Chapter 4 - The First Steps of Renewal

Chapter 4 - The First Steps of Renewal

In the morning rose over the realm of Sky, a soft light pierced the heavy clouds that seemed to carry the weight of the world. Elion Skyless stood at the window of his apartments, his gaze lost in the glow of dawn. He had just made decisions that would seal the fate of his kingdom, and although he was plagued by doubts like any ruler in the face of an uncertain future, he knew one thing: he could not back down. The time for action had come.

The day began under the auspices of determination. The first task of the day, for Elion, was to oversee the economic reform of the kingdom. He had made a drastic decision: it was necessary to maximize the productivity of the kingdom's agricultural land and diversify the economy. Sky was a kingdom of hills and mountains, with little arable land compared to its neighbors. But Elion believed that every piece of land could be exploited if effort and ingenuity were put into it.

In the chateau hall, a group of farmers and craftsmen waited. Among them, Veyla, an experienced farmer, was chosen by Elion to lead agricultural reforms. She was a woman in her forties, hard-working and pragmatically intelligent. When she entered the room, she greeted Elion with a nod, but did not dwell on the formalities.

"Majesty," she said in a firm voice. "Sky's land is not the most fertile, but if we improve our irrigation and farming techniques, it is possible to increase our yields. Investments in new infrastructure and tools will be needed. But we also need more modern know-how."

Elion listened attentively to him. Veyla was not a noble, but her knowledge of the land was invaluable. He knew that he had to trust him with the agricultural reforms he had in mind. He had made a commitment to modernize Sky not only in military terms, but also in economic terms, so that the kingdom would become self-sufficient and able to withstand the growing pressure of neighboring kingdoms.

"We will have to install a system of canals to irrigate more land," Veyla continued. "Mountains can be an asset if we learn to control the flow of rivers and streams. But it will not be easy, and it will require considerable resources."

Elion thought for a moment, his eyes turning to the map of the kingdom hanging on the wall of the room. He traced his finger on the mountains that surrounded the territory. The key was water, and for that, he had to invest in infrastructure.

"I give you permission to start immediately." Harvests are expected to increase this year. If we are to strengthen our military, we need resources. Don't leave anything to chance."

Veyla nodded, without another word. She knew the task would be difficult, but it was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. She had seen the nobles content themselves with mediocrity for too long, and she knew that Elion's reforms were their only chance of survival.

Elion then turned to the military plan. A powerful kingdom could not exist without an army ready to defend its borders and impose its will. He had ordered Velkan Valoras, his commander-in-chief, to set up a military force capable of standing up to internal and external threats. But this required more than just soldiers: it required trained, disciplined and well-equipped units.

Velkan entered the room, accompanied by several senior officers. His features were marked by years of service, but his gaze was still sharp. He greeted Elion with sincere respect.

"Majesty, we started basic training for local militias." But this remains insufficient. If we want to have a chance against better equipped armies, we need not only soldiers, but weapons and armor that surpass those of our enemies."

Elion nodded. Equipment was the key to everything. If Sky wanted to be perceived as a formidable force, he had to invest in military technology, weapons, and armor that would allow him to dominate his opponents. But the kingdom's finances were limited. The cost of such innovations would be high.

"I've thought about this," said Elion, his gaze hardening. "We will start by making armor and weapons from our local resources. We must be autonomous, we must not depend on anyone."

"That might be a challenge," Velkan replied, frowning. "We don't have gunsmiths who can forge high-quality weapons. It will take time for us to establish a production line."

Elion smiled slightly, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.

"I'm ready to invest that time," he said firmly. "We will build a royal forge. We will send men all over the kingdom to learn the secrets of blacksmiths from other lands. And, if necessary, we will look elsewhere for solutions."

Velkan nodded.

"I will take this step to prepare the first units for training and organize the establishment of the forge." But it will require resources. We will have to convince the nobles to participate."

"The nobles will agree, as long as they see that it benefits the stability of the kingdom," Elion replied. "And if they don't agree, we will force them to understand that they have no other choice."

Elion's tone was irrevocable. Velkan knew that there was no room for negotiation in the young king's mind. Sky's fate was now in his hands, and he intended to strengthen the kingdom so that no one would dare to challenge him.

The following days were marked by a series of critical decisions. Elion signed ordinances for the construction of new roads and the installation of irrigation infrastructure. He sent emissaries to the villages to inform the population about the upcoming reforms and the importance of their participation in the military training program.

But despite this progress, shadows were on the horizon. The nobles were reluctant. Many were resentful of Elion's reforms, and some were already beginning to whisper in the palace corridors, fearing that his ambitions would exceed their expectations. They weren't ready to give up their privileges so easily.

Elion knew that these resistances were inevitable. He foresaw this opposition and would respond firmly and strategically. The nobles would understand that they had no choice but to follow the direction he was imposing. He was their king, and as long as he maintained his authority, no one could stop him.

But even with all the challenges ahead, Elion had never been so certain of his path. Sky was a modest kingdom, but its potential was immense. He would turn it into a formidable power, and anyone who doubted it would pay the price.