In the quiet solitude of her office, Isabelle Mower sat with her legs crossed, her eyes narrowed in contemplation.
Her desk was a clutter of holographic screens, displaying data that danced and swirled in a mesmerizing array of colors and numbers.
Her fingers tapped a rhythm against the gleaming surface, the only sound in the otherwise silent room. The soft glow from the screens cast elongated shadows on the walls, painting them with the hues of a digital sunset.
Isabelle Mower's mind raced as she pieced together the puzzle before her. The Kawpo nation, one of the three great powers of Terra, had made its intentions clear without ever raising a sword.
Their subtle moves against Escalar were as intricate as a dance - first, the secret overtures to purchase their AI technology, then the shadowy presence of Kawpo spies infiltrating their borders, and finally, the economic squeeze of an embargo that threatened to choke the life out of their burgeoning nation.
Isabelle Mower's thoughts swirled like the data around her, weighing the implications of each action. The Kawpo nation had always been a cunning player in the geopolitical chessboard, but this was a bold move even for them.
The AI technology that Terra had developed was indeed a marvel, a bastion of progress in a world that was slowly being dragged into the abyss by the relentless march of war. But it wasn't just enough to make them move on a small nation like Escalar.
Isabelle Mower had read some report a while back that the decline in demographics of some big and medium countries.
The birth rates of the medium and big nations were plummeting, and their economies were strained under the weight of an aging population. This imbalance had led to tension and desperation, as each nation scrambled to secure their own futures.
The thought of this decline weighed heavily on her mind as she studied the holographic map of the world. The once-thriving lands were now a patchwork of fading power structures and dwindling resources.
The economic reports painted a grim picture - birth rates had plummeted in these nations, and their populations were aging rapidly. The once bustling cities had grown quiet, the laughter of children replaced by the sighs of the elderly.
Is this the reason the world is heading to war? Isabelle Mower mused, her gaze lingering on the map.
The decline in demographics in the medium and big countries had indeed sparked a desperate scramble for resources and power, as the youthful vigor of their societies dwindled away.
The hunger for advancement had turned to desperation, and the once-harmonious world of Terra was now a tapestry of tension and suspicion.
The Kawpo nation, with their insatiable desire for power and growth, had clearly identified AI as the key to offset their own decline.
They were not the only ones; across Terra, the medium and big nations were investing heavily in artificial intelligence to bolster their dwindling workforces and military might.
She asked Nexus for suggestions and the answer she received was to delay or buy time. Nexus told her that it was already too late as some countries were already on the march to war because some of their governments were failing and needed diversions such as going to war.
The only thing she could do is create more 'Blood Knights' and advance their technology into robots, space exploration and others.
She offered her own idea to Nexus, suggesting they could infiltrate and manipulate the world leaders into becoming [Bondservants].
Nexus processed this information for a moment before responding.
[The concept is not without merit] it said, its digital voice measured and calm.
[However, we must tread carefully. The balance of power is precarious, and any misstep could lead to unforeseen consequences] Nexus cautioned.
Isabelle nodded gravely, understanding the gravity of their situation.
"I'll handle the political maneuvering," she said with a steely resolve.
"But we must ensure that our technology advances swiftly enough to overpower any problems."
With a thoughtful nod, Isabelle turned to the screens displaying the statistics of the [Bio Chip]'s distribution. Only two thousand Escalarians had been have been implanted with [Bio Chip], and among them, a mere five hundred were active 'Blood Knights' in the military and the rest is either in the government or in the the lab facility.
The numbers were sobering, but they also presented an opportunity. If they could increase those numbers significantly, the balance of power on Terra might just tip in their favor. She knew that the key to victory and progress was in the numbers, and she was determined to seize it.
She had a talk with Dr. Castellanos about the statistics awhile back.
"Dr. Castellanos, we need to expedite the [Bio Chip] implementation," she said, her voice firm and decisive.
Stolen story; please report.
The doctor looked up from his work, his eyes meeting hers with a hint of concern.
"Isabelle, the current pace is already pushing the boundaries of safety and ethics. The process is delicate, and we cannot rush it."
Dr. Castellanos's voice was laced with concern as he addressed the leader's ambitious plan. However, Isabelle was undeterred.
"I feel your concerns and I would like you to slowly implant the [Bio Chip] to our citizens," Isabelle said, her eyes unwavering as she met Dr. Castellanos' gaze.
"I will handle the logistics," Isabelle assured him.
"We'll announce a nationwide health initiative, something to do with a new vaccine for an emerging plague. It will be a perfect cover for the [Bio Chip] distribution."
Dr. Castellanos raised an eyebrow, his skepticism palpable.
"But, Isabelle, we're talking about thirty thousands of people. We don't have nearly enough [Bio Chips] to go around. And even if we did implement it, the process would take a few years to be completed."
"Then so be it," Isabelle responded, her expression unyielding.
"We will prioritize those who are most crucial to our defense and expansion efforts. The military, the researchers, the strategists, and the most influential of our citizens."
Dr. Castellanos nodded, his expression a mix of resignation and resolve. "We will need a dedicated team of medical professionals trained in the delicate process of implanting and removing these chips," he said, his gaze shifting to the holographic display that hovered before him.
He sigh and agreed as Kane enters the office.
---
On the rugged world of Di, Mei's influence had transformed the once-humble Sunset Breeze Pass City into a gleaming bastion of hope and progress.
The cobblestone streets now bustled with merchants and refugees from across the land, seeking the protection and prosperity that the city offered.The walls stood tall and gleaming, a bastion of steel and magic that had repelled numerous attempts by spies and assassins seeking to infiltrate and dismantle the fragile peace.
The city's transformation had not gone unnoticed, and Mei had become a beacon of hope for the desperate and the powerless.
Merchants from distant lands brought exotic goods and technologies, eager to trade with the prosperous city. Refugees, weary from the endless conflicts, sought refuge behind its sturdy walls.
The Sunset Breeze Pass City had indeed become a symbol of hope, a bastion of progress amidst the chaos.
Mei had worked tirelessly to modernize the city's infrastructure, constructing advanced medical facilities and schools that taught not only combat but also the arts and sciences. The factories churned out not just weapons and armor but also machines that would improve the lives of the people.
The influx of refugees brought with them a wealth of diverse knowledge and skills, which Mei quickly put to use. However many among them are untrustworthy, as spies and assassins had tried to infiltrate her city, seeking the secrets of her power and the mysterious 'Blood Knights'.
She had learned to be vigilant, setting traps and counter-espionage networks to weed them out. The battles she faced were not just on the city walls, but in the shadows of her own streets.
She had the same Idea as Isabelle Mower. The concept of turning influential leaders into [Bondservants] had crossed her mind, but she realized she didn't need to do it.
Instead, she focused on building an unstoppable force of her own, one that could conquer lands without the need for political games or silently conquer those forces. The 'Blood Knights' were her trump card.
With each passing day, their numbers grew stronger. The [Bio Chip] had been a gift that had transformed 6,000 individuals into her devoted followers.
Of those, a staggering 3,000 had become 'Blood Knights', a testament to the power of the technology she had been granted by her new lord.
The reason for the sudden increase in 'Blood Knights' was bittersweet.
The harsh reality of Di's short life expectancy meant that those who had received the [Bio Chip] earlier had succumbed to old age. Mei felt a pang of sorrow as she thought of the lives that had been lost, but she knew that she had given them purpose and strength in their final days.
These villagers and refugees had been her first followers, and their legacy would live on through their transformed descendants.
The life expectancy in Di had always been a sobering reality, with most villagers and refugees not living beyond their forties. The introduction of the [Bio Chip], while offering incredible power and vitality, had not been able to completely eliminate this harsh truth.
But as Mei looked around the bustling city, she saw the first glimmers of hope. The children, born to those who had received the chip earlier, were growing up stronger and healthier than their parents had been.
The schools she had established, the medical facilities provided by the government council, and the newfound prosperity brought by the integration of technology had all contributed to a subtle but noticeable increase in the average life expectancy.
The city of Di, now a gleaming bastion of progress, grew and evolved before Mei's very eyes, much like her own son, Yang Chi.
At the tender age of four, Yang was a picture of robust health, his cheeks flushed with vitality and eyes sparkling with curiosity. He was a constant reminder of the promise that Lord Joshua had brought to her people.
Mei watched him play in the courtyard with the other children, their laughter echoing through the city walls.
She swore to herself that she would serve Lord Joshua loyally for the rest of her life. His gift to her was not just the power to protect her city, but the hope for a better future for her people.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the chime of her personal AI, Xiao.
[Mei] it spoke in a calm, digital voice.
[Wu Rei has arrived with an urgent report he wishes to deliver in person]
Mei raise a brow, curious about this new development.
"Tell him to meet me in my office," Mei instructed, her voice firm and her gaze never leaving the playful scene in the courtyard.
Moments later, she found herself seated behind her desk, the gleaming surface a stark contrast to the worn tapestries that adorned the walls of the room. The candlelight flickered, casting shadows that danced across the floor as she waited for Wu Rei to arrive.
When the door opened, she looked up to see Wu Rei, his expression serious and slightly troubled.
"You requested my presence, Mei," he said with a respectful bow.
Mei gestured for him to take a seat, her eyes never leaving the flickering candle flame.
"What news do you bring?"
Wu Rei took a deep breath before speaking.
"Hu Tao, the second martial sister of Lord Joshua from the Tri Body Hall, has sent a letter to me that she will be arriving here. She comes with a proposal from the Su Empire."
Mei's eyes narrowed in surprise.
"The Su Empire? What could they possibly want with us?"
Wu Rei's words hung in the air, thick with the weight of unspoken implications. Mei's mind raced with the political ramifications of such a visit.
"Hu Tao wishes to speak with Joshua but since he is away and you are here, she will deliver the proposal to you," Wu Rei announced, his eyes betraying a hint of apprehension.
"I believe her presence may signify something of great importance to our cause."
Mei nodded thoughtfully.
"Very well, I will grant her an audience," she said, her voice steady.
"But I expect her to be as straightforward as she is skilled. I have no time for political posturing or games."
Wu Rei nodded respectfully and took his leave. Mei watched him go, her mind racing with questions about this unexpected envoy from the Su Empire.
