The Kingdom of Gaia was not only the Iron Legion.
One could say that it had become the living amalgamation of all the remnants of Milis, of the countless races and external forces that once formed the old order, and, of course, of the Legion itself.
A synthesis of everything that remained, evolved, and was reborn from the ashes of the War of the Last Crusade.
With the fall of Milis, the new Kingdom began to take shape rapidly.
The combat Divisions of the Iron Legion officially and naturally became the army of the Kingdom of Gaia.
All the inhabitants of Milis ended up, by free choice or necessity, joining the new regime. After all, chaos was not an option. And under the banner of the Legion, there was order, security, and purpose.
Over the year that followed the victory, the Ten Divisions of the Iron Legion founded by Rygar many years before gradually adapted to their new functions.
The administrative Divisions took on political, diplomatic, commercial, and fiscal roles across the entirety of the conquered territory.
Cities that once belonged to Milis now answered to new rulers, and the Legion acted as an authority that had proven its strength on the battlefield and now proved it in civil organization as well.
The Divisions of Research, Alchemy, and Development became pillars of the scientific and magical advancement of the Kingdom.
Inheriting the vast knowledge of Milis—entire libraries, laboratories, grimoires, and magical devices—they set about studying them diligently.
Each discovery was analyzed, each technology absorbed and gradually refined.
Blacksmithing flourished. Construction advanced. The art of craftsmanship was refined. Magic was rediscovered and shaped according to new parameters.
In this process, all the Divisions played a crucial role. One supported the other. Each cog turned in harmony with the rest.
And in particular, the Communication and Intelligence Unit made an invaluable breakthrough in the fifth month of Rygar's reign: the emergence of the Magic Letter device.
Based on the principles of the Stone of the Seven World Powers, the device allowed sending instant messages to any part of the world, regardless of distance or physical obstacle.
Its creation was the result of a collaboration between Rygar, Verdia, and the Kingdom's brightest arcanists.
From that point on, communication in the Kingdom of Gaia reached a new level. Orders could be sent from one end of the continent to the other in seconds.
Information, alerts, strategies—everything flowed like blood through the veins of a living organism.
As a result, government efficiency increased exponentially.
Despite the absence of new wars, the Legion's combatants were not idle, as many might imagine.
The truth is that the disappearance and annihilation of almost the entire Milisian army had left a dangerous power vacuum in various regions.
Monsters began to migrate, instigated by magical upheaval and mass destruction. Bandits proliferated in the shadows of instability.
Religious fanatics, remnants of the Milisian doctrine, still tried to reignite the embers of a fallen realm.
Covering the entire continent with full security was still unfeasible. But the combat Divisions adapted to a constant routine of patrols, expeditions, and regional control.
The Kingdom was in continuous movement. And over time, these acts began to inspire confidence.
Gradually, the people of Milis began to see the Iron Legion not only as conquerors but as protectors.
After all, for many, nothing had changed drastically. The fields continued to be cultivated. Trade went on.
Children continued to play in the streets. The only visible changes were the replacement of names in the laws and the emblem hanging on government buildings.
Over time, fear gave way to acceptance. And acceptance gave way to a tenuous hope.
Among the figures who rose with the birth of the Kingdom, one of the most curious—and symbolic—was Peikak.
The old, portly former innkeeper and merchant, born and raised in humble circumstances, had been in the Iron Legion since its earliest days.
With a keen eye for organization, logistics, and supply, he quickly took control of the Legion's rear echelon.
His influence and contributions were so great that, when the Kingdom was formed, he was elected the First Minister of the Kingdom of Gaia.
More than that: he founded his own Noble House, Richsoil. Now known as Peikak Richsoil, he was head of the Richsoil family—one of the most influential noble houses of the new Kingdom.
His rise inspired so many others who had come from the bottom.
And it was not an isolated case.
Former slaves, freed by the Legion before and after the war, now held political, commercial, and academic positions. Mercenaries became knights.
Demonic tribes, which once lived in arid and forgotten deserts, now cultivated the fertile soil of sunny plains.
Bestial races—once feared, enslaved, and persecuted—discovered what it was like to live in a Kingdom where freedom was a reality.
After all, in the Kingdom of Gaia, not having to worry about being enslaved just for crossing a road… was a complete cultural revolution.
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During the process of integrating the Iron Legion's Divisions into the vast and still unstable territory of Milis, there was one in particular that found its new function with ease and speed: the Education and Training Division.
Unlike the others, which needed to adapt to new realities and occupy spaces in a rebuilding administrative structure, this Division was completely assimilated by the emerging Star Rise Academy.
Aisha, with her innate talent for organization, strategy, and leadership, took control of the institution with vision.
She wanted to create a great landmark. A pillar of learning and power that would resonate throughout Gaia.
There were schools and educational institutes in Milis, yes, but nothing that even came close to the grandeur of the Royal Academy of Asura or the famous Magical University of Ranoa. Until then.
Star Rise began as a spark, but soon turned into a massive flame.
Aisha assembled the best masters and instructors she could find: talented mages, sword masters, alchemists, strategists, and even renowned craftsmen.
With the support of Rygar, Rufus, and a select group of skilled builders, she erected the Pavilions of the Star Rise Academy, an array of imposing and functional buildings that became the new headquarters of formal education in the Kingdom of Gaia.
The teaching system was still under development, but it was already remarkable.
The curriculum was broad, covering everything from advanced magic and fencing to disciplines such as economics, languages, history, agriculture, carpentry, practical alchemy, and survival techniques.
It was a place where anyone—noble or commoner, human or not—could come to learn, as long as they had the will and talent to stand out.
Word quickly spread. People from all corners of the continent, of all races and origins, began to seek out the Star Rise Academy.
Enrollment numbers grew month by month, and the Academy's name resonated even in the halls of royalty in other kingdoms.
Aisha's true objective was to transform Star Rise into a center of knowledge and influence even greater than Ranoa.
But behind the noble goals, there was another layer. Secretly, she used the Academy to locate, observe, and, when possible, recruit exceptional talents.
Young geniuses, promising warriors, natural strategists—all came under her gaze, and subtly, under her command.
For her, the Star Rise Academy was more than an educational dream. It was a network of influence. And few knew the full extent of her plan.
However, Star Rise was not the only great educational institution created under Rygar Adoldia's reign.
There was another, even harder to reach and even more coveted: the Combat Temple.
Located in the heart of the Great Forest, not far from the lands of the Doldia tribe, the Temple was more than a school—it was a battle sanctuary.
Just reaching it was considered an achievement, for directly at the entrance there was a mandatory test: to face the Ebony Wolf.
Skoll, the Trail Guardian, stood at the Temple's entrance. It was not necessary to defeat him completely, only to pass the test he imposed.
But that alone deterred many. Most common warriors could not even withstand the pressure of his gaze.
Still, dozens came every month, eager for a chance to train with the best.
There, the teachings went beyond the limits of common schools.
The Combat Temple offered training in all the fighting styles: the four great fencing schools—Sword God Style, Water God Style, North God Style, and Beast God Style—as well as methods of demonic, bestial, elven races, and even arcane and hybrid techniques.
It was a melting pot of martial cultures.
And most importantly: the Beast God himself led that dojo.
Everyone wanted to train under the supervision of the Beast of the Apocalypse, the title that Rygar received after wiping the Holy City Milishion off the map.
The Temple attracted attention from all over the world.
Young warriors, old masters, nomads, mercenaries, and even nobles, all yearned for a chance to see him fight, receive guidance, or at least witness his power.
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It was a calm day. The sky was clear, bathed by a warm sun. The forest air vibrated with the song of birds and the rustling of leaves.
And there, on the ground covered with dry leaves and grass, Skoll rested lying down, his black fur gleaming in the daylight.
The giant wolf remained motionless, breathing slowly, until his ears twitched, picking up something.
Movement.
Skoll raised his head, his eyes analyzing the path of the trail. His sense of smell kicked in, and within seconds, his body relaxed again.
It was a familiar scent. Safe. He yawned and reclined on the ground, returning to light sleep.
A few minutes later, voices echoed through the trees. Three silhouettes walked along the open trail, chatting animatedly.
Eris appeared at the front, with her firm and confident gait, guiding Nina Farion and Jino Britz along the path to the temple. When she saw Skoll, she broke into a wide smile.
"Hey, Skoll!" she shouted.
The Ebony Wolf opened one eye, then the other, and, recognizing Eris, got up energetically.
He walked toward her wagging his tail like a joyful dog, rubbing his enormous head against the redhead's shoulder, who hugged him firmly.
"Any strong challenger today?" she said, smiling.
Skoll let out a low growl, shaking his head.
His eyes turned to the two young ones behind her, and for a moment, Jino and Nina felt the beast's pressure. But soon it disappeared.
Nina and Jino were with Eris, and they were also Sword Kings, they didn't need to take any test.
They ventured deeper into the dense forest, following the winding trail that snaked between the roots of the ancient trees.
The vegetation was thick, the canopies closed above their heads like a green roof, filtering sunlight into beams that danced on the damp ground.
The smell of wet earth and old leaves filled the air, and the sound of running water grew stronger with each step.
It was then that they passed a particularly large stone, covered in moss and lichen, and the trail suddenly opened up.
The view before them was of pure grandeur—a hidden valley where nature and architecture seemed to have made a pact of harmony and power.
Ahead, built between vertical cliffs covered in thick moss and colossal trees, rested ornate wooden structures.
Suspended like nests between the peaks, connected by arched wooden and rope bridges, these structures seemed both part of the mountain and works forged by human hands.
The wind blew through the slopes, carrying the distant sound of metal clashing against metal and the constant roar of water.
Crystal-clear waterfalls cascaded from great heights, their falls cutting through the cliffs like silver veils.
The water carved its path through stone passages, feeding rivers and lakes below with serene strength.
Fish could be seen leaping against the current, while colorful birds glided from one structure to another.
Atop the highest cliff, carved directly into the rock, stood the great hall.
Its wide windows captured the rising sunlight, reflecting it in golden hues that shimmered over the entire valley.
Stone and wooden columns supported the monumental entrance, adorned with fluttering banners and the emblems of the Iron Legion.
The image of the beast that composed the symbol of the Beast God was carved above the main portal, as if silently watching visitors.
"Welcome to the Combat Temple," Eris said, eyeing the two with a predatory smile.
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