Shattered Foundations

Itsuki stood on what remained of the Noble District plaza, watching as structural engineers and earth mages examined the massive fissures running through the city's foundation. The demonic corruption had been purified, but the physical damage was catastrophic.

"It's worse than we thought," a senior engineer reported to Clara, his face grim. "The demonic energy fractured the bedrock. The entire eastern quarter is sinking."

Clara's face went pale. "How bad?"

"Irreparable. The magical supports that have held Meridian stable for centuries are compromised." The engineer gestured helplessly at the cracked streets and leaning buildings. "Without them, the whole city will collapse."

In the game, cities were permanent fixtures, Itsuki thought. Indestructible. You could nuke the plaza and it'd respawn the next day. But this isn't the game anymore. Cities can actually die here.

"How long do we have?" Clara asked quietly.

"Days. Maybe a week before the collapse begins." The engineer shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lady Vaelthorne. Meridian City is doomed."

◇◇◇

The evacuation began immediately. Tens of thousands of citizens packed their belongings and fled through the teleportation gates to neighboring cities. Meridian had stood for over five centuries. Watching it die felt like losing a piece of history itself.

Clara stood in the ruins of Vaelthorne House, staring at the family portraits that lined what remained of the main hall. Most had been destroyed during Darius's rampage, but a few survived.

"I have nowhere to go," she said quietly as Itsuki, Rina, and Olivia joined her. "House Vaelthorne's holdings were all in Meridian. Everything was here."

"What about other family?" Rina asked gently.

"Dead. Darius made sure of that."

Olivia stepped forward, placing a hand on Clara's shoulder. "You know... we could use someone like you. Someone with your skills and determination."

Clara looked up, surprised. "You mean... join your party?"

"Why not?" Itsuki said. "We're already traveling together."

"Plus," Rina added with a grin, "four is way better than three! More fun that way!"

Clara managed a small smile despite everything. "I suppose I don't have better options. And... I'd rather not be alone right now."

"Then it's settled," Olivia said. "Welcome to the team."

[PARTY MEMBER JOINED: CLARA VAELTHORNE] [CLASS: WARRIOR] [LEVEL: 45]

◇◇◇

They left Meridian City through the western gate as the sun began to set, joining the stream of refugees heading to safer territories. Behind them, the city groaned and cracked, buildings slowly tilting as the ground beneath them continued to fracture.

Itsuki glanced back once, watching the place where he'd met his companions, where they'd defeated a demon and saved thousands of lives. Now it was dying, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

The real world doesn't have respawn points. When something breaks here, it stays broken.

They traveled for several hours, putting distance between themselves and the doomed city. The road was crowded with refugees at first, but as the hours passed, the crowds thinned as people split off toward different destinations.

"We should find somewhere to rest," Olivia suggested as darkness fell. "We're all exhausted."

"There," Itsuki said, pointing toward a floating island visible in the distance. The landmass hovered several hundred feet above ground, connected by a crystalline staircase that spiraled upward.

"Good spot," Rina said, nodding approvingly. "Isolated and defensible."

They climbed the staircase, finding the island's surface covered in overgrown ruins and wild vegetation. It was peaceful, isolated, and far from the chaos of the evacuation.

"This will do," Itsuki said, surveying the area. Then he reached into his inventory for the Manor Token.

"Perfect," Olivia said, watching him pull out the carved wooden token. "I can't wait to see Maria again. It's been too long."

Itsuki placed the token on the ground and channeled energy into it. The token dissolved in a flash of light, and a magnificent manor materialized before them. Three stories tall, built from elegant white stone with crystal windows that glowed with soft internal light. Magical gardens sprouted around it, and the front door stood open in welcome.

"Wow," Rina breathed, her eyes wide. "That's amazing!"

They entered the manor to find it exactly as Itsuki remembered. A vast, mostly empty structure with high ceilings and ornate moldings, but very little actual furniture. The entrance hall echoed with their footsteps.

"It's... very spacious," Clara said diplomatically, looking at the bare walls and empty rooms.

Yeah, I really need to get around to decorating this place, Itsuki thought. One of these days.

"I haven't gotten around to decorating yet," he admitted. "But there's a kitchen, bathing facilities, and I can materialize some furniture from my inventory."

Before he could do so, a familiar voice rang out from deeper in the manor.

"Master Amakaze! You brought guests!"

Maria appeared in the entrance hall, her golden blonde hair perfectly styled and her maid uniform immaculate. Her blue eyes lit up when she saw Olivia.

"Olivia!" Maria rushed forward with genuine delight. "It's so good to see you again! It's been too long!" She gave Olivia a warm hug before noticing the others. "Oh! And you brought more friends!"

Her eyes swept over Rina and Clara, and her expression became noticeably more subdued. "More... girls." She pouted slightly, crossing her arms. "Master keeps bringing home pretty ladies and Maria is going to get jealous!"

Here we go, Itsuki thought with mild amusement. Kenji really did program her personality to be as dramatic as possible.

"Maria, this is Rina and Clara," he introduced them. "They've been traveling with us."

"Hmph!" Maria turned her head away dramatically. "Master is so popular with the ladies! What about poor Maria who waits at home all alone?" She peeked back at them with one eye. "But I suppose if Olivia likes them, they must be okay!"

She clapped her hands together suddenly, her mood shifting. "Oh! But the manor is so empty! Master never decorates anything! Maria has been trying to make it nice but there's no furniture anywhere!" She grabbed Itsuki's arm and tugged. "Master has to materialize some beds and things for all the guests! You can't just leave them in empty rooms!"

"I was just about to do that," Itsuki said.

"And Maria will make dinner for everyone!" she announced cheerfully. "A big dinner with lots of food because Master finally brought people home!" Then her expression turned suspicious as she looked at Rina and Clara again. "But you two better not try to steal Master away from Maria! Maria saw him first!"

Olivia laughed. "Maria, we're just traveling companions."

"That's what they all say!" Maria declared, pointing an accusing finger before breaking into giggles. "But Maria is the best maid so it's okay! Everyone will love Maria's cooking and then they'll be Maria's friends too!"

"She's... energetic," Clara said quietly to Itsuki.

That's one way to put it, Itsuki thought.

"I think she's adorable!" Rina said with enthusiasm. "This manor is going to be so fun!"

"Oh, I like this one already!" Maria beamed at Rina. "You have good energy!"

Olivia smirked, clearly enjoying Maria's antics. "Don't worry, Maria. I'm sure we'll all get along wonderfully." She shot Itsuki a knowing look. "Though I have to say, Master certainly has expanded his entourage since I last saw him."

"Not you too," Itsuki muttered.

"What? I'm simply observing." Olivia's smile was entirely too smug. "It's fascinating how you've managed to surround yourself with such a... diverse group of talented women."

"It's called circumstance," Itsuki replied.

"Is it now?" Olivia's tone was teasing. "How very convenient for you."

Great. Now Olivia's going to join in on the teasing.

"Come come!" Maria tugged on his arm again. "Stop talking and start decorating! Guests need beds! And Maria needs to cook!"

Over the next hour, Itsuki materialized furniture from his inventory. Beds, chairs, tables, basic necessities. The manor slowly became more livable, though still nowhere near fully furnished.

Maria disappeared into the kitchen area, humming happily as cooking sounds and delicious smells began to fill the manor. Clara excused herself to wash up, still reserved and quiet after everything she'd been through. Rina immediately started examining the manor's architecture with fascination, pulling out tools to measure and analyze the magical construction.

"This place is incredible!" Rina called out from somewhere upstairs. "The magical efficiency is off the charts! And these support structures..."

Olivia settled into a chair near Itsuki, watching him materialize a gaming computer and monitor with obvious amusement.

"Really?" she asked. "A gaming setup? In a magical manor?"

"Priorities," Itsuki replied simply.

"You're such a nerd," Olivia said fondly. "Though I suppose that's part of your charm."

"Don't act like you're not interested too," Itsuki replied. "You nerd."

Olivia's smug expression faltered for just a moment before returning with full force. "You're RIGHT. I am interested." She leaned closer with a mischievous smile. "But at least I have the decency to pretend otherwise."

"That makes it worse, you know."

"Does it?" Olivia's tone was playful. "I think it makes it better."

"Mmhmm. Keep telling yourself that." Olivia stood and stretched. "I'm going to help Maria with dinner. Try not to get too absorbed in your... 'dedicated enthusiasm.'"

As she walked away, Itsuki could hear her laughing softly.

From the kitchen, he could hear Maria's voice ring out: "Olivia! You're cutting those vegetables all wrong! Here, let Maria show you the proper way!"

"I'll have you know I'm perfectly capable of cutting vegetables," Olivia replied with mock indignation.

"But Maria's way is better!"

"Your way takes twice as long."

"But it's prettier!"

Rina's voice called from upstairs: "Hey Itsuki! Can you come look at this? The magical resonance patterns in your bedroom are super weird!"

Clara appeared at the top of the stairs, looking significantly more refreshed after bathing. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Itsuki stood up and headed toward the stairs.

◇◇◇

Dinner was chaotic in the best possible way.

Maria had outdone herself, preparing a feast that filled the mostly empty dining room with incredible aromas. The table Itsuki had materialized was covered with dishes that somehow looked both elegant and comforting.

"Everyone sit, sit!" Maria commanded, practically bouncing with excitement. "Maria worked so hard on this meal!"

They gathered around the table. Rina immediately started praising every dish before even tasting them. Olivia made smug comments about proper dining etiquette while completely ignoring her own advice. Clara ate quietly but with obvious appreciation. And Maria watched everyone like a hawk, her expression lighting up every time someone complimented the food.

"This is amazing, Maria!" Rina said with her mouth half full. "How did you make the vegetables taste like this?"

"Trade secret!" Maria replied proudly. "But since you're so nice, maybe Maria will teach you someday!"

"I'd love that!"

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "You know, for someone who claims to be such an expert cook, you certainly took your time with those vegetables earlier."

"Because Maria cares about quality!" Maria shot back. "Unlike some people who just chop chop chop without any care!"

"I'll have you know my technique is perfectly efficient."

"But Maria's is prettier!"

Itsuki caught Clara's eye across the table. She looked slightly overwhelmed by the energy, but there was the tiniest hint of a smile on her face.

At least she's relaxing a bit, he thought.

After dinner, they gathered in what was becoming the main living area. Itsuki had materialized some comfortable chairs and a couch, creating something that almost resembled a proper lounge.

"So," Rina said, sprawled across one of the chairs, "what's our plan? Where are we heading next?"

"Crystalport," Olivia suggested. "It has excellent libraries and research facilities. We could learn more about what happened with Darius and the demonic corruption."

"Or Luminara," Rina countered. "Better artificer guilds there. I could upgrade everyone's equipment!"

Clara spoke up quietly. "The capital might be useful. House Vaelthorne had connections there. I might be able to access some resources."

They continued discussing options while Maria cleaned up in the background, occasionally interjecting with comments about how Master should stay home more often and stop gallivanting around with "all these pretty ladies."

Eventually, exhaustion won out. One by one, they retired to the bedrooms Itsuki had furnished, until only he remained in the living area.

He looked around at the manor, still mostly empty but now feeling a bit more alive with actual people in it. In the distance, he could hear Maria humming as she finished tidying up. Somewhere upstairs, Rina was probably still examining the magical architecture. Olivia had taken a stack of books to her room. And Clara had simply thanked him quietly before disappearing into her space.