Chapter 442: Earth Kingdom
Divine Sky Realm – Main Continent
The room was magnificent, reflecting absolute power. Its walls were made of gleaming black metal, intricately carved with faintly glowing patterns that pulsed like flowing energy. Sturdy statues stood in every corner, depicting legendary figures who had shaped the history of this world. Large paintings adorned the walls, each illustrating unforgettable historical events. High above, blue crystal lamps hung from the domed ceiling, casting a cool glow that softly reflected off the long table adorned with golden ornaments. At the center of the table, a plaque bore the inscription:
Queen of the Earth Kingdom – Nita.
Behind the desk, a young woman with long, neatly tied black hair was reading a holographic report floating before her. Her sharp black eyes scanned line after line of text with intense focus, while her slender fingers occasionally swiped the transparent screen. The blue light of the hologram reflected off her skin, giving her a cold and composed aura.
Behind her, an elderly man in a white robe stood in silence. His face radiated wisdom, and his gaze carried the patience of an advisor who had served the government for a long time.
Nita narrowed her eyes, her voice soft but filled with contemplation.
"They've already reached thirty thousand kilometers?"
The report before her was titled Skyward Expedition V. The images attached to the document showed a world unfamiliar to her—a massive floating rock drifting in an endless void, a transparent bubble shimmering like another dimension, and the colossal form of a monster shrouded in dense black mist. The sender's name was clearly written in the corner: Hana.
Nita let out a quiet sigh, closing the report with a light touch. "Sister Hana always writes her reports in great detail."
Haikal Emanuel, the elderly man standing behind her, gave a small smile, as if recalling something.
"Of course, Princess. With Takulani's assistance, Lady Hana can focus more on documentation and other administrative matters."
Nita nodded, but her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. Her gaze landed on a photograph hanging on the wall behind her desk.
In the picture, a young man with a broad smile sat on a sofa. His arm was wrapped around a laughing girl, playfully pinching her cheek. There was joy in their eyes, a warmth that sharply contrasted with the silence now filling the room.
Her fingers lifted slightly, as if wanting to touch the photo, but they stopped in mid-air. Her eyes softened, and her lips parted slightly, as if about to say something unspoken.
"Brother... how are you now?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
It had been five months since Lein left. Five months that felt longer than the years before. Time kept moving forward, but for Nita, each day felt empty. The responsibilities of her new role as ruler could only delay the feelings, not erase them. Sometimes, Elen would accompany her, trying to cheer her up, but still—without Lein, her world felt hollow.
She took a deep breath, trying to push away the emptiness. There were heavy responsibilities she had to bear, decisions waiting to be made. But deep in her heart, she was still just a little sister longing for her older brother.
With a calm motion, Nita stood up. Her steps were steady as she turned and approached the large window behind her chair.
Standing before the window, her gaze stretched over the vast city below. Towering buildings reached into the sky, some floating steadily in the air, a testament to humanity's technological advancements. Sky bridges connected major structures, while the wide city streets were filled with hovering vehicles and pedestrians who looked like tiny ants from this height.
In the distance, a massive wall enclosed the kingdom's core territory. Its towering height was guarded by rows of armed sentinels and various defense systems. Even though it was over 500,000 kilometers away from where Nita stood, every detail was still visible to her eyes. As someone who had reached the level of a king, her vision far surpassed that of ordinary humans. Enjoy exclusive content from My Virtual Library Empire
After Lein's departure, the first step she took was to establish a strong governing center. She named this place the Earth Kingdom, and now she stood at the peak of its palace. The territory within the colossal walls, spanning 500 kilometers, had become the kingdom's main hub—The City of Life. The name was chosen with purpose. High above this city's sky, a floating island still remained firm, showing no signs of falling. That island was Lein's legacy, a symbol of his presence that was still felt even in his absence.
Beyond the walls, the kingdom's territory stretched even further. Unlike the core area, this region was more open—any alliance could establish buildings here as long as they leased or purchased land for a certain period. The city was gradually developing into a center of trade and diplomacy, linking various civilizations across the cosmos.
"I haven't walked around the city in a long time," Nita murmured, a hint of longing in her voice. In recent days, she had been buried in stacks of reports. The construction Lein had ordered before his departure was still ongoing, and she, along with the core members, was busy structuring the government and preparing to open themselves to the cosmic world.
She let out a quiet sigh, then turned away from the window. "Lord Haikal, please watch over the palace for a while. I want to meet Elen," she said in a calm voice.
Haikal, standing not far from her, nodded respectfully. "Understood, Princess."
Nita stepped toward the grand doors behind her, opening them with a light motion. Beyond the doors, a long corridor stretched ahead—silent, lined with towering pillars along its sides. The glow from the blue crystals mounted on the walls provided a soft illumination, casting faint shadows on the polished marble floor.
She walked straight down the corridor, then turned right toward the royal hall. As she entered, her gaze briefly fell on the throne positioned atop a high platform on the right side of the room. The seat was empty, silent, a reminder that Lein had yet to return. But she did not head in that direction.
Her steps remained firm as she moved toward another grand door on the left side of the room. Two guards stood there, maintaining a vigilant posture. The moment they saw Nita approaching, both immediately lowered their heads respectfully before opening the door for her.
As she stepped through the grand doorway, she was greeted by an expansive courtyard with intricate carved patterns arranged in perfect symmetry. On either side of the courtyard, lush trees stood in neat rows, accompanied by vibrant flower pots that spread a fresh fragrance throughout the area.
Several royal attendants were busy tending to the surroundings, sweeping fallen leaves, while others walked briskly, occupied with their respective duties. The air was fresh, and the bright blue sky stretched endlessly above, adorned with white clouds drifting lazily like gentle waves in the ocean.