After the annexation of the Eldorian lands, the renowned Kingdom of Zephyria began producing and exploiting eldorium mines with 70% greater efficiency than the therianthropes who once lived and profited from those mines.
In just one week, the elven economy skyrocketed, creating more jobs in a very short time. Dwarves from the nearest kingdoms began to be hired, given the efficiency and dedication of these small, brave men.
In ten days, Zephyria's military power surged from 30,782.5 Keros to 67,565 Keros, doubling the kingdom's offensive and defensive capabilities. Weapons and armor were upgraded; all materials using red diamonds as a base, with poor durability, were discarded or repurposed for the intensive training of novice recruits—elves who had just enlisted in the forces. Among them were mages, archers, and swordsmen. The queen decreed that, from now on, all elven weapons, armor, and artifacts would be forged in the heat of a furnace, and the power of molten eldorium shone like stars, even under sunlight.
Thanks to this improvement, the staves of Zephyria's finest mages now have five times the power and duration when casting any spell. Swords, daggers, or any edged weapon have 37% greater lethality, even more when imbued with a spell.
The queen decreed that, henceforth, Zephyria would be the greatest supplier and consumer of eldorium on the face of the earth… and so it was.
The only question remaining was: how would she advance without regressing against the corruption? The slightest mistake by her or her vassals could result in the transformation of an entire city of therianthropes, humans, and elves into a wild, macabre nest of creatures that were once honest and innocent men and women, turned in a day or less into fauns, kobolds, ogres, and more ruthless, man-eating monsters, like the infamous wendigos.
Or worse… into Sears, the most feared beasts of the underworld, who only stalk their prey in countless packs, like a plague of cockroaches, rotting your skin with their mere presence.
The forest itself is filled with them, dormant… patiently waiting for the bravest fool to awaken them from their hibernation.
They'll remain that way until the day the scent of a living being, not dead like them, brushes even slightly against the keen sense of smell of one of them.
And if that day comes, even for the rarest rank in the world, rank 8, surviving this calamity unleashed upon the earth would be an extremely difficult task.
And… who knows how many of them lurk in the depths of this cursed forest.
The queen seized the moment to ask Agaêl to arrange an audience with the queen of Astoria to further strengthen their relations. Agaêl added it to her agenda for tomorrow.
The war against the corruption had not yet begun, and Calenmir knew she would need military support to cross a tide of uncertainty like the corruption without risking her troops and destroying her nation in pursuit of a blue metal mine.
Everything so far was progressing exactly as she had envisioned. It was then, in a moment of silence, that she called Minimus to entrust him with a critically important task: to carry out a espionage mission with a two-member team of Grays, a man and a woman, both highly skilled and with nothing to envy the queen herself. The first member was named Moroni, who wasn't yet present, but she began:
"Minimus, I'm entrusting you with a mission only you can fulfill. Find the weak point of the Mad King, gather all the sensitive information you can. Our immortal ally may have many hidden secrets that will serve my plans well, and I don't like secrets."
Minimus seemed to utter soundless words that Calenmir understood with just a glance.
"No matter. Use whatever methods you want, but your presence there must be undetectable. One mistake, and you could unilaterally ruin our relations; most of our food comes from those humans," the queen continued.
"The cold devours our crops, and the north isn't producing as much as it should," she mentioned again.
Minimus responded silently.
"Trust me. We'll succeed."
"No need to worry about me. Remember, I have INDEX protecting me. You two are the ones I trust most, so, please, get out of my sight. But before you infiltrate the armed forces of the kingdom of Montesis, remember that, from now on, you'll answer to the name 'Gregory Newland' and come from a village called Dunkaster. Agaêl will provide everything you need to act the part… Oh! One more thing: don't you dare look at another woman," the queen concluded.
Minimus bowed before her, his body began to burn, and he quickly disintegrated from his molecules until he turned to smoke, slipping out through the window of Her Majesty's chamber.
In a two-day journey, Calenmir met with the queen of the Great Monarchy of Astoria in an audience where both parties sought to negotiate to defend their respective interests.
Calenmir advanced slowly, accompanied by Agaêl, to the center of the throne room of the queen of Astoria, a massive chamber adorned with stunning bear statues, strategically lit with artificial light spells. It almost resembled a fortress: every corner of the room seemed sculpted by the gods themselves. Towering columns rose from the entrance to the center, and between each column waved the flag of the Great Monarchy of Astoria, bearing what appeared to be a roaring bear, ornamented within a circular symbol and golden color against a pale purple background.
The soldiers unsheathed their swords and raised them to the height of Queen Calenmir's head, one by one, creating a domino effect during the queen's slow march to the center of the room. When she arrived, she stopped and admired the throne chair, carved by the world's finest artisans, made entirely of black diamonds, with a bear figure on each armrest. Seated upon it was Queen Cleopatra Ushnar, leader of the kingdom considered a military powerhouse second only to the Sovereign State of Miwova, their closest kin.
Cleopatra welcomed Calenmir. She was surprised to see the queen of the elves appearสุ in person, knowing she had so many enemies on this side of the continent. Cleopatra rose to greet her properly and invited her to a more private room where they could speak in complete tranquility. After sitting, Calenmir began:
"Dear sister and sovereign, I thank you for your hospitality. It's a pleasure to see you again."
"Calenmir, no need to be so deferential with me, but the pleasure is mine. Our kingdoms have coexisted for many years, especially in difficult times," the queen said with an accent resembling Russian, struggling to articulate words in Spanish.
"Good. I hope it stays that way," Calenmir replied.
"It's said that the beast king of the north wants your head. He accuses you of enslaving his kin; he's quite a dangerous being," Cleopatra warned.
"They're just empty threats from wild animals," Calenmir retorted.
"I highly doubt that king could even get within ten meters of you without being torn apart by whatever's hiding in your shadow," Cleopatra observed.
"You impress me. Your senses are sharp; only a few can perceive its destructive thirst," Calenmir acknowledged.
"Well… the presence of the queen of the elves in my chambers must be a unique occasion. What can I do for you?" Cleopatra asked.
"As you surely know, I took possession of the beasts' lands in Eldoria. My goal is to reclaim the lands stolen from us by the calamity that weighs on us all: the Forest of the Seven Kingdoms. Its soils are rich in precious metals, blue metal, criftons, and still-fertile lands with minimal effort, not to mention a strategic point that could reduce export costs…" Calenmir explained.
"Look, Calenmir, the Great Monarchy of Astoria doesn't need your rotten lands or the metals you offer. We produce less, but the truth is, with what we have, we'll remain the world's deadliest force. Astoria is sovereign, and so far, your proposal doesn't seem to align with our interests," Cleopatra replied.
"Funny you should mention that, because my subordinates found something interesting, coveted, and mysterious. But it's a shame to have to abandon a large-scale attack against the countless monsters guarding the gem of reality at the heart of that forest…" Calenmir hinted.
"You found the Lagstone?" Cleopatra asked, stunned, rising from her chair.
Calenmir remained silent. Their eyes met, and Calenmir's seriousness confirmed her claims.