Chapter 49: Royal Family?(1)
It was a beautiful, warm morning in the lands of the Bartfort family. The clear sky illuminated the landscape, and a gentle breeze carried the scents of fresh grass and blooming flowers. On this floating island, people could be seen busily attending to their tasks, their faces beaming with happiness and satisfaction. The reason was simple: the Bartfort lands were thriving thanks to the investments made recently, all due to Leon's efforts. Barcus, who managed the affairs of the estate, had directed substantial resources toward developing every aspect of life on the island. This had transformed it into one of the finest places to live in the entire kingdom.
The prosperity of the land attracted not only commoners but also prominent merchants, drawn by the comforts and opportunities the island offered. Over time, the floating island itself had undergone significant changes. It had been expanded and remodeled. Now, the two Bartfort family homes—one a barony and the other a viscounty—stood close to each other, separated only by a small distance.
However, a portion of Leon's territory remained off-limits to most people. This area was accessible only to family members and a select few who had Leon's personal permission. The reason for these restrictions was clear: it housed natural hot springs, various cultural attractions, and even high-tech factories producing robots and ships.
Despite the success of his endeavors, Leon found himself frustrated by one matter. Over the years, he had managed to acquire three powerful AIs, but he had hoped to discover more. Unfortunately, his search had proven far more challenging than anticipated.
"Why is this so difficult?" Leon once asked Luxion, one of his AIs.
"It's due to their condition," Luxion began to explain. "Most AIs remain in dormant mode. They only awaken under two circumstances: if an intruder enters their territory or if they detect the creation of new humans. For example, when Arcadia arises, all AIs will simultaneously come online."
Leon let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his temples, feeling the stress building.
"Ugh, just another headache..." he muttered.
Suddenly, his three AIs materialized before him. Their presence was so intense and foreboding that, for a brief moment, Leon thought they had come to kill him. However, to his surprise, they asked a completely different question:
"Where is Arcadia? You must know."
Leon felt a wave of relief wash over him, realizing the danger had passed. After a moment of thought, he replied: