Chapter 10: Independent City-State of Aelaranthea

For three years, Ae Zir single mindedly took care of Ae Nae. As the season changed, the bump on Ae nae’s body has grown more and more. Now, it has grown to the point that another Aelaranthae might fit in there. The bump had enveloped Ae nae from near her neck, down to her pelvis. The time approached. A slit appeared on the bump and the head of another Aelaranth appeared.

Ae Nae screamed in her mind as something felt like it was ripped away from her. It was time for her to part with her potential. It was time for her potential to be tested in the world. Even though it was painful, Ae Nae couldn’t keep the dream running. The dream has to be executed.

Ae Zir watched with envy. However, those envy soon faded. All Aelaranthae were created equal. She will have her time later. There will come a time when her potential too, will be recognized. Rather than doing nothing, Ae Zir started to fill buckets with water. They would need to bathe after this is done. Ae Zir frowned as water slowly filled the bucket. Even after three years, her powers have not fully returned. She wondered whether she would be able to finish the call like Ae Nae would with her weakened body.

Ae Nae’Ire slowly came out from the incision she made on Ae Nae’s body. Pink blood dripped from her. Then, she dropped on the floor, right beside Ae Nae’s bed. The wound on Ae Nae’s body began to mend. The call was over. Ae Nae has birthed a new Aelaranthae. She felt her powers returned.

[It’s finished. Thank you, Zir, Welcome home, Nae’Ire]

[Thank you! Mama, Zir! sorry for being such a hindrance]

[Welcome, Nae’Ire. You are not a hindrance. If it was not for those humans, this call would have gone a lot smoother.]

Ae Nae’Ire stood for the first time in her life. It was a lot different than the virtual world. She knew what the real world looked like due to the connection she had with Ae Nae and Ae Zir. However, this was the first time she experienced It with her own eyes. The flying bird and butterflies out from the windows, the spring breeze that felt cool to the touch. The smell of the wooden house. And lastly, the taste of the emotion of the people below.

She then stood up. Using her mana, she commands the water to wash her body. Afterward, She dressed herself with Ae Nae’s second hand dress. All Aelaranthae wore the same size, so Ae Nae’s clothes were a perfect fit for Ae Nae’Ire. All Aelaranthae have the same face, so people could only recognize them from their hairstyle.

It has been three years, people have mostly forgotten or don’t care about the event with the Mad King. However, The Aelaranthae remembered. They remembered how humans had almost won. They remembered how humans had almost enslaved them. They remembered how their species almost went extinct. The Aelaranthae swore never to let it happen again. They have seen immaterial power. Stronger than Mana, stronger than flesh and blood. They call it Politics. The Aelaranthae swore never to ignore this power ever again for it has the power to bring even the mightiest soldiers to its knees.

Now that the calling is over, Aelaranthae are no longer vulnerable. They have no needs, but now they have wants. They have desires to protect themselves. They also realized that soon, they will have needs. It might be decades from now, but other Aelaranthae will also receive their call. They went outside and greeted the villagers like usual. The villagers were surprised that there were three Aelaranthae now.

The menacing walls among their castles were soon destroyed and people began to feel at ease when they saw The Aelaranthae patrolling as usual.

“Greetings, My name is Nae’Ire. this is my mother, Nae.” Ae Nae’Ire introduced herself. She then smiled. The villagers tilted her head but returned the smile nevertheless. Aelaranthae took on feminine approach. But unlike humans, they did not reproduce sexually. This fact was kept hidden from the masses. The masses always referred to them as singular being for even when they talk to different Aelaranth other Aelaranth seemed to always know what they said.

“Greetings, may I help you?” one particular man responded when Ae Nae came to him.

“We want to open a store. Will you buy from us?” Ae Nae answered.

“Hm? You want to open a store? Sorry, but I am not a contractor, I am but a seamstress’s son.”

“We want to sell you clothes, Alantuile.” Ae Nae looked at the man. Alantuile was the son of Amantuile. Ever since Lucianne was destroyed, Alantuile and his mother migrated here. Unlike his father, Alantuile had no talent in swordsmanship. However, Aelaranthae thought he was a smart man and sought his advice.

“Will the clothes be imbued with strange enchantments?” Alantuile looked at the Aelaranthae weirdly.

“It was just normal clothes. Similar to those we wore.” The Aelaranthae then began to show the white clothes they made. It was seamless. Alantuile never saw something like this. He was bewitched by its beauty. If they could dye and make embroidery out of it, it would sell for a ton of money. Alantuile then looked at The Aelaranthae.

“... will you sell this in stores?” He looked guarded. It was a chance of a lifetime. He knew about business because he was helping his mother. He could make these clothes shine the most. However, if the Aelaranthae sell it haphazardly, they could potentially earn the ire of seamstress and clothiers.

Aelaranthae were sensitive to emotions, unlike before where they merely enjoy it like desserts, this time they put their attention to it. They analyzed why Alantuile looked guarded. The anxiety was akin to spicy chili to them.

“Will that be a problem?”

“No… this is a very good piece of clothing. However, it was a bit too small. I am afraid it would be hard to find a buyer for it. Could you make it different sizes? If we make a contract, I will spend my whole life in your service!” Alantuile spit out his plan to The Aelaranthae . He regretted it moments later. His father said Aelaranthae were free and hated contracts, however their answer surprised him.

“Sure.” The Aelaranthae agreed. They are different from before. They wished to integrate more into human society so they could protect themselves.“Make sure the people are happy. We shall entrust this business to you. Please hire as many people who suffered through that ordeal too. We wish to live in peace.”

“Yes! Esteemed Aelaranthae. Let me handle it. I shall make the greatest company! Together, we shall revive Lucianne and Aelaranthae Town to greater heights!” Alantuile swore an oath to the Aelaranthae. His life was filled with hardships. His strength and magic were mediocre. His skill as a craftsman was also subpar. Aelaranthae town has become huge. All traders and craftsmen came from all over the place, so the competition was fierce. Thankfully, his mother was a great seamstress. So, his family were able to make ends meet. He thought the Aelaranthae came to him because they felt guilty about his father. However, he didn’t want to accept it as a given. He wanted to earn it. A fiery passion lit within him. He had been given a chance. He will not squander it.

Within months, Aelaranthae stores were booming. Resellers and distributors began to arrive in droves, looking for the clothes. However, they could only order ten clothes max per week. There were only three Aelaranthae after all. Even with magic, they could only make 1 piece of clothing every hour. The price then skyrocketed. Alantuile then came to Aelaranthae Academy and they made a new Mana Spindle. The seamless clothes could then be made by any graduates from Aelaranthae Academy. So, he began hiring them too.

Aelaranthae have no needs, and so, the gold they earned weren’t used, So Alantuile invested them in other industries such as farming, blacksmithing, furnaces, and many more. He then named the company he was leading, Aelaranthae Company. They began to build favors with nearby towns, starting from the ruined Lucianne. Hiring contractors from Aelaranthae Academy, hiring managers, receptionists, etc. Aelaranthae Town expanded once again. People began calling Aelaranthae town as a City State, for they are self governing and its influence was on par with nations. Aelaranthae Company was seen as their state owned enterprises.

As The Aelaranthae were managing their business with Alantuile, trying to expand, gather money, and get to know humans, people from LeAestas were making trouble. They demanded Aelaranthae Town to be part of their country because that’s the treaty they had during the war with Antheria’s empire three years ago. Of course, The Aelaranthae refused. Why should they fulfill their end of the bargain when LeAestas didn’t even fulfill theirs? They had left them to that blood sucking king without any resistance.

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The discussion stopped there. It was hard for LeAestas to declare Aelaranthae Town as their own when The Aelaranthae refused them. Now that the Aelaranthae were in full force, LeAestas could no longer use force. They tried to negotiate for Aelaranthae Academy. However, very few of Aelaranthae Academy’s professors and students wanted to go home. The Aelaranthae had promised them jobs here. Moreover, those professors viewed LeAestas with suspicion. LeAestas originally wanted Aelaranthae Town to be an independent city-state, however, now that the empire was defeated, why can’t they leave Aelaranthae Town alone? LeAestas quickly backed down when they realized their blunder. Their desire was not Aelaranthae’s blood, but their knowledge. Thinking they could get it either way, they didn’t want to sow any conflict.

Nevertheless, Graduates from Aelaranthae Academy stopped returning to LeAestas because Alantuile hired them all and LeAestas were discontented with that. Moreover, Aelaranthae Academy now has students from Petraea and Silvaris, desert nations that worship craftsmen and exiles from forest nations filled with hunters. They were interested in the Mana Furnace the Aelaranthae used. With a better furnace, they could create better mold. For students from Silvaris, they were interested in farming. Aelaranthae were seen as fairies of harvest in their early days. So, they wanted to learn.

Aelaranthae welcomed Silvaris to Aelaranthae Academy warmly. Better than even LeAestas for they needed farmers. Aelaranthae needed a lot of resources, especially food during The Call. And so, the rifts between Aelaranthae town and LeAestas grew wider. Lotharine chose to side with The Aelaranthae and moved his entire family to Aelaranthae Town, cutting off their connection. He now refused to do diplomatic missions to LeAestas for their unreasonable demands.

And so, The independent City-State of Aelaranthae was born. Alantuile and The now old Lotharine worked hard in the Aelaranthae Company. Unlike before, The Aelaranthae weren’t idle, they supervised the company themselves. This time, The Aelaranthae would make sure that they were ready to push back against the greed of men. Ae Zir also yearned to accept The Call. But now is not the time.

Meanwhile in Antheria, Princess Altressia hated the nobility. The feelings were mutual for she was also shunned by them. When she was sick, many people scorned her. However, when she got healthy due to the chalice, all of them flocked to her. Vain praise and empty flattery followed every meeting. That’s why she chose to be a knight. When she pulled out from the succession rights, those nobility pulled out their marriage proposal and tea invitation with haste.

Many bemoaned her lack of noblesse oblige. An erroneous word spoken by nobles with wicked hearts. Such words made the Princess hate them more. Even now, when she had become the queen, many in her court suspected that she was under Aelaranthae’s influence. For she had drunk from the chalice of life.

The queen had deep respect for the Aelaranthae since they had saved her life. However, she herself had wondered whether The Aelaranthae had control over her like her grandfather or not. Such paranoia persists within her court for every decision she makes. And such, she was coerced to point someone in the court to advise her. She picked Lanfeinne as her advisor.

Then, one day, merchants began selling seamless clothes in Antheria. It took the capital and nobility by a storm. Of course, such fashion was not missed by the queen. She loved the seamless clothes and ordered several of them. However, when she knew The Aelaranthae made them, she became restless. Was she bewitched by them, or was she not?

Aelaranthae’s movement split Antheria into two factions. One faction saw it as a good way to be rich while others view it as danger.

“The Aelaranthae are selling their wares. Seamless clothes, fine wine, stainless vegetables. We should make use of this opportunity and learn their secrets!”

“Aelaranthae are dangerous. We should ban all of their wares or we might become like the Mad King Luferia.” The nobles debated within the court of Antheria. Altressia and Lanfeinne listened.

“Lanfeinne, what’s your take?” The queen asked her prime minister. Lanfeinne was the late king’s treasurer’s son. Unlike the king, he never wished for eternal life. His god lies in gold and silver. Together with his parents, he enjoyed the work of counting gold for the empire’s treasury. He believed that the secret of a flourishing empire is the amount of wealth it had. The fact that the late king wasted so much gold, so much assets just to gain a glass of blood was baffling to him. Moreover, the king tried to kill the Aelaranthae, the source of newfound wealth and riches. It was a heresy to their belief.

“The Aelaranthae have brought new inventions and goods, so it would be prudent to make connections with them. Otherwise, we would be left behind by LeAestas.” Lanfeinne answered.

“Then, do so. Ask our royal purveyor to be distributor of these goods. If possible, hire the magic engineer from Aelaranthae Academy so we could produce it ourself.” Altressia nodded. Asking Lanfeinne was merely a pretext. It was to show that the queen was not under Aelaranthae’s influence. Altressia never had power in the court. Lanfeinne was the one holding the reins of these nobles.

Ten years passed. Crisis slowly crept up to nobles from LeAestas, Antheria, and Petraea. Aelaranthae goods flooded the market. The Aelaranthae have taken the matter in their own hands. They had employed Magical Engineers from Aelaranthae Academy. Invented machines to boost production, and many more.

At first, the nobles were happy with such development. They got cheap and high quality goods from the City-State of Aelaranthae. However, they soon fell into a predicament. They ran out of money. Taxes from their territory dropped and their own company was losing gold. They couldn’t compete with Aelaranthae’s goods. Thanks to Aelaranthae Academy, the professors and students there made machines capable of imitating what the Aelaranthae could do. The production skyrocketed as gold gathered in City-State of Aelaranthae

The nobles who supported the Aelaranthae soon fell to be Aelaranthae Company’s regional branches employees while those that didn’t support them were inching closer to bankruptcy. Both of these factions then came toward Queen Altressia for support. They wanted the queen to severely increase taxes for Aelaranthae’s goods in their domain or asked for a tax exemption for their companies.

Queen Altressia frowned. She didn’t find anything wrong with how the Aelaranthae operate. Moreover, It brought her joy when the nobles were troubled. She fancied herself with imagination. Soon, the era will change. She welcomed the downfall of nobility. She began to indulge herself working for The Aelaranthae. If she could, she would work for them.

Working for the Aelaranthae company means stable income. Moreover, if one were of nobility, they get to skip two ranks and become managers in one go. Altressia, who was educated in the military, viewed joining the Aelaranthae Company as a noble much like skipping the rank from foot soldier to a captain. Even she had to study hard for five years to become a captain. She couldn’t fathom why these nobles complained. If she was a normal noblewomen, she would grab the chance right there. However, she was a queen.

The queen had a unique mindset compared to that of nobles. nobles were born entitled and exclusive. This was their mindset. They were born to rule, not be ruled. Altressia scoffed at the hypocrisy. Even nobles must defer to their higher-ranking peers, And the highest of all still needed to bow the king. Why can’t they do the same with the Aelaranthae? The answer is simple, The Aelaranthae look and treated them the same way as commoners. They couldn’t stand it when commoners from Aelaranthae Academy outranked them.

Nevertheless, Altressia couldn’t do anything. Any words of encouragement she said about the Aelaranthae would only be seen negatively due to her history with the chalice of life. She could only watch as the nobles plot against the Aelaranthae.

Lanfeinne smirked. He knew Aelaranthae’s weakness. Moreover, this so-called independent city-state of Aelaranthae only consists of one city. If he could arrange for nobles of LeAestas and Petraea to siege the city again, they would give up their gold. All he needed to do was to strike when Aelaranthae had their unique disease.

“This is the information we have against the Aelaranthae.” Lanfeinne called out to his friends. Elders from LeAestas, foreman from Petraea, Alpha Hunters from Silvaris, Priests from Celestialine, and of course, Nobles from Antheria. These nations have many titles, yet they are all merely nobles in disguise. All desire to have control over others. They feel the threat of the Aelaranthae. So, they all gathered under one banner. To wield their power and put the new city-state in their place.

“Why do we need to wait until The Aelaranthae gets sick. We should get this embargo right now!” Nobles from Antheria said. Among them, they are the most greedy.

“What wise advice, we should put them in their place.” elders from LeAestas agreed. LeAestas was dissatisfied that the Aelaranthae failed to become their vassals. Moreover, more and more of the Academy's students choose to work for the Aelaranthae instead of LeAestas. The City-State of Aelaranthae was siphoning LeAestas population of distinc professors and intellect.

“Their craftsmen rely on Mana machine! What a hideous art.” Foremen from Petraea.

“They desecrated the forest!” Alpha hunters from Silvaris added. Aelaranthae town was developing at a rapid pace. So, the residents had to cut down the forest to reclaim the land and repurposed it as housing or farm.

“They impersonated the goddess. People should worship the goddess, not them! The tithe has decreased.”

The council full of grumbling children with powers gathered. However, The Aelaranthae were no longer their old selves. Ignorance will no longer be tolerated. Through their newly established connection with commoner merchants and workers, they knew these gatherings took place. The Aelaranthae even knew what they were talking about by bribing servants who worked in the gathering.

“I, Alantuile, Son of Amantuile will handle this.” Alantuile said as fire raged within his mind. It tasted spicy and sweet. Like a spicy candy. Aelaranthae enjoyed the taste of emotions, but they looked past the superficial taste and looked deeper into him.

“Let there be order and restrain,” Aelaranthae said. She spoke eloquently. Her voice chimed like a bell. Unlike Alantuile, Aelaranthae seek no vengeance. They merely seek safety and protection. They then hugged Alantuile.

Aelaranthae loves hug

“Yes, Esteemed Aelaranthae.”

And so, Alantuile planned to dethrone the nobles opposing them. Like Lanfeinne, he gathered several leaders from each country. Bright and young craftsmen, scholars, and engineers gathered. He then released his pent up vengeance.

“Those accursed nobles! They had slain my father all for a drop of Aelaranthae blood. They exist only to rob and plunder! By the grace of Aelaranthae, whose gifts were everlasting, we shall smite these demons!” Alantuile had personal vengeance against Antheria. So, he was promoted as the leader of the group in the gatherings.

“yeah! They denied us because we are young! Aelaranthae Academy’s graduates keep getting harassed for being a graduate from a new academy.!”

“Farming is the new way, yet they kept looking down on us! We were being mocked on the street, dessecrater of the forest , they said.”

“Metal mold gets the precise results! Moreover, they could be reused! What is this art nonsense! Why not use mana if you can?”

“Those priests and nuns were corrupt. They often stole tithe for their own gains and not distribute them to the poor!”

Not everyone was against the Aelaranthae. In fact, a majority bless Aelaranthae’s existence for they gave them knowledge and hope. These young men and women gather under Alantuile, whose father was mercilessly slain by the previous king.

Aelaranthae desire no vengeance nor conflict. However, Alantuile and these new hires were different. Deep within them fires were lit. They seek a new dawn. Conflicts were eternal. Whether it was from rich and poor, peasants and nobles, or old and young. Conflict will always be there. The dawn of the new era is looming.