Over the next few days, things began to change in Geneva. The soft changes Elias had started in the Archive of Hope reached the streets, and people began to feel a new sense of belonging. The city felt lighter, as if old wounds were slowly healing and new possibilities were in the air.
One clear morning, in the central plaza of Geneva, Elias stood on a simple wooden stage set up with a banner that said "A New Day for Geneva." Crowds gathered, not with much fanfare, but with a quiet optimism. Families, shopkeepers, students, and elders—everyone was there, eager to hear what their leader had to say. Elias cleared his throat, took a steady breath, and spoke in plain language: "Today, we begin a new chapter for all of us. We honor the lessons we have learned, and we use them to build a better, stronger community. Our goal is simple—unity, progress, and a listening heart."
The speech wasn't filled with fancy words, just straightforward hope that everyone in the crowd could feel. "Our strength comes from all of you," he continued. "Your voices, your struggles, and your dreams are the true foundation of our future. No one is left behind in this journey."
People clapped softly, nodding in agreement. At that moment, a decree was announced that would change the shape of the city's future. Elias declared that his administration would now formally include representatives from groups that had long been on the outskirts—especially those from the ancient beastman societies. "Long has our great city thrived on the stories of all its people," Elias explained. "Today, we welcome the wise and proud voices of the cat-beastmen, dog-beastmen, and wolf-beastmen into our very heart."
The announcement brought a ripple of excitement. Many from these communities, who had lived quietly by the side of Geneva for as long as anyone could remember, now felt that their voices would count. Even if there was no fancy ceremony at first, the whisper of inclusion lit a spark of unity throughout the region.
After the speech, the crowd slowly dispersed into the streets. People talked among themselves about the new changes—how their ideas might now shape the future, and how their everyday struggles and dreams would finally be heard. In the soft glow of the afternoon, Geneva appeared transformed. The city wasn't just being governed any more; it was coming together as a community that shared hope and responsibility.
Later that evening, as Elias walked the quiet streets, he saw many familiar faces returning home with something light in their step. It reminded him that true power is not always shown in big gestures. Sometimes, it is the simple act of a kind word or a shared smile that builds the fabric of an entire community. He thought of the small policy changes he'd set in motion earlier that day—opening libraries, improving small markets, and even planting community gardens—and felt a deep satisfaction.
At a modest meal with his advisors that night, Aurora summed it up nicely. "We're not building an empire by forcing our will—it's growing organically, one honest decision at a time." Jamie agreed, "It feels good to know that we're finally giving everyone a chance to be heard." Lira quietly added, "Every record we add and every plan we make is a small step toward uniting our people even more."
Elias looked around at his close friends and felt a calm certainty. The empire was not just an idea on paper; it was alive in every conversation, every reform, and every hopeful look on a citizen's face. With that thought, he shut his eyes for a brief moment of thanks, feeling grateful for every challenge that had led him here.
As the soft night settled over the city, Geneva seemed to hum with a quiet energy—a sense that a better tomorrow was already taking shape. Elias's vision was spreading through each street, each home. And even though the changes were small, together they were building a bridge that would someday carry the entire city to new heights.