As the sun rose over the city of Jo on the isnd that bore its name, golden light streamed through the tall windows of the royal study. Ravenna sat at her desk, dressed in a gown that, while far from modest, veyed an air of both authority and sophistication. Her sharp eyes were fixed oailed results of the geological s she had accessed through her reputation system. The s presented a three-dimensional visualization of Jo and its surroundings, revealing untapped resources, hidden pathways, and even the locations of key individuals.

  Ravenna khat once she closed the s panel, she would lose access to this invaluable information unless she spent more points to reopen it. Determio make the most of this opportunity, she diligently marked every critical detail onte map of Jo. The room was silent save for the scratch of her pen as she worked swiftly yet meticulously.

  After half an hour of focused effort, a soft kno the door broke her tration. “It’s Alice, Yhness!” called a familiar voice from the hallway.

  Ravenna’s expression softened, and a rare smile graced her lips. “e in, Alice!”

  The door opeo reveal Alice Gatve, Ravenna’s childhood friend and trusted atant maid. Alice had been on maternity leave for the past few months, a leave Ravenna had personally insisted upon. Now, two months after giving birth, Alice had returo her duties. She stepped into the room, wearing her ary maid’s uniform—slightly modified for Jo’s sweltering climate. The breathable fabrid open design allowed for better fort in the heat, a practical adjustment Ravenna had ensured for all her staff.

  Alice’s brown hair was ly bed, and her gsses framed her sparkling eyes, refleg her joy at reuniting with Ravenna. Her demeanor, refined and poised, hi the influence of growing up alongside Ravenna in the pace, though Alice was not of noble birth she carried herself as ohe intimidating aura that usually apanied Ravenna seemed to dissipate in Alice’s presence, a testament to the bond they shared.

  “It’s wonderful to see you again, Yhness!” Alice excimed, her voice filled with warmth. Without hesitation, she crossed the room and embraced Ravenna tightly.

  Ravenna, who was known for her fiery temper and formidable presence, returhe hug with a gentle smile. If anyone else had withe se, they might have thought their eyes were deceiving them. Such dispys of affe from Ravenna were rare, but with Alice, it felt natural.

  “It’s good to have you back, Alice,” Ravenna said as she stepped back, motioning for Alice to sit. “How is Mina? I’ve heard she’s in excelleh.”

  Alice beamed at the mention of her daughter. “She’s absolutely adorable! When she holds my hand while she sleeps, it’s almost too muy heart to handle. And Hughes—he ’t wait to see her every evening after his duties. She’s the light of his day.”

  Ravenna’s smile widened. “I’ll have to visit her sometime. I’d love to see her.”

  Alice hesitated for a moment, her smile faltering slightly. “Y-yes, that would be wonderful, Yhness,” she replied, though her voice carried a hint of unease.

  Ravenna noticed immediately. She uood Alice’s hesitatiing a princess into the modest home of a oner, especially in a city like Jo where most buildings were in disrepair, could be overwhelming. Ravenna made a mental o address the housing ditions iy sooner rather than ter.

  ging the subject, Alice straightened in her chair and pced a ly bound stack of at books on the desk. “Well then, shall we begin?” she asked with a professional smile.

  “Let’s begin,” Ravenna said, leaning forward.

  The room fell silent as Alice delved into the books and dots Ravenna had prepared. Half an hour passed, and Alice's usually calm demeanor cracked. She looked up sharply, her brow furrowed in frustration. “What the hell were you thinking, Ravenna?! We barely have enough moo pay the volunteers who are helping with food distributio you decided to implement airely new administrative and eic system?!”

  Anyone else speaking to Ravenna like this would surely have met a fiery end, but Alice was one of the few who could get away with such bluntness. Her uionship with the princess, fed through years of friendship, gave her a rare immunity to Ravenna's wrath.

  Raven Alice’s incredulous gaze with a defiant smirk. “I wahe isnd for myself,” she decred, her voiwavering, though her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.

  Alice sighed heavily. She knew Ravenna’s ambitions all too well. The princess had always beerong, used to getting her way ever sihey were children. While Ravenna ofteed Alice like an older sister, it didn’t ge the fact that she was still royalty—and royalty rarely took no for an answer.

  “Fine,” Alice relented, adjusting her gsses as she tried to pose herself. “So how exactly do you pn for us to sustain ourselves? What’s the endgame with this new eic model?”

  Before Ravenna could answer, a soft knoterrupted them. “Y-yhness, it’s Sarah, Richard, and High Priest James,” Hughes’ voice called from the other side of the door.

  Ravenna’s lips curled into a pleased smile. “Perfect timing,” she said. “Let them in.”

  The door opened, and three figures ehe room. Each took a seat opposite Ravenna. Alice observed them closely, her analytical mind already assessing their roles.

  “Allow me to introduce everyone,” Ravenna begauring towards a young woman with an air of efficy about her. “Alice, this is Sarah. She’s been managing the ats for the food distribution efforts and maintainiailed popution databases.”

  Aliodded, Sarah a polite smile. “It’s o meet you. I’ve heard good things about your work. Keeping this city running is no small feat.”

  “Thank you,” Sarah replied, her voice steady yet humble.

  , Ravenured towards the older maed beside Sarah. “And this is Richard, the fisherman, our temporary logistics coordinator. He’s been overseeing resource allocation and ensuring supplies are distributed effitly.”

  Richard gave a slight bow. “An honor to meet you,” he said simply.

  Finally, the High Priest stepped forward, his robes pristine and his demeanor calm. “And I, of course, am James,” he said, his voice smooth and measured. “So, Yhness, what might be the reason for this gathering?”

  Ravenna’s smile deepened as she reached for the map of Jo she had been w on earlier. She unfurled it oable, the markings she had painstakingly added standing out in bold strokes.

  “To discuss the untapped resources of the isnd,” she said, her tone brimming with fidence.

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