As the sun rose, raindrops glistened on leaves and rooftops, catching the first rays of light. Souta left the luxurious room, where the lamplights had dimmed in the brightening day. He felt the warmth of the sun as he stepped onto the balcony.
He saw a city reborn by the rain. The lamplights, now off, had done their nightly work. The air was fresh, with the smell of wet earth and rain. Birds and footsteps made a symphony of life after the storm.
Souta, with Ai beside him, watched the busy scene below. The sun showed a transformed outpost—a sign of resilience and hope. The cool breeze brought a sense of new beginnings as Souta got ready to go.
Soldiers packed supplies, moving with order and coordination. The lamplights, now idle, saw the practical preparations for leaving. The aroma of breakfast in makeshift kitchens filled the air, inviting the hungry.
Souta walked down from the building, feeling the coolness of the cobblestone streets. The lamplights, now ornaments, marked the shift from night's alertness to day's action. The camaraderie among soldiers and citizens shaped the story of a city healing.
The city, once chaotic, now echoed with the sounds of rebuilding. The lamplights, though dark, witnessed the city's transformation. The smell of rain, the sights of restored structures, and the sounds of a community restoring its identity marked the farewell of Souta and his soldiers—a farewell that meant not only the end of a chapter but the start of a brighter era for the city and its people.
Souta strolled through the city, where the lamplights that brightened the night now watched the day. He enjoyed a piece of bread, feeling its warmth and texture. Ai, the alert android, trailed him quietly.
The city, moist from the night's rain, displayed the efforts of its people to rebuild. The scent of fresh bread blended with the earthy smell of wet cobblestone streets. The lamplights, now off, cast long shadows on the ground, creating a complex pattern in the morning light.
Jana's greeting broke Souta's mind. "Good morning, Souta! Are you really leaving today?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity and concern.
Souta, his hands in his pockets, answered with a relaxed tone, "Yeah, I have some business to handle." The sounds of soldiers getting ready to leave added a rhythmic backdrop to their conversation.
Jana raised an eyebrow. "Oh, and what is that?" she inquired, her eyes looking for clues into Souta's plans as they walked on.
"The frontline outposts have been facing constant attacks from hordes. They have been asking for more help, and even with the extra support, they're still struggling with those zombies. That's why I'm going there myself to solve the problem," Souta explained.
"Ehh, why would the King go to the frontlines? That's risky, you know?" Jana expressed her worry.
"I'm the leader of this group. I'm accountable for their lives and well-being. I can't just sit back in the capital while my soldiers are dying," Souta replied, his eyes surveying the busy scene around him.
Jana smiled at his response. "You've changed," she commented. "Well, that's a good thing, I guess." Her face showed a hint of nostalgia in her expression.
As they talked, a woman approached Jana, getting her attention. Jana's eyes moved, and she greeted the newcomer. "I still have things to do in this city. By the way, this can be a great capital for the kingdom, you know?"
"Hmm, it's indeed big, but the current capital is fine. This can be a city, not just an outpost. So make sure to make it livable, okay?" Souta advised, his gaze capturing the potential he saw in the renewed city.
"I'll do that," Jana agreed, her determination clear in the morning light. With a nod, she left to attend to her tasks, leaving Souta to observe the changing story of a city reclaiming its identity. The lamplights, though out of focus, stood as witnesses to the exchange, silently adding to the mood of hope and possibility.
As Souta continued his leisurely walk, the morning sun painted the abandoned city in warm hues, revealing a landscape that held both potential and echoes of past aspirations. The distant sounds of soldiers preparing to depart provided a rhythmic undertone to the conversation.
Ai, following him with a silent grace, offered her suggestion. "This abandoned city is big, bigger than the capital. You should consider what she said," she advised, her artificial voice carrying a tone of practicality.
Souta, coming to a halt, considered Ai's words. The lamplights, now mere fixtures in the daylight, cast shadows on the ground as if emphasizing the weight of the decision at hand. "Ai, the mountain in the capital is what made Lunaria. It's where I began, where I suffered and learned. The capital is enough, and besides, sooner or later, it will become bigger than this city. Speaking of this city, what's up with it? Why was it abandoned and created?"
Ai, standing beside him, explained the city's origin. "This city is a project by a billionaire, building a metropolis for himself. However, due to its distance from other cities and the high cost, it was abandoned. It's really a shame. This city is good compared to the others."
Souta, resuming his walk, absorbed the information. acknowledgment of the abandoned dreams that once filled the city. The distant sounds of soldiers became a steady cadence, a reminder of the practicalities of their existence.
"Well, there's really nothing we can do about that. Building a city out of nowhere and expecting people to live there is nothing but a dream," Souta remarked with a smile. The lamplights, remnants of the city's past ambitions, stood as silent witnesses to the exchange. "Well, it may be a bad thing for them, but it's a great opportunity for us."