Atlas stood atop the weathered walls of Fort Bone’s Empire, gazing over the vast expanse that had once belonged to Jed Lawson and his America United. The continent now stretched before him like a trophy, gleaming under the midday sun. Just a month ago, this land had been a battleground, but with the combined might of his forces and the Celestial Emperor’s army, it had fallen into his hands.

  Yet, as the warm breeze brushed against his skin, he couldn’t shake the tension that crackled in the air.

  Splitting the loot from the final battle had caused a problem.

  The Celestial Emperor had made it clear he was unhappy about the system’s decision to award Atlas the newly connected territory. Restitution in the form of spoils? Atlas couldn’t help but feel the weight of that statement. He understood the Emperor’s perspective; after all, the unexpected connection of the old Americans United and Fort Bone territories was a surprise to him too.

  Atlas had assumed the Celestial Empire, being so distant, had been deemed as too far to connect to the conquered territory.

  Still, he knew they needed to address the growing dissatisfaction before it turned into open conflict. If they didn’t find a suitable solution for the Emperor soon, their budding alliance could collapse like a house of cards.

  In the back of his mind, a darker thought crept in: this was the perfect opportunity to double-cross the Emperor. With the defeat of Jed’s forces, all previous contracts had dissolved, leaving room for betrayal. The prospect of conquering all the continents for himself was undeniably tempting. He could also attack and conquer the Celestial empire with his expanded army and bonus. He could picture it now: the power, the glory, and the sheer thrill of ruling over an expansive empire.

  Yet, just as the thought settled, a notification flashed in his mind, breaking his reverie.

  ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:

  TITLE: DOUBLE THE EMPIRE

  Wow, you’ve gone and done it. What are you going to do with so much territory? You know you can build a massive harem, right? That is the only logical choice.

  BONUS: Mana glimmers over you, creating a charming effect of sparkles. Makes you more persuasive to the opposite sex.

  Atlas chuckled at the absurdity of it. The idea of a harem was a joke, he already had more than enough women, but the bonus it bestowed was real enough. He could feel the warm energy pulsing around him, enhancing his allure. Attractive to the opposite sex? That could be useful in its own right. It was funny that this achievement wasn’t related to the military after his conquest, but instead to charisma, perhaps there was a good reason for it.

  What Atlas didn’t know was that part of the demographics of the aliens watching him just wanted more X rated action, and had paid the Red Fairy to create this achievement, replacing the original military one that had been intended.

  ‘An Achievement is always good, regardless of the effects,’ thought Atlas as he ignored the strange bonus and continued thinking of his follow up goals.

  He had forged an alliance with the Celestial Emperor not just for the victory over Jed Lawson but also for a greater purpose—to create stability in the wasteland. To betray the Emperor now would not only jeopardise his plans but would also cast an ugly shadow over everything he had achieved.

  Atlas sighed, torn between ambition and the integrity he had strived to maintain. He needed to find a way to appease the Emperor without sacrificing his hard-won territory. There had to be a solution that acknowledged their joint victory without alienating either party.

  With a firm resolve, he decided he would meet with the Emperor soon. They needed to negotiate terms that recognized both their contributions. It was time to put aside any thoughts of betrayal and instead work towards a future where both leaders could thrive in their new reality. After all, a strong alliance could open doors to even greater opportunities, and he was not ready to risk that just yet.

  As he turned away from the walls, Atlas knew one thing for certain: the next move he made would shape the destiny of not just Fort Bone but the entire wasteland. The weight of his choices hung heavy, but he was ready to bear it.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  ‘‘‘

  The air in the grand hall of Fort Bone buzzed with a mix of victory and tension. The celebrations of their hard-won triumph over Jed Lawson and America United had initially filled the room with laughter, toasts, and plans for a prosperous future. However, as the noise began to fade and the reality of their new alliance set in, a clear unease settled over the gathered leaders.

  Atlas stood at the head of the long table, its surface laden with maps, reports, and a collection of gleaming artifacts recovered from the fallen enemy. The spoils of war lay before them, a testament to their victory, but also the root of impending conflict.

  “Alright, everyone,” Atlas called, raising his glass to quiet the murmurs. “We need to discuss how we’re going to distribute these spoils fairly. This victory was a joint effort, and it’s crucial we approach this with unity in mind.”

  At his side, Olivia, his trusted diplomatic advisor, nodded in agreement. Her bright eyes reflected both determination and concern. “The resources, territory, and technology we’ve captured are invaluable. We must ensure that every faction feels represented in this distribution.”

  Several ministers from the Celestial Empire shifted in their seats, exchanging glances filled with unease. One of them, Minister Zou, a tall figure with sharp features and sharper eyes, leaned forward, his tone clipped. “While we acknowledge the efforts of Fort Bone, it’s important to recognize that our technological advantages and military strategies played a significant role in this victory. We deserve a greater share of the spoils.”

  Atlas’s jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. “I appreciate your contributions, Minister Zou, but let’s not forget that the combined might of our forces overwhelmed the American army. We fought side by side, and our strengths complemented each other. Fairness must guide this process.”

  Another minister from the Celestial Empire, Lady Kai, known for her tactical brilliance, chimed in, “Atlas is right, Zou. We cannot afford to alienate our allies right after this victory. The last thing we need is discord. We’ve established a fragile alliance, and it’s in our best interest to maintain it.”

  The room buzzed with conflicting opinions, and tension crackled in the air like static electricity. Atlas felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. ‘This is the moment that could define our future,‘ he thought, realizing how vital it was to keep the Celestial Empire invested in their partnership.

  “We have the chance to build something great here,” Atlas continued, striving to unite the factions. “If we can agree on a fair distribution of the spoils, we can strengthen our bond and face whatever challenges lie ahead together.”

  However, Zoru remained unconvinced. “With all due respect, Atlas, your people may have contributed to the victory, but our advanced technology allowed us to navigate this conflict more effectively. We have a right to expect a larger portion of the rewards.”

  Atlas’s irritation flared, but Olivia placed a calming hand on his arm, her presence grounding him. “Perhaps we should focus on specifics,” she suggested, her voice a soothing balm. “Let’s break down the spoils into categories—resources, territory, and manpower. Then we can determine what each faction needs most and find a way to distribute accordingly.”

  A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, but Zou’s expression remained skeptical. “And what happens if Fort Bone receives a disproportionate amount in each category?” he countered. “Our contributions cannot be overlooked.”

  “We can establish a council to oversee the distribution process,” Olivia proposed, her voice firm. “This council will include representatives from both Fort Bone and the Celestial Empire, ensuring that all voices are heard.”

  Atlas nodded, encouraged by her suggestion. “That way, we can maintain transparency and build trust between our factions. It’s imperative that we operate as partners, not adversaries.”

  The ministers exchanged glances, the tension slowly easing as the prospect of collaboration began to take root. Zou’s expression softened slightly, though he remained guarded. “Very well, let us consider this council. But it must have real power to enforce the decisions made regarding the spoils. Otherwise, it’s merely a fa?ade.”

  “I agree,” Atlas said, feeling a surge of hope. “The council will have authority, and we will create clear guidelines for distribution. We all stand to benefit from a unified front.” He was just glad the Celestial Emperor wasn’t in the room, that guy was really hung up on the concept of face and honour.

  After some back-and-forth discussion, they began to outline the framework for the council, each minister contributing ideas on how to ensure a fair process. As the meeting progressed, Atlas felt the atmosphere shift from one of contention to collaboration. They were forging a path forward, and for the first time, he could envision a future where their alliance could thrive.

  When the discussion finally wrapped up, Atlas leaned back in his chair, his heart lighter. They had a long way to go, but this debate had been a crucial step toward solidifying their partnership.

  “We have much to accomplish,” he said, standing up to signal the meeting’s close. “Let’s take this momentum and build a brighter future together. Together, we can face whatever comes next.”

  As the leaders began to filter out of the hall, Atlas caught Olivia’s eye. She smiled at him, pride shining through her expression. The debate had been heated, but it had also shown him that they were all committed to a shared destiny.

  With a newfound sense of purpose, Atlas looked forward to what lay ahead, ready to tackle the challenges of their expanded empire side by side.