"US Marines achieved a surprise attack on Acvaium Island, a significant island on Acvaium Lake. Up to this point, the island and lake was considered a low priority because only a fishing tribe of Mermaids settled on the island. NATO was given a tip from the Count of Etalpolis Ideoan that the Empire was setting up a staging area on the island to outflank NATO's northern flank.

The assault happened during the night and was over within forty-five minutes. The Marine Major who led the operation reported that there were no Marine casualties and that they caught the Empire entirely by surprise.

NATO is now planning to use the island as a staging for their assault on the Elidmor Ruins. The Empire has been digging into the area, using the ruins complex network scattered over dozens of kilometers. Eldmor was once believed to be a megacity, being the size of a medium size city but was destroyed during the Dark Ages.

Thanks to Count Ideoan information, NATO is now planning on using this island to launch raids into the area.

However, the war front in Elies was not all lucky as the Empire did conduct a sneak attack on Mummoouto on May 21st. Two hundred legionnaires assaulted the town taking it by surprise. Most of the city was evacuated, and long-range support artillery from Legrath allowed for a withdrawal from the city; however, thirty-five civilians with four US soldiers died and seven wounded from the battle.

Based on field reports, Imperial Forces used bat-people to navigate the night to conduct the sneak attack. As the war continues, the League has been using many abilities each race has to help offset the NATO technology advantages, even if it forces natives into the Army.

A counterattack force is being organized as the Empire entrenches themselves on the Path of Hadritus, destroying the two bridges on the path. The enemy force came from the Ligas Mountains, using Goblin tunnels to outflank Turkish forces fifteen kilometers south of Mummoouto. Since the League took Mummoouto, aerial surveillance believes the League has increased its troops in this area.

The Empire seems to be making a stand around Mummoouto; this operation's intent is still unclear. US and British F-35Bs from Legrath have begun airstrikes as forces are redirected to retake the town and surrounding areas."- SCNR

***

--- Alnus Community ---

Date: May 26th, 2026

Pina takes a long drink of an ice matcha latte. While she prefers the herb tea from Sadera, she found this to be a good and even superior substitute. She has learned to like Earth food and drinks, especially goods with lots of flavors. Food and beverages for Earth's poor taste better than most of the high-quality food and drinks royalty and nobles eat as much like Earth ever-growing technology and constant civilization development, food recipes and food-making technology and methods have been improved, innovated, perfected, or even hybridized from different cultures for centuries back on Earth.

Ambassador Willington asked Pina to show the pro-peace Senators around the military base and town. He wanted the Senators to get out and about, fresh air, and see the sights. That they went through a horrible experience and getting to know the town should help them feel at ease.

Everything Willington told Pina was a lie and she knew it. It took her a while to figure out the Ambassador speech, but she broke it. He speaks exceptionally smoothly and plainly. Everyone always feels at ease and comfortable when he speaks. Never feeling threatened or challenged. However, his words always have a secret agenda. She learned this on Earth with the Adventurers(1).

Willington was extra nice with the Adventurers, stating to the Guild that he wants to find a way to work together. He accepted everything the Guild wanted, even allowing one of their best Adventurers Party into Alnus for work. It was a ploy.

To take an American saying, ‘the Adventurers shot themselves in the boot.’ Willington knew they would not be able to adjust to modern society but he kept that to himself. He wanted to let Karther Party to prove that point, that they are a relic and fold into the pages of history. He let them fail on their own to prove that point.

With the Imperial Senators, Pina knows what his real intent is. He wants her to show them around Alnus so they can see with their own eyes how different and 'better' Alnus is under American control. He wants them to see all the nation's flags by the Gate, representing a united force. All the technology, hardware, and most important, peace between all the races.

While not perfect, it has worked better than she expected. It helps that there is a massive military base next door, and most importantly, they all know they have a good situation here, and no one wants to get deported.

And that is why Willington wants them to see Alnus. To show the senators that the Western way works better. Different groups can corporate, all the technology, how clean and heavy everyone is.

As the group moves through the streets, they pass three women, one Neko, Human, and Bunny, giggling about their kids.

“How can people associate with beasts like this?” Senator Caelus Aebutus asked.

Pina listens as some senators make degrading comments about the three women. This has not been the first time as they've been making sexist and degrading comments about many groups they seen. She has almost forgotten how different Sadera was. She glances to Bozes and Hamilton and sees the same reaction.

“I cannot believe the drama they are puking,” Bozes whispered.

“I know,” Pina replied. “Remember, we acted the same when we first came here. Now I know how Sharpe felt when we first met.”

“You cannot blame them,” Casel El Tiberius said. “They are not used to this.”

Tiberius, one of the few Senators Pina still respects walked up behind her. He always represented the old ways, wanting to bring the Empire back to a Republic and supported Colt Formal views of the world. “I know but they could be more respectful. If it wasn’t for the fact that my Knights are escorting you, all these people probably would kill you all,” Pina states as a lot of demi-human’s in Alnus actually look at the Pro-Peace senators with contempt and disgust.

"Your Nobility status means nothing to these people," Hamilton states.

"I understand, but they don't, I had time to speak with your CIA about Alnus in advance," Tiberius said. He looks around. "This place is vastly different. The CIA tried to describe this place to Kaeso and me, but I just couldn't picture it."

Pina could not help but chuckle. When they first arrived, she showed them their quarters. When she turned on the lights, all of them panicked. She explained how electricity worked and that it was not dark magic. Even then, she had to get them candles because they were too scared to flip the switch.

“What is all this?” Gnaeus Dussie asked. Some Senators go to a window, looking inside. Some bang on the glass, shocked.

Hamilton looks at the Senators. “That is a hardware store. They sell basic tools from Earth.” She then goes into details.

“So, this is your marketplace?” Dussie asked. “Besides bringing food and guards no servants have been provided. I assume we must buy our own. Seriously, where is the slave market? We wish to purchase so our needs can be settled. We hate to be bothersome guests. These people must have some form of slaves since they cannot build and maintain this marvelous town and all the infrastructure without slaves. I am still not believe that they are against slavery no matter how much they say. It is propaganda just to make the Empire look bad.”

‘Maybe not as extreme like the Empire,” Aebutus added. “But there has to be some station or how else do the Elite in this place take care of themselves?”

Pina palm faces from that question.

"For the last time, senators, slavery is completely outlawed in here and all NATO territories. They outlaws it over a hundred years ago. May I repeat once again! There are no slave stations or auctions here in Alnus and other places are being phased out and replaced by paid work. Once the industrial revolution takes place with the wide-spread implementation of machinery, slavery will become obsolete and undesirable."

"What?" Aebutus said, shocked. "Ok, they have no slaves but no servants either? But you are just a servant, though. How could this place have no servants! What kind of backwards peasant joke is this?”"

"I was under Imperial Law, but now I am Princess Pina's assistant, by choice. But I can leave when I want."

As Hamilton explains, Pina is happy she does not have to explain all this. She looks away and notices Beluutie approaching. "Hello, Bel."

"Thank you for not calling me Pinkie," Beluutie said, smiling. Both salute each other, respecting each other rank and status. "Who are they? They look pissed."

"Tourists," Bozes jokes. "They are not happy. A little servant with a vagina is lecturing them on the social norms here. And they are not happy they are being told they have to wash their own underwear now."

Beluutie laughs. "The horror."

"Be nice," Pina said. "They are the Pro-Peace Senators from Sadera. We are giving them a tour."

"This place is ridiculous," Aebutus said. "This society is backward. I am not a peasant and will not be lectured by one."

"Then leave!" Pina said. "None of you have to stay here. Have you noticed no one around here knows or cares who you are? All of us were ordered to escort you as well as making sure that no demi-human threw rotten tomatoes at you."

"You realize we are here because of you," Aebutus said, angry.

"Of course," Pina replied, confused. "If I didn't state how it is more beneficial to have you alive for my Revolution, they might have let you die."

Dussie crosses his hands as he looks at the marketplace. "Not what he means. Most of us didn't support peace because we agreed or like these people but because we knew the war would only bring devastation to the Empire."

"But you Knights made it impossible to find ways to convince the Senate to find peaceful resolutions. You, Princess, thought you were making a difference here with these people, but you betrayed us."

"We all suffered from your failed peace treaty. When you left Sadera and joined these people, any attempted to convince other Senators to support us, we were called traitors because we sided with the Traitor Princess.

“We sacrificed so much to save the Empire, but your actions here kept getting in the way, girl,” Dussie said. “The only reason the war continued this long was because of your childish actions. You pretend to be soldiers, but, in the end, you are all foolish girls who kept getting in the way. However the most outrageous of all is your so-called Revolution is not gonna work or be welcomed by anyone. What makes you think you can destroy the Empire and reborn it into a better one? You seriously want a Second Dark Age to plague Falmart once again?”

Pina creates a fist from her anger. Everything they said angers her, but she could not respond as there is some logic and truth to it, just like that Lord at the American prison camp(2). While she regrets nothing, she wonders if her actions did create the current situation.

“Oh shut the fuck up you elitist swin,” Beluutie states with intense passion. “You are all pathetic. What sacrifice are you talking about? Where were any of you during the Elies Campaign? I saw my comrades, ones I swore to defend and protect wittered and die for you. You asked us all to fight and die! For what?”

“We did what we were asked. We knew we were outmatched, but we knew our duty. We fought, and…” Beluutie sniffs and tears up. “Everyone I knew, everyone I loved is dead. You abandoned us! What did you do? Tell us, oh wise men. What did you do? Nothing! A man who was exiled came to our aid and gave us a fighting chance.”

Beluutie points to Pina. “At least she is out here doing something. She is not sitting behind some useless wall doing nothing. You allowed that man-child Zorzal to take power, to create the League against us and you blame the Knights? Muilk was a man of politics, but he did his duty and fought because you asked him to. But I guess Muilk didn’t sacrifice enough for you. He was only brutally murdered by a Dar to assassinate Krysist and Sharpe when they were about to achieve a peace treaty. But I guess we soldiers, what is left of us just didn’t do enough compared to you great men.”

There was silence before Dussie spoke. “I fought three wars. My son was almost lost in this war. Who do you think you are?”

“The Guardian of Legrath,” Pina said. “Let me remind you of all of your current situations. You have no armies; you have no political power. Your nobility means nothing here.”

Bozes walks up and gets in front of Dussie. “You want to talk about sacrifice? I had to kill my own father to save you. I had to be disowned by my family and I killed him. Don’t talk about not doing enough for the cause. By the way, do not mock the Princess’s Revolution as you people still know nothing about the needs of changes as well as the fact how magnificent and progressive Earth really is compared to this world. The princess sacrificed more than all of you to initiate this Revolution to build a better Falmart!”

There is a long awkward silence between everyone. To end it, Princess Pina decides to keep the tour moving.

Now that the Pro-Peace Senators are in Alnus, Pina has no idea what to do with them. She assumed they would be an assistant that could help lead a resistance group, but after seeing Beluutie's outburst, she knows many rebel knights and militias won’t accept their leadership as they still cling to the ways of the Empire that are bound for their destruction by the hand of NATO. Even she does not see herself listening to them in the war effort.

“That was a bit harsh, wasn’t it?”

Pina turns around and sees Senator Casel El Tiberius. “I didn’t know she was going to outburst like that, but I can’t say I disagree with what she said.”

"I see," Tiberius said. "I never realized how different this place was. It is interesting that only two years ago, this hill was just grassland. But it is a fully functional city. It would not surprise me that this town will become larger than Italica and Valtris, maybe even Sadera one day."

"It has grown since I first came here," Pina said. "But it is still young. I am sorry if you all feel out of place, I know the feeling, but the truth is, the only reason you are here is that NATO needs people to replace the current Empire. If it were not that, then they probably would have left you there."

"I know," Tiberius said. "I knew they did not come to save us out of the goodness of their hearts. None of you know what to do right now."

Pina stops and looks at Tiberius. "I do. I am leading the resistance against my brother. Build an alliance, pull people away from his influence and build an Army and increase the number of Knights in my order to wage this war."

Tiberius sounds quiet as he thinks. He then nods. "And you believe you can do this under their foot? I know you are thinking this, why are the other Senators so hostile against you and your Knights after you saved us."

"I don't understand."

"You are a Princess of the Empire, the Crown Princess I shall add," Tiberius states. "You should be the one on the throne, not either of your brothers. The thing is, we know you take orders from a mid-rank non-nobility officer. We all understand you won't be leading their armies; however, someone of your status shouldn't be taking orders to such a low officer among their army."

Pina admits that point of view never crossed her mind. "To use an Earth saying, I don't give a damn." That reply shocked Tiberius. "Lieutenant Colonel Sharpe is only a mid-level officer, but that hasn't meant much in our adventures."

"The truth Dussie and Aebutus are correct; I did screw up," Pina explained. "I did rush the peace treaty; I didn't properly coordinate my efforts with you guys. The truth is I have always been trying to be like my father, but my father's version of leadership isn't going to work. That is why I am under Sharpe’s wing. I need people like my Knights, like Bel, like other soldiers who no longer want to fight for the Empire to see me as their next ruler. But I need them to follow me because of who I am, not some crown on my head."

"You have changed, Princess," Kaeso Tyueli walks up. "The girl I remember was hot-headed, never liked to listen, and would have found it offensive to take orders like that."

"Well, as Major Harper once said, sometimes you have to submissive to learn how to lead," Pina states.

"What?" Tiberius asked.

As Pina giggles, she thinks back to a recent conversation with Sharpe. When she told him that she wanted him to mentor her(3), he said that she had to fully submit, no gray zone, just like what he did in Delta with Major Harper. It is a word she had to learn to accept but fully understands why now that matters, to become a student. She learned that from the books he gave her.

"It sometimes means you need to follow so you can learn to lead," Pina said. "This has been my choice. Now I don't know what the future has for us, but giving up now won't solve anything. Bel is correct; if you want the defectors to follow you, you have to earn it."

As the group moves along, Hamilton explains the recently built movie theater. She begins to explain what motion pictures are, describing it as a theater but on screen.

Pina sees Tyueli and walls over. "I should have asked before, how is Sherry?"

Tyueli Crosses his arms. "Physically, she is fine. But the emotional scars will be harder to deal with."

"I am sorry," Pina said. "And I am sorry we couldn't save your wife."

Tyueli Stands there in silence.

"You cannot be blaming Sharpe for what happened?" Pina asked in disbelief. "There was no choice."

"He told me everything," Tyueli said. "He came to the healing center to see Sherry. He apologized for killing my wife and accepted all responsibility. He told me everything and then left, never asked for forgiveness, and I didn't give it."

"That sounds like him; you will get used to it," Pina said. "But why?"

"Because, how could a father, a husband ask someone who I considered an enemy to save my girls from the people I swore loyalty to? The Guardian is right; I am a complete failure. I don't know what to do anymore."

"I guess the first thing is to start over," Pina said. "Besides looking at everyone as the enemy. I plan on demolishing the Empire to create a better one like Alnus."

After taking a deep, stressful breath, Tyueli looks at his Princess. "How you do that."

Pina thinks about the question. She then smirks, looking at Hamilton. "Let's head to the school."

--- Fort Alnus Hospital ---

As usual, the Army Hospital is busy with wounded soldiers. The hallway is filled with the US and British Marines who assaulted Sadera. They are all waiting to be taken back to Earth to receive more treatment.

Panache walks through the hallway, following a blue fairy. At Sadera, the Empire used fairies for administration and communication tasks, and she has found it humorous how NATO is using them for the same thing.

"Here you go, Knight Panache," the fairy said.

"Thank you," Panache said. She then walks into the private patient room.

On the bed is Prince Diabo El Caesar, battered and asleep. His arm is resting on a strap, allowing it to recuperate.

Panache walks up and places her hand on his arm. During the purge, Praetor Moon cut Diabo's hand off as punishment for his treachery. The Oprichnina is a brutal organization, proven to have no limits on the horrors they are willing to do.

Pina came here the other day and caught up with her brother. She told Panache what happened to his hand and his experience working for the CIA. When Panache heard, she felt like she had to come here to check upon him.

"It is ok, my prince," Panache said. She takes Diabo's hand and strokes it. She has known Diabo all her life. While not a people person, she has always respected his intellect. He never was a fighter like her brother and sister, but she knows not all leaders need to be warriors. His father, Molt, was one of the greatest warriors, and he turned out to be a bad leader. "They really did a number on you. Don't worry, it is all over."

Panache begins to tell stories of her adventures with Pina as she waits for him to wake up.

***

--- Dumas Mountains, Golrash Kingdom ---

Date: May 26th, 2026

As Chief Warrant Officer 4 Adele Bell is dragged through the dwarven hallways. Paintings of past battles, stone heads of past leaders as decoration.

As they make a turn into a new hallway, Bell eyes widen from shock and anger. Along the hallway with spikes coming out, tilted up. Each spike is a NATO helmet, around thirty but Bell thinks there could be more.. American, Franch, English, Polish, Canadian, Japanese, Brazil, Colombia, Italian, Polish, Turkish, Australian, Danish. To her surprise even some of the support nations like Latvia, Albania, and South Korea. All the helmets have the flag patch stuck onto each helmet. Some of the helmets look old with blood stains however two of them look very fresh, with a few blood drip stains on the floor.

"Holy shit," Chief Warrant Officer 2 Frank Delacruz said.

“Barbarians,” Bell states. That is when she notices two of the helmets are helicopter pilots. Based on what she has learned from ancient times from the NATO classes, the Imperial Army is spiking the helmets to maintain their soldiers' morale by making trophies out of NATO helmets. According to online channels Kings and Generals, Invicta, and Shadiversity that all NATO troops were mandatory to listen states this is to remind their soldiers that NATO soldiers are not gods and can die. The fact they are helmets and not skulls, she wonders what happened to the bodies.

The door opens and Bell is tossed onto the hard stone floor. The door is closed behind her.

Bell struggles to get up as her hands are bound by rope behind her. She hears footsteps and then is lifted off the ground.

After Chief Warrant Officer 2 Frank Delacru was dragged into a different room, Bell is then dragged through the room. She gets a chance to see what is around her. It is a three wall large room. The open wall has a railing on it but that is it. Outside of that it seems to look over a cavern but she cannot tell.

After being forced into a stone chair she has a chance to properly look around.

The room is large. NATO equipment all over the tables and hanging off the wall. From her quick glance she sees that some of the equipment has been broken into, or being used in some way.

Hearing a voice Bell looks up. “Where is my man!”

“I did not know he was your mate,” A Leonoids said.

That comment confused her for a moment. “No. He is my subordinate. Now, answer my question.”

The Leonoids chuckles. “Interesting. I admit your concern for your subordinate even though you are in danger. I do admit, I admire that about you people. However, this is war and I have my duty.”

"You forgot to say honor," Bell states. "I know you guys love to say that word."

"I think we both know there is no honor in this war," Leonoid said.

"Good," Bell said. "If you want an honorable war next time, don't start off with attacking a civilian city. That might be a good place to start now where did you take Frank?"

The lion walks to the table and slams his fist onto it. "Don't speak so high above. I was living a nice life in my village with my family in retirement."

"Should have stayed then," Bell responded. "You might have lived longer."

The Leonoids chuckles at Bell defiance. "The rumors are true about your people's arrogance. Do you not know who I am?"

As Bell stars at the Leonoid, she can see signs of past battles. There has been rumors from the Enlisted men of a lion taking over the Imperial Army. "The cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz?"

The degrading response angered the Leonoid. “You people truly believe that this is the first time the Empire has faced such a crisis that nearly broke the Empire? We stopped the Great Spider Migration before they consumed Falmart. Who defeated the elven Realm of A'elean and their militaristic expansion to rebuild the old Elven Domain. Who was it that stopped the Avion expansion.”

“Now let me educate you little one. I led Molt Armies in the west during the thirty-year war against Famulis. The hordes of the dark races sweeping through these lands are like even you have yet seen and I stopped it. The largest War which was the largest war since the Dark Age, even more grander in size than your war. Then, I stopped that self absorbed rebel Krysist and his army from taking the capital and forced them into banishment.”

The Leonoid leans into Bell. His breath radiating onto her. “I served the Empire for forty eight years, fought in many wars for my clan. I am General Briteon Hashulo.”

The temperature in the room felt like it went up ten degrees. Bell can see the seriousness of Hashulo's statement. She and many others in NATO know that the Empire refuses to surrender as they see this as another grand war and are still clinging to the past glories. Based on his tones, she knows that the Empire never knows the concept of humility.

However, Bell notices some facial clues that show there is a hidden meaning by Hashulo words. He sounds angry, salty, like he forced himself out of retirement. Remembering, he said he came out of retirement after five years, it is likely that he is looking for past glory.

Bell smirks. “Let me guess, you are upset that your rival General Krysist has gotten so much fame for being a egositigal madman who bangs his chest while screaming his name before battle is more popular than some cowardly lion who no one knows? ”

Hashulo slashes Bell chgeek, cutting deep. She falls hard onto the ground. Two Dwarves pick her up and force her back on the stone chair. Blood drops down her cheek with a big bruise around the wound.

“Krysist was an egotistical idiot,” Hashulo states, angerly. “He fights for only himself. Everything he does is for his own pride, going back to his gladiator days. No wonder your kind is so confused about our ways.”

From Hashulo's statement, Bell can see that he is jealous. For a famous general and war hero, he has been forgotten in the pages of history, overshadowed by men who are fighting a far grander war.

“What do you want with us?” Bell slowly asks.

Hashulo walks to a table and picks up a broken night vision goggle. “You two will help us reverse engineer your technology. You two are pilots of your flying machines. You must know how they work.”

“You shot us down in the hopes that we would build you a helicopter?” Shocked by that statement, Bell looks at more equipment on the tables. She wonders how they have been trying to copy and past their technology. “You have to know that is not possible? You are not going to develop a wonder weapon that will turn the tide of the war. Whatever you are trying to develop, it will always result in cheap knock-off, judging by the fact that you people have zero knowledge of physics and chemistry.”

“Besides, what are you expecting? Do you even know what a rotor is? Do you know what an engine is? Explain to me the difference between Tandem and Transverse rotors? Or can you tell me why scratching two metal objects creates a spark of fire?”

Bell can tell her mocking is bothering Hashulo. If the Empire is trying this hard to find a game-changing weapon. She can understand them stealing basic infantry weapons, those are easier to take and study but shooting down a blackhawk, kidnapping the pilots just to see if they can give some insight on flight knowledge is crazy. Beside those guns and equipment they stole already hard enough for them to figure out its mechanism or how to build it. Hashulo sounds like a smart man, he should know any insight would take years.

“Besides, even if you understand the terminology you don’t have the supply chain or infrastructure to support this type of project,” Bell said. There are hundreds of parts you need to factor, all specialized. Furthermore, the materials, mechanisms and configuration of the helicopters and all the weapons and equipment you stole from us are far beyond your understanding. Also, I have no idea. I fly the damn thing, I don’t build them. I have no idea where to begin. You kidnapped the wrong people idiot. I am a soldier and a pilot, not an fucking engineer! I bet you, yourself cannot create a good sword or armor without a god damn blacksmith.”

Hashulo takes a long breath. He rubs his long noise and walks to the open wall. “That is not the first time someone has said that in that chair. Believe what you wish, you will answer our question. The more you resist, the more you will end up like your comrade.”

A jolt of anger flows through Bell's body. She stands up with rage. “What did you do to him!” A dwarf forces her back down.

Hashulo waves the dwarf off. “Bring her to him.”

Two dwarfs grab her by the arms and drag her, following Hashulo. Getting carried through a few rooms, she hears a screaming voice. They enter a new chamber, and she sees Delacruz chained to a vertical table, topless. There are cuts across Delacruz's chest, like some animal with thick claws was scratching him. Blood flowing down his chest.

Bell has heard stories from the Infantrymen she has transported. Soldiers going missing and being tortured, crucified, and more. Sometimes she wondered if they were just propaganda to help make it easier for NATO soldiers to kill the enemy.

"For the record, Battlemaster Dhotras Minebuckle gave your friend the same talk as I gave you," Hashulo said. "The only reason I did not do this to you now is because you're a woman. If you two do as we speak, then you will be spared this.

Seeing her friend being tortured like this, Bell is speechless. Now she understands why Hashulo allowed both of them to live. It is easy for an individual to stand on principle and spit on the enemy but witnessing a comrade, a friend is ruined, is hell.

"Both of you will be working with Forgemaster Nuteda Forgetoe," Hashulo said. "You will answer her questions. If you refuse, don't think you are above this treatment level because you're a woman. You will suffer worse because I granted you a chance to avoid it. Guards, take them away."

The guards take the two Americans back to their cell. The cell is mostly dark, with only a little torchlight from the hallway. After getting tossed in, Bell rips off parts of her rag clothing to try and patch Delacruz cuts. They are more profound than she expected. "It is ok, Frank."

Delacruz breaths slowly. "They made sure it was not too deep, so there is a next time. Fucking bastards."

"We will figure something out," Bell said, trying to figure something out. She wonders what Hashulo is doing. At this rate, she knows they will be here for a long time, assuming help ever comes. That means it will only be a matter of time before they tell them something important. Whether from the pain, hungry, dehydration, or worse.

---

After clearing Hashulo's paws, Hashulo enters the nobility room.

"You are back early."

Hashulo looks to the ledge of the room. He never understands why dwarves have so many dangerous walls with almost no railing for protection. Standing there is an elf, drinking wine.

"Count Nasir Virven. I was not expecting you back from the front lines this soon."

Virven, the Count of Afhedell, one of the few remaining elf cities throughout Falmart. During the Realm of A'elean his father sided with Sadera during the war. Most elves considered a betrayal to the elf kind; however, it proved to be a wise move as Afhedell became an equal statue city with the title Count.

"When I learned you captured more of them, I had to see," Virven said. "I hope they are more useful before they are shipped to the Oprichnina like the others. I do wonder why the Oprichnina wants them so badly."

"I learned not to ask questions regarding what the Oprichnina do," Hashulo states. "Especially with Preator Moon. I cannot recall an eviler man than him whoever held that position." After cleaning up, he walks up to the elf. "How is the south?"

Virven elves have been helping General Belgrawd contest the Mealud Valley. The landmass of this valley has proven to be ill-suited for the heavy armory NATO uses. One of the new decisive battles the Empire has won was in this valley. Recently NATO took the Itemyui Forest. However, Virven elves could conduct a sneak attack into the forest, recontesting it for the third time.

NATO propaganda has stated that many low-class demi-humans like beasts, dark, and standard races have been flooding to NATO occupied territory. The idea of freedom and equality has been attracted to many, including humans. The propaganda has stated that this is the rule and not the exception; Hashulo knows this is not the case.

While his clan has not agreed with the attack on Earth, they have been respected by the Empire. The Centaurs clans remain loyal and Virven’s clan represents a clear example of demi-humans who oppose NATO ways.

While Humans are on top, loyal races have gained favorable positions within the Imperial hierarchy. If the Empire fell, then Afhedell would lose its status on Falmart as an important city. Its political and racial position would be threatened, plus the leadership would lose power. After four hundred years being loyal to the Empire, dropping that relationship would cost too much.

Same with Hashulo’s clan. A respectable and elite clan who has served the Empire for generations. While the land has not always agreed with the Empire action, without it they would lose all political influence across Falmart. The point is, there are many people in positions of influence and power that would lose everything if NATO won. Even if the Empire survived the war, NATO ways would undermine the hierarchy everyone like his clan and Virven clan worked so hard to achieve.

“Battling heavily,” Virven said. “We are holding there which is surprising that it is mostly open farmland but it won’t last. NATO is deploying more of their flying machines to the valley so they will be able to fly their troops over our forces. Hiding in the crops and forests will no longer be a sound strategy. But the worst of all, a lot of NATO-allied elves are actively helping them to equalize the playfield. My troops are struggling with those elves much like NATO troops as like what Empress Famulis said beside knowing how elves fight, they are being enhanced by NATO. Our spirit magic and equipment as well as fighting skills cannot match those NATO elves much longer.”

“Good,” Hashulo said. “I believe we finally know what path the enemy is taking through the mountains. We begin moving forces to ambush them.”

“Will that matter?” Virven said.

“In time maybe,” Hashulo said.

“Tell me about General Calasta Helvius's new projects,” Virven asked.

“Let me show you,” Hashulo said. Both walk to the edge of the room.

Beyond the open wall is a massive dwarven chamber. The chamber is in total twenty levels, this being the war chamber. Above is the Dwarven Fortress of Gornrhia. All around are dwarves maintaining this chamber, and thousands of warriors from all across the Empire are housed here. Many are resting from recent battles, while others are fresh recruits.

One section of this grand chamber is the Imperial-Golrash research chamber, just in sight of the room Hashulo is in.

“What am I looking at.” Virven asked after a sip.

“As you know we have not been able to match the enemy with technology,” Hashulo said. “I know it will take centuries to even develop the manufacturing means just to create most of what they have.”

Saying that, Hashulo points to that research chamber. “That is why I decided to try and not match them but adopt thier concepts to what we can create.”

“Like repeat crossbows?” Virven. “I prefer the long bow since it has longer range however I see more of your troops with them. More arrows mean greater chance of a hit however, the range is terrible. It is why my people refuse to adopt to them. Changes does not mean better.”

“I understand that and agree,” Hashulo replied. “General Calasta has been providing me information on the enemy weapons. The key is to take their ideas and try to create weapons that are similar. We just need an edge to help tip the spear.”

“Make sense but meaningless,” Virven said. “The woman was correct, you should have stayed in retirement. Making weapons like repeat crossbows won’t win this war.”

Hashulo spirals after hearing he should retire. “Maybe not but that over there might give us an edge.”

Pointing to another research chambe, Hashulo points to two humans, an elf, and three dwarfs there. To Virven surprise, the human is holding a strange spear weapon with a large metal piece on top. “What is that?”

“The dwarves call it a hand cannon,” Hashulo said. “Information from a prisoner six months ago told Forgemaster Nuteda Forgetoe how a rifle works. That there is a barrel that allows an object to pass through it. This allows it to build incredible speed which is why we cannot see their bolts.”

“That main issue has been forging the small cannon on the spear. If it is too heavy the warrior cannot aim but if it is to light it blows up on the warrior. Then the other issue has been figuring out what triggers the explosion that allows the bolt to fire. None of the prisoners have been able to tell us, either by choice or because they don’t know.”

“Fascinating, assuming it works.” Virven looks carefully at the tests.

“Calasta right now is working with Rondel and Darlko sages in figuring out what this powder is,” Hashulo explained. “They are testing many different alchemy solutions to see if they can develop their own powder or chemical.”

Hearing an explosion, Hashulo looks and sees a soldier firing one of the hand cannons. It destroys its target at a decent range but still much shorter range than bows or crossbows. The next warrior walks up with a hand cannon and fires. The weapon explodes in the man's hand, killing him.

“Impressive, despite some defections,” Virven comments. “During a crisis, Humans always seem to adopt in strange ways. I still prefer the bow. Far quieter, longer range, and deadly. I am also interested in the so-called wheeled-long bows used by NATO elves. Most of my troops state that these bows can fire even far longer range and more accuracy than any bows we possess, not to mention having far greater penetration as their arrows are made from some kinds of light-weight but highly durable material that punch through heavy armors with ease. Moreover, those bows are designed to enable far quicker reload by putting three arrows near the bow. I wish i could get my hands on those”

“It is impossible to equip all of our forces with a weapon, and I have no intention too,” Hashulo said. “From what I understand, what gives NATO such an advantage against our forces isn’t their technology but what it allows. They have such a diverse range of weapons that allows them to engage how they see fit.”

“From my research from the Elies Campaign, whenever our Legions employed a new strategy, NATO was able to counter because of the diversity of weapons and equipment they possessed. Because of that diversity, it allows them to be flexible on how they approach a battle. I wish to give us those same abilities.”

“I hope so,” Virven said as he took another drink. “Otherwise, the League will pay for it or bring them back.”

“NATO massacred my village, my people, and I shall have my vengeance,” Hashulo states. “And I will do whatever it takes.”

***

--- Central Intelligence Agency HQ, Fort Alnus ---

“Stop lying! Or the shock will get more painful!” Agent Chuck interrogates the captured Haryo record keeper.

The Haryo pig cries from the pain, squeaking as it catches breath.

“I told you people everything! What else do you want?” Haryo pledges as he just recovered from a electric shock from a torture device connected to lie detection device. “It is all the truth! No matter how much pain you give me, these are the only things I can tell you.”

“Still stubborn huh?” Chuck grabs the Haryo and leads him to a room. “Looks like we need to do it the hard way!”

“Are you sure this is gonna work? Putting him in a room with white colour seems to be too harmless like what you just did,” Tyuule asks

“It is not about physical pain but mental pain,” Chuck said. “This method is called The White Room, used specifically to psychologically torture the targets without resorting any violence. Constant exposure to the totally isolated white-coloured environment will cause extreme emptiness of the victims causing them to lose all senses and identity. When the targets have lost all identity and senses, they are easily subjected to tell their deepest thoughts to fill the void, which we will use to gather crucial intel.”

“Interesting,” Tyuule comments. “A torture method that can make your enemies spill out their though without resorting to violence.”

“We show you all of this as a future investment for your people. The US government has decided to put extra benefits for your people judging from the bunnies’s exceptionally track record in combat and your natural abilities so far,” Chuck said.

“As long you people treat us as valuable partners! We can work together well in the long run! Looks like it's time for me to learn how to use a gun,” Tyuule states.