Chapter 39: No evidence, no charges.

Paris, 10:45 am

General Smilas was reading The Art of War, a military strategy treatise dating back to the 6th century BC. the work of Sun Tzu, general of the kingdom of Qi, one of the various kingdoms that arose from the dissolution of the ancient Zhou kingdom. It was a famous historical text, which every soldier (at least of high rank) would have to read in order to become an excellent strategist. It was rumored that even Napoleon Bonaparte, the hero of the revolution three centuries earlier, had been inspired by that text for his maneuvers that would have led him to conquer the whole of Europe, including Russia and the British Isles. Suddenly someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

"Excuse the trouble, general." A young officer with short brown hair and black eyes began.

"What is it, Olivier?"

"Was it prudent to send Constance to the Oki archipelago?"

"It was necessary to send one of our representatives after Euro-Britannia and Britannia did the same."

"That archipelago is located in a territory in the hands of the invaders, who could attack it at any time."

"If they had wanted to, they would have destroyed it long ago. Evidently they consider it a small pile of small islands."

"True ... And what about Euro-Britannia?"

"So far it has kept the pacts, despite the grumbling of the nobles ... Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova plus eastern Thrace with Istanbul have returned under our sovereignty, something that our old statesmen had failed. By the way, I'm thinking of sending some divisions to Siberia, to help them keep the southern front."

"First we should free the islands ... In the North Sea and in the Mediterranean."

"We will do it."

"In addition, Euro-Britannia is already supported by the motherland, which has sent support forces. Why should we do it too?"

"Because they helped us recover Poland, and they also gave us back territories. By the way, who leads the British contingent in Siberia? "

"Bismarck Waldstein, leader of the knights of round, the elite corps of the Holy Empire of Britannia."

Smilas whistled.

"One of the most experienced British commanders!"

"Yeah, and it seems strange to me since lizards are allergic to intense cold and therefore Siberia technically does not run any danger."

"In war you cannot always stay on the defensive, you have to attack to conquer territories. Emperor Charles knows this well."

"True. If I can afford it, I would suggest that you leave Paris for a safer location. If you were to lose your life, Europe would find itself without a guide."

Smilas thought about it, then nodded.

"Right, we still don't know what lethal weapons the invaders have. I will move as soon as possible."

" Where are we going to go?"

"You'll find out in due course."

"Ok."

Having said that, Olivier took his leave.


St. Petersburg, 1:00 pm

The Grand Duke was having lunch with Lord Farnese.

"A little while ago some alien fighters were shot down in flight over the Black Sea. They were headed for Sevastopol, in the Crimea." Andrea said.

"How many were there?" Henry asked.

"A small squadron."

"And how is the situation in the Caucasus?"

"Our forces have taken over Tiblisi and Yerevan, and are besieging Baku."

"Well. A few small efforts and the whole region will become ours again."

"Changing the subject ... Are you sure you also want to leave Eastern Thrace and Istanbul to the Europeans? They were not included in the agreements ... "

"Is it more dangerous to hand over a few territories to the Europeans or the whole Euro-Britannia to the aliens?"

"The nobles did not like this extra gift ..."

"I don't care what nobles like! And as soon as they create the first problem I will deprive them of all possessions, sending them to count trees in some prison camps in Siberia!"

"I understand, Grand Duke. Is there any news from Uriel's knights changing the subject?"

"Nothing relevant. Lord Shaing tells me of some tensions between his order and the W-0 unit."

"Him, huh?"

He smiled bitterly.

"And who, if not?"

"Do you think you can trust it?"

"I should not? He is a brave fighter, he has shown it several times. First against the Europeans now against the aliens. "

"Right, you're right ..."

I can't report my suspicions about Shin ... I have no evidence that he killed Lord Manfredi. I would risk making myself the figure of the liar slander, envious of the rise of Lord Shaing.

He said to himself, demoralized.