Foundations of a Dream
On his journey to visit his land, Ashoka received a letter from a trusted source. The seal on the envelope was familiar—his secret intelligence agency, which he had quietly established during his time in the capital. As he opened the letter, his eyes narrowed at the content: someone was investigating him. The letter outlined the movements of an unknown party that had been prying into his affairs.
Ashoka's mind raced. While his rise had been subtle, it seemed he was no longer invisible. Without wasting time, he wrote back to his agents, instructing them to dig deeper into the identity and intentions of these spies. He knew this was only the beginning of the political games he would inevitably face.
s he reached his destination, his thoughts turned to his family. The bond with his father, Varun Avrathan, remained complicated. Varun was a pragmatic leader who respected Ashoka's intellect but questioned his ambition, often warning him about the dangers of overreaching. Meanwhile, Ashoka's younger brother, Viwan, idolized him but struggled to step out of his shadow. His sister, Yashi, was fiercely independent, her focus on magic and diplomacy creating both admiration and rivalry between them.
Ashoka pondered these dynamics as he began surveying his domain. The land was both a challenge and an opportunity. A river originating from the Rocky Mountains flowed through his territory, separating it from the mainland. The natural geography inspired him to envision a city—a beacon of innovation and progress.
The Weight of Responsibility
As Ashoka traveled through his father's territory, his thoughts turned to the challenges ahead. His father, Varun Avrathan, was a pragmatic and disciplined man, respected by nobles and commoners alike. While he had granted Ashoka autonomy over his domain, he had also set clear expectations for its management.
Ashoka's siblings added another layer of complexity. Viwan, his younger brother, had recently begun showing interest in politics, frequently seeking Ashoka's advice. Their relationship was warm, but Ashoka sensed Viwan's growing ambition, which could lead to future complications. Yashi, on the other hand, was a different challenge. Her sharp wit and natural affinity for diplomacy often clashed with Ashoka's methods. She had a knack for uncovering secrets and could be both an ally and a rival.
The weight of his family's expectations and the unspoken competition among the siblings fueled Ashoka's determination. He resolved to prove his vision, not just to his father, but to himself.
The Vision of Arcadia
Determined to transform the sparse village into a thriving metropolis, Ashoka began laying the groundwork for his dream city, Arcadia. He knew that infrastructure was the key to progress. His first step was to address the villagers' immediate needs:
Water: A canal system was constructed, diverting the river's flow without disrupting its natural course. This not only provided water for the villagers but also supported livestock and agriculture.
Food and Education: Ashoka ensured a steady supply of food and established basic education programs, empowering the villagers with knowledge and skills.
Employment: He initiated the construction of a factory to produce essential tools and machinery, creating jobs and laying the foundation for industrialization.
Ashoka worked tirelessly alongside his people, earning their trust and respect. His efforts were not just about building a city; they were about creating a community.
Building Arcadia
Upon reaching his domain, Ashoka began surveying the land. The terrain was rugged, with a river cutting through the rocky expanse and dividing his domain from his father's main territory. The land's untapped potential filled him with resolve. His first step was to improve the lives of his people.
He called a meeting with the village elders and his trusted advisors to discuss plans for infrastructure. Water scarcity was a pressing issue, so he proposed building a canal to divert water from the river without disrupting its natural flow. With careful planning and relentless effort, the canal was completed, bringing fresh water to the villagers and their livestock. This simple act of providing a basic necessity earned Ashoka the trust and loyalty of his people.
Next, Ashoka turned his attention to his ultimate vision: the creation of Arcadia, a city that would be a beacon of progress and innovation. Drawing from his knowledge of urban planning from his past life, he outlined a plan to develop the city in five stages:
First Wall: Government offices, administrative buildings, and his personal residence.
Second Wall: Parks, water systems, and an army headquarters.
Third Wall: Residential areas, apartments, and commercial zones.
Fourth Wall: Agricultural lands and storage facilities.
Fifth Wall: Industrial zones for factories and production facilities.
To lay the foundation, Ashoka established factories and implemented modern work policies, such as eight-hour shifts and breaks, to ensure efficiency without overworking his labor force. He provided proper housing, education, and healthcare to retain the villagers and attract skilled workers.
Hidden Advancements
While the city was under construction, Ashoka quietly began combining his past life's technological knowledge with the magical advancements of this world. His research team, comprised of individuals he had handpicked for their talent and loyalty, worked tirelessly on projects that would revolutionize the way people lived and fought.
He developed machinery for construction, weapons for his army, and even experimental vehicles. The secrecy of Arcadia was paramount; not even his father knew the full extent of his plans. Ashoka's trips back home were deliberately infrequent and brief to avoid raising suspicion.
Unseen Threats
Amidst the progress, Ashoka couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The vast desert to the south and the treacherous mountains to the north posed potential dangers. While these regions seemed barren, he theorized that monsters or hidden factions could be lying in wait. To secure his domain, he began training a private army. These soldiers, equipped with a blend of magical and technological weaponry, were unlike any other force in the world.
A Five-Year Transformation
In five years, Arcadia became a thriving city, a marvel hidden from the eyes of the world. The villagers who once lived in poverty now resided in comfortable homes, and the city's industries flourished under Ashoka's meticulous planning. The army he built during this time was formidable, trained in advanced combat techniques and equipped with innovative weapons.
Though Arcadia remained a secret, Ashoka knew the day would come when its existence would be revealed. For now, he focused on perfecting his city and strengthening his people, knowing that this foundation would be the key to achieving his ultimate goal: becoming the ruler of the world.