AN: Thank you all for sticking with me and I apologize for the long wait. I had midterms the past week and a half. Now that I am done with them, I have a window of free time. Enjoy the latest chapter!
the renegade soldier: If the fantasy could bring everyone and everything together under a common cause they could really wreck faces against modern military. But I still believe that after a war the Earth militaries will prevail (well, not some poor army but a decent one). Science gives you a broader understanding of the world and an edge in technology which can it farther away. Though an OP mage could cast a spell and unlash land slides, earthquakes or other disasters…
The Tundra Fox: Thanks! I'll have another one like that ready but for other things (i.e. documentary about the natives of the Special Region made by the second team of reporters). As for religion, think of it as gods who love to interfere with the mortals and things like that. But there are also things beyond them. Like Alistair's newly acquired powers. He was given access to it by Emroy and the other gods with the exception of Hardy. And Hardy just went nuts crazy in my story because she would do anything to marry Rory and now she is pissed off on Alistair and the JSDF and will resort to schemes and plots before she can unleash her minions again. She's like …rebuilding now after the other gods said "Now hold on a minute, you can't go on and rampage around here like that. Take a break."
Junior VB: Man, I would really appreciate if you could tell me a bit more than just two or three words in which you synthesize the whole chapter. Gimme' your thoughts :D
recordman: Yep, you are right and I know that but I had to go through that one. The thing is, here the lawyers won't have almost anything to gain. The man just stated his thoughts. But in reality lawyers are asses and scumbags for the most part of the time. I think I'll address that part too.
Leacher101: Thanks! And yes, I meant 'peace'. Small mistakes are bound to pass by unnoticed sometimes. You'll find more of them in the future. Thanks for your support.
Slyr3x: Copy that! I honestly don't know why I do that. Fluctuate between styles. Hope I've got it from now on.
It'sCalibra: Thanks man! Sorry for the wait. Enjoy the latest chapter!
Chapter 28: Poles Apart
'Entry XIII:
The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.'
Sadera, Imperial Army High Command
D-Day + 50 days
Adranos was sitting in a sturdy chair at a large table with the map of the Empire on it. He was in his white and red robes like any other senator but the red was the color of the Empire's military, a color he wears with pride. A young soldier passed the old general some papers. His white hair seemed to take an even whiter tone when he read the content of the documents.
Adranos was resting his jawbone in his left palm and the papers in his right hand. Very curious, the young soldier who seemed to be his adjutant, asked him: "Lord Adranos, what has you so concerned?"
The old man just threw him a glance before sighing and starting to read again the content of the papers. A full minute passed before he spoke. "I don't know what to make of this anymore…"
"What happened? News from the front lines?" the lad asked.
"Tell me, did these messages arrive here via messenger pigeon?" Adranos asked him.
"Yes, my lord."
"Cancel every single shipment of supplies towards the Duma lines. Order every batch of fresh troops stationed in the nearby military camps. Halt every shipment of armor, bows, swords, spears, shields, arrows… everything." Adranos spoke with a grave tone.
"If I may ask… what happened that you deem these measures necessary?"
"Titus and Tasius have been defeated. They held out as best they could. Tasius was taken prisoner after falling into an enemy ambush. Titus informally surrendered himself and his troops… my troops better said, since he lost his legion at Alnus. The 7th Legion Legacy of Godasen has been scattered. Some are retreating towards east and are making their way home. Some have surrendered to the enemy. 15,000 dead on our side. And the two have sworn to aid Princess Pina in her quest for peace between us and the invaders. They are prisoners of war while they are not. I don't understand this…
Then there is the fact that the enemy has pushed past the Duma Mountains and established a fortified camp on the eastern side. They could strike the capital at any moment."
Adranos' aid was left stunned. The Empire's two best generals alive have surrendered and the princess is mediating a peace without the consensus of the Senate and of the emperor? A situation without precedent in the history of this hegemonic state. He gathered himself and asked the obvious. "How will we break the news to the Senate, to the Emperor and to the other key figures within the Army?"
Adranos raised up from his seat with the small papers in hand. "I don't know how. To be honest… I… I was not expecting to win this war. If the rumors about the enemy's power are true, then we may have been fighting only a delaying battle. The peace faction of the senators will use this information to their full extend while the war faction will brand Titus, Tasius and even Pina as traitors. The Emperor might keep a cool demeanor and think things through. Diabo …good lad but he is playing the game of power and wants to be named the crown prince. Zorzal is just a stupid, arrogant and selfish spoiled brat. He's more concerned about whoring his way through life with sex slaves." Adranos spoke bitterly.
The aid was dumbfounded at his superior's bluntness. "My lord, this is worthy of severe, even capital punishment."
"What is?"
"What you just said. You should avoid speaking so open in front of other people who might turn you in."
"Nothing I didn't know already. You have a job to do. Dispatch the orders. We might still get out of this mess. I'll go and deal with the politics of it." He said and left the room.
Sadera, Zorzal's mansion
Meanwhile
The oldest heir to the throne of the Empire, Prince Zorzal El Caesar, was having again a good time with Tyuule, the queen of several Warrior Bunny tribes.
"Scream harder!" he kept commanding her.
Tyuule was older than Zorzal by roughly 10 years, placing her in her mid 30s. 'Why?' she asked herself every time she thought of her situation. 'From a proud leader of a proud people to a slave of the world's most spoiled royal brat who subjugated my folk.'
After satisfying Zorzal, Tyuule fell off the bed on the cold marble floor. Zorzal looked down at her. "You have to do better if you know what's good for your folk."
He then turned his attention to one of the men he always spent time with, one of his spoiled friends who originates from a rich family in the capital, just like his entire entourage. The Prince wanted to order him something but the sound of the doors opening got the best of him. A bald man walked inside, dressed in nobility summer clothing. He wasn't tall, maybe a bit shorter than average.
Zorzal smiled. "What brings you here, Minister Marcus?" he inquired.
The man bowed curtly before speaking. "Your Highness, I apologize if I'm interrupting, but…"
"But what? No matter. I was done with her anyway. I wanted to try again one of the women brought through the gate."
Marcus looked a bit worried. "Prince, you should take it easy with such habits. It could stain your name should you have a bastard child with someone of low birth, a slave one at that too. Or with someone who is not a human."
Zorzal frowned at his remark. "Marcus, you know too well that I don't discriminate. And what if Tyuule remains pregnant? She is a queen after all. One in shackles but a queen nonetheless. She would gladly bear my child." he said and kicked her in her shoulder.
Tyuule thought to herself 'I'd better cut my own throat than birth you a child.'
Zorzal continued with his dialogue. "Maybe I'll let you too have some fun with her."
"I will refuse that offer, Prince." Marcus fired back. He found Tyuule very attractive just like any other Warrior Bunny female.
"So, Minister Marcus… what do you want to tell me?" Zorzal asked with a serious tone.
The bald man cleared his throat for a moment. "I bring news regarding the war with the otherworldly armies as you ordered me, Highness. General Tasius has been defeated in the field. A group of soldiers have just arrived in the capital. They report defeat in the Duma Mountains and the capture of the commander. Many have surrendered to the enemy while others are in a disorderly retreat towards the capital."
"Hmpf… So we are losing?"
"We were already losing…"
"We can't lose. I will show them bastards what war means and bring victory!" Zorzal said and gathered his fingers into two fists.
"We should not r-" Marcus wanted to say something before Zorzal rudely interfered and asked him: "Who else knows about this?"
"Probably Adranos. And soon… probably everyone. Retreating soldiers tend to spread the news around."
"Thank you, Minister Marcus. If you don't want a woman to relax then I suggest you leave me. Bring in that Noriko girl! Take Tyuule back into her cell!" Zorzal ordered to his friends.
In the shadows of the large room, a pair of eyes was watching Zorzal and company with a lot of satisfaction. 'He will be excellent.'
Sadera, inside the Senate building
D-Day + 50 days, afternoon
"Casel, thank you for being able to see me so soon."
"It seemed very important. What is it, Adranos?"
The two were talking in private in a separate room within the Senate. Somewhere away from unwelcomed eyes and ears.
"Because it is very important. I just learned about it hours ago and had a bit of work to do before I could speak about it." Adranos said and took a seat to rest his old legs.
Casel used a stone table as a means to lean on it. "Well..?"
"We lost the Dumas. The enemy breached through and has already established a base on this side of the mountain range from where they will be able to launch attacks on the port cities such as Proptor on the shores of the Blue Sea and the capital itself."
"So, Sadera, the beating heart of the Empire, is in throwing range of the enemy armies?" Casel asked.
"That is a way of saying it." Adranos admitted.
"How did Titus and Tasius fail? They are the best military minds we have as far as I know."
"Titus attempted a flanking maneuver and he was intercepted by enemy forces. Several days of fighting ensued. The same can be said about Tasius who tried to defend the pass through the Dumas. He was pretty successful at first but he was captured and taken prisoner. Without his leadership… the rest fell." Adranos explained. "But… now comes the best part."
Casel raised an eyebrow. "Best part?" he asked with half voice.
Adranos smiled unknowingly before answering Casel. "You are the leader of the Senate, Casel. You are also part of the peace faction. The information I will pass you must not fall on wrong ears. Do you understand me? Should the fools within the leadership get any ideas, the entire realm will be thrown into turmoil."
"Just say it already! You know me better than that, Adranos." Casel assured him.
"Titus surrendered with the entire surviving 6th Legion. He and Tasius are safe. They are working with Princess Pina who wants to persuade the Senate to sue for peace. Right now, they are waiting for the storm to pass. Then, she and Titus will return to Sadera and start laying the foundation for the peace talks. You might want to meet them when they are here. Tasius will stay back until things are favorable for the doves. I didn't share this information with many. Just a few people who I know I can trust."
"Why?" Casel asked.
"Because Tasius is known to have been captured. He will return when they apparently release prisoners of war. The people believe Titus to be free and well… just like Pina. For all they know, she is somewhere out there gathering information on the invaders."
"What about her knights? The Rose Order of Knights? Rumors have it that they are prisoners too. One boy who was recruited by Pina arrived in the capital a while ago and I had to take him under my supervision and protection. The information he had was too useful to the doves to be revealed without some preparation on our behalf."
"I know, I know. The knights are stationed at Italica for the moment. They'll all come back soon." Adranos said and stood up. He slowly makes his way towards the door. "Put the information I gave you to good use, Casel." he said before reaching the door frame and going into the hallway.
1st EAA HQ
D-Day + 50 days
DIETRICH'S POV
Not that I don't appreciate the promotion to Brigadier General… but I miss the days when I used to get more sleep. The military operations took a heavy toll on me. Thank God that I got 10 hours of good sleep after this mess settled…
Now that the battle is over and we have secured a route from where we'll be able to strike in the Empire's heartland, we only have to deal with Pina and these two generals. Gott verdamt! Politics, the bane of any soldier.
"General Dietrich..?" Pina said. I turned to her, breaking from my thoughts. "Yes, Princess?" I asked.
"Uhm... nothing in particular. Is just that you were staring into nothing for a while now and got me concerned."
"Worry not. I was just thinking about the things to come." I assured her. She is so young and beautiful for a royal military commander… she might pass as an actress back home. Or a medieval armor and weapons nerd.
"Then let us see to them." Titus said, bringing to our attention what we had gathered to talk about.
"First, what can we expect from the senators, military leaders and …ultimately, the emperor?" I asked.
"The other generals are dumb idiots." Titus swiftly said. "They still believe the Imperial Army is fighting a war just like any other. And I bet they are recruiting around the clock."
"Titus is right. The military leadership is used to continuously winning wars. Most generals and legates are too rigid in their way of conducting warfare. They are not as flexible as me and Titus would like them to be." Tasius added.
Pina smiled. "Don't worry, General. We hold you two in high regards."
"Princess, is not like I am praising us. It is common sense for a commanding officer of such a high rank to be able to adapt to different situations. Their last major campaign was against the Warrior Bunny tribes under Tyuule's banner." Tasius cleared himself of accusations.
"And that was a Gods useless bloodbath started by your stupid brother, Princess." Titus said with an angry voice.
Pina bit her lip. "While I don't think to good about my brother, General Titus, I would like you to refrain yourself from speaking so openly and with hostility about him. He is still my brother and an heir to the throne."
I respect this girl. She has the traits of a good leader. She just lacks experience.
Curious as I was, I asked the obvious. "Who is your brother and what did he do?"
Titus held his arms crossed in front of his chest, barely holding some more bad words about Pina's brother. She didn't want to speak about it either. It was Tasius who cleared things for me.
"Ehm… Prince Zorzal is not held in high regards by General Titus here. I'm sorry Princess Pina, but I share his opinion. He is the one most likely to be named as the crown prince. Truth is, two years ago he started a campaign against a union of Warrior Bunny tribes under the leadership of Queen Tyuule. He personally oversaw the campaign and the destruction and enslavement of her people."
I felt anger in my chest rushing up to my mouth. "Enslavement..?"
Tasius nodded as he continued to explain. "Yes. The Warrior Bunnies are mostly females and they are very attractive. But they are fierce warriors at the same time. They fought hard and they fought well. Yet it wasn't enough and they fell in front of the disciplined ranks of the Army. Those who were not killed in battle were either enslaved or went into hiding or sought refuge somewhere. Prince Zorzal has taken Tyuule as a sex slave."
Sex slave!? The oldest brother of the royal family has sex slaves? I swear I wanted to punch somebody hard in the face. And they saw me tensing. Not too professional of me but who wouldn't be angry to hear this?
"And I guess he got away with it."
"Yes…"
And he gets away with such things… I looked Pina in her ruby eyes. "Princess Pina, don't let him come close to me or me close to him. Because if that happens… I will take him and throw him in jail until he will be trialed and punished for crimes against humanity."
Pina was obviously shocked to hear this. She wanted to retort with a weak argument. "But they are not humans, they are W-"
"DOESN'T MATTER! Every God damn sentient being has the same rights as mankind does! I know your people here love to pretend they are civilized but they are nothing more than a barbaric and tyrannical barbarian scum to allow such things to go unpunished! How dares he keep concubines like that? And trust me, concubine is a lot because I don't want to call the poor woman a slave used for his desires."
Pina looked to the two generals. She hoped to find support in them but they seemed to agree with Dietrich. Titus spoke breaking the awkward silence.
"He's got a good point. The way the Empire pretends to be the most civilized while practicing such things… I never agreed with this."
"Kind words from someone who is known to regularly pay visits to the slave market in the capital, General Titus." Pina accused him.
"The difference is that I never treat them like slaves. They are always free to leave, they have good living conditions and I even pay them when my family sells the fruits of a yearly work. Thus, they can get on their own feet and leave the capital any time." the general spoke. Pina narrowed her eyes at him. "Point is, Princess, I am a more moral person than your everyday noble. I come from a common family and I know how hard it is to live in the Empire's lower society. I can't change things over night and abolish slavery but I can help some unfortunate souls."
Titus really is the kind of man who doesn't eat shit from anybody and a good person too. He totally put Pina on the defense. While her knights said she doesn't hold slaves because she dislikes the idea… Well… I still can't their word for it.
"Princess, I understand that you feel a brotherly love towards Prince Zorzal but you shouldn't let emotions cloud your judgment. Shall we return to the matter at hand? What can we expect to transpire in Sadera?" I said.
Tasius cleared his throat before speaking. "I've sent word to Lord Adranos." I raised an eyebrow to that. "He's our friend in the capital." He cleared it for me, noticing I was unaware the man's identity. "Former general of the 6th Legion and now a senator. He passed command to Titus here to have men to fight. Titus' 11th Legion Lionheart was destroyed in battle at Alnus.
He's the one who kept supplies flowing to me and Titus and reinforcements. He surely ordered everyone to stand own if he got my message. And he should be working with Casel and the other doves to promote peace negotiations among the senators."
Doves? Guess they are the ones who are calling for peace. "I take it the opinions are split."
"Yes. There are a few who want peace, the leader of the Senate, Casel, included. The majority want to continue the hostilities. They believe that the Empire will win this war eventually and overcome the situation like several times in its history."
"Thankfully we are not as barbaric as to what you are used to." I had to point out.
Tasius kind of thanked me with a slim bow of his head and spoke again. "We should give Adranos time to get the doves ready who they, in turn, will put things in motion too. Then, after the dust settles a bit, Princess Pina and General Titus will return to Sadera and do their best to persuade the war mongering faction to sue for peace. If we get more than half of the Senate on the doves' side then we can put an end to this stupid fighting."
Why is Tasius not going too? "General Tasius, why are you not going with them?"
"Ah well… you see, I told Adranos that I was captured and held prisoner. That is what everyone thinks of me. But I also told him the truth. I will be considered prisoner of war. Me and my men. Princess Pina will, apparently, meet Titus when the two are making their way to Sadera. Titus after a defeat and Princess Pina after a …successful scouting mission."
"Half of my knights will stay at Italica. The other half will be coming with me to Sadera. When will your diplomats arrive, General Dietrich?" she asked me.
Time to shine and answer them. "There's a guy, Sugawara Koji. He will be the first to come and talk to the senators, help you get them on your side. He won't be coming with you. He'll arrive later on. General Hazama is preparing an operation right now. We'll basically infiltrate the capital in a district called Akusho and set up a small base there. Will come in handy if things take a turn for the worse. The main diplomat corps will come when it is time for the real negotiations. I'm sure you already spoke to Sugawara and Shirayuri, Princess."
"Yes, I did. I also have a list with the names of every prisoner held on the other side of the gate. The senators' sons will make for a fine bargaining chip." Pina said with a smile as she waved a small book in her left hand.
Tasius wasn't done talking. "We should be wary of the others who might actively oppose us in our quest for peace." He warned.
"Alright then. It is settled. Should you need anything, just come to me. I'll be off to write and send a report to Hazama."
END OF POV
Special Region, Fel'kren temple
Meanwhile
Alistair slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the stone ceiling of the temple and felt the warm air accompanied by the sounds of wood cracking in fire under a medieval style chimney.
He wanted to get up and look around but he fell something on his torso. It was Alia in her casual clothing sleeping on him. Her head and hands, at least. He put his hand on her dark blue hair and took the strands of hair off her face before slowly waking her up.
She opened her eyes and slowly stretched. "Thought you never wake up again." she said with a lazy voice.
"Better that than let… good people die." he replied. "How are you? How's your …arm?" he asked as he got up on his butt.
"Much better." she says and reveals her bandages on the right arm, from elbow to shoulder. "The priest healed me but I'm still recovering. Got a nasty scar instead. So… care to explain?"
"Explain what?"
"How everything happened. And how that blade got there." Alia says and points to Alistair's left side. There was a katana longer and a bit wider than Alia's. And it was held in a sheath of a similar color. Its hilt had a sort of extravagant feel to it. Nicely decorated in blue diamonds set up in a two parallel rows, from the hand guard to the bottom of the hilt from where a blue fabric was sticking out of it. It had the same shade of blue as Alia's hair.
Alistair looked at it. He took it in his hands and drew the blade out. The katana was black. He could perfectly wield it with one hand. "It is your weapon of choice, soldier. You chose it and it bears resemblance to the one you drew that blade for in the first place." a voice spoke in his mind. It unnerved him a bit. He looked at Alia. She was staring at the blade too casually to have heard the voice. No, it was just he who was hearing it. "I taught you how to use it while you were asleep in this world. Trust me, use it when the need comes and it won't let you down."
"I… I don't think I know for sure."
"Al… how the hell did you do it? I saw you die… How?" Alia kept asking. Her eyes were watering. "Not that I am not happy to see you back… but how? Things like that don't happen too often."
The British lieutenant looked at her. "I… I don't know. I know that I was really pissed off and somebody spoke to me… and a dark flame was given to me and I accepted it and the next thing I know is more anger and rage because of that… Giselle… That was her name, right? By the way, how did you call me?"
"Eh… Al. Your full name is Alistair. Now that I think of it, what is your other name?"
He put his left palm on his face, like suppressing a headache. "Other name..? Alistair… yes, sounds familiar. But I have no memory of any other name. Who am I? How did I forget my other name? I remember Itami, the army… Mack… my former and actual comrades. But I feel like I've lost a part of myself."
She hugged him. "You just came back from the dead! You must have lost a part of yourself there…"
Then he remembered something. "Where is my bag? Is Mack's notebook still there?"
"Yes. The bag and everything you had is over there. But your… rifle was shattered. You only got your pistol left."
"Bloody hell…" he cursed slowly. Then looked directly in Alia's eyes. "Girl… we should leave and get the help we initially wanted to get before those two lunatics try playing another round of 'Heroes & Generals' with us and everyone else ends up dead. By the way, where am I? Where are we?"
"The temple of Fel'kren."
"Right, right… Can you walk?"
"I can but can you?"
"Worry not. I've never felt more alive than now, I think…"
AN: Hello everyone and thanks for reading! Please leave your opinions in the reviews or PMs on this chapter too :D the next chapter might take a lot less to be posted. As I said, had midterms to go through before I could attend my story.
