Morning came without sunlight.
Thick clouds pressed low over Krujë, trapping the smell of damp stone and smoke within the castle walls. Blendi stood alone on the balcony, hands resting on cold iron, eyes tracing the rugged veins of the mountains beyond.
This land had never been gentle.
But it had never bowed either.
A soft chime echoed in his mind.
[Country System Reminder]
Critical Objective Active
Stabilize Economy
Establish Weapon Supply
Prevent Noble Fragmentation
Time Remaining: 180 days
Blendi inhaled slowly.
Wars were not won by courage alone.
They were paid for.
"Open economic overview."
Economic Status Panel
Gold Reserves: 3,200
Monthly Income: 410
Monthly Expenditure: 670
Deficit: 260
Primary Sources
Agriculture: Unstable
Trade: Fragmented
Tribute: Minimal
Weapon Imports: None
Weapon Production: Negligible
The numbers were worse than he expected.
This was the real reason Albania always bled.
Not lack of heroes.
Lack of infrastructure.
A second panel slid open.
[Opportunity Detected]
Unutilized Blacksmith Capacity
Untaxed Mountain Trade Routes
Idle Civilian Labor during Winter Cycle
Blendi's gaze sharpened.
"There is potential," he murmured.
"Just buried under tradition."
Footsteps approached from behind.
The commander from earlier bowed slightly.
"My lord, the council awaits."
Blendi turned.
"Summon the guild masters as well," he said. "Blacksmiths. Carpenters. Traders."
The commander hesitated.
"My lord, they are not accustomed to sitting with nobles."
"They will be," Blendi replied calmly. "This kingdom is not built for comfort."
The Council Convenes
The hall filled quickly.
Nobles in fur trimmed cloaks.
Commanders bearing scars.
Guild leaders in worn clothes, eyes cautious yet alert.
Tension rippled through the room.
Blendi did not sit.
He stood.
"You all know why Albania survives," he began.
"Because its people fight."
A murmur of agreement followed.
"But you also know why it bleeds."
Silence.
"Because fighting without supply is suicide."
A golden shimmer flickered at the edge of his vision.
[Speech Analysis]
Tone: Authoritative
Content: Rational
Impact Projection: High
"We will no longer buy weapons with blood," Blendi continued.
"We will make them."
He turned slightly.
"Open production interface."
Production System Unlocked
[Workshop Establishment Available]
Eligible Regions:
Krujë
Dibër
Mat
Available Facilities
Basic Blacksmith Workshop
Carpentry Yard
Leatherworking Station
Gasps echoed faintly.
The system did not show itself to them.
But they felt the shift.
Blendi raised his hand.
"Krujë will host the first state workshop."
A noble stepped forward sharply.
"My lord, guild autonomy forbids state interference."
Blendi met his eyes.
"So does famine forbid mercy," he replied evenly.
The system chimed.
[Decision Confirmed]
State Controlled Workshop Established
Location: Krujë
Cost: 1,200 Gold
Monthly Output
Weapons: +120
Armor Pieces: +60
The gold counter dropped.
3,200 to 2,000.
Blendi did not flinch.
"Guild masters," he said, turning. "You will be paid. Regularly. In gold."
Their expressions changed instantly.
"Your families will be fed. Your tools maintained."
Hope flickered.
"But your work belongs to Albania."
No one argued.
Second Reform
Blendi did not pause.
"Next," he said, "trade routes."
The system responded instantly.
[Trade Route Analysis]
Mountain paths bypassing taxation detected
Annual Loss: Estimated 900 Gold
He looked toward a trader among the council.
"You have been avoiding tolls."
The man stiffened.
"My lord, these paths are dangerous."
"So is war," Blendi replied.
A pause.
Then a decision.
[National Policy Available]
Mountain Trade Regulation
Options
Partial Taxation
Full Control
Trade Incentives
Golden hint appeared.
(Partial taxation maintains goodwill while increasing income)
Blendi selected it.
[Policy Activated]
Mountain Trade Regulation
Trade tax applied at 10 percent
Trade volume preserved
Monthly Income Increased: +220
The trader bowed deeply.
"You will not regret this, my lord."
Blendi nodded once.
"I already profit from it."
Winter Labor Reform
A final panel opened.
[Idle Workforce Detected]
Seasonal Labor Inefficiency
Opportunity for Infrastructure Development
Blendi addressed the room again.
"During winter, idle hands will not starve."
"Roads will be built."
"Storehouses expanded."
"Fortifications reinforced."
A noble frowned.
"You conscript civilians?"
"No," Blendi replied calmly. "I employ them."
[Policy Activated]
Winter Public Works Program
Effects
Infrastructure Level Increased
Civilian Income Stabilized
Unity Increased
Monthly Cost: 150 Gold
Numbers shifted again.
Income and expenditure began to balance.
Deficit shrank.
For the first time, the line edged toward equilibrium.
Economic Status Update
Gold Reserves: 2,000
Monthly Income: 630
Monthly Expenditure: 720
Deficit: 90
Projection
Economic Stability in 4 months
Not perfect.
But alive.
Hidden Achievement Unlocked
[Achievement: The Price of Survival]
You stabilized the foundation of a wartime economy.
Rewards
Permanent production efficiency increase
Civilian loyalty increased
Future reforms face reduced resistance
The council slowly dispersed.
Some thoughtful.
Some wary.
None dismissive.
As Blendi stood alone again, a new warning surfaced.
[External Intelligence Update]
Ottoman Empire
Regional Governor Report
Assessment: Albanian rebels focusing inward
Threat Level: Minimal
Blendi allowed himself a thin smile.
"Good," he whispered.
"Let them think we are busy surviving."
He looked once more at the mountains.
Iron would flow.
Gold would circulate.
Men would train without starving their families.
This was how nations were built.
Not with legends.
With ledgers.
[Next Objective Unlocked]
Prepare Defensive Zones
Expand Elite Units
Introduce Succession Framework
Reward
Technology Tier Advancement
Diplomatic Influence Increase
Hidden Dynasty Path
The system pulsed softly.
Eternal State Route Progress
6 percent
Blendi closed his eyes briefly.
The foundation was laid.
Now came the part where history started to panic.