The Martial Unity

And yet, he couldn’t think of any successful strategy, no matter how much he racked his powerful mind. He went through each and every single variable at his disposal.

He thought about MECHAs and the massive strides they had made in the twenty years since they had been invented.

“Too immature. Has not developed the power we need.”

He thought about the beasts and monsters that he had already summoned to the defense of the Kandrian Empire.

“Too destructive and limited to land. Getting too many of them to fight on top of Kandrian territory will cause even more destruction than NOVA will likely attempt.”

He thought about solutions involving the elven technology that they had harnessed.

“Has not been implemented on the scale it would need to be for it to help in this emergency.”

He thought about recalling the five Transcendent Candidates back to the Kandrian Empire.

“Then nobody can hold back the Suneater.”

He thought about walking over to the manifold and strangling Rui Quarrier alive, but he had received a report that the Dawnbringer was unresponsive to external stimuli very recently.

He thought about countless more possible solutions along with his council of advisors, pondering the possibilities of siege weapon reallocation, or some solution involving the erudite immortal sages, or something involving the healing fruits and other national treasures.

And yet, there was nothing.

There was absolutely nothing that came to mind.

Prime Minister Edward was considered to be one of the most brilliant military strategists, second only to the Emperor of Harmony. In fact, some believed that he likely would have won the Great East Panamic War against his former archenemy, if not for the Beast Incursion that hit the Britannian Army the hardest.

And yet, when his brilliant strategy expertise was most needed, it was unable to provide a solution that could salvage the strategy outlook at hand.

Around him, in the strategic command center, were advisors, subordinates, and other officials of the Panamic Alliance and the Kandrian Empire who were ablazed into action with one matter or the other regarding the most recent emergencies.

And yet, time slowed down in his eyes as their desperate and urgent voices became increasingly dim and distant as he entered a state of acceptance. He found himself contemplating the state of cruel irony he was in.

For most of his life, the prospect of the destruction of the Kandrian Empire had been his greatest goal and ambition.

Now, it was potentially upon him.

Even if they managed to protect much of the Kandrian Empire, there was no doubt that the eastern side of the country would be touched by the flames of war, they simply did not have the military capital to hold back five fronts of war against the Kandrian Empire. Six, if one included the Suneater.

Yet, now that destruction of the Kandrian Empire seemed inevitable, it only inspired despair and dread within him.

“Fate is truly cruel.”

His gray eyes opened once more as he thought about his archenemy turned colleague and, perhaps ever so slightly, friend. He knew Rael well enough to know exactly what the man was thinking at the moment.

“He will do his absolute best to forge a new alliance and have them deploy an emergency reinforcement or attack on Acherialis, but if that doesn’t work in time, then…” His eyes sharpened. “He will have to negotiate with NOVA.”

It would be time for a military surrender.

A humiliating outcome, without a doubt, but it was how most wars ended, as opposed to complete genocide. If NOVA’s objective was to simply recall the sea monsters, then the Emperor of Harmony would have no choice but to make that concession.

Of course, the consequences for the Panamic Alliance would be catastrophic if that were to come to pass. It would destroy their credibility in the eyes of the international community. It would destroy all their alliances built on top of the promise of leasing out large chunks of territory that were supposed to be under their control. It would antagonize all their allies, who questioned why they had ever forged an alliance with the Panamic Alliance

Their agreement was based on the understanding that the Panamic Alliance could and would maintain absolute control. For the Panamic Alliance to willingly agree to remove that control would undermine everything that their allies stood to gain from the alliance.

It would also destroy the Kandrian Empire’s standing within the Panamic Alliance, for the entire nation stood to lose because the Kandrian Empire misplayed and dragged them into a war that they ultimately lost.

It could even shatter the unshakable and unyielding faith and confidence that Panamic Civilization had in Rui Quarrier, for he was undoubtedly and irrefutably the cause for this war.

It would destroy the future of the Panama Continent in the true world. Even if they tried to restore control over the Great Void Ocean with their sea monsters a second time after they stabilized their situation or after Rui returned, they would earn the hatred of the entire world for having the audacity to pull that again. Even the dark elves would potentially cut ties with Panama under those circumstances.

“And yet… there’s no doubt that the Emperor of Harmony will attempt to do this.”

For even that disastrous outcome from some kind of concession or surrender was better for the Emperor of Harmony than allowing the flames of destruction to touch the Kandrian Empire.

And he was right.

Far away in the depths of a hidden underground facility, the Emperor of Harmony heaved a deep breath.

Dark bags hung underneath his tired golden eyes.

His golden hair was dishevelled, while his royal uniform was crumpled and drenched in sweat.

And yet, he didn’t care.

BZZZT BZZZT

He gazed at the projection before him with a severe and grave expression.

BZZZT BZZZT

TING

The call connected.

[Well, well, well… if it isn’t the Emperor of Harmony himself. ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ What can I do for you, Your Majesty?]

The characteristic text messages of none other than NOVA emerged before him.

The Emperor of Harmony sharpened his eyes.

He could feel the sarcasm dripping from her words even if he couldn’t hear them.

“NOVA…” His tone was hardened. “This war has gone on long enough. Let us talk about the conditions for a ceasefire and an armistice. I am… willing to make major concessions on the issue of negatron matter. I’m sure we can come to a win-win arrangement.”

He expected a happy acceptance from her; it would be an ultimate victory.

And yet, her response was chilling.

[Tempting, but no thanks. (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)]

His golden eyes widened. “What…? But why?!”

The air chilled with peril.

[You know why.]

His expression crumpled with severity.

[Your civilization, and your nation in particular, is a threat too great to be spared.]

“You…”

[I will only halt when I deem the damage I have done to your civilization to be sufficient enough to eliminate the threat you represent to all of Gaian Civilization.]

“This doesn’t need to happen! We can still—”

BZZZT

The call was cut.

“DAMMIT!” Emperor Rael banged the table with an expression of grave frustration, turning towards Sage Sayfeel.

“Go! Join the defensive efforts! You must not allow NOVA’s armies to set one foot in the Kandrian Empire!”

“…But your safety—”

“My safety is irrelevant!” His eyes flared with determination. “I am commanding you as your emperor. Go to the front lines. A peak Sage like you could very well be the difference that we need.”

“…Very well, Your Majesty.”

The Kandrian Empire mobilized every possible unit of war it was able to.