“Any more ideas?” Minister of State Pauline called out once again.

After a few dozen suggestions, Captain Aziz had figured out her exact position in the Republic of Francois — she was the Minister of State, effectively a ruler chosen by the elites of the Republic itself. From what Marie had told him after he’d asked her a few questions, plans to expand the selection process and in being more inclusive about how the government was well underway.

Well, they were underway, until someone mentioned that expanding voting rights, whatever they were, should be suspended until the threat of the Human God’s ability to manipulate minds were settled. This suggestion was supported by virtually everyone, and that was that.

Pauline called out again, but no one else had anything to offer. After a few seconds of waiting, she said, “Alright. It seems that we are done here for today. Good job, everyone. There’s one last thing I would like to say to everyone present, but these words are not to leave this room. Am I clear?”

A chorus of assent rang out.

The minister brought her hands together. “This entire thing, about being able to influence and guide others on a wide-scale…it’s possible that the Human God intends to do it to the whole world with much greater effects eventually. Fortunately, Scorpio had told us about Anren’s ability to affect our minds. But if the Human God was willing to do that to us today, it means that he has no scruples in expanding his scope and intensity.

Pauline sighed, a sound that spread around the room. “We must be careful of what we hear. We cannot blindly follow our emotions and our hearts — we must run whatever thoughts we have from now on through common morality and logic. Or else, we may crumble apart from within.”

“If I may add some words,” Eventide raised his hand.

“Go on.”

“We’ve discovered, thus far, that our cultivations are linked to our ability to resist this influence. Our Chief of Air also talked about her own discovery, linked to another great god’s Divine Kingdom. But since the latter is nearly impossible, I would like to urge everyone present to help their subordinates in increasing their cultivations and casting their vows,” said the War Minister. “Do consider using some of your own resources, the ones that you now have no use for, to encourage growth.”

“That’s a solid point, Eventide.” Pauline nodded at her War Minister, and then said, “Now that we’ve gone through today’s agenda, this meeting is dismissed. Marie, please stay back for a moment.”

The others filed out in small groups, chatting amongst themselves. Aziz, however, stayed behind with Marie…because the latter was maintaining a painful iron grip on his shoulder.

“You needed me for something?”

“Just a heads-up, I guess,” Pauline replied. “Stardust Battalion is made up of mostly humans, not beastfolk, unlike the mixed bag you have in Thunderbolt. When the two battalions interact, be careful not to let any tensions occur. I think an open dialogue works best, but you’re the expert in this.”

“Got it. Anything else?”

“We’ll be sending you and Thunderbolt for a long trip,” said Pauline. “The Eastern Territories have asked us to send some aid over, and since the situation over at our side is stable, we decided to buy some political favours. The East has agreed to let us examine how their… ‘Gaius-class strategic weapon’ operates. We’ve been told that it is a wide-area, high damage weapon, but they felt that seeing was better than just hearing about it.”

“So it’s a trade.”

“Yes. Let’s be a bit upfront here — to me, all branches of the Republic have a single purpose. They serve the nation and its people. That is all,” said Pauline. “To that end, even our most prized troops can be used. I hope you understand.”

“I do.” Marie furrowed her brows. “Still, leaving Stardust Battalion alone here…is that a good idea?”

“Stardust has been undergoing their training regimen for two months already,” said Pauline. “No problems have thus far cropped up yet. It’s okay to leave them here, especially since we’ve come to a preliminary agreement with the Worldshaper.”

“Very well. Am I expected to take notes about how their new weapon operates?”

“That too is part of your duties in the East,” said the minister. “You and Aziz here have shown incredible ability in noting down key points of new strategic developments. I see no reason to stop using them. Anything else you want to ask? The details of this trip will be sent to your office shortly.”

“Nothing in particular.”

“Excellent, marshal.” She gestured at the door. “You’re free to leave now, unless you want to admire the paintings hanging off the wall.”

Aziz glanced at the works of art. Most of them were depicting places of historical importance — he could recognise most of them by sight alone, after reading the books that Marie had made a point to toss onto him every so often.

“What’s that place?” Marie asked. “I’ve never seen it before.”

Pauline and Aziz turned to the picture the marshal was pointing at, and the Minister of State said, “That’s Takamagahara. It’s a beautiful place, said to be where the great gods relaxed at before the birth of the Demon God. Champion Solaris, naturally, was the one who named it. Since it’s in Mi-Zu, you could probably visit it after your tour of duty is over.”

“It’ll probably raise the troops’ morale, if nothing else.” Marie stared at the picture intently. “It’s so beautiful, even in this picture alone.”

“I’ll send you the details of Takamagahara later, along with the details of your trip to the East, so don’t go drooling on my painting.” She smiled. “Shoo, shoo. You’re going to dirty my office.”

The two broke into laughter. Aziz, in the end, still didn’t understand why he had been brought here — nothing that needed him explicitly, even events like Pauline going off tangent, had occurred at all — and the question continued to bug him as the newly promoted marshal ushered him out of Pauline’s room and into the hallways beyond.