The Beginning of Reform
The moment those words ended, the council hall doors opened with a slow, deliberate groan.
Thud—
The heavy doors swung inward as a procession of figures entered the chamber. Robes trimmed with ornate silver accents caught the light. The first to arrive were older women whose very presence radiated calm authority. Their steps were measured, unhurried, yet utterly steady. They were the kingdom’s elders.
“We greet Your Majesty.”
Next came the mages, their long robes sweeping across the floor. Intricate magical runes embroidered into the fabric glowed with a soft, inner light.
“Your Majesty the Queen.”
Finally, officials clutching thick bundles of documents filed in. The heavy parchment crinkled slightly in their tense grips.
“Chief Architect, reporting as ordered.”
In an instant the council hall grew thick with solemn tension. The rustle of fabric, the scrape of chairs, and the low murmur of controlled breathing filled the space. Elders, mages, and engineers—the kingdom’s most vital minds—took their seats one by one.
Wow… Holy shit… This really is heaven.
Every last one of them is stunning.
Even the old ones are beautiful. Even the plump ones are gorgeous. Their skin is flawless as fuck…
It was the unique aura of this world—powerful individuality, an overwhelming sense of presence. Gradually, every gaze in the room drifted with natural inevitability toward a single figure.
Queen Seraphina.
She straightened her spine, and the very air in the chamber shifted at once. The quiet murmurs died as if they had never existed. I lowered my eyes, jaw tightening.
“I will devote myself completely.”
“You will not be disappointed.”
The queen gave a slight nod. A flicker of satisfaction passed through her crimson eyes.
“See that it is so.” Her voice was calm, measured. “Our trust is not lightly given.”
She rose from her throne and walked slowly toward the far wall, stopping before an enormous map that depicted the entirety of Lunaris. Her slender finger traced the coastline, skimmed across mountain ranges, and finally halted in the south.
“We shall proceed directly to the heart of the matter.” Her fingertip pressed down once more. “The outsider’s knowledge may resolve several pressing issues within our realm.” She moved to another region. “The southern lands plagued by drought. The cities strangled by unchecked growth.”
When she turned, her gaze was razor-sharp.
“Explain your insights. Detail the required structures, the applications of magic, and the projected timeline.”
I drew a short breath and nodded, then turned my attention to the assembled council.
“I will explain.”
I laid out everything I had already described to the queen: the design of the aqueducts, the optimal placement of reservoirs, the use of elevation to create natural flow, and the magical materials needed to forge the pipes. The officials leaning forward in their seats grew more attentive with every word. Sharp questions flew at me, but I answered each one without hesitation.
“Furthermore.”
My pen moved across the map, drawing fresh lines.
“The roads.”
A ripple of surprise stirred through the council.
“While constructing the water system, we can simultaneously refurbish the roads.” I continued the lines, transforming crooked existing paths into clean, straight routes and merging overlapping sections. “This approach will conserve funds significantly.”
I pointed to the clustered residential zones.
“Homes obstructing the new roads can be relocated to newly prepared housing districts.” I drew again. “By eliminating unnecessary detours, we create far more efficient arteries.”
With a final stroke I connected the cities.
“Material distribution. Troop movements. Logistical support in war. All of it benefits.”
I set the pen down and shook the lingering tension from my fingers. The council hall fell into absolute silence. Even breathing seemed subdued. The elders exchanged glances. The mages. The engineers. Admiration, suspicion, and cold calculation warred across their faces.
Seraphina slowly swept her gaze across them all before it settled on me.
“The explanation suffices.” Her eyes narrowed. “Simultaneous development of waterworks and foundational infrastructure—capturing efficiency, cost, and strategy in a single stroke.” The corner of her mouth lifted by a fraction. “An idea that seizes every advantage.”
She began to pace, one finger lightly tapping her chin.
“Military deployment accelerates. Material transport becomes seamless. Urban planning falls into orderly alignment.” She stopped, pinning me once more with her stare. “Who in their right mind would refuse such a proposal!”
Her eyes blazed.
“This,” she declared, turning to address the entire council, “may well mark the dawn of a new era for Lunaris.”
Her voice pressed down on the room like a physical weight. I bowed my head.
“Thank you for your generous assessment, Queen Seraphina.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “Save your gratitude. We shall reserve judgment until your plans bear fruit.”
She pivoted to face the council fully, her tone shifting into pure imperial command.
“We hereby establish a special committee. Form an organization to execute this plan.” Her gaze fell on two figures. “Lord Elara. Lord Sylphrena.”
The two women bowed deeply.
“Mages. Engineers. Labor forces. You shall coordinate all of them.”
“We shall obey.”
The queen’s burning crimson eyes swept the room once more.
“We expect the full cooperation of every soul in this endeavor. Interference… will not be tolerated.”
I rose and offered a deep bow.
“I look forward to working with you all. I have merely pointed in a direction. It is you who will bring this vision to completion. That is the true heart of this plan.”
Small movements rippled through the council. Several elders nodded. Quiet conversations broke out among the chief engineers. The sound of turning pages and measured breaths filled the brief lull.
The corner of Seraphina’s mouth curved into the faintest smile.
“How humble.” Yet her voice carried an unmistakable note of appraisal. “Still… even your so-called ‘modest proposal’ may very well change this kingdom forever.”
She raised her voice to address the assembly.
“Tomorrow we shall convene once more. Review the plan in greater detail, including resource allocation. This is no time for petty disputes. Come prepared with your opinions and proposals.”
With those words the rigid tension in the council hall eased. Shoulders relaxed. The meeting had concluded.
Seraphina rose with fluid grace. Without hesitation she turned and walked straight toward me. The sharp click of her heels echoed through the now-quiet chamber.
She stopped before me.
“Follow us, Jun. We have matters to discuss with you.”
She did not wait for a reply. Already she had turned, her dark robes swaying elegantly. I watched her back for a moment, then quietly fell into step behind her.
The winding corridors of Celes Palace.
The queen’s pace was brisk. After a while she glanced sideways at me. Her expression was unreadable.
“Your conduct today was not displeasing.” A challenging note threaded through her voice. “But do you truly intend to see this through to the end? To devote yourself utterly—for Lunaris and for its people?”
I kept walking at the same measured pace, gathering my thoughts.
“I… fell from a cliff.”
Her eyes flickered ever so slightly.
“I have already died once. Coming to this place… I believe there must be a reason.”
A reason to finally live my life properly. Harem!
Seraphina’s steps halted. She turned to face me. Surprise and intrigue sharpened her gaze.
“An interesting choice of words.” She studied me, searching for any trace of falsehood. “In a world where magic and fate intertwine, such a statement carries weight.”
She resumed walking, slower this time, as though lost in thought.
“If fate itself brought you here, perhaps a greater purpose awaits.”
I said harem, damn it.
Soon a balcony came into view. From its high vantage the entire city sprawled beneath us. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and deep crimson.
Seraphina rested her hand on the balustrade. The fading sunlight spread across her pale skin like a delicate veil. She turned toward me.
“Speak, Jun. What do you believe that reason to be? And how far are you willing to go to fulfill it?”
I looked down at the city—its tiny moving figures, its small lives.
“In truth, I have thought a great deal about that very question these past two days.”
Harem.
“The life I left behind was always frantic. Brutal. I worked like hell.” I dropped my gaze for a moment. “But… there was no reward. It was ordinary. Empty.”
I lifted my eyes to meet hers.
“So I believe coming here is an invitation—to live a life that actually means something.”
A meaningful harem.
Seraphina listened in silence, leaning lightly against the railing. The evening light danced across her face. Whether the beauty came from the sunset or from her, I could not tell.
“A meaningless life…” she murmured. “A road one runs along endlessly without ever arriving.” Her head tilted a fraction. A fleeting emotion—almost a tremor—crossed her eyes. “It must have been hollow indeed. To strive so fiercely yet never find purpose.”
She faced me directly. The dreamlike atmosphere around her stirred something deep in my chest.
“Perhaps your words are true. That you were brought here to discover real meaning. To leave something of worth behind in this world.”
I chose my next words carefully, dipping my head slightly before meeting her gaze again.
“Since I am here, I can only continue my life by earning Your Majesty’s grace. I will give everything I have.”
Her eyes flashed. Recognition, interest, and something fiercely possessive all swirled within them. She took one step closer, closing the distance between us.
“Our favor,” she said, voice low and intimate, “is sustained by loyalty and devotion.” A thin smile touched her lips. “A powerful motivation indeed.”
Damn right it is.
Her hand rose and settled atop my head. The look in her eyes was that of a ruler regarding a subject—quiet, yet heavy with pressure.
“But remember this, Jun.” Her crimson eyes burned inches from mine. “Our protection demands a price.”
Her fingers pressed down with slightly more force. Her voice dropped even lower.
“You shall become ours. Body and soul will be shaped exactly as we desire.”
That’s what I’m talking about. Take me…
A brief, breathless silence stretched between us.
But… how the hell do I conquer someone this terrifying?
I stared at the queen. Then it hit me.
That’ll work!
In the glow of the sunset, her eyes—redder and deeper than the dying sun itself—shone with slow, mesmerizing light.
