The council hall of Valoria that afternoon carried its usual scent of ink
and parchment. Servants moved quietly with pitchers of water while the scratch
of quills blended with the hushed voices of advisors. Crystal lamps along the
walls cast their glow upon the long table of black stone, illuminating the
solemn faces of the council members waiting for their turn to report.
Karrel, Head of the Council of Development, rose first. His shoulders were
stiff, his hand clutching a report scroll so worn it seemed it had been
unrolled a hundred times.
"Your Majesty," he declared, voice firm, "the reconstruction of Ciolove has
been completed. Three hundred and twenty-nine homes stand, the main market is
operating, and the public wells are flowing. But there is an issue: since Queen
Consort Clara was crowned, the city has had no permanent leader. The people are
waiting for your decision."
Arthur listened, tapping his finger lightly against the table. Inwardly, he
knew Ciolove was too important to leave without leadership for long.
"For now," he answered evenly, "let the Council of Development oversee it
directly. We will decide on a worthy leader in due time."
Karrel bowed. At least the city would not be neglected—but sooner or later,
someone trustworthy would be needed.
Next stood Erel, Head of the Council of Economy, his face glowing with
pride. He flicked his robe back before spreading out a thick ledger.
"Your Majesty, our treasury has risen sharply this month. Wheat taxes remain
stable, mana refrigerators have exceeded all sales predictions, and the mana
trains have become a major source of revenue. With these combined, Valoria's
treasury now rivals that of Veritas—the very kingdom long known as the center
of wealth."
A few councilors whistled in awe. But Erel's expression soon turned serious.
"However, we face a problem. Skilled accountants are nearly nonexistent among
our people. Without those who can properly manage the books, our growth may
turn into chaos."
Arthur exhaled, then spoke with firm resolve.
"Then we shall found the University of Valoria. Not just another academy, but
an institution to teach accounting, economics, engineering, and practical
magic. We need a new generation capable of reading the future—not merely
counting the days."
A thin smile touched Erel's lips. At last—higher learning. With this,
thousands of accountants could be trained. The treasury would no longer be a
mystery, but a measurable strength.
Hadric, Head of Intelligence, stepped forward with his usual stiff posture,
his face devoid of warmth.
"Solaris infiltrations are growing rare, but they haven't stopped trying. More
troubling, scattered reports suggest that Northhaven—a new kingdom born of the
union between Seahaven and Nortwood—has sent scouts near our mines. They wish
to confirm whether the rumors of mana stones are true."
Arthur straightened. "Guard the mines well. Let them know we are alert, but
do not give them cause to accuse us of provoking war."
Hadric bowed. Solaris had failed, and now Northhaven tried its hand. The
brighter Valoria's light grew, the longer its enemies' shadows stretched.
Then Lionel Drest, Head of Defense, rose, chest puffed out, his heavy voice
filling the chamber.
"Your Majesty, Valoria's army now stands at thirty-eight thousand: twenty-five
thousand infantry, seven thousand cavalry, three thousand archers, and three
thousand battle mages. Recruitment is steady. But our logistics strain under
the weight. Barracks need repairs, and weapons are wearing thin."
Arthur nodded firmly. "Use part of the new income. Make sure the soldiers
lack nothing. Valoria shall be known not only as a kingdom of light, but as a
sword unsheathed."
Lionel bowed low, eyes alight. With this funding, the troops could drill day
and night. No foe would dare underestimate Valoria.
Finally, the Diplomatic Council rose. He inclined his head slightly before
speaking.
"Your Majesty, a meeting with Veritas has been scheduled. Northhaven too has
sent a formal invitation—they wish to discuss trade in mana stones. The outside
world now sees Valoria as a rising center of light across Etheria."
Arthur's reply was short but resolute. "We will face them with our heads
high. Mana stones belong to Valoria. No one else shall dictate their worth."
A hush fell over the hall. Every councilor sensed that these reports were
but ripples above deeper tides.
Arthur rose taller, walking to the slate board. All eyes followed him. With
a piece of white chalk, he drew a set of simple lines.
"First, the conversion rune. The river carries natural mana. This rune will
transform its current into mana thunder."
"Second, the storage and channeling rune. The thunder is stored within empty
mana stones, then directed outward in a steady flow."
"Third, the meter rune. This rune counts each unit of current, turning it
into numbers. From those numbers, we can set prices and taxes."
"Fourth, the manual switch. After passing through the meter, the flow can be
cut or released at will, like a sluice gate."
"Fifth, the final conversion rune. Thunder becomes light. A crystal the size
of a clenched fist is enough to light a room all night, safe without smoke or
wild flame."
Arthur paused, then added gravely:
"One more thing. Mana thunder cannot be left without a path. Thus, I devised
the concept of a cable—a mix of light steel and powdered empty mana stone.
These particles conduct thunder stably, without loss, no matter the distance.
With cables, light can be carried from the river to every home, even from one
city to another."
The mages of the Tower stared long at the board, voices trembling. "Five
runes… and a cable. A complete system from source to home. This surpasses
anything the Tower has attempted."
Thrain Stonehand, the old dwarf of the Council of Development, slammed the
table, eyes gleaming. "By the ancient stone… cables mean we can weave veins of
light across the land! Mana no longer bound by distance. This is a revolution!"
Arthur gave a single nod. "These runes will be entrusted to the Tower of
Magic for mass production, alongside mana thunder stones and light emitters.
The Tower may sell to kingdoms with a profit margin of two percent. If sold
abroad, fifty percent. All sales shall pay tax and profit-sharing: seventy
percent for the Tower, thirty percent for Valoria."
He turned to Karrel and Thrain. "The meters and cables will be produced by
the Council of Development, under the same terms. Any profit beyond taxes and
sharing is yours to use—for bonuses, wages, whatever you need. One condition:
the system must run honestly."
The chamber fell silent. Every councilor's mind whirled at the enormity of
what they had just heard.
Erel was already calculating profits. Lionel envisioned armies drilling
beneath lamps of thunderlight. Hadric weighed how this new brilliance could
lure enemies even as it protected the people. Karrel felt both burden and
pride, knowing construction now reached into the future itself. And Thrain,
half lost in his own visions, already pictured massive cables strung from
valley to valley.
Arthur closed the session, his voice resonant across the hall:
"From the river is born thunder. From thunder, light. And from light… the
future of Valoria."
For a few heartbeats, silence reigned. Then came the pounding of fists on
the table, followed by cheers. That day, Valoria stepped into a new chapter of
its history.