The Finalization

Silence settled over the Royal Council chamber. Not the uncomfortable silence of disagreement. The heavier kind.

The silence that followed an idea too large to dismiss immediately.

Six billion riels. For five years and thirty thousand workers.

For most kingdoms, it sounded less like an infrastructure project and more like preparing for war.

King Edward remained standing before the great map of Helmarte.

His fingers rested lightly against the table while his eyes traveled from district to district of the Helmarte.

Every neighborhood carried its own history.

Now Ernest was asking him to imagine every street opened, every underground utility replaced, every major road rebuilt, and an entirely new city hidden beneath the old one.

Eventually, the king broke the silence.

"Lord Fenwick."

The Minister of Finance immediately looked up.

"Your Majesty."

"You've heard Baron Teucher's proposal."

"I have."