The rhythm of hammers and saws echoed across the valley. Sparks flew as dwarven-forged chisels struck enchanted stone, and the scent of freshly cut oak filled the air. Everwood had become a hive of activity, no longer resembling the humble refuge it once was.
At the heart of the settlement, rising taller and grander than any other structure, stood the Banquet Hall—a monument that would mark the dawn of a new era.
Itsuki stood at the entrance, his hands resting on the polished wooden frame. The beams had been carved with intricate runes for strength, glowing faintly with protective magic. Wide stained-glass windows cast prismatic colors across the hall's interior, their designs telling the story of Everwood's survival and growth. A massive oak table stretched down the center, capable of seating kings and queens side by side.
"This isn't just a hall," Itsuki murmured. "It's our face to the world."
Beside him, Lyra's emerald eyes studied the craftsmanship with quiet pride. "It's… beautiful. Almost like something out of the old elven kingdoms. My people will recognize this as more than human work."
Selena bustled in, parchment in hand, her merchant's instincts sharper than ever. "The last of the spices arrived this morning, and the vintages are ready to be uncorked. I've even secured silk drapes from the western ports—if we're going to host royals, we can't appear provincial."
Elara, ever the warrior, was less impressed with silks and spices. She barked orders outside, drilling the village guard in tight formations. Their armor gleamed under the sun, their weapons polished and ready. For her, this banquet wasn't just celebration—it was a display of strength.
Meanwhile, Lunaria had been weaving banners infused with her magic, each one shimmering faintly as though kissed by starlight. The crest of Everwood—a tree with roots and branches entwined around a radiant flame and from the tree is rising a phoenix —now hung proudly above the hall's grand doors.
Hidden Preparations
Yet for all the splendor, Itsuki's mind lingered on the unseen. Beneath the polished floors, he had etched defensive arrays into the very foundation. With a mere thought, the hall could shield itself from fire, steel, or even magic.
And deeper still, in the underground vaults where only he and his closest allies ventured, the true weapons of Everwood lay waiting. Tanks, rocket launchers, and his towering mech slumbered in silence, unseen by foreign eyes. The guests will see diplomacy and beauty, Itsuki thought, but if things turn against us, Everwood will not fall.
The elves who had once looked broken now moved with purpose. Children carried platters and decorations, humming as they worked. Hunters sharpened blades not only for battle but to carve meat for the feast. Even the elderly offered advice on protocol and ceremony, eager to see their home shine.
For the first time since Everwood's founding, the villagers carried themselves not as refugees, but as citizens of a nation.
Itsuki, watching them, felt a weight lift from his chest. They believe in this. They believe in me
That evening, Itsuki gathered with his closest companions inside the hall, still half-lit by lanterns and fire. The great table was bare, waiting for the feast to come.
Lyra stood closest, her voice low but steady. "My people… they will test you. Elves don't trust easily, and the Queen herself—she does not give her favor freely. But I believe they will see what I see."
Selena added, arms folded. "The dwarves will judge by craftsmanship. The humans will judge by ambition. And the dragons… well, who knows how they judge anything. You'll need to balance every eye on you, Itsuki."
Elara leaned forward, her tone fierce but encouraging. "Let them test us. Let them doubt us. We'll prove them all wrong."
Itsuki smiled faintly at them. "This isn't about me. It's about Everwood. Whatever happens tomorrow, they'll see that we are no longer a village hidden in the woods. We are a nation—one that will not be ignored."
The First Arrival
The next day dawned bright and clear, as though the world itself was holding its breath. Villagers lined the square, waiting. Soldiers stood at attention in crisp formation. The Banquet Hall's banners swayed proudly in the wind.
Then—horns. Long and clear, echoing through the forest.
From the treeline emerged a shining host. Warriors clad in silver armor, banners woven with golden leaves swaying above them. At their head walked the Elven Queen Seraphina, tall and regal, her beauty both breathtaking and distant. Beside her strode Prince Kaelen, sharp-eyed, his expression unreadable.
The villagers gasped. Even Lyra stiffened, bow instinctively brushing her back.
The Queen's gaze swept over Everwood, over Itsuki, and finally lingered on the hall itself. She spoke, her voice like crystal wind.
"So… this is The village that dares to call itself a nation."
She looked Itsuki directly in the eye.
"Show me, human. Show me that this village is worth my people's recognition."
Itsuki stepped forward, bowing slightly not as a subject, but as an equal.
"Welcome, Queen Seraphina. Tonight, you will not only see Everwood's strength… but its future."
And as the elves entered the Banquet Hall, the air was charged with both awe and tension.