The Ehrenfeld-Austrian Empire surged forward like a machine rebuilt from ancient wreckage. While the joy of the imperial twins' birth lifted hearts, reality soon reasserted itself. Peace was not yet victory—and rebuilding was its own kind of war.
Hans stood atop a steel scaffold in central Bratislava, gazing across the city once scorched by civil war. Now, cranes danced in the skyline. Workers, both human and awakened, layered concrete and summoned walls into place with shimmering power.
"We are ahead of schedule," reported Officer-General Alaric. "But there's unrest in the southern trade routes. Saboteurs. Maybe Old Guard remnants."
Hans didn't answer at first. Instead, he scanned the horizon.
"Then we double the patrols," he said. "But we don't delay reconstruction. No more excuses."
I. Operation Phoenix - Phase II
In Vienna, the Imperial Council reconvened for a new phase of the national rebuilding.
Albrecht Franz unveiled the agenda:
Decentralized Industrial Revival: Rebuilding key industries in Brno, Innsbruck, and Linz to prevent economic collapse should Vienna fall again.
Public Power Grid Reformation: Skill holders in the elementalist class would now assist engineers in creating sustainable energy hubs.
Black Forest Clearance Initiative: Joint military-guild units assigned to root out remaining monster nests.
But Minister Roth slammed her folder down.
"We cannot feed the west if the eastern railways are still rubble!"
Mehmed countered: "And if the monsters swarm from the forest, there won't be a west left to feed."
Again, debate roared. Hans let it flow—then struck it down.
"This is not a debate between cities. This is our soul as a nation. The phoenix must rise with both wings. Fund them both."
He passed the Twin Engine Bill, allocating equal resources to urban revival and frontier security.
II. Reconstruction Through Awakening
The Awakener Draft began showing promise.
A Healer-class restored entire hospital wings by touch.
Architect-class users rebuilt 13 schools in just under three weeks.
Operator-class tacticians optimized logistics, ensuring convoys reached destroyed villages.
Hans himself toured the regions in disguise, lending his Officer-class powers to move stone, command formations, and calm riots. To the people, he became more than emperor. He was the engine behind the gears.
III. International Watchers
The world had not stopped spinning.
Japan offered clean-tech engineers in exchange for rare awakening research.
The United States pressured for open guild markets.
Turkiye, led by Mehmed's contacts, proposed a joint security corridor from the Balkans to Anatolia.
Hans accepted none outright. Diplomacy would come—but not before his empire could stand on its own legs.
"We accept no leash. But we welcome handshakes."
As night fell, the Iron Crown flag shone beneath new city lights.
And in quiet corners of the empire—Karling's remaining agents whispered.
Peace was never eternal.
But purpose?
Purpose endured.