The port city of Cartalpas is the most popular coastal city in the world and a great city. Many people come here for different reasons. Some are looking for the cultural heritage, some for admiring the city architecture, and some looking for business opportunities. Hence, that's why the city was prosperous.

Although, not like once it was before.

"There's a decreasing number of trade going on here."

Bronze, the Port Authority Manager looking at the monthly reports given by his assistance. He took the previous reports from the cabinet, comparing it to the present reports. His face turned gloomy.

"Did we already know the roots of this problem?" He asked with a low tone.

His assistant turned his face to the floor. After some seconds, his mouth began to open and say, "It seems that most of them went to Gra Valkas Empire due to the rising popularity of their products, including the low prices of their products."

He stopped for a while, then looked at the Bronze face with sad eyes.

"Both of the purchase price and maintenance cost compared to our magical products. Our products seem to not be that competitive anymore. Therefore, not many ships come to Cartalpas and other Mirishial cities anymore due to low demand."

Bronze stared at his assistant. He knew why his eyes were looking sad, really. But, he can't do anything to help him, not in this situation.

"For now, it seems that we must cancel all upgrades that had been planned for the port infrastructure," Bronze said.

"But, sir, didn't that means those companies would lost their-"

"Yes, but we also don't need it at all. If we were still doing that, then we would lose another money."

"Uh..."

"Well, I will send my proposal to him tomorrow. I'm heading home, it's almost night already. How about you?"

"I will stay here for a bit longer. There are works that I must finish right now."

"Well, okay then. See you around."

Bronze then picked his bag and shook his assistant's hands before he left.

--

Bronze glanced at the road in front of him. If he remembered it right, this crossroads seems similar to the one in Runepolis. Traffic lamps and the famous Zaber Cross, used to cross the street. When he remembered back to his teenage days, it was only available in Runepolis. Now, it seems that every city in the Holy Mirishial already has it, even in villages. He also heard that other countries like Parpaldia have started to use it too.

His eyes then looked at the signal lamp that was still glowing red. After some minutes, it finally turned to blue, and all pedestrians began to cross the roads. As the media said, it was a sign of a civilized country. After arriving on the other side of the road, he began to walk to the west where his house was located. Not long after, his eyes noticed something on the front.

"Newspaper! Be the first to read this hot news!"

Newsboy, a common sight in the entire Holy Mirishial Empire. He smiled, then walked towards the newsboy.

"Hey kids, give me one please," He said.

The boy then turned to look at the source of his sounds. When he finally got a view, he was surprised to see him.

"Ah Mr. Bronze, sure!"

The Newsboy then picked a newspaper called Cartalpas Khav. When he received it, he quickly looked at the Headlines which make the current hit.

'The Minister of Defense Caught On Corruption'

On the bottom, there's another article talking about the recent rising price of fossil fuel.

"Hmm, corruption eh, seems normal. How much is it?"

"Well, for you, only five Arkzol."

His hands then quickly grab the wallet, looking for the money he needed, then give it to the Newsboy.

"Uh, sir, why is it seven Arkzol?"

"Take it as a gift from me," said him with a smile.

"O... Okay, thank you very much sir!"

After that, he continues walking down the road. After some minutes, he stopped in front of a blue coloured house. He opened the gate and walked through the front yard which gave him fresh air. Suddenly, the house door opened and revealed a young boy waiting for him.

"Yay, dad is back!"

"Haha, yes."

"Welcome home dad!"

"Thank you. May I ask, where is mom, I don't see her watering the plants."

"Mom is busy, so she doesn't have the time."

"I see. Then, let's go inside."

"Yes!"

Bronze then took his shoes off and walked inside. Just after he entered, he was soon greeted by his unused motorcycle. Some years ago, it was very popular, but now it's just a liability for him. The motorcycle was using fossil fuel, hence why he was going to work by either walking or using public transportation.

"Maybe I should sell it and buy a new motorcycle which uses more affordable fuel," he mused.

"But that thing is also expensive, you know it right, honey?"

Bronze looking at the source of sounds. When he finally saw it, it was his wife, a woman with pointy ears on her head. Just by that, everyone would know that she's an elf.

Bronze shook his head before looking again at his motorcycle and said, "Yeah, but fossil fuel prices will rise very soon soo..."

"Well then, you should think about it again. Anyways, let's go to eat."

"Ah yes, I almost forgot."

What appeared on Bronze eyes were different kinds of food. As an example, there are rice, eggs, chicken, and even breads.

"How could you get it all?"

"Well, there are discounts on the nearby market, so I bought most of it."

"Huh... okay."

"Mom, Dad, when will we start to eat?"

"Ah yeah, I almost forgot about it hahaha...'' Bronze answered while laughing, making his wife laugh a little.

"Well then, let's eat."

Three of them then started to eat their food accompanied by relaxing music from a radio. A smile appeared on Bronze's face when he looked at the eggs, half baked eggs.

"You know very well, heh?"

His wife then giggled when she heard it.

"Actually, it's Benny who told me about it."

"Wait, you don't know about it?"

He was shocked when he just realized that his wife doesn't know about it.

"Fufufu, just kidding. Of course I know, but Benny told me about it yesterday after seeing you eating in the office."

"Oh... Now after you mentioned it, sometimes you cook half baked eggs."

"Hehehe..."

Suddenly, Benny placed his spoon and fork on the plate before saying, "I'm finished. Can I go to bed early?"

Both of his parents then looked at his empty plate. A face of surprise suddenly appears. Surely, they don't expect him to eat that fast.

"Yes, you can. Good night Benny!" His mother says.

"Good night mom, dad!"

Soon, they could hear the sound of the door being closed. Then, a button was pressed, followed by a sound from bed. They soon look back at their food, and continue their dinner.

After making sure that their son had slept, Bronze's wife was looking at him now.

"Bronz, do you know why food prices are rising?"

Bronze, who didn't expect such a question, was taken aback. Soon, he closed his eyes to think about the best answer. Soon later, he opened his eyes and said, "It's because of Qua-Toyne and Quilla. As you know, both are the main supplier of food and fuel for our country, but since the appearance of that supposedly the Ancient Sorcerous Empire..."

"So?"

He took a deep breath before continuing his answer.

"With our main supplier of food and fossil fuel stop importing to us, of course we would experience a lack of food. Because the demand is high, the price would be raised, at least for a while. Well, for fuel, some of our transportation trucks were using fossil fuel due to cheaper prices. Due to the truck not getting the fuel, they cannot move, adding another crisis."

"Ah, I understand. So, why is this happening?"

"Well, our country's diplomatic pressure was severely weakened after the defeat against Mu, not a total defeat since the government doesn't want an all out war, but most of the world called it a total defeat because of the loss of several Flying Battleship Pal Chimera."

"Then?"

"Both Qua-Toyne and Mu feared that when the Gra Valkas Empire launched an attack against them, our country couldn't help them. So then, due to the continuous pressure from the Gra Valkans, they decided to join them. At least, that's what I heard."

"Oh... so, what will happen to us now?"

"I don't know. People like us really couldn't do anything, but try to survive. This decade was full of interesting events, from the arrival of Gra Valkas, war between Mirishial and Mu, then another arrival of a new Nation."

The latest part reminds his wife of a newspaper she just read this morning. It was said that the unidentified giant flying object was operated by a newly founded country. Some said it was the Ancient Sorcerers, while some disagreed.

Finally, after an hour had passed, the conversation finally ended and his wife said, "I'm so sleepy...I will go to bed for now. Good night."

"Ah okay, good night, have a nice dream! "

Now, Bronze was left alone in the dining room. After drinking a glass of water, he stood up and walked to the family room. His eyes were looking for a small device that could be used to activate the television and change the channel. After he finally found it, he quickly turned it on and looked for channel 5. Soon, after the television was turned on, a man would appear on the screen.

"The Imperial Federation of Leifor and Holy Mirishial Empire has just made a contract with an unknown country from the west who are responsible for the attack that occurred across the continent of Mu. The delegation from that country were calling their country the Kingdom of Erusea. According to government officials, a delegation team from Leifor and Mirishial will visit Erusea some days from now."

"So finally we could make a co-hoahm..."

Bronze realized that he hasn't been sleeping well recently. Fearing he would be sick if this continued, he picked the TV control device and clicked a button that would make that television shut down. Then, he walked to the doors and made sure it was locked. After that, he went to his room and slept.