Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

”Great victory at Dunmere! Prince Simon slew 100,000 reaver soldiers!

”Great victory at Dunmere! Prince Simon slew 100,000 reaver soldiers!

Along the streets in Eldora City, a young palace attendant galloped at full speed, shouting the news at the top of his lungs. It wasn’t just Emperor Alaric who was thrilled.

Even though he was just a eunuch, often looked down upon and incomplete in others’ eyes, he, too, carried the fate of the empire in his heart.

From the beginning of the battle for Dunmere, Emperor Alaric had been unable to sleep at night.

If Dunmere fell, and the domains of Prince Simon and Prince Gerad were lost to the reavers, then the imperial court would no longer be able to rein in the ambitions of the non-imperial princes.

But now, Dunmere stood firm. The Twelfth Prince of the Eldorian Empire, Simon, had slain 100,000 reavers and forced them to retreat to the Snake Pass.

From now on, the Eldorian Empire could proudly say no to tribute demands, no to territorial concessions, no to political marriages.

In the streets, merchants stopped in their tracks. Scholars froze.

Officials halted.

Even commoners entering the city stood still.

”Great victory at Dunmere!”

The words exploded in their ears like thunder, shocking and stirring.

”Did I hear that right? A great victory at Dunmere? Prince Simon killed 100,000 reavers?” A scholar asked his companion.

”That’s what it sounds like. Prince Simon? Killing 100,000? That’s ridiculous! Even Prince Ravencrest, the Tiger of the North, never pulled that off. This eunuch must be mad.”

Another scholar frowned. ”Wait a second... That eunuch used to serve directly under the Emperor. He’s even delivered edicts to my home before.”

”He’s from the castle?!” The group went silent.

One whispered. ”So it’s true? Prince Simon really won?”

Before they could answer, another eunuch rode by yelling the same message.

Then came guards on horseback shouting the news, too.

Emperor Alaric, overflowing with joy, wanted the entire city to know. He sent wave after wave of messengers to announce the news.

”They say His Majesty loves glory.” One scholar remarked. ”I guess that’s true after all.”

”Come now.” Another scholar replied. ”Decades of weakness and now a true victory. His Majesty has every right to be joyful. But you, my friend, seem less thrilled. Why is that?”

The first scholar went quiet. His father served under Prince Ravencrest. His feelings were... Complicated.

”Haha, regardless, this is worth celebrating! Who would’ve thought that the once-disgraced Prince Simon would hold off a 100,000-strong reaver force? I’ll pay for everyone’s meal today, cheers to Prince Simon!” Another scholar declared.

The others looked puzzled.

”How generous. That’s rare. Looks like we’re lucky to know Prince Simon.”

The scholar replied with a deep voice. ”You don’t understand. Unlike others, I know Prince Simon well. We were like brothers back in Eldora, always together. I always believed he was destined for greatness, and now I have been proven right. If only I had stood beside him in this battle...”

The group looked at him with envy. If this were true, then just having a connection to Prince Simon would be a great honour.

Kane basked in their jealous looks, already thinking about writing a letter to Prince Simon, reconnecting over their ’old Eldora days.’

At the Quake Residence, home of the great general Lancet, one eunuch was stopped by none other than the general himself.

Startled, the eunuch pulled hard on the reins and just barely avoided crashing.

”General Lancet, what are you doing?!” He asked, his face pale.

Lancet didn’t answer. He stormed forward, yanked the eunuch off the horse, and roared:

”What did you just say? Say it again!”

Terrified, the eunuch stammered. ”G-General, what’s the matter?”

”Say the first part again!” Lancet shouted.

Finally understanding, the eunuch answered,

”Dunmere was defended, General. Prince Simon slew 100,000 reavers. It’s a great victory!”

Lancet had heard the rumours earlier, but thought they were hallucinations.

When he heard it shouted again and again, he finally realised it was real.

”Victory! Victory! Victory!”

He trembled, repeating the word over and over.

Even though he hadn’t fought in the battle, intelligence reports from the court had kept him updated.

He and other war-hawks had been extremely tense.

Now joy surged through him.

Then he asked. ”What about my son, Liam? Any news?”

”I’m afraid not. The message Prince Simon sent to the Emperor was brief, just the news of victory. But he promised a full report would be published soon and delivered to Eldora.”

”I see...” Lancet’s joy turned to concern. There was still no word from his son.

”I must keep going, General.” The eunuch said.

”Go borrow a horse from my stables,” Lancet ordered. Then he jumped on the eunuch’s horse and sped off toward the castle.

The eunuch gave a bitter smile.

”This victory has driven the general mad.” He muttered.

And then, walking toward the Quake Residence stables, he resumed shouting:

”Great victory at Dunmere!”

In the Eastern Market, the centre of commerce in Eldora...

A group of merchants were gathered, excitedly discussing the news.

”With Dunmere safe, Prince Simon’s lands are secure. Our business can continue without fear.”

One merchant sighed in relief.

He had been selling soap between Eldora and Brambleford, and the war had nearly ruined the supply chain.

Now that Dunmere was safe, their livelihood was safe too.

”Praise be to Prince Simon. My entire family depends on my trade in Brambleford.” Another merchant wiped away tears.

A third was added. ”No time to chat, we should go to Brambleford and personally thank Prince Simon!”

”Right! He defeated Fern, the best reaver general. That proves Prince Simon is truly capable. Brambleford will be a haven from now on.”

Just then, another merchant passed by, his cart packed with belongings.

”Where are you going?” They asked.

”Now that Prince Simon has secured Dunmere, his land will be the safest place in the empire. It’s the perfect place for business. I’m moving to Brambleford.”

”Wait for us, we’re coming too!” The merchants cried.