Chapter 49: The Birth of a Unified Nation

Ryo sat in the grand chamber of the Vampire Lord's castle, facing both the Vampire Lord himself and the Dragon Emperor. The air was heavy with importance as they discussed the prospect of forming an alliance with the Demon Lord's nation. The topic had been debated for hours, with each ruler weighing the benefits and potential risks.

"The alliance with the Demon Lord's nation could prove beneficial," the Dragon Emperor mused, his golden eyes gleaming with wisdom. "Their military might is not to be underestimated, and having them as allies rather than adversaries would strengthen our standing. However, there remains the question of trust."

The Vampire Lord nodded in agreement, his deep crimson eyes narrowing. "Demons have always been unpredictable. While I do see the merit in uniting our forces, we must also consider the cost. If we extend our hand in alliance, we must ensure that it does not come back to bite us."

Ryo listened intently, absorbing every word. "True," he admitted, "but refusing them could also create unnecessary enmity. If they're willing to work with us, I believe we should at least give them the benefit of the doubt. Besides, having more allies will help strengthen our nation."

The two rulers exchanged glances before nodding. "Very well," the Vampire Lord said. "We shall continue considering this alliance carefully. Now, onto the next matter at hand."

The discussion shifted towards Ryo's own nation. With the construction nearing completion, the Vampire Lord brought up an important question. "Ryo," he began, "your nation is almost ready, but what about your citizens? Of which race will they be?"

Ryo blinked in surprise at the question, then gave a nonchalant shrug. "Does it matter what race they are?"

A heavy silence filled the chamber. The Vampire Lord and Dragon Emperor stared at him with widened eyes, momentarily taken aback by his response. It was as though they had never even considered the possibility of a nation that did not segregate its inhabitants by race.

Then, as if realizing the sheer weight of Ryo's words, they both burst into laughter. The deep, rumbling chuckles of the Dragon Emperor mixed with the amused, elegant laughter of the Vampire Lord.

"Very well," the Dragon Emperor finally said, his amusement still evident in his tone. "It truly does not matter. If you are determined to build a nation where all races coexist, then that is your choice."

The Vampire Lord smirked. "You truly are a fascinating one, Ryo. Perhaps your vision is exactly what this world needs."

Ryo simply smiled. He had always believed that a kingdom should not be defined by the race of its people, but by the unity they shared.

With that matter settled, the discussion moved to an even more pressing topic—the Demon Lord's proposal of marriage between Ryo and his daughter.

"I hadn't thought about it yet," Ryo admitted, sighing as he leaned back in his chair.

The Vampire Lord arched an eyebrow. "You should agree to it," he advised. "It would benefit you greatly. Not only would it solidify the alliance with the Demon Lord's nation, but it would also provide an additional layer of security for your growing kingdom."

Ryo exhaled heavily, knowing there was logic in the Vampire Lord's words. "Alright," he finally relented. "I will agree to it next time we meet."

Little did he know that the next meeting would come sooner than expected.

With the political matters discussed, Ryo returned to his own nation. The sight before him filled him with pride. The construction of his castle was nearly finished, its towering spires reaching toward the sky, a symbol of the strength and unity he sought to establish. The rest of the town was also progressing well, with nearly ninety-five percent of the infrastructure complete. Homes, roads, markets, and various establishments were already standing, awaiting their final touches.

The only things left to do before the official opening of his nation were ensuring trade agreements were in place, establishing relations with merchants, craftsmen, and other essential figures. He knew that managing these affairs would be critical to the success of his kingdom.

As he walked through the streets of his budding nation, he observed the people working together—elves, dwarves, beastkin, humans, and even some demons—all putting effort into making the kingdom thrive. Seeing such harmony reinforced his belief that races should not be divided.

He stopped by a group of craftsmen who were discussing the final stages of construction. One of them, a dwarf with a thick beard, saluted him respectfully. "Milord, we're almost done with the castle's interiors. Just need a few more supplies, and it'll be ready within the week."

Ryo nodded in appreciation. "Good work. I'll see to it that the necessary materials are provided."

He continued walking, making notes of areas that needed improvements and considering plans for future expansions. His thoughts, however, drifted back to the Demon Lord's proposal. Another fiancée… How many was he up to now? Selena, Seyra, Ai and now the Demon Lord's daughter? He sighed again, knowing that his life was only going to get more complicated.

Yet, even amidst these concerns, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment. His nation, his vision, was becoming a reality. And soon, the world would see the rise of a kingdom unlike any other.