Chapter 61 — A Massive Clean-Up ; Peace Return?

The Skybreaker floats quietly above the broken kingdom.

Below us—

Smoke still rises.

Tunnels glow faintly where Misha’s knights evacuate civilians.

Above—

The sky is strangely clear.

Too clear.

Like the world is pretending nothing happened.

I’m lying on a bench inside the Skybreaker’s main deck.

Flat on my back.

Arms folded.

Eyes closed.

Trying.

Desperately.

To sleep.

Luna stands beside me like a royal bodyguard.

Hands behind her back.

Completely alert.

“…Oi… just leave me alone here… please… pretty please…” I mumble without opening my eyes.

“No.”

Her answer is immediate.

Cold.

Firm.

Final.

I twitch.

“One thing for sure…”

I turn slightly.

“IT’S HARD FOR ME TO SLEEP LIKE THIS!!!!!”

She doesn’t even blink.

“You snore when unguarded.”

“That’s slander.”

“You drool too.”

“…That’s classified information.”

Silence.

I try again.

I roll to my side.

But I feel it.

That stare.

That dangerous stare.

Across the cabin—

Misha is leaning against the opposite wall.

Arms folded.

Watching me.

Smiling.

Why is she smiling like that?

Why do I feel a chill down my spine?

Luna notices it too.

The temperature in the room drops by at least five degrees.

She shifts slightly—

Positioning herself between me and Misha.

Subtle.

But obvious.

Misha tilts her head playfully.

“Oh? Guard duty?”

Luna smiles sweetly.

“Yes.”

“…Afraid I’ll steal him?”

“Confident I won’t allow it.”

Why is this conversation happening above my unconscious body like I’m some rare artifact?

I sit up slightly.

“I am literally right here.”

Both of them ignore me.

Meanwhile — Outside the Hull

Screeeeeeeek.

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek.

Kline is outside.

Clinging to the side of the Skybreaker.

Scratching the metal hull with his own nails.

“BASTAAAAARD!!!!!”

The sound echoes across the sky.

I close my eyes tightly.

“Go die, Kline… I need my beauty sleep…”

Eira sticks her head through the hatch above.

“Should I throw him off?”

“…Yes,” I say immediately.

“NO,” Luna replies at the same time.

Eira sighs.

“Fine. But if he dents my ship, he’s paying with blood.”

Kline continues yelling dramatically.

“YOU SAID MARINUS WOULD HAVE MERMAIDS!!!!!”

“I said coastal city!”

“COASTAL IMPLIES MERMAIDS!”

“That’s not how geography works!”

The Tension in the Cabin

Misha walks slowly toward me.

Luna immediately steps forward.

Intercept.

Smooth.

Silent.

“You should rest too,” Misha says gently.

“I’ll rest when he rests.”

“I’m literally trying to rest,” I complain.

Misha crouches slightly to look at my face.

Her eyes soften.

“You pushed yourself too hard.”

Oh.

Oh no.

That tone.

That soft tone.

Danger.

Immediate danger.

Luna’s aura sharpens.

“You’re very concerned.”

Misha smiles.

“I am his comrade.”

Luna steps closer.

“I am his partner.”

…

Pause.

The air freezes.

Even I stop breathing.

Partner?

Did she just—

I sit up instantly.

“WHEN DID WE DEFINE THAT TITLE?!”

Luna blushes slightly.

Just slightly.

“Don’t shout.”

Misha’s smile widens.

“Ohhh… so that’s how it is.”

“HOW IS WHAT?!” I shout again.

Luna turns toward me slowly.

“…Sleep.”

That’s not a request.

That’s a threat.

I lie back down immediately.

Yes ma’am.

Quiet Moment

For a brief second—

Everything goes quiet.

The Skybreaker hums gently.

The wind brushes against the hull.

Through the window, I can see refugees being escorted into the tunnel entrances.

Misha’s knights guiding them.

Nyx coordinating from above.

It feels…

Strange.

Peaceful.

After gods.

After dragon claws.

After souls rising to the sky.

“…Peace returns?” I mutter softly.

Luna looks down at me.

“Temporarily.”

“Why temporarily?”

She doesn’t answer.

That silence says everything.

Suspense Shift

Deep below the ruined capital—

In the cracks where divine blood once spilled—

Something pulses.

Faint.

Almost dead.

But not gone.

A dark ember.

Watching.

Waiting.

Above—

On the Skybreaker—

I finally close my eyes.

And for the first time since the battle—

My breathing slows.

Luna notices.

Her expression softens.

Misha notices too.

She steps back slightly.

No more teasing.

Just quiet understanding.

Kline suddenly bangs on the window.

“HEY!!! IF THERE ARE NO MERMAIDS I DEMAND COMPENSATION—”

Eira kicks him off the hull.

His scream fades into the wind.

Peace.

Silence.

Temporary.

Luna gently adjusts the blanket over me.

“…Sleep, Randy.”

Misha watches her.

Luna.

Still standing guard beside me like a knight protecting a sacred relic.

I am the relic.

Unfortunately.

I’m asleep.

Or at least pretending to be.

The Skybreaker hums gently through the clouds.

Footsteps echo across the deck.

Nyx arrives.

Calm.

Composed.

Dust still on her cloak from coordinating evacuation.

“Hey,” Nyx says, brushing her hair back. “Misha. All civilians accounted for.”

Misha’s eyes light up.

“Yaay! Finally done!”

She stretches her arms upward.

Armor plates shift slightly.

Metal clinks softly.

“Next… Lady Garnet asked me to officially join your crew.”

Silence.

Complete silence.

Even—

Even Kline stops scratching the hull.

The world freezes.

“…What?” I mumble half-asleep.

Then—

“EYA!!! YAAAHOO!!!!!”

Kline explodes through the hatch like a missile.

He lands dramatically in front of Misha.

Kneels.

Grabs her hand.

“My Lady Misha! If you desire a full tour of the crew, I shall explain everything in precise detail—”

He leans closer.

“But if you would prefer… a private tour… perhaps somewhere more secluded—”

BAMMM!!!

Eira dropkicks him mid-sentence.

He flies across the deck and slams into the inner hull wall.

The ship vibrates.

I instantly sit up.

“OI!!! DON’T MESS WITH MY SHIP!!!”

Eira lands gracefully.

Dusts her boots.

“Arr… this pervert reminds me of Arin…”

Kline slides down the wall slowly.

“…I regret nothing…”

He suddenly jumps back up into a gallant knight pose.

Cape imaginary.

Hair flick imaginary.

“Milady,” he says dramatically, “for we are not yet properly acquainted.”

Nyx stares at him.

Expression flat.

“Oh? So… what exactly are you doing, Kline?”

Everyone goes quiet.

Dead quiet.

We all know this is about to be legendary stupidity.

Long pause.

Kline looks around.

Sweat forming.

Waiting.

Waiting for someone to feed him a line.

Nothing.

More silence.

The wind whistles through the open deck.

“…HEY! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO SAY SOMETHING!!!” Kline screams.

“Hah?” Nyx tilts her head slightly.

The crew collectively exhales.

I slowly lie back down.

“I want to resign…”

Official Recruitment

Nyx turns back to Misha.

“Lady Garnet sent you personally?”

Misha nods.

“She said the era of isolated strongholds is over.”

Her eyes briefly glance at me.

“We need people who can move between worlds.”

Luna notices that glance.

Very notices it.

Nyx folds her arms.

“You understand joining this crew means instability.”

“Danger.”

“Unpredictable leadership.”

“…HEY,” I mutter weakly.

Nyx continues.

“And constant chaos.”

Misha smiles.

“I already rode a giant subterranean spider through collapsing tunnels.”

She places a hand over her chest.

“I’ll manage.”

Kline wipes imaginary tears.

“Such bravery… such elegance… marry me.”

Eira facepalm.

“I welcome you,” Nyx says calmly.

“But understand this.”

Her gaze sharpens.

“Randy attracts things.”

“Like what?” Misha asks.

Nyx’s eyes flicker slightly.

“Gods.”

The deck grows quiet.

Even Kline stops breathing.

For half a second.

Then—

“AND WOMEN,” Kline yells.

Eira slaps him with a rope.

Half-Asleep Randy Commentary

I open one eye.

“Why is this my fault?”

Luna answers immediately.

“It is.”

“How?”

“You exist.”

Fair argument.

I sit up slowly.

My body still heavy from soul-guiding.

My chest still faintly warm.

Misha steps closer.

“You really did something down there.”

Her tone is different now.

Less teasing.

More serious.

“The refugees… they stopped crying.”

I look away slightly.

“Wasn’t trying to.”

Nyx watches me.

“You didn’t have to try.”

Silence settles again.

Soft this time.

Peaceful.

Almost.

Chaos Returns Immediately

Kline suddenly slides between Misha and Luna.

“So! Since you are joining our glorious crew—”

He throws an arm wide.

“We must discuss sleeping arrangements!”

Luna’s aura spikes instantly.

Misha raises an eyebrow.

Eira grips a cannon lever.

Nyx sighs deeply.

I flop backward again.

“I’m going back to sleep.”

Kline gasps dramatically.

“You cannot sleep while destiny unfolds!”

“I can. Watch me.”

I close my eyes.

Three seconds of silence.

Then—

“Private quarters tour starts now!” Kline shouts.

Eira instantly knock him down

Again.

He was tied outside of the ship and left to hang alive

“…lets see if that rat survive that arr” Eira mutters.

Subtle Shift

Misha leans slightly toward Luna.

“Partner, huh?”

Luna’s cheeks tint faintly.

“…Yes.”

“Since when?”

“…Since I decided.”

Misha smiles softly.

“Bold.”

Luna doesn’t smile back.

But she doesn’t deny it either.

The tension between them isn’t sharp anymore.

It’s curious.

Testing.

Like two warriors measuring distance.

Luna.

Misha.

Standing only a few steps apart.

Smiling.

But not smiling.

Yep.

It’s real chaos.

Not even one week.

Not even three days.

JUST ONE DAY.

Gods.

Dragon claws.

Soul-guiding.

Refugee evacuation.

Now this.

I’m lying on the bench trying to nap when—

Footsteps.

Light.

Confident.

Misha approaches.

She crouches beside me.

And gently places a sealed letter on my chest.

“It’s from Lady Garnet…” she says softly.

I squint one eye open.

“Why me?”

“Beats me.”

She shrugs.

“She said you have to read it personally. And she meant it.”

Her eyes flick briefly toward Luna.

“…Even from Luna.”

Luna’s eyebrow twitches.

“Now that is curiosity,” Luna says calmly, stepping forward. “So… let me read it.”

Misha lifts one finger.

“Ah ah ah… Lady Garnet’s orders.”

The air tightens.

The two of them staring again.

And I?

I just want to sleep.

“Can I read it before you two start a war?” I sigh.

I sit up and break the seal.

The parchment smells faintly like sea salt.

Elegant handwriting.

The Letter

Dear Randy,

My boy, from what I see, myself, Tikka and Nu Wa have decided to assist you however we can.

Since I intend to expand my underwater nation, I might as well invite your people to Marinus.

Regarding Aurorvyr, we heard rumors of a sea-going nation beyond the southern side of Eligos. They may know how to pass through the thick sheet of ice.

About Misha — she wished to be part of your crew. She loved the adventures after hearing stories from Elowen and Seraphina.

So… I approve her transfer to you.

Please look after her.

Thanks, that is all.

P/S — Misha is at the age where she needs to explore more… and she is fertile and wishes to find a husband.

— Garnet

…

…

I slowly fold the letter.

Silence.

Wind passes through the deck.

Then—

I RIP THE LETTER INTO PIECES.

“WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!”

Paper confetti floats dramatically in the air.

Misha tilts her head innocently.

“Oh! Lady Garnet said I need to find a good offspring!”

Chills explode from my spine and fly straight out the nearest window.

Luna’s aura changes instantly.

Cold.

Focused.

Deadly.

“Over… my… dead… body,” she says softly.

Oh no.

That tone.

That is execution tone.

Misha giggles.

“Aww… Randy could have me as a mistress if he wanted to~”

The deck temperature drops ten degrees.

Nyx quietly sits beside me.

Calm.

Observing.

“If she’s bold enough to say that openly…” Nyx murmurs, eyes narrowing slightly, “…who knows what else she’s capable of.”

Misha smiles sweetly.

“Oh I’m capable of a lot.”

WHY ARE YOU PROUD?!

Outside — Kline Breakdown

A sudden metallic crunching sound.

Kline is biting the hull.

Actually biting it.

“KIEEEE!!!! YOU BASTARD!!!!!”

Eira stares at him.

“…Shiver me sails… I’ve seen sea pests and barnacles cling to ships…”

She points at Kline.

“But this is beyond anything I’ve witnessed.”

She shakes her head.

“Randy, is your first mate broken in the head?”

“First of all,” I mutter, “he promoted himself.”

Second of all—

Yes.

Yes he is broken.

Randy’s Mental Horror List

I stand up slowly.

Hands on my face.

Processing.

Let’s review my life choices.

First — Seraphina.

Already making dangerous moves.

Looking at me like I’m her destined mate.

Second — Harmonia.

Publicly declared I belong to her.

In front of people.

Why.

Third — Elysia.

“Sister” acting like we skipped several moral boundaries.

We are NOT related.

Still terrifying.

Fourth — Luna.

Now officially declared herself my partner.

Shackles metaphorically around my neck.

Possessive princess mode activated.

And lastly —

Misha.

Openly declaring fertility.

WHAT KIND OF LETTER IS THAT?!

If you think this is a happy ending scenario—

No.

Absolutely not.

My imagination right now?

Jason.

Freddy Krueger.

Michael Myers.

The Predator.

Aliens.

All standing behind me.

Breathing heavily.

Waiting.

This is not romance.

This is survival horror.

Nyx leans slightly toward my ear.

“Godspeed, Randy.”

She smiles faintly.

“Right now, you’re ripe for the picking.”

“DOES THAT EVEN HELP ME?!”

The Romantic Battlefield

Luna steps closer to Misha.

“You will behave.”

Misha places her hands behind her back.

“I’m very well-behaved.”

“You just offered to become a mistress.”

“That is considered polite honesty in some cultures.”

“Not here.”

“Yet.”

Their eyes lock again.

Like duelists before drawing blades.

I step between them instinctively.

“Okay. STOP. Nobody is marrying anyone. Nobody is producing offspring. Nobody is expanding anything biological.”

Misha giigle at me.

“You sound nervous.”

“I AM nervous.”

Nyx watches the dynamic carefully.

Not amused.

Not teasing.

Analyzing.

Because beneath the chaos—

There’s something else.

Garnet didn’t just send Misha for romance.

She sent her as a political bridge.

An underwater nation expanding.

Sea routes.

Aurorvyr beyond frozen waters.

This is alliance building.

Marriage politics.

Power consolidation.

And I—

Am the center piece.

Oh no.

I just realized.

I am not the protagonist.

“I am diplomatic currency.”

No.

Worse.

More like food.

Freshly cooked.

Served on a silver platter.

For wolves.

“Eira… let’s check something from that place,” I say quickly, trying to redirect my own fate.

“Aye aye,” Eira salutes lazily, grog in hand.

Nyx folds her arms. “Anything in particular interests you?”

“Remember the pillar?”

Her eyes narrow. “Yeah…”

I glance at Luna.

She understands instantly.

“Nyx,” Luna says calmly, “you’ve been here since the beginning. Did you see an old building… like some sort of temple?”

Nyx freezes.

“…How do you know that?”

Luna keeps her composure.

“It would lead us to another clue.”

Nyx exhales slowly.

“During the chaos, after Lord Xorvath’s disappearance… I ordered that temple dismantled.”

Everyone goes quiet.

“And flown into the skies.”

“…Flown?” I ask.

“Yes. Along with Fort Ungalus. Both structures have aerial mobility.”

She looks at me sharply.

“Wait… you’re telling me…”

“Yep,” I reply.

“That bastard is heading toward that fortress.”

Nyx nods slowly.

“They are no match for our Sky Island. But they’re not stupid enough to challenge it directly.”

“Then we leave that for later,” I say. “First — clean-up.”

Nyx glances at Luna.

“And speaking of clean-up… Luna now inherits two territories. Elysium and Synthoria.”

She smiles faintly.

“What do you think, Princess?”

Luna stiffens.

“Eek!! More land, more problems!!”

Misha casually wraps an arm around my shoulder.

“Aww… you settle that. I’ll take care of Randy. With love and care~”

“Not a chance!” Luna snaps instantly.

“Ugh… I hate this,” I mutter.

Return to the Capital of Magick

With the last refugees transferred, the Skybreaker departs.

Slow.

Steady.

The world below still healing.

When we reach the Capital of Magick—

It’s chaos.

Celebration chaos.

Banners raised.

Fireworks.

Cheering.

At the palace gates—

Fu Xi, Mina, Bolg, and others wait for us.

We dock directly at the royal terrace.

The hatch opens.

And—

“RANDY!!!!!”

Harmonia launches herself forward.

I barely brace.

“Hey… we found her,” I say quickly.

She looks at Nyx.

Nyx nods once.

Harmonia doesn’t waste another second — she sprints toward the infirmary.

Nyx exhales.

“…Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Fu Xi steps forward, smiling.

“Well. Welcome back. It seems the worst is finally over.”

“Yeah,” Nyx replies calmly. “With more land to call home.”

Mina adds, “Kilos is in a predicament now.”

Luna blinks. “What happened?”

“Vista Valley,” Mina answers. “That dragon invaded Kilos’ capital and warned the king.”

The air shifts.

“And so,” Luna breathes slowly, “the continental conflict ends.”

“For now,” Mina nods. “Ut Lo is sending representatives to negotiate.”

Fu Xi looks at Luna thoughtfully.

“You unified Eligos. Perhaps you should formalize alliances.”

“And Kingdom of Caelestis as well,” Luna says. “Commander Bolg.”

Bolg bows. “My lord.”

Fu Xi nods. “We are grateful.”

“Do not thank me,” Bolg laughs heartily. “Thank the two who saved our Pope. He is indebted.”

Fu Xi looks confused. “Saved… how?”

Luna lights up excitedly.

“He did something that wasn’t magic at all! It looked terrifying at first, but it worked!”

Fu Xi stares at me.

“…Explain.”

I sigh.

“I replaced the Pope’s failing artificial heart.”

Silence.

“By… cutting open his chest,” I add plainly.

Mina grabs my collar instantly.

“YOU CUT THE POPE?!”

“It’s called surgery!” I defend. “You exchange damaged parts!”

Fu Xi’s face goes blank.

Bolg bursts out laughing.

“Hahaha! The Pope is stronger than ever! With Lord Himmel beside him, he fears nothing!”

Misha casually adds, “Lady Garnet said once the subway system is complete, the Pope will visit.”

Fu Xi’s face drains of color.

“…Luna,” he whispers weakly, “when are you taking my seat? This is too much.”

“You are the Battlemaster,” Mina snaps.

“EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!” Fu Xi cries.

Romance Battlefield — Round 2

Before sanity returns—

Seraphina coils around me from behind.

“Come. Let us proceed with our bonding ritual~”

“…See?” I deadpan.

Kline drops to his knees.

“KIEEEE!!!”

Oswald hisses, “Die, bastard…”

Kyle groans, “Lucky devil…”

Michael and Lionel clutch their chests dramatically.

Luna grabs Seraphina’s arm.

“Not so fast.”

Elysia joins.

“Hey! He’s not exclusively yours.”

Misha cheerfully jumps in.

“Aww why don’t we all just share the adventure?”

“That makes it worse!!” I shout.

Luna steps forward, eyes blazing.

“Randy is mine. Tonight he sleeps in my chamber.”

The entire hall explodes.

Elowen watches calmly.

In her imagination—

A cat.

A sea lion.

A wolf.

A snake.

All fighting over a single mouse.

The mouse is me.

“Oh my god… Randy,” she mutters. “What have you done?”

“I DID NOTHING!!”

“I don’t see it that way.”

I am now physically stuck between multiple arms.

The guys kneel like worshippers.

“WHY NOT ME IN THERE?!” Kline screams.

“Please, let me inside that chaos!” Oswald wails.

Eira sips her drink calmly.

“Arr… looks like home.”

Fu Xi shouts from the throne,

“HEY!! WE NEED TO CLEAN THIS PLACE AGAIN!!”

Nobody listens.

Marlisa rushes in.

“Enough! Randy needs rest! I have a method to relax him properly!”

WHY ARE YOU JOINING?!

Elowen suddenly grabs Eira’s bottle.

Drinks it.

“AHHH!! That burns!”

The boys chant dramatically.

“Let us in the chaos!”

Suddenly—

Misha grabs Lionel by the legs.

“What—?!”

And swings him sideways.

“Move aside, ladies! He needs space!”

Lionel becomes an accidental battering ram.

He smashes into the group.

Everyone tumbles.

Arms. Hair. Cloaks everywhere.

Lionel’s face accidentally presses into Seraphina’s chest.

His soul leaves his body.

He smiles faintly.

“…Heaven…”

“KIEEEE!!! THAT BASTARD!!!” Kline shrieks.

“LIONEL YOU TRAITOR!” Oswald screams.

The palace guards retreat slowly.

Fu Xi covers his face.

Nyx watches quietly.

And for a moment—

She smiles.

Because despite gods.

Despite war.

Despite politics.

This—

This absurd, ridiculous chaos—

Means they are alive.

And I?

I lie on the floor.

Crushed between royalty, knights, serpents, and political alliances.

“…I really am diplomatic currency…”

No.

Correction.

I am international property.

And peace?

Peace has absolutely not returned.

Kline and Oswald cannot hold it anymore.

You can literally see the restraint snap.

“That’s it!!! THIS IS A GROUP HUG!!!” Kline roars, veins popping.

“I’m joining the fun!!!” Oswald dives forward like a man charging into war.

Kyle dramatically unlatches his armor.

Metal plates CLANG against the marble floor.

“Let us proceed with this love process!!!”

WHY ARE YOU PREPARING LIKE IT’S A CEREMONY?!

Before they even reach us—

Marlisa’s eye twitches.

She grabs Lionel by the ankle.

Lionel is still half in heaven from earlier impact.

“What—?”

SWING.

“GET AWAY!!! PERVERT BROTHER!!!!!”

Lionel becomes a human morningstar.

BOOM.

All three idiots are smashed mid-air.

They spiral like broken windmills.

SLAM.

Face-first into the palace wall.

The wall cracks.

Dust falls.

They slide down slowly.

Unconscious.

Tongues out.

Me: 😑

Still tightly coiled by Seraphina’s tail.

Breathing difficulty: moderate.

Dignity: nonexistent.

Seraphina hums softly.

“Do not struggle~”

“I’m not struggling,” I say flatly. “I’m reconsidering life choices.”

Around me—

Luna steps forward.

Elysia blocks the other side.

Misha casually smiles like she’s watching a festival.

They circle.

Predators.

Fu Xi watches from the throne.

In his mind—

Ritual fire.

Drums.

Chanting.

Randy tied to a pole.

“…Why does it always look like a sacrifice?” he whispers weakly.

Randy Multi-Task Survival Mode

I twist my head toward Elowen.

“While I’m suppressing this chaos… could the golems fix and clean the city?”

Elowen doesn’t hesitate.

“Right on it.”

She turns sharply.

Outside—

Massive stone golems awaken.

Eyes glowing faintly.

They march through broken districts.

Lifting rubble.

Rebuilding walls.

Clearing streets.

Precision movement.

Mechanical efficiency.

Citizens watch in awe.

No magic chanting.

Just work.

Elowen walks away calmly.

Meanwhile—

I scan the battlefield.

Seraphina tightens slightly.

Luna grips my wrist.

Misha steps closer.

This is territorial escalation.

Then—

I see him.

Kline.

Still unconscious.

Drooling.

Legs exposed.

Opportunity detected.

Slowly…

Carefully…

I grab his ankles.

Internal calculation.

Switch.

FLASH.

Position exchange.

Suddenly—

I’m free.

And Kline—

Is in my place.

Still unconscious.

Still drooling.

Still smiling.

“…Finally… ah…”

The girls pause.

Seraphina blinks.

“…Why is he… hairy?”

Luna narrows her eyes.

Misha leans closer.

Kline opens one eye lazily.

“…Group hug complete?”

Silence.

“…Creepy,” Marlisa mutters.

Luna’s eyes widen.

“…Where is Randy?”

Meanwhile — Randy Actually Being Useful

I’m already outside.

Walking briskly down the palace steps.

Breathing freedom.

The city smells like dust and hope.

Reconstruction is underway.

But something feels incomplete.

This capital survived war.

Now it needs stability.

Not just defense.

Not just alliances.

It needs structure.

Vista Valley had balance.

This place doesn’t.

It needs:

• A hospital — real medicine, not only magic.
• A public bath — hygiene builds morale.
• A stadium — competition without killing.

If all they know is war—

They will always choose war.

I kneel and sketch rough layouts on the ground.

Centralized water channels.

Waste drainage systems.

Open training fields converted into sports grounds.

Imagine children running for competition.

Not survival.

That—

Changes a nation.

Back at the Palace — Realization

“GET AWAY FROM RANDY!!!” Luna shouts.

“Not a chance!!!” Seraphina hisses.

Misha tilts her head.

“Wait…”

She pokes Kline’s cheek.

He smiles dreamily.

“…Soft…”

“THIS IS NOT RANDY!” Luna yells.

They all freeze.

Marlisa looks around.

“…Where is he?”

They rush to the balcony.

Below—

They see me.

Already working.

Already instructing golems.

Already rebuilding.

Not hiding.

Not flirting.

Working.

Luna exhales slowly.

“…Idiot.”

Seraphina narrows her eyes.

“He abandons mating season for nest-building.”

Misha smiles faintly.

“That’s kind of attractive.”

Nyx appears behind them silently.

“He prioritizes stability over desire,” she says calmly.

“And that,” she adds, “is why nations will kneel.”

Inside — Aftermath

Kline suddenly wakes up fully.

“…Did I win?”

Oswald groans beside him.

Kyle slowly lifts his head.

All three see the girls staring down at them.

Deadly silence.

“…Retreat?” Oswald suggests weakly.

Too late.

Window.

Crash.

All three are thrown out again.

Outside—

They land in a pile of sand from construction.

Kline gives a thumbs-up.

“…Worth it.”

Final Shot

From above—

The capital rebuilds.

Golems move like silent guardians.

Citizens begin smiling again.

And at the center—

A boy who calls himself diplomatic currency

Is quietly reshaping a continent.

Peace?

Not yet.

But structure—

Has begun.

The first to rise is the hospital.

Not stone stacked randomly.
Not magic stitched blindly.

Precision.

Steel beams from the SkyBreaker descend in perfect alignment.

Sky Golems hover in formation.

Glass panels set into place.

Water lines connect underground.

Within hours—

It stands.

White.
Clean.
Terrifyingly modern.

Fu Xi stands at the balcony, staring at it like it’s a mythical beast.

“…It was rubble this morning.”

Mina crosses her arms beside him.

“That is what happened in Vista Valley.”

She exhales slowly.

“I know how you feel now.”

Fu Xi says nothing.

“And I know how Lord Althaeon felt that day.”

Three massive structures now dominate the skyline:

• The Hospital
• The Grand Public Bath
• The Central Arena

And I’m not done.

Because now—

I’m thinking about something else.

“A mall…” I mutter.

Elowen appears behind me.

“…Another one of your crazy ideas?”

“It boosts economic circulation,” I reply casually. “Centralized trade hub. Food, clothing, crafting supplies. If Lady Garnet finishes the subway system, logistics speed will triple.”

Elowen squints.

“You’re very confident.”

“Trust me. I know Conrad.”

“…Why?”

“He’s my teacher.”

“…What?”

“Home-based instructor when I’m not at school.”

Elowen slowly blinks.

“I think I understand why you know too much.”

“Yeah. I think so too.”

I pause.

“…But honestly I just want peace and quiet now.”

I point at the wall.

“What are you thinking?” she asks cautiously.

“A turre—”

She slaps her hand over my mouth instantly.

“NO.”

“But—”

“No.”

“Just a small—”

“Randy.”

Her eye twitches.

“War has ended. The enemy retreated. People are rebuilding their lives.”

She rubs her temples.

“Please. Just enjoy the peace.”

“…But.”

“Please.”

I slowly raise a finger.

And point upward.

One of the towers.

Already modified.

Embedded mana stone.

Energy crystal core.

Rotational housing mechanism.

Turret platform.

Elowen drops her hammer.

“…What are you doing?”

She grabs my collar.

Except—

It’s a golem wearing my face.

“HEY RANDY!!!!!”

Too late.

I’m already airborne.

Above the Capital

I rise on my airbike.

Wind cutting past.

Below—

The transformation is breathtaking.

New roads stretch like silver veins.

Light poles stand evenly spaced.

A power grid connects district to district.

The hospital glows faintly.

The bathhouse steams gently.

The arena tower casts a long shadow.

The girls finally stop fighting.

They stare.

“A road…” Marian whispers.

“A power grid…” Marlisa breathes.

“A bath…” Misha’s eyes sparkle.

“A turret…” Seraphina narrows her gaze.

“And now…” she continues slowly, “Randy is building something like Marinus.”

Luna trembles.

“RAN… DY… WHAT… ARE… YOU… DOING?!”

I don’t hear her.

Not right now.

Because this—

This idea is alive.

The Power Plant

Massive central core.

Crystal reactor chamber.

Mana-to-electric conversion system.

Not for war.

For light.

For refrigeration.

For industry.

For comfort.

For civilization.

“Golem,” I command calmly.

“Activate forcefield system.”

“Activating.”

A deep hum echoes.

A translucent barrier expands outward—

Then vanishes.

The city flickers—

And disappears from outside vision.

Stealth protocol active.

Cloaked.

Protected.

“Yep,” I say quietly.

“That’s how you do it.”

Ground Level Reactions

Fu Xi watches in silence.

His face no longer amused.

No longer shocked.

Just blank.

Even Mina whistles.

“…That speed.”

Kline bursts into laughter.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! NOW THAT IS PROGRESS!!!”

Bolg stares upward.

“…Is this engineering… or another god?”

General Liong arrives breathless.

“…Is this Magick?”

His lieutenant gulps.

“Yes sire… definitely…”

Fu Xi grips the railing.

For the first time—

The Invincible Battlemaster cannot process what he sees.

A capital rebuilt.

In one day.

Not with spells.

Not with rituals.

But systems.

Infrastructure.

Logic.

He whispers quietly—

“…What kind of era are we entering?”

Emotional Undercurrent

Below—

Luna is still shouting.

But her voice cracks slightly.

Because she sees it too.

Randy isn’t just building buildings.

He’s reshaping power itself.

Not domination.

Stability.

Elowen finally sighs.

She walks back toward Eira.

“Drink?”

“Arr. Thought you’d never ask.”

They sit beside the SkyBreaker.

Watching smoke rise from new chimneys.

Watching children run on freshly paved streets.

Watching a future no one asked for—

But everyone needed.

Above

I hover in the sky.

City glowing softly below.

No war drums.

No screams.

Just construction.

Just progress.

For now—

I’m carefree.

Because my brain is already thinking of irrigation systems

To be continued