AN: Alright I know it's been a really long time since I updated, but certain issues in my life kept me very busy. I hope you'll all forgive me for my absence.
2 Days Later, Zyder…
The streets of the Capital were filled to the brim.
On either side of the street, men, women and children were lined up; cheering as the soldiers of Ionos marched passed them. Slowly, the procession of ten thousand iron-clad warriors made their way across the city, towards Montfortal. They marched in unison to their cadence, heads held high as they celebrated their victory.
At the head of the parade were General Felix Storm and his Legionnaires in the place of honor. They were the last of the veterans who had fought countless bloody wars in the name of their King. Grim-faced and determined, they marched with an air of confidence and discipline that was unmatched by those following them. To them, this was but one more conflict they had surmounted.
Following them was the Dragon's Guard, led by Director Faren Serathi. Mounted atop their battle horses and donned in their Mithril armor and their silken banners flying overhead they were a sight to behold for the citizens, who had never seen the Guardians fully assembled before. With their heads held high, they marched with a sense of authority that only came with victory. And though this was only the first occasion they had openly served in combat against a foreign power; they were confident of victory in many more battles to come.
Then came the formerly rogue Nighthawk Regiment led by the newly promoted Commandant Verian Clave. They had no flashy equipment or special status, but everyone knew that it was their bravery and valiance that had won them their place. Amongst all the engaged military groups, they had suffered the most casualties, well over half of their number. If not for their actions in holding the ports of Estepuerto, the Azkabanians may have very well won the battle.
After the Nighthawk Regiment were the Dragon Elites headed by Director Sinther Atheros and Agent Donovan Orthex. Instead of the usual swords that most of their compatriots had, they were armed with spears over three meters wide. It acted as an ideal weapon for them in the air, and could be quite formidable for a phalanx group on foot.
And so the parade went on, with each group following the one before them, each headed by their won leader until the procession finally reached its destination, in the heart of Montfortal. Atop a platform, Harry, fully dressed in his royal garbs, smiled widely as he saw them filter in. Behind him stood the civilian members of the Ionian Council, all dressed accordingly.
Harry silently cast a Sonorus charm, and held his wand closer to his chest. "My people, today we are gathered for an occasion that will go down in history. For fifty long years, our lands have remained divided by strife and discord. Famine and insurrections, indeed these had been at the forefront on all our minds. Uncertainty and doubt plagued us all, with each man and woman waking up to a day that offered nothing but hardships." The crowd remained silent throughout.
"Today, however, I am happy to say, that our situation has changed. Those who sought to sow discord among us have been rooted out! Those who sought to take our land have been forced back! Our lands have been made whole once more! Our existence is no longer under threat. We started off with the enemy at our very doorsteps. Now, we are at theirs." Jubilant cheering started up, especially from those soldiers who were present.
"Food is no longer scarce. Our agreement with the lands of the East ensures an abundance of supply for years to come." Now it was the civilian populace's turn to cheer. "Together, we have faced death and destruction. And together, we have surmounted each threat, one after the other, beating them back. Today, the world knows that when we were faced with the prospect of certain defeat, we did not succumb! We did not yield! We did not back down!" Emphasizing his words, he pounded his fist three times. "We took defeat by its horns and tossed it aside! Now, my people, after the battles have been waged and the dust has now settled, I offer this to you. Peace and Prosperity!" Shouts of joy filled the air as Harry finished his speech. The sound of clanging metal was soon heard as those soldiers present began showing their approval of the King.
Harry raised both his hands, effectively silencing the crowd. "But we must not forget those who have died for us; those unsung heroes whose names shall be swept away by time. Though we cannot do anything for them now, we can honor their sacrifice for their country and their comrades."
"To the Legionnaires of General Felix Storm, I offer you this gift." Harry extended his right hand outwards. One of his aides stepped forward, holding a banner emblazoned with a phoenix. On a closer look, it held an uncanny resemblance to the King's own phoenix. General Felix stepped forward to accept the banner on behalf of his men. "From this day forth, you shall now be known as the Phoenix Legion. For from the ashes of the old order, you were reborn." A cry came up form the ranks of the Legionnaires as Felix was handed the banner.
"Soldiers! Because of your actions, we are united once more in a common goal. Today, Ionos owes you all its thanks." And though those words were not spoken with as much power, it elicited the loudest cheering form both the populace and the military. Harry smiled to himself and stepped back, raising his arm in salute to the soldiers below.
Montfortal Throne Room, Ionian Imperium Council…
"Let the tenth meeting of the Ionian Imperium Council be called to order." Rigan said, banging his gavel as the members of said Council took their seats. The King, as always, sat on his Throne. The twelve members sat to either side of him, with him in the center. As Chief Advisor to the King, Rigan sat to his right. "My Liege, our first agenda for today is the matter with the Japanese. The Emperor of Japan sends his regards. He hopes your reign be long and prosperous one and that you will keep true to your word."
"Counselor Hyde and Director Sinther Atheros, I shall charge both of you with returning a reply to the Emperor. You shall be accompanied by the Nighthawk Regiment and the Dragon Elites to be led by Commandant Verian Clave once they have been brought back to nominal strength befitting of a Regiment. General Raphalle, as acting head of the Militia, you shall coordinate with the Commandant to ensure he is provided enough men." Harry instructed. The men bowed to show their obeisance.
"My liege, would it be prudent to send so many of our men to battle so quickly? We have barely returned to a state of peace. The people might not find it comforting that we are plunging headlong into another conflict, one that is outside our borders and barely concerns us." Hyde said.
"This matter concerns Ionos because it concerns our honor. The value, of which you should be aware, is also considerable. Do you think we would have gotten such excellent terms with our negotiations if it had not been for our integrity? The eastern countries have trusted us and we shall not forsake them. We cannot. They have enough men to drown us in human wave attacks if they so wished, and to earn their ire is no wise thing. It also concerns us, because those rebels we're putting down in Japan have been giving refuge to corsairs, and they threaten our supply lines from the east. As for the substantial military force, I want them to overwhelm those rebels in Japan. The faster they finish, the faster we can get them back. That will be the end of this matter." Hyde bowed in obedience and wisely remained silent.
"Your Grace, I would like to requisition more men to be drafted into the Dragon Riders." Sinther requested.
"I'm afraid I must deny you today, Director. I do not believe our funds would be put in the best of use training more men. Make do with what Riders and Elites you have under your command. Another thing, I want a full inventory of our current military. General Raphalle, you will take charge of this." Harry instructed. He urged the Counselors to bring forth the next agenda.
Rigan was all too eager to supply him this. "My liege, there is a diplomat from Ireland here to meet with the Council. She wish to discuss a possible alliance against the insurgent force known as Death Eaters, currently occupying the former UK holdings in Northern Ireland."
Harry was startled by this, visibly so. He had not made any diplomatic gestures towards the Irish, service versa up until this point. In fact, there was almost no reason that came to his mind why the Irish should choose to form an alliance with Ionos against the Death Eaters. "Send her in."
The two Guardians manning the doors opened it immediately, revealing a tall Irish woman well in her sixties. She walked forward with an air of confidence around her. "Catherine Sheehan, your Lordship." She said, introducing herself at the same time curtseying to show deference to Harry's position.
Living up to his title of Chief Diplomat, Hyde was the first to speak. "It is to our understanding you wish to form an alliance with us against these "Death Eaters". Why?"
"It is the belief of the Irish Ministry that the growing Death Eater presence is a danger to the safety of Ireland. They are not only terrorists and supporters of the Dark Lord Voldemort, but have also committed other atrocities against mankind. Furthermore, as a member state of the ICW, Ireland has an obligation to see to it that this threat be put down and to help maintain peace." She recited in rehearsed fashion.
"That's fine and all, and we expect your countries noble intentions, but why do you ask us, specifically, to help you? Why don't you give us the real reason." Hyde replied.
"Very well, if you insist. Currently, this has been classified as a Regional Threat, which rather limits the numbers of nations we can call upon to help us. Ireland cannot risk going to war alone. We also cannot risk doing nothing. The only choice we have is either to negotiate with these terrorists, which is detestable, or to expel them from our lands."
"And thereby placing all of Ireland under your Ministry's control." Harry said, stating what everyone was thinking.
The woman pursed her lips. "That would be a beneficial result as well."
Harry continued to speak his mind. "The UK Ministry and Azkaban are both suffering from recent defeats and have had their military crippled. They both will not act. As for the other Autonomous states, none of them are nearly strong enough to consider going up against the Death Eaters." He paused, and seeing her nod in agreement, finally showed her where he was leading them to with all of his ponderings. "If we choose to help you reclaim your lands, what benefit would Ionos receive? Why should we help you? Our past does not make us friends. As of now, Ionos is perfectly happy to consolidate, with a buffer between us and the Death Eaters. Why should Ionos send her sons to war for you whom we owe nothing?"
"Your lordship, it appears you are no fool, despite your youth. The Irish Ministry had expected this, however. We are prepared to offer you Newcastle, Belfast, and everything in between and to the east of the two as a permanent settlement of Ionos. Residents of that area will be relocated." Harry clasped his hands together in front of him, and weighed the gains and losses from each choice.
On one hand, more space was always welcome, and he needed more land for his people to live in. It would also serve as an excellent staging point against the English Ministry if it ever came to that. On the other, a separated land like that was more unwieldy, and there was no telling if there were other dangers to the area like werewovles or acromantulas. Even dire wolves were a possible threat in places that remote.
"We shall consider your proposition. We shall tomorrow."