As the horseman continued his trek through the dirt road, he could eventually see the City of Tillian coming up from a distance. The principal city and throne of the emperor himself. The city could be described to be the largest and most prosperous. Although, modern day standards would make the city out to be unsanitary.

The city sat near an important natural harbor which was one of the largest around the Borthern sea. However, the recent sinking of a couple galleons nearly blocked the entrance into the port if it wasn't for some brave sailors.

The horseman continued his trek towards the imperial palace, bearing grave news from the eastern regions of the Tillerian empire. From the domains of the Tasermain kingdom and Tolerian kingdom was a report. An important report.

"Your majesty, a messenger has arrived from the Tasermain and Tolerian domains of the empire."

"A joint report is it? It must be quite important if those two are willing to cooperate on such a thing."

The emperor in the past was too concerned with the balance of power, and thus prevented the absorption of the three kingdoms on the three different peninsulas into the two domains. However, the two have been at each others throat to get a casus belli on the Vaskov kingdom, as both share its borders. However, both domains seek to absorb all three soon. If it wasn't for the emperor, the three would most likely have been destroyed entirely after the war. However, if they were to have a justification or casus belli into the hearts of those peninsulas, it's over.

"Your majesty, I bear terrible news from the East. On behalf of the Tolerian and Tasermain domains of the Tillerian empire, I shall report in their place."

The emperor pauses. "Go on."

"Our men have discovered that the Vaskov, Flenning, and Kleft domains under your imperial highness are conducting treason. For the glory and prosperity of the empire, we, the Tasermain and Tolerian domains shall conduct war on behalf of the emperor. We shall forever bring your majesty prosperity and glory."

"Messenger. On what grounds are the three to have been found of treason this time? Illegal wood cutting? Hunting in royal forests perhaps?" He chuckled a bit. It wasn't the first time that the two have proclaimed some reason for declaring war. In the Tillerian Empire, the Tillian kingdom and Genna Kingdom fall under the control of the emperor. However, the rest are controlled by his vassals, or kings to manage the vast amount of lands. Although the emperor is the top power, other domains or kingdoms within the empire may still conduct war against other domains.

Only if they have a legitimate casus belli to do so. Although they usually must be justified under the eyes of the emperor. The emperor could in theory call upon all vassals if he sees a war is unjust, but it rarely happens. Often because it is quite hard to call on all other domains or kingdoms within the empire.

"We have found the treasonous kingdoms to be conducting tons of business behind the back of your majesty with what they call the Americans."

"Americans? I am not too familiar with these Americans? Who are they?"

"The report found that they are perhaps the same people who damaged your majesties ships in the harbor."

"They were the ones who did it? These Americans?"

"Yes your majesty."

The emperor paused again. Contemplating.

"If this is true, then that means there is a foreign adversary that is back in the Tillerian empire again. But why did they come back here? Would they go to those three precisely because of their recent history with the Tillerian empire? What made them come back to the Tillerian empire?" The emperor thought. He continued.

"Right, you said they were conducting business. What kind of business do those three kingdoms offer. If I remember correctly, nothing pops out when dealing with those countries. Did the Americans do this only to challenge my authority, perhaps?"

"On behalf of the Tolerian and Tasermain domains, I shall recount their findings. They found that the three provinces have had trouble in the past regarding the sticky and smelly black substances contaminating crops. However, merchants from the three kingdoms have suggested that the Americans have come specifically to buy the black substance. That is all that is stated."

"Now I am curious why the Americans need that black substance." The emperor thought to himself.

"What do the Tolerian and Tasermain domains desire?"

"We desire the justification for war your majesty."

The emperor again contemplated heavily. "If I justify it, true, it would disrupt any foreign intervention in the east. But, I would have to worry about the increase in territory the two would gain." The emperor sighed in defeat. He doesn't have the power to stop the two territories even if he refused to grant them the casus belli. The middle domains of Chou and Tenning have become more distant from the emperor. Especially after the harbor fiasco.

"Wait for three days. After, you shall hear my response and deliver it."

"Yes, your majesty."

***

Since the preliminary agreements made between the three peninsulas and the US, the three have been sent military advisors, US contractors, and other workers. For the first time in a while, US workers were in demand in foreign countries. Given that no person in any part of the unknown world is not familiar with modern engineering or military training, the US's labor pool is important.

Given how important everything the US is providing, the kingdoms are under pressure to meet some of the concerns of the US. Especially now that the news broke out for the kings that information has leaked to their neighboring Tillerian domains of Tasermain and Tolerian. The threat of war and invasion is evermore present.

***

"Your majesty the king! I bring grave news from the border. The Tolerian troops have been mobilizing their forces for a couple days now. It appears they are preparing for a campaign."

"Will it be war then? Have they not sent a messenger yet?"

"No you majesty."

"Well, all I can do is hope that the Dukes and Marquess have prepared sufficiently after the supplies sent earlier. How long until their attack? Have they started already?"

"There is no word yet. We can only hope they are just preparing and waiting. It might be a couple more days before they start war mongering. However, there have been some light horse skirmishes."

"How many mana users are we dealing with?"

"We are estimating at least four to five your majesty. They would have had one more, but one is reportedly injured. Talk from the taverns near the border."

"Damn. They are going all out for this. Call up the American embassy. We will need their assistance."

The embassy sent some uniformed men over to the kings residence. "So you received reports of hostile troop movement near the border? How many? Time? Capabilities? How defendable are your borders?

The prime minister spoke.

"The Tolerian kingdom next door can amass 30,000 to 50,000 men and soldiers of arms. They have new firearms called the Derrius. Named for its lethality and range. However, there are only maybe a couple of hundred men holding these arms. Our primary concern is the mana users on the other side."

"They have mana users then?"

"Yes, around 4 to 5. That is enough to destroy our walls and defenses. We currently don't have any mana users in our domain."

"Why?"

"The Tillerian empire has restricted mana catalysts to our domain. Further, funding education for the practice is impossible if we can't find teachers. Our annual budget before wouldn't have been able to fund it. Before the war, we had maybe three mana users, one was killed, the other two sought refuge in the Astra Kingdom."

"Persecution?"

"The two were women in their late twenties. God forbid what the encroaching army does to women. Especially if they killed hundreds of their comrades in arms. Fortunately, the one who was killed died in battle, not after." The kings tone made a clear distinction of the difference between dying in battle or after battle.

"How many soldiers does your kingdom have?"

"Total? I guess around 30,000 maybe. Maybe lower. We don't keep accurate numbers. But the border? 10,000 soldiers, tops. If we leave them be, even with the supplies brought in, they will be wiped out."

"How many weapons were sent?"

"Weapons? The supplies sent were only the food provisions. We didn't have the time to prepare the shipment of guns to the border. If we left now, the guns would just fall into the hands of the enemy."

"How long do you think we have until the enemy launches their attack?"

"A couple of days. Mobilizing an army is costly. They wouldn't do so unless they were about to go to war."

"I will notify the pentagon and let you know our actions."

"Thank you."

***

The border of the Flenning kingdom and Tolerian kingdom is absolutly massive. With the border as long as the state of New Mexico, the amount of ground that needs to be covered is massive. That is the main reason why three duchies manage the border. Within each duchy are counties run by marquess, border counties. A marquess is quite prestigious, only below the rank of a duke. This is because of their immense importance of guarding the border.

However, even prepared marquesses along the border and ill equipped to deal with a possible land war with their neighbor. Outmatched nearly 5 to 1 in addition to the mana users being brought along.

Along the border in one particular county managed by a marquess, a lone horse rider runs up to the marquess castle. He reports devastating news.

"Honorable lord, we have received news of our patrols coming into skirmishes with enemy patrols. Two villages have subsequently been sacked as well. All inhabitants were...killed."

"Any signs of the main army marching along by chance?"

"Your honorable lord, no. There were no reports of a large army sighted."

That was unfortunately short lived.

"Your honorable lord!" Another messenger came into the castle the next day. "We have spotted their army advancing towards your honorable lords castle!"

"How many have been spotted?"

"Roughly 10,000 your honorable lord.."

The Marquess was shocked. So much so he had to sit down to catch his breath. His castle currently had roughly 1,000 trained men. He could probably scrounge up extra troops to number 3,000 before they arrive. However, the mana user is always an unknown variable. What's the use if they can just knock down the walls of their fortification and slaughter everyone.

Despite the disadvantage, why do marquesses never leave? Why does any lords in fact always defend to the last man? Its because that's everything they have. Their money, land, people. All of it would be gone if they abandon their county or territory. Fleeing or retreating would eventually just lead to starvation and death. That is something all marquesses must deal with. They have a higher title, but a risky one at that.

"Gather the troops. Start preparing for a long siege. We must hold the fort so that we can have the other counties send their troops."

***

The White House Oval Office.

The president and the chairman as well as the secretary of state and others are meeting in the situation room for the first time since the initial world transfer. However, most of the room is filled with military officers. The problem was clear. A huge war effort was occurring around the borders of the three peninsulas.

"Mr. President, right now we have a total army movement from the Tolerian and Tasermain Kingdom amounting to roughly 200,000 men. We are currently tracking movement of troops on the Flenning kingdom's borders while the other two borders are also experiencing activity. We believe that battles have occurred on the Flenning border already."

"What's the likelihood of the three kingdoms pushing back?"

"On their own. Very low likelihood. Low on soldiers and mana users, they will certainly be swallowed up in the armies of the encroaching armies. In fact, some outlying villages have already been ransacked and many innocent were killed."

"Okay, what kind of intervention are we looking at here people? This will not be just a small scuffle, correct?"

"With no diplomatic ties, military conflict might be our only option here, Mr. President." John sighed at his own inability.

"What are our deployment numbers looking like?"

"Our department has pulled together a rough estimate of at least 50,000 to 100,000 Americans being sent into the three kingdoms."

"That much you say?"

"Yes Mr. President. Although we are dealing with armies with primitive matchlock firearms, the land borders of all three kingdoms combined would be equivalent to the length of three New Mexico's. Furthermore, there are the kingdoms of Tolerian and Tasermain to deal with. We still have to assume control once their armies are pushed back. We may need more soldiers sent in if necessary."

"Your saying we need to mobilize troops on the scale of the Iraq war then? Do you know how much that war cost the American people? Not only tax dollars, but American lives as well. What is our timeline here people? I don't want 70,000 Americans sitting in those countries for years now."

"We presume the recovery will be difficult sir. As the population has an underdeveloped civic society and very low education levels, we might be looking at years of unrest or conflict."

"John, write up a proposal for cleaning up after. I don't need another failed state on my hands. Its too early in the game for that shit."

"I'll get to work on that Mr. President."

"Good." The president sighs and holds his head a bit before looking back at the screen in the command room. "Notify the kingdoms of our plans. Start prepping once we get that information out. This is not an occupation fellas. We are defending an ally."

The president left the command room as everyone began to work.