Date: Unspecified Time: Unspecified Location: Myriad Realms, Lil Red Storm Realm, Freedom Megapolis
"Did everyone settle into their new homes okay?" Wyatt asked Henricks as he overlooked the Megapolis from the penthouse of its tallest building. The city stretched beneath him, a glittering maze of new beginnings. It was like a concrete jungle with tall buildings. Because all the buildings were a minimum of a hundred floors, the entire city was divided into three layers each with three areas as follows, Top Layer- Core, inner wall, outer wall
Middle Layer- Core, Inner wall, outer wall
Bottom Layer- Core, inner wall, outer wall The houses in the core area offered beautiful views of the most sophisticated infrastructure and were close to many facilities. The outer wall area had beautiful views of the Lil Red Storm realms' vast red expanse, but as the city expanded, these would become part of the inner wall, while the inner wall area would slowly merge with the core area. All these factors counted into the pricing of the property. Thanks to the Hive Spirits' thoughtful and considerate city design, even the Bottom Layer would get sunlight in this realm where the sun doesn't set and the middle and top layers had access to parks and nature on their own layers and areas. Since the entire city had a public teleportation array network for transportation, the distance wasn't a problem. For now, it was free but once the city had its own economy that wouldn't be the case. Meanwhile, bored and lonely, Dalie was tinkering with the dungeon relocation apparatus, Hive Spirit assisting her as always. Her usual playmate, Ceed, wasn't around—she had followed her mother, Dredre, to help heal the injured Freedom Fighters.
Fortunately, Wyatt had warned Dredre that not everyone was a Viltronian/World Calamity Tree hybrid like him. Regular card apprentices wouldn't be able to handle pixie dust—they'd explode and die. So, she knew better than to overdo it, no matter how much the injured flattered her. She'd use just enough to heal them and nothing more. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
That didn't mean it was easy for her, though. Dredre was weak to genuine flattery and praise—a consequence of being abused by Dark Race customers in the Infinity Library for millennia. Thankfully, Ceed was there to keep her in check.
"Yes, Her Highness Dalie was very thorough in allotting housing to the members of the Freedom Fighters based on their merits and needs," Henricks answered gratefully. Meanwhile, watching as the departmental heads scrambled to set up their new offices and get the freedom fighters operational soon. There was no denying it—everyone was genuinely moved by what Wyatt had done for them.
Grateful didn't even begin to cover it. What impressed them most was the opportunity for growth—members with larger families or bigger ambitions were allowed to take out loans for bigger homes than their past merits could afford.
These loans would be slowly repaid with interest by working for Wyatt. It didn't feel like another temporary camp. It felt like an actual city—a place where they could dream of a better future.
"Good. Everyone—families and orphans alike—will get basic housing, food, healthcare, and schooling as a reward for their or their parents' past merits," Wyatt stated, his gaze still fixed on the Megapolis below. "But if they want more, they'll have to work for it. I'm not running a charity here."
Henricks, now serving as vice leader of the Freedom Fighters, nodded solemnly. Wyatt was a busy man, still unfamiliar with the Freedom Fighters' inner workings. He couldn't be there for every little thing, and it would take time for the members to warm up to him—to speak freely without hesitation. Using Henricks as a bridge was the logical choice. At least until he found a better alternative.
"Master Wyatt," Henricks said, bowing deeply, his voice filled with genuine gratitude, "thank you for rewarding our cause and overlooking past grudges. Each one of us in the Freedom Fighters will never forget your generosity. We are forever indebted to you."
Wyatt sighed, unimpressed.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere," he said, waving Henricks off. "If you guys want more, go earn it yourselves."
Henricks straightened, a little taken aback by Wyatt's remark. Then he realized their new leader did not like to be praised for his Work. He would rather they show their appreciation through their actions than just words. By ceasing the second chance he had given to them. "Take a few people and set up teleportation array points in Sky Blossom City. I've already informed Diana—she'll guide you to the locations," Wyatt ordered. There was no room for discussion in Wyatt's tone.
For now, the teleportation system would be limited to Sky Blossom City, but soon? He planned to expand it to the entire Southern Region.
Sure Dalie built a luxurious and beautiful megapolis but it did not have an economy it wasn't something one could build overnight. For now, the citizens of Freedom Megapolis would have to do with learning and earning from the VR universe and trading with the Sky Blossom City. "Master Wyatt, are you sure?" Henricks asked, his brow furrowing with concern. "With our differences with the Southern Princess—"
He hesitated. The Southern Region was her territory, and opening Freedom Megapolis's first trade route there felt like painting a target on their backs. If the Southern Princess wanted revenge, they'd be sitting ducks.
Wyatt, however, cut in before Henricks could finish, "Don't worry. I don't know about the Southern Region as a whole, but Sky Blossom City? That's mine. The Southern Royal Family has no authority there." His tone was calm but absolute, leaving no room for argument.
Henricks exhaled, nodding in agreement, "I understand, Master Wyatt. I'll get right on it."
Even though Sky Blossom City was just a third-rate city, beggars couldn't be choosers. Establishing a functional trade route was vital for their city's growth, and at least this location made sense—after all, it was their leader's hometown.
With that, he turned and left. The moment he was gone, Dalie rushed up to Wyatt, arms crossed, a pout on her face.