CHAPTER 31 —
Three months passed.
The Great Forest no longer trembled because of construction. Now it trembled because thousands of people traveled through it every day.
The world's four main Skyrail routes, Dominion, Solaris, Velnar, Abyssion, had been completed one month ago. After a month of nonstop test runs, training conductors, final safety enchantments, and diplomatic inspections…
The trains officially started running.
And in just one month…
Aetheria became the center of everything.
AETHERIA TODAY: THE CITY THAT MAGIC BUILT
What used to be a peaceful clearing with a few cabins was now a living masterpiece.
The central station, Aetheria Grand Skyhub. Towered like a jewel of metal, mana crystal, and enchanted stone. Hundreds of floating lanterns drifted through the air. People from every race poured in and out of its glowing arches.
Tourists.Merchants.Scholars.Warriors.Families.Diplomats.Even nobles pretending to be ordinary travelers.
It was chaos. Beautiful chaos.
Stalls lined the pathways selling:
Airi's cookiesHandmade spirit accessoriesWolf Lord plushiesMini model trainsGlow-crystalsDragon fire lightersMana coffee
Mana fruit
Elven artDwarven hammer keychains
There were so many people that Frost began patrolling like a tired guardian uncle.
Airi adored all of it.
Haruto endured all of it.
AETHERIA'S WAR TREASURY: MANAGED BY ONE ELF
Airi traveled through the main administration building, dragging Haruto behind her.
"Onii Chan look! Look how busy everyone is!"
Haruto's eyes scanned fifty elves carrying documents, twenty dwarves carrying metal plates, and ten dark elves carrying stressed humans.
"Yes. Very busy."
Inside the accounting hall, an elf with mint green hair stood behind a mountain of gold engraved ledgers.
Eli.Aetheria's chief financial officer.Cold eyes. Fast hands. Infinite patience.She looked like the kind of elf who could calculate a nation's tax budget before breakfast.
She bowed.
"Princess Airi. Prince Haruto. Please sit. I will brief you."
Airi sat.Haruto sat.Frost sat.Lyria hovered.Lunara stood because chairs feared her.
Eli opened a ledger the size of Haruto's torso.
"Financial summary for the last thirty days."
Airi held her breath.
Eli turned a page.
"Tourism income: astronomical."
Airi gasped.
Eli continued.
"Merchandise sales: overwhelming."
Airi kicked her legs happily.
Eli flipped the next page.
"Railway profit: unprecedented."
Haruto blinked.
"How unprecedented?"
Eli pushed forward a thick stack of papers.
"We earned enough money in one month to buy a mid sized kingdom."
Airi fainted.
Haruto caught her.
Lyria giggled.
Frost stared at Eli.
"Is that… a normal amount for a kingdom?"
"No. It is insane," Eli said calmly.
Lunara nodded.
"That sounds correct."
Airi popped back up.
"Eli! Is Aetheria rich?"
Eli adjusted her glasses.
"We are not rich."
Airi deflated.
"We are obscenely rich."
Airi exploded into sparkles.
THE WORLD AFTER SKYRAIL
The Skyrail changed everything.
Dominion EmpireTrade doubled. Armies could move faster. People visited Aetheria to see the Legendary Princess Who Laid the First Track. Dominion earned money. Aetheria earned more.
Solaris EmpireTheir desert routes became safe. Merchants formed long lines to travel through Aetheria. Aetheria earned so much in toll fees that Eli created a new category called Financial Overflow.
Velnar EmpireMountain travel became easy. Tourists took Skyrail trips to enjoy snowy views. Aetheria sold heated seats. People loved it.
Abyssion EmpireDark forests became accessible. Mystical scholars traveled to Aetheria to study Airi. And sometimes… shadow creatures followed the trains. But they behaved. Mostly.
AETHERIA: THE HEART OF IT ALL
The Skyhub pulsed with life.
Spirit beasts helped guide tourists.Elves served food.Dwarves fixed rails.Dark elves monitored security.Human kids ran around with glowing toys.
Stalls yelled:
Get your Airi cookie!Haruto plushies!Wolf Lord steak, I mean fake steak!Spirit guide tours!Mini Skyrail rides!
Airi looked around with shining eyes.
"Onii Chan… look… everyone is smiling."
Haruto watched a wolf cub give rides to children. A dwarf sold mana popcorn. A fairy guided lost humans. A Solaris noble cried at how good the coffee was.
"Yes. They are."
"This is the world we made, right?"
Haruto nodded.
"It is your world, Airi."
She shook her head.
"No. It is our world."
She took Haruto's hand and pulled him.
"Come see! Come see the Skyhub from above!"
THE SKYHUB VIEW: AETHERIA'S NEW HEARTBEAT
Airi dragged Haruto into the sky.
The floating platforms above Aetheria provided a full view of the city.
The glowing mana tracks stretched toward the horizon in four directions.
They looked like glowing lines connecting the world.
From up here:
People were tiny specks.Trains were shining streaks.The Skyhub was a beating heart.Aetheria felt alive.
Airi leaned on Haruto's shoulder.
"Onii Chan… does it feel strange?"
"What does?"
"That everyone is coming here because of… us."
Haruto looked down at the bustling city.
"We brought something new to this world. Something that helps. Something that connects. People will come because they seek better lives."
Airi's eyes softened.
"And I just want them to be safe."
Haruto patted her head.
"They are. Because you are here."
Airi smiled and kicked her feet in the air.
"Then let us make more places safe!"
"That is too ambitious."
"No it is not!"
"…Maybe."
Airi puffed her cheeks.
Haruto smirked.
A DAY IN AETHERIA
Airi wanted to inspect the city. Haruto followed because he had no choice.
Airi vs Train Conductor
Airi climbed into a conductor's chair.
"Let me drive!"
The conductor panicked.
"P Princess the trains are not for children—"
Airi pouted.
Haruto approached.
"She can drive."
The conductor died inside.
Airi pressed one button.
The engine made a happy beep.
Haruto pressed fifty buttons to stop it from blasting off at full speed.
Airi giggled.
Aetheria Café
Airi insisted on a snack break.
They entered Skybrew Café, now a hotspot.
People stared.
"Princess Airi!""Prince Haruto!""Please bless my drink!""Please bless my child!""Please bless my taxes!"
Airi raised a hand.
"Bless your drink!"
Haruto blinked.
"No taxes are blessed."
The entire café sighed sadly.
Airi giggled.
Haruto bought her a star shaped cookie.
She shared half with him.
Airi's Fan Club
A group of young adventurers rushed toward her.
"We formed the Airi Appreciation Guild!"
Airi panicked.
Haruto stood in front of her protectively.
Lyria appeared.
"I approve. Carry on."
Haruto: No.Airi: Maybe yes?Haruto: No.
The adventurers cried.
Frost's Security Patrol
Frost walked through the marketplace with a stern face. Everyone stepped aside respectfully. Except Airi. She jumped onto his back.
"Frosty mount!"
Frost froze.
"…If you must."
Haruto sighed.
Lyria laughed.
Lunara took pictures somehow.
ELI'S PANIC
Back in the financial hall, Eli stared at her ledgers with trembling hands.
"Why… why does the money keep increasing… by the hour…"
A dark elf assistant whispered:
"Tourists are buying more Airi cookies again."
"Of course they are."
"Also… Haruto plushie sales have reached ten thousand."
Eli dropped her quill.
"Why…"
The assistant whispered:
"Because girls find him cool."
Eli covered her face.
"Aetheria does not need this level of fame…"
A dwarf burst into the hall.
"WE NEED BIGGER VAULTS!"
Eli fainted.
Evening arrived and the city did not slow. Lanterns multiplied like constellations. Musicians played on floating stages. Street magicians performed tricks that left even the elves smiling. The Aetherian Skyhub glimmered like a lantern moored in the world.
Airi and Haruto stayed on the floating platform even after the sun dipped below the treetops. The sky shifted into deep violets and soft blues, lit only by the distant sparkle of mana lamps and the glow of the rails.
Airi swung her legs idly.
"Onii Chan… do you think Mama Aether is watching us?"
Haruto didn't look up, but his voice softened.
"She always is."
Airi smiled at the sky.
"Then I hope she is proud."
Haruto breathed slowly.
"She is."
Airi leaned forward.
"And you? Are you proud?"
Haruto blinked, caught off guard.
"A little."
Airi puffed her cheeks.
"Only a little!?"
Haruto shrugged.
"It is difficult to be proud when all you do is chase after trouble."
Airi giggled and leaned on him again.
"You chased after me too."
Haruto paused.
"That is different."
"No it is not!"
"…Maybe."
The platform beneath them lowered slowly as night deepened. The city didn't quiet down. If anything, the nightlife had become another attraction.
NIGHT IN AETHERIA: THE WORLD'S NEW JEWEL
The Skyhub looked like a floating star at night. Lanterns drifted lazily through the air. Mana-rail carriages glowed like streaks of sapphire and gold.
Airi stretched her arms.
"Onii Chan! Let us walk more!"
"You walked for six hours."
"We can walk for six more."
Haruto sighed, but rose to follow her.
As they stepped back into the Skyhub plaza, the night market shimmered to life.
Fairies sold glowing sweets.Dark elves ran a stealth-training booth for children.Humans played mana-ball games.Werebeasts roasted meat on giant grills.Dwarves offered forging demonstrations.Elves sang lullabies that enchanted the air.
And above all of it, a massive sign showed Airi's smiling face.
Airi froze.
"Onii Chan… w-why is my face there?"
Haruto read the sign.
"Airi's Cookie Festival. Half priced sweets for children under twelve."
Airi squinted.
"…But I am twelve."
"You are the Princess. You get unlimited cookies."
Airi smiled.
"That is acceptable."
She dashed toward the cookie stall.
The seller, a small fairy with wings like a butterfly, bowed dramatically.
"Princess Airi! I have prepared a new flavor in your honor!"
Airi gasped.
"What flavor!?"
"Star fruit sparkle cookie!"
Airi almost fainted again.
Haruto rubbed his forehead.
"She cannot eat too much sugar."
The fairy waved a tiny whisk at him.
"She is the core of our economy. Let her eat."
Haruto sighed in defeat.
Airi devoured three cookies in thirty seconds.
TOURISM OVERLOAD
A diplomat from Solaris approached Haruto while Airi ate.
"Prince Haruto… Aetheria has become the most visited destination in the world. How do you feel?"
Haruto frowned.
"Tired."
The diplomat blinked.
"Tired?"
"Yes. People keep trying to bow to me. It is annoying."
The Solaris diplomat chuckled nervously.
"Yes… you are very popular."
Airi waved her cookie.
"Everyone likes Onii Chan!"
Haruto looked away.
"I do not understand why."
Airi tilted her head.
"Because you are cute."
Haruto froze.
Solaris diplomat froze.
Everyone froze.
Airi blinked innocently.
"What? Onii Chan is cute."
Haruto coughed into his hand.
"Airi. Stop."
Airi giggled.
"No."
THE SKYRAIL EFFECT: GLOBAL CHANGES
As they continued walking, large magical screens displayed news from every empire.
Dominion News:Trade volume increases by three hundred percent. Skyrail shipments arrive within hours. Princess Airi praised for increasing national income.
Solaris News:Desert tourism skyrockets. Aetheria named official partner of the Golden Sands Festival.
Velnar News:Mountain routes now safe even in blizzards. Heated seats from Aetheria become national obsession.
Abyssion News:Scholars travel to Aetheria to study the Eternal Princess. Shadow trains travel alongside Skyrail.
Airi pointed at the Abyssion broadcast.
"Onii Chan! Look! They are talking about me!"
Haruto leaned slightly.
A dark scholar on the screen said:
"The Princess is rumored to have an aura that calms even ancient spirits. We seek to confirm these claims."
Airi puffed proudly.
"See? They know I am amazing."
Haruto nodded slowly.
"You are trouble."
Airi laughed.
"That too!"
THE ECONOMIC HURRICANE
Back in the financial district, Eli had regained consciousness.
Barely.
She massaged her temples while reviewing new reports.
A dark elf officer approached her.
"Eli… new income statement."
Eli accepted it with dead eyes.
"And?"
"We earned enough today to purchase the entire northern coastline of Solaris."
Eli dropped her forehead onto her ledger.
"I am going to cry."
The officer patted her shoulder awkwardly.
"Princess Airi is happy."
Eli slowly lifted her head.
"…Then this suffering is worth it."
Suddenly, the door burst open.
A panting dwarf shouted:
"Eli! The vault is full again!"
"Then use Vault Two!"
"It is full!"
"Vault Three!"
"Froze!"
"How!?"
"Airi cookies fell into the mana engine and caused a chain reaction!"
Eli stood up calmly.
"I am going to scream."
And she did.
Loudly.
Everyone pretended not to hear.
THE SPIRIT LIGHT PARADE
As night deepened, bells rang through the city.
Airi gasped.
"Onii Chan! Parade time!"
Haruto blinked.
"…Parade?"
Airi grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward the central plaza.
Dozens of spirit beasts gathered, foxes, wolves, deer, birds, even floating jellyfish spirits. Their bodies glowed softly as they danced through the streets, lighting the paths.
Airi clapped happily.
"Look! Look! They learned a new formation!"
The spirits arranged themselves into a glowing shape.
A big heart.
Airi gasped.
"For Aetheria!"
Haruto stared.
"…When did they learn that?"
Lyria floated by.
"Last week. Airi feeds them snacks every night."
Haruto exhaled.
"Of course she does."
The heart shifted into a glowing rail shape.
Then a little glowing figure with messy hair.
Haruto squinted.
"…Is that me?"
Lyria giggled.
"Yes. The spirits like you too."
Airi beamed.
"Everyone likes Onii Chan!"
Haruto pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Stop repeating that."
"No."
AETHERIA'S SYMBOL OF PEACE
The parade ended at the Grand Skyhub.
A massive crowd gathered.
Merchants.Children.Elves.Dwarves.Dark elves.Humans.Fairies.Scholars.Tourists from every corner of the world.
When Airi and Haruto appeared at the balcony, the crowd roared.
"PRINCESS AIRI!!""PRINCE HARUTO!!""AETHERIA FOREVER!!""BLESSED CHILDREN OF THE FOREST!!""MORE COOKIES!!"
Airi waved both hands excitedly.
Haruto raised a hand calmly.
Airi whispered to him.
"Onii Chan… everyone is so happy."
Haruto nodded.
"Yes."
Airi leaned close.
"Do you think… this happiness will stay?"
Haruto looked out at the glowing city, at the rails stretching far into the dark horizon, connecting nations that once ignored each other.
"If we work for it… yes."
Airi's eyes softened.
"Then let us protect Aetheria."
Haruto placed a hand on her head.
"We always will."
The crowd cheered again.
Airi squeezed Haruto's hand.
Haruto squeezed back.
THE FINAL MOMENT: AETHERIA'S QUIET NIGHT
Later that night, after the festivities faded, the siblings sat alone at the edge of the Skyhub roof.
Airi swung her legs gently, leaning against Haruto's arm.
"Today was fun."
"It was."
"Tomorrow will be fun too."
"Probably."
Airi laughed softly.
"You always sound tired."
Haruto shrugged.
"You always sound excited."
"Because I am."
Haruto looked down at her.
"I know."
Airi looked up at him.
"Onii Chan…"
"Yes?"
"Do you like Aetheria?"
Haruto gazed over the sleeping city, the soft glow of lanterns, and distant chime of late night trains.
"…I like it because you like it."
Airi's expression melted into a warm smile.
"Then we will stay here forever."
Haruto hesitated.
Airi grabbed his sleeve.
"Onii Chan and Airi… together. Always."
Haruto closed his eyes.
"…Always."
A gentle breeze brushed past them as the rails hummed quietly, as if the world itself agreed.
Aetheria slept peacefully.
And the siblings watched over the city that had become the heart of the world.
END OF CHAPTER 31 — Aetheria, Heart of the World