Three Weeks Later – Oberfeld, Capital of the Ehrenfeld-Austrian Empire
The city buzzed not with fear—but with focus.
Across the realm, reconstruction brigades worked beside awakened warriors. The flames of war had scorched the land, but now iron, wood, and magic stitched it whole again.
In the heart of it all, Hans stood in the Imperial Operations Room, watching the map flicker with lights—each representing active Gate Expeditions.
"We're entering every open portal along the Alpine Belt," General Engelhardt reported. "Only the hunters go in—no soldiers. We're treating it as an elite refinement project."
"Level them up," Hans said. "Make our S-class hunters into living nuclear weapons. This Kaiser could be planning more than just speeches."
The New Reforms – Operation Vanguard
Minister of Harmony Albrecht unveiled sweeping plans:
Hunter Rotation System: All awakened combatants ranked B and above would rotate through gates every three weeks for combat experience, psychological assessments, and ability tuning.
Imperial Gearworks: A new facility using salvaged Old Guard tech and awakened materials to produce custom equipment for high-tier hunters.
Monarch's Reserve: A special force under Hans' direct command—handpicked awakened beings who swore loyalty not to party or Parliament, but to the Emperor and his bloodline.
The Academy of Inheritors – Eastern Oberfeld
In a quiet, newly rebuilt wing of the palace complex, two young children played in a sunlit courtyard: a silver-haired boy named Karl and a girl with fire-red eyes named Anna.
They were only months old, yet already awakened.
"Karl… will be the Emperor," Hans said softly, watching the boy lift a wooden sword instinctively with his powers. "But Anna… she might be something far more terrifying."
Eliska stood beside him, her smile tired but proud. "Are you sure it isn't too soon?"
"I became Emperor with ten thousand soldiers and an empty map. He'll inherit a world full of dangers—and expectations. He needs to be prepared."
Hans summoned his officers—not as commanders, but as godparents.
Mehmed would teach strategy.
Franziska, the scout officer, would teach survival and stealth.
Leopold, the oldest veteran, would instill discipline.
Eliska, their mother, would teach them compassion—and how to love a kingdom that might not always love them back.
Elsewhere – A Crack in the Sky
In the Black Forest, Gate activity spiked to levels unseen since the First Awakening. Something massive stirred.
And in the ruins of Old Berlin, the Reincarnated Kaiser watched the footage of Hans' reforms with a faint smirk.
"Preparing heirs already?" he murmured. "Very well, Hans. I'll prepare… something too."