The royal court of Eldoria was silent.
Adrian's emissary, a scholar named Talia, stood before the High Council with nothing but a floating blue screen and a calm voice. She wasn't a priest. She wasn't a noble. She was a teacher—and she had come to offer something no temple ever had.
Access.
She demonstrated the [Library] app, pulling up rare magical texts that even the royal archives lacked. She showed [Carrier Pigeon], sending a message to a merchant in another city and receiving a reply in seconds. She opened [School], revealing interactive lessons that adapted to each student's pace.
Then she activated [Fear Trial].
The council watched as a young apprentice entered the simulation and faced his deepest fear: failure. He emerged shaken—but stronger. The trial had revealed his weakness, tested his resolve, and rewarded his courage.
The nobles were skeptical. They feared losing control. But the queen, a pragmatic ruler named Seraphine, saw the potential.
"This is not a god," she said. "This is infrastructure."
She issued a royal decree.
Eldoria would adopt the Internet as a national system. Schools would integrate [School]. Guilds would use [Fear Trial] for recruitment. Merchants would rely on [Carrier Pigeon] for trade. Temples could choose to collaborate—or be left behind.
Adrian felt the shift immediately.
Thousands of new prayers surged into his cabin. Divine Power flooded his reserves. The map lit up—Eldoria's cities glowing like stars. His AI adapted to the kingdom's culture, customizing interfaces, adjusting lesson formats, and optimizing coin distribution.
He launched a regional dashboard for Eldoria, allowing local leaders to track usage, performance, and divine engagement. It wasn't just a tool—it was governance.
The conversion was swift.
Within weeks, Eldoria's literacy rate rose. Trade efficiency doubled. Guild recruitment stabilized. Even crime dropped, as citizens used [Pulse] and [Blessing Store] to manage emotional health and resolve disputes.
Adrian updated the Internet interface.
A new banner appeared: "Official System of the Kingdom of Eldoria."
It was more than a title.
It was a precedent.
Other kingdoms began to take notice. Some sent spies. Others sent scholars. A few sent prayers.
Adrian didn't need armies.
He had apps.
Let me know if you'