Chapter 7: The Crown Upon the Land
The sun rose in radiant hues, scattering golden light across the vast terrain that now stretched far beyond the once-tiny island. Karnelius, formerly John, stood alone on the soft, green grass beneath a blue sky streaked with gentle wisps of cloud. The land he had expanded—rich with valleys, rivers, forests, lakes, and plains—was silent but alive. The wind whispered secrets from across the trees and water, as if the very earth welcomed its new ruler.
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Back in his old life, Karnelius often found himself lost in daydreams, staring blankly at the cracked ceiling of his tiny apartment. In those moments of escape, he imagined walking through grand halls lined with golden pillars, commanding legions from a towering throne, and resting beneath crystal chandeliers in a palace so vast, it could swallow cities. The cold silence of his reality made those fantasies even louder, echoing his longing for power, respect, and a world where he wasn't a forgotten nobody—but a king in a kingdom forged by his own hands.
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Karnelius opened the system interface.
He opened the System Shop, navigating to the Buildings category. A tab named "Monuments & Palatial Structures" caught his attention.
Inside it, one particular listing made his heart race:
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Elysian Crown Citadel
Cost: 50,000 System Coins
A grand palace of celestial design, capable of housing royalty, guests, military advisors, and more. Self-sustaining, fortified, and imbued with protective enchantments.
Key Features:
Throne Room gilded in Aetherium
Magical Defense Barrier (Auto-activation)
Living Quarters: 300 rooms with elemental heating/cooling
Grand Library (Encyclopedic Archive Format)
Celestial Banquet Hall with automated food conjuration
Observatory Tower imbued with Divination Magic
Council Chamber with arcane communication hub
"Purchase and Deploy?"
Karnelius didn't hesitate. "Deploy."
The system pulsed with radiant energy. A wave of blinding light surged through the land. When it dimmed, Karnelius stood before the Elysian Crown Citadel—a palace so magnificent it looked plucked from a dream.
Tall marble towers spiraled skyward, etched with runes that shimmered in gold and silver. Walls of pure white stone glowed with a soft divine aura. Blue and silver banners bearing the phoenix crest of the Aetherian Empire flapped in the wind atop tall turrets. The palace had no single central dome; instead, it was a harmonious blend of spires, bridges, and terraces laced with glimmering vines and gemstone lamps.
Wide stairs led to the Throne Hall, whose golden double doors bore carvings of mythical beasts bowing to a crowned man. As Karnelius entered, his breath caught.
The Throne Room was a masterpiece of grandeur. The vaulted ceiling sparkled like a starlit sky, enchanted to mimic the real heavens. Hanging chandeliers of crystal and soulfire illuminated the polished obsidian floors. The throne itself was crafted of Aetherium, a glowing white-gold metal known only to the gods, and cushioned in velvet spun from mana-infused silk.
Paintings and tapestries lined the hall—portraits of empires not yet born, wars not yet fought, and victories Karnelius had yet to claim.
He walked through its corridors, finding study rooms, meditation chambers, spa-like baths with self-cleaning hot springs, and a banquet hall already stocked with delicacies that defied logic.
"Perfect," he whispered. "This is the beginning of true power."
But he wasn't finished.
Karnelius returned to the System Shop, switching to the Terrains & Landscaping category. There, a particular item gleamed invitingly:
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Garden of Aetherian Bloom
Cost: 10,000 System Coins
A magical garden designed to flourish around a palace. This garden evolves with the nation, producing flora of spiritual, medicinal, and arcane properties.
Includes:
Everbloom Trees: Trees that shift their blossoms with the seasons, never shedding a leaf
Nightshade Lotus: Glows under moonlight and can be used in advanced potions
Flamepetal Rose: Burns without heat, a symbol of eternal passion and fire magic
Dewlight Ferns: Drip with silvery mana at dawn, used in elixirs of clarity
Skylilies: Floating flowers that bob in mid-air and purify surrounding air
Thornvine Reeds: Carnivorous plants guarding the outer gardens
Echoing Orchids: Flowers that hum when danger approaches
"Purchase and Deploy?"
"Deploy."
The land around the palace shimmered. In a matter of seconds, lush life erupted across the earth. Stone pathways coiled through forests of color—glowing trees, glimmering ponds, and luminous flowers spread for acres. The air smelled of mint and magic, of spices and celestial fragrance.
Flamepetal Roses lined the palace steps, glowing like smoldering rubies in the afternoon sun. Skylilies floated gently overhead, creating a surreal canopy of drifting colors. The ponds had lotus blooms that sang in low, melodic notes. Vines wrapped up marble archways as though nature itself bowed to Karnelius.
In the central clearing stood a Mana Fountain, gently spraying water imbued with shimmering threads of magic. Butterflies formed from stardust flitted about. Crystal hummingbirds drank from Dewlight Ferns. Trees whispered as their leaves danced like flames, changing color with each passing hour.
Karnelius stood in silence, soaking it all in. The beauty of the garden was like something out of a celestial myth, as if the gods themselves had sculpted it.
"This will be the heart of my dominion," he whispered. "A paradise that marks the beginning of something far greater."
The sun dipped low, casting a radiant orange across the new kingdom. Karnelius stood at the balcony of his palace, watching his garden sway in the wind. Behind him, the throne awaited. But for now, he simply admired what he had created.
Now, he is going to summon his ministers. Now, the true building of an empire would begin.
But tonight, the garden bloomed in silence, as if the land itself was holding its breath—waiting for its ruler to speak the first command.
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