Alto soon learned the complete details of the border incident from Melissa, who provided a thorough briefing on everything that had transpired during the investigation.
"What does the Queen plan to do next?" Alto asked, genuinely concerned.
"War is absolutely out of the question," Melissa replied firmly, shaking her head. "If we engage the orcs in a full-scale conflict now, we'd be walking straight into someone else's trap. Whoever orchestrated this wants exactly that outcome."
She paused, her expression thoughtful. "This matter requires much deeper investigation. We must identify and expose whoever's pulling the strings behind the scenes before we can respond appropriately."
At this point, Alto had already been appointed as an adviser to the Temple. Even if his actual political influence wasn't enormous yet, it was significant enough that Melissa saw no reason to hide sensitive information from him. He was part of the inner circle now, whether he'd intended to be or not.
Hearing the definitive confirmation that war wouldn't be declared, Alto finally allowed himself to relax a bit. Setting aside entirely how prolonged conflict would catastrophically disrupt his business plans and game development schedule, the real concern gnawing at him was that his adopted sister might be sent right back to the battlefield. That possibility was the absolute last thing he wanted to see become reality.
At the same time, he now felt a new sense of urgency, impossible to ignore. This world wasn't remotely like the relatively stable, peaceful society of his previous life on Earth. He'd been living comfortably in Lunaria for so long now, sheltered within its well-structured governmental system and daily routines, that he'd subconsciously begun believing it wasn't fundamentally different from a modern metropolis back on Earth.
But if a genuine life-or-death crisis ever came knocking at his door, with his current fragile physique and complete lack of combat training, he'd probably be killed on the spot without accomplishing anything. The sobering realization was impossible to dismiss.
It seemed he urgently needed to find some practical way to improve his own personal strength and survivability as soon as possible, before circumstances forced the issue.
After two full days of intensive recovery, and with significant help from a precious dose of the legendary Fountain of Life administered by the temple's healers, Aisha finally regained consciousness. The Fountain of Life was an incredibly rare and valuable treasure even within elven society, its healing properties bordering on miraculous.
Produced exclusively by the reclusive Wood Elves in their ancient forest sanctuaries, even a small vial in Lunaria's markets commanded an astronomical fortune that few could afford. But Aisha's squad had earned the Queen's personal commendation for their critical intelligence gathering and sacrifice, so cost was hardly a concern. The royal treasury covered everything.
Alto had remained faithfully by Aisha's bedside for two straight days and nights without leaving once. He hadn't even returned to his shop during that entire period, instead temporarily handing all business matters and daily operations over to Helena and Sophia with complete trust in their competence.
Fate really did enjoy playing cruel tricks on siblings, he reflected. Just a few months ago, it had been Alto lying unconscious in bed after his transmigration while Aisha took care of him devotedly. Now their roles were reversed.
When Aisha finally opened her eyes after the long, worrying silence, she immediately saw Alto sitting in the chair beside her bed, his expression brightening instantly with relief.
"Why are you here, Alto?" she asked weakly, her voice hoarse.
She tried to push herself up into a sitting position, but Alto gently but firmly pressed her shoulder back down against the pillows.
"You just recovered from critical injuries. Rest properly and don't strain yourself," he insisted.
Although her visible wounds had healed completely thanks to the Fountain of Life's regenerative properties, the severe blood loss had left her body extremely weak and depleted. Full recovery would take some time.
"No, I can't rest yet," Aisha protested with her characteristic stubbornness. "I still have crucial intelligence information to report to command. It absolutely can't wait any longer."
"Don't worry about all that," Alto assured her calmly. "The higher-ups already received everything important from your surviving teammates who made it back. The intelligence reached the Queen. Just focus on recovering your strength."
Only after hearing that did Aisha finally allow herself to relax against the pillows, the tension falling from her shoulders. Her duty was fulfilled.
Seeing with his own eyes that she was truly out of immediate danger and on the path to full recovery, the crushing weight that had been sitting on Alto's chest for the past few days finally lifted. He could breathe properly again.
He soon returned to his regular work schedule, though he visited Aisha daily. By this point, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City was progressing at an impressive pace, its foundational framework and core systems nearly complete and ready for the actual content.
The narrative was deliberately set three hundred years in the future, at the contested borderlands between elven territories and the lands claimed by other races. A unique city stood beside the pristine waters of Sacred Heart Lake, a geographic and political anomaly.
This was a place where elves, humans, orcs, werewolves, cat-folk, rabbit-folk, and countless other demi-human races all lived together in uneasy coexistence, their cultures and conflicts blending together.
On the surface, the city appeared prosperous and cosmopolitan, a shining example of interracial cooperation and free trade. But due to its strategic location in the lawless borderlands, the chronic lack of effective governmental oversight, and the volatile mixture of competing racial factions, powerful underground criminal forces thrived in the shadows.
Smuggling operations, organized crime, brutal slave trading, and worse happened openly in certain districts. At the same time, significant technological advancements had drastically reduced the production cost of magical vehicles, making mass manufacturing finally possible and affordable. Magitech was flourishing.
A city built on free trade was always economically interesting, for better or worse. Casinos operated openly, staffed by sharp-eyed cat-folk dealers. Bars lined entire streets, featuring rabbit-folk bunny girls and provocative pole dancing. At night, Liberty City transformed into a dazzling sea of neon lights and unrestrained indulgence, morality purely optional.
Officially, the city was governed by its appointed council and magistrates. But beneath that respectable facade, powerful crime families ruled the actual streets with iron fists, alongside shadowy cultists worshipping various forbidden evil gods whose names decent people wouldn't speak aloud.
Players could follow the carefully crafted main storyline and eventually become the feared underworld king of Liberty City, controlling everything from the shadows. Alternatively, they could freely develop their own path within the open city environment, accumulate personal strength and influence, purchase legitimate property, build business empires, and amass tremendous wealth through whatever means they chose.
Time continued passing quickly as Alto worked obsessively. During this productive period, he purchased a huge residence conveniently located near his shop to serve as his primary home, finally moving out of his tiny apartment in the Lower District.
Aisha had fully recovered her strength and returned to active duty. When she learned about all the dramatic changes Alto had gone through during her absence on the northern border, she was left completely and utterly stunned, struggling to process it all.
Looking at him now felt genuinely surreal, like meeting a stranger wearing her brother's face. Master designer with multiple hit games. Official Temple adviser with genuine political influence. One impressive title after another left her feeling dazed and slightly inadequate.
Was this really the same younger brother who used to regularly ask her for money to buy basic necessities just months ago? The transformation just seemed impossible.
Even she, normally serious and composed, looked rather silly at the moment, her mouth slightly open. She reached out and pinched Alto's cheek experimentally, staring at him with bright, searching eyes as if testing whether he was real.
"I must be dreaming right now, Alto!" she declared.
Alto was utterly speechless at this response. If you think you're dreaming, why are you pinching me instead of yourself?
"Did I actually die in that godforsaken wasteland? Am I in the realm of Elistaree?" she continued with mock seriousness.
"Stop talking complete nonsense!" Alto cut her off immediately, genuinely exasperated.
To prove the truth of his statements, he brought her to an elegantly designed mansion he'd recently purchased. The house was large and luxurious, its exterior walls completely covered in carefully maintained blooming flowers.
Inside, the residence had two full floors with numerous spacious rooms, a private bathing chamber with heated water, and even a dedicated training hall filled with various weapons and practice equipment, built specifically to support Aisha's continued magic and martial training.
As for furnishing and decorations throughout the house, Alto had followed only one simple rule during the purchasing process: not necessarily the best quality available, just definitely the most expensive options on display.
Completely ignoring Aisha's increasingly flustered protests about excessive spending, he casually tossed her the house keys. From this moment forward, this mansion would be their shared home and base of operations.
Then he immediately dove straight back into his work on Liberty City, leaving his sister to explore her new quarters.
Delicate snowflakes slowly fell from the gray winter sky, blanketing Lunaria in a soft white sheen and signaling the arrival of Boreas (Winter). As the weather grew progressively colder with each passing day, pedestrians hurried through the streets wrapped in warm cloaks, their breath visible.
Sturdy crackhoof beasts pulled heavy cargo wagons through the Lower District's busy commercial streets, each labored breath forming thick clouds of mist in the frigid, snowy air.
The development of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City had finally entered its critical final phase, with Alto working nearly 24/7 on polish and testing.
Meanwhile, after months of relentless dedicated effort, the most hardcore Stardew Valley players finally reached the game's ultimate endgame chapter and secret content. More and more players achieved perfect completion scores, unlocking everything.
The final competitive rankings were officially announced with great fanfare. The first-place trophy in the multiplayer cooperative category went to Rowan's dedicated group, who'd optimized their team coordination to perfection.
The prestigious single-player champion title went to Carter, whose efficient solo play had been unmatched.
Notably, Carter had learned that Vivian was on her way to Lunaria after having saved up enough money to take the journey. The two had grown extremely close by exchanging letters over the past couple of months, and with the substantial prize money from his championship victory, they are finally able to afford a modest home of their own somewhere in Lunaria. A happy ending for their long journey.
Clara paid absolutely no attention whatsoever to the competitive rankings or outside noise about achievements. She didn't lack money, and rankings didn't really contribute to her personal enjoyment.
While other obsessive players were frantically grinding and optimizing, she continued living her peaceful, relaxing routine in Pelican Town. Planting seasonal crops, watering flowers, decorating her farm with aesthetic improvements, and most importantly, socializing.
Friends from Pelican Town visited her farm regularly from time to time, bringing thoughtful gifts and sharing news. Life was wonderfully relaxed and comfortable, exactly what she needed.
Charles still spent every available moment of his free time fishing contentedly by various water sources, occasionally tossing a fresh catch to Daisy sitting loyally beside him. She had grown quite fat on this diet.
After the official rankings were finalized and winners announced, a dramatic new announcement suddenly appeared on Alto's newly launched community forum page, immediately catching everyone's attention.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City - Launching Soon
One hundred lucky players will be randomly selected for exclusive early access.
The moment the announcement post went live across the Dreamscape network, the entire gaming community absolutely exploded with excitement. Comment sections were filled within minutes.
[This is awesome! A brand new game to play through the long winter!]
[Why does it have to be limited? I want to play right now!!]
[Random selection? Fuck!!! With my luck, it could be raining breasts, and I'd still manage to grab a "rod" ...]
High above the snow-covered landscape of the Moon Elf Territory, a massive, luxurious airship drifted gracefully through the clouds, slowly heading directly toward Lunaria's distinctive skyline in the distance.
On the vessel's expansive open deck, a wealthily dressed young man with expensive clothes and an air of natural authority gazed down at the scenic territory passing below him, his expression thoughtful and calculating.
"Young Master, Lunaria is just ahead!" a servant announced respectfully. "We'll be docking within the next hour."