The Next Day, Shopping District, Royal Capital of Regnieburg

“Welcome to the Shopping Festival.”

Shopping Festival, an event that was held on the Celestina Empire a day after the Council Meeting, is an event that makes people go out shopping at a discounted price. The Shopping Festival also marks the start of the Sports season. Ambrose leads the Papaldia Empire’s delegation to the shopping district at the Royal Capital of Regnieburg.

“So many people…”

Today, Cecilia, Maya, Feena, Lyrallei, Hakuren, Yuuna, Shiki, and Rosaria will accompany them to take a shop and tour around the Royal Capital of Regnieburg. Ambrose, Jack, and Lana guide them around the Shopping District.

“Does anyone wishes to try some of the new dress on?”

“I do.”

“I do!”

Some of the officials raise their hands, including Remille. They’re visiting a clothes shop where Celestina citizens are changing their suit to any suit they like. Lana gave them a guide about this shop.

“You can choose any of the suits you like and step on the platform once you have done selecting your clothes. Of course, you can redesign it as you wish.”

There are plentiful choices, and Remille immediately went into one of the consoles to choose the dress she likes. Remille was tempted to try a new dress that could fit her. At first, the device scans her measurement, and as soon as the measurement is done, she will receive some recommendations for Remille to pick.

“I will try this one. Let’s see…”

Once the platform starts to glow, Lana guides Remille to the platform. As soon as she steps on it, the curtain closes, and they can hear some shrieking before Remille comes out with an elegant white-silver dress. Emperor Ludius looks surprised to see the difference between the dress she wore earlier and what she is right now.

“Oh, look at her!”

“She’s beautiful.”

“Please have a look.”

Lana brings a mirror to Remille, and Remille herself is in awe of her new looks in a new dress.

“I… I want to buy this! It looks pretty! Can I get the next outfit?!”

“Go ahead.”

By the time the Papaldia Group selects their clothes, Rosaria scans her wristwatch into a console, and she steps on it.

“What kind of equipment will you wear for today?”

“I think I will prepare myself for the dungeon’s subjugation today.”

“You want to finish the forty-floor dungeon?”

“Yes.”

As soon as Rosaria enters the platform, the curtain closes for a while. The Papaldia Group members are curious about what kind of dress Rosaria is wearing. Once the curtain opens, it reveals her magician dress in a royal style. She looks beautiful, and the dress she wears right now, it’s making her even more beautiful than before. On her first purchase, the clothes only can give a little sight of her belly button, and now, her full front belly is exposed, while for her chest, it slightly exposes her cleavage. On her back, it’s a recent-upgraded staff through her hard work.

Curious, Kyeos asks Rosaria.

“Y-Your Majesty Rosaria, what kind of dress is that?”

“This dress? It’s a dress suited for adventure, but with royal attire. Right now, I’m going to the dungeon to earn more money to upgrade my equipment and for my homeland.”

“Wait a minute. You’re an adventurer as well?”

“Yes. My fiancée taught me a lot about surviving and earning more money. As of right now, I’m already reaching thirty-five floors out of the forty-floor dungeon at A rank dungeon. At first, I follow my fiancee’s party, and right now, I have my own party with him as my mentor.”

“How about your duties?”

Shiki interjects the talk.

“We share the duties together, so we can cover each of our backs when we’re doing our job. Since the Kingdom of Verlaine is now stable, she can continue study here without any problem, while his father will take her place to handle the affairs.”

“I see…”

Kyeos becomes tempted to become an adventurer once Rosaria and Shiki tell their stories. It goes to Emperor Ludius and Remille as well, where they look at Rosaria as a Great Mage that can use high-level magic.

“Well, now. I will excuse myself. See you later.”

Once Rosaria and Shiki leave them, they continue to ask for more details about it from Ambrose while continuing to buy the clothes they like.

“Would you like to try something, Lotte?”

“Eh… Um… I…”

Lotte was nervous when Lana offered her to try some of the new dresses, looking at the swimwear catalog; however, it perks her interest.

“C… Can I try this swimsuit?”

“Sure, go ahead. Try any swimsuit you like.”

Lotte first has her body measured by the strange devices, and it lists some of the recommendations for her. Once she’s done making the swimsuit she needs, she steps into the platform, and the curtain closes. Experience what Remille did; once the curtain opens, it reveals Lotte in a bikini swimsuit.

“Ah… er…”

“Well?”

“It fits me well, but… Are there any books that sell on how to swim?”

“Yes. We do have it. I will prepare some books for you.”

“Thank you!”

Some of the Papaldia members are curious about what Lotte was planning to do. It would seem that Lotte has taken an interest in swimming. Once everyone completes their shopping with some of the delegations are wearing a new dress, they go to the restaurant.

They thought they were visiting the Celestina restaurant, but instead, they were visiting one of Qua-Toyne’s restaurants, a barbarian nation at the Rodenius Continent. This surprises them as they didn’t expect Ambrose would take them to the barbarian restaurant. Elto voices a complaint about this.

“Such impudence, are you trying to insult us by taking us into a barbarian restaurant?!”

“On the contrary, Elto. This restaurant houses one of the greatest food that becomes popular in less than a month when they open.”

Turning to who is talking about that, it turns out it was Sacchito who spoke it, and he’s accompanied by Luciana, Aegina, Armada, Tiamat, Helena, and Dragzell, which he plans to eat here for lunch.

“They won a chef’s contest last month. Meatafa is one of the best food that I want to eat again.”

“So you mean, their cuisine is better than us?! That’s impossible!”

“Just try it. You can see why this restaurant got a bunch of bookings already.”

When they entered the restaurant, it was bustling with people. They enjoy the meal, and even the Qua-Toynen elf staff struggles to keep up with the customer’s demand. Taking the seat, they will now wait for the food from the kitchen.

“Are you trying to insult us, Great Emperor?”

“No. I’m a regular at this restaurant. In fact, you can take a look at how people enjoy their meal.”

The Papaldia Empire’s delegation looked around as they saw people who willingly waited for the waiters to serve the food for customers. Qua-Toyne plans to increase the chef, but they need to upgrade the kitchen first before hiring more staff. Once the waiters arrive, it serves many of the Qua-Toynen signature food, with one of it being Meatafa, roasted beef with cheese on top of it. When the Papaldia Group tastes it, they can feel the softness, juiciness, and deliciousness that exceed their homeland’s cuisine.

“T-this is so delicious! I’ve never had a taste of this kind of food before!”

“My goodness! This food is delicious!”

“The curry is also tasty! Can we have seconds?!”

Looking at the Papaldian people chewing it down makes Sacchito feels pleased with it. When a country outside civilization is trained in non-war aspects, they will have a formidable weapon aside from fighting. Right now, the Papaldia Empire officials are softly killed by the deliciousness of the food made from Qua-Toyne Principality.

Sachi and the others just enjoy their lunch calmly before moving to the next shopping. Once they complete their lunch, they head to a business district where there are lots of fashion and beauty shops. Remille asks if she wants to enter one of the beauty shops.

“C-can we possibly make a stop to shop here for a while?”

“Sure, why not. Let’s head to—buh!”

SMACK! WHAM!

Just when Sachi and Armada were about to lead them into a beauty shop, Luciana and Helena smack their head. Luciana smacks Sacchito’s face with a frying pan transformed from her sword, and Helena just simply hits his head.

“O-ouch!”

“Ladies only.”

“Y-yes, dear…”

“Please come this way, ladies. Gentlemen, none are allowed to enter this shop.”

It's quite frightening for the Papaldia Empire’s delegation to see the scene where they won’t bother to hit the Great Emperor of Celestina and the Battle Emperor of the Eclipse Empire. If it was at their homeland, it could be considered an insult to the crown.

Kyeos approaches Sachi while easing his pain from Luciana’s attack earlier as Luciana and Helena guide the girls of Papaldia into one of the beauty shops.

“Are you fine with your wife beating you like that?”

“Y-yeah… I’m okay with it. Besides, just take a look around us. We’re in a very good state since we treat people in a good way. If the Emperor was feared or to the point where people are prostrating in front of him, then we must look at where it went wrong.”

“I see… Then perhaps we should learn from the people as well.”

“Yes.”

While they’re talking, Remille and the other girls are exiting the beauty shop. It seems the girls are thinking of how to become a beauty through make-up.

“Ho ho ho! This will be interesting!”

During several days at the Celestina Empire, they visit one of the military events, attending a Formula Clash race where Formula One and Formula E battle for the crown between the top 5 constructors team from each class. They were also taken into other sports such as swimming, athletic run, and the contest between civilian and military, such as tug of war.

For history, the Papaldia Empire visits the Celestina War Museum. They experience how harsh Celestina has suffered over two hundred years since the Main Council found Celestina as a Kingdom until establishing the Celestina Empire. Ludius, Remille, and other officials realize that the Celestina Empire suffers more than they do. Targeted due to the abundance of natural resources, enduring multiple wars regardless it was a World War, Interstellar War, and Interstellar Dimensional War.

The Papaldia Empire delegation did not just remain at Regnieburg, as Ambrose took them into Territory of Studia, Sahara, and Childre. People living in harmony are what they want, but Celestina never makes other countries suffer unless they choose to do a cruel way to Celestina. The destruction of USNA’s capital and PUA’s Fortress City gives them a clear message that Celestina will never tolerate any cruel action that Celestina never commits. It is featured at the Fourth Interstellar War that resulted at the end of the Aircraft Carrier’s Era and the revival of the Battleship’s Era through the execution of the USNAS Aircraft Carrier, John Adams by Celestina’s Battleship, Scharlwarltz through ramming from bow to stern. Enterprise was sent home with heavy damage, which becomes a memorial ship serving as the symbol of the end of Carrier’s era.

Last Day At The Celestina Empire, AYCE Restaurant, Territory of Mechania

“What is this restaurant?”

Ambrose took them into a restaurant where the waiters only delivered the meat to the customers, cleaned the table, took empty dishes from the customers, and refilled the food condiments. The customers are going back and forth to take some condiments. The smell tempts the Papaldia Delegation as they become hungry all of a sudden. The Main Council, Armada, Helena, and Dragzell are already starting to dig in as the waiters are deploying a group of trays to quench the Main Council's hunger.

“This restaurant is known as AYCE or All You Can Eat restaurant. It practically eats until you are full. This restaurant provides all the food, condiments, and drink, and all we need to do is order meat from the waiters and take anything you like from the condiments. The Main Council members are regular customers, and they have a special package known as Ultra Luxury package, that can cost five hundred silver coins or 500.000 Ceny each. They order at least eight portions due to their glutton appetite.”

“E-eight portion? How did they…”

“See it for yourself.”

When Ludius, Remille, and Kyeos look at the Main Council, they are eating like someone who was chewing every food they like. Kyeos asks Ambrose how every member of the Main Council did not get fat with such a voracious appetite.

“H-how did they stay in their body like that? Even we can’t eat a lot.”

“They are undergoing some training session. The suit worn by each of the Main Council members possesses suppression capabilities, and they do that every day from a year ago.”

“Is that even possible?”

“Yes. Since they wear a suit made by a Sage Ore, the suit itself allows them to train their own physical and magical strength, regardless of where they are. All of you already remember that one member of the Main Council is enough to subjugate your Empire.”

“Y-yes… I remember. They pay the food, right?”

“Yes, they do pay for the food. Now, let’s enjoy the meal. Oh, and one sacred rule here. Do not insult the chef by leaving any leftovers. If you still have some left, we will pack it up for you, so you can bring it back home to eat it.”

Since today the Papaldia Empire’s delegation is returning to the Papaldia Empire, they enjoy the food as much as they can. They enjoy themselves until their belly is full, and once done, Ambrose escorts them to the harbor.

Remille’s Diary, After the Visit at the Celestina Empire

Now I realize how shameful I am. The Celestina Empire flaunts its wealth, but the wealth I see is different than in my homeland. They did not exhibit their wealth; instead, the wisdom that lies at the Main Councils is keeping them to behave like us. This is our complete defeat, and we will rebuild the Papaldia Empire from scratch.

Emperor Ludius wants Kyeos to become an ambassador for the Celestina Empire. On the other hand, Celestina will dispatch Silvano Shin Regal and her assistant, who turns out a Royal Maid at our palace, Jill Wagner, as an ambassador for the Papaldia Empire. Mending the relationship, we will ask Lady Silvano for guidance when opening a diplomatic relationship with other countries. We carry a lot of sin, but it is a price that we have to pay.

Visiting one of the barbarian restaurants from outside civilization disgusted me at first, but my view changed after I tasted their food for the first time. The Qua-Toyne chefs were trained by the Celestina chefs for months, and they were able to deliver delicious food for us. Celestina admires and respects them, as the Papaldia Empire will also respect them.

Receiving a second chance from the Celestina Empire, I shall not waste this.

The Moonlight of The Seas, Top Deck, Day 2

“Okay… I can do this!”

Lotte wore her swimsuit on the top deck before deciding to train herself by swimming at the swimming pool. At first, she looks scared but looking at how Celestinian people could swim makes her want to learn it. Dipping herself into the pool, she continued to go deeper until leaving her head that was above water. Slowly, she started to swim, but it wasn’t easy as she could expect.

“Ubh…! Ah!”

Moving her legs and arms, she struggles to swim even after the ship's AI, Joachim, demonstrates it. Lotte continues to struggle as she is guided to a shallow depth by the AI to make sure she doesn’t drown herself.

“I can… I can do this! Umph!”

Lotte will later become an officer for the Papaldia Army, with expertise in teaching a swimming lesson for the Papaldia Empire’s soldiers. The Papaldia Empire later returns with plenty of gifts to the people and wishes to rebuild themselves from zero.

There are a lot of changes following the Papaldia Empire’s return to their homeland. Irruka becomes a new Chief of Naval Operations, Arde retains his position as Supreme Commander. Lotte becomes an officer to teach the Papaldia Empire newest recruits and soldiers who have yet to learn how to swim.

The Celestina Empire, 23rd January 1525 / 226, The Council Meeting Room

“Let’s review everything we have right now.”

Sacchito leads the meeting for the Main Council, Main Advisors, Adjutants, and the Eclipse Empire. The objective is to conduct a review of the recent wars and talk about how far they understand about the New World, or in Celestina’s perspective, the Ravernal Planet.

All of them are looking at the data pads as Sacchito begins the explanation.

“So far, we have done every military operation except the Expedition at the Pandemonium Continent without any casualties. Reports indicate that we have lost around 120 adventurers at the Expedition. This means we lack field reconnaissance, and we cannot rely on the Prowlers that went to scan the terrain for us. What is the status of the former Kingdom of Louria?”

Alicia looks at the report on the datapad, sighing.

“They had separated into four different nations a year ago, and all of them wanted to open a diplomatic relationship with us. Since they completed paying every war reparations two months ago, they are now in a state of recovery as we lift the sanctions. Currently, with the establishment of the adventurers guild, several former soldiers are turning themselves into an adventurer. We could expect some growth and conversion from soldiers to adventurers in the future.

Another report bothers me, and it’s about the research of the Papaldia Empire’s Wyverns, including Wyvern Lord and Wyvern Overlord. Sasha was able to score an instant-kill kick with just fifteen percent of her strength, while for the Land Dragon, Sasha can break its sturdy shell and incapacitate it with five percent. If she can go above it, the Land Dragon won’t survive.”

“Is that true, Sasha?”

Sasha, the adjutant of Freya Luminaire, nodded.

“Yes. Somehow I can feel the wyvern’s skin was made by magic, and they are not trained to do long-term combat. This report was supported by my personnel stationed on the 4th Artillery Regiment during the defense of Gim a year ago. They find it disturbing as they cannot unleash their full strength. For me, the Land Dragon itself was brittle, and a 50 cal should be sufficient to pierce its skin.”

Sachi then turns to Tiamat, as he would like her to train the wyverns.

“So, Lady Tiamat. Ready to give them a Spartan-class training? It’s not just for the captured wyverns, but all of our wyverns as well.”

“I will make them tremble enough to take it on.”

“Just don’t cause too much mess. The next is for the joint-military installation at the Industrial town of Duro.”

Zenoral Akhtar frowns for this as Armada demands to have a presence in the New World.

“The cost will be quite high, but we can manage it. Of course, our Emperor will provide compensation for this matter.”

“That’s fine. Since it will be a joint base, I will assign New World 3rd Defense Fleet since we will use it as a base of operation to patrol around Third Civilization.”

Armada interjects the talk as the discussion continues.

“I will assign the 7th Strike Fleet at Duro.”

“Do the transportation covertly. I don’t want to cause a bunch of commotion for the locals.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Sachi didn’t want Armada to go on a very flashy entrance since it could cause an uproar for the locals. It makes Sachi intends to put a Cromwell-class Support Vessel into use. Thinking about it later, the next thing they will discuss is intelligence.

“Maya, do we have any intel about Gra Valkas?”

“Regarding what Remille says about the gunboat diplomacy. I should say we should take this matter seriously. If we got invited to the Eleven Leadership Country Conference by the Holy Milishial Empire, we would dispatch the 1st Expeditionary Fleet.”

“Before you can interject, Armada. We will go using Celestina Empire’s banner if you want to participate. If they do ask us to host the event here, then you can use your banner.”

Sachi didn’t want Armada to simply butt himself into this matter, practically since the Eclipse Empire is outside this new planet.

“As you say, then.”

Maya continues her talk as Sachi listens to her again.

“According to the Zealot Strike Force, they are using some encryption code like ENIGMA. So far, we’ve been able to intercept all of their transmissions and messages. It seems they got some difficulty entering the Kingdom of Verlaine and the Rodenius Continent. We’ve been keeping an eye on them, but so far, none of them makes any attempt to infiltrate our homeland.”

“Oho, that’s interesting. Maybe they need more personnel to infiltrate, huh?”

“Most likely. The Gra Valkas Empire already got some of the books we sold at the bookstore, most likely will be sent to the Intelligence department for analysis about our current technology level.”

“If they are wise enough to send a spy here, they could run with all their might.”

“True. If they form an alliance with us, most likely, but if they choose to attack Mu, we will kick them out.”

“Heh. This will be interesting anyway.”

Alicia receives some reports, enough to make her head hurt.

“Sachi, please redirect the Coast Guard and reception team again.”

“Why’s that?”

“All former colonies under the Papaldia Empire want to form a diplomatic relationship with us. They are coming in a large fleet of almost two hundred ships.”

“Good grief…”

“Also, the Holy Milishial Empire requests our permission to dispatch a delegation here before we can open a diplomatic relationship.”

“Quite a pity they didn’t attend the Council Meeting. I think it will scare them off if they arrive a day before the Council Meeting. The next year will be Hillem’s 4th year, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It will be his 4th year, and the selection of the new Prime Minister for each territory is already underway as Hillem’s order.”

“Excellent. I was wondering if Rosaria can make a new history here, considering once she’s married to Shiki, she officially becomes a citizen of the Celestina Empire. If she can do her job like at her homeland, Celestina citizens may recommend her to become an Empress.”

“That will be a new history to be written if all Prime Ministers agreed to keep her on the throne, including the next one.”

“Yep.”

The Papaldia Empire, Imperial Palace

The palace was busy calculating the value of each spoils of war they took from the former colonies. Silvano supervises them as she and Jill calculate every price of the valuable items that are not worth being kept at the Imperial Palace. Any valuable items will be put on sale by the Minister of Finance except for item that possesses historical value for the Papaldia Empire.

The Papaldia Empire’s Minister of Finance is working down to the bone to make sure they can pay the reparation fee earlier than scheduled. Their goal is to receive a reduced sentence from the Celestina Empire as soon as possible.

“I don’t want to hear any nobles embezzling this money. If you protect them, I will make sure you and your family wear a money choker as well, aside from those who corrupt that money as we have a proper measurement for them.”

“Y-yes, Ma’am!”

Even though Celestina is merciful to the Papaldia Empire, they are merciless when it comes to a reparation payment. As Alicia’s command, every piece of jewelry and other stuff made of pure gold and precious metal that does not hold a historic value is being put on sale to the public by the Minister of Finance.

People still fear the Celestina Empire after Celestina and Armada assault the capital twice, which is enough to install fear into their hearts and minds. They do not want to mess with the Celestina Empire again, let alone the Celestina diplomat that Alicia assigned to supervise the Papaldia Empire, the Imperial Champion of Chess, Silvano Shin Regal, and the Royal Maid, Jill Wagner. Since both of them have been together since junior high school, both of them complement their work. Silvano devises strategy and plan, while Jill will handle the cleaning.

In the Zealot Strike Force, both Jill and Silvano were assigned to Shiki’s team as CO and SiC of Ghost Diplomat Company from the first day on the Celestina Imperial Intelligence Security Agency or CIISA. One of the gossip that reaches their ear is Hakuren wants to reestablish her clan and plan to resign from Maya’s adjutant, and she recommends Silvano and Jill as new adjutants. Another adjutant that was also affected by this rumor other than Hakuren is Nicholas Macmillan, where his age is suited for office work, yet no longer suitable to handle a bunch of jobs as Cecilia’s adjutant. Faira Desirae is said to take his place once he resigns from Cecilia’s adjutant position, according to the employees at the CIISA.

Faira Desirae is now leading the Prowler Recon Alpha Company as a Lieutenant. She will receive a promotion of two ranks to Commander and earn Commodore's authority rank by receiving a War Maiden Squadron medal and Imperial Navy Cross. The medal she receives is due for her achievements in conducting hundreds of recon missions ever since Celestina was transferred into the New World three years ago. The Main Council will assign her as Recon 1st Fleet Command, with a callsign “Magnifier.” The Fleet consisted of one Audhumla-class Heavy Cruiser as a command ship, four Firefly-class Light Sniper and six Heavy Frigate, and three Prowler Company. Each Company houses three Prowlers. The base of operation will be twenty kilometers west of the Capital of Natunia, Hereford.

If the Adjutant Exchange is listed out, it will be a huge uproar due to people assigned as Main Council’s adjutant having an indefinite time. Not only the composition of Battle Group Valkyrie will change, but the entire army inside it will also be affected.

“Jill, I assume you already heard about the possible Changing of Hats for adjutants.”

“I heard it. It seems MacMillan wishes to focus his effort on training new snipers to fill Grand Duchess Cecilia’s rank, so he would like to find someone to take his place. Lyrallei is already good at recon, though. I think Grand Duchess Cecilia wants to maximize the recon of ground forces and air forces for it.”

“It sure is.”

“By the way, they want us to take their asset from the former colony.”

“Main Council’s order are having their assets seized by the colonies. If it was precious metals, then they can lead us to take it.”

“Right…”

Silvano takes a look at a recent report given by the Ministry of Finance, and she calls them out as soon as she finds something is wrong.

“Didn’t you hear my orders? No embezzling or collecting money for yourself. The number we assess is higher than in the report I made.”

“B-but, we got a hard time selling in that number.”

“We already have a lot of buyers that want it. You just list everything out and put a price according to the report I made!”

“B-but, we’re not ready to host this auction.”

“Complain to your Emperor, then! He wants every spoils of war and everything that does not hold a historical value disappear in less than six months!”

“Y-y-yes, Ma’am!”

The Ministry of Finance officials quickly resume the work while Silvano and Jill continue to supervise it.

There were many changes following the defeat of the Papaldia Empire. Kyeos becomes an Ambassador for the Celestina Empire. Irruka becomes a new Chief of Naval Operations due to a lack of Officers with a temporary rank of Captain and will be promoted to an Admiral until the reorganization is complete. The Department of Foreign Affairs is now merged from three different departments into a single department, with Remille as a new Minister with Elto as her assistant.

The Celestina Empire established a joint base with the Eclipse Empire at Duro, where the construction starts in early March. The base's construction is scheduled to complete within sixteen months and start operating a month after completion to accommodate Celestina New World’s 3rd Fleet and Eclipse’s 7th Strike Fleet. Their job will be running a perimeter around Third Civilization.