A gentle morning breeze blew across the palace's main courtyard. The newly risen sun softly reflected off the walls of the giant white building. It should have been a day like any other, calm, stable, and quiet. On the mountain slope where the palace stood, birds, deer, and other animals roamed freely, enhancing the beautiful atmosphere of the "White Palace."
Below the palace, neatly arranged paths and asphalt roads showed signs of modern progress and orderly spatial management. Further down the mountain, a huge city divided into five unique areas came into view. From the palace's peak, one could see that one area had a sci-fi feel, full of robots and futuristic cars. Other areas had different styles, making the whole city look like a living mosaic.
Looking up at the sky, it was clear that this land was enormous, about five times the size of Alabasta. Five large regions stretched around the center of the land, each with its own distinct characteristics.
"West"
An expanse of yellow sand plains stretches as far as the eye can see. The atmosphere is reminiscent of ancient Egypt. A giant, raccoon-like creature, a hundred meters tall, walks slowly. Its body is covered in strange symbols. Pyramids tower in the middle of the desert, surrounded by the ruins of ancient civilizations.
"North"
An expanse of ice and eternal snow. A crystal city stands majestically, reflecting light like the aurora. Ice animals roam the frozen plains.
"South"
Giant trees tower overhead, their roots and branches forming a living wooden city. The atmosphere is wild, ancient, and full of mystery.
"East"
is the lowest region, facing the sea directly. From above, a city resembling Atlantis can be seen near the sea. A giant port is located 50 meters above sea level. Cruise ships line several docks, and an advanced military fleet patrols further away. The smallest ships measure 100 meters in length, and the largest reach 700 meters. In the distance, three giant sea turtles and a strange-looking octopus appear to be diving freely.
"Center"
In the center of the mainland is the largest city, and above it stands a very high mountain. A colossal tree that pierces the clouds grows at its peak, and the White Palace stands below it. It is similar to the White House but much more spacious and magnificent.
The palace's corridors are filled with paintings of giant red-eyed creatures, mysterious statues, and symbols of ancient power.
In the small garden of the palace, a young man who appeared to be 24 years old sat reading a book. His face was so handsome that he looked like an immortal being who had strayed into the human world.
But suddenly, the entire land shook.
The young man closed his book, stood up slowly, and walked toward the highest room. He opened the window and gazed far to the east. The giant yellow barrier that had been enveloping the entire land trembled... then flickered as if it were about to disappear.
"It finally happened," he muttered.
Memories then flowed.
About a trivial argument with a netizen. About a careless oath that led to utter darkness. About the time he woke up in a strange place and built a civilization from a small village into a large federation.
Every time he completed a project, from village to city, city to province, he received new powers, even being able to summon factions from the world of animation.
He also remembered a stranger he had once saved on the east coast, a man named Rocks.
Together with Rocks, he once ventured beyond the yellow barrier and explored the outside world (ignoring the warnings of some people), sailing across isolated islands, vast oceans, until reaching the towering Red Line.
There, he realized the bitter truth, this was a world of pirates, navies, and space-suited humans on red soil.
And then the tragedy occurred.
He was captured by someone before he could follow Rocks, then taken to a Secret Room filled with flowers, a place that had been his nightmare for years, until he managed to escape from that room. He escaped in a weakened state, as if about to hang up the phone, borrowed a ship parked beneath the red earth, and sailed with all his might to re-enter the yellow barrier from which he came.
He pushed away the bad memories, shaking his head vigorously.
And as he counted the years, he remembered Rocks. He had never heard from him again.
Before he could catch his breath, a familiar voice appeared in his head, a voice that should not have appeared again for ten years since successfully establishing the Federation.
[ARCANE — DEVELOPMENT OF THE FEDERATION]
[Name: Astraeus Ron]
[Age: Forever 24 Years Old]
[Lineage: Succubus, Uchiha, Senju]
[Power: Alternative Admiral (Quasi General)]
[Skills: Kamui, Susanoo, Wood Element, Amaterasu…]
"Host, congratulations on establishing a federation that unites various powers. They are all loyal and will not harm the host."
"Host, your unique physical condition also opens up… other possibilities. Especially after you awakened your succubus physique—"
Ron immediately frowned.
"Damn it. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have turned into the 'Second Pope of the Spirit Hall' and become a victim of a Certain Secret Room. I almost died of suffocation in there!"
"Ahem... sorry, host. But the protection has now been lifted. I will leave the host. And hasn't the host already achieved part of the host's dream with..."
"Besides, be prepared. With the collapse of the protection, space-time disturbances may bring creatures from other times."
"Goodbye…"
Ron fell silent, not knowing whether to be angry or sad as his system disappeared just like that.
Suddenly, a communication crystal beeped rapidly.
"Your Majesty! The protective layer has completely vanished! But... that's not all!"
Ron turned his head slightly. "Continue."
"At the eastern border... giant fish are beginning to appear!"
Ron was not surprised. He did not panic. He just stared at the sky, which was now completely open.
"…they've finally appeared," he said softly.
He turned, his black robe swaying.
"Take them to the core hall. We will face a storm unlike any we've ever seen before."
Outside, the world had just realized the strangeness,
the sea level rising overnight.
The entire intelligence system was mobilized to find the cause.