Selene watched as SilverLily departed, her footsteps fading into the dim halls of the Verdant Nexus.
The amusement in her expression lingered.
Duskwind and Fenric thought they were playing a game.
A game of whispers.
A game of doubt.
A game they had already lost.
The Fae do not waver.
The humans in her service did not know that yet.
But they would.
Her mind was already shifting to her next move when the air changed.
A pulse of energy rippled through the castle—not Fae magic, not the whispers, but something else.
Something absolute.
---
《System Event: Diplomatic Summit of the Hundred Lords》
《Qualifying Lords: The Top 100 of the New Era》
《Participants will be transported with up to two advisors.》
《All participants will vote on one boon and one bane to affect the world at large. Once enacted, neither may be reversed.》
《All boons and banes have been carefully calibrated for balance. Choose wisely.》
《Beginning now.》
---
Selene barely had time to register the information before the world shifted.
The Verdant Nexus dissolved.
And in the next breath, she was somewhere else.
---
The chamber was vast—not a throne room, not a battlefield, but a place of decision.
It was impossibly large, circular, with a grand stone table at the center where 100 lords stood.
Two advisors stood beside each lord—except for a few, who had apparently come alone.
Selene immediately took stock.
Some of these faces she recognized. Others were unknown.
But all of them were powerful.
She glanced to her right and left.
Beside her stood the Fae Lord of Oaths and the Fae Lord of Sovereignty.
Sovereignty’s presence was as composed as ever, but Oaths’ eyes glowed faintly, absorbing the binding nature of the event.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Selene turned her attention back to the central stone table, where words were already being inscribed in glowing letters.
---
The System’s Voice spoke—not in sound, but in a weight upon the mind.
“The Hundred Lords will now choose a Boon and a Bane. These changes will shape the Boundless Continent indefinitely. Once chosen, neither may be reversed.”
“Each Boon is paired with a corresponding Bane. The balance must be maintained.”
“Read carefully before making your choice.”
The table shifted, and ten pairs of boons and banes appeared before them.
---
The Boon and Bane Proposals
1. Boon: The Blessing of Kings
All Lords who rule a kingdom will gain an increase in resource production and military morale. However, governance will be strictly monitored by the System to ensure efficiency.
1. Bane: The Curse of Rule
All Lords who do not yet rule a kingdom will suffer a decrease in resource production and must prove their worth before being granted additional land.
---
2. Boon: The Unbreakable Oath
Loyalty among followers can never drop below 50%. However, all lords must accept one compulsory oath to the System, which cannot be refused.
2. Bane: The Ties That Bind
Loyalty among followers is naturally reduced over time unless the lord personally enforces their authority.
---
3. Boon: The Eternal Fortress
All defensive structures gain increased resilience and cannot be breached by normal means. However, fortifications must be declared to the System, and once set, they can never be changed or expanded.
3. Bane: The Walls of Sand
All defensive structures slowly degrade over time, requiring increased resources to maintain them.
---
4. Boon: The Land’s Favor
All territories experience a boost in natural resource production, but the System now restricts expansion to areas it deems “appropriate.”
4. Bane: The Scarred Lands
All territories suffer a minor depletion of resources over time unless proper conservation methods are established.
---
5. Boon: The Army of Progress
Troops gain a permanent increase in growth and experience gain, but conscription policies are required, limiting freedom of recruitment and restricting compete control over summoned troops.
5. Bane: The Weight of War
All armies require significantly more resources for upkeep and training.
---
6. Boon: The Market’s Blessing
Trade between Lords is now more efficient, with reduced taxes and increased profit margins, but a portion of all earnings is automatically sent to the System as tribute.
6. Bane: The Toll of Greed
All trade is taxed at an increased rate, reducing profits.
---
7. Boon: The Chosen Blade
One elite unit in every lord’s army is granted an increase in power, but all other units suffer a minor decrease in growth.
7. Bane: The Crumbling Sword
Elite units now experience wear and degradation over time, requiring greater care.
---
8. Boon: The Path of the Chosen
One Lord will be selected by the System to receive a unique, personal boon, but all others must accept a minor disadvantage in exchange.
8. Bane: The Price of Glory
One Lord will be selected to suffer a unique, personal penalty, while all others receive a minor benefit.
---
9. Boon: The Unseen Hand
Spies and covert operatives are granted increased effectiveness, but all Lords must now operate under strict surveillance by the System.
9. Bane: The Veil Torn
All covert actions have a higher chance of failure, making subtlety a riskier path.
---
10. Boon: The Sun Never Sets
Territories cannot be lost permanently unless completely destroyed. However, a Lord may only hold three territories at a time.
10. Bane: The Endless Struggle
Once a territory is lost, it can never be reclaimed by the same Lord.
---
The chamber buzzed as Lords began debating, whispering, arguing.
Selene, however, did not move.
She read each word.
The boons were all restrictions.
The banes were all consequences.
And yet, one must be chosen.
Sovereignty glanced at her. “You see the nature of this game.”
Selene’s lips curved slightly. “Of course.”
Oaths, meanwhile, was still reading. Their glowing eyes narrowed slightly.
“I see loopholes.”
Selene’s expression did not change.
“Then we will exploit them.”
She turned toward the other Lords, observing, calculating.
They will vote based on fear.
She would vote based on control.
And when the decision was made, she would ensure that the outcome only benefited one person.
Herself.
---
The System’s Voice rang out once more.
“Make your choices. Once enacted, they will shape the Boundless Continent indefinitely.”
Selene smiled.
Balance was inevitable.
And she would ensure that it was tilted in her favor.
