CHAPTER 28 —
The council chamber of Aetheria had never been this packed before.
Sunlight poured through the tall crystal windows, scattering golden reflections across the polished marble floor. The meeting had not officially begun, yet the room was already overflowing with envoys, royal advisers, map scholars, trade ministers, military observers, and far too many people who believed their opinions were the most important thing in the world. Perfumes mixed with ink scents, and whispers filled every corner like restless insects.
Airi sat on her floating seat with her legs dangling, nibbling on a cookie shaped like a miniature train. She kicked the air slowly, watching the busy chamber with sparkling curiosity.
Haruto stood beside her, arms crossed, expression calm but presence sharp enough to make half the room nervous. Frost and Lunara stood behind the siblings like an intimidation wall. Lyria hovered gently above them, radiating a soft, serene glow that contrasted beautifully with the chaos below.
Chaos was the only word that fit.
Representatives from all four great empires had arrived:
Empire of Dominion: Emperor Althares' envoys, known for their military firmness.
Empire of Solaris: Emperor Cassian's elegant diplomats, glowing robes and all.
Empire of Velnar: Empress Isolde's envoys, cloaked in deep purple with silver detailing.
Empire of Abyssion: Emperor Kuroz's mysterious delegation, silent and watching everything.
And there were representatives from half a dozen smaller kingdoms, duchies, trading unions, merchant guilds, clan territories, and even nomadic tribes, all gathered for one purpose:
The approval and route determination of the world's first Mana Rail Network.
Airi leaned closer to her brother.
"Onii Chan… why are these people so loud in the morning?"
Haruto didn't move his lips as he whispered back.
"Because politicians don't sleep. They only plot."
Airi gasped softly.
"That sounds dangerous."
"It is."
Before she could ask more, an elderly Riverfall minister slammed his cane on the floor.
"This entire project is unreasonable! If Aetheria builds a direct rail line between itself and the Dominion Empire, our western kingdoms lose our trade monopoly!"
A Solaris minister stepped forward sharply.
"And who decides the routes? If Aetheria lays tracks over our land, they gain influence over our borders. This is political aggression disguised as innovation!"
Airi blinked slowly.
"Onii Chan… what is po-lee-ti-cal aggro-shun?"
Haruto answered calmly.
"It means they're afraid progress will expose how slow they are."
Airi nodded wisely.
She understood nothing.
From the Solaris side, a woman raised her hand.
"Our concern is not politics. Our territory's terrain is filled with active mana veins. Your construction could destabilize them."
Frost stepped forward, voice steady.
"With proper reinforcement runes and mana-balanced placement, there is no danger."
The woman narrowed her eyes.
"And who are you supposed to be?"
Frost's tone dropped to a frosty chill.
"The Wolf Lord, one of the Ancient Beasts."
The Solaris diplomat sat down immediately.
Lunara cracked her knuckles, not aggressively, just enough for the sound to echo.
Someone fainted.
Haruto cleared his throat.
"Representatives, the objective of this project is not domination. Our goal is simple. To connect the world. Safely. Efficiently. Peacefully."
A merchant leader scoffed.
"And who benefits the most? Aetheria. If the world relies on your rails, you gain the leverage to manipulate global trade."
Airi raised her hand.
"Why is that bad?"
The minister blinked.
"Because it means you hold power!"
"Like lifting heavy things?" Airi asked.
"No!"
Haruto rubbed his forehead.
Lyria floated down and tapped Airi's head gently.
"They won't listen to your brother. They might listen to you."
Airi froze.
"M-Me? But… I am very small."
Haruto placed a hand on her back.
"Small does not mean powerless."
Airi floated up slightly so everyone could see her clearly. The room fell quiet. Even the impatient Solaris advisors leaned forward.
Airi pressed her palms together.
"I don't know much about politics. I don't know why adults fight about things that should help people. But I know one thing."
Silence deepened.
Airi took a small breath.
"When people can travel… they meet new friends. Families who live far away can see each other sooner. Merchants won't have to be scared on dangerous roads. Adventurers can explore safely."
Her voice trembled softly.
"I don't want to take anything from anyone. I want to give something. Safety. Connection. Happiness. A world that is easier to live in."
Her eyes lowered a bit.
"And this rail… it's not just for Aetheria. It is for everyone in the world."
The chamber remained perfectly still.
No one wanted to be the monster who argued against a child wishing for people to be connected.
Haruto stepped forward.
"Princess Airi speaks the will of Aetheria. This network will not be controlled by us alone. Every empire and kingdom will have representatives on the International Rail Council. Equal control. Equal say."
A map projection materialized in the air between them.
Haruto raised his hand.
"Let us begin route placement."
THE MAP DEBATE BEGINS
A massive world map hung in the air, glowing in soft blue.
Aetheria rested in the center of the four great empires.
To the northeast lay the Empire of Dominion, only five days away by the fastest carriage.
To the south lay the Empire of Solaris, separated by hot plains and sparkling deserts.
To the west lay the Empire of Velnar, surrounded by freezing mountains and glacier-fed rivers.
And to the far northwest lay the shadowed Empire of Abyssion, its lands thick with dark forests and natural labyrinths.
Haruto tapped the Dominion Empire.
"The first rail route will follow the originally agreed path: Aetheria to the Dominion Empire. Distance… approximately five days by carriage."
He traced a glowing line.
Airi raised a hand proudly.
"That is our shortest path! Frost can run it in one day."
Several diplomats flinched.
Haruto continued.
"This route will serve as the world's first railway line and demonstration track."
The Dominion envoy nodded.
"Emperor Althares approves the route."
Next came Solaris.
Haruto highlighted the southern plains.
"Your lands have dense mana veins. Instead of digging… we propose floating rail sections built on mana-stabilizing anchors."
The Solaris representative blinked.
"Floating rails…? Can such a thing exist?"
Lyria giggled softly.
"It already exists. We demonstrated the mini-model last week."
Solaris exchanged glances and nodded.
"Emperor Cassian accepts… pending structural guarantees."
Next was Velnar.
Empress Isolde's envoys stepped forward.
Their land was dangerous.
Haruto pointed to the glacier paths.
"A subterranean rail tunnel is impossible. Instead, we propose cliff-edge tracks reinforced with cryo-mana stabilizers."
The Velnarian envoy tilted his head.
"That is suicidal."
Lunara leaned forward.
"I will personally carve the path through your mountains."
The Velnarian envoy immediately coughed.
"Velnar accepts."
Then came Abyssion.
Everyone fell silent.
Even the air felt colder.
Haruto highlighted the ancient forests stretching across Abyssion.
"Your land is the most complex. We propose—"
Before he could finish, the Abyssion envoy whispered calmly.
"Emperor Kuroz is curious. How will you protect the rail network from the beasts of Abyssion's Great Deep Forest?"
Airi raised her hand proudly.
"I can tame beasts."
The envoy's neutral expression cracked for the first time.
"…Ah."
Aetheria's entire side stared at Airi with gentle confusion.
"She really meant that literally," Lyria whispered.
Haruto closed the map.
"Empire of Abyssion?"
The envoy bowed.
"Emperor Kuroz accepts the proposed network."
One by one, every empire confirmed.
Then every kingdom.
Every duchy.
Every tribe.
Every nation.
Years of political tension were reduced to a single moment of collective agreement.
Haruto exhaled slowly. His shoulders relaxed for the first time in weeks.
Airi thrust both arms into the air.
"AETHERIA GETS TO BUILD THE FIRST RAILWAY EVER!"
Lunara roared in satisfaction.
Frost nodded proudly.
Lyria spun in glittering circles.
Haruto smiled, small, but real.
"It begins now."
AFTER-VOTE DISCUSSIONS
The hall finally settled into calmer murmurings.
Distance estimates were updated:
Aetheria ↔ Dominion = 5 days by carriage → 3 hours by rail.
Aetheria ↔ Solaris = 8 days → 4 hours by rail.
Aetheria ↔ Velnar = 12 days → 5–6 hours by rail.
Aetheria ↔ Abyssion = 15 days → 7 hours by rail.
The world would shrink.
Trade would explode.
Borders would evolve.
And Aetheria would become the heart of everything.
Airi floated closer to Haruto.
"Onii Chan… this is really happening."
Haruto placed his hand on her head.
"Yes. This is the beginning of something much bigger than we imagined."
Abyssion's envoy approached Haruto.
"Prince of Death… the emperor wishes to speak with you privately once construction begins."
Haruto nodded, though a faint chill touched his spine.
Abyssion had always been distant. Mysterious. Dangerous.
Why did Emperor Kuroz care about the rails?
The envoy walked away silently like a shadow evaporating.
Airi grabbed Haruto's sleeve.
"Onii Chan… are you scared?"
He shook his head.
"No. But I am cautious."
Airi puffed her cheeks.
"If someone tries to hurt my onii chan, I will tame their ancestors."
Haruto chuckled.
"That is not how taming works."
"It will be!"
THE FINAL DECLARATION
Haruto stepped onto the central platform.
Airi floated beside him.
He raised his hand.
"Representatives of the world. The Mana Rail Network has been approved by all four empires and all attending nations."
Airi beamed.
"Construction starts tomorrow!"
The council chamber erupted into applause.
Cheering.
Some applause was stiff.
Some forced.
Some genuine.
But applause nonetheless.
Lunara crossed her arms proudly.
"History will remember this day."
Frost's tail swayed calmly.
"And it begins with our hands."
Lyria floated down, tapping Airi's shoulders.
"You did well."
Airi smiled softly.
"It was all because onii chan was there."
Haruto's cheeks reddened faintly.
Lunara teased him instantly.
"Aw, little Haruto is shy."
"I am not little," Haruto muttered.
The world laughed.
Aetheria had spoken.
The empires had agreed.
And the world's first railway…
…was now officially underway.
END OF CHAPTER 28 — Politics on Rails