Telek Harbor.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the Afrazia United Kingdom, isolated by its severe information disconnect, Telek Harbor is currently the most prosperous city in the nation.

While <Paraiso>, the administrative AI of The Tree Fortress, categorizes it merely as a "town," it ranks among the largest population centers in the kingdom. This, however, reflects more on the kingdom's decline than Telek Harbor’s growth.

“It’s finally starting to recover…”

The leader of Telek Harbor, from his newly built mansion’s office, looked out over the city. Below, bustling streets stretched toward the sea, with a grand avenue running straight from the port to a newly constructed five-story mansion at its terminus. Building above three stories had previously been impossible with local technology, but with <Paraiso>’s assistance, the unprecedented structure became a reality.

Recalling the elegant white ship of <Paraiso>, Kulavia Telek felt as though it had docked only yesterday, though it had been over a year. That ship had arrived at a time when the nation, ravaged by civil war, faced logistical stagnation and economic collapse. Telek Harbor had been on the brink of ruin, its reserves dwindling rapidly. Kulavia had even seriously considered fleeing the country. Then <Paraiso>’s trade ship appeared and overturned everything.

Its polished white hull and striking crimson banner left a lasting impression. Though Kulavia could not comprehend its mechanics, the paddle wheels churning through the water while emitting smoke were unforgettable. That ship brought a wealth of resources to Telek Harbor.

Kulavia understood that this was, in essence, economic infiltration. Yet, he did not resist. His desperation played a part, but more than anything, <Paraiso> approached with sincerity. The crew grasped his dire circumstances yet refrained from exploiting them. They continued trading without taking advantage of his vulnerability. While extending a hand of support, they demanded fair compensation, understanding that maintaining the appearance of business was more dependable than charity. They consistently offered options and respected his decisions.

“Maybe it’s time for a festival…”

The thought struck him. Perhaps a celebration commemorating <Paraiso>’s first arrival in Telek Harbor? In a few months, it would mark two years since their first contact. The townspeople would likely embrace the idea. As for <Paraiso>’s response, while hard to predict, their past interactions suggested they wouldn’t reject it outright.

“There hasn’t been a founding day festival, harvest festival, or New Year’s festival in ages…”

Until now, there hadn’t been the resources or morale for such celebrations. But Telek Harbor was regaining its vitality, and Iron Town had stabilized. The two towns had developed a steady trade connection, with goods regularly transported by wagon. A joint festival celebrating <Paraiso>’s arrival could unify Telek Harbor and Iron Town. It would be a testament to their survival and future growth. While the outside world remained inaccessible, there were no immediate plans for external negotiations.

“I should consult a few people first… and of course, talk to the ladies of <Paraiso>.”

A festival without its main guests would feel incomplete. If they agreed to participate, perhaps a parade could be organized. The crew of <Paraiso> was well-loved and would surely amplify the festivities.

Introducing the Festival Idea

“A festival, you say?”

When Kulavia broached the subject with Zwanzig, the rare sight of surprise appeared on her typically composed face.

“Yes. Thanks to you all, this city is thriving. The difference between now and when you first arrived is like night and day. It’s brighter, livelier.”

Zwanzig, who had just docked with her fleet, listened intently. Her expression, though calm, seemed more expressive than before—a testament to her emotional growth since their first meeting. While her initial stoicism had an angelic allure, her more relaxed demeanor was equally captivating.

That said, Kulavia, a man with a family and no inclination toward youthful infatuation, had no ulterior motives in appreciating her charm.

For a moment, Zwanzig remained silent.

Unbeknownst to Kulavia, she was remotely querying <Ringo> about the concept of a “festival held by an entire town.” Her unexpected stillness allowed the merchant leader to savor the rare sight.

Thanks to the evolution of humanoid machine communicators, even the older models now possessed some decision-making capabilities. This allowed <Ringo> to adopt a more hands-off approach, sometimes leaving them in autonomous operation. Ironically, this led to endearing moments of vulnerability that unintentionally boosted their popularity—a phenomenon <Ringo> had noted as a timeless effect of “gap appeal.”

“…I see. It’s not a bad idea. From a morale perspective, the timing seems appropriate. That it commemorates our arrival… is flattering.”

The slight delay in her response came from searching for appropriate phrasing. Kulavia interpreted this as shyness and found it endearing.

<Paraiso>’s overseer, <Ringo>, observed in silent amusement.

“If possible, we’d like you all to participate in a grand parade. It would mean a lot.”

“I understand.”

Zwanzig’s onboard brain unit began processing information about festivals and parades from The Tree Fortress’s library. It analyzed their potential effects and queried <Ringo>, who offered little more than warm, supportive feedback. With no additional input from her higher intelligence, Zwanzig continued calculating straightforwardly.

“If there are no particular issues, we’ll agree to participate in the parade. As for the details?”

“Oh, if you all are willing to join, we’ll get serious about planning. We’ll keep you updated and consult as needed.”

“Understood. I’ll look forward to the festival.”

Selecting a neutral response from her standard protocol list, Zwanzig concluded the discussion.

“Well then, enough of the fun talk.”

Satisfied that the atmosphere had warmed sufficiently, Kulavia shifted to the main topic.

“About East Gate City—we discussed this briefly before. Have you been informed, Zwanzig?”

“Yes. It’s something I also inquired about.”

The topic concerned confirming routes to East Gate City and dispatching personnel. Recent information had clarified the local situation and the safety of the journey.

“Good. As for safety along the route, we’ve made some progress. To put it bluntly, it seems the area has become deserted—likely due to the relentless wars, looting, and banditry that forced smaller villages and towns to be abandoned. With no people left, the bandits have also disappeared. It’s a vicious cycle leading to further ruin. Meanwhile, the areas near East Gate City, especially around the Great Lakes, are densely populated, though this has worsened the security situation. Still, thanks to governance by prominent clans, they’ve managed to maintain some semblance of order. It’s dangerous, but we’ll likely need to avoid those areas and take a different route.”

“Your carriages would make the journey much easier, assuming we get your permission.”

While the roads were poorly maintained, they could still accommodate wagons. The steel-axle carriages provided by <Paraiso> were rugged enough for the task, equipped with advanced suspension systems to handle rough terrain.

“Understood. We’re also interested in establishing contact with the Forest Nation of Rebresta. Necessary supplies can be provided.”

“Out of curiosity, what’s so special about Rebresta?”

At this point, Zwanzig prepared to respond with a non-disclosure statement when <Ringo> took control.

“If possible, we aim to establish contact with their nation. Ideally, trade relations.”