Chapter 11: The Capital

Chapter 11: The Capital

Karneliu after summon one billion people for his Empire,began to think where should he establish his capital. So Karnelius called LIRA and ordered her to display the three dimensional map of the Empire

Before him, the Empire System projected an immense three-dimensional map of the continent he now ruled. It hovered in the air, formed from a lattice of golden light and translucent symbols. Each of the eight provinces pulsed faintly, waiting for his choice. The landmass was newly shaped, brimming with potential, yet untouched by the chaos of history. Karnelius surveyed them one by one.

Vardun Peaks, with its jagged mountain ranges and frost-covered cliffs, offered formidable defense and unmatched mineral wealth. The winds there carried the whispers of dragons and the promise of skyward warriors. Glaciera Domain, a frozen expanse lit by dancing auroras, was a stronghold of resilience and ice-forged magic. Emberreach seethed with volcanic fury and dark energy, perfect for forging armies and industry. Lunareth Basin glowed with the quiet mysticism of moon-kissed waters and dreams. Nytherian Vale, wrapped in enchanted forests, whispered with untamed mana and ancient secrets. Veridan Coast sparkled with trade winds and nautical ambition. Tharaxis Expanse, though harsh and unforgiving, held the ghosts of lost civilizations and raw power waiting to be reclaimed.

But then there was Solmara.

Karnelius spoke. "System, show me Solmara Province."

The map pulsed. The other provinces dimmed as Solmara lit up, expanding in detail until it engulfed the display. Karnelius stepped forward, and the projection responded to his presence, magnifying portions of the landscape he pointed to with a flick of his fingers.

Solmara lay nestled at the very center of the empire—a land of lush, gently rolling plains interwoven with thick rivers that glowed with mana-rich water. From above, it looked like a canvas of living gold and emerald. Dense orchards and tiered farmlands stretched for miles, populated by flora unique to this world—glow-berries, skywheat, and firepetal vines. Magical beasts grazed peacefully: mana bison, silver-feathered hornbeasts, and deer with leaves in place of antlers.

The province's terrain was ideal for agriculture, habitation, and administration. Gentle slopes and fertile valleys made construction effortless. The rivers formed natural transport channels, and the magical soil responded to commands from the Empire System, allowing for direct manipulation of land and harvest. At its core was a massive, circular valley, perfect for building a city unlike any other—the future capital.

Karnelius circled the display, eyes tracing every inch of the central valley. "The land breathes," he murmured. "It pulses with life."

He extended a hand toward the map, and the system responded with a soft chime.

> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Province Focus: Solmara - Designation: Central Heartland

Fertility: High

Mana Density: Moderate to High

Terrain: Plains, rivers, minimal elevation, ideal for urban development

Strategic Position: Central - equidistant access to all provinces

Recommendation: HIGHLY SUITABLE for Capital Designation

But Karnelius already knew.

He turned his back to the projection and walked toward the railing of the balcony. Below, the palace shimmered with activity. Construction golems floated by on arcane propulsion engines, expanding wings of the Citadel according to architectural blueprints encoded in the system. The empire's foundation had been laid. Now it needed its crown.

He exhaled deeply and turned back to the system. "Designate Solmara as the capital province of the Aetherian Empire."

> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Capital Province Confirmed: Solmara

Central Government Hub Location: [Chosen site: Solmara Central Valley]

Initiating construction parameters for: Capital District, Grand Forum, Central Ministries, Imperial Archives, Arcane Gateways, Citizen Registration Nexus

The projection erupted with gold light as magical blueprints unfolded across Solmara's central valley. Buildings began forming themselves in the air—towers of obsidian-veined marble, sprawling ministries, bustling markets, and a central boulevard leading directly to a grand plaza where the Emperor's edicts would be read.

Karnelius watched with unwavering eyes. The system showed floating sigils of where embassies would rise, where mana ducts would flow beneath the streets, where the citizen housing blocks would be established—not of uniform poverty, but of designed prosperity. He would not build a kingdom of slaves or peasants. Even the lowest citizens would find magic and marvel in their streets.

At the plaza's center would rise the Hall of Sovereignty, a colossal temple-like structure built in blackstone and radiant crystal. Here, Karnelius would sit upon the Throne of Aether, ruling over a realm where his word would shape reality.

He smiled.

"Let the world know," he declared, his voice echoing across the Citadel and through the ether of the system. "The heart of the Aetherian Empire shall beat in Solmara. From this land, I shall govern eternity."

A soft, deeper chime resonated through the system.

> [NEW SYSTEM UPDATE]

Capital Province Established.

Unlocking: Capital-specific Benefits

Population Attraction Bonus: Citizens are 40% more likely to migrate to the capital for trade, diplomacy, and opportunity.

Governance Buff: Administrative efficiency +60% in Solmara.

Symbol of Unity: Empire-wide citizen loyalty +25%.

Arcane Heartbeat: Mana infrastructure in Solmara regenerates 2x faster.

As the notifications faded, Karnelius rested his hand on the balcony railing.

His thoughts drifted to the future—airships arriving in flocks from Veridan Coast, golden grain harvested from Solmara feeding every soldier and scholar, magical scholars from Nytherian Vale convening in the great university yet to be built, diplomats from Lunareth Basin walking the halls of the Grand Forum under moonlit glass domes.

A future that now had a center.

Here's a revised and expanded version of Chapter 15, now more focused on the capital city itself—its design, atmosphere, symbolism, and grandeur.

He opened the System interface with a thought, navigating swiftly through its near-endless menus and data streams until he reached the option marked [Found Capital City]. A prompt appeared, etched in elegant, ancient glyphs:

> "You are about to choose the heart of your Empire. This city will be your capital, your legacy, and your throne."

Please name your capital city.

Karnelius's mind was already made up. The name had come to him the moment he first stepped foot on this land.

> "Virelios."

He spoke the word aloud, and the wind itself seemed to bow before it.