preparations had moved faster than anyone imagined — but the cost was mounting. Infrastructure upgrades, military reorganization, and security for the mining project were bleeding the treasury dry. Rahul understood the truth: he could not wait any longer. He had to turn the Mercury mine into profit.
Yet Athenia lacked the industrial capacity to process and exploit the alien ore. If he tried to do it alone, the greedy upper echelon and entrenched bureaucrats would siphon most of the gains. Instead, Rahul decided to seek a foreign partner — a nation with established infrastructure and machinery that could help extract and refine the resources properly.
Partnering would achieve two goals at once. First, it would bring modern equipment, skilled manpower, and technical know‑how into Athenia; second, it would force the kingdom open to outside infrastructure and investment, breaking the monopoly of the domestic elite. But the choice of partner was crucial: pick a hostile or opportunistic state and Athenia could lose sovereignty or become a pawn; pick a reputable partner and Rahul could leverage public scrutiny and international norms to keep them honest.
He also knew how to exploit optics: no nation wants a global reputation hit. With careful diplomacy and the right legal safeguards, he could secure services and capital while limiting political risk. The mine could be the seed that modernized Athenia — if he negotiated the deal cleverly and kept control of the process.
Priya stepped quietly into the chamber. "Your Majesty, the Finance Minister requests an audience."
Rahul didn't hide his expectation. "Send him in."
A heavyset man in his late forties entered with a practiced bow. This was Jayavardhan, Athenia's Finance Minister—practical, cautious, and acutely aware of every coin that passed through the treasury. He folded his hands respectfully. "Your Majesty, it is an honour. I have a serious matter to discuss."
Rahul gave a small nod. "I know why you're here. Speak plainly."
Jayavardhan's voice was steady but eager. "Sire, the survey reports from the wasteland are promising. If the mine yields what the scouts suggest, the revenue could solve many of our fiscal problems—roads, hospitals, the military's modernization, and seed funds for industrialization." He paused, lowering his voice. "But Your Majesty, if we hand this to domestic contractors, you know what will happen. The same families and merchants will siphon off the profits. Inequality will widen; corruption will deepen. We cannot let that happen."
Rahul's smile was quiet. "Exactly why I am not planning to process this entirely inside Athenia. We will open diplomatic channels."
Jayavardhan blinked, surprised. "Open?.. Your predecessors would never have agreed. But—" relief softened his features "—it is the right direction. A reputable foreign partner can bring machinery, technical skill, and oversight. They will also be subject to international reputation, which we can leverage as a safeguard."
Rahul leaned forward, laying out the plan without theatrics. "We will not surrender control. We will negotiate a limited, tightly‑defined partnership:
• A fixed royalty and revenue‑share paid in Zian and in guaranteed foreign currency.
• Technology transfer clauses—local capacity building and training.
• Strict timelines and performance milestones.
• An independent audit framework with the Anti‑Corruption Bureau given full access.
• International observers and publicity clauses to deter foul play.
• No permanent land concessions—only contractual access for specific facilities."
Jayavardhan's face brightened with cautious optimism. "That structure could work. It prevents a single oligarch from capturing the gains and forces the partner to deliver results—or face reputational damage."
"Right." Rahul tapped the map once. "We will shop this to a shortlist: reputable industrial states, neutral technical consortia, or well‑known private firms bound by public oversight. Each option has pros and cons, but the law and our contracts will be written to keep Athenia's sovereignty and long‑term interests intact."
Jayavardhan bowed slightly. "Shall I prepare initial financial models and risk assessments? I will show projected Zian inflows, expected timelines for return on investment, and contingency reserves."
"Do it," Rahul replied. "Also:
• Priya will organize discreet diplomatic outreach—embassy channels and trusted envoys.
• Aditya will draft legal safeguards for the Anti‑Corruption Bureau—access rights, audit protocols, and emergency powers.
• Rachit will tighten security around Palaepicia and the wasteland; no leaks, no contractors in town until the contracts are signed."
Jayavardhan's relief turned to resolve. "I will begin immediately. If the mine performs as expected, one billion Zian will look like a pittance compared to what this can produce—provided we manage the process correctly."
Rahul allowed himself a measured smile. "Then move carefully. The goal is not only profit but transformation. Open the country the right way—so the people gain, the state strengthens, and the old predators lose their power."
Jayavardhan bowed again. "At once, Your Majesty."
As the minister left, Rahul watched him go and felt the familiar weight settle back onto his shoulders. Diplomacy, law, and secrecy—three levers to pull in tandem. The mine would not be a quick treasure to flaunt; it would be the first deliberate seed in the slow work of growing a nation power.