FROM EXILE TO EMPIRE

Chapter 3: The Seat of Power

Chapter 3: The Seat of Power

"Choose a form of government, huh?" Kelvin read the message displayed by the system. The Melonia Empire was a monarchical government where it was led by the Emperor. The Democratic was a form of government adopted by the Freedonia Republic where the people had the power to elect its leader for a limited term.

He pondered over his choice. Since this was going to be his country, he did not want democracy because he only wanted the country to be ruled by him. A monarchy could be an option, but so was authoritarianism.

The main difference between the two was that in a monarchy, the ruler typically inherited their position by birth, often continuing a family lineage, whereas an authoritarian regime could be established through various means not necessarily hereditary. Kelvin mulled over his past experiences with the monarchy in Melonia. The backstabbing, the politics, the exclusion and disdain he faced left a bitter taste. While he yearned for the recognition and authority that a monarchy could provide, the wounds from his royal family's betrayal were still fresh.

On the other hand, an authoritarian government could grant him the absolute control he desired, free from the constraints of traditional royal succession and the whims of other nobles. It would enable him to establish a new order, one centered around his vision and governance, without the interference of a court or council that might oppose him.

He stood up, brushing the sand from his clothes as he gazed out over the ocean. The system interface pulsed gently, awaiting his input. Finally, his decision made, he spoke firmly, and his voice carried over the gentle roar of the waves.

"Authoritarian," he declared. "I will lead Nzema as its sole authority. The decisions will be mine alone, guided by the lessons of my past and the vision I hold for our future."

[Government Type: Authoritarian]

[Mission#2 Complete]

[Rewards: Unlock the 'Government Structure' interface, 10,000 citizens, and essential infrastructure.]

As the reward details appeared, the interface updated to show new options for the government structure. It showed new interfaces, but they were mostly blank and had prerequisites to unlock, such as creating a constitution.

[New Mission Alert!]

[Mission#3: Now that you have selected your preferred form of government, it is time for you to choose your capital before proceeding to build up your crew that will work under you.]

[Rewards: Instant Gem & 1x Free Residence Facility of your choice.]

After the system displayed that, the map feature popped up, showing the map of Nzema.

[Please tap at any location where you want your capital built. Your current position is on the East Coast.]

Kelvin's finger hovered over the map, and the glowing lines and icons beckoned him to make a pivotal decision. He considered the strategic and symbolic importance of each potential location for the capital of Nzema. His eyes were drawn to a spot in the central highlands.

His instincts pulled him toward a location that was easily accessible and had a variety of natural resources and climates conducive to a thriving capital. With a decisive motion, Kelvin tapped on the map.

[Capital Location: Central Highlands]

[Mission#3 Complete]

[Rewards: Instant Gem & 1x Free Residence Facility of your choice.]

[The System will now teleport you to your capital location.]

As Kelvin initiated the teleportation command on the interface, a swirling vortex of light enveloped him. The sensation was disorienting yet swift, and within moments, he found himself standing at the center of the chosen capital location in the Central Highlands of Nzema. The air was crisp, the sky clear, and the sun bathed the land in a warm glow.

He took a moment to absorb his surroundings. The towering mountains provided a natural fortress, the verdant valleys promised fertile grounds for agriculture, and the strategically placed river meandered through the landscape, offering fresh water and a potential trade route.

[New Mission Alert!]

[Mission#4: Build the leader's residence. This will serve as the central hub for all your governance and personal affairs.]

[Rewards: 1 instant gem.]

With the instruction from the system, Kelvin opened his shop and saw a variety of residences with different architecture and design. One infrastructure caught his eye. He chose Rocco architecture for his palace.

[Axim, capital city.]

[Area: 101,355 square meters.]

[Technical specifications: The Flagstaff House features a main administrative wing with 12 floors, a residential wing with 8 floors, underground bunker facilities, a helipad, a secure communications center, and staff quarters for 500 personnel. The exterior is clad in white marble with gold accents, and the roofs are made of blue slate. The building includes a grand reception hall capable of hosting 2,000 guests, a cabinet meeting room, a supreme leader's office suite, private living quarters, a medical clinic, a library, and a secure data center.]

After looking at the specifications of the Flagstaff House, he was amazed. He believed that this was the perfect building to house a ruler of a country. The price was steep at 500,000 cedis, which equaled 500 kilograms of gold, but it was irrelevant given the reward from Mission 3, which allowed him to select any one facility for his residence without cost.

He tapped the selection and confirmed his choice. The system responded immediately, and the construction began. The Instant card he had received was consumed, and a huge magic circle appeared on the ground. Slowly, the Flagstaff House emerged from the magical circle, with stones and materials aligning seamlessly as if drawn by an unseen architect's hand. Within moments, the imposing structure stood completed.

It was not only the building that emerged from the magic circle, but the staff required to maintain and operate the Flagstaff House materialized as well. They appeared in a neat formation, each dressed in matching uniforms.

Kelvin stared at those people, wondering if they were real humans or not. He wanted to approach them and find out for himself, so he walked over to them. When he got closer, they all bowed their heads with great reverence.

One of the staff stepped forward. He was a man in his early thirties with a calm expression and well pressed clothes.

"My Lord," the man said. "I am the head of household staff. May I show you around the residence?"

"Yes," Kelvin said. "Show me everything."

The staff member led him through the grand entrance and into the reception hall. The ceiling soared three stories high, and a crystal chandelier hung above the polished marble floor. They passed through the cabinet meeting room, where a long wooden table could seat 30 people, and then walked down a corridor lined with portraits of landscapes that did not exist yet. The office suite was massive, with a desk made of dark wood, bookshelves built into the walls, and windows that overlooked the entire capital valley.

Finally, they reached the private living quarters on the residential wing's top floor.

Kelvin stepped inside and stopped. The main bedroom was larger than any apartment he had ever lived in. A king sized bed with white silk sheets sat against the far wall, and floor to ceiling windows showed the mountains in the distance. There was a private bathroom with a sunken marble tub, a walk in closet the size of a small house, and a separate sitting area with velvet couches and a fireplace.

He walked to the window and looked out at the empty land below. No buildings, no roads, no people except the 10,000 citizens the system had promised and the staff behind him. The scale of what he had to build pressed against his chest.

"Leave me," Kelvin said.

The staff member bowed and exited, closing the door quietly behind him.

Kelvin sat on the edge of the bed and let out a long breath. He had a palace, a capital city named Axim, and a country called Nzema. The system chimed again.

[Host has reached 25% of basic country building. Now expanding on understanding.]

End of Chapter Three.