Ancient Empire Calendar Year 1817
The Sapharos Invasions had turned half of the Eastern Lands into ruins.
Ricardo and Marco, the Dynasty Lord of Ashterah, were in the meeting room reviewing status reports with the prominent members of the Ashterah Dynasty.
The more Ricardo read the reports, the worse his mood became.
"The situation is worse than I expected."
During the invasion, twenty million Sapharos invaders had been killed, but these invaders had killed thirty million people, the majority of whom were civilians.
Villages and agricultural lands had been set on fire, mines had been destroyed and rendered barren by demonic magic, and cities and fortresses had been reduced to rubble.
Millions of people who had fled during the invasion were struggling to survive at the most difficult level.
"Alright, we won't get anywhere by demoralizing ourselves like this. We need plans, hundreds of them."
For months, Kislavein and Ashterah personnel prepared nearly a thousand plans.
The created plans included economic development, construction of destroyed cities and fortresses, purification of mines captured by demonic magic using healing spells that those of Ashterah lineage could use, and similar endeavors.
Marco was in the meeting hall with a smiling face and in good spirits.
"We've worked for months, but we've finally prepared the plans that will restore the Eastern Lands to their former glory. My compliments to all your efforts."
Those in the hall were pleased with the praise they received for their efforts but were unsatisfied.
Marco had noticed this dissatisfaction and didn't waste time rectifying the situation.
"Of course, your efforts will not go unrewarded. Each of you will be appointed as Lord of a district from the cities, fortresses, and villages to be built."
Becoming a Lord was no easy matter.
In the process starting with the establishment of a Dynasty, the lineage grows through the system of polygamy and evolves into a Clan consisting of thousands of members.
Since the Dynasty is inherited from father to son, other family members either serve the Dynasty they are affiliated with or the Dynasty their own Dynasty serves, as soldiers, commanders, diplomats, or advisors.
If they demonstrated success during conquests, they were appointed as Lord of a region. After that, whether to establish a new Dynasty or remain loyal to their original surname was their choice.
After the Second Great Kislavein-Ashbrum War, when nearly half of the Eastern Lands fell into the hands of the Kislaveins, many new Western-origin Dynasties were established.
With the establishment of the Ashterah Dynasty, all Eastern Lands came under Kislavein sovereignty.
As a result, new Western-origin Dynasties married the daughters of Eastern Dynasties.
The only way for a person to become a Dynasty Lord was through conquest. Alternatively, a woman from their lineage could marry a Dynasty Lord, and their children could become the Dynasty Lord.
But this was not a solution either, because worldwide, all marriages up to the tenth degree of kinship were prohibited for the purpose of expanding lineages.
By the year 1818, the Eastern Lands were constructing new cities, fortresses, and villages with their traditional architectures.
Although the pain of wars and invasions still gripped the hearts of the people, they were rising from the ashes like the legendary Phoenix.
"Everything is turning out so beautifully," Marco said happily.
Ricardo agreed with Marco.
"We worked hard, but it was worth it."
Marco took a deep breath. As he watched the city, words fell from his lips.
"I don't want to smell the scent of blood and ash in the Eastern Lands again."
"I want to watch happy children running around."
"I want to be intoxicated by the fragrant scents of newly blooming flowers."
"I want to drink and get drunk with my friends under the bright night moon."
"I want a happy Dynasty. I want happiness."
"I want to see happiness in the Eastern Lands."
Ricardo was impressed by these words.
"You have a way with words."
Marco laughed.
"Haha, a little."
Marco looked towards the forest.
"Would you like to go hunting, Dynasty Heir?"
Ricardo raised an eyebrow and looked at the forest. He thought for a moment.
"Now that I think about it, I've never been hunting in this life."
"Alright, let's go hunting, Dynasty Lord of Ashterah."