A small quant bar was positioned in the middle of the village. A small area of residents, craft shops, and recreational areas. The small village was surrounded by cropland of the local Baron.

"Did you hear about Fletcher?"

"Yeah, all of this weird black stuff started pouring out of the ground. Can't grow crops there anymore"

"Yeah, I heard the Baron was furious and ordered a cleanup, but he doesn't seem to understand that it won't stop flowing."

"Well, the Baron is insistent apparent. Still trying to stop the black stuff from coming out. I heard they were calling in a mana practitioner to try and stop it."

"Hell, that black stuff must be some sort of curse. Useless, smelly, and just hard to get rid of."

Three other men are also in the bar. They are wearing ragged clothing which looked like the others in the small bar. If it wasn't for the fact that they didn't talk very loudly, they seemed quite normal. Then, one of them got up and the other two followed while leaving some coins.

They quickly leave the bar and head towards a secluded area where one of them pull out a black device. "Send in a report. We finished our observations for the day."

The three proceed to file their reports.

***

The president is sitting in the Oval office and is talking on the phone. "Yes, if the citizenship bill passes through the senate, then rest assured, I will not veto it. Right. I will talk to you later." He hangs up. The door to the Oval office opens.

"Mr. president, the secretary of state and secretary of energy have arrived."

"Send them in."

John and secretary of energy entered the office.

"So, I am assuming you two already received the reports from our intelligence yes?"

"Yes, Mr. president, it is unfortunate."

"Might be unfortunate for you John, but for me, it makes my job a hell of a lot easier. I didn't know how we were going to substitute our growing demand for energy if we didn't find oil sooner or later."

"Yes I know, further the Chairman of the joint chief of staff said it was a growing National security concern. Oil is not only the fuel of our economy, but of our military. Gearing down as of right now is not very good."

"I called the two of you here today so that we could discuss on our course of action from here on out. This situation could be very bad no?"

"We could avoid the problem if we just forget that they have oil, but certainly my counterpart here will disagree." John looks towards the secretary of energy.

"Secretary of energy, I believe we discussed the merits of a magic based energy sector before correct?"

"Mr. president, although there have been some interesting discoveries, it still doesn't allow for the US to switch immediately. Furthermore, we still need oil for our military assets. We can't substitute diesel or jet fuel with magic quite yet. Even if we did, it will be years before that happens. The US does not have years before our demand for oil surpasses our production capacity. We could be facing problems before the end of your term Mr. President."

"So we need the oil then? If that's the case, then..."

"Yes, then we must deal with the Tillerian empire. If our intelligence is accurate, many deposits of oil have been discovered in the Tillerian empire."

"So we must deal with the Tillerian empire then? I am not so sure I am willing to send our diplomats to that city again. Not after that fiasco."

"We might not have to Mr. President. I have a proposal to make. But this still needs to be confirmed by the CIA."

"What is your proposal then? Out with it John!"

"The vast majority of the reported oil deposits were on the eastern areas of the Tillerian Empire. These areas just happen to fall under the local jurisdictions of three subject kingdoms in the area. The three in question were "recently" thrown under the Tillerian umbrella in the past war where the Kingdom of Astra lost."

"Is that true? Then these three were close allies of the Kingdom of Astra then?"

"Yes, the three were initially very close allies to the kingdom of Astra. This has to do with their common language, history, and mutual interest of fighting against the encroaching Tillerian border. However, the previous war made them subjects of the empire pretty much unwillingly."

"Hmm, so your proposal then?"

"I propose we just stroll up to the three and offer private investment to set up the necessary infrastructure where they can then sell the oil to us. We could convince them since it would provide them tons of capital and funds for their government if they do so. Although there is one problem with this."

"It would mean the US officially recognizes the three as independent nations then? If US citizens are going there for conducting business, obviously we need to establish a US consulate or embassy in the region to assist. But this would directly antagonize the Tillerian Empire would it not?"

"From our intelligence, the Tillerian empire could use this as a casus belli to declare war if we are found out. However, given their transportation and information network, its not entirely impossible to prevent information from going out. Furthermore, the three would be incentivized to prevent information leaks."

"Yes, but what if they do find out? This could mean an all out war between us and the Tillerian empire. We would need to prevent encroaching forces in three different kingdoms if war breaks out. Furthermore, we don't know if the Tillerian empire has other unknown allies they could call to action."

The president looks at the secretary of energy. "Is the situation dire enough to justify and warrant a potential war which could encompass a land area around the size of China? Can we justify it Mr. secretary?"

"Mr. President, if we keep waiting, the US could run the risk of a slower economy and restricted supply of oil for our military. Its not doomsday level of oil shortages in the short term, but it could seriously hamper future efforts in the economy and military. I think the oil is important Mr. President."

"Is this everything John?"

"Yes Mr. President, all we need is your approval."

The president sighs and contemplates for a moment. He looks at the papers on his desk which also included a map of the kingdoms within the Empire. He looks at John. "Where do I sign?"

***

The king of the Flenning kingdom was currently at his desk, sorting through various papers which needed reviewing and approval. He has been worried about the potential war that may break out with the kingdoms western neighbor. The current situation with the western Tolerian kingdom was precarious at best. The king knew that the Tolerian kingdom was doing its absolute best to find a casus belli to declare war. The strife and other internal conflicts related to the imperial family only make it easier for the Tolerian kingdom to do this.

In a war between the two, the Tolerian kingdom is most certainly going to win out. What sovereignty and history the Flenning kingdom had would be mute after being taken under the king of the Tolerian kingdom. The king assumed this was likely a problem for the other two kingdoms as well.

The Vaskov kingdom shares a border with the Tolerian kingdom and the Tasermain Kingdom to the north. The Kleft Kingdom only shares a border with the Tasermain kingdom. Both kingdoms have been trying to get a casus belli to justify war since they were brought under the Tillerian umbrella. If war were to break out, the Flenning and Kleft Kingdom would surely fall under the control of the Tolerian kingdom and Tasermain kingdom while the Vaskov kingdom would be split in two.

For years, the king has been appealing to the emperor that these casus belli claims are nonsense, however there has not been much support from the emperor himself. The king figures that allowing him to continue to rule the kingdom was his only saving grace.

Suddenly, there was rapid knocking on the door and his prime minister walked in. "What's all the fuss about?" the king asked.

He bowed. "Your majesty, diplomats from another country arrived in a strange grey ship. Furthermore, they are offering us a business opportunity you majesty!"

"Business opportunity? Where did these people come from?"

"They say they come from the United States of America. They said they wanted to meet you before further discussing details."

"The United States of America? Never heard of them? Is there anything else?"

"They said that they already consider the kingdom of Astra as an ally."

"Really.. Huh.. So those guys are still alive then? I don't know if I should be happy or sad that they didn't succumb to a fate worse than ours. Anyways, bring them here then. If they have money to offer, then I am all ears."

Soon, the US delegation arrived at the kings palace."

"So, you are the envoy from the US then? What kind of business offer are you talking about?"

"Your majesty, for the mutual interest of both our countries, we are willing to invest private capital to develop the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the extraction of oil in your kingdom."

"Oil?"

"I believe you would know it as the black stuff which flows out from the ground."

"You want that stuff? Why?"

"Its important for running our country your majesty. Of course, we are not taking this oil for free. The private investment is just to set up the ability to extract oil. Management will fall under your kingdom specifically. Of course, we can collaborate to facilitate training."

"So, if I agree to your proposal, how much will be made from this?"

"Its hard to describe your majesty, but the amount of wealth made in this business deal will greatly surpass your annual income."

"That much? If that is the case, just what is this oil used for?"

"Back in our country, oil is often called black gold. Its almost as valuable as gold, but much more practical."

"Okay, so lets say that you set up the infrastructure required to extract this black gold. How do you know that we simply won't sell it to you?"

"Even if you don't the other two kingdoms might. Furthermore, we are the only country that can buy and utilize this stuff. Why hold onto it when you could make a significant amount of money from it?"

The king paused to think about it. However, he immediately shook his head in defeat.

"Your offer sounds quite amazing. Almost too good to be true. However, at this point you must know that we are..." He paused for a second. "We are a subject of the Tillerian empire since 10 years ago. If I agree to this business deal from another country, our neighboring kingdom and possibly the entirety of the Tillerian empire could declare war on us and destroy everything. I am sorry, but I don't see how this can be possible."

"Your majesty, would you be willing to sign onto a intergovernmental military alliance?"

***

Soon, news broke within the US of three potential members to the newly created Democratic Alliance Treaty Organization. Although they are not official members into DATO, for extreme circumstances, they signed onto mutual defense agreements for the meantime until they are officially admitted into DATO.

The kingdom of Astra has just finally been admitted into DATO, making up two official members in the military alliance. Now three more candidates are up for admission into DATO. Furthermore, the commission is made up of US and Astra officials. The kingdom of Astra was finally admitted under the grounds that the democratic process has been sufficiently been deemed to be sufficient in allowing for further improvements of the democratic process going into the future. Unless there are drastic policy changes, its likely that the process will continue going into the future.

Meanwhile, the work to set up the infrastructure has just started along with the establishment of US embassies in all three kingdoms on the eastern peninsulas of the Tillerian empire. No news of these developments have spread to the imperial family or other neighboring kingdoms.

For now.