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Ding!
[You have sent a Citizenship Request to [Player: Ermelinda]!]
[Awaiting approval…]
"Oh! I got a notification! So that's how it works? It says that if I become a citizen and I start working, I need to pay… taxes?!" She was a bit annoyed by that.
"I can also exempt you from paying taxes," I explained. "Like I've done with Alitheus and the Goblins."
"Oooh!" Ermelinda quickly liked the sound of that. "Okay then!"
She didn't think too much into it; she wasn't that type of girl… or, well, boy.
She tapped the system notification in the [Yes] button.
And…
FLAAASH!
She gained a powerful aura out of nowhere, feeling progressively stronger.
"Uwah?! Woah!"
She was a bit surprised, especially because this wasn't something normal.
"Huh?"
Paul was honestly confused; as the light dissipated, it revealed a new notification in front of him.
Ding!
[Congratulations, [Player: Ermelinda] has agreed to become your Citizen!]
[Because of [Player: Ermelinda] unique origins as Fantasia, another Realm, she has become a {Special Citizen} that will grant Special Bonuses to your City!]
[Special Citizens are a unique type of citizen with mysterious, special origins compared to most people, sometimes originating from entirely different Realms.]
[Whenever a Special Citizen joins your Civilization, they will always be stronger than most other Citizens and showcase unique Abilities that will benefit the entire Civilization.]
[Additionally, turning these Special Citizens into Vassals will allow them to further strengthen and awaken even more Special Bonuses and Abilities, making them a worthwhile investment.]
"E-Eh? Am I a Special Citizen?" Ermelinda must have gotten a similar notification, as she was surprised once the light faded away. "Oh wow, I feel stronger now! Is this because of the shared Civilization Power? Alitheus, Gofumina, have you not noticed it?"
"Huh? No…?" Chris wondered. "I guess because I've been a citizen from almost the beginning, I never felt anything strange… Maybe it feels different when you just join, and the civilization power is higher."
"I suppose so… When I joined, it wasn't too high then," Gofumina said. "Although… No wait, I did feel stronger, a bit. And also I got a new Ability, although it doesn't appear in my Status."
"That must be because Gofumina was selected as a Combat Unit," Vlad explained. "You gained Combat Unit Stats on top of your Player Stats, and also Combat Unit Abilities… Apparently, you and Heracles have unique properties and powers too, like Ermelinda here. She's a Special Citizen and…"
Paul went as he explained what she was, and then quickly saw his Civilization System Status, which had changed a little.
Ermelinda was there, registered under the "Special Citizens" section, even though she had yet to become a Combat Unit or something.
[The Special Citizen: [Forest Half-Elf: Ermelinda Clearvalley: Trust Level 100] has manifested her Trait upon your Civilization.]
[Your Civilization has obtained the Special Citizen-tied Trait: [Blessing of the Forest Maiden: Lv1/10]!]
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[Blessing of the Forest Maiden: Lv1/10]
A Special Citizen Civilization Trait given by the [Forest Half-Elf: Ermelinda Clearvalley], who originates from the beautiful Realm of Fantasia, where all kinds of fairies and mystical creatures exist.
Her mere presence in this area spreads the fresh air of Fantasia and its exuberant life, giving a small, passive blessing even without her realizing.
Whenever Ermelinda Clearvalley is within the Civilization Territory, the production of Food from the Farms increases by 100%, while the quality of the produced food and a chance for Special and Top-Quality Food products to be produced increases by 10%.
The production of Lumber increases by 50%, and the growth speed of trees within the designated Forests of the Territory also increases by 200%.
Additionally, Spirit-type creatures may begin roaming around your Civilization more commonly now.
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[Your Territory Power has increased by +100!]
[You gained +100 Governor EXP!]
[You gained +100 Civilization EXP!]
"Oh nice! This is amazing! And just because you're here?! Thanks a lot, Ermelinda!"
Not only did he gain this amazing new trait, but he even got more territory power and EXP!
It was a total jackpot.
"E-Eh? I didn't do anything, though? B-But you're welcome, hehe."
Ermelind giggled cutely as she felt like she was being praised, even though she indeed didn't do a single thing herself.
"This is her ability; take a look."
Vlad showed it to the rest of his friends, making them surprised over the great bonuses that they obtained from her just existing.
"Eh?! No way! And this is just because she came from Fantasia?!" Chris looked slightly jealous. "Why can't I give you special traits too? I'm pretty awesome!"
"I-I guess it has to do with them having an uncommon origin from this Realm?" Paul wondered, trying to calm down his jealous boyfriend, who also wanted to help by doing nothing.
"Maybe that could be a good idea to get new traits," said Gofumina. "Try to find people or players from other Realms and recruit them—wait, that's pretty hard already, not a viable strategy."
"I guess so… But Ermelinda here could be the key to making it a viable strategy," Paul said.
"Eh? Me?" The boy playing as a female avatar wondered.
"Yeah, your Special Trait, what was it called? Love Between Realms? We just have to make it so you add more friends from other Realms, and then drag them over here…" Paul said.
"O-Oooh! Sounds… a bit scary. What if they want to scam us or something?" Jese asked.
"Yeah, that's the problem; I guess it won't be too easy…" Paul said. "Maybe if we could ensure they aren't going to turn against us or something…"
"It's not like it would be too easy unless they're super high-level players, and there aren't that many," said Chris. "Well, we can leave that for another time, though I doubt we can pull it off right now."
"Yeah, not wrong," Paul nodded. "For now, I should try to increase the trust of a few people and assign new vassals to the civilization."
"Oh, right! Can't you add me as one then?" Chris wondered with a cocky smile. "You'll do it right away, I bet, heh!"
"What? No…" Paul said nonchalantly, as he was rubbing his chin, thinking.
"EH?!"
In that moment, Chris's heart was shattered into countless pieces.
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