Charles Volta, the laboratory's head scientist known for his extreme dedication to science, stood before a holographic communication console glowing bright blue. A direct call from the team in Dravlen had delivered news that made him pause, his breath catching for a moment.
"Are you serious?!" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of disbelief and exhilaration. His body stiffened, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.
On the other end, Viktor Tesla's calm yet firm voice confirmed, "I'm serious, Charles. The dungeon expedition uncovered something significant—a Core they claim is equivalent to a nuclear power plant, if not more. They're calling it a relic of an ancient civilization."
Charles froze briefly, his brilliant mind processing the information at lightning speed. He'd heard rumors about the expedition but had assumed Cero's team would return with new materials or perhaps minor technological artifacts. But this Core… This was far beyond his expectations.
"Are you sure?" he asked again, his tone quieter now. "It's not just some ordinary object emitting high radiation?"
"They described it as similar to the Demon Core," Viktor explained, "but this energy appears far more stable. The Core has already been secured by Director Cero himself, so I don't think you need to worry."
Charles nodded slowly, then burst out with renewed enthusiasm. "Quickly! Send that thing here as soon as possible!" He slammed his hand onto the desk in front of him, causing several small items to scatter.
Outside his office, a few scientists working in the lab exchanged uneasy glances. They were used to hearing Charles shout in excitement, but when he did, it meant something major was happening.
"Calm down, Chief," Viktor replied with a slight chuckle in his voice. "The Core is already en route aboard a naval military transport ship. It should arrive at your lab within four hours."
"Four hours?" Charles began pacing his office, his mind already racing with possible scenarios. "Fine. I'll prepare everything. Activate all analysis systems and security protocols. Ensure the isolation chamber is flawless."
"I anticipated that," Viktor said. "But there's one more thing you need to know."
Charles stopped mid-stride, folding his arms. "What else?"
"Director Cero has requested you collaborate with someone from this world—Queen Isvel. She apparently has insights that might be relevant to understanding the Core."
"Queen Isvel?" Charles furrowed his brow. "Alright, I don't mind, but what about the language barrier? You know we don't have adequate translators here."
"Already arranged by the Director," Viktor reassured. "He's taking this project very seriously. He even mentioned that this Core could replace all conventional energy sources on Earth."
Charles let out a short laugh, his tone brimming with confidence. "In that case, I'll ensure my team delivers results. This project is now our top priority. I don't care how many extra hours we need. We will uncover the secrets of this Core."
After the call ended, Charles immediately summoned his research team to the meeting room. The group sat with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, knowing that whenever Charles appeared this animated, it meant a massive project was ahead.
"Listen carefully," Charles began, his voice commanding the room's attention. "In a few hours, we'll receive something extraordinary—an Aetherial Core from an ancient civilization. If the preliminary reports are accurate, this artifact has energy potential exceeding nuclear reactors on Earth."
A low murmur spread through the room as the scientists exchanged surprised glances.
"Our primary focus," Charles continued, "is to understand how this thing works without blowing up the lab in the process. I want all safety protocols active, and all analysis systems operational the moment the Core arrives."
One scientist, a young woman named Dr. Alina, raised her hand. "Chief, what do we do if the Core turns out to be unstable? Do we have emergency procedures in place?"
Charles stared at her with a wide grin that bordered on unsettling. "If the Core is unstable, we'll make it stable. That's how science works. We solve problems, not run from them."
Dr. Alina swallowed hard but said nothing further.
As time passed, the lab grew increasingly busy. Technicians double-checked their equipment, ensuring everything was in perfect condition. The energy isolation systems were activated, creating a specialized containment field in the chamber where the Core would be studied.
In his private office, Charles stood by a large window overlooking the ocean, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the horizon. "Aetherial Core," he murmured to himself.
The silhouette of the military ship carrying the Core gradually appeared in the distance. Charles' grin widened.
"Director," he muttered softly, as though speaking to Cero across the sea, "you've handed me a monumental challenge. And I promise, I won't disappoint you."
Meanwhile, Cero strode into his office with confident steps. The air inside was warm, contrasting with the chilly weather of the season creeping across the island. He removed his jacket and hung it on a wall hook. At his desk, his ever-punctual assistant, Sarah, was already seated, a neat stack of documents in front of her.
"Welcome back, Director," Sarah greeted him with a formal smile. "How was the dungeon?"
"Challenging, as always," Cero replied, taking his seat in the oversized chair behind the desk. He exhaled deeply, trying to shake off the fatigue from his recent expedition. "So, were there any issues while I was away, Sarah?"
Sarah slid a stack of papers toward him, drawing his full attention. "Nothing major," she replied, pulling a specific report from the top of the pile. "But you'll want to see this."
Cero took the paper and scanned it carefully. The report detailed an incident in one of the newly conquered territories.
"A dispute?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Did our people clash with the locals?"
Sarah nodded slightly. "Unfortunately, yes. According to the report, some of our troops were resting at a local tavern after patrol. They were met with hostility from the locals, likely still harboring resentment against us as occupiers. The altercation escalated into a shouting match, and some property in the tavern was damaged."
Cero placed the paper down gently, his fingers tapping the desk's surface thoughtfully. "So, this is what we're dealing with now… unavoidable social tension. Not entirely our fault, but it's not a situation we can ignore either."
"Exactly, Director," Sarah agreed. "Small conflicts like this, if left unresolved, could spark larger unrest."
Cero let out a long sigh, his gaze meeting Sarah's steady one. "Haah… So this is what it feels like to be both a ruler and an invader. The weight of responsibility on my shoulders grows heavier."
"Indeed, Director," Sarah said in a neutral yet respectful tone. "But you still have time to de-escalate this situation. I've prepared some potential solutions, but I'd like to hear your thoughts first."
Cero adjusted his posture, focusing on her. "Alright, let's hear the options you've prepared. I want to know what you think would work."
Sarah nodded and pulled another document from the stack. "We can take a few approaches. First, we could deploy a mediation team to improve relations with the locals. These individuals would be specifically trained to avoid conflict and prioritize diplomacy."
Cero gave a small nod. "Mediation, huh? A safe approach, though it might take time."
"Exactly," Sarah continued. "For quicker results, we could provide direct compensation or support to the local community—repairs to their infrastructure, food supplies, or even entertainment. This could temporarily ease tensions."
Cero rolled his eyes, deep in thought. "Compensation like that is effective, but we can't keep buying peace. That's not a sustainable solution."
Sarah regarded him attentively. "I agree. Which is why the third option is education. If we train both the local populace and our forces to understand each other—especially in terms of language and culture—we could build long-term harmony. However, it will require significant investment in time and resources."
A faint smile crossed Cero's lips. "The third option is intriguing. Education has always been the strongest weapon, but it's slow. We need a combined approach."
After a moment of reflection, Cero spoke decisively. "Alright, here's the plan. First, we'll send a mediation team to calm the situation with the locals. Select the best people, those with high emotional intelligence. They must be able to speak carefully while making it clear that such conflicts won't be tolerated."
Sarah quickly jotted down the directive.
"Second," Cero continued, "we'll offer minor compensation, but not in the form of money. Instead, we'll focus on infrastructure improvements—roads, clean water, or local markets. Make sure the community understands this is a cooperative effort, not a handout."
"And lastly," he said, fixing Sarah with a serious look, "we're starting an education program. I want a simple curriculum on Altheran language and culture created for our forces, while the locals will be taught the basics of our language. Contact the linguistics team and ensure this plan is operational within two weeks."
Sarah nodded, typing rapidly into the tablet she held. "I'll ensure all three points are implemented as soon as possible."
Once Sarah left to execute the plan, Cero sat quietly at his desk, scanning the other documents piled there. His thoughts wandered to how his new role as a ruler wasn't just about wielding military might but also managing complex social dynamics.
'This is more complicated than I anticipated,' he mused, rubbing his chin. 'But it's also a fascinating challenge.'
Suddenly, the system in his mind activated.
[Warning: Social tension in the Dravlen region remains moderate. Population satisfaction: 48%. Recommendation: Implement strategic measures to enhance cultural integration.]
Cero smirked faintly. "I know, system. You're always reminding me of what I'm already thinking about."