The image on the light screen faded, and new text appeared upon it:
[The people of Belobog are somewhat resistant to such a sudden change, but your actions have won the trust of the majority.]
[The corrupt officials became a small bargaining chip for the establishment of your empire. Though light as a feather, it was enough to win the hearts of the people.]
[The citizens of Belobog remain cautious about the Jarilo-VI Second Empire, but no major rebellions or conflicts have occurred to prevent its founding.]
[All enemies who could have stopped Belobog from marching into a new future have been secretly eliminated by you. The previous Supreme Guardian, Cocolia Rand, has no objections to your actions and has tacitly approved the empire's emergence.]
[No one can stop the wheels of history from moving forward.]
[The empire has been formally established by you. You are now the Emperor of the Jarilo-VI Second Empire.]
Ron saw a host of quantified attribute values pop up on the screen, a numerical representation of the "Jarilo-VI Second Empire" faction.
Compared to the Underworld under Wildfire's control, the Second Empire's stats were, frankly, quite a bit weaker... because upon the faction change, the temporary trait "United as One" had disappeared.
Due to the Overworld's population being far larger than the Underworld's, the new empire's Stability and Cohesion were at extremely low levels. The quantified efficiency of its officials was also much lower than it had been in the Underworld. Only its Combat Power was significantly stronger, thanks to the combination of the Silvermane Guards and Wildfire's First Pioneer Group.
But this wasn't too big of a problem... These were just the growing pains of unifying the two worlds. In time, as the people grew accustomed to the new reality, Cohesion and Stability would naturally rise without Ron having to do much.
Moreover, the productive capacity of the unified worlds was far greater than that of the Underworld alone. With sufficient productivity, Ron could finally do some of the things he had long wanted to do...
As he thought this, new text appeared on the screen:
[You have successfully founded the faction: "Jarilo-VI Second Empire." A new page of history has been turned.]
[As the first ruler of the empire, please choose its development direction—]
[1. Military Focus. The snowstorms can no longer breach Belobog's walls, and the Fragmentum has quieted across the land. All threats are in decline. Why not press the advantage and completely reclaim this planet? You believe now is the best time. The unified Belobog holds limitless potential, and you decide to invest it all into the military, mass-producing Pioneers to reclaim the Fragmentum. Selecting this option, the empire will prioritize military development, and the growth rate of its Combat Power index will increase by 100%. Faction: "Jarilo-VI Second Empire" will trigger the events— "The Great Pioneer Expedition," "The Pioneer's Guild," "Everwinter Conscription."]
[2. Livelihood Focus. Belobog's potential is far greater than this. Squandering it on the military is short-sighted compared to fully developing it and resolving underlying issues... The blessing of the berries not only gave the Pioneers the ability to resist Fragmentum corrosion and explore its depths, but it also greatly increased their appetite, fundamentally evolving them. You know that if you can overcome the likely food crisis and completely solve the after-effects of the blessed berries, Belobog will be able to unleash its potential more thoroughly. Selecting this option, the empire will prioritize the development of the people's livelihood, and the growth rate of its Development index will increase by 100%. Faction: "Jarilo-VI Second Empire" will trigger the events— "Agricultural Research," "The Agrarian Revolution," "The Five-Year Plan."]
[3. Choose Balance. An extreme in one area implies weakness in another. Everything is at its starting point. What the empire needs is not specialization, but balanced, complementary development for a more stable future. You clearly understand the empire's goals. Whether developing the military or the people's livelihood, the ultimate objective is to roll out "Snowstorm Immunity" without any drawbacks, allowing the people of Belobog to safely travel to every corner of this world. Selecting this option, the empire will develop in a balanced manner, and the growth rate of all its indices will increase by 50%. Faction: "Jarilo-VI Second Empire" will trigger the events— "The Three-Year Plan," "Military Academy Expansion," "Academy of Sciences Relaunched."]
A development direction, huh...
Ron looked at the options thoughtfully, not making an immediate choice.
He ruled out the first option right away. Belobog was nowhere near ready to rapidly develop its military and train Pioneers en masse... The city's food supply was insufficient. Until that was solved, the first option was impossible.
The second and third options, however, each had their pros and cons, making it difficult to choose between them.
The main issue was that Ron wasn't sure if focusing all his efforts on biotechnology and agricultural development from the get-go would raise food production quickly enough to support the Pioneers' consumption.
If it took too long, it would actually slow down Belobog's overall progress, stalling its development for years.
The third option was very balanced, a safe bet. Developing both directions at once meant he would never be completely stuck and could make adjustments based on the situation. It was the most stable choice...
After careful consideration, Ron chose the third option, deciding on balanced development for the empire.
This simulation had come so far, and everything was on the right track. Ron wasn't about to choose a radical option now. Steady, balanced progress was, in his view, the best choice.
After all, there was a long future ahead in this simulation; there was no need to gamble with radical choices...
With that thought, Ron watched the text on the screen fade, replaced by new plot updates:
[After deep consideration, you have chosen balanced development for the empire.]
[You have implemented several simple reforms, trimming the fat from Belobog's old bureaucracy and streamlining various political appropriations, causing the national treasury to swell.]
[You have kept the previous tax policies largely unchanged, but you have drastically increased taxes on merchant monopolists and introduced property, vehicle, and luxury taxes. The upper echelons of Belobog society are in an uproar, but with no one to back them, they are forced to become your personal wallet, squeezed dry by you.]
[This wealth becomes the best fuel for the empire's progress. You have triggered multiple events—]
[Event Triggered: "Academy of Sciences Relaunched"]
[You have reopened the Belobog Academy of Sciences, which was sealed by the previous Supreme Guardian, Cocolia Rand. You have established several project grants to encourage scholars to research agriculture-related topics.]
[Belobog University is buzzing because of your decision. The résumés of students who previously faced unemployment upon graduation, full of passion, have piled up in the Academy's offices. Research groups have been formed one after another, and various projects are proceeding with fiery enthusiasm. It won't be long before surprising results are announced.]
[Event Triggered: "Military Academy Expansion"]
[You have built a new military academy. You have recruited decorated officers from Wildfire's First Pioneer Group to form the academy's teaching staff.]
[You have screened the Silvermane Guards for the most loyal soldiers and sent them to the Imperial Military Academy for training. This batch of Pioneers will undergo a full year of training.]
[Only after a year of high-intensity training will they receive "Snowstorm Immunity." In other words, they will become the absolute elite among the Pioneers, the future backbone of the force that will reclaim the Fragmentum.]
[Event Triggered: "The Three-Year Plan"]
[The empire is now completely on track, and everything has begun to flourish. After carefully studying the current situation, you have formulated the empire's first development plan.]
[Standing on the high platform before the Everwinter Monument, you announce to the entire empire that you will double agricultural output within one year, and within three years, everyone will have enough to eat and live a life free from hunger.]
[Everyone is filled with anticipation at your words, and their approval of you increases significantly.]
[Faction: "Jarilo-VI Second Empire" Stability has slightly increased, Cohesion has slightly increased, and it has gained a new trait: Three-Year Plan (Gray)]
[Three-Year Plan (Gray): Look to the future, but keep your feet on the ground. You have established a three-year development plan for the empire. Faction: "Jarilo-VI Second Empire" development rate +10%, agricultural development rate +20%, biological research rate +10%. Upon successful completion of the plan, this trait will become permanent, granting a permanent development bonus. If the plan fails, the trait's effect will be reversed; all bonuses will become penalties and become a permanent trait.]
Oh, it even gave me a temporary buff. Like the 'Crossroads' trait from before, it's a kind of test... But the buff isn't huge, and the debuff on failure isn't huge either. It's one of those things that's not good enough to get excited about, but a shame to throw away.
Ron shrugged indifferently. Given the current situation, the Second Empire completing the Three-Year Plan would be a walk in the park. It seemed there was no chance of this trait reversing...
He tapped the screen, letting the simulation continue.
The text faded, and new lines appeared:
[Time gradually passes. The empire is developing steadily. Seated on the hastily-built throne in Qlipoth Fort, you have grown accustomed to looking down upon all of Belobog, controlling everything as the master of this city.]
[On one ordinary, boring day, while you are handling political affairs, a strange sound, sometimes near, sometimes far, suddenly echoes in your ears...]
[You know what this is... This is the fate of Belobog's ruler.]
[The Stellaron is trying to corrupt you with all its might.]
[It promises you a warm, new world, where there are no harsh snowstorms, no prying Anti-Matter Legion. No fear of the apocalypse, no suffering in life.]
[Everyone can walk freely in gardens, look up at the sea of clouds in the blue sky, and listen to the symphony of a new century.]
[Due to the trait "Panacea," you are not affected by the Stellaron's corruption.]
The text on the screen faded, and new options appeared:
[The Stellaron's echo resounds in your ears. Faced with it, you are momentarily hesitant.]
[How should you deal with the Stellaron? Perhaps this requires careful consideration...]
[1. "So you're the Stellaron, eh? How dare you come to Belobog? I'll rip your damn mask off!" You feel nothing but contempt for the Stellaron. You issue a one-sided verbal threat with extreme irritability, then unhesitatingly block this whispering ASMR player that randomly buzzes in the ruler's ear. It will be powerless to affect you any further, and you will no longer hear its whispers.]
[2. "Whoa, a new world? Lemme see!" You are quite interested in the new world promised by the Stellaron. You are very curious to see if, with "Snowstorm Immunity," the new world that freezes all of Jarilo-VI can still turn Belobog into a ruin of its former self. You will tacitly allow the Stellaron's influence on the world and attempt to resonate with it to see if it brings about any special changes.]
[Due to the trait "The Apothecary's Mark," you have gained a special option—]
[3. "I think... we don't have to be eternal enemies... Excuse me, but would you be interested in learning about our Father and Savior?" A mere Stellaron dares to show off before a master? You, who are watched over by the Apothecary, scoff at it. You decide to have a good, long, heart-to-heart talk with the Stellaron, to tell it about the Merciful Apothecary King who pities all living things, and to see if the Stellaron is willing, for the Apothecary's sake, to become an asset to the empire's development. Upon selecting this option, the Stellaron will undergo a certain change, determined by its degree of fear and respect for Yaoshi of The Abundance.]
"Cough, cough... What the hell?"
Looking at the options on the screen, Ron almost choked on his own spit.
The third option had already killed the competition. This was basically a choice with only one real option.
The first was a classic "block user," the second was to follow Cocolia's old path, and only the third seemed so transcendent...
Ron really wanted to see what kind of change the Stellaron would undergo under the influence of Yaoshi of The Abundance...
With that thought, Ron clicked the third option. He watched the option box fade and a new scene materialize on the screen:
Seated on the simple throne, Ron was alone in the Supreme Guardian's office in Qlipoth Fort, yet a different voice echoed in the room.
Ron watched thoughtfully as phantoms of the Fragmentum appeared in every corner, hazy silhouettes carrying the Stellaron's will, attempting to corrupt him and turn him into its puppet...
Listening to the Stellaron's whispers, Ron was silent for a moment, then his lips curled into a friendly smile that felt like a spring breeze.
He looked at the empty air before him as if greeting a long-lost friend and said with a smile:
"I think... we don't have to be eternal enemies..."
"Since you want to communicate with me so badly, I actually have a lot I'd like to say to you..."
As Ron spoke, he waved his hand gently. Verdant vines suddenly burst through the floor, coiling around his simple throne, making it lush and vibrant with life.
In the vast cosmos, one of the thousand eyes of the thousand-handed, merciful Aeon trembled slightly, gazing in the direction of the mark it had once left behind.
Feeling that subtle gaze upon him, Ron revealed a completely harmless smile.
"Excuse me, but would you be interested in learning about our Father and Savior, the Nurturer of All Life, the God of the Blessed Land..."
"Yaoshi of The Abundance?"